middleageman

Ahhh! This is what I needed to read. Thank you. If I may ask more? As i'm still new to 'traditional' Trials moves and techniques, is this stem choice (longer length, lower rise) due to being static? Or maybe body position over the front hub? Or balance on the back wheel? Please forgive my ignorance. I welcome your replies.

I must say, that I've not really got my head around this whole stem length and angle of rise issue. I understand the geometry of it, but not the practicality of choice in usage of the 24". I know a lot has to do with body size, bike geo, wheelbase, style of riding, comfort and such. But in layman's terms, if I wanted to ride TGS on a 24", what stem geo would help? Or, like myself, what if a more 'streety' BMX style (spins, manuals, bunnyhops) is prefered? Or a middle ground between the two? I've read some conflicting 'search' posts recently and would appreciate some solid advice. I hope you can clear the mist. middleageman. Edit: Oh yeah, also how much would each stem choice affect the choice of bar rise? Cheers.

Oh come on!! She's divine. Us newbies didn't see her the 1st time round.... more pics ?.... please???

Looks great! Matt black rims would look mean. Red would pimp it up. Either. ps. nice new/clean shed by the way!

...."What stem is that in the photo? I saw it in a previous post about stem and bars on the Zoot. Adam".... It's an FSA OS 190 (120mm +6 degree rise). I got it with the bike as well as the Onza stem. As 'aener' recommended in your 'Zoot bars/stem thread', get some grippier pedals, or invest in some f***kin' shin gaurds! edit: let us know how your bar/stem choice works out!

Here's mine as I bought it last month; ...but I got it with original gears (mech/shifter/cog). I've just stripped it down to the frame, de-stickered and cleaned, greased and rebuilt it (just for fun). I've put the original (DDG?) Onza stem back on to try for now. I've also received my dual V-brakes through the post this week so I will fit them this weekend. Guantanamo, is the Zoot your getting all original (magura, etc..) or have any parts been upgraded? Is it geared or singlespeed? Anyhow, I bet you can't wait! middleageman.

If your braking surfaces (rims) need cleaning, try ethanol or isopropanol, or even just lighter fluid (Zippo petrol). Then wipe off with soapy water, then clean water, until squeaky clean.

It looks well ridden and tough. Nice work. Also, I must say, that is the greatest garden shed I've ever seen!

Ah that's good to know. Thanks.

Fair enough, good point. "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder", well that's what my Mother and wife frequently tell an ugly old b'stard like me!

"Although in my opinion, having your own name on a frame in a gash font isn't cool." Yeah, I've seen Giacomo Coustellier's Koxx frame as well! Anyway, who defines cool?

"gay homemade stickers", "Stickers make your bike look well tacky" ha ha!! I've just bought something similar today from a car shop to 'pimp' my bike! (different letters though ) Forget opinions, be yourself.

Flicking the V's! Woo Hoo! After 5 weeks of owning my 1st Trials bike (Onza Zoot), but not having had any brakes, I finally got some time/wedge to sort it. In the meantime, I've quite possibly read every brake thread/topic/post ever, in the history of TF. It drove me mad. I've surfed tarty, crc and many more, comparing prices and specifications.. I've surfed TF's 'search' time and time again, weighing up opinion, experience and popularity. I've even dreamt of a brake choice After all my research, after all the helpful forum advice and pm's, (many thanks ) , I finally came to the ultimate conclusion, that the best possible option for my situation/budget would be: Avid BB7 front / Magura HS33 rear. But yet, as my finger hovered over the 'Add To Basket' button, I hesitated. I turned to 'The Wise One' (the wife) and we spoke of my dilemma, she said "Go with your gut feeling". So I have. I've just ordered dual SD7 callipers, levers, Odyssey linear slic cable, Onza adaptors for the front, (already have a no-name adaptor/booster for the back) and V!Z V-pads for the rear (yellow, will match my rim tape. ) Yeah I know this wouldn't be everyones choice, but sometimes, you just have to let your heart rule your head. I would be delighted to hear your opinion! middleageman.

Loud and proud. Top marks! Nice to see some individuality.

Last year, me and my son played a few tricks on my Wife for April Fools day. She was getting up for work. We were both off work/school together, got up early and reset the all the clocks (apart from her alarm) an hour early, took the fuses out of the lights, turned the water off at the mains (after filling the kettle), replaced the milk in the fridge for her cup of tea with some rank I'd kept, tuned the kitchen radio to some ultra-loud static, turned her work coat inside-out and hid one of her shoes. It wasn't until she'd struggled, bleary-eyed into the street and found her car (moved several spaces away), with a note under the windscreen wiper pronouncing "April Fool!", that we leapt from the back seat. Oh........how She laughed!....... ............ We didn't bother this year. middleageman.

Well Mike, this track has just had me, the wife and 11 year old son slammin' in our front room! I used to luuurve detroit techno back in the days, Kenny Larkin, Ritchie Hawtin, Carl Craig etc. I'm liking your use of polyrhythms, the lead bleeps and blips work quite nicely against the bassline and drumtrack. It's definately got that 'jerk' ! As a small/project studio producer in the past, I realise the time and effort involved in making a 'finished' track. Well done! If you don't mind me saying, the mix sounds a bit harsh in the upper mids. It may be the threshold of the compressor your using? Anyway, good work man!!!

Hello there! Unfortunately this forum is for bicycle Trials, although I know some members on here also practise motorcycle Trials and they may be able to help out or point you to a more suitable forum. Good luck with your quest and keep on ridin'!

Hey, clown shoes, just a bit of banter, no offence meant.

Step back a page. It may provoke a memory.

The Circus =

I close my eyes. I listen to the music of the streets. The ignition of an old man's car, the engine revs of a young man's eagerness to impress, a frustrated horn beeping in the distance, an emergency siren gathering pace. I close my eyes. I listen to the sounds of the park. A rusty swing squeaking in the breeze, two wood pigeons courting in the trees, the nearby laughter of a child on a slide, the yap, bark and frolic of two dogs playing ball. I close my eyes. I listen to the sounds of the beach. The wind rushing through the marram grass, the seagulls hunger, scrapping for food, the chug chug of a local shrimping boat, the distant toll of the bell from a bouy. I open my eyes. Then, and only then, can I hold my head up high and say "Oh sh*t, I've forgotten my bike and it's time to go home!" middleageman.

As said above, also, this may help you understand the geometry of a bike as it did me; The wheelbase of this Meta 20" mod = 1005 mm.

(after furiously checking my shed).......Hey, post pictures of your own bloomin' bike next time Mr Vandart! heh heh. Interesting post though Guantanamo, the bike you see above is now mine and Matt provided me with the original Zoot stem and a longer 120mm +6 degree rise stem. Now I'm not really experienced enough to tell you the benefits of either, but I may be right in suggesting a shorter stem for a more steet style (bunnyhops, manuals, spins) and a longer/higher rise stem for more 'Trialsy' moves (tgs). If any Zoot owners, 24" riders or such could expand or correct, that would be great! Oh and advice on riser bars as well please. middleageman.

Nice to see you in the members mcspamhammer! Your lucky to have a shared interest with your son, I think I need to develop a few skills before I can prise mine off his BMX, he's too busy laughing at my failed Trials attemps at the moment. middleageman.

What,? Who? When? Me? I thought my ears were burning. Yes I am the grand old age of 40 and I think "rides" is a bit optomistic. I've been learning Trials for less than a month now (when time allows with family and work etc.) and the guy in the video is definately better than me! I must say how pleased I was at most members jumping in the guys corner to defend him and Newbies in general, at whatever level or age. This open minded attitude is what this sport/forum needs to promote itself and encourage people to try Trials.