fyfey

Yeah, I've always wanted to start riding trials but couldn't afford it when I was younger. Now I've got a bit of money, I thought I'd take it up as a hobby.

an Echo Control 07

You've seriously got to sort your spelling out. Sorry, but I can't even make out what that last bit says. Read it back to yourself before hitting the button!

Yeah, might as well. Will probably only cost £5 and will be done by someone that has experience.

I stand corrected... again! Damn, twice in one topic... I found a headset press tool for £35 on ChainReaction I was thinking of the Beastly Park Tool one which is £129 (I wish!). X-Tools Workshop Headset Press Tool

I agree... buy cheaper cranks and expect to replace them more often. Or fork out for a more expensive pair and have them last longer.

Someone should seriously make an affordable headset press. For DIY bike mechanics who can't justify spending £100+ for a tool that only gets used once in a blue moon. I know it's cheap to get it fitted at your LBS, and if I was buying a frame from Tarty, I'd probably get them to fit it (apart from waiting for a workshop time slot maybe). But I like doing things myself, and given the option I would spend more to get the tool and do it myself rather than pay someone else to work on my bike. Probably just me, lol. Fyfey

The majority are probably really good... I said it because a friend has gone through 2 sets. The pedal thread both times was badly stripped when changing the pedals. Might have been partly his fault maybe, he was damn careful when doing it though. I just would expect them to be stronger than that. Fyfey

Yeah, water would get in if you flared your headtube I suppose. It just made it sound like that was your main concern when fitting a headset. Fair enough the headset doesn't hold the forks in, you got me there (but the topcap is mainly used for bearing pre-load)! Never really thought about it, I suppose it would still stay in the frame even if you're headtube was seriously flared, just from the stem. Doubt it'd do the bike a lot of good though! Fyfey

I've been running 2nd hand Echo CNC cranks (don't go near the forged ones) for a year with a Tensile freewheel and they've been great. Rigid, and can take some abuse too! Fyfey

Do you have a bash on your cranks? I'm sure you won't be so harsh on it to need a bash plate as well!

It isn't a tight fit so it's water tight! It's an inteference fit, meaning that's all that holds it (and your forks) onto your frame. Also, I don't recommend it if you don't know what you're doing. But I installed my headset with a block of wood and a hammer and it's been fine for a year and still going strong. Mostly because I wanted to build it there and then though

Right you are... I'm sure I'll have one day free during that week... working most weekdays though

I live in Ipswich, there's a few of us ride here. I'm up for it, I'm sure everyone else will be too.

I got another Truvativ in the end. Feels 100 times better now, solid as a beast! Feels strange not having the creak as the non-drive-side crank comes round Cheers for the help lads! Fyfey

What cog was it? My mate stripped a casette sprocket on his King... was only a standard MTB casette though.

My Truvativ BB is pretty much dead. It has a spacer...

Bugger, just noticed that the SKF wont work with my Tensile Anyone got any experience with the Try-All? I noticed it has replacable bearings... anywhere stock the bearings? Cheers, Fyfey

Are you using a syringe (bleed kit). If not then I recommend you get one. Heatsink do the syringes pretty cheap.

Yeah, mine's been fine for all this time, just got some grit in it somehow. Might just buy another, as you say, worth the £35. Not too bothered about getting paying that out once a year. Might try an SKF, worth the extra £8 do you reckon? Cheers, Fyfey

Yeah... her left elbow. The one on our right. To be honest... I reckon it's completely random and there's no connection. Maybe the elbow thing has something to do with which way you can turn easier... "right elbow on top.... turn easier clockwise"??

I have had a Truvativ ISIS BB for almost a year. Recently I've noticed it had a stiff spot and it squeeked. Took it out and there is grit in the bearings and they're not feeling as smooth as they could. Is there anyway to clean them out? I can't work out if you can get the black metal spacers off the end of the axle. Cheers, Fyfey

OK... interesting stuff, let's throw some more tests into the mix. Here's something I found about snowboarding... Cross your arms. Ok, which elbow is on top? Left? Ride regular. Right elbow? Ride goofy. Slide across the kitchen floor in your socks. Which foot first? Stand straight with your feet at shoulder width. Have someone push you square in the chest... which foot do you put back to balance yourself? The last one I think could have a lot to do with trials. As you're on your back wheel often... you might use your more stable foot/leg to balance yourself on the bike? I'm right handed, I kick a ball with my right foot. I ride right foot forward... fair enough. When folding my arms, my left elbow is on top. When pushed backwards I put my left foot back (which fits with this theory!) and I slide across the floor right foot forward (fits as well). Do these tests work for anyone else? Fyfey

When endoing on your front wheel I ease my front brake off and roll the bike under with no brakes while leaning back until it comes up onto the back, then apply the back brake, it's so smooth like that. I have still to learn gapping to front. It's a weird thing to learn, as it goes against everything you've already learned

Same for me but the other way round... endo turns to my left are harder. Madness!