Tony Williams FLPI MIOD MCMI MBCS
Ignore the letters after the name, they're just to let some people know I'm not as daft as I appear to be. I've picked up numerous qualifications and awards through the many jobs I've had. And I've had many, in fact I've had more jobs than I've had bikes but this is the first time I've had one that combines the two. Happy days.
Why am I testing and critiquing bikes?
Because I was asked to and because I can. The boys in the local bike shops wanted an independent view on their bikes and components and a medium in which to broadcast it. So here we are, a mutually beneficial relationship. I get to ride and test all sorts of exotica, they get an honest opinion and feebback.
As they're obviously slightly biased towards the kit they sell, I said I would test bikes and equipment but I would have to be honest in my appraisal. I don't get paid, I don't get discounts and I don't get edited. What you get is my opinion (which for those of you that know me, know I'm never scared of giving) on how something performs and, if any, its shortcomings.
I'm not going to compare everything I ride to a Colnago C50 (being thrashed above in the Forest of Arenberg) or the latest super-bike. I've ridden around thirty to forty bikes of varying pedigrees, so have a pretty good basis against which to compare bikes.
Everything I test will be assessed on its merits, its price, and its target market. I'll review them with the potential purchaser in mind and the type of person that reads this website. You!
The opinions expressed are my own personal view, you don't have to agree and you don't have to take my word for it. Every bike I ride, you can ride as well.
If you ask nicely, you'll be able to road test any bike you're thinking of spending your hard earned cash on. So read a report, ride it yourself and draw your own conclusions before you put your hand in your pocket.
What makes me think I'm qualified?
I've been riding bikes since I was too young to remember. I've been racing bikes since I came to Jersey in 1985; with varying degrees of lack of success. Before that I was racing cars; so I know the odd thing or two about vehicle dynamics and how things work at speed, under load, when braking and cornering.
When you spin a racing car at 120 mph, in the rain, at Silverstone, with a Ferrari bearing down on you at 160 mph you learn a lot about levels of grip, survival instincts and your own mortality. You also learn to pay more attention to what's happening underneath you.
That's why I descend like I do. I can hear the tyres on the road, I can see every drop of oil and I always have a planned escape route. I've yet to crash on a descent, but when I do you can bet it'll be a biggie!
Here's a post script. June 2010 we had a biggie, imagine the above on a bike, but with lycra instead of a fire suit. Here's the details...
There are very few people who can take a bike to and past its limits and (normally) bring it back in one piece. I like to think I'm one of them. However, if you see me with my clothes off you can have a go at counting the 30 or so visible scars I've managed to collect over the years. So I'm not as good as I like to think I am.
I've had a fair few bikes in my time, about twenty at the last count. I most definitely fall in to the category of having more money than talent. I don't have much money either, which tells you how little talent I have. What I can do though is test things and give you an objective feedback on what's happening.
Hope you enjoyed the report.
