Tommy d

I don't think it should be a problem to be using a simple program anyway. A trials video isn't really about fancy editing in my opinion, as long as you can put your clips together in the order you want etc and have a soundtrack on it, you don't need to be able to do a lot else?

I've been running a 2.1 (I think) on the front for about 18 months, the only problem I have had is not a great deal of grip. Otherwise fine. I'm not too sure I'd want one on the back though...

In My Controls you can click on 'Edit Avatar Settings' down the left hand side, then you click browse and find a picture on your computer. That's what will come up on the left each time you post.

I had an Onza T-Raptor which snapped on the chainstay just behind the BB, then I had a Saracen MAD (2005) which snapped on the chainstay just behind the BB. Seems like that could be a weak point...

I've recently got a Minion (60a compound) for the back and it's great I have a Michelin Wildgripper Hot S on the front, it's nice and light and doesn't wear down too quickly, but I would just warn that it doesn't seem to have a lot of grip

Rails scare me. I prefer walls, a flat surface always helps. I would also say I prefer a flat gap, if there is a drop you might be able to get further, but it makes the landing heavier and less predictable. I find it's easier to stay on the back wheel if you don't have to take into account the extra force of dropping.

I would appreciate it if some senior and/or knowledgeable person would clear up whether or not new members should post an intro of themselves... I know I haven't...

Before reading this I had no idea that anybody would prefer riding in the wet to dry! It just seems really dangerous to me, tyres and brakes will both have much less grip than in the dry however good they are. I can't deny it's often a bit hot for riding on a sunny day, hence evening rides...

I have a couple of big scars on my shins from foot slipping off pedals, before I started wearing pads. The worst thing I can remember happened about a year ago, I was doing a small gap across some walls maybe a foot high, it went wrong and I fell off. My bike went down in front of me, with handlebars sticking up perpendicular to the floor, and my stomach went straight onto them with all my weight behind it. Oh the pain there was a strange lump on my tummy for a few months, I was convinced my internal organs were damaged... they seem alright now though I think how to bail effectively and get clear of the bike is a pretty important skill!

Doesn't anyone else think it would be much better if all dropouts were intentionally the same? It would be easier to get replacements, they could be cheaper if they were produced in bulk, and maybe this would help in making them of a higher quality? Be listening bike companies!

Yeah, I think a Leeson would be pretty good to start on, with proper seat etc. It might be a problem that it would be very expensive to get one all built up starting from scratch... I think the Saracen Mad is maybe the best idea, I have been riding one for a couple of years, as an almost-beginner and it's been brilliant. Plus they come as full builds. Also both those bikes are quite short, handy for a beginner and for someone who's 5'2". I say there's nowt wrong with girls riding. p.s. the balance will come!

Hey come on, we at least need to know what part of the country you're talking about! In the unlikely event that you're talking about the East corner of Kent then Ramsgate is alright... otherwise more info needed lol sorry

I think a stock bike would be easier to learn on (putting height aside), mainly because it would feel more like a normal mountain bike than a mod would. A stock bike pretty much IS a mountain bike, with no suspension and a tiny wee seat, whereas a mod bike feels quite different. I think partly it's because of the big long stem? Whenever I get on one I find everything goes pear-shaped when I try and turn the bars...

That looks alright to me, and great price. Unless anybody sees any problems with it, I would snap it up cos a a ready built up trials bike for £90 won't crop up very often. Not the most awesome bike ever made... but it would definately get you started

Here's an example of what you might find on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Saracen-M-A-D-Team-T...1QQcmdZViewItem It's not the best trials bike ever but it would certainly get you started. My only worry is that maybe it would be a bit short for you if you are 6'4". But maybe a short bike is easier to learn on for a beginner? What do people think about that?

I would say: (if you can be bothered, takes a while to do) Take off the cranks and BB, make sure there's no dirt in any of it. Grease all the threads. Grease the area of the BB where the removable cup touches onto main part. Put everything back on, do it up nice and tight In my experience with mine and friends bikes, if that didn't stop it, the frame was cracked and you feel bad because you wasted an hour AND you need a new frame! Hope some of that helps anyway, plus what the other people have said Tom (or Sir Creakalot as I have been known...)

I mainly ride street, I have both my tyres at about 40psi, because I don't like to feel the tyre squashing on something thin (feels bad, and I fear puncturing) Also low pressures really hold me back trying to spin. I like to think I'm not a heavy rider, but then again tell that to my snapped Saracen MAD (p.s. my back wheel is a D521)

One word - Ebay Keep checking it from time to time, there's plenty of new stuff on there, not just second hand. If you can find what you're after it can be a pretty cheap place to buy. Good luck! Tom

When I was trying to learn to bunny hop many moons ago, someone told me to "pull up and then push forwards" (with your hands). It doesn't quite sound right I know, but for me it was like they were magic words. Give it a try, it worked for me (Your feet need to be tilted forwards as well to grip the pedals, but I'm pretty sure other people have said that anyway) Hope it helps Tom

The world is welcome to prove me wrong, but I've never heard of anything like that. It doesn't sound feasible to me, there would be nothing to keep the disc in place, it's gotta take quite a bit of force surely? Tom

I've been riding about 2 years and I'd definately call myself a trials rider now, even though there are still much better riders who blow me away. I'm usually far too busy for my own good with other things and I generally only get to ride a couple of hours a week, but I've always kept improving with about that amount of time input. Anyway the main thing is that you do it because enjoy it, and it kinda follows that you will always develop your technique naturally

Hi, don't know if you would be coming round this area but there's a fair bit to ride in Ramsgate (East Kent) and some of the towns around there, and plenty of riders locally would be happy to meet up and show you some spots... Tom

Here's my Saracen MAD: which I rather like, except that I recently found out that the frame was cracked (explains the creaking). This was my old bike, T-Raptor, which I started learning on: fraid that cracked too! Tom

Hi, There's a piccy I just took, if that link doesnt work (I'm not a computer expert ) then try http://img485.imageshack.us/img485/3370/mytrialsbike4zf.jpg Frame and forks = Saracan MAD (a few weeks ago I discovered the frame is cracked - that explains the creaking ) Back wheel = Mavic D521/Hope XC Front wheel = Onza Half Fat (relic from my old T-Raptor) Cranks = Middleburn pro trials Bars = 29" Onza flat bars (another leftover) Stem = ??? a friend gave it to me... Pedals = DMR V8 Brakes = Magura HS33 Tensioner = Surly Singulator Grips = Ritchey WCS Truegrip (highly recommended ) Tyres = Kujo DH on the back (big, fat and fairly bald ) Michelin Hot S Wildgripper on the front I'm fairly happy with this stuff, except maybe the bars are a bit wide for my liking. And I need a new frame... Tom