Some time ago I wondered "out loud" on twitter about sourcing a spare bike for the next cross season. Ideally I was hoping to find another
2012 Kona Major Jake to partner The Existing Major. The problem with that idea, is, if you remember, that I got that bike at a reduced price due to it being the last in stock... rethink!!!
I then received a message from
Helen Wyman saying that she might have one of her old frames available at the end of the season when they have a clear out.
Cut to a few weeks ago and Helen let me know that she did indeed have a 2013 Major Jake frame if I still wanted it. A very brief exchange of DMs ending with "well, that was easy" and the deal was done. Helen said she'd chucked a "few goodies" in with the frame when she posted it.
The plan is to build it up with :
FSA chainset, seatpost, bars and stem,
Shimano Ultegra (10s) shifters and mechs,
Avid Shorty Ultimate cantilever brakes. (all as per the current Major)
And using one of my existing set of CX wheels running Challenge Open Tubulars,
A note regarding sizing, the existing Major is a 59cm frame, though I am right at the bottom of the size range for that and had been considering going for a 56cm frame for the new one regardless of from where it was sourced. So they will look a slightly different next to each other.
The frame arrived yesterday and true to her word, Helen had chucked a few things in there. Primarily a set of TRP EuroX Magnessium brakes (definitely NOT standard fit equipment) and a Selle Italia SL saddle which is, in Helen's words "not the most comfortable but it just matches so perfectly ha ha" (it does).
 |
| 2013 Major Jake Frame - Slightly Used |
 |
| TRP EuroX Magnesium Brakes |
 |
| One previous, careful, lady owner, only ridden at weekends* |
 |
| The SL Saddle which matches really well. |
|
|
|
My plan is to get the bike built up over the next month or so as I get the remaining parts, and to document it here.
I'm definitely leaving Helen's name on the frame, although, as I will be racing this Major, I need to work out where to put my name decals on there too (if that's not too presumptuous)
And Helen did include the following message in with the frame:
I definitely cannot guarantee the winning but I CAN guarantee the second part, I'm very privileged to have access to the bike and will be proud to race him come the new CX season.
Thank you, Helen.
*OK, when I tweeted the "one careful lady owner" comment, I did get some amused replies... Helen followed up with "It was one of 3 so could easily have been one not crashed! Equally it could have won Koppenberg too #winning"
-----
Coming Soon:
A proper update on my work situation.
An initial review of the
SportCrafters Omnium Trainer (with a follow up later in the year).
A few other reviews and hopefully a brief report from stages 1 and 2 of the inaugural
Friends Life Women's Tour
Panda
x
