Sutty22 Posted February 17, 2007 Report Share Posted February 17, 2007 I was riding trials from the age of 15 to about 19 in the Silsden, Keighley, Skipton area (West yorkshire). I'm 24 now and in the RAF so living in Scotland. Just bought myself a trials bike to get back into it and i'm gobsmacked by how much has changed in the relatively few years i've been out of the loop. Looking on this site and tarty bike etc I don't recognise hardly any of the brand names.Back when I was riding in Silsden I knocked around with John Hopkinson (Big Head), Mark Smith, Micheal Mcandrew (Mullet). Mullet got in touch the other day but i've lost contact with John and Mark. If anyone knows what they're up to nowadays or how to contact them i'd appreciate it if you could let me know.I've got a handsome dog at the moment but looking to upgrade fairly rapidly. Whats a good frame/fork combo now. I find the dog too long and heavy so would like a short/light 26". Anyone have any suggestions? Many thanks in advance.Sutty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louth Trials Posted February 17, 2007 Report Share Posted February 17, 2007 I was riding trials from the age of 15 to about 19 in the Silsden, Keighley, Skipton area (West yorkshire). I'm 24 now and in the RAF so living in Scotland. Just bought myself a trials bike to get back into it and i'm gobsmacked by how much has changed in the relatively few years i've been out of the loop. Looking on this site and tarty bike etc I don't recognise hardly any of the brand names.Back when I was riding in Silsden I knocked around with John Hopkinson (Big Head), Mark Smith, Micheal Mcandrew (Mullet). Mullet got in touch the other day but i've lost contact with John and Mark. If anyone knows what they're up to nowadays or how to contact them i'd appreciate it if you could let me know.I've got a handsome dog at the moment but looking to upgrade fairly rapidly. Whats a good frame/fork combo now. I find the dog too long and heavy so would like a short/light 26". Anyone have any suggestions? Many thanks in advance.SuttyWtf is that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sutty22 Posted February 17, 2007 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2007 Old school I know. That's why i'm looking for a quality Frame/Fork upgrade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fruitbat Posted February 17, 2007 Report Share Posted February 17, 2007 haha not seen a handsomedog in years, was one of my first bikes and i did like it but yeah it is too long and too heavy.Nowadays it depends what your after cos theres some many frames out there,Best thing to do is get out with some riders and try their bikes, see what you like and take it from thereFrooty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padarik Posted February 17, 2007 Report Share Posted February 17, 2007 heres another thing to baffle you , bb rise! goes from zero to 60 rise , id recomend the short gu 26 and gu forks. but then again i am a bb rise lover :$ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sutty22 Posted February 17, 2007 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2007 Go on then. Explain BB rise to me. Things were so simple back in the day. I agree that i'm gonna have to sample some bikes and see what suits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fruitbat Posted February 17, 2007 Report Share Posted February 17, 2007 BB rise is basically how high the BB is from the floor, from what i remember the rockhound is one of the lowest around, very low BB indeed, once you get on an up to date bike you will see the difference.It just makes the bike feel better to ride and better to handleAs i said i used to ride the rockhound myself and from riding that i loved the feel of the Echo bikes, especially the Pure, possibly try thatFrooty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sutty22 Posted February 17, 2007 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2007 (edited) As i said i used to ride the rockhound myself and from riding that i loved the feel of the Echo bikes, especially the Pure, possibly try thatFrootyThe echo's are something that has definately jumped out at me. Gonna keep an eye out for anyone near me who has one and maybe give it a try.The other thing i have found is that the rockhound's front end is very reluctant to pop into the air. do you think that this is to do with bike length or BB rise? Edited February 17, 2007 by Sutty22 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padarik Posted February 17, 2007 Report Share Posted February 17, 2007 could be to a slack head tube angle aswell might be just the lenght though , , it will feel more modish with higher bb rise hopefully some of scotlands riders may get in touch with you , could try thers see what you like , im sure the rest of the forum will be here for any other help you need Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eskimo Posted February 17, 2007 Report Share Posted February 17, 2007 BB rise is basically how high the BB is from the floor, from what i remember the rockhound is one of the lowest around, very low BB indeed, once you get on an up to date bike you will see the difference.It just makes the bike feel better to ride and better to handleAs i said i used to ride the rockhound myself and from riding that i loved the feel of the Echo bikes, especially the Pure, possibly try thatFrootyYour on about bb height. The actual rise is from the chainstay. Sort of how much higher it is that your axles (in a way). Think about it. If a Czar was to have actual 60+ bb height it would still have 200- bb rise. Get me?The handsome dogs were around at the time of the ddg shooters and saracens. In 2002 i think. They didn't have any bb rise as far as i know. My shooter and my mates rockolla were pretty much the same. They were far from being long bikes. My mate's feet used to scuff the wheel as he done 180 endos Back to the actuall topic, your going to get many people mention bikes that you won't know about. I was the same when i came back. To be perfectly honest don't listen to what most people say. Sorry but it won't do you any good. Like GU mentioned. That won't help you. I know your be used to using your bash guard and doing sidehops (if any) off both wheels. And bunny hops were a must. So stick with an all round bike which will make you feel at home again on. My recommendation would be a Echo Control. One of the strongest frames but also favoured by more people than any other frame i have found. Due to it's stiffness and built in cnc'd parts it feels very rigid. It will be very different to what your used to but will offer many different apects of riding available which i believe would suit anyone getting back into trials. Or go with the shorter more older version known as the Pure. To stay a little more at home. This will feel more like your older bikes.Also the Ashton bikes may appeal when you've figured and learnt the geo's. But i'm just confusing you know.You know people still ride 0+bb ride bikes. Like the DDG Shooter etc. So don't feel left out to ride one. They can never be beaten when it comes to street moves to a certain extent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aener Posted February 17, 2007 Report Share Posted February 17, 2007 the rockhound's front end is very reluctant to pop into the air. do you think that this is to do with bike length or BB rise?Probably just something to do with your general set-up with it being as old as it is I'm no pro or anything - still quite new actually :$ But just about everything that CAN go wrong with a bike - on mine - it has. All within 9 months or so Maybe a slightly too difficult gear ratio?Might be too long for your liking, and you're struggling to get the leverage to pull it up maybe...It may have something to do with the BB rise - but I can't talk about that seeing as I've only ever ridden my 'Pro, not had the chance to see what other heights are like - so I'll leave that for someone else to pick at.-Flipp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synergy Posted February 17, 2007 Report Share Posted February 17, 2007 where ins cotland you from ? im from inverness, add me to msn mike_2124@hotmail.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sutty22 Posted February 17, 2007 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2007 I'm at lossiemouth near Elgin so not so far from you. I'll deffo get in touch. It would be good to find out where's good to ride and who all the local riders are. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
montyrider07 Posted February 17, 2007 Report Share Posted February 17, 2007 if you want a light frame then it has to be monty all the way, i used to ride an x-lite and it was the lightest frame i have ever felt, i now have and 07pr and its not much heavier Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
will_zooboy! Posted February 17, 2007 Report Share Posted February 17, 2007 You want a good fork + frmae combo well i would say,Short gu 26'' and echo urbansHope that helped Will Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tango Posted February 17, 2007 Report Share Posted February 17, 2007 mate do you by any chance play icehockey? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sutty22 Posted February 17, 2007 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2007 mate do you by any chance play icehockey?Nah, can't even stand up on ice I know one or two of the players from around here though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tango Posted February 18, 2007 Report Share Posted February 18, 2007 Cool we played the RAF last weekend was a good game Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sutty22 Posted February 18, 2007 Author Report Share Posted February 18, 2007 Just going back to my original post. Does anyone know if John Hopkinson or Mark Smith from the Keighley/Skipton area still ride or whereabouts they are now? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilko Posted February 19, 2007 Report Share Posted February 19, 2007 It depends how much money you have got to spend cos if you are looking for something cheap i sugggest something like a onza t rex or if your planing on something expensive then i would go for a koxx carbon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Rainbird Posted February 19, 2007 Report Share Posted February 19, 2007 If you are finding it hard work to pull the Handsome Dog (always wanted one of those back in the day!) up onto the rear end, it could be in part due to the long (16.75", approx. 425mm) chainstaysWith more "new school" geometry having stays at around 375mm or so, this will make a very significant differenceHowever, trying different bar/stem combos may help this too, so if you can experiment I'd advise you to give it a shot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinJI Posted February 19, 2007 Report Share Posted February 19, 2007 Yeah, definatly have a look at an Echo control, in short.They really are a good alrounder, people ride them in sooo many different ways, from all out street right to full on comp stuff, and big CLS style street.Also you cant really go wrong with Echo Urban forks. Everyone loves them, and theres a good reason for that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
20inch_power Posted February 19, 2007 Report Share Posted February 19, 2007 I was riding trials from the age of 15 to about 19 in the Silsden, Keighley, Skipton area (West yorkshire). I'm 24 now and in the RAF so living in Scotland. Just bought myself a trials bike to get back into it and i'm gobsmacked by how much has changed in the relatively few years i've been out of the loop. Looking on this site and tarty bike etc I don't recognise hardly any of the brand names.Back when I was riding in Silsden I knocked around with John Hopkinson (Big Head), Mark Smith, Micheal Mcandrew (Mullet). Mullet got in touch the other day but i've lost contact with John and Mark. If anyone knows what they're up to nowadays or how to contact them i'd appreciate it if you could let me know.I've got a handsome dog at the moment but looking to upgrade fairly rapidly. Whats a good frame/fork combo now. I find the dog too long and heavy so would like a short/light 26". Anyone have any suggestions? Many thanks in advance.Suttyhi mate, you rade with phill hancock aswell didnt you, me and my mates are all into trials how with young rick hancock.i dont think you will remember me....but anyways hi...lol...Shaun... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simpson Posted February 19, 2007 Report Share Posted February 19, 2007 BB rise is basically how high the BB is from the floorNo its like if you draw a line between front and rear axels - its the rise above that line that the BB is =D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sutty22 Posted February 19, 2007 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2007 hi mate, you rade with phill hancock aswell didnt you, me and my mates are all into trials how with young rick hancock.i dont think you will remember me....but anyways hi...lol...Shaun... Yeah I rode with Phil. It's good to see loads of Silsden boys on here too. I remember when there were only a few of us riding Silsden. Theres tons of people now.I've just spent the weekend riding and got the feel of my bike and finding it much easier to get the front end up. I'm relying on brute strength more than anything but thats how I always remember it being with the Rockhound. I've seen loads of people raving about the Echo Control on here so I'd like to get a second hand one to give it a shot. Anyone know of a short Echo Control up for sale at the right money let me know and I'll have a look at it. Cheers all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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