Snap, Crackle and Things Kept Going Pop

There’s certainly some truth in the old adage of things coming in multiples, good and bad in my experience. Bustling along the back roads late last Wednesday night, aboard the Univega and looking forward to watching Channel 4’s “ The family” (a weekly fly-on the wall docu-soap); things were looking good, fifteen minutes clear- I’d be home in eight. Turning a cadence of around 95rpm, there was a sudden snap, followed by a feeling of disconnection as my mind worked furiously trying to comprehend the severed chain and locked transmission, man and machine hurtling towards Terra firma.

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.

Further fun and games were presented courtesy of the Ka. 120 miles from home and a sensation suggesting a faulty alternator demanded concentration, steady revs and will power complete the circular journey. A final mile from my home, I slid the stricken beast into the yard of a friendly local garage, leaving a note and keys through their office door. Walking the last leg through quiet, deserted streets was blessed relief after 87 miles of being shaken like a Mcflurry. Despite abandoning the Ka without prior appointment, the garage took the time to diagnose and moreover, rectify the problem by 8.40 the next morning. The culprit is this little fella known as the ISCV (Idle speed control valve). I’ve cleaned him quite regularly and I know when he’s feeling mischievous, stalling at junctions, refusing to idle properly etc but I’ve never had him mimic a faulty alternator before. A big Thank you to John and everyone at Palmer’s for keeping me and the little beast on the road.

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).