These Soma Fabrications Condor flared drop
bars arrived among a consignment of delightful Soma goodies. Now, I like big
flared drops for cross and other, dirt biased riding. WTB mountain drop and
On-One Midge being my two, favourite patterns.
The condor is made from
shot-peened 6061 T6 aluminium alloy. I’m deceptively broad across the shoulder
for my height and build, so have gone for the extra-large (44/49cm), still
slightly narrower than the Midge.
However, the medium is
40/45cm, large 42/47cm. The smaller number denotes the c-c width i.e. measured
between the hoods. Look closer and
you’ll notice it’s pattern is a hybrid of riser and compact drop bar.
Now, in common with the other
two, the condor’s shallow drop supposedly allows more time riding the drops. Little surprise that they’re marketed at
touring, bike packing and gravel riding audiences.
Apparently, rotating them
accentuates certain characteristics to suit personal preference. I deliberately
avoided my “Child at Easter” urges to strip and fit, to my fixed gear
winter/trainer’s cockpit- immediately.
I had higher priorities and
wanted to avoid (a) Rushing the fit (b) forgetting to weigh them and having to
strip bar tape, brake levers, lighting and other goodies, later. Soma cite the
weight as 320g, ours tipped the scales at 348g.
I’m generally indifferent to
black/dun finishes. Thankfully and in common with the WTB, this is a good
quality one. The sort that resists accidental marking, say when
fitting/adjusting brake levers, rotating them in the stem.
Any adjustment/component change
tends to feel different, often an improvement psychologically. Formative
impressions are of a higher position, my hands defaulting to the drops, as
opposed to cruising atop the hoods.
Not that the oversized midge
could be described as springy, However, the Condor’s increased rigidity is very
apparent, especially when climbing out of the saddle. Powering up a climb,
superior stiffness permits effort to be channelled into cadence, which can make
all the difference, when you’re forced to rely on a single gear ratio.
The Condor’s curved, swoopy
profiles still offer a reasonable amount of useable parking space for lights, computer,
action camera etc. However, the Trelock Ls960i switch https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/trelock-ls960i-dynamo-front-light isn’t
oversized. Thus, it needs to sit where the bar narrows and consequently, at a
slight angle. Operationally, this isn’t an issue but something to consider, if
you’re porting clamps/brackets of similar diameter over.
The inexpensive, though high
performing BBB BHT 14 flexribbon gel bar tape https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/bbb-bht-14-flexribbon-gel-bar-tape could’ve been reused but I had some very
fetching Lizard Skins DSP 2.5mm, doing something close to nothing.
They grey swirl effect also
compliments the build’s colour scheme handsomely. A phantom squeak was traced to the otherwise loveable
Revolution Ritchey copies, so a quick game of lucky dip in the spares drawer,
sees them substituted for these single-sided Shimano PD A520 pedals. Tiagra by
another name, these are a sporty platform type. Greater support but without the
ground clearance hassles and the versatility offered by recessed SPD cleats.
Holdsworth aside, all my fleet
feature slightly flared drops. This sea change started when I was introduced to
the On-One midge back in 2005. This wasn’t love at first feel but within a
matter of rides, I was warming to them.
Upgrading to the increasingly
standard (oversized) diameter was a good move. The 25.4, though great for drop
bar retro mtb builds/conversions, felt whippy by comparison. I sold these on to
a good home, 18months back.
Leverage and to some extent
control, are the main benefits of a wider/flared bar. Hence their particular
appeal, on a rough stuff tourer cum trailer tug. However, they also open the
chest cavity, which is quite helpful when tackling steeper ascents, especially
on the fixed.
The wild and weird weather
hasn’t relented on these shores, which is perfect for testing tyres., chain
lubes, mudguards and pretty much anything else, really. Talking of which; I’ve
racked up 225 extremely wet miles from a single application of Finish Line
Ceramic wet.
I’ve used its aerosol variant
in the past to reasonable effect. Convenience is the main draw. The solvent
component will consume any residual chain lubricant (although some stiffer
ceramic/wet formulas require a more voracious solvent cleaning first).
When this evaporates, the low
friction lubricant layer is left behind. Aerosols use a solvent to make them
sprayable, coupled with a butane propellent. Great for channelling it into
those hard to reach areas, such as sticky mechanisms/cables, or even loosening
rusted/lightly corroded contact points.
The bottle version requires a swift
shake to mix the formula and chains a quick wipe afterward. Despite being a
dropper type, the super runny mixture means it will go everywhere and is best
deployed using their no drip chain luber. Doubling up i.e. leaving it a few
minutes between coats, adds a more substantial and ultimately durable layer.
Forget about cheeky topping up
indoors, for this and very flammable, reasons. If you have pets, or small
children, wash down any residual stuff too. While cats in particular, will give
anything noxious, or petrochemical based a wide berth, they can still succumb
to poisoning. The most common cause being traces of product sticking to their
fur. Cats will lick this, ingesting the poison and can be fatal.
I found the Crankalicious
pineapple crush concentrate, agitated with a stiff bristled brush perfect for speedy
dismissal.
Looking forward to bringing
the Holdsworth out of hibernation over the coming weeks. Feeling the need for
some serious, flat out, point to point blasts.
