spode@thinkbikes

Not as much of a good time as I would have had, had you'd been there. (Say that fast...)

Thanks Yeah, all the concrete is perfect for riding on. Loads of spots to choose from. I'm definitely going to have to go out there again. I'd like to do a road trip and drive all around America riding on street furniture

As I've now moved to a Simtra frame for my street riding (still sticking with KOT for my demo bike), I thought I best get this video done and dusted. This was all filmed in October 2006 in San Fransisco and I've been trying to edit the thing up since then LOL. I had a few extra days after a press launch and decided to bring my bike along. The first ride, 4 or 5 people turned up and they were all really cool guys. They showed me all the local spots and I had a great time. I then went out and bought myself a video camera as I felt it would really be worth filming some of it. With the help of Jonny B, a friend of SurlyJoe who I was staying with, we got it filmed. Not some of my best riding, but it's all taken in one day. It was incredibly hot compared to England, so I was jet-lagged and definitely not acclimatised. Still, it's nice to see where I've improved and where I've slipped. http://www.thinkbikes.com/media/thinkbikessanfran.avi (50MB, XVid+MP3)

I'm with Ali on this one. I certainly noticed that I used to almost pull the front brake when tapping, at one point this meant I was stalling on the lip all the time. That's quite tricky to do when trying! Then I thought, hmmm, lets try and not pull the front brake. And it just flew up. If you watch a lot of the big taps, they pretty much roll up the front wheel up the wall after they've bumped it, so it make sense. The problem is, it's hard to grip without pulling the brake on hard (so that your hand is more around the bars). That's why if sidehopping for instance my front brake will be on despite not using it. So I can see a lot of argument for what people are suggesting. But it would feel very odd not having that lever to grab if I ever needed it. "Cover The Brakes" - first thing I was taught.

Cling film? Pussy

In GIMP, I would use the path tool. Then you can match the curves and straights exactly. GIMP is very powerful, it's just different. If you're used to Photoshop (I came from Paint Shop Pro myself...) then try GIMPshop. It's basically GIMP, but with the same layout as Photoshop. - http://gimpshopdotnet.blogspot.com/ The tricky bit (as seen above) is going to be the spokes. That's why you need it against a plain background. It would help if you're picture was higher quality.

Christ, you've never been riding with me then! Arse grabbing galore! Doesn't make you gay.... Footballers do it all the time! It's just guys arsing around! I guess the issue here is not that he's grabbing arses, but that it seemed very out of character for him? Well, what do you expect, he's drunk! If you've ever pulled a minger, you know you can do some odd things. So walking up behind you, he sees arse and thinks it would be funny to grab it. Big Deal. If that's what you consider "coming on to you" then you're sorely mistaken. Unless a gay is flipping you over and trying to bone you, I don't think you have a problem....

I'll be there. Rob is a possible, but probably not.

Ah, those brakes are fine! Hope's just bed in as you use them

Come on Joe! You could have had 360's out of all of those 270's Give it some beef! Still, some really nice lines in there as usual. I can see you've been thinking about bikes I heard rumours you sold your green frame, so I guess that was a false one. And we STILL haven't been riding since you've come back to Essex! And ditto on what everyone else said about the editing and the talking. It felt like we just come in from riding and we were watching the raw footage on the camera. I suppose that is what makes it feel "real".

Count me in. Might be able to drag a couple of others along with me...

I'm up for Thursday. Do we need to start another thread?

ROFL!

ROFL. Nothing about that is right.

I think that's one of those questions that's better left unanswered.....

Christ, you're original. You wasted your free go on THAT?

My question was at 1:30am.... "If I have five bananas and a monkey takes one, what kind of pleating will be required to stop a windmill from penetrating my pneumatic hydro-dragon's golf ball?" My answer was... "This situation would clearly require Fortuny pleats, which are crisp pleats set in silk fabrics by designer Mariano Fortuny in the early 20th century." I think I have the winner there

Not if they had large heads, as per my suggestion.

Wouldn't just screwing in 6 bolts with large heads also give some sort of protection?

I know back when I used XC's, when the springs went we used to use springs from Biro's as replacements. These where a light tighter and made for a louder click. But also the 2007 uses a new oil for lubrication. Those are the only reasons I can think of, if set up in the same frame/setup. From bike to bike, everything affects the sound.

Nice idea. Matt Staples would have loved one of these. He went mental when he chipped off one of his And of course he's going to go rear disc - all sensible people do eventually ;)

Well, Phil King and I met up at 11:30 and after a whole morning of sorting me out with a new inner tube, Ruse later met up with us. We had an awesome ride, topped off with a couple of pints in Waterloo station. At which point Chris Antonio caught our eye and stopped by for a chat. I'm now pretty knackered and in need of a shower and a decent nights sleep

I don't think I've got your number either. 07886588941 I think I'm going on this, assuming Chai is?

Hello Rob from Halfords. I am Spode, son of Bruce and I shall have my vengeance!

I've been running rear disc since 2000 and it was the best decision I ever made!