GanWell Pro

Back in March I had a dilemma concerning a suitable build for the Japanese Keirin frame I’d managed to lay my sticky paws on. (I’ve imported that post from my old blog since it preceded my move to WordPress, read it here). Well, 2 weeks ago I finished building it and took it for my first brakeless spin around the Cornish countryside.. but more on that in a mo, first I’m going to gush on about the bike itself because, possibly sadly, I’m stupidly proud of it! For once I can really say it’s unique and irreplaceable, one of the last four built in Japan by the hand of the builder Mr Doi. To quote:

“Mr.Doi, the frame-builder of Ganwell passed away last week by the pancreatic problem. He was building frames until the day he was hospitalized.”
“This Sunday is his 60 year old birthday and it was also his retirement day. I have strong respect on Mr.Doi who spent all his life to make great bikes. He was very proud that messengers around the world use his bikes among Keirin racers. Even he was a quiet guy, he was talking about that all the time.”

My build is not a pukka NJS certified build but is still one that I feel does justice to this fine frame, being a little more friendly to use on the road rather than velodrome and using some components I’ve always wanted to own…. That’s not to say it may not change in future (stand by for polished sprint rims in the near future). It’s very much a useable machine, within the limits of having no brakes other than the fixed wheel, and I’ve built it to ride rather than hang on the wall….

As for riding brakeless… well, yes I know strictly speaking the law requires me to have two brakes, the fixed wheel counts as one hence my other fixies also carry a front rim brake. In this case though it would have been plain ‘wrong’ to fit a fork drilled for a brake so I’m happy to accept certain limitations that require me to avoid particularly steep descents, especially those with junctions and sharp bends at the bottom, and turn round and ride the other way should I bump into the Old Bill. The rest of the time my fixie riding skills and general spatial awareness are good enough to enjoy a variety of local rides (dry weather only for this machine), especially those involving a stop at a beach cafe, where she invariably turns heads {insert smug grin here}. I suppose it is riskier but right now I have no-one to answer to but myself and adrenalin always did feel good….. ;o)

Just in case you really want to know the details here is the build list (I know the bike geeks are watching..):

• Frame and Fork: Gan Well Pro, Columbus Genius tubing
• Headset: Hatta (it has one of those weird 27mm crown race diameters)
• Hubs: Phil Wood High Flange Track
• Rims: Ambrosio Excellence
• Tyres: Veloflex Pave
• Sprocket: Phil Wood
• Crankset: Campagnolo Record Pista, 170mmx49T
• Bottom Bracket: Campagnolo Record Pista
• Seatpin: Nitto S83
• Saddle: Fi’zi:k Arione
• Stem: Nitto Pearl, 110mm
• Bars: Nitto B123

and that’s it, refreshingly short once you lose gears and brakes!

OK, I’ve gushed enough. It’s lunch time, I’ve baked a dirty great soda bread this morning and it’s about ready to come out of the oven… the smell wafting round the house is awesome. After that there’s the grass to cut and then as ’tis sunny I shall go for a spin… no, wait – I have that wrong., I meant I shall go for a spin and then might cut the grass after that if I have the time and inclination.

Race tomorrow. Forecast is ‘damp’. I’ll let you know how it goes.