Sky Blue Thinking....Bars & Busted Levers

 

Sometimes simple jobs can become very involved. I’d decided now was time to retire the Genetic D-Riser 4. It was a two-horse race between 44cm Ridgeback (Promax) featuring a moderate 8-degree flare, which is modest, although double that of the Genetic D-Riser 4. Then there are these 42cm Selcof Sterrato V2 Flared Gravel Handlebars.  For the uninitiated, Selcof are a post war Italian marque sold in 2008 to the Rivolta Group and now a mid-point marque marketed and distributed in the UK by Planet X.

Neither feature any rise and the drop is deeper (125mm in the Selcof’s instance). However, the tops make for easier, dare I say, cleaner positioning of lights and other accessories, which is another definite plus from my perspective

I’ve gone for the narrower Selcof, given Muffin is primarily a road build, and I don’t need the same degree of flare. It will permit me to tuck in a little tighter reducing air resistance when battling headwinds and the steering should remain predictably brisk. While reflecting and taking a wander round the web, I spotted this T-One Mr Fantastic Handlebar Tape T-ONE MR FANTASTIC HANDLEBAR TAPE | cycling-not-racing . .  Greyville used to be their importer here in the UK, but I found some on a well-known auction site at a price I couldn’t pass up. I was pleasantly surprised by how closely it compliments Muffin’s livery.

It’s one of my all-time favourite bar tapes. I'm fond of others certainly and as with other natural silicones, at least those in lighter, or brighter colours, they do collect dirt and grime quite easily. Less so than the Acros Silicone Wrap Handlebar Tape Acros Silicone Wrap Handlebar Tape | Seven Day Cyclist, which features an embossed pattern. Otherwise, both share very similar pros and cons.

Comfort, damping and grip being the main draws- perfect for long training miles, touring lorries, bike packing, gravel and to a lesser extent, cyclo cross. Properties that outweigh their slight weight penalty over more traditional bar tapes, although this is only likely to be a turn off for owners of pared to the essentials TT missiles and other bikes on strict calorie-controlled diets.  The tear down was very straightforward, although the stem bolts had turned a little arthritic, having not been stripped and re-greased in a while.

Then I discovered the Tektro RL520’s resin cable run had warped, meaning a cable wouldn’t slide through. After some effort and the relentless barking of the neighbour’s three dogs inducing a splitting headache, I concluded the lever needed pensioning off. Running the very worthy, wall4et-friendly RL520 across the fleet long term, I’ve concluded the resin cable slot is a weak spot, so having double checked they’re compatible with disc invested in a set of Dia Compe 287 V.   I’ve used these before, albeit with V brakes and found them very effective with nice modulation and feel. I’ve forgone the Cane Creek dummy lever, since the different hood shapes meant I couldn’t get the alignment right when checked with one’s trusty spirit level.

Elsewhere, some winter Castelli goodies courtesy of Saddleback, Castelli's UK distributor has sent me the Ultimate Rain Jacket and Bib Tights. These are arguably intended for cool to moderate early season conditions, with a suggested temperature range between plus 4 and 14 degrees. The jacket features a PFAS-free PU membrane, taped seams, two hip pockets for parking stuff- hands too, when mooching around sans bike. There’s an integrated hood designed to fit beneath a helmet, while also continuing the dual use narrative.

Though a tailored fit, there’s plenty of adjustment, courtesy of the draw string hem, meaning you can bring it tighter on the bike, let t out when wearing street clothes. The Fordist “Any colour you like so long as its black” tends to divide opinion, but it compliment anything and retro reflective detailing around the hem and elasticated cuffs offer some nocturnal presence.  The tights feature the Progretto X2 Air Seamless Seat Pad and stretchy mesh cargo pockets on the thighs for snacks and anything else you might want quick access to are arguably a nod to gravel and bike packing.   

Formative impressions are favourable and what I’d expect from this end of the market. The Ultimate tights are best thought of as a middleweight model- apparently in the fabric density. None the worse for it. While they certainly have their place, I find the thermal Roubaix types a little too thick and toasty, even when the temperature’s dropping several degrees below zero. Part of this could be explained by my favouring of lower gears and a higher cadence, especially during the darker months.  To be honest, eight degrees upwards and I’m erring towards ¾ lengths, plenty of warmth and protection to the knees.

Continuing this wintry theme, I was also pleased to receive this Coospo TR70 Smart Radar Taillight, which boasts approaching vehicle warning, braking and a total of six other modes and a claimed maximum 40 hours run time (radar only). As is the trend for lighting, its designed to communicate with smart phones and indeed, some computers. The internet of all things some might say. Either way, I’m looking forward to seeing how it performs in the real world.

 

Frankensets

 

I’d continued to build Ursula in short, little and often bursts. I’d instated the Microshift bar con, replaced a tube in the rear Ryde XT wheel and inflated the Continental Cross Kings to 55psi and then began contemplating Ursula’s bar tape. Change for changes sake, a new era? I didn’t want to say goodbye to the Cycology 8 days Cycology 8 days Handlebar Tape | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) just yet, but fate (and the elements) had other ideas. I’ve gone for the Acros Silicone Bar Wrap LONG-TERM TEST: ACROS SILICONE BAR WRAP | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) the orange rather than blue, given winter’s looming. It's easily wrapped and naturally sticky, so no need for a backing adhesive, which makes cable swaps that bit easier.   

While I pondered this, my place in the Universe etc., I decided to install a fresh set of Microshift bar cons. There was nothing wrong with the original left shifter, but I decided since I needed to fit the rear bar con, I may as well go for uniformity at this stage. I want the rebuild right, from the off. Jagwire Road Elite sealed cables (173g complete and uncut) were also installed but fatigue left me convinced I’d a full set of derailleur cables. I had several inners but only one outer and one complete set of ferrules. I left everything snug but not pruned and decided to quit while ahead.   

The following day, I managed to whip the rear wheel in, set up the rear brake calliper and fitted a KMC chain, using the sleeping hub to hold everything in alignment. I’ll dial in the rear mech another time, probably when the front mech cable arrives. Meantime, I’ve popped the Acros tape (left side) into the wash.  All was going well until I tried the headset. Having stripped the Stronglight unit, I discovered it wasn’t all it seemed- a frankenset, made from bits of headsets. I had another, a cartridge model bought a while back and yep, despite being in a sealed envelope, was also missing parts. Bottom line, I was weary of wasting any more time, removed the Stronglight and bought an FSA, consigning the former to the bin.   

Elsewhere, the ORP Smart HornTESTED: ORP SMART HORN (sevendaycyclist.com) has returned to my fixed gear winter/trainer’s Genetic D-Riser 4 bars GENETIC DRISER 4 HANDLEBARS | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) The two-tone powder coat finish is enjoying its 9th birthday and is still in great shape. Though wet has been the primary narrative of the past fortnight, I found time to give the bike a seriously good clean, removed the seat post and blasted some of the waxy corrosion inhibitor inside.  I hung it up for a few days, switching to Denise for some fun along the lanes, allowing the fixed’s corrosion inhibitor to cure thoroughly.   

More lights have been coming our way-as you’d expect, given we’re entering the darker season. Magicshine See Mee 100AD Rear Light, which can produce, you guessed it, 100lumens. AD stands for Auto Detect, referring to the sensor system, which produces a more intense flashing light when it senses another vehicle approaching. It can also be synced with other compatible taillights for heightened presence.  

Not forgetting the Alty 800 V2.0/1200/1200U front lights. IPX6 for weatherproofing seems increasingly to be the default, which is good news for most consumers. It’s not waterproof in the submersible sense, but will certainly fend off very heavy rain, standing water, mud too, in my experience.  

I’ve not had too much issue with lights confirming to the lowlier IPX4 over the years- at least for road biased duties. However, there have been occasions when I’ve needed to flush a drowned unit out with a few liberal blasts of water displacer.  

Formative impressions suggest the See Mee 100AD sensor is very accurate and the flash deployed remarkably effective at grabbing and holding attention. Theoretically, this should mean being able to run a lower setting, conserving power and letting the intelligent technology do its thing when other vehicles approach.  

This doesn’t come naturally to me. Surrendering to tech’s mercy isn’t something that sits naturally with me but in the interests of testing. I’ll give it a go. The relatively flat lens design also aroused some minor concerns around peripheral presence, say when crossing junctions etc. but the projected light seems to counter this.  

Another nice feature is mount compatibility with others in the SeeMee family, so I can just switch places with the See Mee 50Mag, or indeed, the SeeMee100 and SeeMee 200 V2 without any issues. Super convenient and very welcome. It also makes sense from the vantage point of manufacturing economics.      

Timing, Resilience, Repairs & Riding

 

Opportunity presented, so I finally managed to prep and box Ursula ready for sending to Winston Vaz for repair, modernisation and refinishing. Watching the tracking service left me feeling distinctly nervous, given nothing seemed to be happening. However, it was insured and at this stage, beyond my control. Winston advised it had arrived safely on the Friday morning, which was a very welcome relief.   

There has been a lot of change in 2024, and I alternate between academic fascination and a pronounced sense of alarm. The political climate and a pronounced lurch to the right is seeing the more extreme, popularism taking its lead from the Nazi playbook in 1930s Germany. At its simplest, the way to defeat popularism is by improving people’s quality of life so those who would sow division, misinformation, and hate for their own ends have little platform.  

I was heartened to see communities coming together, fighting back against those who had come to cause destruction and distress. Those claiming to know their country and “fighting” for a mythical England that never existed were ignorant enough to bring their brand of hatred and destruction to Liverpool. An area with a long and rich history of diversity and resistance. Bring trouble and the discord will be very palpable.  

I fear the far right, dare I say, fascists within the UK will turn their hatred towards settled migrant communities. Those who have come from Africa, the Carribean, the Indian subcontinent lived peacefully, worked incredibly hard and made hugely positive contributions, for several generations.   

I’m described as a quiet soul many commenting that they wouldn’t play poker with me. True on both counts. Nonetheless, people have always fascinated me. Someone recently looked me in the eye and asked, “Are you tough?”  I paused for a moment and replied, “resilient”  

There has been a narrative doing the rounds for some time about the need for men to “open up”.  Great, so long as men aren’t misguided enough to try it. I my experience, those that do are shunned and/or mocked. I have a small but permanent disconnect from the civilian world, an innocence permanently lost. There are other, darker episodes from my early adulthood, worked through and largely consigned to the vaults of history. Most people are completely unaware and will remain so. 

I will nod along to the confiding narrative, while staying sensibly silent, hop on a bike and purge my internal demons on the roads or trails. Fittingly, I spotted a new byway to explore on Denise, while on a road closed deviation aboard the Holdworth. The following day, on the return loop of an outing aboard Denise, curiosity got the better of me.  

The concrete section ran for around half a mile (0.8km) and reminiscent of an airfield, this gave way to green lane, where Denise’s Maxxis Maxxis Ravager TR Tyres | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and WTB pairing were in their element, providing a great balance of speed, traction and compliance. To the left was clearly signposted as private land but ahead, the trail seemed to continue for two miles or so.  

Deadlines and similar meant these would need to be explore another day so I headed back along the dry, dusty track and ultimately whizzed back home along the lanes, vowing to return.   

The following day, I did and discovered one fork led to an active airfield and took the other route, which was green lane leading to a busy A road. There were other paths but as before, playtime was nearing an end. Homeward bound. Having returned, I took the opportunity check chain health .5, which probably means another month’s riding before I pension off.  

I also decided to give some of Ursula’s drivetrain, specifically the aheadset, bottom bracket and forks a deep clean using the NZero Degreaser. It’s proving a highly effective formula that will gobble relatively stubborn petrochemical products, including greases and my home brewed, “Hillbilly Waxoyl”.  

Slower than some perhaps and I left the Tiagra rear mech marinating overnight-since now was the time, but I’d sooner that over caustic formulas that will chomp seals, scar composites and generally ruin expensive components. I’ve  

Since Ursula’s refurbishment includes a rear disc brake upgrade, I also took this opportunity to switch the left Tektro RL340 lever for an RL520 and to find the TRP HY-RD calliper, mounts etc. I’m not planning to change much, since components are replaced regularly and most here, relatively new. I also discovered a Clarks CMD22 calliper. This is a dual-piston cable operated model, like TRP SPYRE. Hmm... 

I may substitute the Stronglight Aheadset for an FSA I have in stock, and I’ll go for a new 10speed bar con, but otherwise, save for the upgrades, and a better rear mudguard, it’ll be a question of new consumables- cables, chain, possibly some new bar tape and a saddle swap. 

Talking of which, Cycology has sent me their 8 Days Cycling gloves, which are what most of us would consider a mitt with the 8-day pattern, which matches both Ursula and the Holdsworth’s bar wrap.  Padding is foam, relatively thick but without being bulbus like some gels can. By contrast, the “Life behind bars” full-finger mtb gloves, which have a single layer synthetic leather palm but no official padding.  

This is apparently for optimal feel and control, so will be interesting to see how well they protect against vibration and similar discomfort, especially on longer rides. That said; some padding can induce precisely the discomfort they supposedly alleviate. As ever, miles will tell- one way or another. Meantime, here’s my review of the CycPlus AS2 PRO MAX E Pump CycPlus AS2 Pro Max E.Pump | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)