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El Fakijoe's Leader 722 Heritage Edition Bike Check

Here is my very first Trick Track setup that made me land into the Fixed Gear trick scene. With its ability to barspin and short geometry, I quickly fell in love with it and made the commitment to ride it till it will break (and even further if possible!).

The build evolved much, the major evolution being the pair of H+SON Hydra instead of the Gipiemme Pista. It saw many forks bending in its head tube till it the head tube itself had to give up! You’ll see below what I mean

Miroir D'Eau - Place Massena, Nice

Components

The build is constantly evoluting as parts break and get replaced but here is the current component list

Frame

Leader 722 Heritage Edition Blue T58

Fork

Infiné Cycle (no name, from stock clearance) 1 1/8"

Headset

Tange Technoglide J-2

Wheelset

H+SON HYDRA 28"
BLB Track 32H Hubs

Tires

Thickslick Flat Guard

Hubs

BLB Track 32H

Pedals

FYXATION Gates Black

Crankset

BLB Track 46T

Cog

Gusset 18T

Straps

Veganski FREESTYLE

Chain

KMC Black 1 1/8"

Stem

KONA DH Primo

Handlebar

KONA DH Primo

Grips

Vans x Cult Gum

Seat

Fizik Pavé

Seat Post

BBB 27.2mm

I bought the frame second hand and it was impressive to see how much tricks I made it endure. One day, in April 2021, I started hearing a strange high pitched metal rubbing noise coming from the front of the bike. I thought at the beginning it came from the front wheel bearings or from the headset bearings. The sound was getting worse through time. I finally gave a look to the frame and saw a crackle surrounding the down tube, just next to the head tube.

I was sad but I knew something was possible as it was steel. A friend brought me to a friend of his that welds big structures. He TIGged that shit up, and I was able to ride again, even with a stronger welding (he reinforced the junction between the head and down tube).

What a good day that was! Lucky to have this kind of kind friends!

For your information, at the moment I'm writing this the welding is still perfectly fine 4 months later!

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