Bike profile – Graeme Obree

I just got back from Eurobike a few weeks ago, when the phone rang and I was asked if I was available to shoot a video of Chris Hoy riding the HOY 100 sportive, with Graeme Obree and the Garner sisters. It sounded like a fun project and it indeed ended being a wonderful day out. I’m sure you’ll see the whole video soon over at Evans Cycles, but one of the highlights of the day for me was Graeme Obree’s bike.

His always been famous for his revolutionary bike designs and why would his own leisure bike be any different? I will not attempt to describe the bike, so just flick through the photos below for a bit of old school bike porn. Oh, and he totally killed the climbs with that 39-23 ‘granny gear’.

The bike

The rear end is probably the most conventional, the rear mech is probably an old Dura Ace one. Note the 12-23 cassette.

Some say you need to spin it to win it – not an easy task with this 55-39 chainset Obree had on the front.

The most interesting part of the bike was the handlebar/brake lever combo. I’ve never seen anything quite like this.

It didn’t seem massively comfortable or safe for the causal observer, but having seen him going super fast down the hills, this unique design must be working all right for him.