craigjames

Doesn't help when you've got brands like Maestro/Xox (who a lot of people seem to ride for) don't have a website or do much in the way of marketing and advertising. It is a shame that there isn't as much choice for a custom build, and as mentioned the move to manufacturer specific standards has limited options further. Hopefully manufacturing in China will kick off again and we'll start seeing some more products being offered, along with some updates/new websites to keep us all informed. I do miss the busy forum, the stream of information, build threads and videos. Things change i guess!

Got my new Hope Tech 4 Trials brake for the front yesterday, so no have a matching front and rear brakes. So much nicer than the Hope Trial Zones I was using before Also got time off approved so I can go to Radfest for the first time, won't be able to ride much but should be fun!

Word.. Just a sign of getting old, needing to ride more and eat less cake. Do miss Bristol rides with you and Ben.

Rowan Still my favourite trials rider.

Those Ti cages are awesome, been running mine for a few years now and have help up perfectly, showing very little signs of wear and offering much better grip. On the topic of headsets, surely you'd be better off with a reach adjust headset (not sure if you cant get them in 1 1/8") if you're looking to shorten the bike a little, as said an angle adjust may reduce your the wheelbase but will increase the reach. Not something you'd want unless you do everything to front wheel?

Nice to see the fit and quality of trials parts is improving lol

Got to agree, really impressed with mine so far. Loving the lighter lever action and the adjust-ability. Glad that it's switched to a roller bearing at the pivot, no more lever slop, overall just a much more solid lever than the trial zones i've had before.

I've had 2 Echo SL Ti freewheels in about 8-9 years, always been reliable as long as they're bed in before giving a trials beating and kept lightly lubricated. On a side note, where do you get these XoX frames from?!

Mini update: bought Hope Tech 4 trials rear brake and a fitted the Trial Zone to the front. Just need to trim the rear hose and gove them a bleed. The Tech 4 looks top notch quality and has a nice light lever action. Does mean no more carbon forks ... for now!

Fitted mine up yesterday, lovely light lever feel and plenty of power. Set up needs to be bang on, but wasn't difficult. Just waiting for complete levers to become available so I can upgrade my front trial zone brake.

Dragged it out of the garage for the first time in 3 years, still rides lovely and doesn't weight alot... 7.3kgs ish Addict custom 20" frame Updated: Maestro carbon forks Hope Trial Zone rear, Magura HS33 front brake Every bolt is Ti, Echo SL Ti FW, Brother CNC stem, Jitsie carbon bars, Onza Tako pedals, ti axles and ti cages. Ti disc guard.

I'm using a Hope trial zone on the rear of my 20" trials bike and want to get a front disc to match. Happy with the power of the Hope so far... Not sure whether to stick with the Trial Zones as I just need a new caliper (maybe with Jitsie or Trialtech lever blades if they add anything) or go for Tech 4 Trials (front and rear) or even Magura MT4/5 combo (cheap!). What are the Maguras like bite/hold wise? I see they're popular with the street trials guys, but not seen much of them on a pure trials bike? I know the Tech 4s are an unknown entity, but on paper solve a few issues with the Tech 3, but are they worth the money compared to Maguras or Trial Zones?

I feel your pain Dave, we're on a fifth buyer since we put it on the market back in March, been trying to buy the same house for so long i've got to reapply for a mortgage as our offer extension has expired. Now having to pay stamp duty etc. Should hopefully be moved in January....

Well after all that our buyer pulled out...fortunately it was on the market again and sold within 24hours, for £5k more than than I accepted last time. Just want it all finished now! Survey on our house again in 2 weeks and then hopefully it'll go through to completion.... everything crossed!

I've suffered with dodgy shoulders and back for years due to climbing and spending far too much of the working day in front of a computer. I've had to get in the routine of warming up and stretching out at the end of a climb, trapped nerves and muscle impingement occur fairly regularly if i don't. Lockdown was the worst for me, sat at my desk 5 days a week and out of the routine of stretching because no regular exercise/indoor climbing/motivation. Massively regret that now, stiff and sore and can't lift my left arm above shoulder height without pain, I've been back climbing two weeks and definitely feel better for the exercise having a regular stretch; the pain and restricted range of motion is easing slowly... I'd get on it Dave, just some basic stretches to ease out everything; you'll be surprised by how much it helps! On a side note, selling a house is stressful!!! Just want to move into our new house already!

The joys of trying to keep fit in your 30's.... what are you like with stretching/yoga?

Decided to get an estate agent in to see if was worth doing any work to the house prior to putting it on the market.... a week later it's sold! Went with Yopa for an estate agent, local bloke and his daughter working effectively self employed under the larger companies banner; their prices were what attracted me £500-800 less than others had quoted. Everything with viewings and offers goes through the Yopa portal and is really easy to use. Got an offer accepted on a house which will suit us to the ground, driveway, garage and garden. Most importantly not in the middle of Plymouth. Needs no real work apart from specifics we want to do and good location for taking the dog out: https://www.primelocation.com/for-sale/details/58115114/. Everyone in the chain seems lined up ready to go, just crossing everything that no one pulls out!...

A promotion opportunity came up at work, threw my CV in a few weeks back to show interest without thinking anything of it. Got an invite to interview which was last Wednesday, thought i'd ballsed it right up! Had a phone call yesterday to say i'd got the job. Well happy, definitely a nice surprise before the new year

I feel your pain, mid-life/lock down spread has hit and the love handles have grown! Food was one of life's few pleasures during lock down and my eating habits haven't returned to pre-LD levels. I'll just add "be less fat" to the to-do list.

They will fit, how good they will be, especially on a stock is questionable. The rear disc mount on that frame isn't up to much either, so I wouldn't want to be pushing it too hard.

Looking good,Improving all the time! I'd love to have a TIG welder to give this all a go. Found it properly therapeutic when I did a course a few years back. How much did your plant set you back out of curiosity?

Always used to use Heatsink yellows on a smooth rim, that was a long while ago.

No idea where you'd get a custom stem made, wouldn't be cheap! What bars are you looking to run that are 22.2 mm clamp diameter?

I've always been a bit sceptical that stabbing someone with needles would release tension and pain, but thought i'd give it a go as my shoulder had been giving me pain for 18 months of so. I had one session at a well reviewed, reputable physiotherapist, I described my shoulder issues, has a quick consult , was recommended dry needling and booked myself in for a treatment. The experience was uncomfortable and at times painful, I lost sensation in some areas and had reduced mobility with other muscles. Coincidentally had previously worked with the chap that was now shoving needles into me, at a bike shop, he was the manager and fairly useless; but very sure of himself. Did some research and found the owner of centre, the actual trained physio gets very good reviews... the chap who i saw I is a trained massage therapist, that's it. No other formal qualifications or training that related to physiotherapy or sports injury treatment. Didn't go back, found another sports injury therapist; she was brilliant and with a lot of work and consistently doing the exercises set i've sorted my niggles...... touch wood. TLDR; Got stabbed with needles with someone that didn't know what they were doing. Don't.

What's she likely to put out with a disco potato on it? Looks lovely and clean.