General tinkering (Pretorius / Stayer / Cervelo / Genesis / Nukeproof etc.) and death metal

Been a bit of a rollercoaster over here with forth kid on the way in a few months, Brexit and covid induced chaos at work and various other things. Sold a ton of stuff then things have come good again so we’re back in the game!

Sold the Pretorius track with instant regret but fortunately the guy couldn’t get it to fit right so bought it back a few months later - phew!

Now I’m working in London again a day or two a week I’m doing the 50 mile commute on it, so it’s got a bit a of split personality as a skidder / fixed road bike.

Had a run out today to get the fit properly dialled in. It super comfy on 28c tyres and fits perfectly. Need to bring the levers up a touch, sort some proper bar tape and fiddle with the bar angle a little but it eats up the miles so well.

3 Attachments

Also bought an old second hand 2018 Genesis Longitude which is going to get the full mudguard, basket loop bar treatment as a new kid hauler, shopping camping bike. Picking it up at the weekend so will get cracking on that.

1 Attachment

Finally also picked up a frame in Stayer’s latest batch of their crit frames. Sam also whacked on some mudguard mounts for me so I can run this year round with room for 28c and guards. Going to build this up ready for summer with etap and Black Inc finishing kit.

One of the best experiences I’ve had in buying a frame. They really are a top bunch at Stayer.

4 Attachments

Stop it. Makes me wish I'd never sold mine.

bit a of split personality as a skidder / fixed road bike

Looked good as a skidder but really looks the business setup as a fixed road bike.

Did someone re-paint the fork though?!

Ah no, you sold your cross bike?! What replaced it?

I’ve still got the fancy fork! Got an unpainted Columbus SL to keep the bike a bit stealthier when locking up at work and avoid trashing the lovely paint.

Nope still have that. I sold my Pretorius track bike, still wish I'd kept it.

Ah gotcha, didn’t realise you’d had a track one too. It’s a great frame I’m definitely glad I was lucky enough to get mine back!

<3

Picked up the Longitude today which looks like it has barely done ten miles since the guy had it in 2018.

Planning mudguards, pizza rack and wald basket, got some Jones loop bars to throw on and need to pick up some flats. Should be fun for adventuring with the little ones!

3 Attachments

Yes! I forgot who had the other Stayer crit on here.
Keen to see it built up!

Also a kick in the arse to get my build going.
More or less same situation over here with third kid due in 6 weeks...

The paint on yours is next level! Can’t wait to see it built up.

I thought about a fancy paint job for mine, but given I’m going to be thrashing it year-round in all sorts of weather I thought something more understated would be good. Also I love seeing Sam’s welds!

Congrats on the imminent arrival - hope all goes well!!

Any idea what those frames weight with these more minimal pain schemes?

No, my scales broke recently and haven’t got round to buying a new set - I’m interested to know too so will post when I’ve weighed it.

Making some progress with the Longitude. Have got some Portland mudguards and need to pick up some slightly less mtb tyres (don’t say gravel).

3 Attachments

Have also had the garage re-floored and it’s now a great place to train on the turbo. Lots of tidying / workbench progress to make, but at least got most of the bikes up and out of the way now.

1 Attachment

Finally, some metal updates! Been some great death metal so far this year. Few of my faves so far below:

Undeath - loved their debut, and this is equally unhinged and groove ridden. Banger.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=mphv4ZQDcCQ

Corpsessed - fantastic songwriting, nods to the classics but a distinctive sound. This only came out yesterday but I’ve had it on heavy rotation:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=-40UpSMkR3Q

Golgothan Remains - great vocals and hooks for days, really excited to see these guys progress:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=vcuNLCYqeBQ

Cryptworm - a swampy, filthly riff fest:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=oK5m1rCsOZ4

Immolation - need no intro!

https://youtube.com/watch?v=f6dvYGN3gYs

Now have the Pretorius dialled-in in road mode and have been getting in some lovely early morning rides.

2 Attachments

Finally sniffed out some jumps near the house on an evening woods exploration. New Sentient Horror album in the ears and some flowy jumps to hit - dreamy evening! Jumps need a lot of tlc, but the ground is rooty and hard as balls, so will wait until the winter to get working on them.

1 Attachment

Lovely selection of bikes. Are they hanging on an Unwin style track in your garage?

It’s two Pro Bike Tool 3-bike racks end to end. V cheap but fits a very wide range of tyres and seems solid enough.

thanks for the Corpsessed & Cryptworm links, good filthy stuff.

Bike storage looks tidy, is that a sliding hanging hook system ? Do you have a link to where you got it from?

Sure it’s this one.

You can slide the hooks around or screw them into place. I’ve got mine fixed into place and it’s still super easy to get the middle bikes out without taking everything down. Takes a big range of tyre sizes which was the main appeal though.