InSpyred

TRP Spyre mechanical disc brake is widely recognised as being the best mechanical system going and little surprise they were a popular site at last week’s Cycle show. Numb of bum and brain, I took a break from deadlines and fitted mine to the Ilpompino on Tuesday afternoon. Twenty minutes, a new inner wire, some perfectionist re-wrapping of the bars and shot of PTFE lube later, we were ready for the lanes. 

I’ve always rated Avid’s BB7 but the spyre’s just a much nicer system full stop.

Both have been popular sights on the cyclo cross scene for a few years now, although they are fundamentally different designs. The Avids are a single piston design, whereas the Spyre uses two, meaning braking force is shared equally between both pads, which are effortlessly adjusted via the barrel adjuster (or from the bars in a race context). Single piston adjustment requires dismounting, annoying on a long winter ride but potentially the difference between first and second on a muddy race circuit.   

Correctly set up, this ensures uniform pad and rotor wear. With a compression-less cable, like for like, the Spyre feels marginally more powerful but modulation and feel are the greatest improvements. I also prefer the sleeker profile, which may offer some negligible aero advantage but bereft of wind tunnel facilities, I’ll settle for a sharper aesthetic and 20g saving.   

Darker nights are seeing a procession of high power blinkies and main systems, including Moon’s shield X auto. It’s a sophisticated 9 mode model with a maximum output of 80 lumens and interestingly, a light sensitive auto on/off setting. This gives the option of the light engaging via a sensor, once the light dips beyond a certain level. Not a new concept; Shimano’s nexus dynamo switch and several others have used similar technology, although admittedly, its comparatively rare on safety lights. 

Arguably and it its simplest, all you’ll need is two functions-constant and flashing but I’ve always liked a selection, of varying output and patterns. There are four steady and four flashing, with another daylight setting. Thankfully a mode memory means it defaults to your last choice, which makes life easier, especially if you have a favourite.  

Rule of thumb says 15-20 lumens is more than sufficient for urban riding. Rural contexts call for something brighter.

Specification is comparable with other bells n’ whistles models. COB (Chips on Board) technology means diodes are placed directly onto the circuit board, thus creating a more intense pattern of light.

In this instance the Cree XPE+ diode is joined by another 20. A CNC machined aluminium casing serves as a heat sink, keeping them cool, for a long and productive life. Lens and reflector quality have a big part to play, this casts a 270 degree cloak of light, which gives plenty of peripheral presence, while the collimator lens projects a very strong spot to nail the attention of approaching traffic.

 I’ve used  and been suitably impressed by the original Shield and formative impressions suggest this version is a very capable safety light but we’ll have more to say a few weeks down the line.

I’ve also taken delivery of this four mode, Xeccon Zeta 1300 lumen front light, which the Chinese marque claims is designed for both mountain biking and city riding. The diminutive lamp is nicely executed from CNC machined aluminium alloy for durability and heat dispersing qualities.

This meets IPX6 for weatherproofing, meaning water-resistant unless fully immersed and houses a single Cree XHP50 diode and switch. This attaches to the bars via a surprisingly neat bracket, slightly reminiscent of Go Pro types and choice of sturdy O rings.

As we’ve come to expect, there’s also a helmet mounting option and the 8.4volt 5200aMH battery pack is both smaller and lighter than photos suggest. This is reckoned to fuel the light’s 1300 lumen mode for a very respectable 3.5 hours, although a full charge means 5 hours and 30 minutes-from the mains. Looking at the couplings, I am fairly confident that other, pattern packs are interchangeable.

Technically, the neoprene carry sack will play nicely with a top tube bag; though in the Ilpompino’s case, I’ve substituted mine for the cavernous Axiom Grand Fondo wedge pack.   

Depressing the lamps’ positive centre mounted switch for two seconds brings it to life, subsequent presses cascade through the settings. This also employs the familiar traffic light battery-life indicator and it’s perfectly aligned within rider eye-line.  There’s also a remote wireless trigger for convenience.

First impressions-a quick hour’s blast along the lanes, suggests a good hybrid spot/flood combining sufficient navigational clout for serious speed with a decent arc providing presence a plenty. Unlike the ubiquitous auction site specials, lens and reflector quality means there’s no dazzling of rider or other road users.

Other traffic, including SUVs have dips their beams from full to main at car typical distances too.  I was surprised by how warm the casing had become during the ride but then again, we’re not in digit singing territory. For now,  I'll leave  you with a link to some footage...https://www.facebook.com/Sevendaycyclistmagazine/videos

Showtime!

I am of course referring to the 2016 Cycle show in Birmingham’s NEC (National exhibition centre), which though lacking the outright spectacle of Eurobike, still had plenty on offer.

A nasty bout of food poisoning the night before and a very fraught commute wasn’t the most auspicious start. However, I arrived at the NEC on time with trusty Sony NEX CSC, assorted lenses and some sugary sustenance to keep me from flagging at crucial points.

A few minutes later, Steve Dyster (Seven Day Cyclist’s co-editor) appeared and we convened for coffee and to strategise. Piping hot Americano coursing through my veins and colossal croissant consumed; we started with the year’s biggest trend-Gravel/adventure and disc braked road bikes. Most big brands had several models on offer and at various price points.

Of the most enticing to me was this titanium Boardman and several from Bombtrack; a German brand being introduced to the UK later this year. A big fan of cyclo crossers and their derivatives, I was particularly taken with their hook 2 and this drop bar 1x11 mountain bike, which is arguably the closest I’ve come to my ideal drop bar mountain bike build.

My passion for this particular breed was ignited by a “news in brief” piece, in the now defunct “Bicycle” magazine way back in 1987. This featured a Muddy Fox “Trailblazer”; which sported big drops, bar end shifters and 26x1.75 tyres. I’ve never seen one in the flesh and rumour suggests it was a prototype. Fast forward 29 years and I am very keen to put this Columbus tubed trail beast through its paces. 

Through axles have migrated from motorcycles to mountain bikes and now, disc braked skinny tyre road-biased builds. Increased front end stiffness is their main appeal over standard quick releases and there’s little trade-off in terms of removal speed; say when fixing a flat. We firmly believe that every stable should have a four seasons’ bike as car daily driver.

Enter this favourably priced Radman Urban. 6061 aluminium frame with stealth black finish and dressed perfectly for riding in all weathers. Alfine 11speed hub transmission, hub dynamo, hydraulic disc brakes, full length guards and a four point rack. Drops are my preference but the sensible flats and gear range are perfect for trailer/tagalong tugging duties.

With as little jiggling, I reckon you’d be able to sneak a set of 700x35 spikes in for the harsher months too…Suffice to say, I was quick to swap business cards and express interest in testing one. Another quietly popular trend was for hub gears and belt drives. Belts were all the rage back in 2009/10 but somewhat divisive.    

Clean, maintenance free riding is an obvious plus but debate always raged about their true efficiency. I have an open mind and haven’t heard too many horror stories regarding durability. Critics may cite Kawasaki’s belt final drive on their Z305 motorcycle back in the mid 80s, which was super smooth but vulnerable to collecting stones and similar sharps, which would sever it irreparably.

Others would justly pint out that powerfully built riders turning a cadence of 100/120rpm are hardly comparable with a high revving four stroke motorcycle. Shand cycles run this on their Rohloff stoater, which can also be converted at the drop out to run single speed or traditional derailleur setups. We chatted about frame building practice, which culminated in an open invitation to stop by their workshops, next time we were in Livingston.  

Fixed and other retro flavours also lingered, with Condor and Bianchi offering some very nice examples. I’m strangely taken with the former’s somewhat iconic Pista fixed, although less endeared to its electroplated finish. The iconic London marque has also taken a retro theme but given it a contemporary, practical twist. Their Cassico oozes continental charm with paint and polish but thankfully, those shiny tubes are stainless, not electroplated.

Their Pista and Paris Path models were also very appealing to yours truly, although personally I would’ve preferred mudguard eyelets on a machine following the road/path tradition. The Fatello was another enticing machine. 

A lightweight tourer cum Audax/day bike, its’ made from Columbus spirit tubing, features discs and sufficient clearance for 700x28 and full length guards. £799.99 as a frameset only, should you fancy going a’la carte. 

Bike shop shelves literally groan under the weight of bike washes and similar labour saving potions. Most work reasonably well, although I’m always intrigued by something genuinely different.

Stopping for a chat with Pro Green MX www.Pro-GreenMX.co.uk provided just that. Originally devised as a one-off formula for a moto-cross riding friend, they developed their formulas into three different products. 

One for transmission components, another for all-over use and finally a wax polish preserve. We are assured all are devised and brewed in house, contain no salts, or similar nasties and were sent home with a pack to review. Watch this space…

Last but not least, being something of a clothes horse and MAMIL (Middle aged man in Lycra) I was very drawn to these designs…Well, if the jersey fits….