Name: Andy Sheats

Lives: Melbourne
Club: Southern Vets CC
Years Riding:  30ish

Your Toy:  Moots Vamoots

Component group:  SRAM Red. Its light and works really well.  When I brought this bike to Australia in 2006 it had the first SRAM Force I had ever seen on the road in Australia.  It was a bit of a flier, but I really likes the ergonomics and how easily it shifts. At the time it was well ahead of Dura-ace.  When that wore out I moved up to Red.

What training / racing wheels do you use:
Training wheels:  I have a pair of Open Pros with Chris King hubs.  The hubs are bomber, last forever, and are easily serviced.  My criteria is that I can ride home with a broken spoke and take it into any bike shop for a fix
Racing: Zipp 404 CC’s. Lovely wheels.

How did you end up with this bike: I wanted to get a bike that was made by “a person” rather than pumped out of an anonymous factory.  At the time, the choice was steel or titamium. For a couple hundred bucks more, the choice to go with Ti was pretty easy.  After that, it was a shortlist to maker: Seven, IndiFab or Moots.  Having looked at each of these I really liked the workmanship on the Moots, how the breezer drop-outs stiffen up the back triangle… and I was attracted by the simplicity of the finish. It looks a bit agricultural, but 7 years on its as good as new.

How’s the ride: The Moots is a really comfortable all-day bike.  There are a lot of stiffer bikes out there, and some that are more comfortable.  But what makes this work for me is that it is a super-responsive, reasonably light bike that is ALSO one of the most comfortable I have ever ridden.

Is there an upgrade or piece of kit that you’d really like: Powermeter.

Have you ever had a bike fitting: I think that proper fit is way more important than what the bike is made of, or which compenents.  An ill-fitting bike works against you with every turn of the crank.  This bike was made for me.  People ask me what size it is, and I can only say “Its my size”.  I had a couple of fittings to get to this frame. The first was here in Melbourne with John Kennedy.  He set up my old bike, which I rode for a while to make sure I liked the contact points.  Then I had a fitting at my favorite shop in San Francisco to finalise the bike sizing with Moots.

What are your:
a) short-term cycling aspirations:  I’m actually taking it pretty easy with my riding at the moment, which is a bit weird for me after being so focused for so long.  My only near-term aspiration is to have a reasonable time at the Amy Gillett Gran Fondo.
b) long-term cycling aspirations:  I still want to do a reasonable time in the Melb to Warnie.

What do you love about riding:  For me, it is a great mix of competitiveness, social contact, fitness and time to think.  Guys don’t generally get enough of any of these, so I really value my time on the bike.

Describe an average cycling week:  I try to do 2 x North Road each week, and then something a bit longer/harder on the weekend.  If I get 300 km  I’m doing pretty well.  With my work as CEO of health.com.au, it is pretty hard to get this every week.

How does cycling fit in with your work/life balance:  My general balance has been 40/60 biased toward life, and cycling is probably the thing that tips it that way.  I ride early so that I don’t take too much time from the family.  Although it definitely takes some time from them, they do appreciate that Im healthier and happier than I would be if I were not keeping fit.Does cycling frequently offer you business networking opportunities (and describe them):  I’ve made many great friends cycling, and many of these friendlships have moved across into business.  I have a great respect for people who have the stamina and focus to stick with something and work through a really tough day; and these are characteristics that I also like in business.