The Easter bunny bounded
into Stenningrad with some deliciously tempting (read rapidly devoured)
chocolate eggs, self-extracting crank bolts and a squidgy carton of Muc-off
concentrate. For some time, I’ve been reflecting that standard bike wash
formulas are a touch insipid, though there’s a fine line between gobbling grime
and damaging delicate lacquered, painted/plated surfaces.
250ml diluted with
tap/rainwater translates as 1 litre of stock iconic pink cleanser, adding a
further 50ml packs a mightier punch, leaving plenty for subsequent refills plus
neat gel for tackling congealed gunk typically harboured by rings and
cassettes.
The ability to brew bespoke certainly wins brownie points from me but whether Nano tech actually leaves
surfaces with a protective, invisible shield remains to be seen. Either way,
I’ve reduced marinating times by thirty per cent and rinse thoroughly to avoid
any risk of streaking, dulling or indeed, tarnish. Having tamed some pressing
deadlines, I turned my attentions to a morning’s reflection, which culminated
in a burning desire to upgrade the Ilpompino’s OEM Truvativ GXP external cup
bottom bracket system.
Much to my surprise, both
have soldiered stoically, not to mention smoothly through sunshine and slush
for many thousand miles but my inner fettler told me I had a couple of high end
units with super durable ceramic bearings, holidaying somewhere within my
low-rise arrangement of Perspex storage boxes…
Nimble focused fingers found two-
a superlight composite and an infinitely more enticing titanium model. Now,
I’ve never had cause to touch a GXP unit bar occasional tightening of the left
8mm securing bolt, though received wisdom suggests these require some form of
conversion kit to play nicely with anyone else’s assembly…
Could be incredibly
straightforward or hassle laden, so I may investigate other, uber stiff
external cup alternatives, or even the humble sealed square taper…Whatever
route I assume, rest assured, it’ll involve lashings of high quality synthetic
grease during installation. Interestingly enough, the latest generation of
On-One’s Ilpompino is now a frameset only package, offered in a rather fetching
grey…
Another whoop coincided with
the resurrection of these second skin close, Specialized BG pro mitts ready for
those long spring evening saunters. Joshua insisted he must have my lowlier BG sport for his own use-well, refusal would've been churlish!
While extremely positive, my
present collaboration is requiring considerable focus, an intensity mirroring
that of my penultimate months as an A level student and undergraduate.
Thankfully this time round, breaking tasks down to their component parts and
tackling accordingly ensures pressure remains a positive, driving rather than
destructive, angst laden force.
Talking of which, Zyro www.zyro.co.uk sent me the aluminium alloy version of their
Tortec Epic carrier saving a few quid and 200g on its inox stable mate, while
still enjoying a five year warrantee (against defects/workmanship, not abuse!)
and thirty kilo maximum payload.
This by the way, is pretty
close to that of low-slung mono-wheel touring trailers while retaining manoeuvrability
in tight spaces/congested traffic. Urban myth suggests that steels can be
“blasted together with heat by roadside Yodas. Such sweeping statements are
usually touted by those with little; or no comprehension of metallurgy.
Experience suggests that
fatigue induced failures are very infrequent but refraining from leaning one’s
steed down on its luggage is one simple practice that will give aluminium alloy
models the best possible chance of retiring at a good age. Effective repairs of
any carrier is highly dependent upon the metals alloyed, thus “stainless” is a
much trickier customer than mild steel.
To date, I’ve only ever
had one rack “pop” and while welding of heat treated non-ferrous stuff is a
non-starter, often broken joints can be pinned back together with an assortment
of nuts n’ bolts until such time you can reach civilisation and acquire suitable replacement.
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