By: Matt Adams
I have been 6’ 8” for roughly 30 years, but a cyclist for only a dozen or so. When I decided to get into cycling, I quickly learned the challenges of finding a bike that actually fits. After a failed attempt with the largest bike that could be ordered from the local bike shop (a 64cm Trek that just wasn’t big enough), I was fortunate enough to find Zinn cycles. The custom bikes were out of the range of what I could afford, but fortunately the KHS 747 offered an affordable option and introduction into real cycling. The 747 was a great starter road bike, had good enough components, and allowed me to actually ride comfortably for the first time in my adult life. Even though it was a budget-friendly option, Lennard Zinn was still helpful in helping size and fit me on the bike which I was grateful for. After a number of years, I decided I was cycling enough that I could justify moving up to something even better, and graduating college after 25 years of continuous enrollment (not a typo) I decided to treat myself to a Clydesdale as a graduation gift. Living only a short drive away from Zinn Cycles new retail store, I was able to visit in person and Lennard was again able to provide his guidance and assistance for the pre-sales and the final fitting, and Nick was able to help with spec decision making to make sure the bike had exactly what I was looking for… and the Zinn team has been helpful ever since with maintenance and minor repairs after the fact.
With the KHS 747, I was able to do some pretty cool rides. I participated in the Bike MS fundraiser for National MS Society in Colorado a few times, as well as Bike MS events in Arizona and Wyoming. I did my first century ride (and several others after), climbed lookout mountain dozens of times, and put on several thousand miles. However, once I go the Clydesdale I kicked this up even more, and I have participated in Bike MS events in Colorado, Utah, and Texas, along with a century ride in New Mexico and some really great challenges around Colorado – twice doing the Mt. Evans/Mt. Blue Sky ride (the highest paved road in America), the Triple Bypass (climbing Juniper Pass, Loveland Pass and Vail Pass for about 10,800 feet of climbing and 118 miles all in one day), as well as Pikes Peak (the hardest climb in Colorado and one of the hardest in the country), and numerous other challenging routes, as well as a lot of fun riding as well. I’ve put at least 3500 miles on the Clydesdale since I got it and they have all been great!
I feel like the Clydesdale and I have more than just bonded, we’ve become quite a duo. I named the bike TiGi (pronounced Tiggy), for Titanium Giant. TiGi isn’t just the bike I ride from time to time, but is part of many trips throughout the year, many of my weekends spent riding around Colorado, even riding on the trainer in the basement to stay active when the weather is poor (which is about half the year). The fit feels very natural and comfortable and I have had no mechanical issues aside from routine maintenance items, and I have no concerns about the durability or stability of the bike. We get comments on rides all the time, about the size of the headtube, the size of the overall bike, etc. and I’m always happy to share what I’ve learned with other riders of size. Even though I’m in my mid-40’s I seem to be getting stronger, riding longer and harder, and enjoying my rides more than I ever have, and I think TiGi has a whole lot to do with that, so thanks to Zinn and Clydesdale for the great bike!
