Here's a topic you don't hear too much about on the popular bike websites - observed trials. What are these guys out there doing? They're building up some strange machines. The one above belongs to my old friend Kevin. While pretty much every bike out there, including your kid's trike has a carbon fork, Kevin's still rocking aluminium. He's also got rim brakes in the back and a disc in the front, probably for better modulation in the rear. Notice that the rims are also drilled out with some pretty big speed, er, lightening holes so he can hoist those things up onto walls and get them spinning and stopping in a hurry (low rotational inertia). There's no seat at all, not even a seat post clamp if you wanted to put one on. There's also very low gearing for slow speed motion and a chain tensioner/single speed arrangement out back. Go to youtube and check out some observed trials videos. These guys will blow you away.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
What's hot in observed trials
Here's a topic you don't hear too much about on the popular bike websites - observed trials. What are these guys out there doing? They're building up some strange machines. The one above belongs to my old friend Kevin. While pretty much every bike out there, including your kid's trike has a carbon fork, Kevin's still rocking aluminium. He's also got rim brakes in the back and a disc in the front, probably for better modulation in the rear. Notice that the rims are also drilled out with some pretty big speed, er, lightening holes so he can hoist those things up onto walls and get them spinning and stopping in a hurry (low rotational inertia). There's no seat at all, not even a seat post clamp if you wanted to put one on. There's also very low gearing for slow speed motion and a chain tensioner/single speed arrangement out back. Go to youtube and check out some observed trials videos. These guys will blow you away.
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3 comments:
The sad thing is, those trial riders can do more on a bike than I can do walking. Sigh. Very cool stuff.
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www.singlespeedrevolution.com
Ride One or Ride None!
They must do some weight lifting or plyometrics to make those huge leaps from obstacle to obstacle. You're right, I couldn't do that with my feet and land it.
Plyometrics and/or a lack of fear and/or magical healing abilities and/or excellent, excellent socialist-style medical care! ;o)
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www.singlespeedrevolution.com
Ride One or Ride None!
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