My Inbred Mk.2 Racer

AlexJCook

New on the forum, and currently out of action, so thought I'd take the time to show you my steed

Still waiting on a couple of small parts, then I'll get some nicer pics and a full spec.

Basically an Inbred Second Generation, built to limited budget, as I'm pretty poor. But I'm really pleased with it and can't wait to get some racing on next season!

Let me know what you think.





Cheers, Alex.

Anonymous

Holy cow that's a long seatpost.

AlexJCook

Well at about 5'8 (I was 5'6 before spine surgery when I bought the frame) riding a small frame is pretty standard, but coming from a few years on the road I'm pretty picky about my seat being the right height, so I got the Thomson post to make sure I would have enough to crank it right up.

Anonymous

That still looks way way WAAAAAY too small a frame, you've got more seatpost, than seat tube :shock:

dc71

I know bike fit is pretty personal, but got to agree with yeehaa here.. If you need the seat that high to get a good pedal stroke, then the 18" might have been better for you. There's only around 1cm difference in the TT length between the two sizes, which can easily be negated by moving the seat or stem length.

AlexJCook

Agreed.

If I was buying the frame now I would have gone for a larger size, probably only the 16" though. But when I bought it I went small because I was switching between a high and low saddle position for some dirt jumps. But have since decided to go down the xc path.

Like you said, only 1cm difference, so basically you're saying I should buy a new frame for aesthetics, because I have a lot of seat post showing? Which I personally think looks better than a large frame with little showing.

Also, the Inbred I've been told, not that I'm an expert by any stretch, have a fairly long top tube for their size. Because when I bought the frame I was 5'6, with long legs and a very short torso due to scoliosis, I played it safe and went with the small frame, so I could add a longer stem, as opposed to a larger frame and having to run a tiny twitchy stem.

leaflite

Looking good!

AlexJCook

Thanks leaflite, appreciate some positivity

MrFlibble

Alex, the bike looks good and at the end of the day if your happy with it and like the ride thats the main thing.

What was your budget if you don't mind me asking?

AlexJCook

The original budget was around £700, but it's had a fair few upgrades since the original build so the total is more like 900 - 1000 I guess, with a few leftover parts which I can sell later on.

I'm really happy with it, I think it looks good, it definitely rides well, so mission success.

krazykayaker

Nice, i like it 8)

Cferg

Nice one mate, I really like it how do you find the single ring at the front ?

AlexJCook

Thanks guys.

Cferg - Single front ring has been perfect so far, got plenty of range on the cassette. Had a few issues at first with keeping the chain on, but I got an unramped ring and a top cage so now no problems at all.

If I use it on the road for commute or getting to trails I often wish I had a bigger gear up front, but that's a minor issue, on trail is what matters. Though I might knock it up a few teeth in the future.

dc71

AlexJCook wrote:

Like you said, only 1cm difference, so basically you're saying I should buy a new frame for aesthetics, because I have a lot of seat post showing? Which I personally think looks better than a large frame with little showing.

Also, the Inbred I've been told, not that I'm an expert by any stretch, have a fairly long top tube for their size. Because when I bought the frame I was 5'6, with long legs and a very short torso due to scoliosis, I played it safe and went with the small frame, so I could add a longer stem, as opposed to a larger frame and having to run a tiny twitchy stem.

Don't get me wrong, I wasn't trying to be negative and I didn't mean you should buy a new frame as you already have a great looking bike. Also I meant the next size up rather than 18". The only thing that matters is if it fits how you like it and feels good to ride. And you're right, the On-Ones do all have relatively long top tubes, which is what allowed me to go for a 16" rather than 18. I'm still experimenting with stem & bars for mine though.

AlexJCook

It's cool. I realise it looks a bit unconventional now, but it's actually worked out really well in the end.

I'm running a 70mm stem, which is a nice length for me, for comfort and handling. Anything much longer and it steers a bit slow, much shorter and I find it's too twitchy with the low bars as well.

krazykayaker

AlexJCook wrote:

Thanks guys.

Single front ring has been perfect so farquote]


do the right thing and stick a single on the back as well

AlexJCook

Been there, done that.

Still got a Pompino as well.

But this has been built to be a bit more versatile, and after some training I'd like to try and be a bit more serious with it, without any excuses of equipment holding me back.

thepha5e

That looks great!
won any races yet?

AlexJCook

Thanks mate

Nothing yet, won't be up to racing til next year, currently recovering from a spinal fusion three weeks ago

After winter I'll be back on the bike, fitter, stronger and titanium reinforced!

chrisjnr19

Wahey, a fellow Kent man!
I hear you have replaced this frame with a 456, it should look sweet if ^this^ is anything to go by
Where exactly in Kent are you, and have you ever been to Bedgebury in Tunbridge Wells?

AlexJCook

Hey Hey Thanks a lot!

I'm not too far from you in Aylesford.

I've never done Bedgebury, what's it like for xc? Looking for some new places, myself and some friends are just getting back in the game with a more xc mindset, after doing dirt jumps mainly as kids!

I have literally just uploaded some pictures, not quite finished yet:

http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... 3#17108513

chrisjnr19

Bedgebury is a mix of tracks, but mainly xc-oriented singletrack- certainly a few hours of riding to be had, which, I guess is why I like it so much. It has really been carefully thought out by the Forestry Commission, who have allowed the tracks to really flow with the beautiful scenery; and while they are still doing some work on it you can see the thinking behind each step of the progress. They've got a lickle dirt jump area aswell should you still feel the urge to cock about

I came across it about last September/October when it was really muddy so I didn't really get much riding out of it then, and it still felt very incomplete; not like now though :P

I'll be heading down there next Saturday (weather allowing) with some mates so if you and your friends want to turn up you'd be welcome

The 456 looks sweet, although I must say that it really needs some white; maybe a green on white saddle with some white grips and green lockrings :P

AlexJCook

Nah I don't do White!

It will be a while before I'm up to speed properly unfortunately, I got a winters worth of getting back to fitness before I can consider that. I just had a spinal fusion 6 weeks ago!

But when I'm up and running it will be one of the first places I'll be checking out for sure!

chrisjnr19

Ahh, apologies... I looked up scoliosis and the picture they showed was quite dramatic.
I wish you all the best, and a speedy recovery

When you're better, just PM me, and myself and some friends can organise a 'meet up'

AlexJCook

That sounds good I'm doing pretty good at the minute anyway. Post op check is tomorrow but I went for a cheeky roll around the woods this afternoon

I'll drop you a pm now with my Facebook if you're on there?