PeterH

I know I'm asking for trouble as an American debating this on a UK forum but I disagree. He is a ton of fun to watch and has the ability to seemingly do anything, but it just doesn't seem to come together when it really really counts. Much like Montalvo, so much fun to watch, always so dynamic and crazy front stuff, but took years to pull off the rainbow jersey, I feel it will be the same with Rolls. Will be interesting to see him on the 26" up against Jack, both move fast but I feel Carthy is way more robotic and gets the job done just perfect.

I could be wrong here, but I would think bmx wheels are actually better for this. Between the psi they can run and the ratio of tire height to wheel size. I think how in the auto world stupid big rims and rubber band tires are more likely to be destroyed or at least flatted by potholes and curbs and such (though it could also be the "skill" of drivers with that setup). Also its a speedy move and trials is not (I know street trials is a bit different).

And the ender in this made me pucker pretty hard, I mean it is like a front to rear gap, just way gnarlier

My personal opinion is it isn't any worse than a trials comp full of static hooks... In other news any time you think we can ride skinnys watch the opener of Williams latest:

I go back and forth between 20 and 26 all the time. Some times it is weeks or months almost only on one, sometimes it is every ride or two. I really like the way each have strengths and how I adapt to different styles. Sometimes the big bike feels like cheating getting up and over stuff, but I love the way I get so comfortable on the 20 and it just disappears beneath me, but I do have to focus on gaps a little bit more. Lots of the top guys have a preference and things are so dialed in now, but I love the old days when riders like Benito could podium on both. I think anything you do on different bikes makes you a better rider overall, but there are are times when you feel off at first switching, but it just build flexibility into your brain and muscle memory. As my garage will testify, more bikes and more options are a good thing.

Sure looks like it. Right through the center of the bead which makes me think poor weld quality/porosity. Its more common to see at the edge of the weld at the heat affected zone (HAZ).

I will echo some other stuff said here, I've got 25+ years of riding as well and I miss the old BIU days. I really DO like getting "partial credit" now, I think you should be rewarded if you make it 90% through a section and 5 vs someone that gets a 5 on the first obstacle. That said I don't like how if you dab on the flat ground (and we've all done it...) you can lose points for a crazy hard gate you made it through. To the joe public discussion that's what I love about the old days, to explain it all you had to say was this: They have to stay on their bike between the tape and get over crazy stuff from the start to the finish in under a certain amount of time. That was it. No A and B and C gates, no "why can't they use that obvious rock right next to the giant up, no why cant they just ride the flat ground from the start to finish. I get how making modern sections in open areas works for spectators/filming/logistics, but I miss good comps out in the woods/mountains (Buthiers, Itadori, Les Gets 2004 qualifiers, and so on)

A couple more semi recent ones as I am running this thread rather than being current on some other social platforms

You are spot on with all of that. Had my most fun drive in it yet this morn, when that second cam kicks in above 6200 it just feels amazing. And I have already made the trials bike analogy a bunch of times, its so true. Actually got the tyres to squeal a bit in a parking lot this morn, amazing how you can go side to side and they unweight if pushed hard enough, but there is no perceptible roll in the the suspension, just this little dialed in machine.

And yeah they are pretty uncommon here these days. In Seattle there tons more 911s and M3s and whatever else and I just love that this is not those in any way, just a pure driver's car, not a luxury item and because it is so uncommon that makes it more exotic. Did see a beautiful red Testarosa a few blocks from my place last night, first time I have seen one of those in real life, that was my dream car as a kid in the 80s, the Elise has been my dream since becoming an "adult"

Honestly I am not that much of a car guy so I'm faking this, its a 2005 with the 1.8 inline 4 from Toyota with the Yamaha head I believe. Haven't really given it what it deserves yet, sorting out some electrical stuff (on a British sports car, how unheard of...). Maybe not the best bike hauler, but I did get my mod in it for a test fit.

This little acquisition seems appropriate to share on a UK forum

Someone took this of me tonight, I couldn't make myself sidehop to the point/arch, would have been awesome, but looked sketch

One more rail gap because I turn 42 this week and in the past few months have done more rail lines than ever in my life, so glad to not be "over" yet. UW Fountain Rail Gap.mp4 Also for those of you that appreciate good stuff here is the same rail spot in a very different way: