While mooching around
Coventry’s Fargo Village, I was drawn to “The Bike Box”. Initially, by a Surly
pacer and this Salsa. Being Sunday, I wasn’t entirely surprised to discover the
shop closed. However, peering in through the window, I noticed this Holdsworthy
Claud Butler.
An early 80s, 531ST
frameset built around period sensitive, yet broadly contemporary components.
Colour aside, the frameset was almost identical, to a 1982 Super Dalesman, that
seduced me, and my paper round savings, 29 years 1 month ago.
It cost me £250 at the time.
£125 of which, I borrowed from my mother. A tourer that handled beautifully,
laden or otherwise and one I remember, with great fondness.
Thankfully, Sharon came to
collect me at this point. Being an empath, she humoured me, then whisked us
away to a very pleasant Turkish café’. Elsewhere, the Holdsworth and I have
been enjoying the clement conditions.
Perky and pared to the
essentials, there’s been plenty of smiles per mile too. I was tempted (when Lee
Cooper graciously performed the bottom bracket shell replacement and other, remedial
work) to have a set of bottle bosses added. However, while its far from period,
I want to keep the frame original-structurally, at least.
Hence, I’ve gone the strap on
route. (You at the back, stop sniggering!!!) The slightly dumpy, though
extremely practical SKS unit, has been joined by Topeak’s infinitely prettier
Versa mount.
I’ve whipped this carbon
composite Enigma bat-wing design. On an aesthetic note, I should probably swap
the Elite Ciussi, for the Boardman cage clinging to my Univega’s downtube.
The Versa mount can be mounted
in a variety of ways, to entertain small/compact geometry frames and even
folders-head tubes, seat posts, or even fork legs are a few obvious
alternatives. 1.2 kilos, is the maximum payload. One trick ponies in some
respects. You certainly wouldn’t deploy them as a P-clip substitute for 4point
carriers.
Continuing the swapping theme…
I’ve swapped my fixed gear winter trainer’s Syncros matchbox cage for this bright
green Vel race cage. A much closer match, pattern-wise, to the Deva.
At 34g, its made from a composite
resin, which in turn is painted and lacquered for a glossy, durable sheen. I’ve also exchanged said machine’s Brooks
swift pattern perch, for this BBB Echelon.
The Echelon has a unique, dare
I say characteristically Dutch flavour. It supposedly straddles mtb and road genres,
suggesting it’ll be a viable option for rough stuff and gravel too.
This is the 141, which is
slightly misleading, since its actually145mm wide, 265mm long. 2mm broader than
the toupe’, which may prove a more suitable option for my ‘cross biased
fixed.
Another cutaway design, it features
a carbon reinforced shell, EVA foam padding and a durable, faux leather cover. Hollow
Cro-moly rails with adjustment scales strike a good strength to weight ratio
and make setup straightforward. Especially, if you’re swapping it between bikes.
Having done 400 miles on the
Vee Tire Co Zilent and crucially, reached some tangible conclusions, I’ve switched
to The Soma Shikoro upfront. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/s A supple, compliant ride to match and indeed,
compare with their 33mm Supple Vitesse cousins.
Talking of Soma, here’s my
review of the Condor bars https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/soma and
the Lizard Skins DSP https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/lizard-skins-dsp
Elsewhere, Sinner have been in
touch with me, regarding the refinishing of Mango bodies. According to Melvin, these
are in fact made from Gelcoat. A composite but not actually carbon fibre as
first thought. We are advised that a decent car body finisher should be more
than capable of repainting to a high standard.
I’m inclined to say that many
will regard the Mango as specialist equipment and politely decline, as tends to
happen with motorcycle components. A project finisher, or someone working with
motorcycle GRP (fairings etc) is likely to be a better bet. John is also
looking to upgrade the gearing to a triple, for greater range.
He’s opting for 28/40/70.
However, we have discovered the Sunstar battery assist’s spider, will only
accommodate two rings. Therefore, I have contacted Sunstar, asking if they
produce a compatible pattern, capable of accommodating a triple.
John is talking in terms of
making a custom model from stainless steel; or modifying the existing setup. No
surprise, given he’s a retired engineer but I’m thinking a stock model will be
a more efficient use. of time and other resources. Talking of models, here’s
some more from last week’s shot with Krystal J.
