Greetings

Nah, Danny Swindlehurst is the British Marcos Gonzalez. Not really sure who this danny is, but I don't see a point in comparing two riders that way. The guy from this vid seems rather good though

In terms of quality, the Zoo will probably be the same or better. The quality build of Echo group components is slowly getting worse and worse. But then you ride the bike for the geometry and not quality, so I guess it's up to your own preference. The Zoo won't feel much longer but it will feel heavier to ride. I changed from an 05 Python to an 06 GU Short 2 years ago and found the GU much nicer.

This reminds me of the good old times when you used to release videos more frequently... Not a fan of such riding but that was brilliant and way too short.

It's such a shame Robert isn't riding anymore. He was by far the most stylish and explosive rider out there

Yep, I think they're identical to old Zoos. Nothing can beat a pair of extended 221Ti bars though!

Hopefully nothing, hate getting things. I try explaining that to my parents every year but they're a bit thick.

Mine at the moment, got to get a different/bigger desk. Had to cut off a large chunk of it to get two monitors in.

In a frame with a 1055mm wheelbase? Never knew the head tube angle influences the length of the bike as much as that

I think that's the best looking bike I've seen so far. It's just perfect, no flashy or impractical bits and that vee on the front looks great.

Just been sent some up to date pictures of the Echo. Before/now Going t be a tough job getting the frame back to it's previous condition. In fact I have no idea how to do it... Originally it wasn't polished but brushed.

Really nice. Does the bike feel long or short?

Same here... my aunt who lived with us died earlier this year, she'd always get her sons and their families in for Christmas so there were always lots of great people staying over at this time of the year. Now we've got nobody coming over, we don't even have a Christmas tree and probably won't get one. Going to be a hell of a miserable time. If not for a girl I've been dating recently (we've arranged to go skiing on Tuesday), I'd have pretty much nothing to look forward to.

That Megamo is so nice! No wonder you want it back I think I'll buy a piggybank and start saving up for that Echo. Could be really fun trying to restore it.

yeah you're right, didn't think that one through

That's worrying.... How hard did you ride that bike? Doesn't Gazza give a guarantee for his frames?

... and probably get a Koxx or 221Ti, not the cheapest bike available.

Due to grater distance between the front and rear wheel, it'll probably greatly affect the way it rides on rocks. On street, probably more difficult to hook, easier to do pigeons on.

HFX is a hydro brake. Bike looks really good, geo is nice as well.

I'd wrap the bottom pallet with inner tubes. Just wash the tubes first so they're grippy.

Don't know how to start this so I'll go straight to the point. About a week ago after asking to be banned from this forum for a few days, I started going over my archival videos and pictures and found a pic of a bike I had a long time ago. It was an Echo Team 2003 and was thought by many who had a go on it to be one of the best bikes they had ever ridden - I certainly thought so but decided to go on with the times and get a Python. The Echo was sold in one piece, it's new owner didn't use it so it changed owners again. Decided to find out who is riding it and see if I can get it back. I quickly found the current owner who is willing to sell the bike since he hasn't got time to ride - the price is ridiculously low for, despite being old, a high-end bike. My idea is to get the bike back and restore it to exactly the same spec and looks as before the primary sale. This might be difficult due to the unavailability of BT 760mm bars, and because the frame has been sandblasted. None the less, I'd probably get the looks and spec pretty close. Many parts haven't been changed since. That's one part of the deal - after all getting this bike back just in order to ride it would be a waste of money since I hate mods with a passion. The idea is to go out on a solo ride, with exactly the same music I listened to during almost all my rides a few years ago (specific VA compilation) and just ride it as if I had gone back in time. Sounds like something a woman would do with her old high heel shoes... With me, this Echo is a kind of symbol of how I used to enjoy riding. I think this is just another attempt at making trials seem appealing to me, and might be the last stage before quitting all together. None the less, i'm interested in your opinions about doing something like this. To those of you who have been riding for many years - would you pay to get one of your first bikes back knowing you wouldn't enjoy riding it? Do any of you have any very strong and positive trials related memories from the past which you'd love to experience again?

They do? Pretty sure the Zona has 362mm chainstays, whereas the zoo has 375mm.

Apart from the looks, I really like the bar and stem combo. Good job

Yeah, saw that a while ago. The hook half way through is mental, incredibly stylish.

Hayes Carbon brakes aren't really the best choice. They're good brakes for other bicycle sports due to their very low price, reliability and braking power but in trials you need something better. I'd say the only disc brake that works (or has enough potential to work properly with a huge rotor) on the rear wheel is a Hope Mono Trial.

It impresses the ladies. Mainly ride due to friends but also really enjoy chilling out with an mp3 on a solo ride. It's just so pleasant, all the problems you have temporarily disappear.