I’m one of those rare curiosities, a rider who has never taken to suspension. I keep trying it, but just don’t get on with all that movement and change in geometry and lack of feel. So I keep coming back to a fully rigid bike (I think I was the only unsuspended rider in the 2004 TransAlp). And owing to doing some design work for Danish company Spectre, I had the opportunity to finally get the bike I’ve always wanted, since the MTB bug bit me 15 years ago (on a Stumpjumper Comp, which I’ve still got!).

So, one custom built (in Taiwan) double butted 3/2.5 titanium frame, designed to mate with an early Pace RC31 carbon fork (when they were a sensible length, and not made to replace a 4in travel fork), which I managed to track down second hand. USE Sumo Ti post to match the frame, Spectre stem and carbon bars, American Classic wheels (with half silver, half black funky spokes), Middleburn Duo RS7 cranks (they don’t do the RS8s in 170mm), SRAM X.9 shifters and rear mech (won at the Karapoti Classic in New Zealand), Campag Chorus compact front mech.

I was just going to get gold bolts (mix of aluminium and titanium) to add a bit of colour, but then Magura only had the gold Marta SLs in stock, and I found a Gold KMC chain, so it all got a bit bling… Nokon cables, encased in clear heatshrink tubing to stop them corroding. Finished off with Spectre carbon bottle cages and an SLR saddle. My passive suspension is the big fat Specialized FastTrax 2.0 tyres, run with Stan’s NoTubes (24psi front, 28 rear).

Total weight ready to race is 18.5lbs, and I used it this year to win the Bristol Bikefest 12hr for the third time. Only thing is, now I’ve got the bike I’ve always wanted, I’ve got nothing left to lust after!

More pics and full specs at: http://rob.bikerevuk.com/mybikes/spectreti.html