Who Are We?
Paul
When he’s not doing fiddly things with suspension, Paul can be found on anything with two wheels – motorbikes or bicycles, it doesn’t matter much. Paul describes himself as something of a ‘retired whippet’. In reality, he’s still faster than the rest of us! He enjoys XC riding, and recently rediscovered the joy of cycling for fun. Paul’s also starting to show an interest in leaving the ground, albeit incompetently (but looking good in the accessorised pink tutu!).
At the moment, Paul’s road rig is a Kona Paddy Wagon. His mountain bike is a Trek Remedy, set up with Rockshox U-Turn Lyrik Coil conversions, which he absolutely loves.
Mike
Mike’s our resident Rockshox expert, and knows his way around a Boxxer like no one else in the UK and Europe - perhaps even the world!!. He’s also into his motorbikes, and wants to start racing Enduro soon – stay tuned for reports on the A&E visits. Mike doesn’t like being cold – he much prefers touring and drinking in the South of France, when we let him out of the workshop.
Mike’s current mountain bike rig is a Trek Fuel EX, compete with SID Team forks, and a PUSHed Fox RP2, both of which have been tuned by the guys here.
Dave
Dave’s the man to talk to about Fox suspension. Back in the day, he wrenched bikes for the Athertons, but now he tends to stick to his own kit, which is kept immaculately clean. Dave’s now most at home clipped in to a bike and riding trails, because he’s had enough of pushing DH bikes back up the hill!
Dave’s got lots of bikes – some might say too many for one person, but they’re wrong. His current baby is a Cotic Soul trail bike, with some very heavily modified long travel Rebas up front!
Oscar
Oscar’s one of the young guns in the workshop, and as proved on a recent ride, he’s got some serious style. He rides everything from Road to BMX to Downhill, and describes himself as ‘a jack of all trades, and master of none’. That’s not quite true though; he really is rather good - despite a fresh and very serious leg injury, Oscar shows us all up on the jumps, going straight for the biggest stuff he can throw himself at!
Included in Oscar’s current stable are a BMX bike, a beautifully painted rat bike for taking to work, and a rather special Kona Howler with Rockshox Coil U-Turn Lyriks up front, and a Fox RP3 on the rear. It’s a bit harsh on some landings, but he’s got plans to fettle it and improve the way the shock ramps up. Bring on the big hits!!
Greg
Greg is our newest technician, and has just finished a Motorsport degree at college. He is equally at home on trails and neatly cut dirt jumps, throwing a bike around and generally being a danger to himself and others! Since joining TF Tuned a few months ago, Greg's already managed to increase his bike stable, adding a (very bright) NS jump bike running Pikes, and a tidy-looking Trek Remedy complete with Rockshox Lyriks. We've all got frame envy at the moment.
Abi
Abi is the newest recruit to the team and is helping with all aspects of admin. She has been racing XC for as long as she can remember and is sponsored by our friends over at Charge Bikes. She has been racing Enduro XC races this year (and winning them!!) and is hoping to get even fitter this Winter ready for the 2011 national series. She trains and commutes on a Charge Juicer road bike and races on a Titanium Charge Duster complete with World Cup SIDs.
Check out her rider blog on the Charge website here: Abi's Blog
Ian
Ian is one of the business owners and our numbers man – he makes sure we don’t spend too much on tea and cakes so that we can still service suspension! He can usually be found complaining about the computers, or on holiday! He’s also partial to a pork pie or two, normally with ridiculous amounts of tomato ketchup.
Ian’s just bought a new Trek road bike which he’s very excited about, aswell as a Gary Fisher 29’er for off-road. He says mountain biking is easy, and that he can do anything a mountain biker can do, but better. We’re not sure he’s actually put this into practice though....
Martin
Martin is Ian's partner in the business, and takes care of a lot of the admin stuff. He can usually be found chasing jobs up, and generally tying up loose ends!
Martin is the proud owner of a Giant Defy 1, which is ridiculously light but didn't like the Pave too much when he took it on his boys trip to Belgium. He's not averse to a bit of cross-country too, as long as the gradient isn't too steep! His latest bike is a Trek Fuel with all the trimmings, a very capable off-road machine for a nearly capable off-road rider! After Bristol Bikefest and Mayhem Martin's interest in events and racing has been revitalised -especially as he is now well and truly a veteran!
Helen and Tim
The world famous Flooks team - they built the business and then sold it to Martin and Ian in order to live life a little more (more races, more trips in the camper etc.)
They have been doing this but fortunately can't stay away from the business entirely. Helen is back in from time to time helping out with all of the office jobs - speaking to customers, getting money out of them and generally keeping everyone on their toes. Tim comes in to offer his 'wisdom' (usually at about 11am when coffee and cake is being served!) and will always don an apron and help the boys out with an old skool RockShox fork. |