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XXV.EIGHT/AEIGHTTECHBLOG – JESSE YATES’ ‘25 ASSASSIN

  • eightbikeco5
  • May 30
  • 5 min read

After the success that we enjoyed aboard the USPS Assassin, Fifty-One decided to bring out another semi-custom paint job for 2025, based upon the famous 7-Eleven colours. Zipp, SRAM, Time, Fizik and Schwalbe supplied us with some really nice kit to build the bike with, and we headed out to Kansas to test it!...



As one of our protected riders, we’ve supported Jesse and his Fifty-One for over a year now and he spent last year on the first of their “OG” paint series Assassins, which is a limited edition run of frames painted in colours inspired by famous teams, be it motor racing or cycle racing. We’ve got a Rothmans colourway in stock as well as Jesse’ USPS scheme from last year, and the new version, for this year, is one inspired by 7-Eleven which was a team that his Dad, Sean, raced for back in the day. The red and white matches the jersey perfectly and a little green really lifts it - these frames/bikes are available to buy or spec now via AEIGHT.



Zipp kitted us out with the all new 303 SW wheelset, which features the same 25mm internal width as before, but a much improved wider rim bead which should lessen the chance of rock strikes and compression punctures. The hub is similar to before also, but features better bearings and the rim now features a built in AXS Pressure Sensor - this has flashing lights to quickly help you recognise if you’re within set pressure limits, but is also connectable with your Wahoo head unit to see pressure status in real time. It should help in the races to decide if big impacts require attention or not.



We booted these up with Schwalbe Pro Series Tyres - for Unbound we’ve got the option of the G-One Pro R or the RS in 45mm for dry weather, but we’ve also brought with us a 40mm G-One Bite, just in case the weather turns bad. Hopefully we get to use the bigger tyres because the new Pro carcass is brilliant. It’s more like the mountain bike carcass that we’re used to and is incredibly supple. We’re now using Orange Seal sealant in the tyres.



Fizik took care of the finishing kit with a 3D printed version of the Antares saddle and some grippy 2mm tape to match the front end of the bike. Both fixed to Zipp carbon components - the SL inline post in the back and the SL Race bar up front, in a 380mm aero version. We fitted a SRAM AXS XPLR Red Groupset, including a Quarq Power Meter, a 46 tooth ring, and the standard XPLR 10-44 cassette, which we know from last year is the best setup. The new brakes are phenomenal and for anyone with an older groupset we’d thoroughly recommend the upgrade to the newer brakes - again, that’s available in our workshop.



Once we built it up we headed to the Flint Hills in Kansas to test the bike - Jesse’ very first ride on the bike was in the pissing rain and mud - welcome to the spirit of gravel! After our initial test ride, on day two, we headed to Alma, which is the first Aid Station in the 200-mile Unbound Race which we’ll be doing a few days later. The section through to Alta Vista is an undulating mix of gravel roads which culminates in the “Little Egypt Road”, which is the crux of the race. I met up with Jesse, on my British Racing Green Assassin, to recce this section and to have a look at some line choices and tyre pressures.



He then continued towards the second Aid point at Council Grove, and I leap frogged him with the truck, before backtracking on the bike to meet him. Gearing setup is on point and the brakes are nicely bedded in so we checked out where we want to be in the Aid area and then headed back to the farm to wash the bikes! First impressions of the new wheels is really good and we’ve already tested the tyres a lot so we know they’re spot on. We made some position changes on the old bike, so we’ve replicated this on the new one.



We're both looking forward to Saturday, and the bike's first proper test... If you’re interested in building your own bike for off-road or road, or if you’d like support at an event, please get in touch via the contact form or the contact details on the website (www.aeightbikeco.com).



Photos and words by Glen Whittington



2025.RIDERS - GLENWHITTINGTON

#aeightracer – Bike Rider / Framebuilder / Mechanic - Glen started racing in 1998, initially specialising in XCO and Solo 24-Hour Mountain Bike. He became a mechanic in 2002, working in shops and also for professional race teams. During this time he spent more time racing ‘Cross and Road, and then also TT. In 2013 he built his first bespoke frame and then spent several years at Roberts learning the art. Since then he’s designed, tested and now sells his own frames/bikes to the public as part of his ÆIGHT brand  - you can find his business Instagram account here.


2025.RIDERS – JESSEYATES

Jesse started cycling in 2013, initially with TT’s and then with some local road races, while being supported by his Dad. In 2015 he got a taste for racing in Britany and this led to two seasons on a French team living abroad while on The Dave Rayner Fund. Then he joined Team Wiggins in 2018, racing across Europe. In 2022/2023 he made the switch to Gravel, where the most notable result has been a Badlands Pairs win and a host of top ten places. In 2024 he stepped things up with strong rides at Traka 360 and at Unbound in Kansas, coming in as the first British rider - Jesse is sponsored and supported by Fifty One Frames (available at AEIGHT), CAMS, SRAM, Zipp, Schwalbe, Time, Exposure, Fizik, OTE, and AEIGHT BIKE CO. You can follow him on Instagram, Strava and YouTube.


GOT WHAT IT TAKES TO RACE WITH US?

We’re always looking for riders to be part of our ÆIGHT CØLLECTIVE. The #aeightbikeco is about doing things a little differently - Rather than a jersey being the common theme, we kit our riders out with bespoke steel bikes and handbuilt wheels made in our Sussex workshops, the ÆIGHT WHEELWØRKS and the ÆIGHT MANUFACTØRY. We then support each other at events and races regionally, nationally and internationally - whether that’s for mountain bike, ‘cross, gravel, crit, road or TT - it’s what we call, the #aeightbikeco


The best part is that we’re not asking you to leave your team or club - that includes racing in your club/team kit. We’ve got certain brands that we work with, mostly so we can standardise shared equipment, but your own sponsors and clubs are almost always welcome. We have some strict qualifying criteria but don’t be put off by this – if you’re interested in being part of the #aeightbikeco then please get in touch by emailing your racing CV to eightbikeco@gmail.com



 
 
 

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