MBR magazine joined us at last months Thetford meet. The resulting article is out in this months (April 2010) MBR and is the best piece on the site in the press to date – top work! Click here to see the article and forum discussion.

The article features five riders and bikes with pictures by Geoff Waugh and words by Andy Waterman. The bikes includes Jon’s (aka Jonnyboy666) Orange Aluminium Elite, Neill’s Eastern Woods Research, Rekiborter’s (aka Chris) Parkpre Pro Image, Jango’s (aka Kevin) Nuke Proof Reactor and my own Yo Eddy. Be sure to check it out.

6-7-8 AUGUST 2010, Pickering Moor, North Yorkshire Moors National Park

So here it is – North East &Yorkshire Area Groups flagship event. Our second year promises to big bigger and better in 2010. There are a few innovations and tweaks to make your weekend one to remember this year. Now with RetroBike Classic Event Status we are going to be pulling out all the stops to make this one of the highlights of your year. Click here for more details!

The cool wall vote on Trek OCLVs has been closed. Retrobike has judged the Trek OCLV uncool !

Next up on the vote is the mid range champion of yesteryear the Kona Lavadome.

The February 2010 Bike of The Month saw another textbook win for Oneschnark. This time his immaculate 1989 Ibis SS avec Mavic VTT took the plaudits.

Feb 2010 BoTM winner – Oneschnark’s 1989 Ibis SS

In second place by an extremely narrow two votes was Si Sithlord with his painstakingly assembled Ritchey P20. Third place was taken by TiFat’s Amp B3.

Feb 2010 BotM 2nd and 3rd – Sithlord’s Ritchey P20 & TiFat’s Amp B3

Don’t forget to check out the March 2010 ‘Downhill Special’ BoTM poll.

Saturday 27th February saw 24 riders both young and old turnout for the North West area’s Trough of Bowland ride. For a full ride report and a lot of pictures check the aftermath thread here.

No garage queens here

..of Paul Componenet Engineering (nice parts since 1989) fame.

1 ) Retrobike: What’s going on at the mo at Paul Comp? How’s business?

PP: Business is very good. We’re buying new machines and expanding the building to meet worldwide demand.

2 ) RB: What do you guys get asked for most these days? Hubs? Brakes? Small plastic horses? (Love those product shoots.)

PP: The Chain Keeper has been a huge success, and we have several new mounting styles in the works. The market for brakes and levers is still very good too. The Racer after a few years is finally getting some momentum.

3 ) RB: I know you are just stoked to be in the shop and working away at a project, but do you still find the time to ride enough?

PP: I ride almost every day, at least every other day. Ten years ago I didn’t ride for a couple years and business was in the crapper. Then one day I woke up and gave a finger to the world and went for a bike ride. Things have been getting better ever since.

4 ) RB: The world’s gone a day left to run. Where do you ride? On what? And with who? (and which colour brakes do you fit?)

PP: We are at the base of the Sierra Nevada’s’ so I’d head up and get as high in elevation as possible, and away from as many people as possible.

5 ) RB: Following the XTR years that had a far reaching and damaging effect on high end aftermarket guys like Paul Comp back in the mid nineties, I read that you and the others got through that by leaning out and aiming where the big companies weren’t looking. How’s that working out now?..given that niche is the new mainstream for some of those big hitters.

PP: So far it’s good. There are still small enough spots where we can excel and they won’t bother us. Our main strength is speed though. I can go for a ride, think up a new part, get back to the shop and have the part made by that afternoon for testing the next day. That has actually happened a few times, but usually it’s a week or so.

6 ) RB: Desert Island Discs scenario. Marooned on a desert island. One luxury. Bike? Wine? Another Human? Choose one.

PP: I love bikes, but women are just a touch above for me.

7 ) RB: It’s not about the bike. Those that get it, all know that. But it sort of is though isn’t it? Does it matter what you’re riding as long as you’re out there? Or Is there a specific best friend on two wheels that you always reach for?

PP: I have about 16 bikes in rotation right now. I’ll add another this year. I love riding them all. One bike is designed specifically for a single local dirt road that’s my favorite morning ride. But it’s also fun to take a bike where it ISN”T supposed to be. Like a crit bike on a fire road, or a cross bike on single track. I try to put myself in as many different situations as possible-this where the inspiration for new parts comes from.

(more…)

The Lycra Kingfisher recee’ing the Gisburn trails in the snow!

Welcome retrobikers to the North West of England’s very first National Retrobike Event. The riding will take place at the fantastic revamped Gisburn Forest Trail Centre. This venue has been especially chosen to blow away those winter cobwebs and allow riders of all abilities and fitness levels to enjoy some fantastic all weather trails. The retrobike banter is friendly and infectious, so if you’re planning on making this your first ever retro bike ride, we guarantee that it will be the first of many. Click here for more details.

For those who have missed the various announcements we here at Retrobike are putting on a fine array of rides all around the UK this year, click here for more details.

Last weekend saw a car park full of old bikes descend on Thetford Forest. Over 20 riders turned out and included some guests from MBR (watch this space ). A good ride (and lunch) was had by all on the well drained trails. For the full aftermath click here.

Retrobike meets Thetford

Next big ride coming up is on the 27th February in the North West.

The next Retrobike Endura kit order will be going in sometime mid to late March for summer delivery.

The kit in all its glory!

This time we will also be ordering custom Retrobike Endura baggy shorts and 3/4.

Click here for more details and to order.

The cool wall vote on e-stays has been closed. Retrobike has judged e-stays COOL!

Next up on the vote is Trek OCLV.

The January 2010 Bike of The Month was a Saracen special dedicated to the former Warwickshire bike brand currently seeing a resurgence under new owners. Heathy’s box fresh 1989 Saracen Kili Flyer took a well derserved victory..

Jan 2010 BoTM winner – Heathy’s 1989 Saracen Kili Flyer

This of course isn’t the first time Heathy has tasted sweet victory with his fillet brazed Saracen. Heathy took the top step of the podium following the bike being judged best retro ride at the 2009 Brighton Big Dog.

Jan 2010 BotM 2nd and joint 3rd – Corduroyboy’s 1993 Kili XTR Elite & drystonepaul’s 1992 Kili Racer

Second place was taken by Corduroyboy’s 1993 Kili XTR Elite and third place was taken by drystonepaul’s 1992 Kili Racer.

Don’t forget to check out the February 2010 BoTM poll.

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!