Observed Trials banner

Echo Bikes Zoo! 26"

4K views 9 replies 4 participants last post by  oman4eva 
#1 ·
Hello all, I just signed up on the site the other day. So far I'm finding plenty of good info.

I used to ride moto-trials and will be doing so again, but of late I've really got a bug for a trials bicycle. I'll be a raw beginner, and as an old guy with a couple of knee surgeries behind him I'll never be doing the big stuff. Working on balance, precision and fitness mostly.

I've waffled a bit about what would be right for me, a 24" street trials type or a more traditional 26" bike. Well, perhaps prematurely I've pulled the trigger on what I'm hoping will be a decent deal for me. I'm hoping for some input on what I've done here...

http://www.echo.bike/zoo-26.html

Hopefully lightly used, from Jumpbikes for $600 shipped.

https://jumpbikes.cn/collections/us.../free-shipping-echo-zoo-26-bike-trial-jump005

Anyone have any experience with these? Thanks!
 
#2 ·
Welcome. I'm a total old newbie myself, 51 started in march. I'll tell you my experience. I too did moto trials amateur level and I've done road racing , mx , woods racing, supermoto, mountain biking and unicycling. I've had fun on all but I'm finding the bike trials the most fun . I also didn't know what I should buy. I found an inspired element locally for a good price. I then bought an echo mod new and a 24 pure trials bike. I like them all but the one I ride the least is the inspired. I do want to try a 26 and will buy one if I come across a great deal. I also talked a couple of friends in to trying it and one bought a bike from jumpbikes. It took over a month to get here and didn't look like the pictures that were posted. The pictures made the bike look almost new. It needed new cranks, new freewheel, and can use new wheels. JB wouldn't respond to his emails until he said that he would open a case with PayPal. He then sent him a new freewheel , bash Guard and a tire. So he did try to make good eventually. My friend was the most mad about the shipping time of over a month. Now that I have a few friends involved it's even more fun to ride. We are planning to give the beginner class hell at the shoot first trial later comp on 10/1 in CT.
 
#3 ·
Thanks for the input! Minus the unicycle we have similar backgrounds on two wheels. That unicycle experience has got to be very valuable in trials.

Hoping for the best with JumpBikes. The bike was advertised on Pink Bike with a location of Los Angles, but it was obvious with his first reply via text that he was in China. I backed off for a bit but ended up going with it when he dropped the price down to my original offer. Fingers crossed that this works out well.

Once it comes in I'll start with the very basics and work (hopefully up) from there. It seems like the Echo bikes are basically good quality, how has your Echo mod been working for you?
 
#5 ·
My mod has been very good no issues whatsoever. I've been riding my pure 24 more often due to trying to ride natural obstacles more. I also have been trying to do trials on my fatbike. I can rear wheel hop on it but only like 1 or 2 hops before I lose my balance I have found it easier to learn stuff on the mod and it is more fun on pavement and smooth terrain. The 24 rolls over the bumps much easier though. The unicycle is a lot of fun and challenging. It is a real good workout too. I always wanted a trials bicycle and a unicycle when I was younger but due to finances it never happened. Now be a little older and more financially stable I can buy the toys I want.
 
#6 ·
Ha! I’m a 47 year old who has been doing motorcycle road racing, SuperMoto, dirt track, enduro and recently got into moto trials. Now interested in bicycle trials to help with the moto trials. I’m looking at picking up a street 24”. Looking at Inspired Flow and Arcade and the Czar Ion. Probably pull the trigger on something this week.
 
#7 ·
I’m going to be selling 3 bikes if any of them interest you. I have an Echo mod I bought new last year, an Inspired Element I bought used and a Zh1 24 pure trials I bought used. Not sure where you’re located, but if your close to CT you can come by and try them all.
 
#9 ·
It was an imperfect transaction, but I’m happy in the end. I do think I should have gone for a 24 inch bike, mostly because I’m just not dialed in on the rim brake like I am on disc.

As far as the transaction with Jumpbikes, I wrote this and never posted it, but here you go:

If you're a TL/DR kind of guy; just use due caution buying a used bike from Jumpbikes.

I contacted "Eric" via the add on pinkbike and received a text reply with a China country code. Jumpbikes has a Facebook page and he wanted to communicate via Facebook messenger, I was able to do that so no problem. The bike was listed with a location in Los Angels and he (Xu/Eric) never gave a real answer as to why he does that. I was a little put off by this and held off for a few days while looking at other options. He eventually came back and offered to sell at the price I had originally asked for when I first made contact, so I went for it.

That was on the 25th of July, the bike showed up accepted for shipment on the 28th, and was in Los Angeles on the 31st. It processed through customs and was at my house in central CA on the 3rd. Pretty darn quick shipping if you ask me. I was not home and didn't get to see it until the 6th.

The bike was packed fairly well, could have been better but I've seen much worse. The front wheel was in the box brake rotor out and the rotor did get bent a bit. This was not a big deal as I had no issue straightening it.

*** Now for the problem ***

The brake rotor was a 160, not a 180 as advertised and the BB7 caliper was incorrectly mounted resulting in a near useless front brake. Simple flat washers were used instead of a normal convex/concave washer set that provides proper alignment.

Keeping the 15 hour time difference in mind, Xu/Eric had been Mister instant communication right up until I paid for the bike, unfortunately after that communication slowed waaayyy down. When I pointed out the the problem he tried to pass it off as nothing until I sent pictures. He then offered to pay half the cost of the parts to make it right. I told him that was not ideal but I would source parts and get back to him. I sent him pictures of the receipt and the brake assembly before and after. Four days later after multiple messages he came back offering $20 against the $70 I spent on the 180 rotor and mounting hardware. Eventually, after expressing astonishment at the cost of parts, he sent $30 and I called it good, it was time to move on.

All that said, the bike has been great, I suck but I’m have improved and that’s what I’m looking for. If I get the opportunity to get something like a 24 inch with disc front and rear I’ll probably do that, just because...

Doug
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top