Trickness.
Hi Phil,
Before I begin, I'd like to take a moment to give thanks to one of the great wonders of the world we all share....
Here I sit, in the lovely North Cotswolds, and not that far from your neck of the woods in the UK Phil, typing away a few lines to a mate who is currently on the other side of that world....! Isn't that amazing?!
.....err....now where was I......Oh yes!.....the "ex-works YZ folding gear lever with titanium pin!!!!".....I don't actually know what one of those is............but I want one!
So, the 'trickness' thing. We all like a bit of trickness don't we? Whatever bike it may be or country of manufacture. From a 12V conversion to a full blown bespoke racer project, our desire (need!) to tinker and fettle our bikes goes hand in hand with the whole experience, and the nice thing is that everyone can have a go at whatever level suits their knowledge and skills.
For competition use, it's if anything inherent in the activity, and similarly a matter of evolution. As the rider improves he demands more of the bike, so he starts to develop it, which is when modifications (and rule making) begin to take real effect. As the bikes and riders improve, the sections get harder, the jumps get higher, and off it spirals, all driven by that competiton element. It's why we still have (thank goodness) prototype factory kit racing at the top level. But the drawback is always cost....and skill. Adding lightness costs, and like Phil said, the most cost effective is putting the bike (and yourself if need be!) on a diet, and then the rider has to be up to making the most of it.
I think this gives us pause to consider that it's the 'level' of trickness that's the issue here. It's all about keeping things in the spirit that is intended, with the bikes carrying 'sensible' modifications that retain the character of an 'old' bike and it's period of manufacture, but make them a bit easier (and safer) to use, coupled with 'realistic' sections/tracks that suit them and challenge the rider but still let them arrive for work the next day!
Also, I think for many people on here, it's really now just about having a bit of fun and taking the bike out for a good ride without too much fear of bending it or themselves. As such, I hope the format for the proposed Greeves Day UK will be along those lines, trick bike or not! And that is the thing. All bikes should be welcome, riders of all abilities taking part, and all having the most fun possible.
Back to those period 'kit' bikes, and I've always thought that, despite their budgetary limitations and manufacturing shortcomings, they must have given a lot of fun to a lot of riders over the years at minmal cost, just like a classic Greeves still can today, and maybe that's the most important thing at the end of the day.
Brian.
Originally posted by Phil Hyde
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Before I begin, I'd like to take a moment to give thanks to one of the great wonders of the world we all share....
Here I sit, in the lovely North Cotswolds, and not that far from your neck of the woods in the UK Phil, typing away a few lines to a mate who is currently on the other side of that world....! Isn't that amazing?!
.....err....now where was I......Oh yes!.....the "ex-works YZ folding gear lever with titanium pin!!!!".....I don't actually know what one of those is............but I want one!
So, the 'trickness' thing. We all like a bit of trickness don't we? Whatever bike it may be or country of manufacture. From a 12V conversion to a full blown bespoke racer project, our desire (need!) to tinker and fettle our bikes goes hand in hand with the whole experience, and the nice thing is that everyone can have a go at whatever level suits their knowledge and skills.
For competition use, it's if anything inherent in the activity, and similarly a matter of evolution. As the rider improves he demands more of the bike, so he starts to develop it, which is when modifications (and rule making) begin to take real effect. As the bikes and riders improve, the sections get harder, the jumps get higher, and off it spirals, all driven by that competiton element. It's why we still have (thank goodness) prototype factory kit racing at the top level. But the drawback is always cost....and skill. Adding lightness costs, and like Phil said, the most cost effective is putting the bike (and yourself if need be!) on a diet, and then the rider has to be up to making the most of it.
I think this gives us pause to consider that it's the 'level' of trickness that's the issue here. It's all about keeping things in the spirit that is intended, with the bikes carrying 'sensible' modifications that retain the character of an 'old' bike and it's period of manufacture, but make them a bit easier (and safer) to use, coupled with 'realistic' sections/tracks that suit them and challenge the rider but still let them arrive for work the next day!
Also, I think for many people on here, it's really now just about having a bit of fun and taking the bike out for a good ride without too much fear of bending it or themselves. As such, I hope the format for the proposed Greeves Day UK will be along those lines, trick bike or not! And that is the thing. All bikes should be welcome, riders of all abilities taking part, and all having the most fun possible.
Back to those period 'kit' bikes, and I've always thought that, despite their budgetary limitations and manufacturing shortcomings, they must have given a lot of fun to a lot of riders over the years at minmal cost, just like a classic Greeves still can today, and maybe that's the most important thing at the end of the day.
Brian.
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