pete_scorpa3

Anyone know if Paul Bolton finished?

I've been using rear mounted ones on my four year old daughters 12.5 Oset. She can ride without them on larger open areas but still uses them in the tight confines of my small back garden. Modelled here by her younger sister.

Yes, and now that ebay has stopped sellers from negging no performing buyers, it tends to happen even more! However, the description was really vague and there is no mention of blown shock or engine rattles, so I guess the seller wasn't that suprised. I always list every fault carefully (if there are any) and be as honest as I can with the description. If someone turns up and finds a fault that I've not mentioned in the description, then I understand that they may not want the item. The worst kind of non performing buyer are those who back out without even coming to look at the item, in other words have no intention of buying. Matt certainly doesn't fall into that class. Pete

I've seen some pretty knackered 2004 bikes but there's a fella we see at trials who's got a mint 1995 TX250 that looks like it's never been out of a show room. The important thing is to buy by condition. I can see why you went for this one, at that price I'd have been tempted. If you can get it into shape for two or three hundred pounds it's still well worth the money, a tidy trials Gas Gas for under

As mentioned above, the rear suspension linkage suffers badly on these and the replacement parts really add up. Remember you are obliged to buy the bike unless it has not been described accurately in the listing. It's risky buying from ebay if you haven't seen the bike, but at that price you probably won't go too far wrong.

I don't think they like to give it out on the net. Give them a quick call. Pete

And a little light hearted video of this type of machine in action And one from this years Wyegate LDT showing how it should be done

Here's some action pictures of Long Distance Trials bikes, marketed as trail bikes, that are available and might meet your needs better than a regular trials bike.

A trials bike won't be all that pleasant to use a a trail bike and an enduro bike isn't really much good as a trials bike. That said, something like a Montesa 4RT would be ok for a spot of trail riding or there are plenty of trail bike trials that you can ride in if you get an enduro bike. Of course you can always get a hybrid like the Beta Alp or a Scorpa T ride which could do both, but excell at neither. I guess this hasn't been much help, other than to recommend that you try to get a ride on both types of machine and see which you like the most. Pete

If it had plain black wheels I think it would look quite good!

Thanks Andy, that's a superb idea

I'm amazed no one has been badly injured at Aggs Hill, riders screaming around on mx bikes and no helmets, four wheel drives suddenly appearing over verticle drops; it's a going to happen! We only pass through on on our trail bikes these days, it's not worth the risk.

The Evesham club have three routes and they have a club trial at Hancocks Wood at the top of Fish Hill Broadway next week.

I may be wrong, but I guess it will carry on like this for a little longer then the stator will fail completely. Has it had one go before do you know? '04's are well known for getting through stators.

Hey, I wasn't slatting the bike! If someone uses the fact that a bike has only done ten trials from new as a selling point but then says in the advert that it had a new tyre one trial ago, I think it's a fair question to ask "what work has the bike done to use a rear tyre in only nine trials?" Nine British Championship rounds are a lot different to nine club trials on the easy route!

Ten trials from new and the new rear tyre has done one of them. Goodness me, what kind of use has it had to need a new tyre after just nine trials?

Check out this youtube video!

Correct. Unplug everything you can find and put the earth clamp as near as possible to the weld. Also, be very careful with the fuel system!

Thanks for sharing those with us

The programme, route and entry list for this years OK Supreme LDT can be viewed HERE As entries are down for some reason this year, anyone who would like to ride may enter on the day for no extra charge on a no award basis. This years event has been shortened to 60 miles and will include a number of sections with a hard route for the championship riders and those entered on trials bikes. Pete

Brilliant, thanks for uploading these links.

There are a number of things which can cause this. Is it possible that you are resting you foot on the lever whilst you are riding along? The lever arm may be adjusted so that there is no free play and it is slightly pressing on the piston all the time. The master cylinder piston may be sticking slightly. The caliper pistons may be stuck, probably on just one side. Hope this helps. Pete

Good luck

Yep, turn it.