Just when we thought it was safe to venture out for a bit of playtime aboard the best bikes, the weather turns bandit once more. The Univega is not only my four seasons go anywhere, ultra dependable machine that laughs at greasy, poorly maintained lanes, the howling wind, the pouring rain it is my Zen bike.
I mentally compose complete features, test copy, these columns and even tales of the macabre/fantastic perched atop the beautifully moulded Gran Compe saddle and piloting our course via the super size WTB drops. Turning eighty odd revolutions per minute and at around 17mph we’re swift enough to get somewhere but sociable should I choose and the moments present themselves.
Freezing temperatures, snow showers, sleet and iced tarmac seem perpetual features and so the Univega remains my default option which is a shame seeing the second Knog sensor arrived in the post courtesy of Moore Large- the brands UK importer. However, optimistically, I fitted it to the Holdsworth’s fork and checked our earlier success wasn't simply a fluke.
The Univega runs a Knog Gator 305 Ni-MH rechargeable lamp as the main source of front illumination. This has developed an uncharacteristic susceptibility at very low temperatures-the battery critical after only seventy odd minutes use. Despite having donned Respro HI-Viz gillet, being festooned in acres of Scotchlite and blinking LEDs I felt acutely vulnerable-reinforced by the refusal/inability of many oncoming drivers to dip their headlamps. The little three-watt nuke light would’ve made my passage home so much safer and this crucial omission was beginning to mar the starry sky's serenity.
I mentally compose complete features, test copy, these columns and even tales of the macabre/fantastic perched atop the beautifully moulded Gran Compe saddle and piloting our course via the super size WTB drops. Turning eighty odd revolutions per minute and at around 17mph we’re swift enough to get somewhere but sociable should I choose and the moments present themselves.
Freezing temperatures, snow showers, sleet and iced tarmac seem perpetual features and so the Univega remains my default option which is a shame seeing the second Knog sensor arrived in the post courtesy of Moore Large- the brands UK importer. However, optimistically, I fitted it to the Holdsworth’s fork and checked our earlier success wasn't simply a fluke.The Univega runs a Knog Gator 305 Ni-MH rechargeable lamp as the main source of front illumination. This has developed an uncharacteristic susceptibility at very low temperatures-the battery critical after only seventy odd minutes use. Despite having donned Respro HI-Viz gillet, being festooned in acres of Scotchlite and blinking LEDs I felt acutely vulnerable-reinforced by the refusal/inability of many oncoming drivers to dip their headlamps. The little three-watt nuke light would’ve made my passage home so much safer and this crucial omission was beginning to mar the starry sky's serenity. The rhythmic flickering of my rear LEDs drew me to reflect upon their burn times- both the imaginatively named Cherry bomb nestled in the rack bag’s woven tab and the fibre flare flexible wand riding shot-gun on the Topeak carrier have exceeded their manufacturer quoted run times- the former in its fifty-fifth hour, fifteen past the optimum quoted. Given that I have tested Night Rider’s assertions, literally-freezing it in a block of ice and generally subjecting it to filthy conditions without impairing performance; there’s little doubt the Cherry Bomb is one of the best available.
Other models, including Cat-Eye’s LD 600 have enjoyed ridiculously long production lives, spawning seemingly identical, badge-engineered and slightly cheaper copies which is evidence not only of proven design but good news for consumers. Some raise concerns over suspect seals (not my experience of the breed) but it's best mounted vertically to the seatpost so not to spoil a bike’s clean lines.
The pro helmet lobby have returned with a vengeance on both sides of the Atlantic, pressuring for compulsion despite their own successive studies indicating other factors are more significant than helmet use and helmets themselves make little difference beyond certain speeds. Fiercely anti-compulsion-whether this be directed at adults, children or universally, I choose to wear mine most rides and lead by example where Joshua’s concerned. However, I’m willingly seduced by the tantalising caress of the breeze through my hair-especially on temperate spring and summer days and sometimes, I just prefer a close fitting clubman’s cap..jpg)
Intrigued by folklore since early childhood, the Russian made flax linen socks kindly supplied by Mila Ptashenko (http://www.burls.co.uk/) have certainly impressed with their soft tactile feel and the natural, chemical free manufacturing process contributes to good foot health/hygiene. Given the price of basic nylon cycling socks at a shade under £6, these represent excellent value for money and enjoy longevity on par with expensive Merino offerings. Continuous washing and wearing hasn’t revealed any telltale weaknesses (due to a deformed big toe, I am notoriously hard on socks) so I will invest in a good few pairs for both cycling and civilian wardrobes when the next opportunity presents itself.
So from chic to geek…I’ve been playing with mirrors- helmet mirrors no less. Yes, these are more “paranoid dentist” than fixer fashionable but they do have some merits for riders with compromised neck mobility. With the notable exception of Bike Eye- a lightweight racing mirror mounting between the frame's head and down tubes, helmet mirrors are less prone to vibration and so long as the optical components are good quality can prove useful for trailer/ tag-along tugging. However, there’s never a substitute for periodic checking over the shoulder. Helmets also make useful mounting points for lighting and cameras. Experimentation using my compact Fuji aboard the Univega’s beefy drops I achieved some very passable still shots but road vibration induced the inevitable camera shake. Helmet cams are falling in price to the point where £70 odd buys a very cheerful, lightweight example. Watch this space….
The pro helmet lobby have returned with a vengeance on both sides of the Atlantic, pressuring for compulsion despite their own successive studies indicating other factors are more significant than helmet use and helmets themselves make little difference beyond certain speeds. Fiercely anti-compulsion-whether this be directed at adults, children or universally, I choose to wear mine most rides and lead by example where Joshua’s concerned. However, I’m willingly seduced by the tantalising caress of the breeze through my hair-especially on temperate spring and summer days and sometimes, I just prefer a close fitting clubman’s cap.Intrigued by folklore since early childhood, the Russian made flax linen socks kindly supplied by Mila Ptashenko (http://www.burls.co.uk/) have certainly impressed with their soft tactile feel and the natural, chemical free manufacturing process contributes to good foot health/hygiene. Given the price of basic nylon cycling socks at a shade under £6, these represent excellent value for money and enjoy longevity on par with expensive Merino offerings. Continuous washing and wearing hasn’t revealed any telltale weaknesses (due to a deformed big toe, I am notoriously hard on socks) so I will invest in a good few pairs for both cycling and civilian wardrobes when the next opportunity presents itself. So from chic to geek…I’ve been playing with mirrors- helmet mirrors no less. Yes, these are more “paranoid dentist” than fixer fashionable but they do have some merits for riders with compromised neck mobility. With the notable exception of Bike Eye- a lightweight racing mirror mounting between the frame's head and down tubes, helmet mirrors are less prone to vibration and so long as the optical components are good quality can prove useful for trailer/ tag-along tugging. However, there’s never a substitute for periodic checking over the shoulder. Helmets also make useful mounting points for lighting and cameras. Experimentation using my compact Fuji aboard the Univega’s beefy drops I achieved some very passable still shots but road vibration induced the inevitable camera shake. Helmet cams are falling in price to the point where £70 odd buys a very cheerful, lightweight example. Watch this space….
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