Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Jake is back at Mapdec, but this time he’s not behind the workbench. After leaving his job to pursue racing full-time, he’s in the shop to build the machine he hopes will take him to the next level: a second-hand Factor Ostro VAM.
Part 1: The "Bargain" Build. Racing at a high level on a budget means making smart compromises. Jake walks us through his "new" second-hand frame—including why he took a gamble on a frame with some minor scuffs. We dig into the technical side of the build, from his skepticism of the seatpost wedge system to "slamming" the front end with a VeloVias top cap for that pro aesthetic.
Part 2: The Big Try. Once the wrenches are down, we sit down with Jake to talk about the reality of his last nine months. He explains why he finally moved on from his rim-brake S-Works SL6, and more importantly, why he walked away from a steady paycheck to chase a pro contract in Italy.
This isn't just a bike build; it’s the story of a "grassroots professional" spending his savings for one shot at making it to the Continental level.
Follow Jake's journey as he joins the Zappi Racing Team for a full season in Italy.
Chapters
00:00 Welcome back, Jake!
00:27 The Seatpost Dilemma: Carbon Paste & Wedges
01:18 Bottom Bracket Prep: T47 & Power Cleaner
02:04 Cutting the Steerer: Slamming the Stem
02:51 Routing Cables through the D-Shaped Steerer
03:49 The Big Try: Why Jake Left Mapdec
05:12 The Reality of French vs. British Racing
06:40 Joining Zappi’s: The Pro Proving Ground
08:28 Why I’m Finally Dropping Rim Brakes
09:52 Why This Factor? Racing on a Budget
11:03 The Sacrifice: No Job, Just Racing
11:32 Final Advice: Following the Dream
Custom Builds with Mapdec: mapdec.com/pages/custom-bike-builds
Jake is back at Mapdec, but this time he’s not behind the workbench. After leaving his job to pursue racing full-time, he’s in the shop to build the machine he hopes will take him to the next level: a second-hand Factor Ostro VAM.
Part 1: The "Bargain" Build. Racing at a high level on a budget means making smart compromises. Jake walks us through his "new" second-hand frame—including why he took a gamble on a frame with some minor scuffs. We dig into the technical side of the build, from his skepticism of the seatpost wedge system to "slamming" the front end with a VeloVias top cap for that pro aesthetic.
Part 2: The Big Try. Once the wrenches are down, we sit down with Jake to talk about the reality of his last nine months. He explains why he finally moved on from his rim-brake S-Works SL6, and more importantly, why he walked away from a steady paycheck to chase a pro contract in Italy.
This isn't just a bike build; it’s the story of a "grassroots professional" spending his savings for one shot at making it to the Continental level.
Follow Jake's journey as he joins the Zappi Racing Team for a full season in Italy.
Chapters
00:00 Welcome back, Jake!
00:27 The Seatpost Dilemma: Carbon Paste & Wedges
01:18 Bottom Bracket Prep: T47 & Power Cleaner
02:04 Cutting the Steerer: Slamming the Stem
02:51 Routing Cables through the D-Shaped Steerer
03:49 The Big Try: Why Jake Left Mapdec
05:12 The Reality of French vs. British Racing
06:40 Joining Zappi’s: The Pro Proving Ground
08:28 Why I’m Finally Dropping Rim Brakes
09:52 Why This Factor? Racing on a Budget
11:03 The Sacrifice: No Job, Just Racing
11:32 Final Advice: Following the Dream
Custom Builds with Mapdec: mapdec.com/pages/custom-bike-builds
