Life is continuously changing,
evolving and thus we must adapt, accordingly. Bike Journalism/Kit testing
aside, I am a fettler. My two-wheeled fleet is, to some extent always evolving.
Not for change’s sake, or to fill a void in my life, rather ‘cos stuff wears
out, or in some instances, breaks.
On other occasions, I ruminate
on something, explore a few options, THEN decide on the solution(s). This
avoids consumption of resources. Money, time, energy/labour and of course,
storage.
To some extent, bikes are like
relationships, as we mature and (hopefully) gain greater self-awareness, we
understand what works for us. I am deeply attached to the Holdsworth and
Teenage Dream. However, for general, everyday riding, something with ‘cross
type geometry, clearances and indeed, big tyres, is my preference.
Life and people are here to
teach us lessons, it is up to us, whether we heed, and learn from them. There
are a wealth of people/personalities I navigate on a professional and personal
basis. I am pleasantly indifferent to most, deeply attached to a few. There are
people with enormous amounts to offer, but nothing good/right for me.
Another narrative, which has
endured from my teens, is user-serviceability. Anything I own must be
relatively straightforward to maintain properly, and to the highest standards.
This also goes for cars, and motorcycles. Back then, the ability to braze/frame
build was high on the list.
However, opportunity/finances
never presented, and I’ve long recognised it’s a skill best outsourced to those
with years of experience. I like welding. A semi-commercial MIG welder capable
of taking commercial Argon/CO2 cylinders would be a sensible investment for
light fabrication, repair etc.
Fully equipped workshops with
TIG welders. Oxyacetylene, Jigs etc are not. A week’s frame building course,
does not a master craftsperson, make “Building by numbers” is one thing, being
able to problem solve and deliver impeccable results is something entirely
different.
To paraphrase my late
Grandfather (40 years welding experience, 6year apprentice trained) “Any fool
can blast metal together. Making something stick, and moreover behave according
to draft, is something entirely different.”
I do share his somewhat surly
and difficult charm, although would like to think I’m more moderate, dare I say
agreeable, overall. Contexts established, I leave frame
building/modification/repair to the likes of Lee Cooper, and Maldon Shot
Blasting & Powder Coating. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/gravel-bike-on-a-budget
So, with all this in mind. I
was overtaken by one of THOSE urges. Pandora’s box sprung open and with it, the
yearning for Titanium…Forks. Yes, for Ursula…Not that there’s anything
particularly wrong with the existing “school chair” setup, with its beefy legs.
That said; they were aimed at
the “Jump” market, so there’s a weight penalty, relative to the original triple
butted uncrown, or something like Kona’s iconic Project II. A Chinese
manufacturer got in touch, offering me a set with disc, cantilever and mudguard
eyelets. £450 was an absolute deal-breaker. If something comes along, at the
right price and specification, I’ll take a closer look.
Elsewhere, I’ve resurrected my
Revolution Cargo Trailer (Bob Yak homage) from hibernation. Its primarily been
used, not for shopping/utilitarian purposes, but rather assessing the laden
handling prowess of test bikes. It needed a good polish, which proved the
perfect opportunity to test this Muc-Off Cherry Pop Silicone shine (I also took
this opportunity to treat the Univega).
Silicones certainly add
shine-especially to plastics. They also add lubricant to polymers/rubberised
components, which is good for suspension components. However, unless used
sparingly, silicones can also prove dirt traps. To assess this, I delivered
ours directly to the trailer chassis, tourer via micro-fibre cloth.
For the time being, said
trailer can follow behind my beloved tubby tourer, hauling various weights, to scrutinise
gearing more critically-now the honeymoon period’s done. I have a few minor
niggles with the Yak homage.
Firstly, the finish isn’t
particularly good. Its not poor, rather softer than I’d expect. Once it gets
tatty, I’ll get it blasted and powder coated. Similarly, though the wheel is identified
as being 16x1.75, offer a branded slick/road version against it, and, nope.
Since its functional enough,
I’ve decided to whip out the valve core and introduce some latex type, puncture
sealing splooge. Aside from the obvious, I needed to use it up, and this seemed
the obvious candidate.
Letting the bike do the
lugging, is a golden rule of touring and longer commutes. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/tug-jobs
However, depending on your payload, for shorter hauls, rider mounted luggage
can be a boon, especially filtering through tighter gaps in traffic. Well-made messenger
bags are old boots tough, (usually) weatherproof and ooze cool. Little surprise
they’re so popular.
Statistically, many car
journeys are less than 2.5 miles. Between this and 5 miles or so, messenger
bags have a ln their favour. My Chrome Industries (model) is still serving me
well, and Steve’s been putting this Chrome Modal Vale Sling Bag through its
paces https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/chrome .
He’s been similarly impressed with
this Carradice Kelbrook Satchel, which is made here, in the UK https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/carradice-kelbrook-satchel
