This latest clutch of LEDs signals autumn and winter’s steady advance; the lighting market being one of the fiercest fought battlegrounds, which is great news for the likes of you and I. The trend is toward high output commuter models that hop aboard the computer’s USB port for a few hour’s charge-perfect for desk jockeys but inappropriate for touring and mile munching Audax where dynamos and double A batteries rule the roost. Light & Motion’s Vis 180 is one such beast, shrouding the rider (and companion) in a cloak of retina reddening thirty-five lumens and one hundred and eighty degrees visibility.
At the other end of the spectrum, RSP’s Tourlite has made an equally favourable impression. 
Tipping the scales at 120g it mounts to rear carriers-at the time of comment, they’re still refining the bracket so I attached ours to my common or garden 6061 Topeak courtesy of a Bor Yeuh saddle rail mounted bottle cage caddy. Output is good for three quarters of a mile and we’re talking in terms of ninety hours from a set of double A in flashing mode. It’s genuinely waterproof passing my hosepipe torture test with flying colours and gives change from £20-perfect for town hacks, tourers and other packhorses. 
Now, sticking with the darker months and pardoning the arguably unforgivable pun, these clever reflective dots from the Lightweight’s range are a great tertiary source of illumination if day glow’s not really your bag. Available in a choice of eight colours they’re basically self-adhesive stickers impregnated with tiny 3M dots, reflecting the chosen colour when graced by vehicle and street lighting. Weighing around 20g per pack they adhere to most surfaces and will hide unsightly chips and scratches. I chose the Univega’s mudguards (fenders) as my canvas and thus far I’m impressed by their performance. There’s also versions intended for clothing and helmets claiming visibility from 500 metres… 
So to the Holdsworth… After several twists and turns, further consultation with Paul Vincent suggests as the shell is otherwise undamaged, running some brass into the hairline fracture and sanding it flat should prove the least invasive, most cost-effective solution. However, this will undoubtedly necessitate a re-spray so a couple of bottle mounts will complete the structural surgery before it passes through to Maldon Shot Blasting & Powder Coating for a fresh shot of 5012. Estimated cost £95 including paint and transportation. Putting this into context, a new 531bottom bracket shell, bottle bosses and re-spray crosses the £150 threshold. Arguably economic given the prices of replica framesets but considerably more hassle. Assuming said surgery cuts mustard in the long term, I’ll have the vinyl lettering made and maybe a set for the Teenage dream too…
Monies saved will be ploughed into my other projects-specifically recognised qualifications in massage therapies-something I’ve been eager to acquire for a couple of years. Two local colleges of further and higher education run the required courses but enrolment will hinge on the economics of supply and demand.
"Get on your bike and look for work" was the famous mantra chorused by right of centre politicians some thirty years ago in response to the last bout of chronic social and economic tensions. However, Suffolk constabulary have taken this literally, in a scheme bound to induce rage in anyone unfortunate enough to have his or her bike(s) stolen. Any stolen- recovered bikes within the county are to be distributed amongst ex offenders in order they can “look for work”. So taken to its logical conclusion Terry and Theresa tea leaf can steal your machine, sell it on and potentially get it back, profiting two fold from the rightful owner’s misery! Suggesting hard-core or persistent offenders can “go straight” in this context is laughable and shows a marked ignorance of the penal system’s inherent failures. First and foremost this can only encourage more prolific episodes of theft…
Secondly, the prison system creates a revolving door for many (predominantly young men) whom in due course learn to be more efficient and dangerous criminals. Upon leaving prison there resumes the cycle of criminality-a lack of education, life opportunity and cohesive social network means they only know other ex/offenders. Couple this with addiction and related compulsions, it becomes prohibitively difficult to reintegrate within civil society
Ending on a sweeter note we have Finish Line’s one step clean and lube spray-the cycling equivalent of two in one shampoo and conditioner. Simply spray on a filthy chain (and/or cassette for those who admitting to owning machines with variable derailleur transmissions). Leave for a minute and the solvent dissolves congealed lube, grit and general contaminant.
At the other end of the spectrum, RSP’s Tourlite has made an equally favourable impression. Tipping the scales at 120g it mounts to rear carriers-at the time of comment, they’re still refining the bracket so I attached ours to my common or garden 6061 Topeak courtesy of a Bor Yeuh saddle rail mounted bottle cage caddy. Output is good for three quarters of a mile and we’re talking in terms of ninety hours from a set of double A in flashing mode. It’s genuinely waterproof passing my hosepipe torture test with flying colours and gives change from £20-perfect for town hacks, tourers and other packhorses. Now, sticking with the darker months and pardoning the arguably unforgivable pun, these clever reflective dots from the Lightweight’s range are a great tertiary source of illumination if day glow’s not really your bag. Available in a choice of eight colours they’re basically self-adhesive stickers impregnated with tiny 3M dots, reflecting the chosen colour when graced by vehicle and street lighting. Weighing around 20g per pack they adhere to most surfaces and will hide unsightly chips and scratches. I chose the Univega’s mudguards (fenders) as my canvas and thus far I’m impressed by their performance. There’s also versions intended for clothing and helmets claiming visibility from 500 metres… So to the Holdsworth… After several twists and turns, further consultation with Paul Vincent suggests as the shell is otherwise undamaged, running some brass into the hairline fracture and sanding it flat should prove the least invasive, most cost-effective solution. However, this will undoubtedly necessitate a re-spray so a couple of bottle mounts will complete the structural surgery before it passes through to Maldon Shot Blasting & Powder Coating for a fresh shot of 5012. Estimated cost £95 including paint and transportation. Putting this into context, a new 531bottom bracket shell, bottle bosses and re-spray crosses the £150 threshold. Arguably economic given the prices of replica framesets but considerably more hassle. Assuming said surgery cuts mustard in the long term, I’ll have the vinyl lettering made and maybe a set for the Teenage dream too…Monies saved will be ploughed into my other projects-specifically recognised qualifications in massage therapies-something I’ve been eager to acquire for a couple of years. Two local colleges of further and higher education run the required courses but enrolment will hinge on the economics of supply and demand.
"Get on your bike and look for work" was the famous mantra chorused by right of centre politicians some thirty years ago in response to the last bout of chronic social and economic tensions. However, Suffolk constabulary have taken this literally, in a scheme bound to induce rage in anyone unfortunate enough to have his or her bike(s) stolen. Any stolen- recovered bikes within the county are to be distributed amongst ex offenders in order they can “look for work”. So taken to its logical conclusion Terry and Theresa tea leaf can steal your machine, sell it on and potentially get it back, profiting two fold from the rightful owner’s misery! Suggesting hard-core or persistent offenders can “go straight” in this context is laughable and shows a marked ignorance of the penal system’s inherent failures. First and foremost this can only encourage more prolific episodes of theft…Secondly, the prison system creates a revolving door for many (predominantly young men) whom in due course learn to be more efficient and dangerous criminals. Upon leaving prison there resumes the cycle of criminality-a lack of education, life opportunity and cohesive social network means they only know other ex/offenders. Couple this with addiction and related compulsions, it becomes prohibitively difficult to reintegrate within civil society
Ending on a sweeter note we have Finish Line’s one step clean and lube spray-the cycling equivalent of two in one shampoo and conditioner. Simply spray on a filthy chain (and/or cassette for those who admitting to owning machines with variable derailleur transmissions). Leave for a minute and the solvent dissolves congealed lube, grit and general contaminant. 
Running the chain through a clean, lint free rag purges any remnants, leaving behind a surprisingly tenacious dry lube. It works a treat on slotted cables, step-in pedal mechanisms leaving them super slick. Results of real world testing over the past few weeks are favourable, requiring reapplication once despite heavy showers and waterlogged roads. However, winter may hum a very different tune and demand weekly top-ups. The mixture’s pretty potent in aerosol form so apply in well-ventilated areas and take the usual precautions, storing safely away from children and pets.
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