Todays ride was a simple one around local woods. The bike was incredibly easy to ride and it was real fun to pre load the forks an pop over obstacles on the trail. This was way easier than the XC bikes that I normally run. I had a lot more confidence in the drops and whoops that are part of our local trail riding. Today I rode with a traditional chain as the belt sprockets were not available. The bike would have been easier to set up with a belt and I would have liked to ride that combination however running the chain with an Alfine is also a pretty low maintenance combination. I think this bike with an 11spd Alfine would be my ultimate all year round ridding machine. If you are a racer you would probably also want a race bike set up but I feel like this bike has many smiles to provide in normal riding....
Sunday, 19 June 2011
ADL First Ride
The ADL (All Day Long) was show for the first time at Bespoked Bristol last week however we had not ridden it before the show as we finished the bike on the show stand. We are still short of a few parts (like the correct belt-drive sprockets) however I tried to put all of those behind me today and managed to get a ride in. I needed to ride it as I want to use this bike on the Devon C2C with friends next week. The ADL was designed with these kinds of all day adventure rides in mind. Rideable on the the tracks and roads on the flat and the climbs but with a set up that allows you to enjoy the down hills when gravity lets you play. The head angle is 69deg and has been designed for a 140mm fork. The drive combination of Gates Belt and Alfine hub also mean that there should not be too much to think about at the drive train end.
Wednesday, 15 June 2011
First Fixie Ride
The dust has started to settle after the Bespoked Bristol show and tonight I got to do what we all like to do best. Ride. Especially a new bike. The Fixie got a lot of attention at the show for it's looks and it's tattoo but we all know that the proof is in the riding.
The first thing to notice is that the bike is silent and I mean silent. It was like floating above the pavement. The belt drive also makes the pedal feel very direct and very control able. there is no back lash when you want to slow the bike and track standing is a breeze. All the kit from Brick Lane Bikes worked a treat and looked great. As I rode through Chelmsford I could hear people admiring the bike as I glided past. The bars were very comfortable with a couple of positions so that you could keep moving your position.
The frame geometry was perfect for maneuvering through traffic and pedestrians and felt correct at both low and high speeds.
Nice work Mark and when do I get one of these permanently for errands about town.
Friday, 10 June 2011
Off to the show
Monday, 6 June 2011
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