The Joy of Workhorses

Stripping and thoroughly re-greasing the Univega’s M475 hub cured the grumbles and confirmed freehub and other components had many miles left in them. 

Edinburgh Bicycle Co-operative is sending Seven Day Cyclistwww.sevendaycyclist.com  the latest incarnation of their wallet friendly ‘Cross 2 for testinghttp://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/revolution-cross-2-16?bct=browse%2fbicycles%2fcyclocross-bikes.

I have always been impressed by their range and was particularly taken by their Cross 0. http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/revolution-cross-0-16?bct=browse%2fbicycles%2fcyclocross-bikes  

On paper at least, this seems very befitting to the 0. Working bikes certainly aren’t the ceiling of our horizons at SDC but we’re firmly of the opinion that decent workhorses are vital members of any enthusiasts’ fleet.

Well maintained but rugged,  you’re not afraid to face the salt monster’s caustic tongue, or leave them shacked to street furniture, yet said swinging a leg over their top tubes and powering off, induces those ear-to-ear grins.

Essentially, the 0 is a single speed ‘cross inspired package featuring their in house “Strongman” 7005 series aluminium frame with mudguard and carrier fixings for four seasons’ practicality.Hi-tensile steel forks add some additional girth and personally, for the sake of a few pennies, I’d prefer to see basic Cro-moly blades. 

“Cross inspired” geometry is a refreshingly honest phrase, which refers to generous clearances, rather than off-road pretentions per se. Taking of which, there's room for 35mm tyres for a compliant, magic carpet ride over pock marked asphalt.

Reducing things to a balance sheet decision, this member of their cross family would easily pay for itself within three months of short-middle distance commuting. Monies saved on train or bus fare could be ploughed back into the household coffers, or other two-wheeled projects...  

Given this backdrop, I didn’t need much persuading to take a closer look at its more refined sibling. Sharing the same non ferrous tubes, this one follows the adventure/gravel bike narrative. 

Tektro Spyre mechanical discs caused quite a stir when they first came out about three years back and for very good reason. In retrospect, I’m wishing I took that route, rather than the otherwise extremely agreeable Avid BB7 presently gracing my own ‘cross inspired fixer’s fork blade.

Twin pistons sound more complex but having played with them (albeit briefly) modulation and feel with lower-mid range levers and compression cables is reassuringly good. Lower profiles are another definite plus, improving heel clearance, while taking the faff from rack fitting. Shimano’s 8x3 Claris groupset also fits the design brief handsomely.

There’s enough range for bombing, cruising and winching, whether lugging a trailer’s worth of kit on a weekend tour, or just doing the weekly shop. Yes, there’s some scope for less challenging rides on the wild side too. 

Shifts are crisp but everything’s cheap enough to replace in the event of a nasty spill. Shunning full-length guards, clearance looks generous enough to accept a narrower (35mm) section spiked tyre for dependable bite through winter’s worst.

Anyhow, I’m really looking forward to swinging my leg over its 55cm top tube and seeing how the whole package behaves over the course of a few hundred, real world miles…Talking of the Ilpompino, nipping the Aheadset bearings quarter of a turn tighter ironed out some trace wibble that set in after 150 miles.

After rummaging in the bodge box for a spare spoke mount (think my malevolent farm cat scattered the old one irretrievably beneath the freezer/drier) I bought a “Blackburn” replacement for the princely sum of £2. Fuchsia Knog Nerd now pride of place and fully functional.

Found some time to review the Tom Tom bandit’s footage. By my reckoning, image quality is level pegging with Go-Pro’s 3; although the microphone is proving surprisingly susceptible to wind blast.

Think I’ll invest in the remote trigger upgrade when circumstance permits…KA decided to chomp through its rear brake shoes last week, with audible protest on the M1. Thankfully, no other component damage done and friendly local garage sorted it for £75 including VAT.  Hmm, hopefully that signals the end of this most recent spate of implosions...

New Year’s Revolutions

The festive season is very much business as usual for me. I simply ease off and work in strategic blocks, rather than assume standby. This method alleviates burn out on the one hand, yet ensures creative juices flow seamlessly into January.

Christmas was spent in the midlands, a region gripped by a sudden easterly front, bringing freezing overnight temperatures. The significance being I was attending Coventry Road Club’s annual Boxing Day Cyclo Cross meet on Kenilworth common.

Bitten by some mild, energy sapping seasonal bug, I managed ninety minutes behind the lens before arctic blasts and loathsome lurgi persuaded me back to base via the city’s infamous ring road. Short, localised snow flurries followed that evening but disruption was minimal.

Said weather front tailed me south the following night, prompting fitment of those spiked Schwalbe winter tyres to the Univega’s hoops. Prudent since the mercury staggered towards zero and most local lanes were sheet ice. Nonetheless, we cantered along at 17-20mph while drivers of automatic SUVs and smaller cars struggled with traction.

Two hardy but courteous riders on pared- to- the- essentials road bikes warned of dicey bends looming ahead. Naturally, I eased off, not wanting to tempt fate, though the gravelly patter inspired confidence. Took the same route next morning and loved every minute.

Minor limitations aside, that Tenn kit performed particularly well in these contexts, which is remarkable given their modest asking price. Keep your eyes peeled for a full report on “Sevendaycyclist” www.sevendaycyclist.co.uk .

I haven’t upgraded the tubby one’s headset yet, primarily because £17 worth of dedicated crown removal tool has; you guessed it, failed to materialise in the postal malaise. Temptation was to improvise using an engineer’s mallet and flat bladed screwdriver but I’ll hold fire for now.

Along with snow and a family bereavement on Boxing Day, came the news that City link had gone into receivership. The logistics industry has been fiercely competitive for some time and the role of multi drop driver set to become extinct courtesy of technological change.

However, while there is no room for sentiment in business (meeting deadlines and targets are imperative for survival); even those with scant empathy can appreciate the dismay and resentment expressed by employees and sub-contractors. Some of whom have reportedly not been paid, or expect to receive remuneration for the past six weeks’ service.

Pragmatically, the world is tough and people adapt-as several “upmarket” tabloids would doubtless attest. Fine and dandy in abstract but experience suggests successfully extrapolating oneself from the wreckage without everything imploding is no mean feat.

Talking of technology, Ged Holmyard at Edinburgh Bicycle Co-operative www.edinburghbicycle.com  popped their Revolution Velocity 20 function cycle computer out to me. OK, so wireless units are pretty much ten a penny these days and we’d be forgiven for thinking contemporary examples do everything bar triggering the kettle five minutes from home/work.

However, minor overlap aside, temperature recorder, thermometer, calorie count and fat burned indicator are talking points. Well, they caught my attention-time will reveal whether they’re genuinely useful, or gimmick. There’s nothing convoluted about calibration and formative fettling suggests it’s among the most intuitive I’ve used to date.  

Right; now to thrash out some frame angles while these brushes marinate in my makeshift parts washer…