Mikee

I know a roadie that uses a garmin adapter that sticks on the back of their phone. I wouldn't have thought that it absorbs shock, but it's small.

Anything shoe box size or bigger, I always use a courier. I think the last time I sent handlebars, I used Hermes. And I think it was roughly £6 to send tracked and insured.

I should have said that I don't see why MTB companies would want to get involved in producing trials bikes. That would have been clearer. I know why they would want to sponsor popular trials riders, and get them riding their MTBs. Visibility/going viral and people actually having a genuine interest to do what they see, are two very different things. I've seen lots of things on the internet, that I have no intention of trying. Although I kind of agree, I don't think that many people are turned off from trials riding, because of the way the bikes look.

Yeah, it will never happen, as comp bike would have to be made "worse". But I can't see any other way to get big manufacturers involved. Go back 25 years, when trials bikes were basically small, slightly modified MTBs (Ignoring the mods), there were several large MTB companies with trials teams.

@isitafox I agree, that will always keep trials rider numbers relatively low. The point I was making was purely on a bicycle production point of view. Bikes under the trials umbrella vary greatly, which means lower volumes of more models. And particularly on the comp side, the parts are too specialist. FFW cranks for example. If a company only had to manufacture a frame and forks, and spec it out with off the shelf MTB parts to cater for all trials riders, it would be a much more attractive market.

@monkeyseemonkeydo Plus those 3 are from the era, when trials was ridden on slightly modified MTBs. And Danny is probably fulfilling contractual obligations. I think it would be both a step forwards and a step back... but if all of trials bikes were standardised to something like an inspired hex (26" wheels and kind of normal looking), trials as a discipline would benefit massively. But that's never going to happen.

So I don't see why MTB companies would want to get involved. Also, trials is split into 2 different disciplines. And within those disciplines there are 2 - 3 different wheel sizes. Which really dilutes an already niche market. If comp and street riders all rode the same type of bike, then it would be a different story and I think that there would be more companies involved.

There must be more to it then that. Onza could have stayed in the trials market as well, of which they were very well established. I can't see why they would throw in the towel, if trials bike sales were still profitable.

Why did Onza step away from the trials market?

I guess that will depend on how successful this version is, and whether the masses prefer it. Man, I hope they do continue it though. I liked what Snyder was doing with DC. The dreams/visions of what would be the future films, looked incredible. Particularly that scene with Leto's joker. which although was only a few minutes, was night and day better than the joker we saw in suicide squad.

I watched the Snyder cut of justice league this evening, in one sitting. It’s by no means a perfect film, but I was blown away by how much better it was then the abomination released a few years ago.

The brand-x ones are really good, I have nothing negative to say about mine. I’ve never had any issues with them coming loose, but I do bolt check reasonably regularly. Look way better then the qr axles as well.

@manuel You can get window films that reflect heat. I have no experience with the stuff, but I know that it exists for conservatories etc. Could be worth looking into.

Inspired seem very dominant in the street trials market. But I wouldn't be surprised if even Inspired's whole market share, wasn't enough to get a lot of the big companies interested. Let alone just a slice of the pie.

You've basically described my hardtail frame. It's a 2019 NS Eccentric Alu 27.5" frame. I find the cockpit a tad cramped, but have lots of fun riding it. Could be one to look out for.

I just had a look on Inspired's website to see who still rides for them, and wow their site looks outdated. It's like it hasn't been updated in 15 years. Duncan Shaw has signed with Marin hasn't he? So he will probably be leaving the Inspired team soon.

I've had an Echo SL headset spare and in a box for several years. I need it now to build my new bike, but the bearings have gone walkabout. Can anyone help me out with the bearing dimensions? Edit: I've just had a look online at the prices of similar replacement bearings, and came to the conclusion that it will probably be cheaper to buy a new headset.

You got me thinking, Alex. You could probably do the lever and slave ends with these. Imagine, no more pissing around with barbed fittings, or olives and shroud nuts.

20:16 was a sweet ratio, when 20T chainrings were a thing. 18:15 works out ever so slightly lighter than 22:18. I had 17:14 on a hex many years ago. But I've forgotten what it was like, apart from the almost perfect chain length.

Those T pieces as brake splitters is a good idea. I use those sometimes at work for pneumatics, and they are brilliant.

I still don't understand why mod rider run front rim brakes. But then they also ride mod bikes, so it kind of makes sense. He's bloody good though.

The same can be said about most components really. Anything breaking on our bikes can jeopardise our safety, but it happens and it's a risk that we have to accept. I wouldn't put it in the same category as chains, which wear with use. Good quality adapters, like the Hope ones, aren't something we hear of breaking regularly. So I wouldn't worry about them too much.

I took the plunge and have switched to Linux Mint, on my main machine. I've been meaning to move away from macs for a while now, and I finally found decent alternatives to all the apps that I regularly use. I've still got my windows PC for games and rare compatibility needs though.

Some interesting shapes on that frame. It's refreshing to see a non Inspired street build. Sadly, it's a rare occurrence these days. Says the person currently building an inspired...

Just got GTA 3, vice city and San Andreas for £5.09 on steam. Nice!