mike137

I always take a bag with me...usually the contents are: 2 multi tools, proper set of long allen keys, spare brake pads and cable, tube, patches, pump, tire, tire levers, chain tool and spare bits of chain, jacket, bin bags (for keeping phones and stuff dry), tar, smokes emery tape.

Did i see you last week on a gloss black Gu on Butler Street in stoke?

I use Rockman thick foam grips, although they are more comfortable without gloves, i still wear them as i would rather have something between my hands and the floor when i fall off.

Glad i got rid of my saracen frame when i did...never had any problems with mine though. Edit: just noticed the post above saying saracen and mad are no longer one and the same.

Never done anything dangerous, but have used coke can round the axel of a mates 3 piece cranks, bricks as hammers, single speed with full cassette, used a big bolt with a plastic sleeve as a pedal when the threads came out of a mates crank arm. I can honestly say i have never bodged my brakes, chain, rims etc.

makes a perfect chat up line in my case as i run a small onza plastic seat 'why's your seat so small' 'for little bums like yours darling' its not worked yet, and im sure it never will also the police where i live seem to have nothing better to do than tell us we should ride in the park...great idea, its pitch black and theres no lights there. that will be fun! go away and do your job!! also my mates unreliable bikes mean i have no one to ride with half the time!

I personally use a piss pot (bright purple too) for trials due to the added back of the head protection, but for xc i use an old Met scudo in carbon and yellow and for DH i use a 661 Comp in blue.

Headset is fine, forgot to mention that they are for 26 inch wheels.

Hi all, I recently bought a pair of Echo control '07 forks from tartys (highly recomended). The problem i am having is that after i land on an object with the brakes on, and release the front brake, the forks seem to spring back about 15mm. Is this normal? Also, are these forks good for a beginner (like me) who is going to have a few rough landings etc or, are they more a fork for folk who land gentle? thanks Mike

Damn, no one else seen it then?

Hi all. Not so long ago i found a video that showed a Japanese rider doing lots of different moves on flat ground, i wanted to show this to a mate of mine, but now i cant find it (searched on here, google and youtube). Has anyone seen this video? Where can i find it? Thanks Mike

Never seen a derailure go like that before (on the drop). Awesome in slow-mo...nice find.

Nitromores is a brand name, it is just paint stripper, but it does what it says on the tin (no, its not made by Cuprinol). Comes in a green tin/bottle thing.

Mr Wilson!

Did i mention i ride a hardtail? I agree that the forces will be transferred better because of the lack of suspension, but there is still no way that the forces are greater, i have the broken parts to prove it, including a set of forged cranks, marzocchi fork uppers (two big cracks on the crown), pedal axels, seats (dont ask) and hubs.

Agree 100%, but surely the forces involved with downhill are far greater than those on a trials bike; due to the terrain, speed, weight of the bike etc etc?

Yep, there NOT the ones i was thinking of, same company? Forget what i said above, its probably of no relevance to the ones you are looking at, sorry. The 24/7 cranks i have are definatly welded, and have definatly stood up to at least 3 years of stick on various downhill tracks up and down the country from a mate of mine (admitedley on a full susser) and if i remember right, another 3 years at the hands of me on my hardtail, both arms are in one piece, no signs of failure around any of the welds, and the threads, axel and bearings are still fine (think my mate changed the bearings from the origional ones, but i have not so much as touched them). I agree, none of the cranks on tarty are welded, but if there is a reason why, what is it? I am assuming it is mostly due to weight, or is it that a steel weld is superior to an ali weld, and ali is used to keep the weight down, hence no welds? Sorry for warbling a bit. Mike

Got this one last night... Just got back, f**k me that hotel murder mystery weekend in mumbai was a bit over the f**king top! Ill get my coat :$

A long 1" wide paint brush should do the trick, with some nitromores on the end of it, or perhaps a dremel with a long bit on the end and a wire wheel?

Although these are the latest model, they are the same design as mine... Are they not welded then?

Mine are welded it seems, but they are 2001 cranks if i remember rightly so the newer ones may be different.

That is exactly what golfers do, iv never seen anyone have grip come off there club. Bit of a ball ache to fit (rockman thicks) but yeah, definatly do feel better in my opinion. Also i have fitted grips using linx body spray (not deodorant as this leaves a residue) tends to evaporate quicker and the grips are easier to remove than if you use hairspray.

i have a set on a old jump frame in my shed, very very strong, but extremely heavy.

I have a few mates who would come under the banner of 'chav' (baseball caps, trackies tag on ankle etc) and the majority of mates who are goth/rocker/emo. All ar sound with me and each other, its a matter of opinion, and not trying to sound a twat, but the area you live in.

Personally i never used to bother unless i was downhilling, then one time i came off and dragged my head along a few good sized rocks etc and ever since looking at the damage i caused to the helmet (which could/would have been my head) i have worn one ever since. Full face for DH (and some light body armour) Pisspot for trials Normal style for riding to work. Also have a few mates who have been saved one hell of a headache by wearing lids and some who have had stitches/concussion due to not wearing one. A big fat yay from me:)