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Retrotec 27.5 Plus

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  • Kurt Barclay's 27.5+ Retrotec custom bike in profile
  • Detail shot of Kurt Barclay's 27.5+ Retrotec custom bike
  • Headtube detail of Kurt Barclay's 27.5+ Retrotec custom bike
  • Seat tube detail of Kurt Barclay's 27.5+ Retrotec custom bike
  • Seat stay and dropper post detail of Kurt Barclay's 27.5+ Retrotec custom bike
  • Hub and Whisky Fork detail of Kurt Barclay's 27.5+ Retrotec custom bike
  • Whisky Fork and Hub detail of Kurt Barclay's 27.5+ Retrotec custom bike
  • Whisky No. 9 50w rim detail on Kurt Barclay's 27.5+ Retrotec custom bike

Kurt Barclay of 45NRTH is a prime candidate for this Retrotec build. A tall guy, he’s the exact kind of person who would benefit from this custom-made frame designed with the effective wheel diameter of the 27.5+ platform sharing the same diameter as a standard 29” wheel.

Dubbed as a “Funduro”, this Retrotec’s got a frame with a slacker, 68 deg. head angle, 73 deg. seat angle, and short chainstays. The modern trail geometry combined with Whisky 27.5+ rims makes this a bike that’s capable of hitting everything from packed winter trails to the burly singletrack of Duluth’s own Spirit Mountain.

This particular project resonated with Curtis Inglis of Retrotec fame. Curtis has been building bikes since opening up shop in 1993 and he praised the advent of plus tires saying, “It really opened up hardtails as an option for more aggressive riding, and for bigger guys like me – at 225 – I’ve been very happy with the plus platform on my hardtail.”

The Funduro in a nutshell:

• Whisky 50w rims laced to I9 hubs

• Whisky No.9 MTN fork

• Whisky No.7 seatpost

• Whisky No.9 handlebar

• SRAM XX1 build Kit

• SRAM Guide Ultimate brakes

Check out Retrotec Cycles @ www.ingliscycles.com/retrotec/

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