Bike polo mechanics & fixing

Not sure if echo or blb will last longer the wi..rupe try the new trial wi is relly good feels relly good but just made 20 tho

Echo 108 still the best bet and last longest, I am running one for the past 8 months. BLB ones are not good for polo. I know of 2 which failed.

Try spraying the freewheel with GT85. Sluggish freewheels is usually gunk preventing the pawls engaging with the ratchets.

The GT looks the same as the £50 BLB ones (that stupid 8 pin removal). I have one of the BLB ones and it was nice for a while but it's been a bit shitty recently. Would probably go WI for ease of service when it dies.

BLB Royal are a no go. Mine totally failed in Krakow. I know of a couple French players that have had the same happen to them. Just got a WI trials and it's so much better. (plus looks cooler)

WI aren't generally used by trials riders. In my opinion you should use whatever trials riders are using (they give everything much more of a beating than we do and require light/strong components), their forums point to the Echo 108, etc.

Try spraying the freewheel with GT85.

GT85 is not a lubricant (despite the small amounts of teflon in it).

Not using it as lubricant but as a degreaser to thin out/clear the gunk.

GT85 and WD40 would wash away heavier oils, i.e. lubriants, then evaporate, leaving your freewheel clicky, but also dry grindy and terminal.

Not using it as lubricant but as a degreaser to thin out/clear the gunk.

Yep, tried soaking/spinning it in degreaser, rinse, rice and re-lube several times. A lot of crap comes out and it spins a bit nicer but it still makes a some weird knocking/snapping noises and doesn't always engage.

Looked at the Echo stuff, has anyone used the 20t one Rob linked above?

Tarty bikes recommend to give all the freewheels a bit of a degrease before trials use so they settle in properly as the factory grease is a bit heavy. I think I gt85'd mine thenadded a little light oil, it's been sweet.

This:

Tarty bikes recommend to give all the freewheels a bit of a degrease before trials use so they settle in properly as the factory grease is a bit heavy. I think I gt85'd mine thenadded a little light oil, it's been sweet.

Not this:

GT85 and WD40 would wash away heavier oils, i.e. lubriants, then evaporate, leaving your freewheel clicky, but also dry grindy and terminal.

Based on my understanding the grease might prevent the pawls to engage properly hence the Echo 108 comes with very little grease in it and even then you are requested to spray plenty of GT85.

Exactly. Pawl springs work well with oil, grease tends to interfere. On my MTB I take the freehub off about every 30 hours of riding and clean and just add chain oil. It means the freewheel is loud, but it also means it works well. It does mean a bit more effort in terms of maintenance, but you can't expect to have a functional bike without some effort.

even then you are requested to spray plenty of GT85.

How often?

Between games, use a timeout if you sense trouble.

Good advice, I often stop en route to the courts to add more.

Between games, use a timeout if you sense trouble.
hahahaha

Brakes question: can I run dual brakes off one lever if I have a V-brake on the front and caliper brake on the back? If not, is there a solution?

The bike I'm planning has MTB forks in a road frame

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you might be able to use a travel agent on the v brake, then they might pull the same amount of cable.

Brakes question: can I run dual brakes off one lever if I have a V-brake on the front and caliper brake on the back? If not, is there a solution?

The bike I'm planning has MTB forks in a road frame

Mini v + caliper, yes

Full size v with travel agent + caliper, yes

As is, no.

Mini v would be the cheapest option. You can also try getting a mounting plate and run V brakes on the rear with the aid of some p clips:

Thanks! That'll solve it I reckon

Stu, I've got a v-brake mounting plate for sale if you want. £10 posted?

stu ive got some v brake plates you can have one when you're in Cambridge?

how do you disc brake people pack your bikes/wheels when putting them on the plane?
Do you remove the rotor? Do you pad it? Do you close your eyes and hope for the best?

I used to remove the rotor and put it in a rigid envelope in my backpack. But I found a way to use inner tubes to tie my wheels to my frame in a way that suspends the rotor in the main triangle. If you tie it right then no wheel axles or disc rotors will touch each other or the frame.