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..of Paul Componenet Engineering (nice parts since 1989) fame. 1 ) Retrobike: What's going on at the mo at Paul Comp? How's business? PP: Business is very good. We're buying new machines and expanding the building to meet worldwide demand. 2 ) RB: What do you guys get asked for most these days? Hubs? Brakes? Small plastic horses? (Love those product shoots.) PP: The Chain Keeper has been a huge success, and we have several new mounting styles in the works. The market for brakes and levers is still very good too. The Racer after a few years is finally getting some momentum. 3 ) RB: I know you are just stoked to be in the shop and working away at a project, but do you still find the time to ride enough? PP: I ride almost every day...

The Lycra Kingfisher recee'ing the Gisburn trails in the snow! Welcome retrobikers to the North West of England’s very first National Retrobike Event. The riding will take place at the fantastic revamped Gisburn Forest Trail Centre. This venue has been especially chosen to blow away those winter cobwebs and allow riders of all abilities and fitness levels to enjoy some fantastic all weather trails. The retrobike banter is friendly and infectious, so if you're planning on making this your first ever retro bike ride, we guarantee that it will be the first of many. Click here for more details.

For those who have missed the various announcements we here at Retrobike are putting on a fine array of rides all around the UK this year, click here for more details. Last weekend saw a car park full of old bikes descend on Thetford Forest. Over 20 riders turned out and included some guests from MBR (watch this space ;-) ). A good ride (and lunch) was had by all on the well drained trails. For the full aftermath click here. Retrobike meets Thetford Next big ride coming up is on the 27th February in the North West.

The next Retrobike Endura kit order will be going in sometime mid to late March for summer delivery. The kit in all its glory! This time we will also be ordering custom Retrobike Endura baggy shorts and 3/4. Click here for more details and to order.

The cool wall vote on e-stays has been closed. Retrobike has judged e-stays COOL! Next up on the vote is Trek OCLV.

The January 2010 Bike of The Month was a Saracen special dedicated to the former Warwickshire bike brand currently seeing a resurgence under new owners. Heathy's box fresh 1989 Saracen Kili Flyer took a well derserved victory.. Jan 2010 BoTM winner - Heathy's 1989 Saracen Kili Flyer This of course isn't the first time Heathy has tasted sweet victory with his fillet brazed Saracen. Heathy took the top step of the podium following the bike being judged best retro ride at the 2009 Brighton Big Dog. Jan 2010 BotM 2nd and joint 3rd - Corduroyboy's 1993 Kili XTR Elite & drystonepaul's 1992 Kili Racer Second place was taken by Corduroyboy's 1993 Kili XTR Elite and third place was taken by drystonepaul's 1992 Kili Racer. Don't forget to...

The results for Retrobike's prestigious Bike of The Year (BoTY) contest, the blue riband event of the retro world, are in. The title of 'Bike of The Year 2009' goes to ameybrook's Yeti C-26 replica. 2009 BoTY winner - ameybrook's Yeti C-26 Following some initally close voting the well fancied Yeti stormed the vote. The full result is as follows - 1st - ameybrook's Yeti C-26 (76 votes) 2nd - Defiant's Serotta TiMax (44 votes) 3rd - Dr S' Pace RC-100 (32 votes) 4th - Sinnett177's 1993 Team Raleigh Dyna-Tech (26 votes) 5th - Pete McC's Doug Bradbury Manitou Full Suspension 6th equal - Archangel's 1991 Specialized Stumpjumper Epic Ultimate (15 votes) 6th equal - Pete McC's Yeti Ultimate (15 votes) 6th equal - Ragnar1984's Miyata...

The coolwall votes on Marin and Thumbshifters have been closed. Retrobike has judged both COOL! Next up on the vote is e-stays (or elevated chainstays).

Welcome to the latest in Retrobike's 20 questions series. This month the spotlight falls on Charlie Kelly (aka Repack Rider), a man who genuinely needs no introduction. Retrobike: Hi Charlie, how’s life? What’cha up to? Charlie Kelly: I have a piano moving company. My daughter is about to start her second year at the University of Oregon, and I am still married to my first wife, named Mary. I work a lot, and most weeks I can only get out on the bike on Sunday, so I try to make it count. Fortunately I have some great places to ride. RB: Ok, many will know you from the early days of MBUK. How did that MBUK connection come about back in the late eighties? Through FTF? CK: I don't remember how I got started with MBUK, but I was friends...

The cool wall vote on Spinergy has been closed. Retrobike has judged Spinergy uncool. Next up on the vote is Marin.

The December 2009 Bike of The Month was one of the stongest to date. A fine victory went to Bushpig's Mantis X Frame. Dec 2009 BotM winner - Bushpig's Mantis X Frame Second place was taken by Bduc61's Breezer Lightening and third place was taken by Tallpaul's Orange Vit-T2. Dec 2009 BotM 2nd and joint 3rd - Bduc61's Breezer Lightening & Tallpaul's Orange Vit-T2 Don't forget to check out the January 2010 "Saracen Special BoTM and of course the 2009 Bike of The Year vote.

The cool wall vote on Trimble has been closed. Retrobike has judged Trimble cool :D. Next up on the vote is Spinergy.

Pulling up at U.S.E HQ it dawns on me, over the years we’ve known each other, I had never taken up Rory Hitchens’ offer of popping by anytime for a tour round (they’re only 5 miles down the road). Right, better turn round and pick up some cakes then hadn’t I? Pulling up at U.S.E HQ for the second time in half an hour, I am greeted by a flurry of bike business activity. “We’re moving into the unit opposite” a huge pile of Exposure Lights boxes said as it crossed the road on the small industrial estate that is so often the type of place you find an industry legend like U.S.E. Am I going to be met with an air of confused derision at my longing to unearth a pile of anodised purple loveliness gathering dust in the loft? Probably. This...

Ladies and Gentleman of Retrobike, We are pleased to be able to take the wraps off your essential guide to Retrobike riding in 2010! Break out those new diaries and insert these key riding retro dates and get that precious bike out of the shed and onto the trail! As part of the process to ensure that all events are of the highest standard, we have recruited Area Events Coordinators and Deputies who, with good knowledge of their riding areas, are best placed to organise these activities. The AECs also manage their Area Sub Forums - here you will find regionally-focused chat and latest information on all rides and activities. Please make sure you check your area sub forum regularly! Please note that the events on the National Calendar...

By popular demand we'll be running another special offer this year. A little late but better late than never. Anyhow for the bargain price of £20 you can get ->Retrobike Mug ->Retrobike Black Beanie ->A couple of individual retrobike logo stickers Click here to take advantage of this offer!

Just taken delivery of a fresh batch of mugs ready for Christmas delivery. Imagine the look of joy on your Wife's / Husband's / Boyfriend's / Girlfriend's / Mother's (delete as appropriate) face on the morning of the 25th December when they open a retrobike mug instead of another boring blu-ray player or bottle of perfume. Don't dissapoint them! The mugs can be purchased from the retrobike shop, click here to order. Will even chuck in a couple of retrobike stickers for every order recieved between now and the 25th. Please note last order date for Xmas delivery is the 17th Dec for the UK.

The cool wall vote on Raleigh has been closed. The heron has been beaten :( . Despite over 100 years of history, Tour de France victories, National & World Mountain Bike Champions along with countless other wins Raleigh of Nottingham, England has been voted UNCOOL. That's right the company that brought you the Burner, Grifter, Chopper, Lizard, Mustang, Dynatech, 753 Team Professional and countless other classics has been consigned to the wrong side of the coolwall by the good people of retrobike. Raleigh has failed where Proflex succeeded. Ah well, nevermind. Next up on the vote is Trimble.