How a bike made from parts bought on eBay won the National Hill-Climb Championships

New hill-climb champion Lou Bates won on a bike made up of parts from the auction site eBay. Photos by Andy Jones

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Lou Bates (Velochils-Interbike) became the women’s national hill-climb champion in Matlock at the end of October aboard a bike built by her partner with products from eBay.

Bates was the only female to post a sub-three minute time on Bank Road in what was her last hill-climb before retirement.

>>> British Hill-Climb National Championships in pictures

Her second-hand Cervélo R3 48cm frame was bought off eBay a few years ago, and the total weight of the bike tipped the scales at just 5.3kg.

Groupset

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(Image credit: Andy Jones)

Bates was using a Shimano Ultegra Di2 groupset and a 36-tooth chainring. The sprockets she used on the climb were 18, 19 and 21.

Wheels and tyres

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Bates’s carbon-rimmed wheels were hand-built for her several years ago. The tyres she rode were Vittoria Corsa SC.

Handlebars

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(Image credit: Andy Jones)

Hylix is also the product of choice for Bates’s handlebars, which weighed in at 150g. She has a Planet X stem.

Brakes

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(Image credit: Andy Jones)

Bates’s Kurve alloy brake calipers were bought seven years ago. However, Planet X now does a similar model.

Saddle and seatpost

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(Image credit: Andy Jones)

Both the saddle and seatpost are Hylix, bought from eBay. The saddle weighs 90g, and the seatpost 150g.

A Shimano Ultegra Di2 battery has been drilled into the seat tube.

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