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New To Trials, Advice?


kepha

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Hi everyone, I am new here so I would just like to start my post by introducing myself and saying thanks for any help I may receive here.

I have never ridden trials in my life and do not have any friends who own trials bikes or practice trials so I am not in a position where I can try out a bike or get a feel for what I like. I do mountain biking and have recently taken an interest in the idea of playing with trials biking for fun and to increase my control on a bike.

A lot of the terminology with trials bikes is new to me but I am gradually understanding it (geo, bb short/long etc) although none of that really makes a difference to me as I haven't had the opportunity to see what each type feels like for me.

I have read the post in the beginners section that basically says it doesn't matter what bike you buy first as long as it's fit for purpose so I guess I am just looking to buy a bike that fits into my budget and I like to look off.

Right now I have seen THIS on eBay. it's a 26" 24/7 Danny Holroyd frame with a custom build. The seller claims that it was originally worth just under £1700 so it sounds like a good deal. I really cannot find any information (literally) about this frame and the individual parts at this point mean very little to me. My question to you guys is whether at £650 (the buy it now price) is this bike good value? or at least worth £650.

I am looking to get stock 26" because I feel that will be a closer ride to the mountain bikes that I am used to riding. Any other bikes around the £400 - £600 range that you might recommend instead would be welcome.

Thanks for reading this, any help / advice would be appreciated.

Kepha

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I can't help wit much, but if you search the forum for holroyd you will see a load of stuff previous bike prices and comment about it etc.. But also the price can vary a lot depending on components obviously. But yeah hopefully other people can help more.

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That actually looks like a very clean build, I'd message him and maybe try get it a bit cheaper "just cause".

Only thing I'd recommend changing is the freewheel for something trials specific.

What would you recommend replacing the freewheel with?

I sent him a message him the other day and asked him a few questions but he has a reserve on the £400 and basically said "if you cant afford it, it was never meant to happen". I would like to try and get it for £500 /£550 which I might offer him tonight but I don't know how much he will be prepared to move. Honestly I am not even sure I am prepared to spend £650 otherwise I probably would have gone ahead and bought it already.

I will do a search on the forum in a sec, I did google the frame and basically established that it was a few years old but otherwise didn't see much.

sometimes I have seen people add items for say £1000 claiming its a bargain when really the value is a lot lower and they are just trying to trick some newbie into thinking they got a real good deal. That's what I am trying to avoid essentially. There are plenty of echo, zoo, onza and yaabaa bikes floating around for sale for the same amount or less that I could get instead.

Thanks,

Kepha

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I had one of these frames, they are pretty nice, especially for someone new to the sport. The parts look in great condition, though it seems the guy has bought the most expensive parts he could, not because they are the best but it seems because they are expensive.

I agree with Azarathal, there's no harm in trying to get it cheaper.

The things i personally would want to know is what are the forks and if that white scratch in the rim is not a crack. It's best to be certain. For a beginner the spec will be fine for quite a while, although the Shimano DX freewheel is not designed for trials use or ideal for trials. I would highly recommend you upgrade that to any of these freewheels, though if your happy to spend the money I would suggest the ECHO SL 108.

What would you recommend replacing the freewheel with?

I sent him a message him the other day and asked him a few questions but he has a reserve on the £400 and basically said "if you cant afford it, it was never meant to happen". I would like to try and get it for £500 /£550 which I might offer him tonight but I don't know how much he will be prepared to move. Honestly I am not even sure I am prepared to spend £650 otherwise I probably would have gone ahead and bought it already.

I will do a search on the forum in a sec, I did google the frame and basically established that it was a few years old but otherwise didn't see much.

sometimes I have seen people add items for say £1000 claiming its a bargain when really the value is a lot lower and they are just trying to trick some newbie into thinking they got a real good deal. That's what I am trying to avoid essentially. There are plenty of echo, zoo, onza and yaabaa bikes floating around for sale for the same amount or less that I could get instead.

Thanks,

Kepha

Personally from reading the auction, the guy sounds a bit up himself. The reason he has come across so many trials bikes with bodges, is most likely because the owners can't afford to fix or replace like he clearly can. Also the way he has relied to you with regards to the fact that if you can not afford it then it's not meant to be, that's just not nice. If you are willing to spend £400 to £600 for a 26" trials bike, then I would recommend you buy one from here. They will be used, but some are in great condition.

I personally wouldn't buy anything from this guy.

here's a few bikes that might take your interest:

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I would highly recommend you upgrade that to any of these freewheels, though if your happy to spend the money I would suggest the ECHO SL 108.

Thanks I will check this out!

Personally from reading the auction, the guy sounds a bit up himself. The reason he has come across so many trials bikes with bodges, is most likely because the owners can't afford to fix or replace like he clearly can. Also the way he has relied to you with regards to the fact that if you can not afford it then it's not meant to be, that's just not nice. If you are willing to spend £400 to £600 for a 26" trials bike, then I would recommend you buy one from here. They will be used, but some are in great condition.

I personally wouldn't buy anything from this guy.

Haha, I know exactly what you mean! I have been holding back to see if I can see anything more available. I don't necessarily think the guy meant to be rude but the reaction did annoy me to be honest. I did check the buy section on this forum but there didn't seem to be many 26" on here today, I also checked pink bike which has a little more available but I would have to travel quite far in some cases to collect the bikes. I will definitely keep an eye on the auction for the holroyd. I like the idea of having a nice collection of quality parts to start with and then if I decide to upgrade the frame or parts in the future I have something to build upon.

EDIT:

Just saw you added some links, thanks I will check them out!

kepha

Edited by kepha
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Thanks I will check this out!

Haha, I know exactly what you mean! I have been holding back to see if I can see anything more available. I don't necessarily think the guy meant to be rude but the reaction did annoy me to be honest. I did check the buy section on this forum but there didn't seem to be many 26" on here today, I also checked pink bike which has a little more available but I would have to travel quite far in some cases to collect the bikes. I will definitely keep an eye on the auction for the holroyd. I like the idea of having a nice collection of quality parts to start with and then if I decide to upgrade the frame or parts in the future I have something to build upon.

EDIT:

Just saw you added some links, thanks I will check them out!

kepha

Yeah PinkBike can be a pain like that with know one wanting to post their bikes.

Well I hop you find something at the right price soon. Where abouts are you located? Perhaps you should put a topic up looking for a riders near to your location, it's always nice to ride with people, it makes riding more fun and helps to learn from one another.

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Yeah PinkBike can be a pain like that with know one wanting to post their bikes.

Well I hop you find something at the right price soon. Where abouts are you located? Perhaps you should put a topic up looking for a riders near to your location, it's always nice to ride with people, it makes riding more fun and helps to learn from one another.

Located near Bath / Bristol area

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Am I missing something or is there a second trials manufacturer named Bonz? The French Bonz doesn't make such cranks. Interesting.

There used to be another manufacturer called Bonz, yeah. Think they were Canadian, possibly? The irony that 'new' Bonz copied an already existing name isn't lost on me :P

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Hey guys, THIS just popped up on Pink Bike, it's a lot cheaper, same frame I think. How do you think this compares to the bike I posted earlier? It is stock components so I know it isnt as good but its also a few hundred pounds less meaning I could buy my own parts down the line if I find the sport is too my taste.

This is the last message I can submit today being a new user! I would be grateful for anybody's opinions comparing the 2 bikes and I will post any replies tomorrow if neccasary

Thanks

Kepha

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Hey guys I dont mean to spam this thread but I am just trying to avoid buying anything too awful ! XD unfortunately that other 24/7 bike was snapped up really quickly so I just saw THIS today. Its only £200 shipped and the guy is now just waiting for me to confirm that I want it this evening. My thoughts are that It's cheaper than the £600 that I was going for previously but if I dont get into the sport like I am hoping I will have wasted less money and if I do get into it then I can upgrade with the spare cash later on. There isnt much info but I heard Koxx is a reputable brand? And since I am a beginner this should be alright? Last post about this I promise! Hopefully next week I will be able to get into the sport properly and contribute instead of spamming noobie questions ^__^

thanks

Kepha

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