WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHY SANNY
I first came across Ben and his Glasgow-based shop Kinetics many moons ago when he started plying his somewhatremoved- from-mainstream bikes and accessories in a small row of shops just down the road from my parents’ house. Aside from his infectious enthusiasm, I was struck by just how much of a practical problem-solver he is for all things mechanical and electrical and by his love of engineering and industry. While some of us lusted over the latest Deore XT-sporting, Tange Prestige ultralight race frame from some obscure US manufacturer, Ben was already into gearbox hubs, dynamo lights and recumbents coming out of Germany. While most bike shops would be offering fairly standard servicing and repairs, Ben was getting acquainted with a welding torch and soldering iron. Not for him the standard puncture repair and gear adjustment. Rather, if you had a problem that nobody else could solve, like the A Team, Ben would be the man to call. Fitting discs to a Brompton? Sure, no problem. Want to cut your frame in half and fit S&S steel couplings for pain-free flights? He could do that too. Long before drones were a thing, Ben was already building and piloting them himself. You get the picture.
INTERVIEW
Nope. It’s meant to look like that…
READ MORE
Purchase options below
Find the complete article and many more in this issue of
Singletrack
-
121
If you own the issue,
Login to read the full article now.
Single Digital Issue
121
|
|
|
$3.99
|
|
|
This issue and other back issues are not included in a new Singletrack subscription. Subscriptions include the latest regular issue and new issues released during your subscription.
6 Month Digital Subscription
Only $
3.66 per issue
|
SAVE
31%
|
|
$10.99
|
|
|
Annual Digital Subscription
Only $
3.33 per issue
|
SAVE
16%
|
|
$19.99
|
|
|
About Singletrack
Editorial: Longer Shortcuts
Chipps encourages us to expand our mental maps and seek out the hidden byways between here and there. In between, happiness lies.
UK Adventure: There Be Dragons Here! Probably…
Sanny takes advantage of the long dry summer to check out a Lake District route reputed to be so wet, steep and horrible that only a fool would try it.
Column: Jason Miles
Jason just wants to ride a long way. However, he’s not keen on being judged for it.
Classic Ride: Clwydian Hills
Tom Hutton takes us on a tour of this lesser known riding spot in an e ort to persuade us there’s more to Wales than trail centres and Snowdon.
International Adventure: Just When It Was Going So Well
Jason Miles dons his best Lycra and jumps on one of the worst bikes he’s ever ridden to take part in a local Spanish stage race. Spoiler: he doesn’t win, but by getting to hear the tale, you do.
Interview: Simon Gallup - There Is No Cure
Best known as the bassist from Th e Cure, Simon Gallup is a cycle nerd and collector of Orange Bikes. Chipps goes to check out what’s in his shed… quite a lot as it turns out.
Behind The Scenes: Build It And They Will Come
Antony de Heveningham takes a look at unauthorised trail-building and asks
whether this is breathing life into the trail network, or threatening its very existence.
Behind The Scenes: MIPS - Twisting My Melon
Our resident neuroscientist Dr Barney Marsh checks out the technology behind
MIPS helmets and the injury risks driving their development.
Bike Test: XXC
We test out three short-travel, full suspension bikes from Intense, Saracen and Yeti to see how this new crop of slack(ish) but swift bikes compares to their steeper cross country brethren.
Plus much more…