So as we count down to the New Year, a timely look at said bike's evolution. Gone are the Cinelli bar and quill stem, the Stronglight 80 cranks, FAG bottom bracket, Campagnolo Athena brakeset, twenty year old Vetta wireless computer, New Old Stock Gran Sport levers and Look/SPD pedals and Hutchinson HP20 tyres. Only the Mavic/Campag wheelset, Rolls Saddle, Kalloy Uno post, Campagnolo Victory mechs and Regina six speed block remain.
Wednesday, 30 December 2009
Year's end coincides with the transformation of an old friend
So as we count down to the New Year, a timely look at said bike's evolution. Gone are the Cinelli bar and quill stem, the Stronglight 80 cranks, FAG bottom bracket, Campagnolo Athena brakeset, twenty year old Vetta wireless computer, New Old Stock Gran Sport levers and Look/SPD pedals and Hutchinson HP20 tyres. Only the Mavic/Campag wheelset, Rolls Saddle, Kalloy Uno post, Campagnolo Victory mechs and Regina six speed block remain.
Saturday, 26 December 2009
Christmas Closure
Convoluted perhaps but it solved the problem and meant I could progress to the Dia Compe V brakes. These are surprisingly proficient stoppers combining great power with none of the mushiness associated with lower-middle range brakes-especially with Tektro's RL520 linear pull specific levers.
Continuing the best laid plans theme, the STX pods proved impractical thanks to torturous cable run and delayed shifts so it's back to the faithful Ultegra bar cons. I've always had something of a soft spot for STX components primarily because they offer a lot of bang for very modest buck. However, the marginally "Superior" STXRC front mech has proven one of the most temperamental I've known-fine on a day to day basis but the proverbial pig to set up.
Earlier in the day I'd driven cautiously through the icy lanes to the temp job via the bank and a bike shop that caught my attention. Paying cheques into the bank meant I'd financially survive the festive season and the bike shop provided some good, benchmark cables. Some gentle enquiry revealed he'd be happy to install the Teenage Dream's front end for a very reasonable sum. Frankly, these are very frustrating jobs-annoying because I can undertake them myself but available time and a missing tool eludes me. Therefore, the sensible solution is to outsource this while I attend to more pressing matters. As my late father often remarked, just because you can, doesn't mean to say doing so is the best use of time/resources. Needless to say, the Univega's upgrades have transformed the handling- not that the Nitto bars were remotely floppy but the WTB and Salsa stem make for a phenomenally rigid, yet comfortable cockpit.Further success has been achieved on the wheels front. While drafting some copy for another publication, I had cause to contact Greyville enterprises. Serendipity lead Steve to suggest these 700x23 tubes with 60mm long Presta valves- just the ticket for the Halo Aerorage wheelset, meaning the original hoops can be returned to the Ilpompino complete with 38mm snow tyres. The ITM fork while undeniably gorgeous can wait for now- a fully operational and finely fettled fleet is what's called for in the depths of winter. Sure, I wouldn't dream of subjecting the Holdsworth or Teenage Dream to the horrors of salt and slush but I like the idea of machines being ready for action.
Thursday, 17 December 2009
Contagious Carbon & Conspiracy Theories
The sturdy Surly rack is staying put as while I don’t rush to fit racks per se, it means a pannier or two can be towed should fancy take me. One of the main advantages over the venerable Genesis in my eyes are wide armed cantilevers giving better modulation, feel and mud clearance. Mini Vs seem to crop in and out of vogue but my main (relatively mild) aversion to them stems from their need to run so close to the rim, clogging at the first hint of mud and grit.
Wheels are less of a concern but tyres are a little tricky. There’s some loose talk of snow in the weeks following Christmas but this to me is little more than bored weather forecasters wanting to capture the public’s imagination and evoke a more magical aura to the festive season.
Maybe a consequence of my vocation but I’ve become slightly jaded by professional cycling’s fall from grace- that is to say, I expect and am almost nonplussed by scandal and revelation. Sometimes, usually as the elderly Ka and I are meandering along another stretch of motorway at steady speeds, these things resonate within me. Is there something inherent to competitive cycling which predisposes it to doping and similar cheating or is it the consequence of enormous commercial interest that applies to many others? I have arrived at the conclusion the media spotlight concentrates on cycling as a soft option, wanting to pretend dark undercurrents don’t flow through soccer, athletics, show jumping and of course, golf!
A very prudent observation is that cycling, though specifically cycle racing needs to focus on getting it’s own house sorted rather than pointing to other sports and disciplines as a convenient distraction. Otherwise it is behaving in the way of a defensive child retorting they’ve done better than little Johnny or Joanna… I must confess to being fond of historical scandals- Coppi and the White Lady, Anquetil and his interesting solutions to his wives' infertility being two of particular note. However, the dirtier side of corruption, sleaze and quasi ritualised drug taking in some teams disappoints yet doesn’t surprise me. I hate to say it but cheating in competitive sport is here to stay, detection just becomes increasingly difficult.
Monday, 7 December 2009
Snap, Crackle and Things Kept Going Pop
Mercifully, the universe was feeling relatively charitable; presenting a well-padded ditch that cushioned both collarbone and beloved machine from harm. Clear skies saw the temperature plummet and with a severed chain beyond repair, I ran the remaining five miles leading the beefy tourer by its stem. Light bruising-mainly to my ego and a fresh chain later the world was indeed round and true once more but it could’ve been so different.
As a child I was mesmerised by the graveyard of scrap cars and in the still, night air Palmer's yard retains a curious, inviting magic but these days serves only to remind of the little Ford’s mortality. Well, after much muted debate, the slumbering phase one nuclear reactor dominating our coastal landscape for miles around has ignited further controversy. Not only were the owners prosecuted for allowing nuclear waste to seep into the surrounding residential areas but plans have been announced to build a new generation of reactor there. Naturally, this has been played down as a consultative exercise but since the existing Magnox unit has been dormant, fishermen report the return of oyster beds and other marine life. Most of us will acknowledge the need for alternatives to fossil fuels but the consequences of corporate interest over public safety doesn’t bear thinking about.
Back to bikes and the Holdsworth’s new carbon Tifosi has been nothing short of a delight, providing some additional comfort and shaving a few grams into the bargain while the 15-tooth Halo sprocket seems a surprisingly good choice for general riding, albeit lacking the outright refinement of the hand polished EAI. Having now clocked up 265 miles aboard the Dia Tech Gran Compe leather saddle, I’m pleased to report it has largely moulded to my shape, discomfort a distant memory-although liberal applications of Nikwax continue so as to encourage this process and keep the elements firmly at bay.
Ison distribution, the UK importer for all things Salsa have once again come to my rescue with this here twenty-five degree oversized stem, raising the Univega’s bar height without giving it the aerodynamics of a Dutch Grandmother gracefully clattering across the cobblestones aboard her 40lb Gazelle. This will see the WTB fall neatly to hand for trail taming, yet just low enough to shelter from a headwind and 200g is reassuringly svelte…For all this, I can’t quite bring myself to complete the metamorphosis thanks to these very nice, old school Tektro cross cantilevers that stop the beast (complete with laden trailer) on the proverbial sixpence, with a gentle, yet definite caress of the lever. Another gizmo sure to capture the imagination of those seeking seductive stocking fillers is this nifty Surly stainless steel cable hanger. Designed to replace the old chrome types typically found adorning cross and touring on bikes, it slots between the seat collar/binder bolt for a really smooth cable run and is ideal for using cantilevers on frames built for Vs. Basically a paper clip on steroids, the mechanically minded could fashion one in a matter of minutes using scraps from the spares bin but it’s nice to see these products readily available. On the subject of fabrication, when Justin (Burls) isn’t tempting me with thoughts of fillet brazed drop bar specific off-roaders, he’s flaunting more titanium including a sub 15lb (geared) road bike and another road/track fixer…Just look at the sculpted beauty of those wishbone stays… Smiten? Then have a chat with Justin (email:Justin@burls.co.uk or www.burls.co.uk).
Thursday, 26 November 2009
Substitute!
Purging contaminant presented the ideal opportunity for a light reapplication of Waxoyl. As the sand coloured gloop flooded inside the tubes, a light bulb moment saw me try an old, badly scored 27.2 Kalloy; after all, there was nothing to lose and everything to gain. Cue drum roll, slither of grease around the shaft and in she goes… Admittedly it was tighter than ideal but close enough and besides, cheaper models aren’t machined to the same tolerances as their costlier counterparts. This presented a choice between the beautiful and super svelte Thompson earmarked for the Teenage Dream and an equally tasty budget Carbon Tifosi. Fate decided the latter. Having “skilfully” dropped the Thompson’s cradle bolts, the wind grew with intensity, blowing them into bedding plants and frustratingly out of reach. The carbon Tifosi complete with simple, if slightly agricultural, single bolt cradle was the obvious candidate. Two minutes in the shelter of a warm kitchen saw the Specialized Toupe’ swapped over and the Holdsworth blessed with a beautiful new post. This torrent of Euphoria prompted other changes, most notably this very fetching CNC machined Halo track sprocket and Surly Nick-Less Cage. The Halo replaces the ultra lightweight anodized aluminium model that wasn’t doing a great deal thanks to the unsurpassed refinement of an EAI superstar typically in charge.
It is in fact Cro-moly steel, boding well for longevity and is reasonably priced. The striking blue effect is achieved through a process similar to anodising known as electrophoresis deposition (oft referred to as ED coating) developed and used extensively within the automotive industry. The Surly is a sturdy stainless steel cage, claiming to be a unique design but aside from beefier rod, it mimics the dainty Nitto Continuing a theme of sitting comfortably, the Univega and I have been getting the miles in aboard the classic cutaway Dia Tech. Subjected to Liberal Nikwaxing to protect the hide and promote the breaking-in-process, fifty miles in and we seem to be forming an affectionate bond. However, the base is seven millimetres broader than my regular perches (as determined eighteen months ago in a BG fit consultation) and the initial ten miles had my Ischial Tuberosity screaming for mercy. However, this didn’t demand these buttock abrasion patches but I’ll keep them handy in the rack bag just in case…
The season of tool abductions continue... This week it’s been the turn of my trusty long 5mm Allen wrench needed to tackle the recessed bolts in these Cane Creek V brake specific road levers. These play a central part in the Univega’s reconfiguration but thankfully, this little T-handled beauty came to the rescue, giving change from £3! 8spd bar end levers and 7 speed cassette have been temperamental bed fellows of late so a quick wander around the web unearthed these NOS (New old stock) STX RC pods going for the proverbial song.
Dear Father Christmas…..
Thursday, 19 November 2009
Going Steady
Rest assured, the whopping WTB are not going to waste- the Univega’s undergoing another transformation prompted by V brakes Originating from the mid to late 90s the frame was built with linear pulls in mind but my love of a well honed cantilever has made this a very slow transition. However, the late 1980s Campagnolo have poor heel clearance and can also interfere with large expedition panniers. Time was when pairing drops and V brakes meant unsightly, if efficient cable pulleys but these days a few manufacturers offer dedicated drop levers with the necessary cable pull. Nevertheless, until said headset press materialises these developments remain firmly on the drawing board… The Holdsworth has also emerged from its seasonal slumber, not on regular duties but the opportunity to test some ultra seductive fixer kit (while the weather remains autumnal rather than consistently wintry) has proven too great a temptation. Most likely to get hipster hearts racing and juices flowing are these classic cutaway leather saddles. Made by Dia Tech, featuring Cro-Moly rails and a choice of three alternative colours (black, pink and white) they look capable of giving Brooks a run for your money but the proof of the perch is in the riding so I’ll see you in a few hundred miles.
With the days increasingly short, I find myself frustrated not to be forging ahead with a book collaboration. Despite tremendous initial gusto, the co-conspirators have all but fallen silent. That said I’m quite capable of paddling my own canoe, acutely aware of the emotional and intellectual energies demanded by these endeavours through watching my father- an author of several academic tomes. So, with the brakes firmly on that project, I’ve been putting these Jagwire pads through their paces. General impressions are favourable, compatible with most brands of calliper, modulation and feel are impressive paired with mid range levers but those of us exceeding ninety kilos and/or habitually riding in the worst weathers are better served by softer compound.
Elsewhere Justin Burls’ wife, Mila is introducing these socks into the UK. Russian made from naturally occurring and chemical free flax linen/elastane, their wicking properties keep the feet hygienically fresh in all weathers. With the strength and practicality of cotton, linen is widely recognised for its healing properties, said in some countries to ward off the evil eye, neurotic disease and heart conditions. These are samples sent for illustrative purposes and too small for my size nines but we’re eagerly awaiting a shipment. Notoriously hard on socks, it will be interesting to see how these fare over the coming months and without overshoes... Mila has kindly offered to send some to these fellas… These former reprobates from the murky world of recruitment, Jamie King and Henry Brydon aka “The blazing saddles” are embarking on an eighteen month charitable wander round the globe in aid of their chosen charities (MS and Brain tumour research respectively). Regular temping counters cash-flow woes between editorial payments, explaining how Jamie became a friendly acquaintance of mine. Inspiration for their epic ride came from a healthy contempt for the nine to five and Alistair Humphreys’ engaging accounts of a four year, 46,000 mile wander around the world (Documented in “Moods of Future Joys” and “Thunder and Sunshine”). Preferring expedition/mtb based tourers they might not be making the pilgrimage on fixers but it’s in aid of some very worthy causes. Take a look at their site and pledge a little something if you can. http://www.theblazingsaddles.com/
Tuesday, 10 November 2009
Pressing Matters
There was nothing mechanically wrong with the Stronglight; save for the arms running hairs breadth from the frame’s pronounced chainstays- precluding fitment of neoprene chainstay protectors. Introducing winter overshoes resulted in their rubberised heels chafing the frame’s lacquer top coat. Problem solved and shifting seems, pardoning the pun, fractionally slicker to boot… On the subject of footwear, the recent drop in temperatures have seen these emerge from the wardrobe- foul weather mtb booties, I’m eager to lay my hands a road variant but while a little portly, they’re just fine for blazing a trail through the cold but enchanting forests. The other thing I love about winter, aside from riding unspoilt moonlit trails, is cross racing. Here in the UK, Genesis have released a singlespeed/ fixed crosser finished in a very fetching retro orange. Fashioned from worthy, if slightly workman like Reynolds 520, it bears striking resemblance to the Ilpompino save for nicer frame ends and a sharper looking fork blade.
Thoughtfully it has the four pint carrier and fender mounts and sufficient bottle mounts to serve as a four seasons’ sub £500 funster. Obviously, I couldn’t justify it but it’s certainly given me ideas of reconfiguring the Ilpompino with these Schwalbe 38mm studded snow tyres. I had also been looking to acquire an mtb variant (Bike Nashbar used to do a good store branded copy) for the Univega as with good preparation and the right equipment, snow opens new dimensions in riding pleasure but unlike Utah and indeed many other parts of the globe, the paltry few centimetres hardly warrants large investment. Besides which, while there’s always room for fun and being care-free, I’m in no position to squander monetary resources either so some restraint’s a good thing. Elsewhere, good fortune has presented these non-toxic, bridgeable lubes and cleansers that seem equal to, if not superior to, most of those derived from petrochemicals.
I’m particularly fond of the bike wash that leaves behind only a shiny steed. However, a little care is warranted even with these products as they’re made from oranges and the skins contain d-Limonene, which some folk are allergic too. The firm also manufactures a range of belts made from recycled tyres and if you really wanted, they could recycle your own favourite rubber when the time comes… Watch this space.
Thursday, 22 October 2009
Forging Ahead With A New Front End
Unable to to resist the lure of leafy green lanes and forest tracks, made all the more beautiful by the rich autumn colours, I've fitted these Kenda small block 8 knobblies- one in the range of mountain bike legend John Tomac's signature tyres and pretty swift too in their 700x38c form. These are 2.1 inches wide leaving very little room to spare between both frame and portly mudguards-not fag paper close but as intimate as I'd like for trail duties, they're a great excuse for my six year old to join in some muddy fun on the tag-along.
Well, that's all for now. Hopefully by Halloween the shim and headset press will have arrived, signalling an afternoon of measuring, checking, cutting and ultimately a beautiful makeover.