An old Raleigh steel track frame (pretty light too) and a collection of bits and the down the pub, work hack bike is born.

Proper track crank has 48 teeth on it, and the biggest rear sprocket i got is 18 so will that work. This site GEAR SIZE is handy for talking in old man speak and says thats 72 inches. So doing a quick check with 54-21 which is just useable up most hills round here that comes out as 69.5. So could be a bit tough, especially when knackered.

long time since a saw the fork offset done at the very bottom of a fork, very flimsy looking.

I really love my On-One Inbred but the lack of rear disc mount was a pain so I needed a new singlespeed frame with similar geometry the answer in the end was Simple, A Cotic Simple infact.

 

And in my favourite colour, Custard, mmmmm. Now I've only ridden it twice but its like an old friend probably because its been fitted with a bunch of well worn bits including those wacky On-One Mary bars.

 

The Simple is able to cope with 130mm forks if you want a more laid back descending tool and I'm certainly on the look out for some to get maximum fun out of this baby. The Simple shares the build and geometry of all the Cotic mtb's the Soul and the Soda Titanium, and I would say they are bikes built for the Northants clay ridden trails, the tyre clearance is MASSIVE. After riding in total clag at the weekend there was no build up of mud anywhere on the bike, thats got to be one hell of a weight saving on any ride round here.

 

Get me some 2.4 tyres oh yes!

 

Check out the COTIC website If I was specking a team bike I'd be ordering a batch of these babies.

 

Pitsford cycles are dealers for them, so have a word with Tom and get one on order. Saves you the postage and you get dealer backup.

 

Don't forget to spec which graphics you want though, you get a choice of three which I never realised, the wrap around white option is pretty pants I reckon.

 

Although the pokey out bits still look oribble and sharp, the slings off and I've gone back to work. Doctor said wait two more weeks but I'd had enough of siezing elbows and shoulder joints from dis-use so went alone. Physio says that the shoulder is forced 1.5 inchs forward, but I have most of my normal movement.

Try lying on the floor and touching the ground behind your head with an extended arm, easy heh. Nope, i can get to about a foot away, that bit needs some work.

Got both hands on the bars of my Turbo bike last night and it feels good, going to be a while before I can pull up on mountainbike bars though, so for now its more playing with my geeky mates in turbo world. Got promoted to Division 5 so the legs are still getting some work.

Work are paying for a taxi to get me there, the driver is an old Rocko rider, he won the Fritz Hill climb trophy (see previous Blog) I checked it, did I mention its mine this year, and he won it in 1961. Blimy, before I was born, makes you realise the heritage of the Rocko club.

[Bristol Bike Fest] Brilliant race and home of Singlespeed UK champs this year [ENTRY]