Long standing project nearing completion. Still needs some fluid in the brake system (just air in there at the moment), Spesh Phenom saddle, lighter grips and copter taping.

That looks kinda fast.

the wheels look wrong

the wheels look wrong

How so?

It's pretty light and will be fast – pity about the rider.

Built up with a mixture of ebay purchases (frame, forks, seatpost, shifters, pedals), stuff I had in the shed (brakes, saddle, cables) and some new shiny bits so it doesn't look too shabby.

they look hexagonal

Oh, that.

It's fine, they're round where it matters.

looks light and fast and quite good looking. Need a test rider???

Need a test rider???

You after a wee shot?

When the wheel stickers look round, then you're in trouble. Nice ride.

You after a wee shot?

When its done, wouldn't say no!!

When its done, wouldn't say no!!

Done now, apart from needing a shorter stem and new grips. Not keen on the brake levers either; can't get them and the shifters just where I like them.

You'll get your shot soon enough, as long as you don't break it.

It does look rather bloated and heavy, don't you think..? 😉

Yup – it's the fat, heavy grips that do it. Double the weight, they do.

Needs flat bars as well…. 😉

Needs flat bars as well….

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Now that is nice!

But they'll save weight!

Aye, but when you turn the bike upside down to remove the wheels so it'll go in the car, it'll wobble around.

I lose sleep over such matters…

Lol! You know, that is the one thing I hate about my hardtail! Plus the first 15 minutes on any ride on it when I feel like I'm constantly going to go over the bars. I think it's fun.

How was the ride today?

Didn't make it. 😥

Coughing up green stuff this morning – looks like the cold has finally set in.

How were hills?

Alright. Did a pretty simple walk up and over Ben Ledi. Was pretty chilly up top but lovely views whrn the cloud lifted. I was secretly sniffing potential bike trails, didn't find many that wouldn't involve a lot of hike a bike!

Did a pretty simple walk up and over Ben Ledi.

The descent from Ben Ledi (well, Stuc Dhubh) is fantastic – some great singletrack lower down when you get into Stank Glen.

Yep, walked down that section which has an easy fireroad up too the top bit. I walked down 'visualizing' how good it would be too ride down! Which direction do you get to the top of Stuc Dhubh from? Hike a bike surely?

Which direction do you get to the top of Stuc Dhubh from? Hike a bike surely?

It was hike a bike for me, but the other two managed to pedal all the way up the back of Ben Ledi from Glen Finglas!!!

We parked up at the FC car park at the bottom of Bochastle Hill (opposite Kilmahog), rode along Loch Venachar to Brig o' Turk, up Glen Finglas and then Gleann Casaig to Stuc Dhubh. There was actually very little bike carrying, even at the top, as the ground was pretty solid – this was June last year.

Have no photos from the descent; a good sign that it ****' ace – but do have some from the climb and top. Am just about to email you the link to my Flickr page.

Cheers househusband, much appreciated.