I Thought About 24"....but Maybe 20" Is Better..

[luca19721]

hello,

this is my second post..

I'm getting closer to the trial world in these weeks , thinking that my first bike could be a street trial 24 bike.

I thought this since Im an ex bmxer and actually a mountain biker. So I thought the mid sized wheels could be a good compromise, to let me feel to move a lighter bike than an MTB and not so extreme like a 20 trial bike.

A guy over here ( north italy ) ,nicely, let me try his Fourplay.--Well , coming from years of MTBiking, the feel of zero suspensions and immediate response on the ground was a real pleasure, but still the 24 wheels felt too big for me moving the bike around.and when I tried to raise the bike on the back wheel I got the height a bit intimidating ,The bike itself felt like anything I tried before.The position reminded a bit the feel of a BMX but the longer wheelbase and powerful brakes and high BB was a total new feel to me.I decided than I was quite wrong about my idea. ( always better to try..not to guess) and starting with a 20" is maybe a more friendly first step.(Also a budget 24 street bike costs no less than 600 pounds, a bit too much for me ).Now I have found a 2010 used Monty Kamel 219 for 290 pounds.The guy says ( I still have to meet him personally and see the bike itself ) that he used the Monty for just 5 months and is really in good conditions.Only a few (small) marks here and there and no real dents .To me looks like a good bike and has HS 33 front and rear.He will also give me a new Magura brake service kit and some other small parts and stuff..He is selling it cause he moved over motorbike trial.

You think is a good move to buy this Monty? The bike , bought as new, costs more or less twice the price he is asking, plus all the spare parts

I would put a pic of the bike on here but as new user I cannot do it yet

Thanks to all and please forgive my bad english.

Ciao!

[bikeperson45]

It's hard to tell really.

You say that you found it hard to get height, but most people struggle with that to start off with (depending on what you did in BMX...) Although, it maybe that because of your BMX background for trials you would prefer a mod.

The Monty sounds like a good deal, I'd defiantly l look at that first as it may be a higher spec than a budget 24".

Have you tried riding a mod before? I think that will make all the difference at this point

[Dwarf Shortage]

I rode Stock after about 6 years of BMX, and I'm only like 5"8'ish too. I think the main reason you didn't get on with the Fourplay was that you hadn't got used to it, the first time I rode my stock was weeeiiirrddddd, and then after about a week of riding I could barely keep my balance on or off the bike*, I think if you had a couple more rides and got used to it, you might change your mind.

*I have no idea why, I just couldn't walk straight. Inb4 no homo.

[luca19721]

It's hard to tell really.

You say that you found it hard to get height, but most people struggle with that to start off with (depending on what you did in BMX...) Although, it maybe that because of your BMX background for trials you would prefer a mod.

The Monty sounds like a good deal, I'd defiantly l look at that first as it may be a higher spec than a budget 24".

Have you tried riding a mod before? I think that will make all the difference at this point

Yes I should try the 20 ..but I remember when I was bmx freestyling with my Haro bike : ) I could easily learn to bounce on back wheel and after some months on the front too...Im 5,7 tall and I remember that standing on back wheel on that 20 bmx was quite natural feeling.On the Fourplay instead ,I could easily lift the front wheel.(Im used to the weight of a long suspension MTB front fork) but I got panic when I was up on the bike on the air...The distance of pedals from the ground was quite weird sensation.The main problem is that I got seriously injuried on my upper arm/shouider with a MTB crash 4 years ago (still I have 13 screws inside my shoulder, I really I did a mess with that crash ) and I really don't want to crash hard while learning, still not being able to crash in safer way.That alone let me think that learning really simple trail moves on a 20 is less scary thing for me.

All that makes sense? I guess not

Anyway..that Monty is a sweet deal anyway, right?...It think has steel fork and handlebar but if I will get better those are not expensive upgrades right?

The guy told me that he also will give me a can of special spray to make the rims grippier and also he put alu backings for the brake pads ( I really don't know what this upgrade really means altough )

Now I see that I can put some pics of the bike

[bikeperson45]

The alu backings mean what the coloured pad material is attached too. Their better because they're stiffer than plastic ones, just have to make sure you're setting up yours pads squarely.

And when you're learning I think it's hard to hurt yourself too bad, you'll focus more on the technique than doing big dangerous stuff. Although shin pads are a worthy investment, the scars on my shins are proof of that.

Forks and bars look good enough, I think. Depends what you consider expensive, I'm really cheap so anything over £10 requires considerable thought.

And the Monty looks good, wish I had started with Maguras instead of cheap vees.

[luca19721]

The alu backings mean what the coloured pad material is attached too. Their better because they're stiffer than plastic ones, just have to make sure you're setting up yours pads squarely.

And when you're learning I think it's hard to hurt yourself too bad, you'll focus more on the technique than doing big dangerous stuff. Although shin pads are a worthy investment, the scars on my shins are proof of that.

Forks and bars look good enough, I think. Depends what you consider expensive, I'm really cheap so anything over £10 requires considerable thought.

And the Monty looks good, wish I had started with Maguras instead of cheap vees.

yes..that is what I thought..I consider myself quite lucky I founded this nice bike with really serious brakes for a good price.

p.s. thank you for your explanation about the backings,

Edited December 8, 2010 by luca19721

[luca19721]

yes..that is what I thought..I consider myself quite lucky I founded this nice bike with really serious brakes for a good price.

p.s. thank you for your explanation about the backings,

so all you experts is that Monty a nice bike?

Tell me something cause tomorrow morning Im going to see the bike and buy it eventually

Ciao

[eskimo]

Looks alright. Seems like it has had some brake upgrades, pads and lever blades. I would still offer less at £250 cash mind even if it is mint. 20" wheels are always a good starting point for people new to trials. A flickable bike really helps even if you are competent at riding a bmx or big mtb even.