The Advantages of Bachelorhood

Last night I had to smile quietly to myself. I've been a bit torn up lately in my transition from (supposedly) happily married back to bachelorhood, but suddenly an advantage popped up.

I have a house guest, and so the room where the bikes are usually kept is occupied. OK most of the time, but a pain when I need to use the bike first thing in the morning. "No sweat," I thought, "I'll just stick in my bedroom." This is something I doubt I'd have gotten away with before, but here we go - just happily stuck in the bedroom.

And with the Gates Carbon Drive Belt, it is clean so no chance of getting oil all over my white bedding.

Getting down and dirty

Last night I joined a local MTB group for a thrash around the local trails. Given that I haven't got a (working) mountain bike (and because I am a bit otherwise), I took the proto out.

It was a bit mad getting out there. Despite trying to leave a lot of time, I ended up leaving my flat 2 mins before the meet time, making a madcap dash through Bath traffic (and possibly breaking a rule or two on the way).

For the outing, I took the bike out with the Alfine, belt and a pair of Conti Speed Kings; so I was a little apprehensive when I saw that most of the early arrivals were on serious looking full sussers - "Hmmm ... was I going to regret this?"

They are a great bunch of people and I felt at home from the off. The ride took us up a very steep road/trail on which I quickly ran out of gears and had to work hard to keep just enough weight on the rear to maintain traction but keep the front wheel down.

The ride got knarlier from there on, some crazy descents that had me wishing for something with suspension. That said, the proto felt pretty good. Fairly easy to control through the long slides over rough ground; the rigidity being a bonus as the steering remained wonderfully responsive. I gave myself a pat on the back for that!

The flowing singletrack was fun, the 'cross bike coming into its own - the only problem being nasty tree roots, but these could be fairly easily hopped - even with the Alfine out back. The Alfine itself is a wonderful piece of kit. Always precise, and utterly reliable in shifts. The limitations found in hard road riding failed to materialise on the trails where it just proved to be a great companion. Plus, now that I've ditched the standard Versa cable adjuster for an in-line adjuster on the cable, the adjustment issue have disappeared.

The last stop on the ride was a treat - a blast around the local BMX track. Not the natural stomping grounds of a 'cross bike but a helluva lot of fun. I was a little worried about the fork when I got a few landings a bit wrong, but with a bit of speed and keeping the weight back, it was a treat! Certainly must go back there again!

All in all a brilliant evenings ride, will definitely do it again. But most of all, from the point of view of developing the bike, I was really happy with the way it handled and felt on the rough stuff. 95% of the time I felt perfectly happy keeping up with the MTBs, only the really rough descents causing me any problems.

'Cross is life.

The benefits of taking the wrong train

So, somehow I managed to get onto the Swansea train instead of the train to Bath tonight, so I ended up having a rather tedious trip via Bristol Parkway and then Temple Meads which I really could have done without.

But the upshot was chatting to other cyclists on the train about Such Bikes, where we are and where we're going. I don't know why, but I tend to be a bit shy to talk about the bike - but it is great to talk to people about it and find that the ideas are positively received.

But apart from Such, it was so great to just chat to other guys who just love their bikes and love riding (if you're reading, "hi" and thanks for popping in). Kindred spirits.

Commuting on Knobs

Why is it that the combination of knobblies and single speed has me riding like a teenager?

Yesterday I'd gone out exploring with some 'cross tyres on, and then was too lazy to swap them for the (train assisted) commute today. So, tyres whirring away, I attacked the Swindon streets and cycle lanes. It was dodging around barriers and taking the odd, semi-legit detour across dirt paths. With softish, 'crossing-type pressure the bike felt unstoppable. I found myself flying off pavements, hopping obstacles. Just riding for the love of it.

But what about Such Bikes?
The break-up crisis and other unrelated events have put the boot in; Andy and I are trying to work out what to do next. But I'm really keen to get moving with this even if it is perhaps only framesets on a built to order.

Lansdown Hill

Given the issues with my parking situation (i.e. no parking within 1.5 miles of my flat!), I had to leave the bleeding car in the Lansdown Park and Ride. I took the bus down, but decided to rather cycle back up to fetch it (many will say the wrong way around, I know).

It was made all the more challenging by the bike having been reverted to the single speed set-up. And me deciding (pointlessly) to try racing a bus up the hill.

First, I must say, the single speed set-up is so much lighter and sprightly than the Alfine with the heavy 29er rims. No surprises there.

The 55x24 was pretty hard going up Lansdown (especially after trying to race the bus), but I managed and only stopped once (red light at the roadworks - though I was dying).

I do miss riding the bike more regularly. As a single speeder it is a joy. I found myself riding past my road a few times and just adventuring around town. I guess that is what riding is all about.

Racked up

I've been getting a lot of miles in lately, but more crucially testing out aspects of the bike that still need to be resolved - load carrying.

Although the bike is designed as a fast commuter, it does need to carry if a load if need be. Having ridden an entry level road frame with "load carrying capability", I realised that it isn't enough just to have the mounting points for the rack, the bike needs to handle properly with the load on it. This was always part of the concept, and was accounted for in the geometry - but needed to be tested.

So I've racked it up. A Racktime rack fitted beautifully, though I have found compatibility with some other racks quite problematic; this will be addressed for the production dropout design. I was very pleased with the rack mounting points. The bottom mounts directly on the 7mm thick dropouts are rock solid, and the top mounts - welded, not riveted, to the frame - add rigidity. All good.


I've ridden over varying terrain commuting between Bath and Swindon, taken it fully loaded across London and into Essex and humped it on and off a few trains. And I am pretty happy with how it rides. The handling is pretty good loaded, so I'm happy with the geometry. Certainly it is a compromise and it does lean towards better performance unloaded, but it is still pretty solid and confidence inspiring when loaded up on the rear.


The same rigidity issues that cause problems with the belt drive when really giving it can plague the stability on rough surfaces or when trying to crest a rise at a high cadence, but these will be resolved and I'm happy will be designed out of the next iteration.

I still stand by that it will be ready when it is ready, but that it feels like that point is coming closer.


ps. The belt drive and Alfine are a wonderful, wonderful combination.

Back in the saddle

It has been a long time. It will take a while to get the last few months, but I have started living the rest of my life.

Starting with my first commute to the office from my new home in Bath - my new abode.

Decided to ride it, 50km each way. It was good fun. I do love the bike, though the frame needs tuning as it beat the hell out of me on the rough tarmac. Also think a switch to a steel fork might be the answer.

Anyhow, more miles and more R&D. Watch this space!