Cont. from Part 1.
NW: So then Featherlight Wheels came along?
BJ: Yeah yeah. It was just an offside to the Johnson bikes. The wheel market had become quite flooded, and I guess last year, it was a case of continue to do it and do it well or don't do it all.
NW: Because there was an earlier incarnation of Featherlight Wheels which has since been usurped?
BJ: Yeah for sure. We were just using basic moulds and that kind of thing. Now as part of the learning process with Johnson Bikes, and applying the ideas and technology that has come through from building and manufacturing carbon fibre bikes we have brought the same quality into the wheelsets. I was contacted by a small exclusive factory over there, and have been working with them for the past 12 months. What we are doing with our wheels now, I am very proud of.
Now as part of the learning process with Johnson Bikes, and applying the ideas and technology that has come through from building and manufacturing carbon fibre bikes we have brought the same quality into the wheelsets
NW: I know the components are incredibly high quality. The Sapim CX Ray spokes are top shelf. The T11 White Industry hubs, everyone knows they are incredible. They roll beautifully and are very stiff. I've been riding these wheels now for the last 6 to 8 weeks and they are amazing wheels. There is no two ways about it. They just roll fast. You've described the 280 degree resin you use in the rims to me previously but to your average punter who hasn't got the same level of wheel knowledge as yourself, what does this mean and how is this different to other carbon wheels?
BJ: We have a 280 degree patented resin which we use throughout the entirety of the rim. A lot of wheel manufactures will build there wheels in parts or sections and you will see cuts or joins in the surface where they glue it all together. So they are using different glues and resins which can make the ride quality a little dull and can create weaknesses within the rim as well.
We've done all ours in EPS moulding which is one piece monocoque moulding and we use the same high quality resin through the entirety of the whole rim. So it is all one piece rather then gluing a few pieces together. There is no differentiation between the braking surface and the deeper section of the rim because we are using that higher quality fibre throughout the entirety of the rim.
We've done all ours in EPS moulding which is one piece monocoque moulding and we use the same high quality resin through the entirety of the whole rim.
NW: The torsional stiffness of the wheels are incredible especially when you get out of the saddle. Is that down to the design of the rim shape or from the use of the patented carbon fibre?
BJ: Yeah it's a few things. The rim shape incorporated features like which tyres you are using on your bike blending that into the aerodynamics. That and the carbon fibre that we are using, which is all being manufactured 'in house' adds to the stiffness of the whole rim. Absolutely.
NW: You have a couple of new frames now, so starting with just the Esquire initially then what came along next?
BJ: The Cavalier came along next. I wanted something a little stiffer in the rear end. Something to sprint on. I was working with Benny Kersten (Australian Track Sprinter and Road racer) a lot during that time. The Esquire is a great bike but someone like Ben who can put out 1800 Watts...
NW: Just like The Pedaler's Josh (Prete)?
BJ: Yeah, (laughs) just like Josh. Yeah, I got a lot of feedback from Ben. He wanted a stiffer bike for the sprinters. We use the same angles and geometry as the Esquire but we have stiffened that whole rear end by creating almost like a triple triangle. We also use more carbon fibre in the rear end which makes it a racier stiffer bike. The down tube is semi aero and the bike generally feels a bit stiffer so it's a racier version of the Esquire but it lacks the vertical compliance of the Esquire.
We also use more carbon fibre in the rear end which makes it a racier stiffer bike.
NW: Then along came the Riddler?
BJ: The Riddler came along again while Benny K was here we had our first version of the Riddler which we tried to set up as a road bike as we saw the whole aero movement coming. Obvously all the angles were incorrect and we couldnt set it up as a road bike. So from that, came the Riddler road bike.
NW: Which looks pretty incredible doesn't it. I mean, damm it is a good looking bike.
BJ: Yeah, you compare the two, the road bike and the time trial bike, it just feels like a downsized version of that. We use all the same traditional angles so it handles very traditionally, but yeah, very quick in a straight line.
NW: So, now you have this stable of bikes and a couple of wheelsets, and also a disc version of the Esquire which has just come out to rave reviews, what comes next? Consolidation?
BJ: Yeah it's good now, we've got retailers like you (The Pedaler) selling them and it is getting a lot more exposure. The more people riding them mean they are being noticed a lot more. I have been growing the whole business organically up till now and hopefully with more people riding them the word gets outs that they're great bikes. Things like the article in Bicycling Australia was awesome because it's one thing me telling you they're fantastic. I'm always going to tell you they are fantastic, but to get the credibility of an independent review like that saying they're great bikes as well was fantastic.
NW: I guess the big question everyone wants to know is, when do you think you are going to come back and win Grafton to Inverell mate? (2nd in 2013 to Jack Anderson)
BJ: (laughs) When is it May? (Laughs).
NW: Yeah mate. 12 months away. (Laughs)
BJ: We'll see. I know these guys at The Pedaler are always hounding me to do it. I'd like to race again so never say never. The comeback could be on.
NW: I know that loss to Jack Anderson still burns pretty deep mate (laughs).
BJ: Yeah it burns deep (laughs). I can never sleep at night before Grafton to Inverell rolls around. It still haunts me.
NW: And locally, I guess you see an expansion of the iconic Noosa Bike Shop as well?
BJ: Absolutely. There is a great culture in Noosa for cycling. There is a big government and council push to make Noosa a real sports hub of Queensland. I think the Noosa bike Shop has the potential to be a big part of that. So moving forward we want to create a nice culture here for cycling and I think the Noosa Bike Shop can play a big part in that.
NW: Cheers mate
BJ: No worries. Sorry I'm a bit shit at interviews.
NW: You go OK mate.