Condor Man

No, not the 1981 Disney flop, starring Michael Crawford, although  we do live in very strange times... After a morning's admin and housework, I was suddenly gripped by a flash of inspiration. The sort so bright, it risks a nasty case of arc eye.  

I decided to ditch the Univega's long serving moustache bars in favour of the Soma Condor. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/soma According to my thought processes (I hadn't reached calculations, or anything so rational), the riser sections would provide sufficient height for me to spend the majority of my time on the drops... 

With this in mind, the Soma Condor 2  https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/soma-condor-2-shallow-drop-bars  might've seemed a more obvious choice. However, though I'd run both, briefly on my tubby tourer, to assess Soma's claims (which were realised in the real world) the moustache bars had become something of an institution...I'd also convinced myself they had an edge, when on trailer tugging duties.  

I'd also earmarked the MK1 for a gravel-specific project and the MK2 for my fixed gear winter trainer. Then came the Genetic D-Riser 16   https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/genetic-d-riser-bars  and another round of musical handlebars. Besides, the Univega has a predominantly black/dun colour scheme. Contrary chap that I am, I may switch to the Condor 2, later on, should the urge strike. For now, the Condor's black finish clinched it. 

Spare inner and outer cables-check, spare bar tape-check, electrical tape-check. This was also an ideal opportunity to give this Soma Woodie 20 Multi-tool a formative test. Strictly speaking, multi-tools are designed for road/trailside teaks/tuning and repair, not workshop use. However, they are super-convenient, so good ones tend to become go-tos. 

Within half an hour, I'd everything rounded up, bike in the stand and components stripped. I'd removed a shim or two, when switching back to the Univega's OEM triple butted fork, but close scrutiny suggested height and drop depth were textbook. 

I pruned some outer cable housing, fed a new inner wire to the front Genetic CX cantilever  https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/genetic-cx-cantilever-brakes and dialled it in a bit. Ample bite to raise the rear wheel, lever grabbed in anger-perfect.  

I was able to recycle this Lizard Skins DSP 2.5mm https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/lizard-skins-dsp which was of sufficient length to provide ample, cushioned coverage. The adhesive backing was conspicuous by its absence, although adhered well, to the bars' shot peened finish. 

Decent quality electrical tape anchored it to the tops.  Having dialled in the rear mech again and pruned its cable, it was time for one last once-over and a 20mile fault finding blast. 

No faults to find-positioning absolutely bang on and as I'd always envisaged back in 1987, when I first clapped eves on a Muddy Fox trailblazer. The Trail Blazer was essentially a drop bar mountain bike with  bar end shifters and 1.75 section tyres.  

Specialized followed suit two years later, with the Rock Combo. These were similarly niche, and had a very short production run.  Feel free to get in touch, if you still own and ride one. I'm not looking to purchase, nor am I someone bitten by "classic" prices and groupsets have come a long way since. However, I loved the concept then, and still do.    

Anyhow, the Univega's positioning now means I default to the drops, affords better protection from the wind (Compared with the otherwise likeable moustache pattern) while retaining good control off road. Tops also provide superior parking space for lights, cameras and similar creature comforts.   

Talking of which, I've also switched saddles, this time to BBB Echelon, which is reputedly a road and trail friendly design, thus meets the criteria handsomely. Also proved the ideal opportunity to remove the seatpost, and treat it to some Park Tool Polylube 1000 Grease, before the darker months set in. 

A home-brewed butyl collar and full length chrome plastic guards/fenders (depending on where you're reading this) certainly help, but its one of those little, preventative measures that saves a lot of time and hassle, later on.     

Pads, Cassetes, Cables & Chains

Winter can chomp through consumables, at an alarming rate. Pads are no exception and I’d bought replacements, knowing the time was edging closer. Fade struck, along a regularly traversed 1in7. Decision made. Pads stripped and replaced within minutes of returning home.

These patterns lasted a year, or so. Fixed relies less on mechanical braking, thus usefully extending pad and related component life. Provided you’re not living in a particularly hilly region, of course. I continue to be delighted by the Halo Fixed-G rear hub. Perfect chainline also ensures a nigh on silent transmission. Acceleration feels tangibly brisker, too. I’ve reached my conclusions regarding the Tioga City Slicker tyres https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/tioga-city-slicker-tyres  

Richard Peace has been putting the Carrera cross city folding bike through its paces  https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/carrera-crosscity-folding-electric-

Pad changing presented an obvious opportunity to give the bike a deeper clean, than usual.  The Velo 21 dirty weekend pre-wash did a decent job. It’s a subtle formula that doesn’t foam, or anything visually exciting. Science suggests the surfactants are doing the business. Eating into the grime, rather than just foaming on the surface.

Suffice to say, it romped through organic grot and slurry, without needing to agitate. Even petrochemical based spatter slithered away, left marinating for five minutes and then rinsed. These Soma Fabrications Condor II shallow drop bar also arrived this week, so I wasted no time fitting them.  

Elsewhere, having averted potential castration, my Univega’s cassette was resembling one of those “fat balls” supposedly breeding in our sewer systems. An obvious candidate for Velo21 degreaser.

Chain, cassette, jockey wheels and ring came up quite nicely too. Not without a fair bit of elbow grease. It’s worth noting that Stealth, is a very stoical ceramic. I’ll need to see how it works on less tenacious lubes, before passing appropriate, fair comment.

I also checked the chain’s health, using this digital chain checker. Budget analogue units are dirt cheap, accurate enough too. However, I prefer the pin-point, in a glance confirmation. Chains don’t stretch, they wear. Consign to the bin, once wear measures 0.8mm.     

Time spent undertaking regular inspections and preventative maintenance is priceless. Aside from extending the life of expensive components, I’d rather be out, enjoying the miles than fixing stuff by the road/trailside. Let alone the long walk home. 

This housekeeping also proved the ideal opportunity to fit the Easton EVA wrap and swap back to the Schwalbe Marathon Mondial https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/schwalbe-marathon-mondial-tyres , now the threat of ice, has greatly diminished. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/after-the-gritters-went-home

Bored with Brexit, red top tabloids have now fixated on extreme weather. Coastal flooding now tops the agenda.  

After some casual, late night trawling, I came across an Alivio rear mech, to replace the long serving Microshift M45. Crucially it was of a higher spec, and at the right price. I’ve stripped, cleaned and inspected the M45 and there’s surprisingly little slop.

I changed the cable and closer inspection revealed the SRAM chain was fit for the knackers’ yard, cassette not far behind (though thankfully, I already had an 11-28) so retired both.

Worth buying a stock of both, if you do big mileages and/or ride in harsh conditions. However, as I’ve said before, there’s a fine line between sensible stock-piling and hoarding.

Cassette lock-rings can become very stubborn, even when they’ve been given a lick of stiff grease. The 11-30 Sram was no exception, benefitting from a quick blast of penetrant spray.

11-28 tooth electroplated Sram replacement on the freehub body and lock ring greased, I torqued it to 40nms, reinstated the wheel, then cut and fitted the new chain. I ordered two, so there’s one on tap, when the chain checker chimes 0.8mm.

While the other 9spd components are in solid shape, I’ll stick to this grade of rear mech and consumables. Unless I’m presented with an interplanetary (hub gear) system, I’ll probably upgrade to ten speed. An Octalink crankset, Deore mech and Sun Race brifters seem good options. The production Alpina 506’s factory specification, was a mix of Shimano LX and XT.

At present, it’s an eclectic mix of Ultegra, Deore, 105 (equivalent) and some slightly lower end but extremely serviceable parts. Components that make it go and stop in excellent proportion. I’m a constant tinkerer, and some would say, contrary figure.  Who knows what will follow…

Baggy Trousers & Blasting Frames

No, nothing to do with Madness, the 80's Ska inspired pop band-we're talking messenger knickers/three quarter lengths (delete as your road/mtb heritage dictates). Lycra remains a firm favourite for fast blasts on the Holdsworth and Teenage Dream but there's much to be said in favour of stylish modesty as my thirties thunder by. The one downside to this genre of respectable leg-wear is the attention it draws to furry pins-hence my endearing love affair with Veet!

Missing teeth aren't particularly fetching either...Despite a varied and reasonably balanced diet, my cola consumption was on par with Dennis Hopper's appetite for liquor during the 1970s. The loss of a prominent and very expensive dental crown has ended a twenty year dependency upon this evil mistress.

Polaris Transition bear remarkable similarity to Protective Washingtons, although they're fashioned from water repellent rip-stop polyester which has a distinctly "technical" feel compared with the German marque's brushed fabric. Pockets are the bog standard hip for change, keys and stuffing the hands when mooching around town while the positively cavernous cargo type gobble everything from larger compact cameras, wallets and smart phones through to road maps- er, that's retro GPS for the uninitiated. Stretch panels minimise bunching even-fully laden and hammering along at ninety-plus rpm while the rip-stop lives up to it's reputation, shrugging at brambles and other feisty foliage. They're as chic, civilian and water resistant as you'll need in the urban jungle, although the Protective have the edge for more formal meets. Sizing is a major consideration though and in their infinite wisdom, Polaris have done something very strange for the men-folk. My thirty-two inch waist, thirty-three leg isn't particularly outlandish and I've always managed a medium...I squeezed into our sample sans unsightly muffin top and given a few longish outings, the fabric relaxes. Measurements seem more consistent for the ladies but nonetheless try before parting with your hard-earned.

Diesel strength coffee and regular visits to Maldon Shotblasting & Powder Coating have been keeping the soda scourge firmly in check. In amongst a flurry of rusty motorcycle frames, panels and tanks sat this weary looking '80s Condor road frameset ready for a "French Blue" rebirth.Construction and attention to detail are to a standard "Johnny come artisan" can only dream of. Note the accuracy of brazing- no runs or drips here (more than can be said for the Teenage Deam-at least around the original fork crown). My inclination would be to reconfigure the top-tube cable routing but then perhaps the owner wants to retain its originality and besides, identikit machines/increasingly identikit people are equally undesirable.

The same is true of dirty/squeaky transmissions and I'm pleased to report we've been returning around two hundred miles from White Lightning's "Clean Ride" through the drier months. Maintenance has been little more than a light drizzle on every link and periodically wiping any sludge from the outer plates. However, I'm edging closer to the bottle's end and must make a decision whether to continue, or substitute for a more tenacious gloopy offering for the darker months that creep nearer.

Elsewhere, Knog's mighty dry dog remains a near permanent feature aboard the Univega's beefy cro-moly rack. Summer cloudburst, river crossings and the general hurdy gurdy of rough-stuff touring have made no impression on the fabric or moreover, contents. Its thirteen inch sibling has the edge when it comes to the cut and thrust of commuting since it slips through gaps that bit easier and doesn't foul the floor when wheeling the bike through tight apartment corridors but bigger brother is bang on for weekend touring.

Right, well a kindly editor has bestowed a lovely box of goodies for testing and the wide blue yonder is calling me.