Full specification

Frame: Time Ulteam VXRS World Star Limited Edition Tom Boonen No. 86/300, with 'Racing Fibre Matrix' carbon tubes and carbon lugs

Fork: Time Ulteam Safe+, multi-diameter Kevlar-reinforced steerer tube with carbon dropouts

Front brake: Shimano Dura-Ace BR-7900 with Swissstop FlashPro Yellow King Rear brake: Shimano Dura-Ace BR-7900 with Swissstop FlashPro Yellow King

Brake levers: Shimano Dura-Ace STI Dual Control ST-7900

Front derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace FD-7900-F

Rear derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace RD-7900-SS

Shift levers: Shimano Dura-Ace STI Dual Control ST-7900

Cassette: Shimano Dura-Ace CS-7900, 11-28T

Chain: KMC X10-SL Gold 10 Speed

Crankset: FSA K-Force Light Compact Chainset, 172mm, 50/34T

Bottom bracket: FSA MegaExo

Bars: Easton EC90 Aero CNT 41 cm (c-c)

Stem: 3T ARX London 2011 Edition 120mm

Headset: Time Quickset

Tape/grip: Fizik MicroTex glossy bar tape, white

Pedals: Look Keo Blade  carbon

Seat post: Time Translink integrated

Saddle: Selle Italia SLR Team edition (2011)

Bottle cages: Elite Custom Carbon self-adjusting.

Computer: Garmin Edge 705

Other accessories: Jagwire brake and gear cable housing with gold ends. Hope gold bar end plugs. Planet-X gold titanium skewers.

Wheelset: American Classic 420 Aero 3 road white

Front tyre: Veloflex Master  20 clincher red 700x20c or Schwalbe Ultremo ZX 700x23

Rear tyre: Veloflex Master 20 clincher red 700x20c or Schwalbe Ultremo ZX 700x23

Total bike weight: 6.8kg (15lb)

Rider's height: 1.79m (5'10"); Weight: 72kg (159lb)

Seat tube length, c-c: 530mm

Top tube length: 545mm

Saddle height, from BB (c-t): 740mm

Saddle nose tip to C of bars: 571mm

My bike was handmade in France, near Lyon, by a dedicated factory of employees who just want to make the best bikes. I think mine, if not one of the best: Certainly one of the best looking. Number 86 of 300, and signed by Tom Boonen after he won the world championships in 2007. This is the same bike that Bradley Wiggins rode for Cofidis. I could discuss the fact that the Time VXRS Ulteam is a special bike, due in part to Time’s patented RTM (Resin Transfer Molding). Ot the fact, that, apparently, Tom Boonen had Time forks on this Specialized bike in 2008. Simply said this bike is brilliant.

I have owned this bike since 2008, originally with Bontrager XXX Race Lite wheels (clinchers) and Shimano Dura Ace 7800. I changed the wheels for Fulcrum Racing Speed’s (tubular’s, like Cofidis), and upgraded to Dura Ace 7900.

You think, you look, you point and this bike obeys. Downhill, I never get beaten. The frame is comfortable, yet taught. Bad news: After three years my Fulcrums started to de-laminate, the breaking was not so good, and I lost confidence after a few scary downhill punctures and accidents in the mountains. The rims had overheated and I decided to go back to clinchers, and especially for the winter. I bought some American Classic 420 series 3 wheels and put Veloflex tyres on.

Wow. What a difference. Better handling (it was already brilliant), superb braking and with the Veloflex tyres, wonderful traction. Confidence restored. Wonderful bike. Looks even better. Weighs nothing (6.7 kg), accelerates easily. Just the best looking bike, Or is it?