New Bike Porn: Jerónimo Rasputin 29 Plus
I wasn’t even looking for a new bike. Rasputin found me (at least that’s the story I am telling). I was just browsing PinkBike ‘for a friend’ when Rasputin growled at me. I was powerless.
Shiny-thing-make-better-feeling!
Pedro Jerónimo started Jerónimo Cycles in Tenerife in 2010 and he specialises in custom titanium. This particular frame and fork were requested by Ismael, a bike mechanic from Valencia who did some work building bikes for Jerónimo. After working together with Pedro on the design features, Ismael assembled the complete bike during the summer of 2015 in preparation for an expedition in Alaska, but his plans changed whilst he was living in London and he decided to sell it. Lucky me!
When I first contacted Ismael, I wasn’t sure if I deserved such a flashy ride. I’d been riding a 36lb beast of a touring bike and a battered, creaking Stumpjumper. I explained that I’d never owned such a fine machine and I was a little apprehensive. He calmly replied,
Life is too short to ride shitty bikes!
And he was right! This was the machine that was lurking in my wet bike dreams! It was meant to be!
- Svelte body, burly paws @ just over 25lb
- Raw finish that I am not afraid to scratch
- 29×3.0″ tyre clearance (with even a little to spare)
- Geometry suitable for chubby rigid or XC/trail hardtail
- Lots of mounting bosses, including three Salsa Anything mounts
- Lifetime warranty on the frame and fork
Rasputin devoured his first bikepacking trip in January 2016, where he first flexed his titanium muscles. I’ll be posting more about this rascally Rasputin over the coming months. It’s sure to be my weapon of choice for the Highland Trail 550 in May.
The Build
The frame was customised around the chain and seat stays to accommodate 29×3.0″ tyres , currently rolling on Velocity Blunts 35s and 29×3 Knards. There’s plenty of clearance beneath the down tube for a bouncy fork, should I want to swap in some speedy XC wheels in the summer. The rear end is 142×12 thru axle with a custom drop out.
The build is basically exactly how it came from Ismael. The only changes I’ve made so far are tubeless conversion and replacing the cartridge bearings in the bottom bracket (cost me a tenner from Wych Bearings). Everything else was in pristine condition when I bought the bike.
- Frame: Custom Jerónimo Rasputin Titanium with 142×12 rear axle
- Fork: Titanium tapered 1/8 to 1.5 with QR15/ Maxle and mounting bosses galore
- Wheels: White Industries CLD Hubs laced with DT Swiss Competition spokes rolling on Velocity Blunt 35mm rims
- Tyres: Surly Knard 29×3.0 120TPI
- Crank: White Industries ENO 175mm with 30T ring
- Bottom Bracket: White Industries Ti Axle ISO
- Shifter: SRAM X0 10 speed
- Derailleur: SRAM X0 10Sp
- Headset: Chris King Tapered
- Brakes: Shimano SLX with Ice Tech rotors 180/160
- Bar: RaceFace SICX Carbon 710mm (uncut)
- Grips: ESI Grips Chunky
- Stem: Titan Evo 90cm
- Saddle: WTB Silverado Titanium/Carbon
- Pedals: Shimano 520 (might be changing)
- Seatpost: Basic aluminium for now, looking to upgrade
- Cassette: SRAM X9 10 speed (11/36)
- Chain: SRAM PC1031
Peep Show
