[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″][et_pb_text use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” _builder_version=”3.12″]

The final interview from the ‘Bikes from the Bunch’ feature in #RIDE75, Tim talks about his Giant TCR…

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_4″][et_pb_text use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” _builder_version=”3.12″]

Tim

Computer app. programmer 

  • Age: 46.
  • Height: 169cm.
  • Weight: 63kg.

 

The bike?

“Giant TCR – I had to get SRAM Red to make it look a little bit different and I’ve got red Chris King hubs so I can find my bike at the coffee shop.

“I come from Wollongong and these are everywhere – when I was young I used to work at a bike shop and we didn’t stock Giant. This was when I was at uni and I thought: ‘I’m never ever getting a Giant…’ but I did and I’m happy with it still.”

 

The Groupset?

“I really like it. I love the gear change lever. It didn’t take long to get used to at all.

“I’d maybe go Shimano electronic. I wouldn’t mind trying electronic SRAM and going 11-speed. I’m sure I’d pick up the shifting technique quickly. 

“I used Shimano electronic and the one thing I didn’t like was that it didn’t click loud enough, there was no feel to it. I hated that. 

“I’d like to try disc brakes down Tawonga Gap – I’ve been down there a few times but I’m still on the brakes. I couldn’t follow Wayne (Hildred) – they’re not braking on that descent… well, they might brake on a couple of corners!” 

 

Kilometre count?

“I don’t usually count but it’s between 400 and 500 (per week) I think. That’s only since I moved here – I can’t help myself! It’s such a good riding scene.

“In Wollongong I’d just roll up and down Mount Keira a few times a week and not do much, but here I’ve been riding heaps. 

“Mountain biking is unreal here, I haven’t raced for a while and I might get back into that. I don’t like the technical, the jumps and things. I’ve done the hero trail, it’s easy enough to ride down, the faster you go the more you have to jump, but I keep braking! And the amount of fire roads around here – you can go for a road and mountain bike ride and it’s unreal.”

 

Good points?

“This bike handles well, it climbs really well, it does everything and it’s a good price. I used to like going down hills before I came here and now I realise I’ve still got some work to do! 

“I’m into the wider tyres now. I’ve got 25mm on now and it’s going better than when I had 23, the roads around here are pretty rough and I run lower pressure so it feels better.

‘Back in the day people would go, ‘Yeah, put 150psi in…’ but being light the most I’d ever pump my tyres up to would be 120. Most of the time I felt better with 90 or 100. Now I’m running 85.”

 

Bad Points?

“There’s probably not a lot I’d change. I’d just get a different bike. I love the stem, the oversized massive thing.

“I’d go 11-speed, but it’s cheaper to buy a new bike.

“I’ve got a 28 cassette with a 52-39 on the front. The 28 is unreal, I wouldn’t go smaller. Here nothing is really that steep but some days you just wanna pedal.”

 

– Interviews by Graham Springett

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_image animation=”left” sticky=”off” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” _builder_version=”3.12″ src=”https://www.ridemedia.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/4-IMG_1110.jpg” /][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”1_4″][et_pb_text use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” _builder_version=”3.12″]

This interview originally appeared in print in the final issue of RIDE Cycling Review (#75) published in February 2017.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_4″][et_pb_text use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” _builder_version=”3.12″]

All the ‘Bikes from the (Bright) Bunch’ interviews, click the links below:

 

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]