No, not that one…After a
week’s postal drought, a blizzard of kit arrived, including the Redshift
Shockstop Suspension Stem www.redshiftsports.com I
referred to, a few entries back.
Unsurprisingly, it’s
infinitely more sophisticated than the Girvin Flex stem that divided opinion,
back in the day (but one I was rather fond of). More refined engineering and
working to closer tolerances, set up, is perhaps, predictably, a little more
involved.
Given this precision and depending
on rider weight, elastomers need to be swapped over and pre-load carefully reset.
Not the sort of installation you’d attempt, 20 minutes before a big ride.
On paper, my Holdsworth might
seem an unusual test rig. However, the shock stop is also intended for tarmac
biased riding and the weight penalty, compared with a traditional 7005/6061
unit, is only around 80g.
As I’ve mentioned before, the
frameset’s thin, steel tubes and carbon composite fork blades, are synonymous with
compliance. However, the steerer is aluminium alloy and front end can feel
unexpectedly direct, over washboard surfaces. My favourite 1in7 descent being a
case in point.
Ison Distribution www.ison-distribution.com
sent me these rather fetching Genetic CX cantilevers for testing. I’ve reviewed
several Genetic products, from pedals to seat posts, over the years, and have
been consistently impressed, by the brands’ bang-for buck ratio.
Despite discs’ dominance,
there’s a lot to be said in favour of the humble cantilever. Lightweight, a
well-honed unit has adequate mechanical bite, to halt 115kilos-comfortably.
These are CNC-machined
aluminium. The braced design, we’re told is designed to eradicate flex.
Standards of finish are very high, relative to the asking price and polished
finishes always keep their looks. Albeit with the occasional waxing, or buff
with a polishing cloth and product, such as Crankalicious Mayo Jaune. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/crankalicious-mayo-jaune-intensive-
The Genetic were trickier to
set up, with my Univega’s shallower reach Microshift brifters, which is
historically, the case, with any wide arm design. M System patterns and models,
such as, these Avid Shorty 4, are pretty much plug n’ play. Crucially, I have the tubby
tourer’s braking
back up to scratch now.
Elsewhere, I’ve switched my
winter/trainers perch from the likeable 14mm wide BBB Echelon saddle, to
titanium railed Brooks Swift homage. Motivations for this, will become obvious,
further down the line.
However, its butt bespoke and
some additional “spring” is welcomed along the lanes. Especially, since I’ve
forgone the Cane Creek Thudbuster ST https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/cane-creek-thudbuster-suspensuin-se
in
favour of the more tarmac traditional Genetic Syngenic https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/genetic-syngenic-seatpost
.
Despite warnings of
apocalyptic weather fronts, temperatures remain in the high teens/early
twenties.
No call for substituting shorts and summer jerseys for something more
substantial (although summer kit is easily extended through autumn, with Lycra
arm and leg warmers).
Talking of which, I’ve been
suitably pleased by the Tenn GC Eurosport range https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/tenn
https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/tenn-global-eurosport
We are being approached with
winter ranges, including some from Stolen goat www.stolengoat.com , which is
really nice.
The 29th marks the tenth year of this blog and has me reflecting on my motivations behind it.
Its conception originated with the acquisition, and restoration of a certain orphaned
frameset-hence the title.
However, other cycling related
projects and concepts/product testing soon crept in. Occasionally it has lapped
at social commentary and indeed, some personal shorelines. There’s a lot more
to riding, than components and equipment, which make everything go, stop and handle
in correct proportion. Yes, I am including the rider, in this equation.
Two wheels, with and without
engines are extremely practical, everyday vehicles for a small planet but long,
steady miles are very conducive to deeply reflective states. Often, I
contemplate the journeys along life’s highways and my wrong turns on its
roundabouts.
I’ve been brutally penalised for
some mistakes on the one hand and I am acutely aware of a controlled rage
within me. Conversely, I have a responsibility to myself and others, to learn
from and channel these experiences/emotions positively.
Similarly, some unexpected
detours have resulted in serendipitous successes. On that note I’ll end with
Steve’s review of Surly’s Ted Trailer. With a maximum payload of 300lbs, its ideal
for those of us carrying big, bulky loads, of a physical nature. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/surly-ted-trailer
