Porsche Bike RSR

Daydreaming yesterday, I started thinking about a possible next bike idea. Let’s call it … project Porsche Bike RSR. 

While I enjoy riding my current Porsche Bikes, they are over 20 years old and I fear the aluminum frames won’t last forever. I might have some years left. But likely not another decade. Plus, I’m really enjoying riding the Bike R road racing bike. Never had a bike that fast, going back to a heavier/slower bike doesn’t interest me.

So, what to do? How about taking one of the newer Porsche carbon fiber frames and turning it into a road racing bike? The frame from the Bike RS could be ideal. The RS only weighs 19 pounds and that’s with heavier tires. But the Bike RS has a flat handlebar, the wrong gears for road racing and those fatter tires. Plus the front forks are too tall. 

Daydreaming about building the ultimate Porsche road bike, here’s what I came up with. Find a recent Bike RS, preferably one of the most recent black frame versions. Strip the bike of basically everything and replace with the latest road bike gear. Switch from the RS mountain bike gears to an electric shifting Shimano Ultegra road racing groupset with carbon fiber drop handlebars. Also change the rims to carbon aero rims and 700c x 28 tires with a low profile front fork to create a more aggressive stance. 

I bet this would at least maintain the same 19 lb. weight, if not even a little less. This Bike RS with components similar to the Bike R of the late 1990s and early 2000s, would be a true racing bike … hence the rename to Porsche Bike RSR. 

Using a little Photoshop imagination, here’s what it could look like.

Short ride before travel

 

Short ride before heading west to Monterey car week. 

Morning ride

 

Another great morning ride on the newly refreshed 1999 Porsche Bike R. 

Long Bike R test ride

First long distance 1999 Porsche Bike R test ride yesterday. 55 mile round trip to Annapolis. Bike held together with the exception of a couple front chainring inner chain drops. Some adjustments needed. But other than that, riding smooth. I got 34 Strava achievements … easy because the Bike R is so much faster than the Porsche Bike X and Bike S.

Rinse and repeat

A couple more 16 mile test rides this week on the 1999 Porsche Bike R. Off to a good start on testing and training. Hoping for a 50 miler this weekend.

Porsche Bike R kit

Now that the 1999 Porsche Bike R refresh is nearly complete (still sorting out why I got two flats in one day!) it is time to start organizing a proper kit. Since the Bike R is a darker navy blue/purple color with yellow highlights, I thought I'd use those colors to accessorize. The yellow is a great riding color because it is highly visible to automobile drivers that aren't paying attention ... and of course the Tour de France yellow jersey! So, I ordered a yellow/black helmet, yellow gloves and since all the components on the Bike R are from Shimano, I added a yellow Shimano cycling jersey. I plan to use my Porsche Design Endurance Boost shoes for riding and they are the perfect navy blue color! And last on the list, I am still working on a custom Bike R jersey with both the blue and yellow colors.

My goal is to have all this ordered and tested by September and ride in the Seagull Century ride mid-October.

New trusty friend

Feeling a little better recovering from bronchitis, I got in a couple more short test rides. Everything is riding well, with the exception of a flat rear tire this morning. I can't determine what caused it, other than speculating the 120 pound air pressure was too much for the 700cx25 tires. It's at the limit of the Continental specs. so maybe when I hit a bump I pinched the tube. I'm just guessing, unfortunately. I'm planning to try 100 psi tomorrow after changing tube post ride.

The 1999 Bike R is 99% finished. Just some frame touch up paint and all done. New cassette is awesome and shifting amazing. So now the road bike has new brake pads and cables, shifters and cables, bar tape, seat, chain and cassette, water bottle, pedals, tires and tubes, saddle bag with Porsche keychain and every bolt and part cleaned. Great shape and rides so smooth and fast!