George Gordon, Lord Byron

So Trixie the Fixie is gone away . . . but in the spirit of Mary Shelley’s story from the fireside at the Villa Diadati, all is not lost. Out of the body parts of Trixie rises another bike. Continuing my theme of naming bikes after Dead Poets, this one’s called Byron:

This is basically the same frame pattern that Trixie was based on - a Releigh mid 80s lugged & brazed steel number.

I’ve stripped off the braze-ons for the down-tube shifters and the front mech, and then sprayed the beastie with black Hammerite smooth paint.

It’s my first attempt at spray painting, so the finish isn’t perfect - a little orange-peel in places, rather than smooth shiny gloss black. But overall, I’m still quite pleased with the result.

This frame is a size smaller than Trixie’s was (~22″ rather than the massive 24″), but there doesn’t seem to be any noticeable difference in the handling. Maybe just a little less flex when climbing, or more stiffness over bumps when cornering. But I could be imagining that.

Things left to do on this bike:

• Get the decals sorted out. Anyone out there who wants to pitch in with a logo for Dead Poet Bikes, drop me a line!
• Sort out a winter configuration. Currently, this bike is most definitely mad, bad & dangerous to know. But come winter, I want to change the handlebars for more sensible ones, add a carrier rack & mudguards.
• Change the saddle. Maybe. I’m thinking a Brooks B17 . . . ?
• Ride the Coast To Coast on it in five weeks’ time.
• Smile - a lot!
• 

Filed under: Bike Culture, Cycle, Photographs, Whitley Bay