Mates are supposed to be just that; mates. They are meant to be supportive, to help you out when you need them, to make your existence a good experience.
My mates want to see me suffer.
A couple of these 'mates' (who shall remain nameless, but not shameless) thought it would be a good idea to enter a little race in October. I don't know if it was the realisation that they had shelled out $120 for the privilege of riding 192km over some of the nastiest climbs in the Coromandel, or the need to do some actual 'training' so as not to be reduced to a blubbering mess on the side of the road, but they encouraged me to join them. Encouraged is probably too nice a word; badgered, prodded, levelled all kinds of accusations as to the status of my manhood would be closer to the mark. And, being one to rise to a challenge (or at least just to shut them up) I took up the offer of a six-hour sufferfest with a good dose of false bravado.
That's when the mind games began. Not between them and I, but between me and I. Having ridden and raced over similar lengths of time on both tarmac and dirt, I knew that the actual training and completing the event shouldn't be a problem. Oh no, the mental block I was having was an equipment-based one. I've been happily cruising around on the Bozzie, loving the mix of old-school Kiwi steel and modern Italian carbon. It's probably the road bike I've loved the most. But she's no featherweight, and most of the riding she's been doing doesn't involve long, steep, relentless climbs. My head was starting to rebel against the legs. I needed a solution. A cheap one.
A workmate had a CAAD5 'Dale frame sitting around doing nothing, and at $200 I could build a light , cheap climbing machine that would do the job at hand. But I've never been a big fan of the marque, and although the Simoni styles were cool, I started scouring TradeMe and eBay for something alloy, slightly older, but with a certain amount of 'cool'. A couple of brands sprang to mind; a mate back in Aussie had a Klein Quantum, it was a bike that I liked the look of, and I knew it was light. There were some cool builds floating around the net which were appealing. Of course, a second opinion was needed, so an email to the Big Dutchman was drafted. No more than five minutes after sending it, I had an epiphany.
Alu? Caché? The Prophet!
A second email was on its way to Seattle, but while it was heading Stateside, a rather strongly worded one was returning Down Under. The big man wasn't impressed.
Don't get a fucking Klein! Jesus. Did someone hijack your email account? WTF are you thinking? Get a used Merckx Scandium like Museeuw won Roubaix on for fucks sake or a De Rosa or a Pinerello Prince like Ulli rode if you're going to go Alu.
A fucking Klein. Jesus. What's the matter with you?
Could he read my mind? Was he going to track me down and beat me? Are Kleins really that bad?
My suggestion of the Team SC had reached him by now, and I had saved my bacon from another verbal assault. The language was still as 'fruity WHERE `id` = but the sentiment was more at ease with my choice of steed.
THANK FUCKING GOD YOU CAME TO YOUR SENSES.
YES. Get one of those.
FUCK.
And so the search began. And just as quickly, ended. Merckx was looking out for me. A Domo Farm Frites Eddy Merckx Team SC frame and fork, in my size, was right there in front of me. There was really no choice in the matter. A quick check with the big man, and a stoic “BUY IT” came back, as if I really expected any different. He even offered to pony up some of the cash just to make sure a Klein wasn't getting anywhere near me.
I contacted the seller in Brisbane, Aus, and made an offer under the Buy Now price. We had a bit of to-and-fro before agreeing on a fair price, and the shipping to NZ. Mark didn't really want to send it overseas, but could see how keen I was on the frame and had it boxed and sent before I coud say 'Wilfried Peeters'. After a week I still didn't have the frame, Mark was making enquiries at this end, and we found out it was stuck in Customs in Auckland. Now, we all know that government departments are evil, and this one was living up to their well-earned rep, slugging me with nearly $200 GST… for what? Because they can.
I just wanted my frame. And when I finally held it in my hands, I could feel the spiritual significance of such a lauded piece of cycling folklore. But something didn't seem right. It looked a bit small. The tape measure came out and my 57cm frame was really a 56. Or a 55, depending on where I held the tape. A flurry of emails, a barrage of fit tests with just wheels and saddle and bars, and I wasn't convinced it was going to fit. Mark was convinced otherwise, as he is a good two inches taller than me, and assured me that the slack seat tube angle would put me in the right position. But he also kindly offered to return my money if I wasn't completely happy. A gentleman and a scholar.
The next day, after a night of web surfing for geometry charts, forum posts, and photos of The Lion on board, I was ready to do some more in-depth testing. I fitted my cranks, and videoed myself on the fit computer at work. It didn't look too bad at all. The Dutchman was also persuading me to 'go small' on the frame, maybe because he can't find one big enough for his own needs? With a 130mm stem mounted, I was happy that I could make it work. The rest of the parts were stripped from the Boz, and The Lion's bike with The Prophet's name was completed. A quick ride up the street turned any doubt into a emphatic 'fuck yeah'.
But what of the reason I undertook this whole process for? The weight… With pedals, two cages and my not particularly light 'Classics' wheels, she came in at 7.8kg. Over a kilo-and-a-bit shy of the Bozzie's mass. All there was left to do was get the right saddle, mount the V-Meter and get riding.
This bike is special. I'd read all the gushing praise from the likes of Competitive Cyclist, Ten Speed Hero and Elcyclista, and its palmares spoke for itself. A bike that could dominate for three years at Roubaix, go on day-long breakaways in Paris-Tours, and climb to victory atop The Giant of Provence. As I sprinted over every rise, I was Freddy Rodriguez. Hammering over anything rougher than smooth blacktop, I was The Lion, Servais, PvP. Up the climb to home, getting out of the saddle and rocking it side to side, I was Reeshard.
Bikes should have special character, and this one does, in spades. The decals on the down and seat tubes say it all. Handmade by The Prophet, in the spiritual home of cycling.
A-Merckx.
[dmalbum path=”/velominati.com/content/Photo Galleries/brettok@velominati.com/Profeta/”/]
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View Comments
Sweet bike - has anyone seen this Parlee Prius Neuron Shifting Bike
Shifting gears with your brain waves - and a sweet Parlee frame....
@Cyclops
+1 to that and this bike.
@brett
Very nice bike and build and, agreed, it's nice to put something together for a specific race. Good luck with the training. At least now you know the training will be as much fun as the race itself. Perhaps more fun, which is as it should be.
Great looking bike Brett. Cant wait to hear a race report.
Exchanging bicycle component purchasing choices with Frank is one of the joys of being a Velominatus. I could write a short screenplay (or maybe and Xtra Normal cartoon) with the texts and emails we've shared over the years. Most of which include the word .FUCK. .FUCKER. and .FUCKFACE. It really takes consumer decision making to a new level.
That is a lovely machine, bro. I'm happy to see that aleumineeum still holds a place of esteem in your stable. It really is a fantastic frame building material when done correctly. I had a 'whale mtb back in the day when they were really the shit. It was as harsh as you are at times. However, my Serotta alu is a joy to ride. I can only speculate what the factors are that make the difference but as we all know the blanket statement of aluminum rides harsh is no more accurate than saying all carbon bikes are stiff.
The competitive cyclist write-up and story are fantastic. They have some good writing over there and the merckx.com piece is rich. Not to mention the other links in the article. You've really got a well regarded frame there.
Nice choices with the saddle and bars. The rotundos are new to you, no? They look way cooler on that bike than the ergo early 2000's bars often seen on those bikes. Add to that the saddle and wheels and you've got yourself a breakaway special straight out of the Arenberg trench. Badass.
Let us know what you think of the ride.
Great one Brett! I have heard so many good things about the TeamSC frame, you couldn't have done it better. Chapeau! great write up
Cyclops - #1 Each Velominatus should have an older steel bike in their possession. Some days you just feel more steel than carbon. I have a few myself. Do I need to send you a Frank-like email "encouraging" you to get going with your project?
#2 What the hell is going on with all those frames? Too many I want in one photo. Cut it out.
Marko - my first real road bike was an R900 1998 'dale. I hated the ride of it, but then again it was also way too big for me. Last week I rode a pal's Colnago Arte. I just jumped on and started riding, hadn't been for a ride in a week, eager to get going, moreso than even talkin' shop about the bike. About an hour into it I said, "Wow, this thing rides really damn well. It's..." and flicked a nail against the TT, "aluminum?!" I was convinced Al offered a shitty ride. I stand corrected. That bike was awesome.
I'd like to give the Rotundos a go. Riding some Deda Newton shallows & some Deda Zero100s. Those look very similar and think they are, though would have to check the reach/drop.
Gerard - a pal of mine just picked up a Parlee. The thing is awesome. He put on a stellar build and it looks great. Barely over 14 pounds. Jaysus, that's crazy. Makes my Look seem fat by comparison.
@Cyclops
I just soiled myself.
Brett, you so suck! Shouldn't you be saving up for your children's college educations? That is a beauty of a build. I've never owned an Al bike but I test rode a friends Bianchi Al with carbon fork and it was awesome; lighter than my Merlin and stiffer too.
You have done well with the Prophet. May it keep the chunder down on the Coromandel
@Ron
Yeah - I stroked on at the North American Handmade Bike show - matt black with black decals and light as a feather.... but a remortgage may be required to purchase one lol
For any tall fullas - I have found a pretty nice looking Merckx bike on ebay!Merckx Corsa Extra