Heatsink

^ Word I think it's good that we're getting opinions being voiced in MBUK, direct from riders. It makes for interesting reading and reflection. A sport like trials with so much scope for development into the mainstream needs to contine to look at it's self so that it can evolve with the aim (I guess) of being shared with a wider audience. Hopefully what riders find enjoyable converges with what the public do too, so we'll be onto a winner. The more people constructively adding to the debate the better, and top level riders have a very valuable perspective to add. Mr Peacock (Robbie's Dad) is spot on with his post. On the internet, feathers can get ruffled and a whole lot of bother and strained friendships can result from throw away remarks and heated exchanges perserved. After all this internet time, we need a big "Get to know them" session where everyone can meet and ride together in person, remember who people really are Share the love Steve

There is plenty of scope for a custom chain tensioning method. If you're using it for singlespeed trials, I'd seriously consider not having the standard mech hanger set-up. Simplify things from a manufacturing point of view and also get a custom solution that will be optimised for trials use (max chain wrap, simplicity of tensioning related parts = low cost, weight reduction and tucked away from knocks) Look at the tensioner mount that Leeson bikes use. The simple mounting tab positioned further up the chainstay allows a very small, simple and tucked away tensioning arm and all the optimised aspects mentioned above compared to running a singlespeed tensioning arm on a rear derailleur. The rear brake mount area is another place you could think of some novel ideas. I've got some concepts in this area which I will hopefully be showing on an example frame after Xmas. Steve

Some ideas to get you started: Looks: If you're using square section why not think about the aesthetic and weight saving benefits of external butting (milling away material on the outside of the tube). Circular tubing is not easy to do this on, but flat sided tubes are. Also, compare different finishing processes such as painting, powder coating etc. Cost, effect, durability. Weight: Careful design to make sure the weight doesn't turn out crazy high. Use a calculator or spreadsheet to add up the weights of all the tubing used (approx lengths). From the tubing geo you have the volume, and from the density (for steel 7.9 g/cm^3, 7900 kg/m^3, take your choice on units) then this gives you the weight. Do some research into the sorts of tubing geos used on other steel frames. Design Calcs: A great opportunity for you get some proper design understanding and optimisation into your frame. Look into calculating the stiffness of different tube geos, round versus square, to get an understanding for the effect on shape (distribution of mass) on the tube's stiffness ."Second Moment of Area". Just what is the best way to locate a given mass of tube (simply, compare the same cross-sectional area in different shapes) Search Wikipedia and the web for info on this sort of thing. Satisfy yourself that you know what the "Neutral Axis" of a tube means.Also, research general principles of design and go back to basics (searching for info in a bike context goes to show that these principles are often forgotten) such as looking at the stress/displacement/stiffness equations for cantilevered beams etc. Where is the max stress, max displacement, and the equations showing all the important factors. -> Note the inverse cubed relationship between tubing length and stiffness.Look up "Stress risers" and apply this to the stress regions at the 3 joints: Headtube, BB, seattube-seatstays-toptube junction. Think the effect of sudden geo change and maximising area to minimise stress.Compile info on the relative mechanical properties of the steels at your disposal. Take into account processing requirements (to maximise material strength) such as the need (or not) for heat treating following welding.Produce a cost estimation to complete the frame, contrasting different material options/suppliersProject Plan: Why not produce a "Gantt chart" in Microsoft Project to catch all the tasks and resources (time/money/people) needed to build the frame? With a plan that you can continually update as you go, then there's more chance of you achieving what you want for the right money at the right time. Steve

Good idea! If you can't pay via card, why not ask them if they'll accept cheque / cash transfer? It's in their interest to or they'll miss out on a sale.

Why not befriend someone trustworthy who uses Ebay and has a credit card/paypal and then give them cash (if local), send the money to their account (free to do inside the UK). They can make sure they give your postal address for delivery. Everyone's a winner: More positive ebay feedback for your friend and the frame for you If you offered the ebay buyer an incentive of say £10 for their time, then I'm sure you'd have no shortage of offers and can be sure to have a pick out a raft of reputable chap/chapesses. Steve

Fergie (Black Eyed Peas) "London Bridge"

I was meaning to add this to my webpage a few days ago :$ Here's a real-time streaming version. It took me ages to download the vid from Aurelien's server! http://www.heatsinkbikes.com/?p=team Steve

Maybe the SM thing has been perceived as less meaningful because it's not seen to be alive with deserving TF members being given the tag recently. There are a few riders that I think would be shoe-ins for becoming SMs, only if the current SMs were as active in this direction as we've been before. It's a group vote thing in the SM section of TF, and it's just the way it is that the on average many SM riders are older so real life gets in the way of TF. It doesn't matter who you know, or how long you've been on the forum good contributers (according to a group concensus) have a great chance to become SMs. If it's a motivational thing to reward being a good TF member then that can only be a good thing? I'm off to nominate some new SMs now Steve

Thanks for all suggestions, there are more options than I thought! It's one of those puzzles that is nice to think about, with the sensible approach of course being for me to just burn some MP3 CDs! It seems that a neat and relatively cheap solution would be to get a basic player for less than £50 and a decent FM transmitter for as little as £10 or less (if it's ever possible to know in advance if it's decent). The ones that plug into the cigarette lighter, turn off automatically so the battery doesn't go flat, and also keep your player battery topped up would be ideal. I found that Amazon had the widest range. I don't think I'll ever use a stand alone player, outside the car, and it could be a hassle to keep having to remove it from view/turn it on off. Maybe I think about these things too much! Cheers for your help!

I never seem to find the time to burn CDs for the daily commute, whilst copying MP3s onto a handheld player is very quick. I was wondering about an in-car set-up where I can play the MP3s from a portable MP3 player via my car speakers. I've got a CD/tuner with no audio inputs and was wondering what the best solutions are out there. I've heard of these items that send the music via FM waves. Spec me a system please! 1. Player 2. Power lead to cigarrette lighter 3. Cradle 4. Means of playing music via car stereo Thanks in advance, Steve

Great vid! I hope to be out on the next ride in Cambridge Steve

That could have been a much more serious crash there Joe. I hope that we don't see any more of this sort of thing on TF! Careful driving ***

They may have independently designed these adapters without ever seeing mine, but I think it's more likely that they would have decided to make some after seeing my design and so realising the demand for them. I've sold many sets to the Far East and they can be purchased from some well known shops in the region so they would have definately seen them even if they were a company that was keeping aware of products only on the local market. I was surprised how these adapters took off in the Far East for me, so they'd have to have their head in the clouds not to be been aware of them. This is the natural way that things work in business (unless you have a genuinely patentable idea) and I admit it was the same process with the design and release of my Vee adapters. The Bonz adapters caught my eye and were the starting point for me to work on my own design, although comparing my finished result and the Bonz adapters, I definately incorporated new ideas and a distinct look, which now look to be almost replicated. I would be more worried if they were radically different though really because it would suggest that there were better ways to do it! Steve

They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. [attachmentid=7957] I'm flattered! I've taken on board the observation about Avid Ultimates not fitting onto the brake boss of Heatsink Vee adapters. I'm always interested in ways that components can be improved so thanks for bringing this to my attention The next batch will have this remedied Steve

You forget why you went up the stairs in the first place!

The skatepark is located just above the blue P in the centre of the map (the strange symbol is maybe a dolphin for the swimming pool. It's infront of the swimming pool with glass walls. If you're driving through Cambridge on that road then you'll see it. I wish I could come along, but I'm already full booked with house buying and baby stuff. Have a great time though and I look forward to seeing some great photos! Steve P.S. I saw Stephen Hawking in the Grafton centre yesterday!

I've just added Dominik's latest vid to my website. Another bit of good news is that there's no need to wait ages for it to download because it's streaming in realtime using YouTube The vid features a mix of street riding and also Dominik riding an impressive trials park which I'm quite envious of! I hope you're impressed by his riding! I've also uploaded a recent BMX vid from John "Bongo" Blundell. It may have been posted before, but I could watch John's vids forever! Those spinny moves had my jaw on the floor! Here's the link: http://www.heatsinkbikes.com/?p=team There are many other team rider vids from Ben Travis, Kyle Hinchcliffe and Dan Burton to check out too on that page. Steve

Bit of a long shot this! I've just received an order returned by Royal Mail because Fraser Milloy no longer lives at the address. He's changed jobs too and all correspondance was via his work email. He used to work at the Aberdeen Exhibition & Conference Centre, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen Anyone know Fraser in the Trials community? The real Fraser will know what he ordered so please don't pretend anything in order to blag some free stuff! Cheers, Steve

Porsche 911 Turbo 3.3 1977 - 1989 Looks good with a newer c2/c4 bodykit, white leather interior and either black/silver paint. Steve

I'm back! All outstanding pads are being sent today and tomorrow The fork mount issue is in hand now. I did get back to him straight away and got some queries sent out on it. I will be working through all my messages now after a period of not being able to reply. We'll soon get to the bottom of this fork issue and I hope everyone is impressed with their pads too. It's a very good suggestion that it would be time well spent for me to alter the delivery times on my pads page during this period that everything is happening at once. We'll soon be moving into our new house and I'll be the proud dad of our 2nd son Thanks for all your support, Steve

Trials-online is still going: http://www.trials-online.com/forum/

I'm a bit biased but: Must get the image resized a tad so you don't have to click to zoom in

As an update, today I sent out all outstanding orders bringing me upto date again From now on I will be getting pads out on time again Steve

Hi, I'm on the look out for someone who is a whizz with Photoshop and has a good eye for design. If you could do a banner to a similar standard to my current TF one then post below! Steve

http://www.espacetrial.com/forum/index.php ^ French forum