Some lovely kit arrived in the
form of this BBB Karma MIPS helmet and Altura Airstream Jersey and bib shorts.
The Karma is a nicely executed, particularly airy design using MIPS (Multi
Directional Impact Protection System). This is the air node version that’s
integral to the padding and supposedly the lightest iteration.
Twenty-five vents are impressive,
but the raised crossbeams theoretically encourage air through the scalp. In
practice, this would appear so in practice. I was pleased to note the
polycarbonate shell extends around the rim, protecting the EPS liner from everyday
carelessness. Though arguably a road design, I’ve found its made excellent
transition to gravel duties and the shape is very accommodating of high-power
lights, such as this Sigma Buster HL2000 SIGMA SPORT
BUSTER HL 2000 | cycling-not-racing
A rogue red deer cantering from a
hedge, into my path seemed keen to test the lid’s credentials but thankfully,
my reaction times and bike handling skills kept everything in check. Altura’s
Airstream are budget garments but definitely very cheerful. Both have been
revised (for the better) since the set I tested back in 2021.
Pockets are deep, supportive and
they’ve added a fourth, zippered model with a long, user-friendly tag. However,
the left-handed will doubtless point out it doesn’t favour everyone. Having exhausted the 50ml bottle of Muc-Off
Dark Energy Chain Wax Muc-Off
Dark Energy Chain Wax | cycling-not-racing , I’ve been taking to the trails
and unmade byways to see how the Continental Terra Trail perform on hardpack
and loose surfaces.
Speed, compliance and grip are
impressive in these contexts and while the Genetic Digest are a touch broad for
some gaps, this is tempered by their leverage and shallow drop. These provide
excellent control when hunkered down and hossing along the singletrack. A good
bet for trailer tugging and similar duties- yep, they’re staying. I dialled
things that bit sharper by raising the stem a few millimetres. Some adjustments
are genuinely intuitive and tend to strike mid, or post ride.
Denise’s rear stopper decided to
turn erratic and mischievous. Not that I use a rear brake often, but if
something’s fitted, then it needs to perform well. Having stopped to commune
with this little Shetland during one forest trail frolic, I decided it was time
to strip and clean the arms and replace inner and outer cables.
A simple job, but sometimes I’m
my own worst enemy…Spares boxes open, I was contemplating all sorts- switching
the cantilevers for some Tekro…Or some Dia Compe…Or Some Avid…Investigating
this and other options saw time evaporate-precisely the opposite of what I’d
intended.
After some faff and deliberation,
I stripped and cleaned the brakes, bosses, applied some Peaty’s Speed Grease PEATY'S SPEED
GREASE | cycling-not-racing , replaced the cables. Stripped out, both had
seen better days and an obvious impairment to smooth braking. Another bog-standard but very serviceable
Clarks stainless inner, but Jagwire’s CGX SL outer. This features a high carbon
coil steel, providing the strength required for braking, the carbon component
limiting compression. This coupled with the lubricated liner ensures excellent
modulation and feel, even commanded by Tektro’s cheerful RL340 lever.
I still treat outers and inners
to a blast of maintenance spray, since opportunity presents. A precautionary
drop of super glue on the freshly snipped inner seals the deal. My experience
of bog standard cablesets, regardless of brand is they are serviceable enough
and a very inexpensive way of restoring shifting and braking prowess- so long
as they're replaced seasonally-especially on working bikes.
However, spending just a little
more can reap better rewards in terms of weather resistance and performance.
Pre-lubricated liners also keep things slick and largely eliminate the need for
periodic flushing through with GT85 GT85
ALL PURPOSE LUBRICANT, Muc-Off MO94 Muc-Off
MO94 Multi Use Spray | cycling-not-racing.
Inner wires seem less prone to
stretch, cut nicely and tend not to fray so readily. That said don't skimp on
decent quality cutters. I'm also quick to add that precautionary blob of
superglue to the ends. Less elegant than solder, or a crimp perhaps but
effective.
You needn't spend a fortune
either. Transfil Flying Snakes are c. £25, very durable and supposedly 30%
lighter thanks to the Kevlar/composite outers. Forget cable cuffs, or
helicopter tape at your paintwork's peril and installation requires more
patience compared with other brands I've used.
I’m pleased to report the Ergon Orthocell
Handlebar tape Ergon
Orthocell Handlebar Tape | cycling-not-racing was still receptive to being re-wound and shows
little signs of wear. Elsewhere, I’d been having a few issues with a Garmin
pattern mount and the Gaciron Xiaoman 1000 light, so took a gamble on an
auction site stem mount…
Despite some initial scepticism
and tiny screws for the Garmin and GoPro patterns, I was pleasantly surprised
by how easily it came together and crucially, how securely it holds the Gaciron
Xiaoman and Coospo CS600 Coospo CS600 GPS |
cycling-not-racing. Suffice to say, I’ve bought a second.
