neils on wheels

I wouldn't anticipate you'd reach maximum revs on a brand new engine. Neither would I advise trying to as a way of running the engine in.

Not necessarily. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is caused by a restriction of the median nerve, so symptoms are often a burning or tingling sensation, rather than cramp. Treatment does not always need surgery. As others have suggested, get a proper diagnosis. A physio is more likely to be of help than a GP.

Hi racehunter, The cable guide is meant to have a split in the inner part that runs parallel to the bars, this allows the cables & clutch hose to be slotted through. The piece that then bridges across over the top of the cables has a moulded in Beta logo, perhaps that is the missing part you refer to? You could probably lash something up with cable ties, but buying a replacement (assuming they are available) will be the neatest. You'll find the part no. somewhere in here: http://www.beta-uk.com/images/stories/spares-pdfs/2008/rev250-270frame.pdf As for lock stops, none are fitted. The first point that contacts is the upper forkleg (in between the upper & lower triple clamp) which touches on the black plastic insert that looks like a vent in the frame. From recollection, the threaded bosses in the frame had some sort of steering lock fitted; I still have a box of electrical bits, mirror etc, that I took of one when new.

When was this & who was he?

Agreed, Andy. The (untestable) question is how much will his WTC ranking be improved by not riding the SSDT? It's a fact that the factories do not see the SSDT as a priority for their WTC riders, but a shame that one of the top British riders will not be in the event.

If that is confirmed and I have read a similar report elsewhere, then I find it a little curious and a little disappointing. I understood Doug Lampkin sacrificing the Scottish to help ensure seven world championships, but what is the chance of Dabill winning the WTC for Gas Gas in 2017? Improbable. What would be the chances of him winning the Scottish for Gas Gas? If he rode, you'd have to place him as one of the two favourites.

Waiting for dinner to cook, I've taken a look at the Vic Brittan results and thought there seemed to be quite a few TRS's in the results, so I had a quick count in excel & this is what was ridden in the event. So after going bust & being bought, on the basis of this trial at least, there are still more Gas Gas being ridden than anything else and of the newer brands only TRS appear to be making any headway (maybe because this is Midland Centre, near to the importer?) 32 Gas Gas 20 Beta 13 Sherco 12 Montesa 11 TRS 3 Yamaha 2 Scorpa 2 Vertigo 1 Honda 1 JCM 1 Jotagas 1 Ossa 1 Triumph Twin

I believe all the bikes we can buy are much of a muchness, some might prefer the stiff feel of an aluminium frame, others the flex of steel, but 4RT apart they are all simple two strokes. When it comes to the works team bikes, the HRC Montesas are truly special, but I believe all the rest are just production versions 'turned up to eleven'. Magazine tests of Raga's Gas Gas and Dabill's Beta both reported their power as too much of a good thing. The production versions of any bike are more suited to us, the majority of average riders. Dabill has been British champion on Gas Gas, Beta & Vertigo. The world top five hasn't changed despite Raga & Fajardo changing bikes. If there is a flaw in anyone's logic, it is that there is a 'best' bike; there isn't, but there are lots of personal preferences for lots of reasons.

Maybe Shirty fancies Jack Price will win that one.

I remember reading (in a post from Andy maybe?) that Red Bull TV were filming at the Scott. I can't find any reference to this by searching in the Red Bull TV app, does anyone have any knowledge of if or when this will be published?

In addition to the static weight, you also have to take into account that four strokes feel heavier to ride than two strokes. This is because the heavier rotating mass in a 4T engine creates a higher moment of inertia than the lighter rotating components in a 2T engine. The consequence of this is the bike requires more force to deflect it from its current path [this can work for against you in different situations] but makes the bike feel heavier to move or turn.

The fact is, none of us need to have a trials bike. We need refrigerators & cookers, but not trials bikes. They are toys & being toys, you should just buy the one you like & the one you can afford.

$2,600 for a Ti frame equates to what you'd pay for Ti bicycle frame. That said when it's $1,000 per 1Kg weight saving, you're certainly on the flat end of the value for money curve! It will be interesting to hear how differently the bikes rides, Ti has a much 'springer' ride than aluminium in bicycle frames, steel is somewhere between the two. I wonder how this will translate to a trials bike?

I carry a Topeak Race Rocket MT in my camelbak when mountain biking; it doubles up for the trials bike. Good features are it has a small hose so is easier to use than the pumps whose body connects directly to the valve stem. The 'MT' version is worth getting as it is high volume, low pressure for mountain bike tyres, so better for a trials tyre than a road pump which is low volume, high pressure.

You'll find ACU trials here http://www.midlandcentreacu.org.uk/page26.html

Have you asked Steve Saunders?

Mike, I understand the principle of the rule and am not against it per se. However, when a standard production bike can break the minimum weight limit, surely FIM have set the weight too high. As a 50+ rider and weighing less than 70kg myself, I personally value a light bike. I would not want to see manufacturers adding weight to comply with a rule that will never affect most of us.

I see from today's results that the FIM have enforced the minimum weight limit rule. So, did they catch some big budget factory team gaining an unfair advantage over less well funded riders? No, they disqualified a female riding an importer supplied production bike. Well done FIM!

So Jake will be the Bernie Ecclestone of trials ;-)

This reminds me of an old Alexi sayle joke: "I'm a gossip columnist in Stoke Newington. It's a big piece of paper with "F*** All" written on it". "There isn't one"

I see the proposals as too complex, not to say Nationalistic! I think there is a spiral with the reduction in 'big bikes' in classic trials. Fewer are ridden, so fewer classes are provided, so fewer are ridden, ... What classes would I propose? Sidecar (dedicated route) Rigid (sidecar route or easy route option) British pre-unit (hard or easy route option) British unit (excluding CCM/Armstrong, British bikes died a death, is it necessary therefore to define a year, or just exclude CCM?) (hard or easy route option) Twinshock (hard or easy route option) Many older bikes lend themselves better to road and trail riding that modern bikes, so I also see the 'good ride round' road based lap as a key component, even an attraction, for these trials.

The sections were quite 'man made' for a natural wooded venue. Plenty of big placed rocks to ride over. I saw plenty of fives on these big steps. Observing looked fine to me, the usual slack was granted for a bit of pausing &'shuffling around.

It's hardly worth a press release is it "The mudguard is a different colour and the engine is the same as before"

Do you know that Vertigo have plans to launch a 125, or is that speculation?

I saw this close up at a WTC round, it is like skateboard grip tape. I guess it is frame protection & grip for lift combined. Boot wear is probably less of a concern to Raga than any perceived advantage, notwithstanding the fact that he doesn't have to pay for the boots Sidi do!