Having reached the stage
in our collaboration, where progress now remains in the hands of a third party,
I’ve been immersing myself in testing new, seasonal kit and other distractions.
Some folks consider full
length mudguards (fenders) an affront to their street cred but aside from
serving ‘cross or mountain bikes, there’s nothing cool about that filthy racoon
stripe along your back (or the bike’s most intricate regions saturated with
corrosive silt).
Axiom Road Runner LX
reflex enjoy some genuinely innovative features that make installation to less conventional
configurations refreshingly easy. Designed with ample coverage for 35-38mm
tyres; these will suit the latest generation of civilian cross builds doubling
as weekend tourers, trainers/club bikes during the off-season.
Assuming you didn’t want
to take the zip-tie route, fitting to framesets with mtb inspired wishbone rear
triangles, such as On-One’s earlier Ilpompino and Planet X's Kaffenback series demands
drilling the chrome plastics, negating time-saving convenience of pre-fitted
stays.
Doing so also voids the
lifetime warrantee, although a moot point given their quality and since I also
like mounting dynamo/battery lamps here too.
Other modifications will include 3M reflective stickers given the lack
of pin-striping that makes a surprising difference to nocturnal
safety-especially combined with reflective tyre walls. However, this is all
minor stuff-the guards themselves have lovely profiles and should retain their
looks several years’ down the line.
Stainless steel hardware might be expected these days, though quality
still varies. These seem similarly top-notch, responding positively to gentle
manipulation and shouldn’t succumb to the salt monster’s first lick.
Autumn and winter calls for different lubes and I’ve been sent plenty of
lovely chain lotions in the past few weeks. All seem pretty impressive in terms
of economy, drivetrain efficiency, cleanliness and longevity.
However, I’ve found myself particularly endeared to Carbon Pro’s
composite friendly, biodegradable range based on highly sophisticated vegetable
fats. Admittedly, there’s a price tag differential that some riders may find
difficult to swallow, given the astounding value that some mineral oil/ PTFE
blends offer.
Less of an issue for tarmac warriors perhaps but the latter aren’t
particularly kind to waterways and aquatic life, which is a consideration sans
asphalt. “Environmentally friendly” is no longer synonymous with below par performance
and thus far, I’m gobsmacked by their cleanliness and staying power compared
with petrochemical competition.
Sustainable sources are an obvious choice for the eco-system but
alternatives to fossil based fuels has the potential to diffuse (though not
eliminate) the perpetual clamouring and conflicts arising from
control/ownership of crude oil reserves.
After some deliberation, I plumped for mounting the Geonaute atop,
rather than to the side, which would leave it more vulnerable to crash damage,
especially along slippery carpets of mulched leaves.
This delivers decent, shake-free footage when angled correctly, although
makes selecting functions on the fly a
little tricky and explains why Go-Pro have taken the touch screen route on
their Hero4 .
Ironically, the Geonaute’s li-on cell depleted just as an elderly woman
cut the corner of a junction, on my side of the carriageway…
Everything unfolded in slow motion, I felt a powerless bystander as the
silver “A” class Mercedes seemed unable to stop, or change course. Tyres rasped
against the wet tarmac and collision averted by a matter of eight inches.
Cocooned within shock, I allowed her to pass and was subjected to her indignant
rant about “looking where I was going!!!”
Staying with cameras, I took the opportunity to acquire some more
equipment during another visit to Britain’s former industrial heartlands. I’d
been resisting temptation on the “want, not need” basis despite temping very
close to several camera dealerships.
I’d been hunting a Sony Alpha (Minolta) mount wildlife lens for some
time, though couldn’t justify the lion’s share of £1,000 for a showroom fresh
example. In swept serendipity and this 400mm Tokina.
Contrary to popular misconception, lenses are generally very durable,
lasting many years with basic care/sensible storage. Bodies manage eighteen
months before collecting their pensions in commercial contexts.
Telephotos of this focal length aren’t an everyday item either, thus
buying used makes better business sense. Fancy a favourably priced 55-200mm
example for my NEX5 too, expanding its street and sports potential in
situations where SLRs are just too intrusive/unwieldy. Then again, this very
much hinges on other developments…
