Restraining Orders

I’ve continued to reorganise and ahem, rationalise the garage before sanctions were imposed. Most things have been simply relocated to easily accessible and clearly labeled storage boxes. However, an out-of-control heap of perished and part worn tyres, were consigned to the tip. Clear outs can be cathartic and I feel better for this reasoned and yet ruthless culling. I also found a few tubes, which had succumbed to the puncture fairy but still perfectly salvageable. Yes, there were a couple of fully loaded patch kits.

Two for the fixed, two for my Univega. The latter’s sealant fed Kenda thorn resistant tuber had also self-healed, having been fed a bit more air and rotated a few times. The science behind self-sealing tubes is pretty straightforward. The sealant remains dormant until the tube’s punctured, whereupon it’s forced the affected area, by escaping air and rotational forces.  

Holes up to 3mm diameter are pretty much their limit and you will be left with a very sticky mess, should a blowout strike. Famous last words, the Tannus Tyre Armour seems to be holding out and performing rather well. That said; our 32mm section was a little on the precise-side. This meant I had to switch to a slightly narrower, 700x28-32, rather than a 32-35. Technique is another consideration, when mounting and its crucial to avoid pinching.  

The easiest way, is to have one tyre bead aboard the rim (as you would, when fitting a tube). Install the Tannus Armour within the tyre, seat the tube, slightly inflated, into the armour and then mount the tye. Given the increased girth, this bit’s a little trickier but nothing a decent lever, such as my Cyclo Workshop model, or this more portable Crank Brothers   Speedier Tyre Lever won’t iron out.   

Sometimes some chemical assistance will help ease a stubborn bead home. I’ve found a quick, localised blast of Muc-Off Silicon Shine https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/muc-off-silicone-shine-polish, or indeed, Juice Lubes Frame Juice Frame Polish very effective. Washing up liquid can also prove a useful, inexpensive lubricant, although  minimise exposure with plated, polished and painted surfaces.  

Staying with Workshop, I’ve been enjoying these Facom multi-tools.  

A bit big for bike mounted luggage perhaps and a little too short for some stubborn workshop applications. Nonetheless they’ve tackled most jobs pretty easily-including recessed brake/brifter mounts. The Univega’s Microshift Centos is on the right-hand side, hidden by the lever hood.  

More convenient that the fixed’s Cane Creek V brake levers, which are deeply recessed. Access requires a very willowy 5mm key and negotiating the inner brake wire https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/cane-creek-v-brake-drop-bar-levers . That said; there’s sufficient oomph for shifting arthritic quill stem and seat post binder bolts. The Torx version is particularly useful for vulnerable, or slightly chewed fastenerss- cleat bolts being cases in point.  

After a few hundred miles, I’ve performed another saddle swap. The Selle San Marco remains pride of place on my fixed gear winter/trainer. I was surprised to discover the covering is in fact, calf hide, not a micro matrix. I don’t object to genuine hides per se. However, I would’ve preferred cowhide, since the animal would’ve had a longer and (hopefully) happy life.  

I have in fact switched the Pro Stealth for the Pro Turnix, which had until very recently, had graced my fixed gear winter/trainer. Music to my derriere. Not that the Stealth was a poor choice, rather just that fraction too firm, for me.  Harmony restored!  

The weight penalty is proportionately quite steep but in real terms, only 71g and still a bit lighter than the Concor. I’d subverted a wet crotch, courtesy of the Carradice SQR luggage on my fixed but my Univega’s full-length guards make this a non-issue.   

Save fort strong winds, this corner of the southeast has been largely unaffected by Storm Ciara, which is something of a relief. Many communities have experienced serious flooding and disruption. Nonetheless, I’ve been particularly alert to potentially weak branches and similar hazards when navigating tree-lined lanes. Nonetheless, heavy rains mean there’s plenty of standing water.

Some folks want the convenience of clip-on guards. Steve rates this Zefal Swan Road Rear Mudguard https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/zefal-swan-road-rear-mudguard  He also popped over to Bicycles By Design to play with some e-bikes https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/ebike-day-with-bicycles-by-design 

Establishing Connections

Presently organising venue(s) for September’s “everyday beauty” photo shoot-some folks are more helpful than others but a few decent options cropped up and the sands of time remain favourable.

My mother commissioned me to photograph a local landscape, which has been blown up on a 5x4 foot weather proof canvas. Primarily a centrepiece for her carport’s sound, though bland brickwork, it’s also an inexpensive bit of advertising.

I’m continually frustrated by the tsunami of people willing to work for free under the misguided notion they will gain experience and exposure before slipping seamlessly into a salaried career. Creative industries, such as photography and journalism are ravaged by this myopia. At best such behaviours devalue skilled vocations, fuelling a race to the bottom economy. If commercial, profit making entities can acquire goods and services for nothing, they will, sending an industry straight to the morgue. 

Ah but they’re giving me the byline/photo credit, leading to valuable…People look at the visuals, not to see who produced them. Proud mothers may scan the credits of TV shows in search of their freelance offspring but in practice, the viewing public generally flicks channels, nips to the loo, or for a brew.

Frankly, if you’re determined to cut your teeth, or expand port-folios, get in touch with small, grass roots charitable organisations and see what reciprocal deal can be struck. Payment needn’t always be monetary-at least to begin with. I’ve done photo shoots at cost for friends-of friends, which has led to useful, word-of-mouth exposure and subsequent paid commissions.

However, I’ve been implicit in my terms/conditions and most people have repaid me in kind, many times over. Anything used for commercial purposes must be paid for.  Ran over, now to my week on two and four wheels…         

This Jagwire CGX SL “Universal sport” brake cableset also arrived in serendipitous fashion; just in time for a cable group test and the Ilpompino’s RL250/Cane Creek transplant. A penny shy of £20 buys wound steel outers with internal sleeve, stainless steel inners and “slick lube” lining, cable stops, end caps and doughnuts.

Length is pretty generous too-300cm of outer cable while inners measure 135/235cm front and rear respectively. Ours was the black with retro-reflective detailing-brilliant for workhorses and winter bikes, although purple and yellow are the alternatives. The M-Part bar wrap is also fairing up very nicely, despite being unravelled on four separate occasions, although I think any further disruption will be its last. 

This combination has transformed the already fairly potent front stopper, delivering precisely the sort of modulation, feel and stopping prowess I’d been looking for in a disc setup. I’ve always liked firm feedback; something I attribute to early exposure to European components characterised by strong springs. However, their action is very light, which is good news for smaller hands. This preference also applies to other vehicles-car and motorcycle clutches being obvious examples, although perhaps the cable operated VW type were a press too far.

Speaking of cars…. After some trial and error, the Ka’s erratic starting and idling was traced to an expiring Idle Speed Control Valve. Unlike its Endura engine predecessor, this hadn’t missed a beat in over 105,000 miles.

Access is much harder too, so best left to a helpful independent garage unless you’re a competent DIY/mechanic. Given its age, I opted for replacement rather than cleaning, bringing the total bill to £151.12 (including VAT). Reticent starting, unexpected stalling-often when approaching junctions, needing to keep the revs higher in slow moving traffic all point its way.

Most armchair experts are oblivious to the different physical geographies; hence finding credible guidance online requires persistence.

Removal and cleaning of the Endura unit is a twenty minute affair, well within a beginners grasp. You’ll need an old ice cream tub, retired tooth brush, carb cleaner/similar strong solvent and ideally a torque wrench, although in a pinch, 10mm ring/socket spanners will do.

Start by depressing the wire clip and sliding it from the electrical contexts. Next undo the two 10mm bolts and slide away from the inlet manifold. Pop this hardware in a zipped pocket, or ice cream tub/similar receptacle. Place the ICV unit in the bowl and check for a coating of black, sooty deposit.

Deliver the solvent inside, then scrub vigorously with that old toothbrush-repeating the last two stages until the grot’s dissolved. Refit as before, giving fasteners a cursory lick of medium strength threadlock and the cure is complete. The KA club also provide a very informative step-by-step guide on their site http://www.kaklub.co.uk/pwpcontrol.php?pwpID=1898

Shot ICV? £50 from car parts supplier, or you might be able to source a serviceable, second-hand example from a breaker for considerably less...