How We First Met: Jim and his Cinelli Zydeco
Meet Jim. Based in Leeds in the UK, where his cycling story began in 2009 with his introduction to the fixed gear scene. Connecting his passion for bikes with his love of photography, for Jim, his trusty steed is not just a mode of transport, but also the key to capturing the perfect shot.
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"I started cycling around 2009, in the single speed and fixed gear scene around Leeds and Cinelli always stood out to me as a brand, great looking bikes, awesome design and branding, what’s not to like? I saw so many nice photos of Vigorelli’s online, that kinda sparked the love for the brand.
I still ride fixed gear despite my knees not loving it, I have a set of 90’s Cinelli Integralters on that bike, bonkers old bar and stem combo. Really not the comfiest setup but they look rad as all hell.
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I always saw Cinelli bikes and components kicking around the streets and online and very much lusted after them so it was a bit of a no brainer.
In 2012 I found a great deal on a new Cinelli Experience with Campagnolo Veloce and bought it as soon as I could. That bike has carried me for probably somewhere near 50,000 miles and has now been put into retirement. Although I could never get rid of the frame, it’s going to hang on the wall. The frame has been through a few transformations over the years, painted a couple of times, and also stripped back to raw aluminium with the logo’s hand polished back in.
I bought the Experience as my first geared road bike and then bought the Zydeco as a direct replacement, with the added advantage of its off-road capabilities, disc brakes and extra comfort. I found the frame and had quite a few components already kicking around so I just had to buy a few bits, needed new cranks and fortunately found some Campagnolo Ekar cranks for a good price, as well as some Fulcrum Wheels.
It is currently setup with some old Campagnolo 10 speed bastardised drivetrain, but planning on taking it to a full Ekar setup once my wallet has recovered. I can’t think of anything worse than putting Japanese or American gears onto an Italian frame haha!
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I don’t do as many miles as I used to, but I still get as many as I can in. I had some major surgery a few years ago and it has forced me to slow down both figuratively and literally. I had a section of bone removed from my fibula which has left my leg much weaker than it was. I definitely struggle to keep up with my rapid mates these days. The Zydeco has really helped with this, the extra comfort and more relaxed style of gravel riding is totally suiting my ethos on a bike lately.
The Zydeco also really gelled with my photography practice as well, my bike packing bags pair great with the frame. They enable me to get the weight off my back and onto the bike, making the whole rigmarole of carrying camera equipment a hell of lot more pleasurable.
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At the moment I don’t have any big trips planned, just a few small bike packing trips around the north of England with mates. Hoping to do the South Downs Way over a couple of days as well. I would really like to get back to the Alps soon, maybe try and convince a mate to do something over there. Ideally I would love to go ride some of the Strada Bianche in Tuscany, that may have to wait until next year though.
Living in Leeds, we are pretty lucky when it comes to amazing places to ride. The Yorkshire Dales and the Peak District both offer amazing routes right on our doorstep. The Lake District is only a short journey away, as are the North York Moors, both have incredible roads, incredibly bloody steep! I really love the Dales though, they’ve just got that gorgeous bleakness that you only get with good old British Moorland.”
Bike setup Zydeco
Frame: Cinelli Zydeco Muddy Dry, 54 M.
Fork: Columbus Futura Gravel
Wheels: Fulcrum Rapid Red 5 DB
Crankset: Campagnolo Ekar Carbon w/40t Narrow Wide Chainring
BB: Campagnolo Pro-Tech
Shifters and Rear Derailleur: Campagnolo Veloce 10s
Cassette: Campagnolo Veloce 11-29
Brakes: TRP Spyre Mechanical Disc
Tyres: Vittoria Terrano Dry 38mm
Bars: FSA Adventure 42cm
Bar Tape: Cinelli Volee
Saddle: Fizik Tempo Aliante R3
Pedals: Look S-Track w/cage
Stem: Zipp Service Course SL
Seatpost: Zipp Service Course SL
