Readers’ Rides: TJ’s Shand Bahookie

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Some of you will have previously spotted this bike on the Forum, or possibly on Shand’s Instagram. But it’s such a beautiful bike with such a bittersweet tale behind it that we thought we’d give it the full Readers’ Rides treatment here. Over to TJ… The circumstances surrounding this bike purchase are shall we say – difficult. My partner of 42 years died in June 2021. We had just retired and amongst our plans for retirement was to undertake a long European tour on our tandem. After her death I needed something to look forward to and something to replace...

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Hannah Dobson

Managing Editor

I came to Singletrack having decided there must be more to life than meetings. I like all bikes, but especially unusual ones. More than bikes, I like what bikes do. I think that they link people and places; that cycling creates a connection between us and our environment; bikes create communities; deliver freedom; bring joy; and improve fitness. They're environmentally friendly and create friendly environments. I try to write about all these things in the hope that others might discover the joy of bikes too.

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  • Readers’ Rides: TJ’s Shand Bahookie
  • Bruce
    Full Member

    A beautifull bike with a sad story. I hope TJ rides it for many years and it brings a smile to his face.

    Posted 1 year ago
    P20
    Full Member

    Beautiful

    Posted 1 year ago
    jamj1974
    Full Member

    A beautiful bike with such a meaningful story behind it. Great rationale behind some of the component selections and frame options.

    Have to say that I am surprised you are not wearing a helmet in any of the photos. 😉😁

    Posted 1 year ago
    tjagain
    Full Member

    Just to say – I forgot to thank Paul Newman ( no not that one) for taking some decent pics of it.  My phone pics just were not good enough

    I have also rerouted the cables and put a shorter stem on it now

    Posted 1 year ago
    aide
    Full Member

    Nice looking bike, hope you have many miles on it TJ

    Posted 1 year ago
    keefmac
    Full Member

    lovely story, bit dusty in here now.

    Posted 1 year ago
    jamj1974
    Full Member

    lovely story, bit dusty in here now.

    Same.

    Posted 1 year ago
    MoreCashThanDash
    Full Member

    Lovely, if sad, story, and a wonderful way to remember someone.

    I hope it brings you comfort and happiness, even if it takes some time.

    Posted 1 year ago
    tjagain
    Full Member

    Before Julie died she discovered that I would end up with a fair bit of money.  I told her I was going to buy an expensive bike with it ( she had previously told me N+1 did not count in our house)  Her reply?  ” I don’t care, I won’t be here!”  🙂

    Posted 1 year ago
    slackboy
    Full Member

    Lovely bike. I’m sure you’ll enjoy making more memories on it.

    Posted 1 year ago
    ton
    Full Member

    just a fantastic purposeful bike. just bloody ace.

    Posted 1 year ago
    prettygreenparrot
    Full Member

    Liking the color. Enjoy the many many rides Mr TJ.

    Posted 1 year ago
    singlespeedstu
    Full Member

    Great/not so great story behind it and really lovely seat tube graphic but do you mind if I ask why you have so many stem spacers on a custom built frame?
    Seems a little odd when you could have chosen a longer head tube?
    Sorry if this seems negative, it’s not meant to take any shine off something that is clearly more than just a bike.

    Posted 1 year ago
    ampthill
    Full Member

    Great to see this. Lovely bike. Post your stories from the road

    Posted 1 year ago
    ampthill
    Full Member

    But also very really sorry about his this came about

    Posted 1 year ago
    jimdubleyou
    Full Member

    Your lawn could do with a cut, and tidy up those leaves whilst you’re at it ;P

    Nice bike TJ.

    Posted 1 year ago
    tjagain
    Full Member

    why you have so many stem spacers on a custom built frame?
    Seems a little odd when you could have chosen a longer head tube?

    Of course you can.  I’m an old man and not too flexible.  I also want to work out whats best before I cut the fork.  Its currently running 25mm of spacers not 40mm as in the pictures and a 60mm stemnot 100mm.  I might go lower.  Once i decide on stem ;length and height I will cut the steerer but if I got Shand to cut it too short then I can’t add more on.  They wouldn’t send it out the door with more than 40mmm 🙂   Its also the stock frame size.  Getting Shand to put 20mm on the head tube was more trouble than its worth

    Posted 1 year ago
    tomhoward
    Full Member

    If I got Shand to cut it too short then I can’t add more on.

    Bit late now, but it is possible. RSF suspension can replace steerer tubes.

    Posted 1 year ago
    jkomo
    Full Member

    Lovely bike TJ, loved the tribute.

    Posted 1 year ago
    munrobiker
    Free Member

    ” I don’t care, I won’t be here!” 🙂

    Ha! I can well imagine the forthrightness with which that was said!

    Posted 1 year ago
    ElShalimo
    Free Member

    Is TJ smiling or breaking wind in those photos?
    😜

    Posted 1 year ago
    tjagain
    Full Member

    Trying ( an obviously failing) not to look like a grinning loon 🙂

    Posted 1 year ago
    simondbarnes
    Full Member

    ❤

    Posted 1 year ago
    ajantom
    Full Member

    Lovely bike, and a lovely (if sad) story.
    My friend Joe has a blue Bahookie, also with Middleburns and a Rohloff, and I have long lusted after it 🙂

    My only point would be to say, please, please put something more substantial than the supplied clear tape under the Mudhugger. One gritty, wet ride and it will have rubbed through the tape and the paint on the seat-stays.
    A wrap of self-amalgamating tape works well in my experience – doesn’t look as nice, but it saves your paint!

    Posted 1 year ago
    gaidong
    Free Member

    Congratulations on a gorgeous bike Mr TJ. May you have many happy miles and memories on it.

    Posted 1 year ago
    kayak23
    Full Member

    Beautiful bike TJ and a heart breaking back story.
    Such a lovely tribute and reminder. ❤

    Posted 1 year ago
    zbonty
    Full Member

    A build with purpose and meaning. Lovely thing all round

    Posted 1 year ago
    tjagain
    Full Member

    You are all being very kind and nice.  I am surprised the polished stuff / plain look is not more controversial or are you just being nice to me given the story?  🙂

    With all the salt recently on the roads and bike paths I have hardly been able to ride it.  Hopefully spring is here now and I will dare to take it out

    Posted 1 year ago
    matt_outandabout
    Full Member

    I do like that red colour TJ.

    Many happy miles to ride. See you on the trail sometime.

    Posted 1 year ago
    footflaps
    Full Member

    Lovely bike, very sad story.

    Posted 1 year ago
    martymac
    Full Member

    I quite like the silver tbh. Spokes always best in silver imho.

    Posted 1 year ago
    munrobiker
    Free Member

    You are all being very kind and nice. I am surprised the polished stuff / plain look is not more controversial or are you just being nice to me given the story? 🙂

    I’ll be as honest with you as you would with me TJ- it’s not to my taste at all (there’s not one part of that bike I’d want on my own!) but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad bike for you.

    Posted 1 year ago
    scotroutes
    Full Member

    Silver/polished components look great on the right bike. They go very well with that frame colour too. As Luke says, there are lots of individual bits I’d not have but that doesn’t invalidate your choices. I just hope you’ve got that stem fixed before I see it in person 😂

    Posted 1 year ago
    ads678
    Full Member

    I think the story and idea benhind the bike are great, and the little finishing touche of the message on the seat post is very nice and give a warm fuzzy feeling inside.

    But I’m with Munrobiker on the look of the bike itself. Not for me at all. I have a personal hatred for silver rims, actually all non black rims, which is strange as I love silver hubs and like a good bit of anodising of other parts as well!

    You like it though and that is all that counts. If it gives you the happiness you want from it then it’s a massive thumbs up from me!

    👍

    Posted 1 year ago
    doomanic
    Full Member

    I think the story and idea behind the bike are great

    This

    it’s not to my taste at all

    And this

    If it gives you the happiness you want from it then it’s a massive thumbs up from me!

    But most definitely this.

    I hesitated to post my opinion of the bike given the circumstances as Julie clearly meant an awful lot to you and I wish you many happy miles riding it and remembering the good times you spent together.

    Posted 1 year ago
    tjagain
    Full Member

    I just hope you’ve got that stem fixed before I see it in person

    Already done – running a shorter stem with 25mm of spacers.  Once I decide on the right length / height I’ll buy a posh one.  gear cables shortened by 6″ as well and run more neatly.

    Posted 1 year ago
    stanfree
    Free Member

    Fantastic TJ , I hope you have many adventures on her. The wee tribute is brilliant . Good work Teej you deserve It.

    Posted 1 year ago
    tjagain
    Full Member

    So you all were being polite.  Very nice of you 🙂  I thought it wouldn’t really be STW taste but I am more than happy with it.  Its classic looking and better IRL

    Ta for the nice words even if some of you had to bite your tongues a bit 🙂

    Posted 1 year ago
    reluctantjumper
    Full Member

    I really like the look of the whole thing regardless of the meaning behind it, a refreshing look compared to modern stuff. I’d have personally gone for a higher tier fork as I find the better dampers are good for keeping my wrists fresh even on smooth terrain, but that’s easily solved without altering anything else and can fully see your reasoning for the choice.

    Love the red though, really suits it.

    Posted 1 year ago
    scotroutes
    Full Member

    So you all were being polite.

    IIRC my first comment on it (can’t recall if it was here or Facebook) was – “couldn’t you get one to fit you?”

    Posted 1 year ago
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