What bike and what size?

[DerSnart]

Hello all! Ive been riding MTB for many years, last year I picked up a P1 and I started getting into "urban" riding (up-down stairs/drop offs/benches). I have left the P1 fairly stock, the only thing I did was put on Mobsters (2.7), a RaceFace bashring and Sun Zu-Zu platforms. Ive gotten good at some of your basic skills and I love riding, one day I saw a group of trials riders across the street from where I work and it got me interested in the sport. I looked into it more and I have decided its the direction I want to go with my riding.

My main questions are...
1. Im 6' 140lbs, what size and type of bike would you recomend for a good all-round ride?
2. What tires are good at a reasonable price? Or should I just keep using my Mobsters?
3. Are there reliability issues with multiple speed setups I see on some bikes?
4. Are ZOO's a good buy?

Thanks for any input!

[Boo_Berry]

Depends if you want to part with your P1, if you're content with doing urban stuff, there's no need to switch over to a trials frame/bike...
personally the p3 is a little heavy for trials things... then again, i dont kno how strong you are, people manage (just not me). if you can pedal kick with a p1, you dont realli need to swap for anything else, its just with a trials frame, the learning curve isn't quite as steep (geometry-type issues = shorter stays, lower standover, and so forth -- things are different)
Mobsters are fine
multiple speed setups aren't bad, its just a wieght thing and smaller cogs are more specific to trials-related moves -- like i still have a 9 speed cogset, but the ratios r way smaller 21-11, i think
ZOO's are good, the pitbull is the only one i've ridden -- its a little heavy, but whatever.. also try maybe the echo control... i dont kno, depends on your budget, if you still want to keep your p1... anymore info?

[DerSnart]

I saw some guys here in Fort Collins doing trials and I looked into the sport and have tried some things on my P1, I have decided that its where I want to go with my riding. I like my P1 but I feel like its holding me back at this point, I want a different geometry.

So it sounds like you would recomend a single speed, I beat the crap out of my bikes because I crash n' burn a whole bunch; so I dont want many parts that'll break easily (like all the hardware/weight that comes with a multi-speed setup).

Thanks for the help!

[Boo_Berry]

Well keep the p1, and get something maybe more urban related maybe an older planet x mk5, or the new echo control or planet x tibo,,, or if your dont realli need to sit down the pitbull. on the other hand deSalvo makes a pretty sweet steel frame (i think webcyclery and thetrialsinshop) both carry them.
judging by your background you'd probably want to stick with more of an urbany-type style of bike than straight up trials... so try to use a short caged derailleur, some sort of crank with a built in bashguard (bonz, middleburn, truvativ if everything else is gone, or raceface) and super wide bar (around 29"+), getting a road cogset, using a short chain, and i think that's about it for starters...
if you hav more money and want to get a more dedicated trials frame koxx levelboss perhaps, an ellsworth specialist (in the "trials" size), norco moment, and so on... look around on other forums for the best urban bike
i ride a planet x mk5 for urban trials and regular trials -- it serves me well!

[Elan]

if you live in fort collins get off the webs. go out and ride with somebody. somebody like graham or robbie or cole will help you out. dont even talk to andrew. hahaha

[DerSnart]

Some of those guys might recognize me... I ride ALOT. Usually downtown and around CSU late at night when no cops are out to give me a ticket for not having a light.... thats just bs... anyway I used to hang out at Lee's on Laurel alot too, I think some of those guys work/worked there.

Hey Berry! Thanks for your help and recomendations, I will look into some of the bikes you mentioned! I dont know for sure how ya'll feel about it but I kinda like having a seat, even if its a tiny one, thats kinda why I am hesitant to get a Zoo. Do they make some sort of seat that "clips" to the frame? I only need a seat for sitting on (duh) between things to watch other people ride nd so on....


Any other input is welcome! Thanks!

[Elan]

echo pures have a seat and are a great bike. andrew has one. graham can get you one for pretty good $.

[AndyT]

Lots of peoples have teh p1s. I dont know who you are.

[DerSnart]

Thats why I said some of you....

[DerSnart]

echo pures have a seat and are a great bike. andrew has one. graham can get you one for pretty good $.
Thats good to know! Do you have one or something?

[Elan]

i have a koxx xtp. why

[Boo_Berry]

i want a koxx xtp... or a caisso or a vinco -- providing i had the money, and was "good" enough to hav a replica frame as sweet as those :(

anyhoo, Der, i think you can get clips for a pitbull, but u COULD always sit on your seat lol jk, but yes i agree, sometime i enjoy sitting down, but other days when its just trials all day long, its sometimes better to have it out of the way....
and i hav no clue what andy T is talking about

[DerSnart]

i have a koxx xtp. why
What are your likes and dislikes of the bike? Is there anything special about your setup that you like or think is handy?

Im 6' and 140lbs, and I want something easy to throw around, what geometry shoulkd I look for?

Once again, thanks everyone!

[Elan]

i want a koxx xtp... or a caisso or a vinco -- providing i had the money, and was "good" enough to hav a replica frame as sweet as those :(

anyhoo, Der, i think you can get clips for a pitbull, but u COULD always sit on your seat lol jk, but yes i agree, sometime i enjoy sitting down, but other days when its just trials all day long, its sometimes better to have it out of the way....
and i hav no clue what andy T is talking about

all you have to worry about is money ,because i am not "good enough" by any means. if you want one buy one, its your money.

[Elan]

What are your likes and dislikes of the bike? Is there anything special about your setup that you like or think is handy?

Im 6' and 140lbs, and I want something easy to throw around, what geometry shoulkd I look for?

Once again, thanks everyone!
i havent ridden it, its sitting on my dresser, waiting for parts.

at 6' you are going to want a bike that is at least 1060mm if you plan on riding comp style and such.

it all depends on what kind of style of riding you want to pursue. shorter bikes are so great for street, but they just arent as advantageous for "euro" comp style riding as a long frame.

sounds like you want a seat and a long frame- your only real option is the echo pure, it comes in 1085mm which is perfect. the frame is cheap, reliable, and has excellent geometry. they retail for $550, talk to your local dealer though (factionbike.com / graham) he is really great ;) .

after that its all budget that decides what you will ride.

[lowside]

Is it possible to be 6' and only 140lbs?

You should look into a road bike to bulk up :p

[bylsma]

Is it possible to be 6' and only 140lbs?

You should look into a road bike to bulk up :p
Because roadies are HUGE!

[RT Wolf]

Is it possible to be 6' and only 140lbs?

You should look into a road bike to bulk up :p
It is. I'm a bit more than that, I was 138 a coupla weeks ago. My doc told me no-no, so I quit my job (that was eating into my...eating time) and hit the weights. I hate winter, I can lose upto 10 pounds, and considering I'm borderline underweight, that's not good.

[asavage97]

ok you people definatly need to do road bike bulk up I'm 6'2 and 210 lbs