I don’t know everything and never will. Those who do not ask questions, do not learn...Custom, CNC machined brackets suddenly became the only idea until someone helpfully suggested a flat to IS mount adaptor.
Fingers to keyboard, I dodged anything from the virtual flea markets since these are a lottery at the best of times. Even if they materialise accuracy of machining is often incredibly poor, so money may as well be tossed down the drain. This cheap but cheery A2Z cost a few pennies more but turned up within a few days. Alas, it also proved incompatible. Back to the drawing board.
Another source of this inspiration was my contemplation of taking Ursula the rear disc route, too. Frame builders generally advise against this, or at least show reticence to braze mounts to steel framesets of this era. I’m certainly not going to risk a frame’s integrity or persuade a skilled frame builder to do something they are not comfortable executing. Add to that, the cost of otherwise unnecessary refinishing and the juice isn’t worth the squeeze.
There’s a trend for converting older mountain bikes to gravel builds, complete with disc mounts and 700c tyres. Some of them are nicely, dare I say, sympathetically executed, akin to other subtle conversions. Winter trainers, or cyclocross rigs to lightweight touring/audax, older cross-country mountain bikes to drop bar tourers, or four seasons’ workhorses being good examples.
Others, involving cutting brake bridges out to entertain bigger section 700c tyres are, in my view, extreme butchery. Rather akin to chopping houses into flats, where bodged electrics, plumbing and cheap materials seem par for the course. In case you were curious, a more traditional cyclo cross typical 32mm seems viable with 26inch mountain bike framesets.
Back to disc brake conversion adaptors, most off-the-peg adaptors seem crude, horrible affairs.
The only exception I’ve seen is the Brake Therapy Disc Brake Conversion Kit. However, this is no longer in production. If I found or was offered one at the right price, maybe. Otherwise, cantilevers stay.
I replaced the straddle wire that had begun fraying while doing some other routine maintenance... This time, I’d gone for a premium quality Dia Tech wire, which, in my experience, are less prone to fraying-although super glue, crimp, or solder the ends. Powerful, progressive braking restored. Not that I engage the rear brake very often, but I like things at their best, not just operational.
Staying with Dia Tech, I’d noted a slight tendency for Ursula’s Aheadset bearings to slacken very slightly after a few hundred miles. I concluded the best way to sort this was to reintroduce a Dia Tech cable hanger cum locking spacer.
This works to add some additional tension, just requires a more precise adjustment, when setting the preload. I also cleaned the fork steerer and added a quick lick of grease to the upper bearing, since the opportunity presented itself. To date, this seems to have addressed the issue. Little things, eh.
Cooler weather gave cause for a rummage in the wardrobe, resulting in a few exclamations of “Wonder where that went!”. Most noteworthy being this DHB Aeron Rain Defence Polartec Jacket. It’s a water-resistant softshell design reckoned ideal for temperatures between 8 and 15 degrees, but I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how comfortable it’s been in temperatures between 1 and 3 degrees. Admittedly, I’ve worn this Oxford Venture Windproof Gilet atop OXFORD VENTURE WINDPROOF GILET | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) A good combination, paired with a decent quality long sleeve base layer.
The sudden dip in temperature has also presented opportunity to get some miles in with the Carnac Reflective Waterproof Crab Hand Winter Gloves. Perfectly temperate between 0 and 5 degrees (I’ve worn them up to 10 degrees, but by that point, my hands were feeling a little clammy. They’re also more dexterous than I was expecting. Keys, torches and similar essentials have been easily retrieved and operated. This isn’t my experience with the more extreme “lobster mitt” types. I like these in terms of warmth, but the lack of dexterity, for me is a big turn off. Right, time I was rounding up the buckets, brushes and bike washes ...Oh and here's my review of the Muc Off All Weather Chain Lube Muc-Off All Weather Chain Lube | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)
