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Trials Bike


Lesscroft's picture

By Lesscroft - Posted on 20 January 2011

NB: Originally posted elsewhere on the Global Riders Network and appears via syndication.

Hey Guys

Just thought I would post up a pic of the bike I just ordered. I will have to organise some regular street rides with people when it arrives. I can't wait!

It's an Echo 24 inch trials bike. Full Echo spec. Cost me $1200 but I have to build it myself, well I don't but I chose to cause that way is more fun.

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herzog's picture

Imagine doing the Tour de France on that thing.

mikethebike's picture

$1200 and no seat....Eye-wink

hairylittlehobbit's picture

Why no rear disc brakes?

Rob's picture

For precise trails work disc brakes take too long to bite. The thing to do with trials is grind your rims to get a super fast bite... apparently:

Rim Grind

hawkeye's picture

... those big jumps off obstacles to flat, and don't pinch flat on landing.

Or do they just edit those bits out? Eye-wink

Lesscroft's picture

They get lots of pinch flats. I used to ride with a group in adelaide and we would have two or three pinch flats every night. The thing is they are flat profile rims with shallow walls. You run at 20ish psi and get really good at changing tubes.

Lesscroft's picture

It is not so much the speed that the disc engages that is the problem but torsional flex. when you brake on a mountain bike your weight is over both wheels and the forces come from front to back of the bike. When you do trials you are up on the back wheel with forces coming from the pedal and from your body twisting. The disc causes the rear end to twist around a bit and there is a level of flex between the hub and rim. Rim brakes grab the wheel and make it feel like it is welded into the frame. Grinding the rim works a treat but you have to do it very lightly. I will leave mine be to start and see how I go. The biggest issue with disc is they get bent all the time when you are hopping up and down things sideways.

OGJON's picture

you grind your rim not to get better bite, but to get better holding grip from the brake pads.

ChopStiR's picture

I like it!

Fatboy's picture

I've been spending big bucks to shave grams from my enduro bike but I'm buggered if I'm going to do the Dirtworks 100km without a seat, gears or suspension! There comes a point where comfort must rule!

hawkeye's picture

So why do most of these guys not use hydraulic rim brakes on the front?

OGJON's picture

no need to have powerful brakes on the front as most of the time riding these bikes is spent on the rear wheel & the front wheel is mainly used to hook over objects or on the ground to track stand for the rider to gain/regain balance.

Lesscroft's picture

So the bike is here, fully built and ready for fun. Made a little video of my second ride. Enjoy!

http://youtu.be/Mk6AJbpxuZo

Rob's picture

Wow, that's mighty impressive for your second day on the job! Eye-wink

Nicely made vid. too.

ae93gti's picture

I have a saying, has a few applications now but it started with building server racks for data centres

If there's no blood, it's not a successful day!

Johnn's picture

That was good!

hawkeye's picture

... and smart move with the shin pads Eye-wink

LadyToast's picture

The boys got skillz!

Rob's picture

@LadyToast You mean, 'Boiz', right? Eye-wink

Lesscroft's picture

Hey guys

I have a few new stunts up my sleeves. I am heading to Newcastle this weekend for some riding and filming. Expect a new video next week.

OGJON's picture

saw that & your other vids on OTN.
oh & welcome to the trials family; I've been riding urban/street trials on my Giant STP1 for approx 1 yr now & just bit the bullet & got my self a 26" Echo Urban(waiting for it to turn up in the mail), will make things so much easier being half the weight of the STP

u3uga's picture

Hey guys! I'm also riding trials here in Perth. It's really hard to ride alone. Where do you guys usually meet? I'd love a ride with ya!

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