Made changes to bike and weighed it.

[Xoo]

So I took everyone's good suggestiosn. My brakes are now about perfect for one finger engagement. I took my bike to the local bike store and everyone there geeked on it for a while and one of the bike techs quickly determined my hub was a bit loose and so was my headset. He adjusted them quick for 10 bucks, they've done adjustments for me for free in the past so I don't mind paying now and again. The tech asked me questions about the trials bike for 10 minutes afterwards, only 2 people there had heard of a trials bike.
I decided to weigh the bike since everyone seems pretty interested in comparing weights.
Webcylcery's Adamant A1 bike build with the Hope Moto front disk Gu front Fork and Kenda Blue tires weighed 24.47 lbs or 11.1 kg
http://www.zorprime.com/Main/Adamant_A1/A1Webcyclery_GUFork_HopeMoto_07.JPG

The bike with new lever positions. Comments on bar position appreciated, I'm still flexible at this point.
http://www.zorprime.com/Main/Adamant_A1/indexgripleverchangeA1.JPG

[multismith]

Thanks for sharing, I basically have the same setup. If anything my forks, headset and tires maybe a little lighter but even if it were 24Lbs. it doesn't feel like it.

[CoppellStereo]

dude thats awesome, and I am glad people here could help!

[Xoo]

Thanks for sharing, I basically have the same setup. If anything my forks, headset and tires maybe a little lighter but even if it were 24Lbs. it doesn't feel like it.
I'm putting some use on the tires that came with the bike but I think I'll be going Maxxis Larsen TT up front possibly use Kenda Blue's for rear.

I have been riding this bike 2+ hours a day since I got it July 2nd, one day I only put in about 20 minutes. So far I've learned that popping the blister on my hand nets a better long term result than letting it shrink naturually. You get more skin on your callous by letting the blister go down naturually but I think you get enough post blist pop and your skin feels nicer.
Chuck Taylor All Stars grip good on my pedals but deteriate fast and offer no protection. Trials biking is 3x the workout I expected it to be. Trials biking is the best exercise for my aching back I've ever done. I've signed up to become a bike symbiote, I have to look out for my bike. Checking for loose bolts and best fit and my bike will be less likely to fail me. So far rear brake mounts, front caliper, front wheel hub, and headset have been loose. Not sure exactly why but trials works out the tops of my shoulders more than any workout I've done. I'm finally serious about building muscle and getting rid of my guy simultaneously. I'm dieting 'somewhat' eating just enough halfway healthy food that I'm not overtired when trying to ride. I just keep riding this bike eventually I'll get that level of "bike familiarity" I've had with other bikes, since I can't commute with it I have to get on the bike no matter how few trials moves I can do.
ok I'm done typing now. :luke:

[toyota200x]

Your levers seem really far in from the ends of your bars, but it is a Great looking bike. You have the wright idea by riding every day, it helps a ton to know your bike and how it handles certain situations.

[Xoo]

My hands are long and skinny. That was the furthest out I could go and beat my hands instinct to two finger the brakes.

[multismith]

Your levers seem really far in from the ends of your bars, but it is a Great looking bike. You have the wright idea by riding every day, it helps a ton to know your bike and how it handles certain situations.


Yup for index only braking, distance looks to be where mine are set as well. For front wheel hops I still catch myself wanting to use two fingers from time to time.

[[BMF] Chris]

what i do is hold the bike up where i would be on the back wheel, the make sure the levers are pointing straight ahead. that way when you ARE on the back wheel, your hands will be in a natural position....

[dkoppric]

Yup for index only braking, distance looks to be where mine are set as well. For front wheel hops I still catch myself wanting to use two fingers from time to time.

if you are going to put your levers that far in you could cut down your bars a bit.

[bidaci]

I found that if I had super wide grips my hands would creep in on the bars. What I do is cut the grips down so they are just wider then my hands. This keeps my hands at the ends of the bars.

[Xoo]

Feels pretty good right now. Took a pic with me on bike so I could show what it looks like with my hands. Used camera's 20 sec timer. Are my hands too wide appart? Should they be closer to shoulder width??
http://www.zorprime.com/Trials/fingergripEndo1.jpg

[jda]

Mate, go for a Maxxis Advantage over the Larsen TT, the nobs don't extend to the sides enough on the Larsen for trials imo.

If you have the extra coin go for exception series, only 500g and very sticky.

[Xoo]

Is it reasonable to run a 2.1 tire? I only see 2.4 and 2.1 in the eXception. They're 595g on edinabike.com's description which is still pretty good. Thanks for noting about the TT's width.

[eturt9]

yeah, your wrists look like they are bending a lot. Looks painful, id move the levers out so you can keep your arm in line with your wrist.

but everyones different

[jda]

Is it reasonable to run a 2.1 tire? I only see 2.4 and 2.1 in the eXception. They're 595g on edinabike.com's description which is still pretty good. Thanks for noting about the TT's width.

Yeah I run 2.1 on the front, it becomes pretty wide on a echo or tryall front rim.

[rush]

Yep, your arms should really line up with your hands if possible.

So pretty much hold your arms out straight in front of you, palms down, from there, grip your bars and your finger should hit the right spot on your brake levers if they are properly adjusted.

[Keith Courage]

not only do your wrists look jacked but looks like you are stretching your finger for a decent grab, especially on your left there.

stretching your finger like that results in 3 things
1. less finger strength
2. gnarly fatigue
3. safety issues
I had my levers a bit too far out for a short period and my finger definitely slipped off a couple times. They were also sore from the strange angle I used on them to get to my lever.

everyones different though still food for thought.

[Xoo]

I'm not sure if the endo was the best picture example. My hands look worse as I go further on an endo. Other moves that also require brakes don't push my hands to angle in like that. I watched a training video of trials endo and the example shows the rider cocking their wrists in a similar way once up in endo or pivot position.

Since this change keeps me using index fingers I'll try it out for a week or longer and be wary of any pain it may cause. If nothing else it may prevent me from putting my middle finger on the brake later on if I end up moving them out again.
In response to other suggestions: I'm not real keen on cutting my bars down until I know for certain they are too wide for me. My hands fill up the entire length of my grips so no need for me to cut those down either. Good ideas though.
I appreciate everyones input so far.

Normal hand position picture (http://www.zorprime.com/Trials/TrialsBikeMaintenance%20013.jpg)

[AndyT]

bike techs? :rofl:


Lees?

[Xoo]

Went to Lee's South! They remodeled the store just a few months ago. Maxxis tyres were not cheap there!!! At least I got to see the various treads.

Lever position is solved, mine were comparable to other bikes in Boulder last week. And they feel fine.

[eturt9]

yeah i guesss i depends.
I usually have the outside of my palms overlapping the end of the bar about an inch so itll be diff.