Quirk Custom Pursuit Pista
Tubing – Seat tube made of Reynolds 853 custom bent, oversized D shaped down tube, rear triangle and fork blades Columbus Max, fork crown Samson Aero / Headset – Campagnolo Athena / Stem – 3tt Strada Aero / Seatpost – Thompson Elite / Bars – 3ttt 51.151 Bullhorns / Bar ends – 3ttt / Bar tape – Fizik Microtex / Saddle – Selle San Marco Laser perforated / Cranks – Rotor 3D24 / Chainring – Rotor 52t Track / Cog – EAI Gold Medal Pro 15t / Chain – D.I.D Racing Pro / Rear Wheel – Zipp 900 Track Disc 700c / Rear Tyre – Vittoria Corsa G+ tubular 25mm / Front Wheel – Wolber 4 spoke 650c / Front Tyre – Vittoria Junior 26” Tubular 21mm
The experience? Is honestly like nothing I’ve ever ridden. When Rob Quirk and I put this together he really focused on the ride quality. The main issue you get with lopro’s is arguably one of their best quality’s... agility. With a smaller front wheel you get a more responsive front end – which can lead to unstable, twitchy behaviour. Too much twitch and you’re looking at things sideways. I was adamant I wanted bent fork blades, which increases the rake and gives for smoother handling through flex, you throw in some geo wizardry from Rob... and you’ve got that sweet spot right between your shoulders.
When it came to tubing I had to go for Columbus MAX, mainly because of its brilliant stiffness and weight, but also, because it was an ode to the numerous record braking frames built around the 90’s grail period. I also went for a bent seat tube, just in the same way I wanted bent fork blades; because a stiff frame is brilliant, but flex is also incredibly important. We all know road vibrations can be an absolute killer: on your body, your stamina and your efficiency. So it was important I designed a frame that didn’t just feel the road, but became a part of it. Giving the bike suppleness when you need it, confidence through the turns and balance in the straights. The wishbone seat stay was something I’ve always found beautiful, made of max tubing the rear triangle is super stiff. Which gives instant feedback from the push, and out of the seat pedalling a very strong stance. The 3 aero fins are reminiscent of those beautiful 90’s builds, and go from front to back. Formed by a steel plate blended beautifully with epoxy by the craftsmen at Cole Coatings Workshop. You could argue they add stiffness to the frame and aero gains... in my head they definitely do, n’ being honest, ain’t that half the struggle?
I’ve had this frame for three years now, I’ve learnt how to set it up perfect, I’ve made some small changes to the stem and bars; and can now say it’s truly dialled in. Every time I sit on that saddle my heart rate rises, and that first corner never fails to surprise me. It rides like it wants to be ridden, and it asks you to give more. How it looks, the sound it makes, all fade into the distance. It’s the feeling a bike gives you that matters; and this one is truly special.
Check out Jack and his attack machine @2dayz2morrow