Obree's new hour record attempt bike

http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/graeme-obree-bidding-for-hour-record-again-21712

Check out the GI: 138" !!!!

He's attempting it again?! Wicked!

Former world hour record holder Graeme Obree is seriously considering another attempt at the record.
In an interview in *Cycling Plus *224 (on sale 5 June), 43-year-old Obree says he has been training hard, built a bike that conforms with UCI regulations and set a date of late 2009 to make the attempt.
"I'm not saying that I will break the hour record, but I am aspiring to do it," said Obree. "You know, last year was the first year since I was 16 that I didn't win a bike race.
"I don't think that you're physically hampered from winning at the highest level just because of age. To diminish yourself just in terms of age isn't justified. I don't think you can use it as an excuse, not if you've kept it going."
The current record, using 'modern' UCI rules, is 49.7km, held by Czech Ondrej Sosenka. In the past, when the rules allowed for more aerodynamic bikes, Obree twice broke the record: 51.596km in 1993 and 52.713km in 1994.
The bar was eventually raised to 56.375km by Chris Boardman in 1996, before the UCI banned the types of bikes and 'superman' riding style that allowed such speeds to be reached. Now, only traditional round-tubed diamond frames with spoked wheels and drop handlebars are allowed. Luckily, Obree knows how to build bikes:

Graeme Obree's hour record attempt machine (Photo: Andy McAndlish)
As he did with his previous hour records, Obree has built his own bike for this attempt. It's made out of Reynolds 653 tubing and weighs over the UCI limit of 6.8 kilos. "I've built it within the limiting factors of the regulations," he said. "It's deliberately long so my arms are stretched onto the drops for the best aero position. It's also longer at the rear as this puts weight towards the front of the bike."
The bike also features another Obree trademark, a huge gear: 138 inches (67x13) to be exact. He's been pedaling this on his evening training sessions, which typically last between two and two-and-a-half hours.
Obree was at his peak in the early to mid '90s, when he twice broke the hour record and twice won the world individual pursuit championships. He has had a well documented battle with depression, highlighted in his autobiography, The Flying Scotsman, which was made into a movie.
Read the full interview in Cycling Plus 224, on sale 5 June. You can also catch Obree in person at BikeRadar Live on 30-31 May, where he'll be taking part in the Procycling Hot Laps on Saturday and holding a Q&A session in the big top at 12.45pm on Sunday.

Jaysus that's an oddly proportioned bike... it looks so right and so wrong simultaneously :)

Look at the pic of him riding it... he looks far too skinny to be pumping 138gi!! Legend!

i guess it's long to bend the uci rules and give him a good position.
i guess he defines HTFU

i wouldn't want to skid stop that!

Same idea as Hutchinsons attempt - make 'standard' frame but really long so as to stretch the rider out as much as possible for aero benefit.

i guess it's long to bend the uci rules and give him a good position.
i guess he defines HTFU

i wouldn't want to skid stop that!

Chris Hutchinson used a long bike for his record attempt too. "The Hour" was the book very good.

current record holder got busted for drugs earlier this year

Radial laced wheel!

Chris Hutchinson used a long bike for his record attempt too. "The Hour" was the book very good.

As I said above your post.

And it's Michael, not Chris.

Tommy Gun Fail. :P

Best of luck to him,

I'm sure there was some rumour (urban legend perhaps) of him cycling 50 Miles to a race with a turbo trainer strapped to his back - then getting on it to warm up, winning the race and then cycling back with said turbo trainer ! Legend.

is this a timewarp?

Radial laced wheel!

Allowed isn't it? Just has to be standard 'box section' rim and there's a minimum spoke count.

That bike ^^ is too close to pengy for comfort.

But Obree, what a fucking legend. I wish him luck, and would never bet against him.

Do you think he's using lead-weighted rims like the doping Czech?

I think the UCI should've ruled against that kind of thing (the wheels, not the dope; obviously).

What gearing is that??? Blimey, it would be hard to get off quickly at the lights.

138 inches (67x13) to be exact.

Very fashionable powder-blue, that.

Allowed isn't it? Just has to be standard 'box section' rim and there's a minimum spoke count.

whats the minimum spoke count?

As I said above your post.

And it's Michael, not Chris.

Tommy Gun Fail. :P

Ha. At leat I got the book plug in.

Allowed isn't it? Just has to be standard 'box section' rim and there's a minimum spoke count.

I know, but does he not realize what it would do to his flanges! He needs to sign up to this forum so we can all tell him what wrong with his bike.

1. Radial lacing! (what would the neighbors say!)
   
2. No tight clearances! (won't someone please think of the children!)
   
3. Machined rims on a brakeless bike! (If only old uncle Burt could see this now he'd be spinning in his grave!)
   

At least he's wearing a helmet of not hi vis clothing. His legs look a little hairless.

Good luck to him. Absolute legend.

I love the no frills nature of that dude, the way the bike looks recycled and has a quill/ahead adapter even though it was custom made. Check out that helmet even!

what a legend, hope he smashes the record off that lanky ondrej geezer.

slack chain.

whats the minimum spoke count?

16 spokes is the minimum I believe (per wheel, not each :O)).

Ha. At leat I got the book plug in.

You don't get a post count like mine by firing all your guns at once ;)