J F Wilson Build

Just back from Argos for Christmas, my J F Wilson track frame converted for next seasons tri duties.



I think I'll just lacquer the frame and leave it as is for now, as a homage to STEEL, until I choose a color scheme for the repaint.




I love the way the rear drop outs turned out, can't wait to start the build and take the bike out for a ride.

Pinchazo en Pallejà

The course (VI DUATLÓ DE MUNTANYA DE PALLEJÀ) started with a straight up and down 5k run, felt OK and managed 28 minutes which is not bad for me on a hilly 5km.

Here is the route from my GPS http://connect.garmin.com/activity/20794685



I forgot to take photo on route but here is one from before getting ready 2 start. The Cross bike with the 32 cog on the rear did a great job on the climbs, only had to carry/push 2 times in the whole race and kept up fine with the mountain bikes around me. Until, that is about 12km in, I got a slow puncture & so stopped to change the tube, unfortunately the tubes I bought the day before had very short value (doh!) & so I had to pop the slow punctured tube back in and stop a few time to pump it up. Managed to get back in the end in over 2 hours and complete the run. 4th from last :-)



i was using a normal 700x23 inner tubes, I think i need to find something more sturdy for the next race on January the 3rd. (or maybe i need a mountain bike)

Great day out !!!

Frame modifications for single track

In an attempt to add some comfort when I chicken out of the difficult single track decents tomorrow & shoulder the bike cyclocross styleeeeeeeeee, I've added a beautifully crafted custom frame cushion.

Steel 853 J.F. Wilson

Here is the bike I'm going to be racing in 2010.

J. F. Wilson is a Sheffield builder, my big brother used to have one of his bikes & my uncle Ron also. The shop is on city road just down from sky edge where my grandma used to live, I always wanted to own one but they cost a £1000 new, so when this popped up on eBay for £150 i snapped it up.

Its a track frame in the picture but I've had a bunch of braze-ons added (by Argos) and the rear spacing changes to 130mm so i can run gears & brakes (180 quid inc postage).

Originally it was a pursuit frame used at the Manchester velodrome as part of the revolution series. It looks small but the top tube has 60cm length, it was made with a small head tub so it could be used on the track for both sprint & pursuit buy changing the stem for a riser. Steep seat tub same as a tri bike..

The frame is made from Reynolds 853 Steel so it going to be super stiff and the weight not far of the Cannondale frame i currently ride.

I kept the rear dropout rear facing so if it doesn't work out I can use it a a single speed hack bike.

More posts on the build in the new year.

VI DUATLÓ DE MUNTANYA DE PALLEJÀ > 11-32 with a 105 rear mech

The last mountain duathlon I did on my Plannet X Kaffenback which is more like a cyclocross bike than anything else, Everything went OK except for the hill, traction was OK with the 700x30 mud2 but the largest cog on my cassette was a 25. As soon as i stood up i lost traction, if i sat down i was ok but at some point of the course the 25 was hard to turn and i really wanted to spin a higher gear.

So ahead of the race on the 20th VI DUATLÓ DE MUNTANYA DE PALLEJÀ i bought myself and 11-32. Officially it should not work with a road 105 rear mech but it seems fine...

No excuse now! here is the route of the race http://cronicasdepalleja.blogspot.com/

I'll report back on my attempt to keep up with the mountain bikes ...

Welcome to the Barcelona Bike Blog

I have been wanting to start this blog for a while, a space to RANT as it were about all things bicycle in and around Barcelona.

I am a keen cyclist and take part do the occasional endurance event, duathlons, triathlons etc. here is one of my bikes (278) and one of these events. I finish @ the back of the pack, maybe I'll post some race photos on here..

I also spend a bit of time exploring the Catalan countryside by bike. I will post some routes and photos on here..

I have been wanting for a while now to organize an endurance event, this blog is part of my ongoing research into the project.