Good Times, Bad Times...

This week I have been mostly busting chain tools.... Coincidence perhaps, metal fatigue coupled with a very stubborn chain link the more likely explanations. Casualties included a very shapely Topeak, a multi tool and my late father’s beloved Cyclo. In fairness I was able to salvage operations using the latter but suggests workshop quality set of rivet pliers are the way forward.

The hand of fate deals love and hate in equal measure it seems. Kindness in the guise of borrowed parts, bringing the Holdsworth build to life-albeit temporarily. Halo’s Aerorage wheels complete with the firm’s 24mm courier rubber make for superb four season’s street hoops capable of entertaining single-speed cross during the winter months thanks to super smooth, large flange weather sealed flip-flop hubs but tipping the sales at just over two kilos means they’re slow on the climbs and not for a lithe TT mount. Powder coated sidewalls aren’t intended as a braking surface and therefore (legal) street use over here (but seem adequate in the short term with soft compound brake pads) so I’d probably plump for a machined front when circumstances allow.

Cruelty manifest itself as fluke- a chisel falling from the garage rafters struck a direct blow to the soft alloy headset top race. Miraculously there’s no other damage but I’ve contacted Woodman’s UK importer to secure a replacement and an installation tool….Finishing on a brighter note, rummaging has unearthed some very classy MKS NJS certified chain-tugs adding the finishing touch of class project road path... Well, for the time being at least!

Elsewhere, I drove over to Justin Burls to see what excitement lay in his workshop. In spite of the economic downturn the titanium side of his business is positively booming, although there's been less demand for his bespoke steel offerings. This wasn't idle sales talk either, seconds after this remark, the phone rang and a customer (a nurse commuting 250 miles a week) began discussing a mile-munching, four season's fixer build with clearances for 32mm tyres and full length guards. Building bespoke bikes and frames is far more than simply joining lightweight tubes together, it's about producing something totally unique-although the same is true for other custom crafts and coupled with raw talent is an interest in people and a willingness explore their needs. Justin builds very few forks these days-largely given carbon seems the default option but this customer wanted steel blades which intrigued me and I'd love to see the finished frameset.

Casting aside a green tarpaulin, Justin revealed a stunning space-age aero TT mount- The sort low enough to evade radar detection and fast enough to beat personal bests on looks alone thanks to over sized aero tubing. Swinging a leg over the top tube, it wasn't long before I was grinning from ear to ear, the tyre hugging seat-tube implying a shorter than actual 39 inch wheel base, meaning it corners as well as it climbs-unlike a steel frame I was unfortunate enough to test ride some years back- thirty six inch wheelbases are fantastic...in a straight line.

There's no mistaking titanium's unique characteristics and within the first few pedal strokes I was smitten, the tight rear triangle oozing prowess while damping road shock and refusing to clog, despite been deliberately ridden through manure and other roadside delicacies. Given the 17lb mass (sans pedals) it soars up the climbs without leaving the saddle-unless turning a colossal gear. Even with my 70 kilos dancing on the pedals, I couldn't induce any flex from the bottom bracket shell-thanks to the external bearings and lateral stiffness should satisfy all but the most powerful riders. The positioning suited my 181cm frame perfectly and it was possible to cruise effortlessly on the super stiff Oval bars. Being slightly stretched had the additional benefit of easing stiffness discomfort in my left shoulder caused by tendinitis- the result of several cycling "chutes" with the odd motorcycling miss-hap thrown in to seal the deal.

Aside from the gratuitous celebration of bike lust, it cements my decision in favour of mid range tri-extensions atop the Nitto pursuit bars. As for buying a Burls Russian Ti TT missile, there's no denying I'm tempted but other priorities are calling so I'll have to resist the urge a little while longer...