Took a break from the monotony of chasing invoices and writer's block to pop in on Justin Burls. He's recently relocated, albeit only by a mile or so to more spacious premises complete with centrally heated indoor workshop. Arguably still relevant as a frame material, steel has been eclipsed by unprecedented demand for his bespoke titanium range/complete bike builds. However, it was this ferrous fixer that captured my imagination Built in the late 90s using Columbus tubes, it's quaintessentially a road frameset with track ends.
All Justin's work is one-off and made to measure but we live in times of extensive badge engineering whereby, often the only features distinguishing one volume produced frame from another are the groupset, livery and decals. Taking the pragmatic, market forces approach, this has kept things ultra competitive in the consumers favour. Ten years ago, road bikes boasting 6061 aluminium tubes, carbon fork and a low-mid range groupset would command £1500 whereas £550 buys the same specification today. Given a few miles and some gradual component replacement, said machines arguably evolve so long as the owner hasn't slavishly replaced like for like. 
Without falling into the over simplistic and hackneyed "Extension of the persona" cliche'; Justin is very matter of-fact about the build, suggesting it was conceived from whatever was lying around or available cheaply. Take a closer look at these Campagnolo track cranks which were found along with the seatpost unloved and under a covering of tar in someone's outbuilding.
Judicious use of the grit blaster, coupled with a new ring restored them to their original glory- living proof that very fetching bikes are possible with imagination, skill and very modest outlay. 
Stopping is courtesy of this entry level, yet aesthetically pleasing Campagnolo Mirage calliper and New Old Stock Shimano Exage levers, whereas the cockpit is classic road territory-Cinelli quill stem and 44cm drops dressed in cork wrap. A wired Cat-Eye might offend his clean lines ethic but offers unrivaled accuracy without corruption from external currents.
Old faithful is the embodiment of those characterful winter hacks and a machine I would gladly re home and er, partially rebuild. The drivetrain has succumbed to the salt monster but otherwise nothing a good bath, hard paste waxing and some waxoyl sloshing around the tubes wouldn't sort. A mid range Microshift groupset would complete the transformation perfectly...Ahem, Thou shalt not covet another man's bike....
All Justin's work is one-off and made to measure but we live in times of extensive badge engineering whereby, often the only features distinguishing one volume produced frame from another are the groupset, livery and decals. Taking the pragmatic, market forces approach, this has kept things ultra competitive in the consumers favour. Ten years ago, road bikes boasting 6061 aluminium tubes, carbon fork and a low-mid range groupset would command £1500 whereas £550 buys the same specification today. Given a few miles and some gradual component replacement, said machines arguably evolve so long as the owner hasn't slavishly replaced like for like. Without falling into the over simplistic and hackneyed "Extension of the persona" cliche'; Justin is very matter of-fact about the build, suggesting it was conceived from whatever was lying around or available cheaply. Take a closer look at these Campagnolo track cranks which were found along with the seatpost unloved and under a covering of tar in someone's outbuilding.Judicious use of the grit blaster, coupled with a new ring restored them to their original glory- living proof that very fetching bikes are possible with imagination, skill and very modest outlay. Stopping is courtesy of this entry level, yet aesthetically pleasing Campagnolo Mirage calliper and New Old Stock Shimano Exage levers, whereas the cockpit is classic road territory-Cinelli quill stem and 44cm drops dressed in cork wrap. A wired Cat-Eye might offend his clean lines ethic but offers unrivaled accuracy without corruption from external currents.Old faithful is the embodiment of those characterful winter hacks and a machine I would gladly re home and er, partially rebuild. The drivetrain has succumbed to the salt monster but otherwise nothing a good bath, hard paste waxing and some waxoyl sloshing around the tubes wouldn't sort. A mid range Microshift groupset would complete the transformation perfectly...Ahem, Thou shalt not covet another man's bike....Tea flowed against a backdrop of gentle burbles and bleeps from his bread maker interrupted only by sporadic telephone calls concerned with the evening's competitive road run. Conversation otherwise revolved around the irony of skilled artisans earning a living from teaching/materials (DVDs, Training manuals etc) rather than commercial practice. Casual observation suggests these "Black Arts" have become fashionable pass-times amongst a well-heeled professional class seeking a romanticised distraction from virtual stocks, shares and bonds.
Having confirmed the precise location of the evening's run, Justin reasoned there was sufficient time for an enthused swim in the North Sea. Partaking in this ocean's dubious charms had as much appeal as immersing my testicles in acid so I remained on Terra-firma and clicked away at ISO 100....