I'll attribute this to a midwinter lull, but eBay was trying to tempt me into indulging in some surplus stock gravel forks. 4130 throughout, sloping crown, assorted mounts, straight 1/18th steerer and assorted mounts. Clearance for 700x45c... Aside from not NEEDING them, they were raw, so would need painting, which adds to their cost. Being as I would need them powder coated; I'd be closer to £90 by the time everything had been considered.
The fixed gear winter/trainer had a perfectly adequate carbon fork and replacing it (for the admittedly tempting Cro-moly set) would only buy bigger clearance and this wasn't strictly necessary since I'd settled on a more traditional road cum cross typical flavour and 32mm tyres. It would also add some grams. What had I really gained? Sometimes a bargain isn't that when you've weighed everything up- figuratively and literally.
A prudent move too, since the fixed ate another KMC Z1, giving me cause to rethink my policy of running budget chains. Fixed though simple are highly stressed and require closer maintenance than the one cog setup might suggest. The most durable chains I've found to date are the Gusset S-link and KMC X1 stainless. However, both are relatively pricy and in the Gusset's case, hefty. I've decided to go the mid-point route and this Izumi 410.
I'd been out during a particularly wet, grotty morning with various obstacles-looming potholes had my senses screaming with alarm and I was only just able to snatch the front end away at the last second-the gaping chasm would've spat me off, likely into the path of an oncoming vehicle. Composure regained; I cruised the remaining 15 miles at a steady tempo until noting the chain sliding off the rear sprocket and crawling off the front ring. Thankfully, it hadn't jammed but closer inspection revealed it was certainly beyond its prime, signalling imminent replacement.
Waste not, want not...I switched the weary Z1 for one of the YBN that I'd bought for £2, if only to see how durable they were in comparison. Was it a question of having a bargain or getting what I paid for? I wasn't particularly confident, so decided to fit and leave dressed in the factory lube.
Meantime, I've cut the Izumi down to length, so I can just join and adjust when opportunity presents. I'd be alternating between Ursula and Denise for the coming weeks, depending on whether it was icy, or milder and mucky. Ursula’s KMC began kicking up, which initially had me believing the issue lay with the rear mech’s cable tension, but closer (roadside) inspection revealed splaying of two links, so having completed the ride more gingerly than typical, I switched to a fresh Z10. Presented ideal opportunity to clean out sludgy black stuff from the rear mech, rings and cassette. This was followed by a sudsy bucket deep clean- rid any road salt and similar caustic grot while opportunity presented.
Talking of mucky, Steve was impressed by Portland Design Works Fender Bot PDW Fenderbot Tail Light | cycling-not-racing. As the name suggests, it's a AAA battery powered light affixing to the rear fender (mudguard). Its highly weatherproof, very bright, solidly made and not something an opportunist thief is going to half inch.
Continuing the wintry theme, Robb from Lomo has sent me a pair of their winter gloves. These are a wind and waterproof softshell design with tech friendly rubberised fingers for grip and connectivity with phones and other touch screen devices. There’s a generous Terry thumb wipe, retro-reflective panelling and flat padded palms- no ulnar defending lumps, which can induce precisely the nagging tingling they’re intended to eliminate.
These are a road design and subtle enough for other activities but there’s also a winter mountain bike counterpart. Lomo say these aren’t intended for winter’s most bitter outings. I’ve been out when it’s been close to zero and there was a little nagging chill around the fingertips but this evaporated when the wintry sun brought the mercury to 2 degrees or so.
He's also sent me a pair of Lomo Zephyr panniers that look as if they could give the impressive Oxford Aqua 20 litre a good run for our hard-earned. Reckoned good for everything from soggy commutes to long haul, they’re made from 500denier PVC tarpaulin with RF welded seams and roll top closures. A twin pocket design ensures you can keep things easily segregated. It attaches to racks between 10 and 17mm courtesy of the Rixen Kaul type sprung clips and stabiliser leg. There’s also a webbed strap for easy carrying sans bike. Right, I’ll close here with my review of the Castelli Espresso Air Jacket Castelli Espresso Air Jacket | cycling-not-racing
