Seven
Day Cyclist’s new site is well underway and we hope to be live in a matter of
weeks. Snow struck central, Northern and even some South Easterly parts last weekend before
turning to wintry rain and subsequently slush, which turns surfaces into
skating rinks.
Rob Harwood
(Col Velo www.colvelo.co.uk) warned of black ice on his facebook page and was remaining on
the turbo trainer. I’m still toying with the idea of shodding my Univega with
Schwalbe winter spiked tyres but after a few days of seasonally appropriate temperatures, the mercury zooms upwards into the mid teens!
Timely
then these 25mm section BTwin and lifeline (Decathlon www.decathlon.couk and Wiggle www.wiggle.co.uk respectively)
should arrive at my door. Once shunned in favour of 23 and 28mm, 25mm is
enjoying something of a resurgence, with some commentators suggesting it will
overtake 23mm as the default for competitive riding.
Both sport direction specific tread, relatively and puncture repelling
belts, although the B’Twin is a coarser, 60tpi casing. Aside from being tricky customers to mount, several wet rides in and I'm quite impressed. The B'Twin deliver a less compliant ride but both offer a decent turn of speed, reasonable comfort and decent grip when cornering at 23mph.
Looking good for cost conscious winter/training builds, though I'm inclined towards the B'Twin on a fixer build where transmission braking (Holding off against the cranks) offers more control across slippery surfaces.
Looking good for cost conscious winter/training builds, though I'm inclined towards the B'Twin on a fixer build where transmission braking (Holding off against the cranks) offers more control across slippery surfaces.
Generally speaking, tyre casings are puncture resistant by degrees (rather than proof) and this tends to
be determined by belt material and coverage. Some only defend the centre strip,
which still offers useful protection but leaves the shoulders vulnerable to sharps. Similarly, some riders are more prone to puncturing than others.
Goo filled tubes are another concept that has been with us for a very long time.
Goo filled tubes are another concept that has been with us for a very long time.
The idea is the sealant
sloshes around in the tube and seals tiny holes as you ride, with nominal loss
of pressure-hence their appeal among commuters. I’ve found them quite useful as
compliments to stout tyres with aramid casings. Some
brands work better than others and the slimy stuff eventually goes
off-sometimes spurting from the valve head (splodges on rims and flooring alike
are tell-tale signs).
In my experience the sealant is most mobile and therefore, effective in milder weather. A really viscous sharp can rupture them irreparably-thankfully rare but seriously messy and never tempt fate by leaving spare tubes at home..
Riders with bikes on strict calorie controlled diets should also note there is a minor weight penalty to be paid. Nonetheless, it’ll be interesting to see how these compare with some household names.
In my experience the sealant is most mobile and therefore, effective in milder weather. A really viscous sharp can rupture them irreparably-thankfully rare but seriously messy and never tempt fate by leaving spare tubes at home..
Riders with bikes on strict calorie controlled diets should also note there is a minor weight penalty to be paid. Nonetheless, it’ll be interesting to see how these compare with some household names.
Talking
of which, my Ilpompino’s Acor sealed cartridge bearing bottom bracket has
unexpectedly got the grumbles less than 4,000miles in, which is disappointing
but I’ve decided to plump for a UN55, which should run closer to 10,000. It
also forced the issue of sorting the Univega’s front brake and other generic, mid-winter
servicing.
A
hole in the rear mudguard has been successfully plugged with this AA fuelled
single (steady) mode “Torch” guard specific LED cum reflector and aside from giving
everything a seriously thorough clean, we’ve lost the rack mounted bag and
Axiom lowriders in favour of the brands capacious H20 wedge pack.
Then
we have these exotic looking Rock lube Rock n’ Roll chain lubricants-gold,
extreme and absolute dry. Colour aside, these are a potent petrochemical family
that differ from traditional chain lubes, most notably in terms of application.
Firstly, the solvent properties seem such that (a) to stripping chains of
pre-existing lube beforehand isn’t strictly necessary (although I’d still
recommend doing so, especially if you’ve been running a grime-enticing wet
blend). Secondly, you don’t drizzle them into the links in the traditional way
but apply it atop the chain from the cassette end.
Directions
suggest they cure best I warm conditions-so I’ve applied the gold and extreme
outside and then brought Ilpompino and Univega inside (room temperature) for
twenty minutes. Despite their viscosity, wastage has been fairly nominal,
although wiping the links afterward is imperative. Either way, I’m expecting
something very special given they command £20 apiece.
Elsewhere,
I popped down to Coventry’s fargo village to see what had changed-quite a bit
and not just the menu at Urban Coffee Company. Expansion has brought new traders,
while others have grown into larger premises. Dashing blades is a slightly
unusual but very enticing barbers offering a blend of traditional and
modern scissor skill. My significant other had been enthusiastic about the
proprietor’s distinctive and well-groomed style.
Cue a reworking of my generous thatch, which was beginning to look straggly, rather than styled. Given Rob has long curly hair, I automatically felt at ease and Sharon noted our obvious rapport. Fifteen minutes later, ten pounds changed hands and I left, pleased with his service and happy to return....
Cue a reworking of my generous thatch, which was beginning to look straggly, rather than styled. Given Rob has long curly hair, I automatically felt at ease and Sharon noted our obvious rapport. Fifteen minutes later, ten pounds changed hands and I left, pleased with his service and happy to return....