Brakeless fixed gear builds
belong on the track. People riding fixed, on public roads, without a front brake
is a pet peeve of mine.
Being brutally honest, given
the publicity surrounding Charlie Alliston (Reportedly riding a fixed gear
track bike-brakeless, when he collided with a pedestrian in February 2016) I’m
astonished that some riders still set their daily drivers this way.
Mainstream press coverage was
anything but neutral in tone.
There are a wealth of cars and other vehicles driven with defective components and by operators, without appropriate licences or insurance. Some industry sources estimate there are as many as 216,000 uninsured car drivers. 13.4% residing in East London, where the tragic incident occurred.
There are a wealth of cars and other vehicles driven with defective components and by operators, without appropriate licences or insurance. Some industry sources estimate there are as many as 216,000 uninsured car drivers. 13.4% residing in East London, where the tragic incident occurred.
Their risk/likelihood of killing, or
otherwise ruining lives is considerably greater.
Nonetheless, the law is unambiguous.
Nonetheless, the law is unambiguous.
It is an offence to ride on a
public road without two efficient braking systems. These must apply to both
wheels. Riding fixed allows the rider to regulate sped by holding off against
the cranks-much better in wet, or icy conditions. A handful of front brake
then, could result in a very painful and undignified face plant. That said; a
lever operated brake mechanism must feature.
Now, back in the 1950s, when
Velodromes packed in the crowds, it was common practice to arrive on your
road-path bike, stripping it of mudguards and front brake.
Some folks carried their race
wheels on sprint carriers-I still have a set and occasionally deliver/collect a
freshly trued wheel this way. One of those concepts I would appreciate coming
back into vogue. That said; they’re easily made from aluminium alloy-assuming
you’ve got some basic engineering/metal working skills.
I digress… This particular
outpouring was sparked by a Bianchi conversion spotted around Coventry’s canal
basin. Aside from being badly locked and that unmistakable celeste livery, the
bare fork drilling caught my eye.
Thinking back to my earlier
paragraph, while unlikely, it is still possible that its owner booby trapped
their bike. Removed front calliper and Dia Compe “Dirty Harry” type lever when
parking up?
ON the subject of Celeste,
these Jagwire Pro-shift and Pro road brake cables have arrived on the Seven Day
Cyclist www.sevendaycyclist.com test
bench.
I’ve earmarked ours for my Univega, since its neutral cream livery won’t
clash and there are signs of kink damage where the existing (model) enters the
rear mech. Ideal opportunity to pop said tubby tourer’s wheels on the jig-a
quick tension and true before winter.
Speaking of winter, we’ve also
had these early winter and lobster gloves arrive from Phew.cc www.phew.cc . These are designed
to bridge the gap between spring and full blown duvet type winter gloves. Their
windster, windproof and breathable fabric is essentially a fleece lined
polyester/nylon mix designed to keep hands temperate between 3 and 12 degrees.
I’ve only had chance to give them a cursory 20miles but was impressed by how
temperate the early winter were, as the mercury slipped into single figures.
Fit and dexterity are also immediately noticeable too. Flipping them over
reveals subtle ulnar defending gel blobs. Grippy silicone detailing adorns the
palms, thumb for improved communication with brifters.
Let’s see what the next few weeks and a few
hundred miles say.
Elsewhere, I’ve had another of
those September inspirations. I’ve always been fond of the now seemingly
defunct IRO range and specifically, their Rob Roy, which was similar in concept
to On-One’s Ilpompino. https://www.flickr.com/groups/723385@N25/pool/
I had originally wanted to
import a Rob Roy back in 2005 but the Ilpompino seemed a better bet all-round.
Primarily this was down to concerns over import tax and of course, the baggage
destroyers. Would probably bite, if I found a 54/56cm with tatty cosmetics at
the right price.
This slightly scabby Peugeot
competition frame also triggered my spidey-senses. Hailing from 1981, these
were 531 frames in the main triangle sense, which kept prices, well,
competitive!
I’ve seen a few sporting 531
part chrome forks, which look lovely. Since there is overlap between
electroplate and enamel, the latter tends to flake eventually. Personally, I'd opt
for a chrome effect powder coat and colour lacquer, second time round.
Changeable weather has been
perfect for testing the staying prowess of chain lube. I’m still on the first
helping of TF2 ultra wax lube 330 miles hence, which is pretty good going,
given these types are primarily intended for dry, dusty conditions. A full
review will be coming to Seven Day Cyclist very soon. That’s it for now, off to
prepare for next week’s NEC show.
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