TrashZen

Interesting comments... I like the new bar position, but maybe the levers could be tuned... I'll experiment further this WE just to break the habit and see how it feels... Or maybe I am becoming rusty :'( in the wrists.

A little video recorded at my new riding spot... rocks in the university campus' woodlands in Orsay. That's going natural on my GU over the autumn/winter season...5mn from home Enjoy

It was about time to re-code TrashZen, mainly because increasing screen sizes meant that year-on-year, the site was shrinking. The photos and the animations were getting all pixelated (especially the most dated ones, when internet connexions were so poor that you had to make everything small, check out the 2004 version for a laugh). So I have recoded every page to include better resolution pictures, the pages are responsive to display size, so they always fit nicely, without having to scroll all over the place (they can even shrink to one column, but the images and text always adapt to be readable). Then, using the mouse-wheel, you can animate all the step-by-step sections at your own pace, back and forth to see the full move sequence in high resolution. On top of that, nearly every page comes with a HD video showing the technique in slow-motion, performed in different contexts (some extracts of old vids, and some more natural since I have quite a nice rocky zone nearby). The overall look is still pretty much the same as before (I chose a more readable font), but as it is now, the website should survive quite a few years of pixel shrinkage (hopefully until its 20th birthday in 2018). It´s online now, so check it out again! Hope you'll enjoy. Wishing you all an excellent year!

Interesting topic... I pretty much agree that work and family stuff (chores but also just taking time to do things together rather than on your own on some rocks) do get in the way big time, and I struggle to ride more than 3 times a week. And that's when you're just happy to be able to maintain your mental and physical level from one ride to the other. And obviously, one of the nice things in trials is to learn and feel a progression. You just want to be able to ride better than 3 months ago, whatever your level. As a beginner, it's easier to see the progression. As a more experienced rider, you'll be more demanding and will feel the stagnation or the regression more easily. But there's no going back, you'll get older and trials is not really doing anything good to your joints and I guess that some day, if your body tells you that's enough, you may want to consider a softer sport or just move to more regular biking so you can enjoy staying fit without the repetitive injuries. Then, there is family pressure... My wife keeps telling me I should stop before I hurt myself big time... I always argue that I may well do so and get hit by a stupid car simply for being less alert as an unfit pedestrian (A) but the truth is I rarely get hurt except when riding my bike :$

Yep, I just received this pic from a 1988 GT Ricochet bike being restored by Heino (based in Triberg, Germany, not very far from Strasbourg). The bike on the pic is fitted with Monty bars and Heino is looking for the original 1988 GT Ricochet handlebars. Anyone would have this relic in their garage to sell or to give away? You can reach him at: thanheiser@gmx.net Then I'll be able to update a bit the Gallery of Bike Trials Evolution Cheers,

Personally, I would love to see an air spring catapult option on the rear stays (like you would push a button during the final stage of your extention and a suspension-like compressed gas-piston would bounce down the articulated chainstay to further boost the jump) But maybe the whole set up would only compensate for the extra weight. Jitsie mentioned electric motors to add extra humpff for run ups etc... like a convergence of motor and bike trials...

Yep, just lucky it didn't snap on a bigger move, I never heard it creak though.

Yep... after only about a year of abuse, my rockman right crank arm got tired of hitting concrete edges... Sharp as it is, I was pretty lucky it happened during a small static hop over a rounded rock.

Yep, not really good for the bike, but I love the hooks, I find it really technical and you really need to optimize your impulse... Happy with the trocadero gap, again, all about pulling all the triggers right. Maybe see you in Antwerp in September?

Still a beast! Do you still eat raw jelly tablets for energy?? Was very impressed with that!

Yep... moving outside Paris... not really far, but enough to see some trees and natural rocks... That'll give me a break from concrete stuff... Anyway, here is my last clip, started on a Rockman... ended on a brand new GU 2013 . And I could immediately feel the difference!! Rockman versus GU 2013 Enjoy! or directly on

I 've got a fairly simple policy of not changing parts until they break... but hey... I'll see how this chain goes.. (A)

Whoaaa!!! That's a bit harsh innit? Well, I'll consider it... You lots are getting me scared now... I usually keep my chains for a couple of years, that's when they start breaking into bits... I'll keep you updated.

Yes, in fact, I first used my old chain, it was roughly at the same spot, but then the rear tyre is was really feathering the yoke, like is has 2mm left, and I thought I would add half a link to space it up (and then the brake mounts were a bit on the fringe and also, I felt the bike was less reactive) So I reverted to the same chain length (removing a half-link). It is a 1/8"gusset, typically used for BMXs. Supposed to be solid. :'(

Yep, I finally opted for a GU: Pimp ride, I tried out various chainstay lengths by tweaking the half-link chain, and finally opted for a 378mm chainstay (that definitely feel very sharp and reactive on the rear wheel). You can check out the full specs Here I don't have a scale precise enough to give a weight.

Yep, I knew I was taking a bet with a lightweight frame, and bad handling is clearly the issue there. Yet in comparison, the Atomz took so much more abuse and rail beatings, and never failed over the 4 years I rode it, even though I pretty much flattened the down tube. No riding and a lot of thinking these days... :'(

Precisely, heavy landing on a rail, too short then a very harsh hit.

Well, it all started with a harsh landing on the down tube which buckled upon impact... :'( A few weeks'worth of riding made the crack appear in the fold... Then it just snapped yesterday, during the smoothest landing ever But I reckon I just fixed it... I don't know yet what frame to get in replacement, I loved the Slate 3, but maybe I'll go for the Slate XL, or the CurveV3... just to have a slightly different feel.

When it comes to spinning and tailwhips, I find BMX vids difficult to beat:

My current practice spot for gaps...gaps...gaps... and improving

Yesterday's ride at Trocadero... finally gave a go at a mofo drop-gap to rail that I had been eyeing for so long. Just was in the mood of trying, plus I think I improved my pulling ability on kicks. Everything is in the take-off. Landing was a bit harsh, but the rail took it well.

I found another one last WE... bigger than it looks... but probably safer

Sadly, that's just a filthy pigeon...

It would be embarrassing to get wet, but I don't think I would get hurt if I missed the boat. This WE, I'll probably go back, there is another drop gap where the wharf is high over the platform.

In Paris, near Austerlitz's bridge... old unused river boat that's been rotting here for years. Vid will come by next summer... so I get a chance to improve my riding on the rockman ;-)