Graeme Obree's bike actually IS too fucked up

http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/graeme-obree-dumps-hour-record-plans-23985

"Obree spent a year and a half training on the bike which worked brilliantly on the road. Despite his age he was clocking some promising times. ...
But when Obree took to Manchester’s velodrome for a trial run in August it went badly wrong. Watched by former national British cycling coach Doug Daley, Obree’s bike proved useless.
“That whole riding style that I was reliant on to support your arms didn’t work on the bankings. And most of it is banking, let’s face it!” said Obree."

Gorgeous baby blue fixie

"Specificity"

It's a real pity he couldn't afford the track time that would've exposed the problem.

Man, that's a bit sad.

What is, posting the word 'specificity'?

“Oh well, nobody died,” says the Flying Scotsman Graeme Obree as he reveals how depression and his home-built bike wrecked his latest World Hour record bid.

That he's given up.

It's a shame, I would've love to see him attempt to break the hour again, it also a bigger shame that he doesn't even have much sponsor, is there's a reason why he didn't have the levels of sponsor that the other had? did they not think he'd be good enough?

It was the end of the dream for the sponsorless former champ. Obree, who could have asked for help from British Cycling, had done things his own low-tech way. No sports scientists, no coach.
Sounds like he's just stubborn.

It's a shame, I would've love to see him attempt to break the hour again, it also a bigger shame that he doesn't even have much sponsor, is there's a reason why he didn't have the levels of sponsor that the other had? did they not think he'd be good enough?

He had NO sponsors at all Ed, because he is considered old and companies would not get any real gain from it. They all want long term contracts with riders doing lots of disciplines..

I missed the part that horatio pointed out, whoop!

yes, but if Cancellara is going to have a crack at it, there's no way Obree can beat him in the Hour anyway, surely?

I'd put money on an organised Obree over Cancellara. Alas organisation is Obree's failing here. Cancellara doesn't have the same impetus as Obree, even if Obree's is mainly internal.

i'll take that bet, if either ever happens.

If Obree managed to break the hour record a couple decades ago on his own, with his own bicycle.

With the right coach, funding, motivator, etc. it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out the outcome.

it would be a good spectacle in any event

If Obree managed to break the hour record a couple decades ago on his own, with his own bicycle.
With the right coach, funding, motivator, etc. it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out the outcome.

"A couple of decades ago" is an important factor here.

"A couple of decades ago" is an important factor here.

that bit wasn't mentioned in any of the rocket science books

If Obree managed to break the hour record a couple decades ago on his own, with his own bicycle.

With the right coach, funding, motivator, etc. it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out the outcome.

mm. and if cancellara did a 50k time trial in well under an hour at the worlds..

Bunch riding, large hills, aero aids are all factors..

Think Obree has done a few sub 20 minute 10's which equates to a 30mph average, not sure if that was with/without aero equipment though in theory he should go quicker on the track.

Wonder exactly what those UCI dicks specify for the equipment you have to use

Bunch riding, large hills, aero aids are all factors..

bunch riding? i'd have said the fact he had to make his way past so many other riders in that TT had to be a disadvantage - and the aero kit advantages would surely be equivalent to the advantages of riding on a flat, indoor track?

Wonder exactly what those UCI dicks specify for the equipment you have to use

i only know that it has to be just like Eddy Merckz hour bike.

bunch riding? i'd have said the fact he had to make his way past so many other riders in that TT had to be a disadvantage - and the aero kit advantages would surely be equivalent to the advantages of riding on a flat, indoor track?

Sorry, I'm being a retard. I was thinking of the World road champs. I need to shut this down before my brain melts totally.

Obree is an absolute hero, and if anyone deserves sponsorship, then him. Re: 'old', he didn't even have much sponsorship when he was in his prime. Shorter Rochford sponsored him, but he never got much else, I think.

It's interesting that he was again trying to do something innovative with the position of the front of his body. Shame it didn't work out.

For his last hour attempt he got some sponsership from Specialized but only a pair of wheels and something from a local firm called Scotoil.

Considering the way he trained, not using heart rate monitors or power meters, no sports science at all in fact he was amazing.

it's not rocket science. it's sport science.
science nonetheless, but a little bit different.