Never Ending Story

 

The quiet and extended periods of darkness are extremely conducive to product testing and more generic reflection. On the bike front, it can also be a time when an idea, becomes the ONLY idea. Ok, Michael, give us something to work with. Well, I’ve been pondering, with the new SD8 dynohub, whether I should take Ursula the disc route upfront. This would obviously require a new set of forks and a caliper.  

There are several routes I could’ve taken. The first is custom. I could get a frame builder, such as Lee Cooper Home - LEE COOPER CYCLE FRAMES (webs.com) to build me a suitable set from a decent grade of Cro-moly. However, going that route, I would need cantilever and disc brake mounts, mudguard eyes, and would probably add some custom mounts atop. Did I mention paint.... A bespoke, but arguably not the most cost-effective route...  

I happened upon some aluminium alloy Kinesis, which were another very plausible, relatively inexpensive choice that would’ve also presented a weight saving, albeit feeling a little more direct than their steel counterparts. However, transpired these were an archived model.  I toyed with the idea of something with carbon blades and an alloy steerer.  

A few inexpensive Chinese models looked basically OK. However, they only sported a disc caliper mount, which defeated the object. Now, it’s suggested in some circles that budget forks tend to be a little overbuilt. However, the prospect of a cheap fork failing at any point, inducing an expensive and painful spill, is another turn-off for me.   

Then a set of lightly used Kona Project 2, complete with both sets of brake mounts came under my radar (and moreover at the right price). 180mm steerer...Now, I hadn’t expected these to materialise, so got over excited and bought blind, taking a gamble on the 180mm steerer tube.  

This was on the slimmer side of precise but viable, with a spacer exchange. Paint was similarly good. A light dab of phosphate primer and some gloss black will cure a couple of superficial chips. Topeak Versa Mounts TOPEAK VERSAMOUNT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) will address the missing mudguard eyelets. For the time being, I’ll run the existing setup and new wheel until I’ve got everything together and can transfer everything seamlessly. Afterall, new front brake, pads, rims with machined side walls...   

I've gone for another TRP Spyre SLC caliper, a TRP compression-less cable kit, and will take the Cane Creek SC5 route. Disc rotor will be a 160mm Clarke unit, since that’s what I have in stock, and I’ve used them to good effect with my fixed gear winter/trainer’s Spyre setup. This will of course be topped off with a change of bar tape. Elsewhere, back in the moment, Oxford products have sent me this Torque Covert Crank Multi tool, which fills the gap in the drive-side of your Hollow tech crank.  

I’d been known to blank these with a surplus bar end plug, on aesthetic grounds but this way, you’re filling space with something genuinely useful. Held magnetically in situ, the 7-function tool includes 3,4, 5, 6mm Allen keys, Philips head screwdriver, T25 Torx key, Chain tool, chain link holder, which is quite an impressive feat.

  

Oxford have really turned up the dial on their advanced rider range and the Oxford Venture Jacket is no exception. It’s a lightweight, packable “proper” shell jacket designed to thwart the elements. 10,000mm for waterproofing and breathability might sound distinctly average but in practice are proving very effective in the real world.  

Though snug, it’s accommodating of winter layering. The laminate shell has also been doing an excellent job of blocking icy chills and even the detachable hood is winning me over. However, there’s a couple of hundred miles before I draw any firm conclusion. Should reach those come the close of Christmas...