Eddy Merckx 7-Eleven Team Build

The Modern Classic 

I recently built-up this bike for a friend. The goal of the build was to use a classic frame built with modern components while keeping the classic look.

The frame is an original team edition Eddy Merckx 7-Eleven team frame, it even has a number holder. The frame was recently refurbished and repainted and looks like new.

The components I chose are a mix of new 11 speed Campagnolo Athena and Veloce in silver. I also sourced some older parts like silver Campagnolo hubs and a 1" threaded Record headset to allow the build to transition from classic to modern without the use of black components.

I think the build turned out nicely. Here are some photos:

Little 500 Bikes

Over the years I have had the opportunity to race some really awesome cycling events. But none compare to the Indiana University Little 500. Racing in the Little 500 is an experience like no other, the lead up to the race, the sound and crowds on race day, the whole experience is pretty amazing.

For those of you who are not familiar with the race, look it up. In short it is a 200 lap, intramural bicycle race made up 33 teams of 4 riders that must change riders at least 10 times during the 2hr race. The race is on a, just over, 1/4 mile cinder track on single speed, coaster brake, drop bar bikes. Its highly competitive and tons of fun.

I have been lucky enough to be able to continue to stay in contact and help the team I rode for while in school, Black Key Bulls. Once again this year I have built the teams new race bikes. Here are a few shot of the bikes and a bit of insight into the bike regulations and how to make a Little 500 ride as well as possible.

2015 marks the 65th running of the Little 500.

Each team gets two bikes. This helps get things at least close for riders of different heights. 

There are lots of regulations on how the bikes have to be set-up. My favorite, steel one piece cranks. Not that many "nice" steel crake out there. We choose to run 170 crank arms to help with spinning the  slightly too easy of gear that is required. 

Also required are 1/2" plastic pedals. The Odyssey Twisted PC pedals are a popular choice. 

I also swap the bottom bracket bearings for Odyssey Dynatron sets. This helps the cranks spin a little better.  

Along with the steel crankset, a steel 46t front chainring is required. I buy 5-6 of them and try to find the roundest and straightest one. Its very hard to get a Little 500 bikes drivetrain to run smooth. 

The heart if any Little 500 bike, the coaster brake rear hub. 

A couple of years ago we started using Velo Steel hubs. Arguably the nicest coaster brake hub out there. Made in the Czech Republic.   

One of the features of the Velo Steel hubs is the cog screws on like a track hub. 

18t rear cog is required. 

Velo Steel

I have to make sure the rear wheel doesn't slip! Serrated washers help with that.   

A new rule in the last few years, all teams must ride Panaracer Pasela tires in 700x32. Luckly this is a perfect tire for the race.

Hopefully this bike will cross the line first on April 25th!

 

2015 Season

The weather has finally broken here in Wisconsin. The sun has been out the last couple days and the thermometer finally reads over 40F.

The last couple years I have taken the approach of waiting till the weather turns to really start training on the bike. I don't think there is any reason to try and get quality miles in when the weather is so unpredictable like it can be here in Madison. So I wait and do other things to try and stay in shape, run, lift and ride to work as much as I can. Of course as soon as the weather gets any better, even though it will probably snow again, it's time to start training for real.

Although I may not have been training on the bike outside the last couple months, it doesn't mean I haven't been preparing for the 2015 season. We have been working hard to figure out gear, racing schedule, and all of the other logistics that go into trying to bike race at the highest level.

I couldn't be happier with how the things are looking for the upcoming season. We have a great team of supporters. The 5Nines/Motorless Motion Bicycles/Cannondale team looks like it will have its best season yet.

First off, I'm very happy to be once again teammates with my good friend Corey Stelljes. The last few years we have both worked hard to improve ourselves as bike racers. Having someone with similar goals to train with and talk to is really great. I know we will be able to work together to win bike races again this year!

Last year was my first year working with Brian Matter as a coach. I think I made important gains with his training philosophy. And like Corey, it was great to have someone who is very familiar with what it takes to be a successful athlete in your corner. I will be working with Brian and Momentum Endurance again in 2015/16 and I think we will be able to make more progress in the coming season!

I have always been a bicycle nut and I love gear and the latest components. I want to be totally confident in my bike and my gear. We have carried over some awesome partners for 2015:

Again for 2015, Borah Teamwear will be providing us with some of the best custom clothing out there. Feels good (literally, their clothing fits awesome) to be riding in jerseys made right here in Wisconsin. Not only that, Borah is awesome to work with. Their custom program allows you to easily get a great looking jersey, and the whole crew is friendly and easy to talk to. Not to mention their turnaround times are the best of any custom clothing company I have worked with.

Another returning sponsor for 2015 is Sport Crafters. Based near my home town in Indiana, Sport Crafters produces some of the most innovative trainers and rollers in the industry. The "Overdrive" drum turns adds magnetic resistance, which classic rollers lack, allowing a rider to do short intervals.  These intervals on rollers are a great way to improve pedaling efficiency and balance.

The best trainer out there, Sport Crafters Omnium. The Omnium folds up into a package small enough to take on a plane, or not fill up a loaded down car on the way to a race.

 And yes, those pasty white legs belong to yours truly.

We are excited to have three new companies on board for 2015, POC, Lake Shoes, and NOX Composites. All three represent some of the cycling industry's most cutting edge products. We couldn't be happier to be partnering with these three for the coming season! 

We'll be riding NOX Skyline rims. Super light, wide, strong and they set-up tubeless perfectly. Can you ask for anything more? 

POC makes some super sweet helmets and riding gear. Our new Octal helmets are well constructed, ventilated, and light. Plus the new "navy black" looks pretty awesome. 

I won't write too much about our bikes set-ups now, they deserve their own posts, but I will say it doesn't get any better then my 2015 Cannondale Scalpel, F-Si and SuperSix EVO. These bikes are amazing! Enhanced by the best components and wheels out there! 

I couldn't have been happier with my SRAM XX1 components the last two years. XX1 gives such a wide range of gears while still being super light and the shifting is spot on every time. This year even better with a new lighter and stiffer direct mount ring, and in all black!

A sneak peak of the new full suspension race rig. My favorite paint job yet!

So what races am I going to be doing this summer with all this sweet gear? Once again my primary focus will be the largest state mountain bike series in the country, WORS. 

We're so lucky to have such a great, professionally run series right here in Wisconsin. 

Outside of WORS, I'll be looking for results at the triple crown races, Ore To Shore, Chequamegon Fat Tire 40, and of course, my favorite, the Iceman Commeth Challenge. I'll throw in some of my other favorites as well, Snake Alley Criterium and Wisconsin State Championships. 

All in all I am so happy and thankful for all the support from so many great companies and people. I know 2015 is going to be my best season yet and I couldn't do it without all the support. Thanks everybody!