The Joe Waugh has subsequently seen twenty years of inconsistent use. There have been years when it has done little, there have been years when it has done lots. It took a step down the pecking order in 2000 when the arrival of Bianchi Scandium (Pantani Team Issue) relegated the JW to winter-use and second bike obligations.
The Bianchi went in 1996 to be replaced by a Scott Addict Ltd and a significant increase in mileage and fitness. The position on the Scott and the Joe Waugh could not be matched. The Scott felt perfect from day one whilst old faithful suddenly started to show its age. A full professional respray and change of bars/stem/groupset breathed new life into it but it just wasn't as nice as the Scott. Nonetheless this was still part of the family. It took me from Lands End to John O Groats, it towed a Burley trailer with one and then two children in it. It had a trailgator attached and saw me and my youngest cover hundreds of miles up hill and down dale.
My current racing and fitness, whilst nothing to get too excited about have seen me gain my British Cycling 3rd Cat licence and the decision to upgrade the Scott. This also brought the realisation that perhaps the Joe Waugh had reached the end of the line and that a new second bike could be created. The thinking being that a new race-bike would allow me to sell the Scott, or to move on the frame and transfer its Dura-Ace 7800 components and Ksyrium SL's onto a good allrounder of a frame.
What is a good allrounder? Is is alloy, perhaps steel, even carbon?
I am blessed by a plethora of good bike shops locally and two played a part in this process. I dropped in to Paul Hewitt Cycles in Leyland and spoke to Gethin Butler of End to End Record fame. I explained my criteria and was given first-class service and advice. He told me that an alloy frame could be acceptable but could also feel somewhat lifeless. A steel frame would be fantastic, but a little portly and would require the levels of maintenance and occasional respray that I have been familiar with. Carbon could be good and could be light but may fail to stand the test of time against hard miles and harder winters. His view was that titanium represented the ideal combination of feel, weight and resilience. On the basis that the Joe Waugh had served me for 20 years the initial outlay, whilst significant, would still be seen as good value.
Further research saw me looking at the offerings of Van Nicholas and Kinesis. The Kinesis Granfondo Ti looks beautiful with a perfect blend of contemporary and classic about it. The reviews look good and the Kinesis reputation cannot be overlooked.
Now at this point I offer a suggestion. Use your local bike shop. I got a price online with a nice discount from Wheelies.com but then went in to see Eric Burgess at Pendle Cycles in Padiham, Burnley. I have known Eric for over 25yrs and use him whenever possible. He offered to pricematch and so the order was placed. Just because the sticker price in the shop is higher than you have seen doesn't mean that a deal can't be done.
I picked up the new frame today. I also bought two bottle-cages, a pair of Conti Gatorskins and some SKS Chromoplastic guards. These smaller purchases may or may not have been cheaper elsewhere, but that isn't always the point.
This afternoon has seen the build and transfer commence. A first ride review and further pictures will be posted in due course.
Photos are of the new frame and the donor Scott. Expect images of the Joe Waugh and the completed build.
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