Swamptin

I thought Magura were contractually obliged to have their brakes in that colour?

Hey Jeff, for giggles you should look up the history of the Irish referendums on Lisbon. We got the answer wrong so our government re-ran the referendum. We got it right in the end though. Although, I'll admit, that does raise the question of "Was it really democratic?" The answer, on the face of it is no. If referendums are legally binding, then you're stuck with it. But the key reason Lisbon got rejected was distrust and misinformation. Nobody to this day is exactly happy we had to vote on it a second time, but the treaty wasn't clearly explained. The margins were 53% to 46% no/yes in the first one, and 33% to 67% no/yes the second time. There was a slightly higher turnout the second time, 59% as against 51%. But the crux of it was that people didn't understand what they were voting on, those that did were convinced it would pass, and the full implications of a no vote the first time. It was a campaign of fear. The second time, iirc, they actually informed (as much as one can when discussing a EU treaty) the electorate about the referendum. Do I think running a second referendum when the margin was so close would be a bad idea for the UK? Nope. It'll still have negative effects though, even staying in the EU the UK has signed up for a second recession and openly embraced xenophobia. I think the 'roll your shirts up' attitude is good, here's hoping ye can keep the fascists at bay. As for the "What has the EU/EEC/EEA ever done for us?" thing... well, there is this wikipedia article which seems to show a decline in wars. There was a lovely 11 year period between 1976 and 1988 when the only active conflict on the continent was in Northern Ireland.

Scotland should go for independence. And they should get it. I'm more worried about Northern Ireland. Clearly I'm biassed being Irish, but there now needs to be a physical border, and the checks will be worse than they were in the 70s and 80s. This will cause problems for people living in the south but working in the north. With the way NI voted, I'd expect to see a rise in the dissident Republican movement and a complete collapse of the Good Friday Agreement. But then again, what do England care? They're great... they're number 1... their currency is plummeting.

I'd quit, except I don't want to turn into one of those ex smokers. </troll> No, but seriously, I know that a person's health and fitness levels will improve over time spent after quitting. But there is the horrible month of coughing up all the shit in your lungs first. I'm debating whether or not to quit again. I've stopped smoking joints, so I'm not likely to reintroduce myself to nicoteine that way. Maybe over christmas. The missus would love if I did. As for how much it would benefit a person, that's really hard to judge. I figure a lot, but it'll take a fair amount of time to get over mental addiction. Nicotein itself is out of your system within a week or two. The mental dependancy on a smoke to relax is harder to kick. Look forward to munching lots of pens and feeling naked without something in between your fingers.

That sucks uber balls man. I can empathize with you though. had my P2 locked up when I went for a slash after a session out by the uni and came back to a smashed lock. But unfortunately I'm in Limerick, so unless I notice it for sale on a few forums or ebay I can't help. If you spot any Limerick scumbags with a P2 out your direction would you give them a swift kick in the nuts and let me know? Cheers, hope you get you ride back soon man.

Whatever about his opinion on this (It is a valid one, dirt jump/street rigs do feel cramped on the back wheel) trust me on this, do not get into an argument about it with him. He comprehensively beat me into the ground on this topic . But if the frame is being built up for street-trials or street/trials (Ah, subtle differences in interpretation for the win. I would be implying the "artistic" style of riding rather than the "mathematical/competition targeted" riding which is stereotypically referred to as simply "trials mtbing".) I think it'll be perfect. As a strictly trials frame though, it has got such a short reach it'll feel cramped when you have it straight up and vertical on the back wheel. (On a side note to Jason, I still maintain I'm right! )

That's a matter of personal interpretation. I find that video as awe inspiring as anything I've seen by Danny Mac. But, that's my personal taste. I also occasionally enjoy watching Tyler Klassen launch off a cliff or Glynn O'Brien barrel down a DH trail. Again, personal preference. Like the bike. You said the stock frame was difficult to manual, yet Jeff's frame is the same size as the one you rode. Sure the larger chain ring could make a difference with getting the bike onto the rear wheel. The stem, sure, hydrolic brakes, a shorter fork, more slimline rear mech..... of course, all these made a difference when he did a wallride over a door and landed on a slope the length of the frame.... This is true. and I probably have hit a wall, certainly in my xc riding. Not however in DH, dirt or trials. But usually it's my own fear that stops me, not what my bike prevents me from doing. But that's down to the rider, we're talking about bikes and style here. You seem to have missed something I was hoping was self evident in this thread. Let me quote you quoting me on this, So the person doing the bunnyhops and pedal kicks is interested, like me, in trials. They want to ride trials. Perhaps they feel uncomfortable on a trials rig. I know I personally dislike the way a stock frame feels... and mods feel just wrong imo. But I try to ride trials on what I have, a <quotation fingers>street</qoutation fingers> bike. "you wouldn't call yourself doing 'trials' if you were bunnyhopping up something, especially on a 'street' bike." I would if I was doing it in a trials fashion. If i saw a line that was a trials line, I'd be riding trials. That I may use a street bike does not prevent me from riding trials. It's an unfair stereotype. "He can't be riding trials, sure he's got a saddle on that frame!". Now, I'm not saying that anyone here says that, but it is a stereotype that people seem to like, "you I've no saddle" or "you I've a 20" mod" followed quickly by "It's a trials bike, so what?" I'll say it again, the first trials bikes weren't. And inevitably the people who first made really small frames with short chain stays and long top tubes were laughed at until people saw what use they were. But the bike does not dictate the sport or the style. I've seen guys hop racers around as good as some trials riders (It was, I'll admit in a DH video I saw somewhere, probably youtube). The bike does not dictate what it can or can't be used for, that is up to the rider. Now, the devision between trials, street-trials and street exists for a reason. And it was there long before this discussion, so I had lost before I had started. But I'll stand by my words. I feel that to classify a rider by their bike is as bad as it gets. I will eventually get good a trials, or I'll stop riding it. Either way, like (I'm sure) a lot of others out there, I'm gonna be riding a 'street' bike. Perhaps someday we'll have a session. I ride a lot of street and want to get good at trials, but my bike shouldn't hold me back. Nor should I have to shell out to some company for a new bike because I want to try something new. That's the point I'm making really. "Street" bikes are great for helping you find what you want to ride. They will take a lot of abuse from all angles. I've ridden that geo or something similar most my riding life. I find it more comfortable down a hill than a DH rig or an XC rig. Because I'm used to it. But as I've said, it'll take me further than I'm currently willing to go. In short, don't do away with the bike because "It's just a street bike". It's a damn street bike! It'll do 4X with that beloved 38t chainring. It'll do dh with that too. Drop it to 30/32/ it's a street rig. and drop it again and you'll have her on her back wheel in no time. Run a 22t ring on one and you'll see. The issue then becomes "but they're cramped", and so's a mini cooper.... man up and ride trials on it And now, I shall make more tea. I've already conceded you are either more knowledgeable than me on the topic, or more willing to research it, and as such I've lost the arguement. Those devisions are there for a reason, but why? Why is flowy artistic riding less trials than trials? Why are trials riders in a "competitive mindset"? Can't you see your sport is pure art? It's methodical mathematical art. So why are those devisions there? Why can't I do what that "street-trials" guy was doing and just call it trials? Well, as long as I'm doing gaps and hopping up stuff and 180ing off and all that..... If it's slow, calculated and methodically worked out like trials.... why can't it be trials?

Jason, I know you got the "good" side of that rant because you quoted it back at me, but, before I have a mug of coffee (and as such chill out this morning) I'm gonna point out something to you, Be careful there boyo. When did riding a bike become about competing? I would state that someone who could "do a few pedal kicks" does count as a trials rider, because that's where we all start from. Most importantly, they have an interest in the sport. While they may do it on a bike that is not perfect for trials, that's fine, at least they are doing it. How would you classify trials though? Because that is key to how this discussion could develop. If it is defined by the bike, then I haven't a leg to stand on. And I will concede that. However, in my mind, trials isn't defined by the bike you use, it's an attitude to riding urban obstacles. Also, define "street". Cause that again dictates how the conversation might develop. I maintain I'd beat you down a dh track if you were on a dh rig though. I'd say I'd put in a good time in an xc course if you were on a jayboy bike. It's never been about the bike, it's about the rider. Why should my shed have to be valued at somewhere around £10k because I'm into lots of different riding? That's a tripe attitude, it completely negates the entire reason that most of us started riding bikes regularly. Relatively cheap amusement. And now, before I see what you say to this, coffee time.

What, perchance is so horribly wrong about street rigs? I personally find the geo of a street rig, although not great for everything (I'll admit, it's too short for trials and xc) is quite versatile as far as bikes go. I ride a street bike and when I get it back on the road properly I'll use it to ride trials on. I'd wager a lot of money on the fact that large numbers of the users of this forum were riding trials long before they realized you could buy a frame with a rise in the BB, a seat tube less than your average xc bike and they probably started using either cheap rigid xc forks or sus forks. I didn't start that way, but plenty did. If a bike emulates a style it is because that is suited to the use the bike gets. See if you can do anything other than bounce around on your trials bike. Try and use it for some other purpose. It won't take it, at all. Now in stark contrast, although not a prime design for it my bike (a specialised p2) will do trials, trails, Downhill, XC (as long as I'm happy standing lots really), street, dirt and hucks when the mood takes me. So stand on your high horse because you run a 20" mod bike or a 26" trials bike or, for that matter a 24" trials bike, but remember, at some point they were all just XC mountain bikes or a simple mode of transport. In fact, a lot of the mod bikes remind me of trying to ride some sort of kids bike. Don't be a tit, ride and be happy there are people out there thinking about what might or might not happen to be best to develop bikes. If you get stuck in one mindset you might never develop as a rider. </rant> On the plus side, feels good to be back.

I dunno, it's a fair point. Varied colours make for interesting bikes. And as for riding a bike with pink tyres, I'd go for it. Look at the PornKing by 24 bikes. Are any of ye going to tell me you wouldn't get one cause 1) It's usually a pink frame and 2) It can come with a leapord print saddle? I'd say at least 5 people reading this post just went "WOW, a leapord print saddle, that'd be savage!" I'll admit though, my bike is a black and grey model, but I wouldn't be adverse to some mental colour setup. Where did yer man get those pink tyres?

Should be perfect. I run 160's front and rear on a street/jump rig. If you find the braking isn't strong enough look into different pads before going to a bigger disc.

potato.... potato

just realised, psychologist, you cracked one of the boards on that first pallet since I saw it last. Trust me to not notice until I saw it on another forum

oh no.... trials is becoming more popular? Quick, everyone who's in the sport to be obscure better find something else to do. Straight to unicycle DH for me.

When there are enough scrapes and gouges in it that you question the structural integrity of the frame, paint it. Prior to that, just hope it doesn't fold up under you. you could always go uber hard core and go brakeless. No cables to rub the paint off Happy times. Of course that does lead to a whole new set of problems, but we can deal with those when we get to them. In the meantime, brakeless it is! Save your paint!