Having
banished the banshee howl, thirty miles hence, it was replaced by pronounced
mushiness. Maybe it harks back to the days of Campagnolo and Modolo with super
strong springs but my preference is for levers with a really firm feel. Much as
I expected, we’d succumbed to some minor cable stretch. Virtually unheard of
with premium grade inner wires, otherwise faithful OEM/budget fare remains
slightly prone.
Roadside
repair aside, the best cure involves dialling them in to taste and pumping the
lever(s) repeatedly inducing metal stretch and sloppy action. Pull the inner
wire taught and nip the pinch bolt tight again. Ideally leave overnight and
repeat-sorted.
Popular
consensus suggests that “serious” riding only applies to competitive contexts.
Hmm, long rides with friends; or indeed in complete solitude for their own
sake, commuting to work, or utility aren’t?? I seem to recall this sneering, disparaging
tone expressed toward mountain biking when it began capturing the British
public’s imagination during the mid1980s…Horses for courses and different
strokes for different folks spring to mind.
For
a good decade or so, many large manufacturers have been offering great value,
sensibly dressed commuter bikes. Sure 6061 or more workman-like Cro-moly
framesets might not set pulses racing or tongues wagging. Nonetheless, they are
extremely functional, engaging to ride and a much better bet for less glamorous
duties than thin wall exotica with “steal-me” groupsets. The same principles apply to
clothing/accessories.
Many,
including myself love and take their bikes; equipment and riding seriously but
have little urge to participate in traditional genres of racing. In many
regards Audax has become the default alternative but there’s a quiet yet
increasingly popular movement towards a different kind of collectivism. Chance
meander through a Colchester side street revealed Col Velo…
This
is a partnership between Rob Hardwood and Will Morgan, who founded in October
2014. Their tag line suggests leaving one’s ego at the door, partaking in some
coffee and joining like-minded folk for an organised, though informal jaunt.
A
no-drop policy affirms this inclusive, ride-with, rather than compete-against
ethos, which resonated with me, so I popped down for a chat last Monday night.
Essentially,
these are group outings catering for different abilities with pre-planned but
varied routes through the more picturesque North Essex/Anglia regions. Leading
out from Velo! Café’ tone is camaraderie, appreciating bikes, equipment and
experiences with passion and open minds. www.colvelo.co.uk
Elsewhere,
I’ve been rummaging through the spares box for inspiration, specifically
looking to update the Univega’s likeably cutesy Knog NERD for something better
endowed functions wise. Within in a few minutes it emerged in the guise of this
fifteen-function and imaginatively monikered BBB BCP 13W. Five minutes, a trace
of Vaseline on the battery contacts and fresh CR2032 and LR44 cells hence saw
it burst into life.
Convenience
is wireless’ main draw- simple to fit, nothing to snag during front end overhauls
or just blasting along overgrown bridle path. However, assuming you calibrate wheel
circumference manually and do sensor/magnet proximity by the book, wired
versions remain most accurate and are unaffected by electrical currents/similar
interference.
Stem
mounting is another boon, freeing up some much needed handlebar space, although
the Univega’s extremely short extension means ours almost fouls the top-cap.
Counting two wheel sizes and maintenance/lubrication reminders as functions is
gilding the lily, borderline gimmick in the latter context.
Then
again, there’s a lot to be said for a maintenance nudge given the impact
neglected chains can have on 9/10/11spd groupsets. Pacer arrows and single
button command are similarly welcomed.
Genesis
have sent me their Croix De Fer 2.0 to play with and I’ve wasted no time in
getting it dirty, grinning all the way. Hopefully the next couple of weeks will
present some more challenging test conditions.
