trapezeartist

I've forgotten how the response compares; it was a very fine difference. I just like the Domino for it's quality feel and stronger return spring. As you say free play is OK, I assume you bought direct from an EM dealer. I bought mine (much cheaper) from a different source. Moving the pot 1 tooth wasn't enough and 2 teeth was too much I ended up going 2 teeth and trimming a bit off the closed-stop to get it right. Quite a lot of work but it's lovely now.

Meat is plant-based too. Cows eat grass. 😇

You can readily ride a twin shock in a normal trial, and generally you can also ride a modern bike in a classic trial (though many clubs have a minimum age for the rider). If you're starting off on the easy route, you'll find it's the same severity on both types of trial. I think you need to be an old-bike fan to have a twin-shock or pre-65. Otherwise you just find yourself wishing for something better/newer/more modern. I had a twin-shock for a short while because it seemed the sensible thing to do as I was riding mainly classic club's trials. I quickly changed back to a modern.

I think they rode the tie-decider section three times. I'm not sure of specific scores but Toby won. Quite an achievement without his regular minder and (presumably) his own bike.

I've no idea. I bought them six years ago because they were the only trials boot that claimed to be waterproof, which seems to me to be a fundamental requirement for trials. Sorry no parlo Italiano.

On my EM, I have dielectric grease around all the connectors that run along the top of the frame. And I've used silicone on the cover where the main power cables go into the motor. The only water problem I've had was when the primary drive breather sucked in a bit of water (and that was my fault for routing the breather too low).

My Gaernes are vegan-friendly. They've never once kicked a vegan. 😀

Regarding dubious behaviour in slippery conditions, the owners say the grip is fabulous. There's something about electric, because the EM grips well too.

I can't get to the bike at the moment to take a photo, but the breather comes out of the clutch/primary drive cars on the right hand side just behind the motor. Peer in past the rear brake m/cyl and over the main power cables into the motor and you'll find it there. It should have a black plastic tube attached, which is long enough to lead up to somewhere near the top of the rear shock. If you have any doubt over the clutch or it's oil, lay the bike on its side and take off the cover to have a look. It's a five minute job.

The Mecatecno is an amazing bike. Unfortunately at the moment I can't justify the upgrade cost from my present EM, but I would almost certainly go for it if I could. "Almost" because I would also test a '24 EM before making the final decision. Yes, Mecatecno definitely needs a sub-forum on here as I posted about a year ago, but nothing has happened yet. Xispa has it's own sub-forum and I've never even seen one!

It seems I'm wrong. Apparently there is a new UK importer, though the prices are nowhere what they were. Much closer to the established manufacturers.

Have a look on YouTube. There's a chap from Northern Ireland did a series of about 6 videos on preparation for the SSDT. I don't think it will answer your specific question but you will certainly gain something from it. Also look at the bike preparation advice on the Beta UK website. Even if you're not riding a Beta you'll find a lot of the information applies to any bike.

Gwent Classic have a trial in a couple of weeks, not too far from you.

The issue of range depends on whether you are using your trials bike solely for short 3 or 4 lap trials or whether you are trail riding and/or doing things like the Scott or SSDT. For short events current EMs and Mecatecnos have more than enough battery capacity, equivalent to more than a tankful of petrol. However once you go beyond the range of a bike you find that splashing in a couple of litres of petrol is quicker and easier than recharging and much cheaper than having a spare battery. Hence there will have to be some system of reasonably priced battery hire before privateers start using electric bikes in the SSDT.

That's an interesting point of view. I have just a couple of things to add: 1. Max speed can be limited electronically on an electric motor. It doesn't have to rely on the motor running out of revs. 2. The energy stored in a flywheel is proportional to the square of radius, not directly proportional. Hence high energy storage in a flywheel without a big overall weight penalty requires both speed and radius. 3. At my level, motor torque is enough. At TrialGP level riders clearly need a big kick from a flywheel as well as motor torque. The question is, at what skill level does the crossover occur. I would submit that it comes in at a higher level on an electric bike due to the torque characteristics v. petrol. On petrol maybe the crossover occurs between Sportsman and Clubman. With electric, between Sportsman and Expert.