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Gonza

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About Gonza

  • Birthday 01/09/1982

Contact Methods

  • Website URL
    http://

Previous Fields

  • County (UK Only)
    West Sussex
  • Real Name
    Richard
  • Bike Ridden
    Multiple
  • Quick Spec
    2011 Neon Bow 26", 2004 Monty 221 Ti 20", 2010 Octane One Spark 24", '99 Kona Lava Dome, 2009 Specialized Langster
  • Country
    United Kingdom

Profile Information

  • Gender
    Male
  • Interests
    Family, riding, car, riding, riding

Recent Profile Visitors

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Gonza's Achievements

Trials Newbie

Trials Newbie (1/9)

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  1. Cheers. Last time I checked was around 7.3kg but went back to eagle claws since then.
  2. Good work! You are as old as you feel in my opinion. The level of riding out there now is insane, I'm blown away by it all. To me it's all about fun and releasing them endorphins! If you get home after a play and your grinning what's there not to like! I have a mod that I use for more technical things and just bouncing generally. But also have a more street orientated 24" that is my 'go-to' bike. The 20" will be ideal to start with and learn the majority of basics, and possibly easier to manoeuvre. It may be worth getting to a couple of competitions or organised rides, that's my intentions and no doubt will take the kids with me!
  3. Cheers. It's the backplate from an MRP BB mount chain guide/bashguard with the bottom tabs and top guide mourt taken off. Nice thick alu and just enough left to clear the chain.
  4. Not really posted on here much, but making an effort to get more involved! Anyhow, been through many bikes over the years, but finally settled on a Console which is closest to the geometry I've always ridden with since I've started. Been a breath of fresh air to be able to do more rolling moves and then mess about at the skate park if it takes your fancy. Awesome bike and rides lovely! My other ride is my 2004 221Ti that I just can't let go and have owned since new. Was one of my dream bikes when it came out and will no doubt be handing it down to the kids if they have any interest at all!! Done small mod recently with removal of bashring and tabs with guard now BB mount. A lot cleaner and I rarely use the bash anyhow.
  5. Only a quick tip, have you tried putting your front wheel on something like a bench, wall etc. pretty sure I was doing this before I went on my back wheel only. Start on something say 6 bricks high, hop like that, then slowly try leaning backward with your brake locked and try one or two hops to start. This way you'll be closer to the balance point to start off with and you may get a better feel for where it is.
  6. Hi Most of us on here over 30 probably started at a point where trials bikes were not readily available in the UK, so we made best with what we had. This entailed the smallest frames we could get and bolting 3 middle chain rings together to form a 'bash ring'. Made sure the canti-lever brakes were solid and away you went. Do you currently own a mountain bike of sorts? It may be worth while learning some of the basics initially to see if it is for you. This could be trackstands, learning to hop on your back wheel etc and general brake controls. The last thing you would want to do is throw yourself off a wall or ledge as we all know it takes longer to recover now. Once you get these basic moves, simple things like moving to kerbs and then 2 or 3 brick-high walls and go from there. To do these things you can learn them on your normal mountain bike providing you have good clearance from the frame/saddle and the brakes are firm and hold well. It may be worth looking up on the net for people like Ryan Leech, Jeff Lenosky etc who all use fairly normal looking 26" wheeled bikes. Even Hans Ray (legend) who further proves you are never too old. There are plenty of 'how to' videos around to watch. Otherwise go for it though, never too old to learn bike skills and impress your mates when you all go out (or your kids and wife). All the best!! By the way, I'm only 30 but to be honest, when I'm out on the trials bike now I ride longer and harder than I did when I was 13/14 when I started. I feel it keeps stamina and strength up but I still have to stop every so often for a cup of tea and some franch fancies (especially the yellow ones).
  7. Evening, My name is Richard. Started riding trials around 1995, learnt the basics with no other riders to practice with, so it took a while!! Got some inspiration from the up-and coming riders at that time, think most of you will know who they were. Not many vids out at that time and no forums etc so all piccy's to study in mbuk!! Was only Essex Trials Club and British Champs then, after going to Bike 97 and chatting to few riders I got some courage up and attended my first comp in 1997, British Champs at Hook Woods. Went straight in on blue section and very much in the deep end (was also raining heavy..lol). Bike at the time was a Specialized Hardrock, 17" frame, 3 middle rings bolted together with teeth grinded off!! lol, some may remember this basic mod... very effective but you always had to carry an adjustable spanner to bend it back... I stopped riding comps about 3 years ago now, I was still enjoying the riding but the atmosphere had changed, sounds silly but it became almost too competetive, I know that doesn't sound right but the days appeared to have gone where it was a bunch of guys meeting up on a rainy sunday in the woods for a muddy pedal and a good laugh. Not having been to any recently I'm sure things may have changed, but I don't feel I'd have time to get the right amount of practice in. I've lost count of how many bikes I've been through or how many comps I've ridden. Most recent bikes have been a Giant Trials Team (had for around 7 years or so No. 313), a 2004 221Ti (still running sweet as) and most recent, a purchase a couple of months ago was an Echo Pure 26. Being an old school rider I'm finding it quite difficult to get used to new style of riding and all the products out at the moment that I wanted to buy for the Pure. So some help was needed from a couple of friends, kinda lost touch really.. lol I'm 27 now, married with a child and soon to be dad of two. I work full time for the local council as a Building Inspector so riding has become more of a hobby. I still ride 2 or 3 times a week but not always on the trials bikes, sometimes bmx, 24, xc or whatever I feel like at the time. (I have 6 different bikes so can pick and choose.. lol)I love riding full stop, so to me it doesn't matter what I'm riding. So as long as I've got a smile on my face and I've got good company, I'll keep going 'till my body says stop. Anyway, enough rambling on, hope to enjoy my time on here and hi to all. Rich
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