ooo

Yea when I say I've been out for a ride people ask me 'where did you go ?' err... the road outside my house, I rode a bench, some walls and tried to ride the postbox...

I can rear wheel hop and pedal kick, but I feel like I'm far from mastering them and I am not progressing because I'm not trying to do anything with them. I'm not looking for tips on how to do them; more exercises or things to try and do to progress my skill. I don't have access to pallets or a trials park, so just things to do that i would find on the street. I hope that makes sense... thanks

I don't know whats right or wrong about it, but trying new things and exploring takes a lot of balls and is always a good thing. Im sure lots of early trials bikes had the same controversy.....

Its hard to tell with no info but, Is your chain line straight ? check everything in the drive train (BB to rear hub) to see if anything is pushing or twisting your freewheel at an angle. It might be that the outer case of the freewheel is not aligned with the inner mechanism.

longshot but... maybe you are missing the washer from the crank bolt, and the bolt has hit the end of thread without pushing against the crank, did you leave the washer in your other cranks ?

I got one of these, but I haven't fitted it yet.. http://www.gussetbikes.com/products-information.php?id=HSGU*NFS

interval training is one of the fastest ways I know of getting good cardio, its not about whether you do road biking, trials or running even its just about how you time your intervals and push yourself. If you go out and do trials solidly you will get much better than if you stand around assessing lines and chatting to people in between. Trials also has the benefit of providing pulse training that road biking doesn't. Its not what you do but how you do it, I guess motivation is also important, so it may be down to which type of riding will make you leave the house excited to go out....

I wore wraps over my gloves, not under they wouldn't fit, only problem is if you use certain wrap techniques you can end up with a lot of material under the palm which pushes your trigger finger further away from the brake lever. This can be avoided with wrapping technique. The other downside is that wrapping hands is an art and takes a while to learn and master, but its the only way thats perfectly customisable. I don't know how bad your wrist is, you might need a split too, if you don't want it to flex.

2m long wraps are really only useful for hand support like knuckles, I would find it hard to wrap a wrist to support it and have it stay on, wrist wraps would be better around 3-4m. Stiff is best for an injury, move to flexible later on when you need less support. this is a tough stretchy wrap: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LONSDALE-Boxing-Hand-Wraps-Boxing-MMA-Bandages-Wrist-Protecting-Fist-Punch-3-5-M-/200685338981?pt=UK_SportingGoods_Boxing_RL&hash=item2eb9c74165#ht_2512wt_1147

Ive had wrist problems in the same area, I used to do a lot of Muay Thai and have used that style of handwrapping for bikes. But you don't wrap it the same, when you wrap everyones hands are different, you wrap to apply compression and support to which ever area is weak. But i have no idea about weightlifting wraps, so cant compare... But martial arts is more about preventing expansion of the small bones in the hand which in turn tear tissue, so theyre good for impact sports. Ive found hand wraps much better than wrist supports, they never fit quite right. Also try 3.5 - 4m long hand wraps, mexican style hand wraps are much lighter and more flexible, but if you need serious support avoid them. Your injury looks serious though, how did you get it ? is it both hands ?

Hi, theres a good tutorial site called trashzen.com, also check out the videos in my signature.... when you first start and flat piece of grass or tarmac is good...

I had the same problem, I used a spacer, you can put one on your freewheel or on your axle to push your crank out a bit (might affect other things though). If only one crank is hitting, it might mean something in the drivetrain is wonky.

warming up and stretching your muscles properly will help loads until your body builds up the strength, go on youtube and find out how, also rest your body properly, if youre out jumping for 2 hours a day everyday, youre gonna be sore, make sure to give a couple of days rest between and eat good food etc.. but as skunky bifta says "im not a doctor". Ask your doctor, but he will probably tell you to stop riding bikes (thats what mine said), Try and see a physio about it or find some one that has a good knowledge of sports physiology.

Ive just started learning these and wondered if anyone had any opinions on whether to learn the BMX or McSkills way ? Or is it just dependent on which way I want to spin ? thanks

if your freewheel is definitely okay; could it be your bottom bracket ? have you taken the cranks and freewheel off and tried turning the axle ? Is your rear wheel turning okay ? more info on what you've tried or pictures might help people answer...

your budget is quite high so you can afford the repairs on it, its worth checking out how much they cost though, it sounds like one of the brake mounts need helicoiling, look that up if you don't know what it is, you will need to be competent or know someone that is competent drilling and tapping. the rest is relativley straight forward bike maintenance if you have the tools. p.s. i saw this bike on gumtree too, if you pay cash in hand without ebay, youre likely to get discount because he wont have to pay ebay fees (about 10%). as for the bike i don't know about it but im sure someone on here knows about them.

hi, just for ease, I put all the videos into a playlist on youtube the link is in my signature:

I found these made my trackstand better: - cycling narrow lines like along a kerb - hopping and rocking into and out of trackstand - trackstanding on non flat ground - trying not to use the brakes oh and the ryan leech video chris4stars is talking about is in a playlist in my signature

check out some of the videos in my sig, also if you ask a more specific question, im sure someone will be able to give you a really helpful answer.

I have M5x20 for magura but im not sure if its different on different frames, heres a cheap link: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10-pcs-x-M5-X-20-STAINLESS-A2-ALLEN-CAP-HEAD-BOLTS-/150558132654?pt=UK_DIY_Material_Nails_Fixing_MJ&hash=item230df6c9ae#ht_1767wt_930

Maybe getting a really good coat/ clothes so the weather doesn't make so much difference ??? For me its okay as Im rubbish and trying to learn; Im well up for going outside and having a go. Sometimes finding a really epic video can be inspiring too...

Thanks for all your suggestions, its really helpful. and yeah, i wasn't expecting to get a conclusive answer.

the voodoo is kinda poo an you will loose all your money if you try and sell it which won't help the saving up for an inspired situation. Im guessin as your saying street, you arent interested in pure trials but want to do cool looking stuff as well. But, I got a mod and im well happy with it, its good for learning on, light bikes are way less tiring, which helps when you're doing a move wrong 100 times. The lack of seat really helps too. If you can a decent one cheap get your core skills down and then sell it next year without making too much of a loss you can then go and get a zoot or inspired.

Hi, I need some advice, the rain is making my brake setup rubbish so Im going to grind my rims this week. My question is really whats you favourite booster and pad setup for rain/ winter weather. I would appreciate it if you could give me specific makes and models. Budget isn't really an issue but value for money is, also im not too bothered about pad wear time, just that they work really well. Cheers

Im not sure what you want to do with your bike, but if you can't find a 24 trials bike in your price range, you can either go for 20 or 26 like people have suggested or you can look into the 24" dirt/street/park bikes, theyre heavier and less suited to pure trials but you can do more park stuff with them, theyre used a bit more like big bmx's. check out brands like NS, BlkMrkt and DMR. some of these will be in your price range.