The twins:

I resurrected my Aero Pro burner from rusting in my parents shed when I was at University – this was my graduation day back in 97.

Snapped the rear seat stay of a Klein attitude because I’m an idiot*
Wish I still had that frame.

*Jumping

Been doing a 50 mile week for a year. Its not clean anymore.

And you don’t need to jump.

Mike from Dialled bikes is probably the best person on here to offer advice on this.

Although I can assure you that you won’t die.

When its the same length as a piece of string tight arse.

Trombone.

Oakley have fallen such along way…

http://vimeo.com/18760239

Its no big deal.

I love surfing and just as much as Mtbing and sometimes its take precedence.

In my experience (having ridden both) 24″ wheels are easier to learn to jump with.
It probably has alot to do with running a tiny frame and having loads of standover.
The more gate-like the bike the harder it gets.

Also great fun on a bmx track.

Great news everyone. I’ve managed to track down some ‘mint sauce’ inspired sheep key rings with the added functionality of being stress relievers.

I’m no teacher, I’ll leave that to Jedi but a bunnyhop unlocks lots of different skills on bikes.

Depends on the jump.

If its a properly maintained dirt jump with kicker and landing you don’t need to pull on the bars
the correct speed will see you through – just follow another rider in.

Some of the trail centre style tabletops I’ve ridden are a bit long to clear just with speed so you often need to generate a bit more air to get to the down slope. Pull on the bars into a bunnyhop style movement works.

…for me that is 🙂

its my fifth one now over the years……

Eh? how can you have had five – keep breaking them?

The last couple of years I’ve tried to concentrate on riding more new places and not buy
new shiny stuff – just replace bits when its worn out.

Not brought a mtb mag for a few years now.

Theres no such thing as tips anymore, they have been re-branded ‘Recycling Centres’

Not always true.
Many on our group are all over the trails on HT’s like tramps on chips.
It’s generally the full susses that mince. Me included.
The HT’s are the ‘shit hit’ ones.

Agree – a decent rider can rock whatever he/she slings a leg over.
I just prefer to see good skilled riders riding expensive full sus’s.

‘Perhaps the biggest trend in the last decade is towards owning more bikes.’

+1

The bike shops assistants I have experienced rarely know what they are taking about.
I only ride trail centres and Hardtail’s are def in the minority at the moment 80-20 split.

If you are keen on honing bike skills and improving as a rider – get a HT.
If you are shit hot, old, injured or just really shit and scared – get a full sus.

Been getting on well with this Wilier Pista. Stealthy minimal graphics are sprayed as a masked
layer onto the frame. Very light, stiff and fast.

Steerer cut and shorter horizontal stem fitted since this was taken:

Take the ‘centre’ out of the equation and one of my fav’s is Gorlech Trail – Brechfa.
Step ups, jumps, berms, tabletops and super fast descents. The perfect HT trail.

My fav trail for variety is Cwmcarn Twrch trail.

The best facilities are Afan.

150mm forks weren’t helping much

Try locking them out on pump tracks.

Why are single speed riders so opinionated ?

You should ask that question on http://www.lfgss.com/
An infinitely better forum than STW.

To be fair to the wife they both look like they serve the same purpose.
Maybe your second bike should be a hardtail?

love it.

bar the coloured grips.

Now with a shorter Thomson Stem:

Coffeeking – I leave bike locks on street furniture. Beats carrying 2 locks everywhere.

Had a few pairs over the years – all still going strong.

They come fitted with very short pins which are useless.
Longer pins are supplied but its a bit of a pain to change them all over.

Strong & light is a big ask – everything you need to know is here:
http://www.lfgss.com/thread17938.html

Bikerbruce

STEEL

-1

BIKES WITH MORE THAN 140mm front and rear unless your dh’ing.
learn to ride otherwise….

+1

Soon to be battleship grey. Plus complete new drivetrain.

davidtaylforth – Member
The fact is, most xc mincers are scared to admit that they really struggle with trail centres. 1 foot drop offs and 3 foot table tops are a daunting prospect when your used to pootling down a smooth, grassy hill side with your seat up your arse.

+1

There's nothing cool about hanging out on STW so none of us can possibly know.

Brooklyn Machine Works
Curtis
Tonic Fab
Nicolai
NS Bikes
Indy Fab

Looks sped up to me.

I've just ridden Les Arcs for the second time on a 140mm hardtail which is fine.
In the UK I run 130mm max.

Going to stick my neck out here and say that 140 +
travel hardtail's are a bit of a fad.

If you need more than that get a full susser.

You can all shout me down now 🙂

If it makes you feel better I just rode for a week in Les Arcs and didn't crash once.
Black 8, Double header, Grange hill etc… all on a hard tail.

AND I was trying hard enough.

I survived the Bush administration.