timp

You get graded by the Centre you are riding in. Not necessarily your home centre. Whatever your highest grading is what you ride nationally usually. But some will ride regularly in East Midlands for example but live in Yorkshire and end up with a higher grade there but still ride as a novice in Yorkshire so it's all a bit messy. The standard of riders throughout the centres varies so much that a standard national grading list would be difficult.

Straighten it first

Trials as we know it has a few major problems. Lack of sponsorship being the main one. Which worldwide company would use trials to promote their company and pay enough money to finance the series? I cant think of any. So basically its down to the bike manufacturers who are hardly in any position to be paying loads of riders to swan around the world. World trials are too hard. Look at the results and its laid out to suit the top 5. I have seen where Britain's best are struggling. But lay it out easier and it looks boring for the spectator. So we end up with extra routes to suit the lesser riders. Trials has never really been a major spectator sport like football or motor racing and never will be. Its about taking part. SO how can the good up and coming rider finance traveling the world apart from the bank of mum and dad? If its private sponsors they want something for their money even if its just seeing some good results. Which rarely are possible with the present severity. So the FIM have tried no-stop which is not working. Go back to hopping rules? Still wont get any more riders as its the cost and severity that's the problem. It may actually be better if the European championship was promoted properly and let the world championship die.

There is a Beta 250 4t for sale in Dronfield. I can put you in touch with the owner if you want.

Quite often expert riders will move their bikes on after only a couple of months and in immaculate condition.

Just be careful washing them. I find my washing machine(wife tool) shrinks em.

Never got on with Sealskinz. I think plastic bags are better!! I can't see why it is so difficult to make a waterproof trials boot. I have waterproof work boots that are actually waterproof and are a fraction of the cost of trials boots.

Way too tight. I think 10mm clearance is plenty

It says on the specifications that they are 64 kg DRY weight.

I think it's time to rename Trials Central. What about Funtrials Central.

And I think it's a long drive from Derbyshire!!! Credit due to him. Hope he enjoys it.

This is exactly why no-stop will fail at top level. "Stop for a one" would be far easier to observe.

Dubbin

All makes have reliability issues at times. To say Sherco has any more than other makes is total rubbish!!

The secondhand value is the big killer. Iv never lost so much in such a short time with a trials bike. When Ossa main dealers won't take Ossa's as a trade in things aren't good. However if the reliability issues are sorted with the 2013 bike then things will improve. The SSDT will answer that question! Overall they are an excellent bike but some serious issues hold them back.

In icy conditions we tend to start the bike and get it warm(till the fan cuts in) then stop the bike. This lets the heat radiate from the engine to the carb. If you keep it running the cold air getting dragged in doesn't let this happen. Some older Shercos (a lot older than yours) had to have a stronger slider spring in the carb as it didn't return the slider properly. Also some riders cut a bit off the spring to make the throttle lighter to turn. Perhaps yours has been done like that. Rather than just using low revs use all the revs to keep things moving.

I was hoping No-stop would actually be "stop for a one" but no. They have brought out that video though which shows just how difficult it will be to observe under the new rules. Its like they are pressing the self destruct button on world trials. I don't see where they are going with it.

It worked well round here

If observing is as strict as in the video then no-stop will fail. I would think less than 10% of SSDT observers would give 5s for stopping in similar circumstances and the rest would be a fair bit more leniant and thats with a lot easier sections than world rounds will be. I really think we should use "stop for a 1". It worked for years without any great problems. It's not perfect but it is a good compromise.

http://www.splatshop.co.uk/heated-grip-kit.html This is the best cure.

I tried that stuff on a rim hoping it would be the cure for the IRC pressure loss issue. I built up the rim with 3 coats and it still leaked!!!

What a farce. Why isn't it possible to stick to the rules. If the section is too hard or tight then everyone should get a five. Don't alter the rules to suit the conditions. I wonder if you can hit the ball outside the lines in tennis when it's windy and count it as in!! Surely the clerk of the course or the stewards can't condone these actions. If its laid out too tight or too hard then give everyone the proper score then perhaps next year the trial will be laid out better.

You have obviously not been to a muddy southern trial!!!

This highlights how "stop for a one" is the best compromise. It worked well without many big issues till the FIM went "stop allowed" a few years ago. I hope the FIM will use it next year rather than full no-stop which will be a big mistake.

For many years I have had heated grips which make a big difference to your hands. I don't find sealskins much good. If water gets in your boots then your feet feel cold even if the sealskins are actually waterproof. I have yet to get any that are waterproof!! If its going to be a cold day in streams I use Buck boots which are neoprene steel toe capped boots similar to wellingtons but so much better. Certainly no cold feet with em! http://www.bucklerboots.com/categories/buckbootz_s5.php