Manic Mechanic

What works on the stand and what performs on the road can be two entirely different things. I was delighted with Ursula’s reconfiguration and though I loved the Soma Condor were a great fit, the Soma Condor 2SOMA CONDOR 2 SHALLOW DROP BARS | (sevendaycyclist.com) seem an inspired upgrade. A little on the tall side for my fixed gear winter trainer but bang on for the tubby tourer.  

Being a four seasons’ machine, the sudden transition to heavy rain prompted a 20-mile shakedown ride. Though counterintuitive, thanks to years of brifter use (yes, my index finger has been gravitating to the imaginary paddle on the Tektro levers) the Microshift bar con has performed faultlessly.  

Click shift, click shift, click. No slips, no hesitation. The front brake showed some hesitancy on the return but easily corrected with ten pumps of the right lever. Otherwise, I relaxed, enjoyed the ride and vowed to resist further cable fettling temptation. Well, save for replacing the rear brake’s straddle wire. While functional, it was fraying badly and very much on borrowed time.  

Problem-solving and working things through is all part of riding. 

Ok, by the roadside, you want to get going again, as soon as reasonably possible but developing familiarity and understanding the components leads to a much better riding experience and mechanical sensitivity. As I’ve said before, there is also a good case for outsourcing some work, where it's more cost-effective. I don’t build good wheels, so for me, leaving my wheels in the hands of a skilled wheel builder is money well spent. 

Despite the changeable conditions, the Peaty’s Link Lube Dry PEATYS LINK LUBE DRY CHAIN LUBE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) has impressed me with its staying prowess, despite the changeable conditions. Plenty remains on the chain and is readily reclaimed from the cassette. I’m still on the second helping several hundred miles in.   

Closer inspection of the rear, Schwalbe Marathon Mondial Double Defense Tyre TEST & REVIEW: SCHWALBE MARATHON MONDIAL TYRES (sevendaycyclist.com) suggested it was also nearing the end of its dependable life. Not bald as the proverbial porn star’s bits but their centre strip was beginning to show obvious signs of wear and I found several sharps burrowing into the casing. I had one in ruder health, so superglued some superficial cuts, then switched to that until I find a suitable replacement. 

Now, I’m a fan of connectivity but there are boundaries. I have no desire for a foreign power to launch a missile strike via a wi-fi enabled kettle in my kitchen. Professionally, I am interested in GPS and similar bar-mounted tech. Personally, I don’t want to share my ride routes, time, location etc. 

Any GPS function on a camera is also turned off, for these same said reasons.  

Ursula has been sporting this Cat Eye Quick for a couple of years- a very simple 7 function design, which is compact, intuitive and reliable. However, at £44.99, its relatively expensive, relative to functions. I found myself yearning for something more sophisticated, yet still offline.  

Since the weather is still ambient; I am continuing to enjoy spirited playtimes on the Teenage Dream. I’ve found the bigger Axiom wedge pack’s saddle loop Velcro was becoming slightly unreliable. Not to the point where it would come adrift and cause the bag to land on the tyre but this was a distinct possibility, so I switched to this smaller Axiom, which employs a quick release saddle rail clip and two Velcro post straps. Sorted-Huzzah!  

I was also struck by the ungodly, unmistakable funk of trench helmet. My long-serving do-most but mtb biased Bell, on this occasion. Now, I could go the same route as Steve and use a capable commercial product, such as this Oxford Mint Helmet SantizerOXFORD MINT HELMET SANITISER | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) but, given as I was headed that way, plumped for a post-ride shower and shampoo, instead. The shampoo route is surprisingly effective but best done more frequently, to keep funk at bay.