micm

There is a short movie clip of the Mecatecno T18 on the Mecatecno Facebook page, scroll down to the video marked 'Mecatecno Passion' It rocking a skate park somewhere on the Peninsula. The music is irritating (to me anyway) but it gives a good idea of the bike's capabilities with a decent pilot. I was told that EM's interests are with other projects and works not the 5.7 so not that keen on evolving it, a pity. The electric Gasser/Torrot is super powerful and if it ever appears may even have a form of traction control taking feedback from the driven wheel to the CPU. https://www.facebook.com/Mecatecno

I think I would have asked for a 5 at this section, even allowing for 3 minders and a tow rope! From the UK Daily Telegraph

Casales came to Butser Limeworks with John Lampkin as we set out the BTC sections, although he did not get on a bike that day. At the event itself especially on the first lap he had a fair bit of trouble with our going. At first he seemed to find riding the chalk and beech tree root strewn cambers pretty hard where the local riders like say Sam Hallam were clearly much better. He visibly improved as the trial progressed. The Spanish take motor sport seriously and they give it cultural bling and I guess they think its cool. On the other hand here in the UK the establishment seems to only tolerate it maybe because there are no horses, sailing boats or oars.

Shercos are decent bikes, but It's about time he (re) tried another make, and dare I say it, one that is more successful at the top levels. At my local inter centre gig recently, with very tough sections, it was almost all big Gassers and Betas, only maybe one or two blue or yellow bikes.

The Sherco 200 was only 162 cc and I think the Gas Gas was about the same. Had they been genuine 200 cc they would have been better for the more novice adult rider who I assume they were aimed at (like me), and in turn that might have increased the market. Beta seem to keep a 200 going but I was told only for the UK market, is that true?

I think you are being a bit hard on Sherco. The 2007 to 2009 models were well sorted and in my experience reliable. The back tank design 2010 to 2014/5 were innovative but perhaps not the best approach in retrospect. The newer Scorpa (post 2015) made by Sherco with Sherco engines etc are fine (including stickers) so I don't imagine the newer blue ones are any different in quality.

Retiring or not (and I hope not) Albert C has a proper trials rider's hall and staircase. The Beta Rev 3 from his 2002 World Indoor Championship Win?

The fourth E bike that appeared at Loudres, the SoREV.

Looks like the riding license cost 190 Euros a year or 50 for the day in that part of Spain.

Mecatecno Dragonfly Weight 57 Kg10 Kw battery2 x gears one track, one trial2 hours continuous Trial use (claimed) 1 hour rechargePresentations at Trial des Nations and somewhere else en Espana end SeptLaunch Early 2018Price € 6/7000.Lots of Ossa bits.

"You have to wonder why real Trials is rarely/never on the TV." It's been flogged to the highest (any old) bidder and relegated to an obscure channel, and so for a lot of TV viewers it doesn't exist as they have never heard of it. To give it a chance on TV the FIM should offer it free to air to all broadcasters in exchange for the possible publicity. In the UK the BBC would probably not allow it any longer (come back Kickstart) as now it is too politically incorrect (all that noisy, anti green, ground crushing, global warming) which is ironic considering it is a very pan European sport, never mind the rest of the planet, and these days has excellent female competitors too.

There may have been a stack of OSSA frames left over when the old Gas Gas company went bust. If that bike at the French GP was a prototype then surely the forthcoming bikes to sell would have the same frame or very similar.

Ossatecno! Wonder if there are any spare new unused Ossa engines sculling about?

Looks a very Ossarish frame, with a battery box clipped over the top tubes, then the tube style swinging arm and maybe the back mudguard and wheel as well. I always though the Ossa needed a battery! .

The 300 is epic! Do try one.

Yup. A clutch, gearbox, oil cooled motor and it is rumoured to be a competitive price. No idea on the battery life. Weighs around 110 lbs.

Thankyou Dan

Would anyone have a photo of the Mechatecno E Bike at Loudres World Round that you could post or link please, Just curious. Thanks in advance. The manufacturers have half a back mudguard showing on their thing-book page with a 'cropped' photo of the winners rostrum showing just their rider César Panicot.

Compared with a 260 Montesa 4rt the difference to me feels relatively minor. Much less than that between a current 250 (249cc) and 300 (usually about 290cc) two stroke. It does have that plush and high quality suspension, like the Repsol. The black frame looks pretty ordinary, nothing special. It's slightly matt. A good bike for a Montesa fan perhaps, looking for a little bit more oomph.

Something for everyone? It looks a great bit of ground and do have a great time and in the vid they seem a cheery mob, but it looks 'advanced.' Isn't there a technical difficulty in riding in a modern mono trial in France as Brit or Yank or whatever? Things like medical certificates or similar technical compliances being quite onerous? I may have got it all wrong but with twin shockers I understood that it was a different (easier) sporting code? Hence the bigger Uk etc entries. Or maybe like everything else in France, a decent lunch with the right official sorts it!

Smooth!

New is good, trials wise generally, but sometimes manufacturers make a bit of a cock up and there are issues like a new tuning or ignition set up which doesn't necessarily improve the bike. for most riders. Try before you buy. Otherwise the best time is when the pound is on the up!

There is a new law coming in for mainland UK (on Monday 10 April 2017) that will allow roads to be closed for all kinds of motorsport events. Perhaps not directly relevant but the article (below) noted 'an overwhelming public response' in favour of closures for motor sport. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-39539368

This side of the pond we have thick brown grungy spread for toast and stuff called Marmite. It's very much a love or hate taste. Your beautifully built new bike is like that. At least half the trials riders I know would never ride one, but many of the others love them!

Just stalled that high compression 300? DNF over a big rock/fallen tree? Splat gone wonky? Here you go c/o Hebo. The elbow underarm pad is neat and the back protector can earn it's money too. Also you can get rubber knee pads that slot into the jeans.