Perched & Polishing

 

Sixteen years down the road and I was experiencing some uncharacteristic discomfort while out on the teenage dream, specifically my inner thigh. Closer inspection revealed the Selle SMP Strike Plus’s Selle SMP Strike Plus saddle - BikeRadar foam padding was beginning to soften and disperse, thus supplying no support at key points. With heavy heart, I slackened the Thompson post’s cradle and set it free. I’d originally reached for the Selle Italia Turbomatic Gel Flow Team Saddle.  

However, the carbon rails were too wide for the cradle and at 153mm (about 6.02 in) wide, it’s a bit broad for my sit bones and this particular machine. After some thought, I reached for another Selle Italia, their Sport Gel Flow FEC-Alloy Saddle. It's 55g heavier than the relatively exotic, carbon-railed Turbomatic Gel Flow but narrower and incredibly supportive with a decent cut out. Level pegging weight-wise, with the Strike Plus, too.  

Less exotic than some but an extremely comfortable perch, nonetheless. Talking of carbon, Carbon Cycles have sent me a rather fetching carbon post. At 27.2, the Teenage Dream’s out but The Holdsworth’s not.  I’m fond of the Holdsworth’s Crank Brothers Cobolt3 Seat post- it measures a giraffe-like 400mm and is made from 7075 aluminium, so despite being wafter thin, is also surprisingly stiff. 

I’m not overly keen on single-bolt cradles and to some extent, it started here. Thankfully, it doesn’t happen very often, especially since I’ve got it torqued to 12nm (the design’s recommended maximum) but it’s a nuisance when slack strikes 15miles from home-an even bigger pain if you’ve forgotten a T25 Torx key.

  

Now, the carbon post is lighter and may offer a little more compliance into the bargain. Several hundred miles will be very revealing. I’d been tempted by the idea of upgrading the Teenage Dream’s Campagnolo Xenon crankset for something more modern, employing an external bottom bracket.  

This might improve stiffness around the bottom bracket shell and ultimately, power delivery. However, while I’m one for continuous improvement, there’s also upgrading for its own sake and where performance gains are nominal, compared to the outlay.  

I’d seen some nice carbon fibre cranksets at very tempting prices but then we’re into new bottom bracket too. We’re out of treat territory here. Then along came some mid range silver Campagnolo crank arms-used, in decent shape, and realistically priced. There would, of course, be some polishing and buffing to achieve the correct lustre, before I'd consider fitting rings, let alone to the bike.. 

 

Crankalicious Mayo Jaune Intensive Frame Polish TEST & REVIEW: CRANKALICIOUS MAYO JAUNE INTENSIVE FRAME CLEANER (sevendaycyclist.com) is one of the best I’ve used to date. Automotive cutting compounds also do a decent job of lightly sullied painted, plated, and polished finishes. However, caution is needed on some surfaces, and I'd keep them away from composites. No such fear with the Mayo Jaune, although keep it away from matt finfishes, or they’ll turn satin.  I started by hand polishing but was tired of this and plugged a polishing cloth into my drill.     

135mm BCD meant I could just port the Xenon’s rings over, or indeed, acquire some fresh-maybe go with a 53/36 for a wider spread, without taxing the existing mechs-perfect for hills. Either way, this is another one of those contexts where I want to get the best results for minimal outlay.

There have been several occasions in my 20s, 30s, and 40s when I’ve literally had no money, or at least disposable income. Circumstances attributable to toxic relationships and going against my better judgment. In that respect, I received the spanking I deserved and learned valuable lessons. Be careful who you get into bed with, figuratively and literally, romantically and platonically.  

Under-estimate your income, over-estimate your expenditure and beware the sudden change in tempo, gradient, and holes- cycling and motorcycling are metaphors for life in general. I recall couples commenting that if a couple could tackle the challenges of a tandem tour together, it bodes well for a strong and successful marriage. Paradoxically, I bitterly regret my marriage, the emotional damage, and the fiscal losses incurred. However, this bleaker chapter in my life also built resilience, resourcefulness and a much clearer sense of self.   

Not to be confused with an allegiance with MGTOW (Men Going their Own Way), or indeed the incel culture, which actively seek to form and fuel misogynistic, adversarial attitudes. This latter isolation serves to make young men easier prey for products-coaching, motivational stuff, or opening gateways to other forms of discrimination and ultimately, circular isolation. In extreme cases, it leads to murder, political extremism, and targeted attacks.  

The most frightening thing is the ease at which people are swayed, dare I say funneled, toward hatred. The lessons from history have not been learned, or at least, quickly forgotten. Funny what runs through the mind when out on a ride. Talking of which, here’s my review of the Safety Labs E-BHAN 2.0 MIPS Urban In-Mould Helmet Safety Labs E-Bahn 2.0 Helmet | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  

Bright Lights Cold Nights

Second week in bedsit land and the boiler has gone bong, meaning no heating and hot water. Memories of the winter of ’92 are flooding back. At present, the temperatures are still creeping into double figures and this property is double-glazed. Therefore, the frosty glaze remains on the outside my window, when I don Lycra and head out for a 5am ride.

Cold showers and a vanishing toilet seat are less welcome, although said facilities remain superior to that infamous East London property 28 years back. Indeed, its 28 years since I bought my first LED light. A rear, two mode Vistalight that was essentially a reflector on steroids but a huge leap ahead of the basic, heavy filament lights that were the norm then.  

Enter these Magicshine See Mee lights. I have the 200, 180 and 100 versions on my test bench and am seriously impressed. The highest figure refers to the “Braking function” which kicks in for three seconds when their motion sensor detects deceleration/similar changes in momentum.

Formative impressions suggest these are too sensitive, triggered by washboard tarmac and longer climbs, thus putting a noticeable dent in run times. Thankfully, they can be switched off. “Braking” lights have become more popular but most I’ve used seem prone to these quirks, so I’m not singling the See Mee range out, per se.

The flashing modes are very effective and relatively frugal, across the board. The 200 also has a tracer light, a secondary diode that casts a 360degree flood at the road, to highlight bike and rider-again, fantastic in terms of presence and my inner child has grinned at the novelty value.

Talking of which, these are competitively priced. The 200 costs £33.99, the 100 £25.99. (At the time of typing, I’m not sure of the 180’s rrp). For the time being, I’m sticking with the Continental Contact Speed Reflex. These continue to impress with their tarmac hugging prowess, low rolling resistant and magic carpet ride quality. To my surprise, the Lezyne Floor Drive track pump’s gauge has expired. I’d had it for some years and it’s a really solidly made unit.

I didn’t want the hassle of buying and installing a replacement gauge, so I went the standalone route and this Topeak Smart Gauge D2. The only potential weak spot is the sprung head. I liked the original Smart Gauge, which came my way some 16 years back, which was a little simpler and had a press on head that would automatically morph to a Schrader, or Presta valve.

Alas after a few years faithful service, mine imploded rather dramatically. A backlight function would be rather handy, say when getting back on the road following a flat-my SKS Air Checker (in storage) has one.

Some would say for the same price, I could’ve bought another track pump but that would be wasteful, since the Lezyne is really well made and a standalone gauge is not only portable but the most accurate. Elsewhere, on the protective/winter front expensive crank arms can get a spanking. These Zefal Crank Armor https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/zefal-crank-armor  are an inexpensive way of protecting them from dings, stones, and other accidental damage. However, they won’t guard against unsightly toe-strap rub and may present compatibility niggles with some cadence sensors.

I was stunned to discover Control Tech are ceasing production of the Silicone bar tape, which I’m astonished, since performance is top notch, in all conditions. 155g (uncut, including CNC machined ends) might be a touch portly for bikes on calorie-controlled diets. However, for mile munching tourers, gravel, and winter bikes, there’s so much going for it.  Need something bike-themed to read as lockdowns come into force? This might fit the bill https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/northbound-down