And You Thought My Other Bike Was Crap / Tom Ehlen Duathlon Prep

I'm doing the Tom Ehlen Duathlon tomorrow in Titahi Bay. I've not run for ages so did a couple of quick runs to get the running shanks back online earlier this week. They are still sore and feel like the muscle has been shaken of the bone.

I reckoned the course would suit a geared bike so needed to resurrect my old Marin circa 1994...

Its been around Europe touring, done some 100km marathon events in Wales and has always done me OK. The only real issue with it is that it is shit. I cop some grief for my last century singlespeed, mainly by folk who are only used to seeing the back of it ;-) With it's Gucci bolt-on disc adapter, my Marin makes my black SS look like Clive's Anthem.

But all this aside I still reckon it will be a good horse for tomorrow's 12km MTB leg.

Lets examine the beast for some "FTW" performance enhancers......
1. No granny ring. These are for pussys.
2. Odd cranks. The 'modern' Deore crank enhances the 1993 Deore LX on the non-drive. Very thin for max aero dynamics.
3. Front mech that does not fit and is shimmed out with innertube.
4. Xtra long bolt replaces low adjuster so the granny position is out of bounds.
5. Zip ties secure f.mech cable. All cable stops were ground off this bike a few years ago. Continuous housings won't work on a front mech, so these ties secure the outer against the bb guide like so...
This donkey features other neat features such as non-matching shifters, brakes and wheels (both over 10yrs old at least). Oh, and of course like every other hardout - an XTR mech.

Looking forward to getting aboard for tomorrows event. It is only down the road and I'll be trying my best as the family are coming including father-in-law who has held NZ Track cycling titles back in the 70's. Legend.

Clive and me will be no doubt putting up reports on the Duathlon tomorrow.

Later skaters.
Davo