Nick Mitchell – Buckinghamshire

Bike: Smokestone TiPin LS

Why I Bought It

I decided to treat myself for my 60th birthday and was looking for my last, forever mountain bike.

At the time, I already owned a fat bike, a Scott Big Ed, and my original plan was to fit a Rohloff hub and upgrade a few other components. However, after talking with some knowledgeable riders on Facebook, I was pointed in the direction of Pinion gearboxes and, ultimately, Graham at Smokestone Bikes.

It turned out to be a match made in heaven and a build I simply couldn't resist. The rest is history, as the photos show.

I absolutely love this bike, and my other bikes in the garage rarely see the light of day.

Where I Ride

Most of my riding is off-road, with a lot of time spent exploring Bow Brickhill Woods near Woburn. During the summer months, I enjoy longer rides around Dunstable Downs, the Ridgeway, and King Alfred's Way, along with many other trails and routes.

Riding Style

I ride all year round, whatever the weather. The bike is fitted with 26" x 4.0 Schwalbe Jumbo Jim tyres, which I've found to be an excellent year-round tyre for the type of riding I do.

Favourite Thing About My TiPin LS

The combination of the Pinion gearbox and the Smokestone TiPin LS frame has created the perfect bike for me. It's reliable, capable, low-maintenance, and so enjoyable to ride that it's become my go-to bike for virtually every ride.