BoTM Jan 2010 poll now up – Saracen Special

January 26th, 2010

The January 2010 Bike of The Month poll is now up here . This month it’s a Saracen (or saracin mate if you read @singletrackmag) special.Get votin!

Bike of The Year 2009 is ameybrook’s Yeti C-26

January 16th, 2010

The results for Retrobike’s prestigious Bike of The Year (BoTY) contest, the blue riband event of the retro world, are in. The title of ‘Bike of The Year 2009′ goes to ameybrook’s Yeti C-26 replica.

Yeti C-26 2009 BoTY winner
2009 BoTY winner – ameybrook’s Yeti C-26

Following some initally close voting the well fancied Yeti stormed the vote. The full result is as follows -

1st – ameybrook’s Yeti C-26 (76 votes)
2nd – Defiant’s Serotta TiMax (44 votes)
3rd – Dr S’ Pace RC-100 (32 votes)
4th – Sinnett177’s 1993 Team Raleigh Dyna-Tech (26 votes)
5th – Pete McC’s Doug Bradbury Manitou Full Suspension
6th equal – Archangel’s 1991 Specialized Stumpjumper Epic Ultimate (15 votes)
6th equal – Pete McC’s Yeti Ultimate (15 votes)
6th equal – Ragnar1984’s Miyata Century (15 votes)
9th equal – bushpig’s Mantis X Frame (13 votes)
9th equal – Gary Turner’s GT STS (13 votes)
9th equal – Hairstream’s Yeti Ultimate (13 votes)
12th – Oneschnark’s Grove Innovation Titanium (10 votes)
13th – 24pouces’ 1988 Cannondale SM600 (3 votes)

Unable to follow last years BoTY victory Defiant took a fine 2nd place with his Serotta. The final step on the podium went to DrS’ Pace RC-100.

Serotta Ti Pace RC-100 BoTY winner
2009 BoTY 2nd and 3rd – Defiant’s Serotta TiMax & DrS’ Pace RC-100

Marin & Thumbies are cool. Next up on the coolwall e-stays.

January 15th, 2010

marin coolwallThe coolwall votes on Marin and Thumbshifters have been closed. Retrobike has judged both COOL!

Next up on the vote is e-stays (or elevated chainstays).

20 Questions with Charlie Kelly

January 7th, 2010

Charlie Kelly RepackWelcome to the latest in Retrobike’s 20 questions series. This month the spotlight falls on Charlie Kelly (aka Repack Rider), a man who genuinely needs no introduction.

Retrobike: Hi Charlie, how’s life? What’cha up to?

Charlie Kelly: I have a piano moving company. My daughter is about to start her second year at the University of Oregon, and I am still married to my first wife, named Mary. I work a lot, and most weeks I can only get out on the bike on Sunday, so I try to make it count. Fortunately I have some great places to ride.

RB: Ok, many will know you from the early days of MBUK. How did that MBUK connection come about back in the late eighties? Through FTF?

CK: I don’t remember how I got started with MBUK, but I was friends with John Stevenson and Tym Manley. I know I have copies of the photocopied MBUK that preceded the slick version. I wasn’t too hard to find in those days. In the ’80s I had the advantage of being the only functionally literate mountain biker. Now I understand there are three more. I was writing for several US mags as well as the Flyer, and I was friends of Richard Grant and Richard Ballantine, two English cyclists who were the among first in England to understand the concept.

RB: Early on, important question…what’s your favourite (music) album of all time?

CK: Since I spent a long time as a roadie for the somewhat obscure Sons of Champlin, it would be treason if I didn’t cite one of theirs. “Loosen Up Naturally,” 1969.

RB: ‘Fat Tyre Flyer’ – your publication and the only mountain bike magazine until 1985, is still the best Mag title I have heard of to date. You reportedly loved doing it, any dreams of a re-launch? Surely there’s space on the shelf as the other titles grow ever more similar. ?

CK: A magazine is a life sentence, and I have already paid my debt to society. I don’t think the cycling experience itself changes much from year to year, even though the equipment does, and writing for the major publications I found that there was about a three-year cycle and the same articles would repeat, because the mags are for new riders. There are lots of products for mountain bkes, but I’m into people, not widgets, and I think “bike reviews” are bunch of…what is that word you chaps use…BOLLOCKS. Did I use it correctly?

Click for (more…)

Spinergy is Uncool. Next up on the Cool Wall vote is Marin.

January 3rd, 2010

spinergy cool wallThe cool wall vote on Spinergy has been closed. Retrobike has judged Spinergy uncool.

Next up on the vote is Marin.

Bike of The Year 2009 – Poll now up.

January 3rd, 2010

BoTY 2009
The poll to find the Retrobike Bike of The Year (BoTY) 2009 is now up here. Get your votes in quick becasue the poll closes on the 15th January at 23:59 GMT. The entrants are as follows-

  • January 2009 – ameybrook’s Yeti C-26
  • February 2009 – Hairstream’s Yeti Ultimate
  • March 2009 – Dr S’ Pace RC-100
  • April 2009 – Gary Turner’s GT STS
  • May 2009 – Archangel’s 1991 Specialized Stumpjumper Epic Ultimate
  • June 2009 – Sinnett177’s 1993 Team Raleigh Dyna-Tech
  • July 2009 – Pete McC’s Yeti Ultimate
  • August 2009 – Pete McC’s Doug Bradbury Manitou Full Suspension
  • September 2009 no.1 – Defiant’s Serotta TiMax
  • September 2009 no.2 – Ragnar1984’s Miyata Century
  • October 2009 – Oneschnark’s Grove Innovation Titanium
  • November 2009 – 24pouces’ 1988 Cannondale SM600
  • December 2009 – bushpig’s Mantis X Frame
  • BoTM January 2010 Saracen Special – Get your nominations in!

    January 3rd, 2010

    Now taking nominations for January 2010 Saracen Special Bike of The Month contest here.

    Saracen logo

    B.o.T.M. December 2009 is Bushpig’s Mantis X Frame

    January 3rd, 2010

    The December 2009 Bike of The Month was one of the stongest to date. A fine victory went to Bushpig’s Mantis X Frame.

    Mantis X Frame December 2009 BoTM winner
    Dec 2009 BotM winner – Bushpig’s Mantis X Frame

    Second place was taken by Bduc61’s Breezer Lightening and third place was taken by Tallpaul’s Orange Vit-T2.

    Breezer Lightening  Orange Vit-T2
    Dec 2009 BotM 2nd and joint 3rd – Bduc61’s Breezer Lightening & Tallpaul’s Orange Vit-T2

    Don’t forget to check out the January 2010 “Saracen Special BoTM and of course the 2009 Bike of The Year vote.

    Trimble is Cool. Next up on the Cool Wall vote is Spinergy.

    December 17th, 2009

    trimble cool wallThe cool wall vote on Trimble has been closed. Retrobike has judged Trimble cool :D .

    Next up on the vote is Spinergy.

    BoTM Dec 2009 – Poll now up

    December 16th, 2009

    The Bike of The Month December 2009 poll is now up here.

    An Afternoon With U.S.E.

    December 14th, 2009

    Rory Hitchens U.S.E.Pulling up at U.S.E HQ it dawns on me, over the years we’ve known each other, I had never taken up Rory Hitchens’ offer of popping by anytime for a tour round (they’re only 5 miles down the road). Right, better turn round and pick up some cakes then hadn’t I? Pulling up at U.S.E HQ for the second time in half an hour, I am greeted by a flurry of bike business activity. “We’re moving into the unit opposite” a huge pile of Exposure Lights boxes said as it crossed the road on the small industrial estate that is so often the type of place you find an industry legend like U.S.E.

    Am I going to be met with an air of confused derision at my longing to unearth a pile of anodised purple loveliness gathering dust in the loft?
    Probably. This place has after all ridden (pardon the pun) the waves of varying bike trends over the years, from the early days when you could “make something new a whacky colour and people would buy it” through first the ti, then carbon explosions and onto the successes of the growing night riding/ racing market and cordless light set ups. U.S.E may well have a fair few of the old faves still in production, but they are also firmly ‘up there’ with products as innovative and lovely (in a CNC’d kind of a way) as the Olympic winning TT bars and the Exposure Lights LED light range.

    As it turns out, I am met by an ever enthusiastic Rory wearing an even more enthusiastic flouro green and pink race jersey from back in the day. Good start I think to myself. He still gets it.

    click for (more…)

    Retrobike UK National Events Calendar 2010

    December 14th, 2009

    Ladies and Gentleman of Retrobike,

    We are pleased to be able to take the wraps off your essential guide to Retrobike riding in 2010! Break out those new diaries and insert these key riding retro dates and get that precious bike out of the shed and onto the trail!

    As part of the process to ensure that all events are of the highest standard, we have recruited Area Events Coordinators and Deputies who, with good knowledge of their riding areas, are best placed to organise these activities. The AECs also manage their Area Sub Forums - here you will find regionally-focused chat and latest information on all rides and activities. Please make sure you check your area sub forum regularly!

    Please note that the events on the National Calendar include several non-Retrobike organised events that we highly recommend and support.

    Retrobike 2010 Calendar

    JAN
    30th Dunkeld – MacRetro

    FEB
    13th Thetford – Lincs and East Anglia
    27th Trough of Bowland – NWest

    MAR
    7th Haldon – South West
    14th TBA – East Midlands
    27th Ffestiniog – NWales

    APR
    11th HONC - S&W Mids

    MAY
    1st Three Tribes, Peaks – NE&YORKS/E Mids
    8th Lake District – NWest
    15th 10 Under the Ben – MacRetro
    29th Set2Rise – South West

    JUN
    5th Moel Famua – NWales
    18-20th Mountain Mayhem – National
    28th TBA – Lincs and East Anglia

    JUL
    11th IOW Ride/Camping – South West.
    18th Forest of Dean. S&W Mids.

    AUG
    6,7,8th Big Dirty Weekender II – NE&YORKS
    15th TBA – Lincs and East Anglia

    SEP
    4,5,6th OWMTB 2010 – National
    18th Mr K’s Day in the Peaks – NWest

    OCT
    23/24th Glentress – MacRetro

    NOV
    TBA Real Ale Wobble -
    21st Appetite Seminar UK – NE&YORKS

    DEC
    27th Turkey Twizzler – S& WMids

    We at Retrobike Towers are all looking forward to seeing more of you out riding retro in 2010 and believe that we have the diversity of events to tempt you onto the trail – hope to see you there!

    Mr K

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