paddyshepherd

Yeah I'm going to, I think it'll probably wait a bit though as a) I have no paint left, I wanna ride me bike! Haha.

It's even more than that, there's the two 20's then like a 5mm too. I'll have a play once I can ride the bike. My new parts should be here tomorrow so just need to shorten the chain and faff about setting up the fixed tensioner.

I was under the impression that a higher front made hops easier? At least that's how it works on trail bikes anyway. Different for trials? I'll maybe flip one of the spacers to above the stem then. I can't have it too low though as I'm 6'2 and sometimes get back problems lol.

I'm new to trials, remember that please. The bars are like that from me first learning pedal kicks, rear wheel hops and so on - I was struggling staying on the back wheel so a friend suggested rolling them forwards for a while until I got used to it. I haven't rode the bike since building it back up so haven't had time to play about with it properly yet. I'm hoping now I'm more used to it I can move them back.

I was able to run it almost parallel. Basically the Onza tensioner has a little shim in it allowing it to rotate around the bolt. You use this if you're gonna rely on the locating pin sitting against the lip of the hanger (how it was sat in my first photo) however, if you take the shim out and move the locating pin past the lip on the hanger you can get it to sit wherever you like just off bolt tension, so that's how I ran it. Every so often the sprung part would still allow chain bounce against my frame. I discovered when I stripped the bike down for painting that the spring tension was adjustable, so planned on doing that when I built it back up. So last night I built the bike back up, and unfortunately the tensioner didn't go to plan. You are able to adjust the spring tension using the adjuster that also allows the alignment with the chain line, so I adjusted it and refitted the pinch bolt. On refitting the pinch bolt, however, the threads inside the tensioner ripped completely. The bolt wasn't even tight, it's only a 4mm allen bolt and wasn't even finger tight before they fell apart. I couldn't believe it. So the bike didn't get finished. I've ordered a fixed tensioner from Tarty's for now and a new chain which should come tomorrow. I went for fixed for a few reasons, but one of the main reasons being that having the two mounting points would help to reinforce the mech hanger, as I've noticed it's ridiculously weak! One tiny tap on the old tensioner was enough to bend the integrated, irreplaceable hanger. Having the fixed tensioner will cover the mech hanger and rely on the hub bolt as well, so hopefully it will give a bit more strength. The paintwork has went well but the pictures don't do the colour justice, nor do I think the lacquer has given much protection. I may redo it if it's bad. The paint is built up with a few different layers. I first used a filler primer in an attempt to fill minor dings, chips and dents in the frame after sanding the original paint back. This didn't go too well at all and was very thin in places, nor did it fill any of the affected areas. I then wet sanded and applied a white primer over the filler primer. Once this was dry the frame got a thorough coat of aptly named "AA Van Yellow" before a coat of Ford Signal Yellow over the top. Once this was done a coat of "Tropical Passion" from Kustom Canz went over the top; this is a flip paint and gives a green sparkle effect in some lights. Subtle, yet noticeable. I then applied a "good" covering of lacquer. I use the term "good" loosely, as it seems it hasn't given a thorough coating on the frame. However, it still looks a damn-site better than it was and if it doesn't last then it's only cost about £40 and I could easily do it again. Either that or I could get it done professionally, which I may do. ANYWAY, pictures: I'm aware in this photo it just looks like an inspired arcade colour scheme, the fact is that the photo doesn't show the green tinge. I'm also gonna do the forks at some point, but I've ran out of paint. This one maybe shows the green sparkle effect a bit better (makes the frame look different colours depending on light):

Got round to painting the frame, finally. Got that tensioner sorted too - although I think the spring is worn as I'm still getting the occasional bit of slap under tension. The frame has just been drying off after I finished the lacquer last night so will get it built tonight and throw up some photos. Still need to get the bright chain replaced though.

Now then! The colour scheme will be changing. I only picked it up at the weekend and I'm considering a raw frame then most other bits black. Only thing I've done so far is change the pedals. Yeah I've got that to sort too. Its all on the list. Can't comment on if they ride the same as I've never rode a fourplay, but it rides nice. I think to some extent with inspired you're paying for the name.

Yeah it's quite nice really. Been out on it tonight trying to get back into the swing of riding a little bike! Yeah I thought that, but it seems to have run out of adjustment - does that just mean it's time to take some links out of the chain or am I doing something wrong? Cheers!

Just picked up a Marino 24 this weekend from Lucy at Indiprint. It's my first ever trials bike but had 24" park/dirt jump bikes before, a downhill bike and some trail bikes. Picked this up for when I can't get out on my trail bike through the week as I don't have a jump bike any more. Just need to learn how to ride trials now. Spec is as follows (all just copied from Lucy's ad, apart from the pedals) Frame set: Marino custom handmade steel frame (inspired fourplay geo) Fsa orbit head set Inspired forks (with custom foot jam plate bit tatty looking but works Sooo well!) Trial tech stem 35x50 Inspired handle bars Drive: Truvativ hussefelt cranks and external bb. Inspired 4bolt bash Onza duel wheel tensioner with alloy jockeys Finishing kit: Green BMX chain (only choice at LBS at the time) Demolition Magnesium Pedals Éclat suede seat and mc Neil pivotal post. Brakes: Avid bb5 rear & bb7 front, on sd1 levers with a goodridge hose on the rear and Ashima front cables. Duel 180mm clean sweep rotors Wheels: Hope pro 2 evo hubs, team green. On inspired undrilled rims Sapim spokes. Maxxis holy roller tyres 2.4

Well, I bought it. Seems really nice, will stick a pic up later as my work PC won't let me copy Photobucket codes. Really easy bike to spin around etc.

Hi, cheers for that. I think looking at the geometry it seems similar to my old jump bike which was also a 24. Think it might be a nice combination. To me the spec seems ok for the money would you agree? I'm going to view on Saturday so will test ride it to make sure.

Just looking at getting into trials, I've ridden dirt jump before and downhill, and currently still ride an mtb. With that in mind I think a 24" street trials would be probably most suited to me. I've been offered this Marino off someone I know for 350, will it be suitable for me? Spec is as follows: Frame set: Marino custom handmade steel frame (inspired fourplay geo) Fsa orbit head set Inspired forks (with custom foot jam plate bit tatty looking but works Sooo well!) Trial tech stem 35x50 Inspired handle bars Drive: Truvativ hussefelt cranks and external bb. Inspired 4bolt bash Onza duel wheel tensioner with alloy jockeys Finishing kit: Green BMX chain (only choice at LBS at the time) Éclat poly pedals Éclat suede seat and mc Neil pivotal post. (Green grips not included as they were a gift from a friend that I won't part with) Brakes: Avid bb5 rear & bb7 front, on sd1 levers with a goodridge hose on the rear and Ashima front cables. Duel 180mm clean sweep rotors Wheels: Hope pro 2 evo hubs, team green. On inspired undrilled rims Sapim spokes. Maxxis holy roller tyres 2.4 Cheers