Friday, 4 November 2011

Back to Basics again

The single-speed Giant has died - another BB knackered, worn cranks, two holes in the frame, the six year old Marzzochi Bomber has see better days, headset worn, and it's a harsh ride. It's been a good workhorse though, and was instrumental in getting me back on a bike. RIP.
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Time for a replacement. I need stealth - because I don't want it to look too shiny and get stolen. I need basic - because most of my weekday rides while I am away are at night so there is less to go wrong. I need low maintenance - the bike sits on the back of the car for days on end, covered in road spray, grit and mess. I also need cheap - because I am (always) saving for another Yeti.
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On One is a small bike company up north that like to do things differently. They specialize in a mail-order service for cost-effective parts and complete bikes. They are a refreshingly irreverent bunch and their signature bike is the Inbred, complete with the appropriate logo !
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One of their newer bikes is the Whippet. People up north all have Whippet's (small greyhound-like dog) or so people down south believe.
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Enter the new SS with a conservative, sensible, mainly second-hand, entry-level build and all-over stealth appearance.
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They got a good write up on t'Internet and I considered buying the complete bike at £899 but since the review in WMB, One One had stopped doing the 'pick and mix' parts option and, although I could have lived with the rest of the build, I could not have put up with the stock fork.
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So I went for a frame and a new Rockshox SID RLT Dual Air fork. The CARBON frame came with seat post, collar, seat, headset, dropouts for gears and SS, stem and bars - all for £399 ! Result.
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It's an arse-up, balls-out sort of bike, deigned for speed and a 100mm fork. I've compromised the feel slightly by having an extra 20mm up front, but the slacker angles appear to suit me and it has felt pretty good from the off. In the back of my mind, I also wanted the longer fork so it is more compatible with other frames that I either have or secretly covet.
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To complete the build I couldn't resist putting my name on it ..
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The first ride was faultless, with no fettling to do when i got back apart from upping the seat another few mm. The jury is out on the saddle - I've had a face like an Inbred on a few occasions. I've ridden it six times (247km) since the test ride and last night was the first ride where I didn't hate the saddle. Having said that, I was pushing it a bit harder and panting a lot. Most rides so far this Autumn have been 2.5 hour +, zone 2/3 'base training' rides and I have been avoiding big hills on purpose to keep in the zone with the right cadence.
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The only problem with this bike is that, shortly after purchase, the frame became available in bright yellow. I may well have been tempted.
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Ongoing issues with the HRM appear to be caused by the night-light battery. This also sends the rather basic magnet-driven computer into meltdown too, so I will look at the new Garmin Edge 200 to replace the computer and try putting the HRM in my media pocket next to the transmitter and see if that works .... winter training continues.

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