Riding, rather like music has always served as an escape. The ability to
blast along under your own steam and at a decent pace, blowing everything into
perspective has been every bit as enticing, dare I say addictive as lightweight
framesets, components, apparel and tech. Judging by several cycling-centric
novels and biographies I’ve been reviewing lately, I’m not alone.
Numb of bum and brain, having spent several hours slaving over a
keyboard; the soft, enticing whisper of deserted lanes is hard to resist. Mild,
wet winters have seen a pronounced spike in pothole fertility. While highways
agencies and local authorities send gangs of mastic asphalt spreaders to patch
large sections of our infrastructure, tubby tourer and I have been embracing
the deviations.
Crime is perceived as an urban phenomenon but metal thieves and similar shady
“entrepreneurial” types often emerge, taking advantage of isolation, casing
farm buildings and abandoned properties under the cover of darkness.
This
encourages a surprisingly brisk tempo through certain sections. In other
respects, I like the eerie quiet-conducive to contemplation, whether it be
formulating opinions/conclusions on components/accessories, or formulating new
characters/plotlines for short story projects.
Talking of which, the illustrator I snapped up last week is eager to
bring my children’s stories together in a series and has also come up with some
fantastic ideas of his own. I’m looking forward to his work and getting these
some proper exposure.
Back to bikes and the arrival of some fresh bike wash, bottle cages and
other test staples saw me cleaning several weeks’ worth of salty spatter from
my Univega.Depending on their grade, even stainless fasteners will eventually
succumb-especially chainstay bridge bolts and others blasted with wet, mucky
stuff. These generally get a quick squirt of PTFE lube to preserve their finish
and mobility-usually post wash.
However, the Univega’s lowest slung bottle
mounts hadn’t been given a second thought in a few seasons. Thankfully, these
had just turned arthritic, not right royally seized; Liberated with a quick
shot of PTFE spray, T handled Allen key and some choice words.
Re-dressing their threads in stodgy wet lube, I substituted the elderly
(18 year old) but remarkably well-preserved Kalloy cage for this Topeak
Shuttle. Semi/Compact geometry frames have been a positive revolution, meaning
most people can find a production frame to fit.
However, smaller riders may
find two standard cages and bottles problematic.
Several manufacturers have addressed this, often with side-entry designs
such as these Lezyne. The Topeak is a more traditional looking option.
Made from engineering grade plastic with integral metal washers to
prevent fatigue caused by over-tightening, I’ve been porting it around the
bosses, tenure with standard trade and tool caddy bottles is reassuringly
good-even off road but intentional release isn’t gunslinger quick. A few more
weeks are needed before definite conclusions can be reached.
Since we’re on the subject, I’ve always liked several bottle mounts.However, those beneath the down tube is anything but ideal for rider
refreshment-unless bottles feature protective caps, balloons (or condoms) are
the only barrier between you and some extremely nasty bacteria thrown up by the
front wheel.
The latter also invites relentless ridicule from riding companions
and sideways glances from other passers by. I’ve even had a very determined terrier attempt to scoff one while I’d
nipped in to a farm shop for some mid ride sustenance! Hustling along one
such deserted stretch; my silence was rudely interrupted by some intermittent
and disconcerting squeaks.
Hauling in the front lever and coasting into a clearing, I checked the
obvious candidates-bottom bracket, cranks and pedals... Saddle
cradle...Nothing. Hopping back in the saddle and scooting off, I diagnosed a
slack cassette lock-ring but bereft of hyper cracker tool, resisted the urge to
hammer for those remaining 15miles.
Continuing the down tube theme, this Unich “detonator style” mini floor
pump also arrived for testing. Well finished and surprisingly svelte by genre
standards, despite rough roads and lumpy forest tracks, it hasn’t slipped along
the resin bracket, allowing the handle to rattle woodpecker fashion against the
frame.
This can lead to tiny dents on really thin-walled tubing, or mark
finishes, hence my precautionary strip of “Helicopter” tape where these make
contact. This version is reckoned to deliver 110psi, which is a little short of
ideal for really high pressure training and race rubber but more than adequate
for touring and wider section training types.
Swapping between Presta and Schrader valves is equally straightforward.
Simply unscrew and plug on. No swapping (or losing) tiny bits by the roadside
on a cold, rainy night. A boon should your tag along or trailer wheel get a
flat. On that note, I’ll end with this clever use of defunct butyl
