Heatsink Posted May 8, 2008 Report Share Posted May 8, 2008 I couldn't resist building up my very first proper MTB frame again. This is the frame that I bought when first getting into XC riding when I lived in Bath. Later it was my first frame getting into Trials. It's got alot of memories for me! I used to commute up the Bath hills on this to University everyday come rain or shine. Then blast around the countryside on it in the evenings and weekends. Happy days racing University buses down Bathwick hill, and spending all day in SPDs!I learn the Trials basics on this frame from Mart Ashton's MBUK tutorials in the late 90s, and it was left as a Trialsy build (as much as this was possible back then!) when I got my first job since there was no local XC to be had anymore. Gradually I added more Trials orientated parts to it, until I bought what I thought was a more Trialsy frame, the X-tort, from now defunct X-Street. Yes, I still had alot to learn about Trials back then!Currently it's brakeless on the rear, which is making things interesting. I'm limited to bunnyhopping and riding up stuff, but surprisingly I've been finding the challenge of having no rear brake quite good fun. It's made me realise how often I was using my rear brake when I didn't need to, and it's making me ride off obstacles in a smoother way since I can't revert to the old habit of doing hops to back wheel and off. Instead, the options are smoother pedal based moves to raise the front wheel, or simple sidehops where the whole bike drops a minimal distance. I'll have the back brake on soon. I don't mind about the BB drop and long stays. I could do with the extra exercise anyway, and it'll sure be nice to not have to continually explain to my work colleagues why my bike doesn't have a seat and looks so unusual!Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Greenan!!!!!!!!!! Posted May 8, 2008 Report Share Posted May 8, 2008 That looks dam cool, what happened to the tensioner? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt rushton Posted May 8, 2008 Report Share Posted May 8, 2008 Looks cool, but what is that bit where the tensionar is? looks like you have been on paint and coloured over it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heatsink Posted May 8, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 8, 2008 That looks dam cool, what happened to the tensioner?Looks cool, but what is that bit where the tensionar is? looks like you have been on paint and coloured over it?A bit of paint work to hide a proto tensioner being tried out!Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Winton. Posted May 8, 2008 Report Share Posted May 8, 2008 Why :| its got a bb drop and you dont have to fall off to squash your balls Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Rainbird Posted May 8, 2008 Report Share Posted May 8, 2008 Haha, looks good Steve - Tensioner idea sounds interesting too BRING BACK SADDLES! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gandalf the Yellow Posted May 8, 2008 Report Share Posted May 8, 2008 mine isn't as old but i still have my 2002 Kona Cindercone which was my first proper mountain bike, i learnt endos and 3 back hops on it....might build it up haha.steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eskimo Posted May 8, 2008 Report Share Posted May 8, 2008 Kinda funny how your running a Cloud 9 Bash, some casual saddle and have a bike lock round it. Is that frame a 16"er? I can't remember anyone having more than 14" before, but my memory could be wrong. It just looks massive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craigjames Posted May 8, 2008 Report Share Posted May 8, 2008 Why :| its got a bb drop and you dont have to fall off to squash your balls because that what trials bikes used to be. normal small xc frames with the seat right down. oh the shame in thinking trials bikes have always been l,ong, low and silver... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Winton. Posted May 8, 2008 Report Share Posted May 8, 2008 Why :| its got a bb drop and you dont have to fall off to squash your balls yeah that was a bit harsh.and im not some daft newbie, i just dont think its a good idea going back to the old high toptube frames that used to be ridden. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craigjames Posted May 8, 2008 Report Share Posted May 8, 2008 nothing wrong with going through a bit of a nostalgic phase, people do retro builds on bikes all the time. makes you appreciate the new stuff more if anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Rainbird Posted May 8, 2008 Report Share Posted May 8, 2008 You don't need a 'top tube' by your ankles to have fun on a bike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marten@ScandinavianTrials Posted May 9, 2008 Report Share Posted May 9, 2008 Nice!Send me some proto pics Steve! I'm curious! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spaceman Posted May 9, 2008 Report Share Posted May 9, 2008 Hmm, the tensioner looks "long" though, but I'm sure it would be great when it's revealed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Probailer2 Posted May 9, 2008 Report Share Posted May 9, 2008 Nice old school bike, but I'm sure a rearbrake would work prety well on it Peter M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
that NBR dude Posted May 9, 2008 Report Share Posted May 9, 2008 Nice old school bike, but I'm sure a rearbrake would work prety well on it Peter MI think Akrigg proved thats not neccessary! Looking cool Steve, we need to teach these young whipper-snappers a lesson about real trials bikes Speak soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Manning Posted May 9, 2008 Report Share Posted May 9, 2008 Kinda funny how your running a Cloud 9 Bash, some casual saddle and have a bike lock round it. Is that frame a 16"er? I can't remember anyone having more than 14" before, but my memory could be wrong. It just looks massive.I may be wrong but I'm pretty certain Martyn, Martin and Hans all had 16" xc frames at some point way back before Tricks and Stunts was made. I for one remember when myself and some friends had xc frames, with fsa power pro cranks and dmr bashring's and v-brakes. That was trials, before what we have now came along.Unless you started out with a trials bike converted from an xc bike, I don't think you can say you have really enjoyed trials to the maximum. People like Steve and I, have grown up with the change of technology within the mountain bike industry. Alot of rider's have had it easy, with their first bikes being specifically designed for trials including parts. I'm glad I learnt on a 17.5" Haro Vector V1 with RST 156 front suspension.Steve how about we get a ride together with the theme, Old school trials bikes, lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
that NBR dude Posted May 9, 2008 Report Share Posted May 9, 2008 I may be wrong but I'm pretty certain Martyn, Martin and Hans all had 16" xc frames at some point way back before Tricks and Stunts was made. I for one remember when myself and some friends had xc frames, with fsa power pro cranks and dmr bashring's and v-brakes. That was trials, before what we have now came along.Unless you started out with a trials bike converted from an xc bike, I don't think you can say you have really enjoyed trials to the maximum. People like Steve and I, have grown up with the change of technology within the mountain bike industry. Alot of rider's have had it easy, with their first bikes being specifically designed for trials including parts. I'm glad I learnt on a 17.5" Haro Vector V1 with RST 156 front suspension.Steve how about we get a ride together with the theme, Old school trials bikes, lol.Power to the people!! Now that brings back memories, Powerpro cranks, DMR ringthings, Shimano DX-vbrakes, IRC Elgatos. My first frame was a GT Zaska 16", RST 221 suspension and Suntour tripple chainset. Back then, a DMR Sidekick was considered a top notch trials frame. People didnt moan about geometry, you just got on and rode whatever you could get hold of.Nick, I reckon an Old Skool trials ride should be done! No Hydraulic brakes, nothing under 14" frame, and FSA cranks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Dark Posted May 9, 2008 Report Share Posted May 9, 2008 that loos awesome...i started properly on a saracen x-ess then a trek 820 st...ive even got some pictures of me looking like a berk on it....uploaded shortly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Winton. Posted May 9, 2008 Report Share Posted May 9, 2008 You don't need a 'top tube' by your ankles to have fun on a bike Thats not what im saying i just dont think its worth the effort when theres so much better equipment out there nowadays. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skoze Posted May 9, 2008 Report Share Posted May 9, 2008 Where are the gears?Looking good there, beasty pre-skool machine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
that NBR dude Posted May 9, 2008 Report Share Posted May 9, 2008 Thats not what im saying i just dont think its worth the effort when theres so much better equipment out there nowadays.I dont quite think you understand. I dont know when you started riding, but for us old age pensioners its a reminder of where we began. Bikes like these are a part of our history, and we like to look back at that remember the good times.I totally respect people for building up bikes like this, as it keeps our past alive, and helps people appreciate where their sport came from Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spaceman Posted May 9, 2008 Report Share Posted May 9, 2008 Perhaps it takes a certain level of maturity to appreciate such bikes.There's this super old school trials rider (age 30+ and married with kids) at my side, still rides his old alu Ellsworth Specialist frame since 2001. Only 2 months ago he switched to a dobermann steel frame. I really respect him alot cos he was the one who showed us that bmx tricks could be done on mountain bikes, and he was one of the trials pioneers. Without him, I doubt I would be hooked into trials. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heatsink Posted May 10, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2008 More photos!To contrast with my bike you can see my son's brand new bike. No brakes or pedals! It seems that the easiest way to teach a child to ride a bike is via one without pedals, rather than one with pedals and stabilisers. Our son is very keen on his new bike! We're going to be helping him with his riding this weekend!Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Rainbird Posted May 10, 2008 Report Share Posted May 10, 2008 Callum on a 24UK soon enough then, eh Steve?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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