Written by Henry Yates | 6ft8photographer | Published in Bicycle Australia

The cracking of HIS Australian DesignED asian-made Titanium frame after 30,000kms was the final straw. 

Unlike the average rider who can buy a bike off the shelf Henry aka the 6ft8photographer, is 6ft8 (205cm) with a 96cm measurement from BB to the top of his saddle.

To put it in perspective his seat tube is 67cm long, your average bicycle frame is about 54cm. When it comes to buying a bike, Henry requires a custom frame and when one breaks, he’s often left in a bit of a pickle.

25yo Henry has owned about 6 bikes in his life, all of which have cracked or failed when people assured him they wouldn’t. Not surprisingly, when he started the process of finding a new builder, he wanted to find someone who understood his need for strength over style. The quotes rolled in, but most builders saw it as just another frame and that didn’t work for Henry as he knew that he was a unique customer with unique needs.

Here’s where the real story begins about how Henry’s struggle leads to a bicycle being built by one of the best bicycle frame builders and a life-long friendship.

The Struggle is Real

For Henry, finding a bike that wouldn’t buckle under his height and power was like searching for a needle in a haystack made of carbon, aluminium, and Titanium every material had its breaking point. Literally. Frame after frame gave up under the strain, leaving Henry not just bike-less but also pondering the existential question: Is there a bike out there strong enough to handle the sheer torque he puts through a frame?

Enter “The Battleship.” This wasn’t going to be any ordinary bike. From Day-dot the brief was to build a durable, long-lasting road/gravel frame that wouldn’t break. It was about choosing the strongest tubes and the best methods for increasing strength, style and looks were the last 15%. This build needed to have the strength of a battleship, yet the grace and agility of a ballet dancer, this build wasn’t for a bicycle builder it required someone who could think outside of the box.

Rob Benson: The Man, The Myth, The Builder

This is where you meet Rob Benson from Tempest Bicycles, Rob is a frame builder, teacher, bicycle shop owner and dad to a family of 4. Rob’s name is synonymous with bespoke bicycle for brilliance. Unlike other builders out there Rob is a visionary, who understood my unique set of needs and saw it as a challenge and opportunity to create a true masterpiece, something that no one has done, something that was truly built for purpose. 

With years of experience and a passion that borders on the obsessive, Rob was the perfect architect for what would become “The Battleship.”

His philosophy? If you’re going to do something, do it with precision, care, and an eye towards lasting impact. His dedication to understanding the true purpose of this bike build was somewhat like he genuinely cared and was interested in building the unbreakable.

Riding Tall: Henry’s Achievements

Since 2022, when the bike was completed, Henry has been able to experience the true thrill of agility and speed that road bikes offer in the cycling scene. Since then, he has completed some unique rides around Melbourne including his regular Melbourne to Marysville Return which is a 280km loop with an elevation of 4800 meters in about 10-11 hours and his other gravel loop from Melbourne to Noojee and back via the mountain roads near Neerim, a 245km ride with 3900 meters of elevation and pure mountain silence. 

Noojee Gravel - Strava Link

Decked Out: The Components

One interesting fact about this bike is that it rides like no other bike, the weight is evenly distributed making it feel lighter than it is at 10.5kgs (steel frame & fork).

Alright, gearheads, this is where it gets good. “The Battleship” isn’t just about looks; it’s kitted out with some top-shelf components that make it a joy to ride. Here’s the rundown:

Material: Columbus Zona Tubing, with Columbus MINIMAX Tubing for the top tubes. 

Group set: Campagnolo Chorus 12 Speed Mechanical. 

Rims: Light Bicycle R35 Disc Carbon Rim, 32 holes. 

Hubs: DT 350 DBCL, 32 Hole 12/142. 

Spokes: DT Swiss Alpine III. 

Stem: PRO Vibe 120mm, 1 1/8, 10 degrees

Handlebars: PRO Vibe Alloy Handlebar, 42cm. 

Seat post: Thomson Elite Straight Zero Setback, 27.2 x 410. 

Saddle: ISM PS 1.0. 

Tyres: Continental Grand Prix 5000 – 700 x 30mm. 

Bottom Bracket: Campagnolo Ultra-Torque Thread – English – 68 (1.37”x24 tpi).

As such it makes climbing easier and when it comes to descending you can put the hammer down, the recorded top speed is about 85km/h. This build will soon be embarking on a trip of a lifetime, a 4000km ride from London to Ukraine in August this year.

You can follow Henry’s trip via his Instagram @6ft8photographer