middleageman

My plan, is to open my own internet Trials specific company. I will offer competative pricing on all goods. Maybe, even 'pricematch' or undercut the lowest out there. you will have my word. It will be delivered to your home, on the day you request, at the excact time, wrapped in ribbons and bows. Sorry for my sarcasm, but , unless you walk into a shop, pay with cash and physically carry the goods home, you are entering the wonderful world that is 'internet shopping'. Where nothing is as real as it seems! Have patience, my freinds. middleageman.

Hey, I don't wish to step on any toes, but, when reading recent posts, it's getting harder to define one from another, due to some avatars being one and the same. I heart TGS may look cool once, but not all the time. It's confusing for simple people like myself! Whatever happened to individuality? Maybe it's just a clique. Don't forget the other forum outsiders! middleageman.

Thanks for your futher advice guys. The 'Zoot'. Is that the 24" Onza? Is that still available, as it's not on the 2009 Onza website? Regarding 24" bikes/frames:- I've only really discovered the Inspired, 24UK and Reset (and Zoot) so far. Does anyone know of any others please? Maybe the lack of 24" Trials specific frames, so far, is due to lack of demand? Maybe, the frame builders/manufacturers need to hear...... (to qoute: Kevin Costner - Field Of Dreams).... ..."If you build it, he will come"....or....."If you believe the impossible, the incredible can happen" !!! Or in my, simple, turn of phrase, the more we ask, the more they will listen. middleageman.

erm... I haven't got a bike yet, but I like to practice Trials by leaping around the local park in my luminous green, Borat style, 'Man-kini'. People tend to leave me alone.........( sorry, please excuse my strange sense of humour.

If builders didn't exist.....what would you ride on? If you only ride natural.....I guess there would be no nails!

Hi there and welcome to a fellow North Wales 'newbie'! I haven't got a bike yet (lucky you!), but I thought I might be able to help. Go to Rides/Locations on the main page and scoll down to ' Rhyl New Years Day ride'. Posted by Sam Oliver. If you click on his name > view members profile You'll see he's the British Junior Trials Champion and is planning a ride with fellow Trials Forum members in Rhyl, on New Years Day. Might be worth getting yourselves there, as I'm sure these guys would be an inspiration/help! Update: it sounds like some others will there tomorrow (New Years Eve) also! Good luck on the new bike.

Thanks Paul, Mike and Jason, food for thought indeed! I think, (big) IF, money allows, i'm being drawn to the 24" - like i'm caught in a 'tractor beam'!

Hey thanks for the replies to my post, Ogre and Mtchell (sorry folks, I haven't learned how to "quote" yet!). Regarding the amount of frames all you guys seem to go through, I was thinking maybe they snapped every couple of months! But of course you buy 2nd hand and swap. (wipes sweat from brow!) You have restored my faith in my ability to afford this fascinating pastime. Oh Wow i've just learned how to use icons Now my posts might not come across as so serious Ha ha!

Erm... none as yet! I've been recently thinking about getting into your sport and have been looking at frame/bike prices, I therefore must assume you Trialer's may have either; - well paid jobs - rich parents - or be sponsered professionals! If I may be so naive, why so many frames???

Hello. I'm still a newbie. Still asking that eternal question. 'The choice of bike!'. If I may recapitulate? Well, i've posted a few questions regarding the differences between Mod, Stock and 24" cycle and their suitability to my needs and have received abundant, helpful and detailed replies. Thank you all. (Please feel free to read my profile for previous details). I have also read many other threads, topics and posts and have attained valuable knowledge. But, for me, there is a 'missing link' in my understanding of your intriguing sport. Please, let me explain my ramblings and indulge my inexperience... I have understood so far; The 20" Mod - a good beginners bike, smaller, stronger, lighter. Good to 'throw around', twitchier. Great for comps, natural, taps, gaps and sidehops. The 26" Stock - Maybe better for the more experienced/older/larger rider. Can perform the same as a Mod in the right hands, but with the bigger frame and wheels, has a more rolling and easier balanced feel. The 24" - More 'streety'. Spins, Manuels, BMX style moves, but with some ability to do more traditional trials manoeuvres. This is where i'm puzzled. I thought, the inbetween wheel/frame sized 24" bike, would be an ideal compromise between a Mod or Stock? Why are the 24"s deemed a bit different? Is it all down to breeding? What I mean by this is, have the 20"/26" bikes come from a more traditional Trials stock (excuse the pun), and maybe the 24" has descended from a dirt/jump/bmx background? Is it all to do with geometrical proportions? Please excuse me for my meanderous ponderings, (i'm not normally such a wordy twat, i fear there may have been too much sherry in the trifle!). Like a a rabbit in the headlights, I welcome your replies. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! middleageman.

Hi, regarding the lead in paint issue , Although lead improves paint performance, it is a dangerous substance. It is especially damaging to children under age six whose bodies are still developing. Lead causes nervous system damage, hearing loss, stunted growth, and delayed development. It can cause kidney damage and affects every organ system of the body. It also is dangerous to adults, and can cause reproductive problems for both men and women. (wikipedia). I was a painter and decorator for many years, hence why we wear protective mouth/nose masks whilst sanding old paintwork. Hope this helps.

Ha Ha, I can't top that....respect! Merry Christmas.

No, but it has a basket, a bell and lots of things to make it look good!

Lol, Mikey Tomo, that's a shame, but i've got a Trials tandem for sale if you know anyone who'd be interested?

Hey, don't forget, we were all new to the forum once. How about giving us Newbies a break. Or at least point us to the guidelines/rules. Sarcasm is the lowest form of humour. By the way, i've got a seat and seatpost for sale if any Newbies are interested? Heh heh!!!

Welcome fellow Newbie! I'm sure all the good people on this website will be more than happy to answer any questions you have, as they have done with me. In the meantime, try clicking on the 'Wiki' section at the top of the page for a beginners guide to the basics. Also, (don't tell anyone I told you! ha ha!), but maybe explore trashzen.com. I also feel I must congratulate you on your use of our English language. Your post was a great deal easier to read and understand, than some written by my fellow countrymen. Wishing you and your country, a very Merry Christmas.

I bought my Son a bangin' BMX, plus about 5 games for his Xbox. I won't see him until January I reckon! I bought 'The wife' some perfume and gave her some money for the sales. I won't see her until January I reckon! I got myself a massive credit card bill and the Mother of all hangovers. You won't be hearing from me until February I reckon! Best wishes to you all and have a Merry Christmas! middleageman.

Hello, I first read about Ben's plight and demise on cleanbikes.co.uk. I downloaded your video footage of Ben doing Trials in, (i assume), your back garden. What an inspiration your boy is! Thank you, from myself, my wife and my 11 year old son. We wish you a merry christmas. Our thoughts are with you. x.

I'm about to unfold, a story from my teenage years, about a Christmas morning. But first, let me paint you the picture. When I was thirteen years old, the year was 1982. A new bike had arrived on our shores from America. This bike was every lads dream machine. They called it the Bicycle Motocross - the 'BMX'! (They were probably in this country earlier, but not in our town!). For those who weren't there, at that time, this bike seemed like it had arrived from another planet! One by one, their numbers grew. Some rich lad from school. Then a mate's mate had one. Christmas loomed....and passed. It seemed that Santa had bought practically everyone I knew a brand new BMX! Except me. It was a long year. A year of trying to perform jumps and stunts on second hand 'racing bikes', bought from the small ads of the local newsagents window by my Dad. They broke, a lot. I managed to persuade him to buy me a set of 'cowhorn handlebars' for my birthday so I could fit in a little more. I didn't. Then my Dad suddenly brought home one day, a second hand Raleigh Grifter! Now, for the uninitiated, this was a 'must have' bike from the late seventies. It was almost a BMX, in looks at most, but weighed the same as a baby Hippo. Nevermind, I was happy! Because this bike was as strong as, well, a baby Hippo, it meant I could perform jumps and stunts as well as my mates. This bike took no end of punishment, scratches, dents and dirt, until that fateful day, when I obliterated my rear wheel. My Dad wasn't annoyed this time? When I asked if it could be fixed, he just replied with a knowing wink and said "We'll see". 'Of course', I thought, 'Christmas is only three weeks away!'. I had pointed out, in my Mums catalogue, the BMX I desired several times that year. December the 25th. Christmas morning. After enthusiastically opening my stocking fillers, I had a gut feeling. I knew something greater awaited. I was beckoned to the front room. Next to the Christmas tree stood a large present wrapped head to toe in gift paper. A bike shaped present! "Merry Christmas Son!". My parents words echoed around my elated mind. In a frenzy, I tore wrapping paper from seat, wrapping paper from handlebar, wrapping paper from wheel.......... ....and there.....stood before me......in all it's glory....!!! ....was my Raleigh Grifter.....cleaned and polished....with a new BACK WHEEL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What hacks me off when i'm out doing Trials, is the fact that I haven't got a bike yet!!! It looks a bit foolish and is slightly harder to accomplish. If I may make a small point though, on a more serious note. I've made a few posts recently about purchasing my first bike and it has been suggested to me, many times, that I should chat to trialers and see if I could try their bikes, to see if I prefer mod/stock/24". But then I read posts suggesting that any 'outsiders' questions are a nuisance and a distraction. Why ignore and put off someone genuinely interested? Maybe a younger teen who thinks your cool? Maybe a Dad who's asking for his son? Maybe a Dad asking for himself! How is this sport/hobby supposed to flourish, if the core members are not willing to share their greater knowledge and promote/encourage trials itself? Sorry to get heavy, but I thought it was a valid point worth making. middleageman.

Thanks for the advice folks.! Dan6061, you've hit upon a point that had crossed my mind. Being, not quite of the younger generation, even if I saw someone kicking around on a Trials, it may feel a bit weird asking them for a go. Think - grandad on a skateboard, granny on a pogo stick! You may get the picture. I feel this mod/stock/ 24" may be a choice I have to make on my own, through research and careful consideration. But hey, i'm enjoying the ride!!! middleageman.

Howdy! Just a quick question. I've been browsing various online shops recently, trying to get a feel of prices, specifications etc. of different mod/stock/24's. I've now moved onto manufacturers sites and have found most of the frame builders, except Deng. I've seen the echobike.com site which also contains ZOO! But i've had no luck with; Adamant Gu or Czar. Can anyone help point me in the right direction please? middleageman.

Regarding the helium debate, sorry, I was just kidding! But hey, you never know! Was the BMXer Elliot, from the film ET? But seriously, what about other lighter than air gases? Hydrogen maybe......?..... oh no, wait.... i've just remembered what happened to the Hindenburg Zeppelin!!!

Hey guys! How's everyones Saturday evening going? Sorry to intrude, but, being a newbie and all, am I sensing a slight bit of tension to this thread? Callum, if I may be so rude, to pose a question, to a more experienced member of the forum such as yourself? Are you riding a seatless Trials bike? I only ask you this, because if not, i fear your seat may have fallen off and your seatpost has become firmly and irretrievably, wedged up your 'one-way street'.

Dear Full Monty, forgive me for my cryptical explanation: I reside in a neighbouring town, eastwards, of the 'Blackpool of Wales'.