TrashZen

So Kenny Belaey is to sign for GT bicycles next year? That's a big news. He said that as if of nothing in your Flash interview, probably following up on Hans' experience since the two have been developing similar activities, TV shows etc... Congrats anyway! I am curious to see if GT is going to come with pure comp bikes for him or if they are going to encourage more freestyle (with sus forks etc... Norco style)

Nice gathering of hipsters , quality flow though

Ok, So its' official, Christian Gugliotta is leaving Atomz... it had been brewing for some time but we couldn't really discuss it during the interview in March, it was in the making, staff rioting 'nd all . Let's see what the future brings.

Fixed... I must have received it from someone else... or maybe my mistake. Otherwise, I would normally refer the pics to whoever posted their pic on the forum or sent them directly to me.

For info, the retroreflective Ts were a one-off and are only available in medium for the few I have left. You'll have to wait another 10 years for a new batch

hi Ali... As in all interviews, you get the interviewee's side of the story, and I am no judge because I am not in the retail business. Interesting counterpoint though. It must have been irritating, though sometimes I guess its down to who you delegate to. Very annoying at times (when you feel you got to do everything yourself)

Hey!!! Some weeks ago, I got the chance to chat for several hours with Atomz'maker, Christian Gugliotta. What I can tell is that he is a very interesting chap with plenty of interesting views on the bike trials industry. Check out this very long and rather telling interview... Go to bike-trials.trashzen.com for a full flavour read. And by the way, any of you guys want to share your oldies for the bike trials evolution project... send me your pics. Cheers

Moved to Trials Chat

Nice ones, would you know the year of this megamo frame? Also interested in the Monty, if I could get a neat picture of the full bike. This would be for the Bike Trials Evolution thingy Oldies always welcome (with year and make info)

Yep, I got in touch with the guy who helps run the Classic trials revival comps in Spain, Joan Albert from the Classic Trial Orrius Club, and he sent me some interesting pics of revamped oldies. Check out the Montesa, Derbi, Motoretta, Figueras etc.. full steel designs, just think of riding with this now . All posted on http://bike-trials.trashzen.com/ It reminds me of a super heavy BMX I had in 1983, and what a blast I had jumping and riding over stuff, I didn't know trials existed at the time .

Just an update on the broken bits section of the Biketrials Evolution page... It used to be empty, I have ported what was on the static TrashZen page, and now it's ready to take more pics... just a way to share your misery ;-) Added parts will have the name/brand/ maybe failure scenario..."just riding along" type of comments Thanks for all of those who sent me some pics so far... Cheers

Damn right... Adam?? Can you shed some light on the name?... If I remember well, I think you mentioned years ago that the name TartyBikes was some sort of self deprecation about cherishing bling bling bikes tuned to the max... for the glory of trials... would that be right? I'll update the interview to answer that last curious point if you give us some feedback.

In line with a series of interviews I am carrying out for the BikeTrials Evolution project, Adam Read (from TartyBikes for those of you who are not familiar with his name) accepted to answer some questions about TartyBikes' debuts and current dealings. He made it very interesting, so check it out on the BikeTrials Evolution project website.

There is not one technique better than the other, it all depends on how comfortable you are with the obstacle or the starting position. So you have to adapt your riding to what you ride.

You need to practice both sides to be flexible, but sidehops to the left or to the right (opposite your front foot or on the side of your front foot) are slightly different moves. When you sidehop to your back foot side (to the left for you), you tend to aim the full bike over the obstacle (often even landing directly to back wheel). That is because you have a bigger lateral weight transfer to perform (moving your center of gravity) from the right foot support across to your left, and you don't want to miss the edge. When sidehopping to your front foot side (to the right for you), you lean about one foot closer to the obstacle and have a smaller lateral weight transfer to perform in order to achieve the right balance on top of the obstacle. So it makes it much easier to use the front wheel as a pivot on top of the obstacle to bring the rear wheel up and make the tiny alignment necessary to get some grip with the rear tyre. With this front-foot side technique, you'll end up doing higher sidehops, with more precision than on your back-foot side. You'll have more control in the end on your front-foot side.

Hey, thank Chimpanzyyyyy! Was good to catch up in Antwerp too!

Just posted the first in a series of interviews I am carrying out as part of the BikeTrials Evolution project. Talking to Kenny Belaey just before the World cup in Antwerp, I wanted something a bit different than feedback on comp results, enjoy. Your feedback is welcome.

Hey, I think overall, you would need to sum up the pedal kick forces with whatever body impulsion you would give extra. A lot of the moves involve jumping, but with the extra horizontal or vertical thrust and propulsion from a pedal kick (via the wheel's torque). I think that trying to explain it with forces is not easy as the efforts and their proportions change all the time as you perform any move. This would require more diagrams. But hopefully, you manage to get some answers with more reading and practice.

Yep, I've been using bar tape for the last 5 years, in double layers (otherwise its too thin). What works best is the cork type or silicone type, pick you favourite colour. Cheaper overall than standard grips, the only drawback is that when they start undoing when damaged in a crash, and it becomes a mess. Incidentally, I have moved back to firm foam grips a week ago just for the sake of trying again.

Hi Ayuli, For more physics about the pedal kick, I've put together some explanations at the bottom of the pedal kick page. That's about optimizing the pedal kick launch position. Hope that helps

Yep, lets see if tyre manufacturers put the effort into making the equivalent in 24", I'll get back to that thread in 2020 then, just can't wait to see this evolution

ok, then, Davos soles on platform pedals with screw-in pins... Maybe something to work on would be two-compound soles, with a harder rubber insert where the pedals dig.

Yep, there is a church and a massive carved head in front. There is no water in winter 'till around April

Just what it is... murky greenish stuff, probably alive. A plan may be to convert it to deep blue lagoon (some chemistry pending.. )