middleageman

Cheers, you breadcrumb coated fish based snack! I understand your reasoning and welcome your advice. Maybe I can explain my position, I'm wary of buying 2nd hand as i'm new to this game. Would you buy a 2nd hand blow up doll, if unsure of it's past? I'm not wealthy by any means, but can just about afford to 'treat' myself every couple of years. I've built a home studio with analogue synths, keyboards, monitors, effects and pc's etc. which aren't worth a 'Woolworths voucher' anymore. I've spent more money on hobbies than Jordan has on boob jobs. If a sucker like me doesn't buy new bikes, how will you get them in the future? Seriously though, thanks! middleageman Oh yeah, 7 fractures in my skull, 3 broken noses, 1 fractured jaw, 1 fractured collarbone, 4 broken ribs, 2 knuckles and 4 fingers, and just recovered from a dislocated ankle which broke my leg resulting in a metal pate and 8 screws! All in seperate 'incidents'. I'm sure Trials will be fine. Heh heh.

Good, good, good advice!!! Thank you both!!! Indulge me if you please, in my head, if I had £1400 to spend on something new. I could get either a top spec stock or Inspired from Tarty, or something like a Meta VTT for £880, which I may have learned is pretty stong and 'mod like' for a Trials orientated stock with the high BB rise and such, and also a decent dirt/jump bike for £600 ish for 'avin a laff street style and tings. I may be widely off the mark - this is why I ask! All advice welcome! (except 'a fool and his money.....' quips! )

Mmmm, I think I've got the wrong impression from reading a topic of members previous 'frames throughout the years' and reading "this cracked" or "snapped after 2 months" etc. This is why I'm nervous of buying 2nd hand. I ain't made of money! Cheers! ps. being an ol'skool cyclist I only know of steel, what are the benefits/disadvantages of aluminium these days? Also, what makes are classed as 'lightweight comp frames' and therefore unsuitable? I feel I need something robust!

Nice advice guys! I'm sort of liking the 2 bike idea for where I live, any make of strongish beginners streety stocks you could recommend? As for buying the wrong geo/frame, as I've not tried any, I will learn how to ride/master the bike I buy and then maybe move on in the future. Cheers and keep on helping please guys!

Howdy. I'm enquiring about buying my first Trials frame/bike. Being a Newbie, 12 stone, 5'10 and possessing absolutely no Trials skills, it therefore must be STRONG! I want a NEW one as i'm hitting 40 next week and want to treat myself, I'd like it to last a while and if it breaks, at least I know it's down to me. I don't really care about weight or geo as I'm new and still considering a maybe a Dirt bike as well. I just want to have fun! I've got a grand or so to splash on a bike. I could get a 'proper' Stock, or a wicked 24" or a nice, new, off the shelf Onza mod and a very tasty Dirt bike. Strength wise, an aluminium or steel frame? I know I should make my mind up and pick a type of bike/style of Trials or street/dirt, I know I should 'try before I buy', but I have only recently met my 1st local Trialer. I know i've sort of posted these questions before and had some great advice, but the more the merrier, there's a lot to learn. My main question though, is all about STRENGTH and longevity, in all three types of Trials frames. I only ask, because I am still unsure. Therefore any replies, help, honest opinion or abuse would be most welcome! middleageman.

Against all natural instinct....I Love it! Just buy me a pretty dress and call me Lucy!

I'm right foot forward. I write with my left hand. When I was a boxer, I was a southpaw (right foot forward). I kick a football with my right foot. I find it easier to hop on one foot with my right leg. I shoot a rifle with my left and a pistol with my right. I play tennis, use scissors and armwrestle with my right, yet use a spoon with my left. I play pool with my left, yet throw darts with my right. I could go on.... My rather longwinded point is, do you THINK about how you would perform all these acts? Or does it come naturally? middleageman.

cool.

Looks good man, how much to powdercoat a frame, if you don't mind me asking?

mmmm! one shot of kaluah, two shots of baileys and a splash of cream, I could drink it! Nice job on the forks and I like your sticker placement on the inside. Looking at bikes like this is going to get me into debt...

Cool, also use the 'search' tool on here, all the information, from everyone that's ever posted! (once you learn how best to use it!) But also post, good, considered questions and topics on this forum, there's some good people out there! Just start a topic and ask away.

Yeah man, with the town, park and especially the miles of prom and rocks! Trialers paradise I reckon. I' m sure you could build a cheapish Trials as a starter bike, as I said, best asking the others for advice. Until recently, the only Trialer I'd seen in my town was a young teen on what looked liked a Xmas pressie Onza mod and didn't want to approach him for the same reasons you expressed. Then suddenly, walking home from work one evening, I heard that familiar sweaky squeal of a Magura trials brake I'd heard so often on youtube vids and there was a guy in his 20's on a stock pullin' some moves! I hesitated, but then approached him asking if I could "ask about his Stock bike?" A conversation was born. Ask a few Trials related questions of these lads you've seen, mention this forum, they may be glad of some recognition of the sport, rather than the usual "where's your seat?" quips! You've just got to bite the bullet. stay in touch. middleageman.

As a newbie, I find the 'search' feature frustrating at times. This is not down to the tool itself, but peoples lack of thought into typing their topic title. I was reminded of this by a topic below. Let's say, in the future, I wanted some information on an Onza Blade. Trials 4 Life has recently posted : "New Onza Blade - pictures of my onza blade" ..... perfect!!! I type my search for an Onza Blade in 'more search options', highlight 'search titles only' and bam! It's top of the list. He could of put: "my bike - pics" and I'd probably never have seen it due to the dozens of pages laid out before me. Just a thought.

Don't mention it's name, but the Dyke of Offa ends here! Sorry to hear about your work, it's pretty grim up here work wise at the best of times. You never mentioned a price range for a frame? Your looking at £100 + minimum for a half decent second hand stock frame (I think) although there are people on here who know A LOT more about it than me! Even though your a new member, you can still look in the 'For Sale' section and get a feel for prices, but just DON'T ask to buy on here!!! (new members chat) To learn more about everything Trials based, click 'Wiki' on the information bar above. It tells you about types of bikes, techniques, maintenance and a list of frame manufacturers and websites. The forum takes a while to get used to, but most people will help you out with any questions you have. Also try looking at the various internet based Trials shops already mentioned by others. (www.tartybikes.co.uk ) To give you an idea of prices, the local lad I mentioned previously, is selling his 08 GU Typhoon stock frame, mint condition, for £180 and they retail at just shy of £300 new! Just keep on posting and have fun! middleageman.

Hello fellow NorthWalian! I live on the Denbighshire coast. I see you've checked out my profile already so no need to tell you I'm also new, with still no bike! There's lots to learn about the 'right bike', so don't rush into anything. Are there any Trialers in your town? I've just met my first in mine and he's been very helpful. He's also selling his Stock (26" wheel) frame if your interested? How much do you want to spend on a frame? It's advertised on the forum. Good luck on here! (top-tip, sshhh, don't talk about getting Validated, compose interesting posts/sentences, watch your spelling, and punctuation, use capital letters where necessary and read the guidelines at the top right of the page and you may be accepted. ) middleageman.

Not me, but I think I've broken my wifes heart when I announced 'I'm buying a Trials bike' and how much it is going to cost!

Thanks for your responses and advice. I'm pretty new to any forum posting so I wasn't really sure of the 'code of practice'! This thread has been quite an eye opener, to see how all this works and get a feel of peoples personalities behind the names. I guess some of the things I write make a lot more sense after a couple of wines, as sometimes even I wonder what I was on about! Oh, I think my sentences are a bit disjointed due to typing longer ones in the 'posting box'. They look fine on a preview post, but then turn out weird! Cheers. middleageman. Oh yeah, sort of back on topic, how did you feel when first joining the Forum, from a Newbie to full member? How were you treated? How does it compare to now? How are Newbies treated? I only ask because I have an 'outsiders' view and may see things differently. Have attitudes changed over the years?

Wow, it's gettin' hot in here! Ok, Phil H, I've retracted the last part of my post. I apologise. I think I was veiwing your replies as some I have received before, as in (as you had suggested of mine),a non constructive, pointless, dissection of how I write posts, but not the sentiments behind them. You might as well have called me some names. Why not question what the forum is for? Or how newer members, who are finding their 'forum feet', are treated? Is it to shoot down a 'Newbie' with an opinion? Is it not to discuss, in depth if necessary, our thoughts on the forum/sport? Why, if I write more than a simple 'Is that/does this' question antagonise people so? Should I simply post: triallsfoorum- is it any good@ lol I personally welcome any constructive criticism regarding my own use of the forum, as I am new. I just wonder if anyone else receives such a response from an honest opinion? middleageman.

Thank you, a welcome and shortly considered reply. You've used some nice big words there. ( but may want to use a dictionary as the 'spellchecker' ain't all that. Oops! :$ I see you've already dragged me down to your lower level of response. Clever boy.

chimpanzyyyy - you looked prettier in your last photo, maybe it was the makeup!!!

middleageman here. I just have to say, I'm overjoyed at the forums responses to my, somewhat, verbose 'posting style'. At least, it provokes debate. It is not really premeditated, maybe just 'lubricated'! From working in a factory with my fellow, lowly paid Welshmen, I could b*tch, spit and banter with the best of you, but it's nice to switch off sometimes. You see, I wear my heart on my sleeve, I'm open and honest, if I feel something, I'll say it. I'm not afraid of ridicule or scorn, we have thick skins up here. Of course this is not aimed at all the forum members who have furnished me with their wisdom, but those who mock. I shall continue with my, rather wordy, 'style'. If you you don't like it, treat me as a TV program, your mouse a remote control and simply turn me off. But if you don't mind reading a couple of minutes of my meanderings, thank you for your time!

Hello all, midddleageman here. Wow, as I stated, there's some passionate people out there! Thanks, everyone! Who gave me the replies I needed to read, too many too mention! I'll see you all in London! middleageman.

I thought I'd found it! But No. Interesting all the same. 1999 Norco Team Trials 1999 Norco Team Trials frame and fork (Reynolds 853 tubing) Tange headset (silver) Roox Danny's Stem Roox Torquebar riser bars Magura HS-33 front and rear Mavic 217 front rim laced to DT Hugi front Mavic X517 rear rim laced to Chris King hub Shimano 7-speed road cassette Superheat tire up front IRC El Gato tire in the back Race Face cranks Black Spire Granny God Kona Jack Shitt pedals Shimano Tiagra rear derailleur Axiom seatpost cheap Selle Italia seat ODI Ruffian Lock On grips old school XT thumb shifter You may have already seen it before, but maybe someone hasn't.

Hello all. My name is middleageman. I only discovered the sport of Trials in December, through sheer chance and I was immeadiately interested. Now, having cycled a lot in my youth, (but, pretty much, abused my body for the last decade or so!) I was sort of thinking about a change of lifestyle, looking for something I hadn't yet tried as a hobby, maybe even regain some fitness, something 'new', (to me at least). So, there before me, was a sport, a movement, a scene. Unheard of by anyone I have spoken to. "Trials!", that's the one for me, I decided. After a couple of nights 'google'ing and browsing, I discovered this rich font of information, knowledge and passionate people, collectively known, as the 'trials-forum'! Being new to any type of forum whatsoever, I made a heartfelt post and hoped for the best. With joy, I received some replies! Not only that, but kind and encouraging words, and a notification that I had been made a full member. It was only later on, after reading the guidelines/rules and also gaining knowledge from reading various other new members posts, that I realised how grateful I should be. With my newfound confidence, I posted a few typical 'Newbie' questions regarding a choice of bike, the differences between them and suitability to myself and have received many, detailed, considered and wise responses for which I am extremely grateful. I've also learnt how to use the 'search' feature and discovered a wealth of knowledge, opinions and facts which are truly beneficial. Now, this above opening statement, might sound like I'm licking the skid marks off the forums ...... tires! I'm not. This is truly how I've enjoyed it so far. But, the whole point of this rambling, self indulgent introduction is this, as a complete 'Newbie', with not even a bike, yet being a full member, I find I'm flitting between NMC and Trials Chat constantly. If I post my beginners questions in the NMC, I receive some helpful replies, (although mainly from full members) and of course have to wade through some of the younger members cross-talk and banter - although it can be fun sometimes! But it has been suggested I move to the full members forum, because I should. Now, of course I've read many of the topics/posts on here, but a lot of them seem to be quite advanced and technical questions that are asked. It's isn't that i'm not gaining valuable knowledge of the ones I've understand so far, it's more to do with 'a divide'. Personally, I find myself in 'no-mans land'. I want to put my 'Newbish' questions to the more expirienced members, but see others try and simply get told 'this or that question' has been asked many times before and get pointed to the search bar. Which of course, your database, holds all anyone would need if starting out/ intermidiate or quite expirienced. I suppose the point I'm trying to make is, Isn't this a forum? A place where questions are raised, knowledge is passed, ideas are discussed, evaluated and reconsidered. But please realise, that I've not raised this topic for myself, I'm not looking for any sympathy or reassurence, I'm not posting to critisise. I was just interested if anyone had any thoughts on my comments and maybe to remind people of when they were new to Trials-Forum and wondered how they felt! middleageman.

Is it this?.... "It's a Mod Bike Circa 1967 It was a very rare bike" "A 1967 Lambretta, as ridden by Phil Daniels ('Jimmy') in the film 'Quadrophenia' Scooters would eventually surpass their strictly utilitarian origins to become an integral part of British youth culture in the 1960s as favourite transport of the fashion-conscious 'Modernists', or 'Mods' ." Oops! got the year wrong :$