PKHT

I spend quite a lot of time with my bikes. I’m more of a mountain biker than anything else, but generally, I like bikes of all shapes and sizes. Here’s a list of my current and past steeds. If you have any thoughts, want to share your own bikes, or if you fancy a ride give me a shout.

Salsa – El Mariachi

Make: Salsa
Model: El Mariachi 2010

After spending a weekend in the rain at Coed-y-Brenin I’ve come to the shocking conclusion that I can’t live with v-brakes anymore, even with only the rear one on my current mtb. So I think it’s time for the Kona to retire. Having a desire to try this 29er lark, I recently accepted delivery of a lovely Salsa El Maricahi frame which will be becoming a fully fledged bike shortly…..

Kona – Fire Mountain

Make: Kona.
Model: Fire Mountain circa 2000.

Kona

This was my first major mountain bike that has now been in my loyal service for almost 10 years. Not much remains on the bike that is original, but I’m particularly impressed with the Marzocchi MXC Air forks, which I added in 2002. These have soldiered on through wet Lake District winters and hot Australia summers without a hint of complaint. The steel frame continues to hold firm, despite numerous crashes and scrapes. It made it through the 100km BMC classic last year and this year we will take on the Otway Odyseey together.

The Duke

Make: Unknown. Think it was a old Japanese steel road bike.
Model: Unknown. Crica 1985

The Duke

This is my current commuting bike and was built after the previous one died (in a rendez-vous with a Toyota Hiace). I had an old Japanese (I think) frame,  that was originally black with flames, that I had powder coated British Racing Green. With the addition of a Brooks Saddle and Brooks leather handle bar grips, it completes the British Racing car look I was going for. It’s fixed gear with a ratio of 18 x 46, which I’ve discovered is an excellent ratio for Melbourne. Possibly the Greatest Bike of All Time.

Skip

Make: An old Apollo I think.
Model: Unknown. Circa 1970’s.

Skip - Sadly not at his best

Skip was my first fixed gear build, and I was rather attached to him. Sadly, the photo above doesn’t display him at his glorious best (Eagle eyed viewers will note an alarming gap in the front fork). It was an old Apollo I resprayed myself. Fortunately I harvested most of the parts for The Duke (above). Still, a stalwart of the Melbourne streets for a year and a half until it’s untimely demise with a Toyota Hiace.

Current Project

I have a long standing ambition to take part in the L’Eroica bike race through the Tuscan countryside. To do so, I require a bike that is made of of technology that existed before 1987. I am currently on the hunt for various parts and a frame, preferably something Italian or British. I few weeks ago, whilst in France, I visited a charity shop and acquired a rather interesting road bike for €20. It’s called a Moltex, but I can’t find anything about it online. It came with quite a decent groupset, but someone seems to have jammed a Campagnolo seat post into the frame which is proving impossible to extract. It doesn’t even appear to be of the right size!