I live in Ely and ride with the Cambridge Matchless club which is just over the border in the South Midland centre. There is also the Norfolk and Suffolk Junior MCC (which caters for adults in trials) and Norwich Viking MCC. In addition, if you are a beginner, there is the Dabbers club (which is non-ACU). They are very good for beginners and those that don't want to climb impossible steps (!) but tend to get oversubscribed on entries so you have to plan ahead. All of these clubs have websites, are very friendly and within a reasonable travelling distance of Bury St. Edmunds (most events will be within an hour's drive).
I also live in Cambridgeshire. Depending on your ability, there's the Dabbers (AMCA) club which is great for starting out. Alternatively, there is the Cambridge Matchless club and the Nene Valley club. All of these clubs have websites and run a number of trials. The Cambridge club also runs a Summer series on a Friday evening which can be good fun.
With regard to bikes, I'm a bit of a Beta person - any Rev-3 (except 2000 model, particularly 2007 or 2008) would be great. You should be able to find one within your budget. I also agree with Huski about the budget, but 1500-1750 should get you a decent, late Rev-3.
I converted my 07 Rev 3 wheel to fit my 2010 Evo. I think that Lampkins may do a conversion kit (they certainly did, but may not any more). All that was required was to machine new spacers to get the sprocket in the right place and then machine spacers for the disc to get that in the centre of the caliper.
I can't remember the exact dimensions as I did the conversion about 2 years ago but I think I posted them on here so you may be able to search for them!
It works fine and has been used in the SSDT (no greater test!) several times with no problems at all.
Although I've never bought a bike from Richard Allen, I've known him for many years and I think if he's looked it over, it will be a good bike. I also agree with the other posts that the Beta will probably be a better bike simply because it's newer (but then I've always been a Beta man!).
It should be noted that the Scott regs state that anyone entering a section before the preceding rider has completed it does so at their own risk - if the preceding rider holds them up or causes them to stop them its their tough luck. I saw one rider have to hop and balance while the preceding rider got out of the way - I must admit that I wasn't sure whether it is marked as no-stop, or stop allowed.
I would exercise caution as you will effectively be picking the bike up by the airbox, via bolts that go into brass inserts in the nylon airbox. I just pick up my evo using the rear wheel rim.
Its also well worth looking at the Dabbers Club (www.dabberstrialsclub.co.uk). They are an AMCA club (one of the few in this area) that caters specifically for beginners and riders of older bikes. They tend to run events in the Cambridgeshire and West Norfolk area and are extremely well supported and an excellent place to start. Nene Valley are also an excellent club (I've been riding their trials for more years than I care to remember!) but their sections are of a harder standard than those at the Dabbers club.
With regard to the Beta Rev-3, they are a great bike (I've had two, an '06 and an '08) - the only common faults are corrosion in the water pump causing coolant to leak into the gearbox oil (looks milky in the sight glass) and the stator can go (no warning, just won't go!). I've had both of these problems and would still recommend them very highly.
A (trials riding) friend has asked for any pros and cons of the Oset bike against the Mecatechno bike as he is looking to buy his 6-year old son one to replace his current PW50. Any information would be really helpful.
I managed to break both front and rear mudguards on my 2010 bike at the same trial (a warm day in May). I have bought the Top Trials Team kit from Steve Saunders that includes black mudguards with an alloy brace for the front one (cheaper than original ones). I did have to shorten the front one (to the same length as the original) as it melted the bottom on the exhaust pipe. Now working a treat and looks really good as well!
Broke the front mudguard on my 2010 evo today (not a great day, also knee damage causing first retirement in many years!). I'm not a great fan of the evo front mudguard and was thinking of a change. Does anyone know if the Gas Gas mudguard will fit? Does the Gas Gas fork brace fit? Does the black OSSA mudguard fit, and will it fit onto the Gas Gas brace (as the OSSA one is horrifically expensive - I presume it's some fancy material)? I suppose the '08 Rev3 mudguard and brace is the other option?
Any help (or alternative suggestions) gratefully received.
I was visiting a customer the other day and saw a photo showing someone holding the SSDT trophy. Asked the question and found that it was the chap's father, George C. Wheeler. He won the event sometime in the 1930s but the son doesn't know exactly when, how many times or on what machine. Any help (or additional information) gratefully received.
I've modified a 2007 Rev-3 wheel to fit an Evo. You have to make 2.25mm packers to go behind the disc (I have still used the spring washers). You have to machine the diameter of the disc down from 165mm to 160mm (or buy a new disc). The drive side spacer is OK but you need to increase the size of the disc side spacer to 14mm. Hope this helps.
Hi All. I'm looking to convert the spare wheel that I have from my Rev3 ('07/'08) to fit in my Evo (2T). I understand that I have to machine some spacers (which I have the facilities to do).
Do I need to space the disc or the sprocket, and by how much? Should I make one continuous spacer or individual ones for each bolt?
Will the Rev3 disc fit or do I need to reduce the diameter/buy a new disc?
Do I need to make new wheel spacers or will the standard Evo ones fit?
I'm quite capable of making the appropriate measurements but would like to hear from anyone who has 'been there and done that'.
Alternatively should I just fork out the cash and buy Lampkin's conversion kit!
In my experience (having had an 08 Rev 3 and now owning a '10 250 Evo), the Evo's suspension is awesome. The engine on the 08 Rev 3 is very good - the Evo feels softer but revs out really well. The best advice is to have a go on one (though it may finish up costing you money!!).
We should be going on the 2nd so there should be at least two outfits having a go - it is quite a good venue for a first time and the club are very friendly. See you there.
Thanks for all those that voted - Team UK won the competition by one point from Team South Africa with Scandinavia thired a further two points behind. Well done to all the competitors who rode a total of about 2000km over seven days with various special tests each day.
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in UK Trials Talk
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Hi Pete
I live in Ely and ride with the Cambridge Matchless club which is just over the border in the South Midland centre. There is also the Norfolk and Suffolk Junior MCC (which caters for adults in trials) and Norwich Viking MCC. In addition, if you are a beginner, there is the Dabbers club (which is non-ACU). They are very good for beginners and those that don't want to climb impossible steps (!) but tend to get oversubscribed on entries so you have to plan ahead. All of these clubs have websites, are very friendly and within a reasonable travelling distance of Bury St. Edmunds (most events will be within an hour's drive).
Look forward to seeing you.
Nick