A new bike at last. Well, almost.

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There’s some good weather coming up this week, perfect for riding, but I now so dislike my Blur I’d rather go for a run! Having worked out when the tax man will actually want his money I raided my savings and ordered my new bike through Stuart at Riders Cycle Centre - a 16" Ragley Blue Pig X in green with a Nukeproof Warhead 50mm stem and Nukeproof Warhead headset. I will probably get a Ragley Carbon Wiser bar after I’ve tested Stuart’s selection of bars so I can decide what rise works best for me. The rest of the kit will be transferred from my Blur after which it will then be discarded into the far corner of my garage or possibly hung in Stuart’s workshop in the Corner of Shame.

Eventually I’ll get a Shimano Alfine 11 speed hub, which will probably coincide with a new bottom bracket and cranks. I’m still on a square taper!

Ever since I rode Stuart’s test Piglet for two weeks I’ve realised how much my riding has changed and how unsuitable for me the Blur is. I should say a big thank you to Stuart, if it had been a one day test I wouldn’t have bought one because it didn’t really suit me at first. I don’t really get desperate for new kit but I enjoyed the Piglet so much I struggle to motivate myself to ride my old bike. I’m almost evangelical about the Ragley geometry now - Dan Clarke, you know you want one!

Hopefully it will arrive by Thursday and after bribing Stuart with beer, he’ll help me build it the same day. By Friday I’ll have already scratched it.

Update: It’s Tuesday and it’s not arrived. Not that it should have by now but it should have.

Update: It’s Wednesday. Half hoping it would arrive early. It hasn’t.

Update: It’s Thursday. It’s not arrived. Poo. Apparently it’s not even been posted. Double poo.

Update: It’s Tuesday, the bike arrived yesterday and I’m not working today so I’m off to see Stuart and build THE BIKE. Very excited, almost enough to punch the air like Rocky.