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Peter Pan

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Trials Newbie

Trials Newbie (1/9)

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  1. Any experience of KO bikes KM-1 mod frame? How does it compare with Echo mod frames?
  2. 53 and still going for it. Lots to learn. Thoroughly enjoying it, just not bouncing as well when it all goes south. Bash on, old guys rock!
  3. I'm riding a Zoo! Piranha, or at least doing my best. I've had an offer of an early generation 2010ish Fourplay and wonder if it would be a steppingstone in getting better at using the Zoo! In other words, is the Fourplay more forgiving to learn on, letting me build a base of skill that I can then adapt to the Zoo! Going from MTB to Zoo! (in my fifties) feels like a very big step at times. I ride a mix of street & natural features. Similarly, or should I get a 20" mod as a steppingstone bike? Humour me with a reasonable opinion, I know it's a bit like asking if using a spoon instead of a fork will improve my use of a knife.
  4. Haha, you reminded me of a horror story of mine. I was six miles from home. A summer's evening, I'd taken my Zoo! "piranha" in the van to mess about up in the Ogwen valley. Van decides it isn't starting, it's in a dip & no one about. I didn't bring my phone. That was a long ride home! The downhill bit was freezing and agony on my legs. The rest of the ride was equally bad. Pedalling & freewheeling without a seat is not fun!!!
  5. My advice, having started learning trials at 52yrs old (no hope really but I do have fun / entertain my mates) is that a warm-up is vital. Trials involves explosive muscle action so any "cold" ligaments or tendons will be easily damaged. Do skipping for about five minutes until you feel hot then do a dozen press ups & pull ups then do some stretching to get leg, core & arms working to full range. Get on your bike & ride. It sounds a lot but only takes 15mins. The other option is jump on cold, tearing something and just owning a dusty bike for a few weeks. When I started I was advised that you have to be fit to ride trials as trials is not a way to get fit - but it certainly keeps you fit, agile & with great balance. Warm up, stretch and have fun. Best of luck
  6. Spot on, you have to build to the angle straight away, not the usual system of setting the angle with a twist of the hub. The designer has done a juggling act to give a thick flange whilst taking on normal spokes. As with most engineering, if it needs forcing it might not be right.
  7. There's one for sale on eBay. Looks in original state & good condition.
  8. 30? Pah, mere spotty youth. Started last year, weeks after my big five-o. It's all doable, just keep fit and warm up carefully. Have fun
  9. Just got to share a bit of a result I've had. Just changed my 150mm x 30deg stem for one that is 127mm x 27deg. What a difference! As a noob I had no idea I was struggling with anything other than lack of technique. All that's happened is I've shortened my cockpit by an inch but in terms of my arms, I don't feel I'm overloaded and suddenly my balance is more dialled. I can still endo on demand but coming up onto the back wheel has become easier on the arms (staying there beyond four or five drunken bounces is work in progress). Side hopped onto a three pallet stack for the first time. Clearly I was stretched out too far - just an inch but enough to stop useful power being applied. I guess what I'm saying is don't be shy of making a change if you feel your arms might be working way too hard (eg wrists or elbows feel pull-strained after a session). Start with bar rotation (cheap and easily reversible) to see how a shortened cockpit might feel then see about borrowing slightly shorter stem. Oh and draw out the stems on paper to see how much difference you get. The dimension and angles can be confusing but when drawn out, it is surprising how little change some combinations provide. best of luck
  10. Thanks for the replies, all encouraging. It sounds like its not pie in the sky for me, I've just got to keep it real. The fitness angle has always been important, I seem to live my non-work, non-family hours doing a mixture of climbing, mountaineering, fell running, cycling, surfing and recovering through sleep, yoga & stretches. Looks like its going to be lots & lots of work on developing skills and avoiding prangs. New aches in muscles new to trials moves. Also good to see suggestions about locations. The Ogwen valley (Tryfan etc) is five miles away and I have been eyeing the rocks around the base of Tryfan, ...for the climbers: below "Soapgut" and "Direct Route". A bit advanced but it would be good to do one day - or encourage a few riders over for a bit of an evening thing later in the summer. However, looking at the lakeside there are areas where I could make a fool of myself without breaking something. That's my objective for a quiet evening in mid-May and I bet the bloody midges get me!!! I think its skipping pallets for a few more weeks but your replies have left me encouraged, thanks.
  11. Hello Everyone. There's loads of info, videos and advice on building the skills for trials riding but I'm wondering if there is anything specific for helping a 50 year old rider get into trials riding? Any particular skill building drills to overcome the wear & tear of life? Obvious I don't expect to be able to get up some things - the elastic isn't quite as bouncy these days! I got an Onza T-pro to help improve my balance & technical ability on a MTB. The Onza is a lot more convenient to muck about with in the yard (& less cringing to drop) than a full susser. However, the whole trials discipline is starting to draw me in.....the skill is terrific!! I now also have a stock 26" and that is making it even more of an ambition to ride trials. Are there riders riding trials in their 50s? Is there a "veteran" category at events? p.s. is there a good practice venue in Snowdonia - I'm getting a little jaded with my back yard & a couple of pallets. I've started looking for a natural venue but I could be at it a while so I'm hoping someone has some beta.
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