Singular Swift Test Ride

Went for the Singular Ride today, my sister came out on the ride as well on a her full sus Giant. Took a geared Swift out, though the shop did have a alfine equipped swift as well - but this was in a medium and far to small - though did have a quick whizz around Dorking town centre to have a go with the alfine - feels good if a little 'indirect' feeling - but on the whole good.

Went for a 16mile ride starting and finishing from Westcott to the west of Dorking and taking in Leith Hill and Holmbury Hill.. some really nice riding on a really nice day.

Pics: me at the Swift + my sis and her Giant.

Well the Swift rides really nice though def would need an XL frame as the large was too small for my lanky frame.. only bad point of the day was towards the end route back down to Westcott the rear mech got caught up in the rear wheel on a downhill and got wrapped around, bending the hanger in the process - managed to free it all and bend the hanger back enough so could finish the ride - def a reason for going single speed or a hub gear!
Head for the Hills were cool about the damage despite me offering to pay for the damage which was a relief as i was quite embarrassed at it happening.. also bought a new pair of Endura 3/4 Hummvee shorts - these are one of the best cycle garments of all time!
Head for the Hills also do a nice little pack of route maps for the Dorking area which not knowing the we purchase a full pack for £9 - these were really good so if you are thinking of cycling round the Dorking area.
As for the Swift - it rode really nice and has real 'natural' feel to it.. now do i buy a complete bike or just frame and forks only and uild up myself.

Singular Test Ride

After contacting Sam @ Singular Cycles I got in touch with a Dorking based bike shop, Head for the Hills as Sam said they had Swift Demo bikes..

Think if i was going to build one / get one i would use a one of the Shimano 8 speed hub gears like the Alfine which is now rated for offroad use and is disc compatible. Using a hub gear like the alfine, a single chainwheel should give the eqivilent ratios to a middle chainring on a triple and a rear cassette...

plus all out of the of muck and rubbish.

Phone Head for the Hills, spoke to a chap called Roger - seemed pretty helpful and have booked a test ride on their large size swift....

Singular Swift

Went to the Cycle Show today - took the train to Clapham Junction and cycled to the show from the station.

met up with my folks - not a bad show, but when i go to shows of all sort, you often can't help thinking that you have scene it all somewhere else before or that there is not much of interest.

There were only two stands with 29ers on display - those from Salsa bikes and some really nice looking ones from a brand called Singular. They have a real nice clean looking bike called a Swift which can be set up as a single speed, hub gear, derailleur and rigid forks or suspension ones - all with 29er wheels.

i thought the light ble looked really nice... think I might have to take more of a look.

Getting back into MTB

Whilst I have been bromptoning over the last couple of years to get to work, not done any mountain biking since 1996 - which is quite a long time..

Looking to get back into mountain biking and looking at the kit these days stuff has really move on, lots of suspension that works, disc brake etc etc something else that is alos apparent is there is a new wheel size known by the moniker '29er'. This wheel size is effectively the road 700c size but wth a big fat knobbly mountain bike tyre fitted giving an overall dia if 29" or so. Supposed to be lots of reasons why these size is better than the standard 26", but for me the best bit is that if you are tall and need a gate zized frame 29er wheels look more in proportion.

Planning to go to the Bike Show @ Earls Court to meet up with my sister and stepdad you are coming down to the show - hoping that there will be some of these 29er bikes their.

BWC 2008

BWC 2008..... the results are in!

I came 42nd with a time of 25mins 19secs... Steve did 25mins 37secs for the 13km / 8.5mile course


hey I won! - though to put it all into perspective the winner did it in 22mins...


Full Results

Brompton World Championship 2008

Just got back from taking part in the 3rd Brompton Bicycle World Championship...

The BWC is a fun cycle race for those with Brompton folding bikes and due to their considerable use for communtors you have to race wearing a shirt, collar, tie and jacket to ape the work atire.

Pic of Steve (r) and me before the start.
The course was two laps of a 6.5km circuit within the grounds of Bleinheim Palace - the hills were longer than the course diagram suggest.

nearly 500 people took part going off in groups of 100 at 5 minutes intervals - but my key competitor for the day was my best mate Steve. The start was Le Mans style where you had to run to your brompton, unfold it then ride off onto the course.

Did not stay for the results as we both had to get going after the event - all we know is that is was close...