CAFAM Redemption & Frankenpute

Well, the CR50 arrived bang on cue but being holiday season, I zoned in and played with, the IRD CAFAM2 https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/ird-cafam-2-cantilever-brakes . 

Cantilever posts were sanded intensely, yet judiciously, using a fine grade of sand-paper. Next, a generous slither of Park PPL2 grease.

The cable and anchor bolts were both looking a little scabby too. So, new Jagwire Pro Road cable https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/jagwire-pro-road-brake-kit  and a Genetic straddle wire.

Fresh consumables instated, it was a question of painstakingly adjusting the spring and straddle wire tension, toeing pads in etc. Light and temperature dipping fast, I’d got modulation, power and feel perfect.

Serendipity was again, my friend. Ditto my elderly feline, who required his food bowl replenishing. Cable stretch isn’t an issue with better quality inner wires, so I wasn’t surprised to discover all was peachy the next morning. Fifteen miles of climbs and descents reaffirmed this.

It also proved an ideal opportunity for a saddle swap, and to rack up some miles with the chainsaw oil. 40 miles spent traversing wet, greasy backroads and the side-plates have cultivated a slightly grimy beard, However, in keeping with my fixed gear’s galvanised model “fling” has been minimal. The cassette also looks a good bit cleaner, than it did, when the chain was running 5w/40 motor oil.

Now, Frankenpute…

That corridor between Christmas and New Year is ripe for experimentation and bodge box rummaging. While doing some general housekeeping, I found four scrap computers. One with a dead head unit, one with a broken bar mount bracket and the other a defunct sensor.

I then decided to challenge myself. Build one good unit, from the three scrappers. Finding which combination would play nicely, took a while. However, with fresh CR cells and a spare magnet, this 20function, Revolution head proved compatible, with the other, cannibalised parts.

A big rubbery shim and cable ties ensured secure tenure, to my fixed’s Soma Condor bars https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/soma  

Admittedly, black would win aesthetically but white are at least, uniform. I’m unsure whether it’s the shutter precision hubs’ strong magnets. However, other wireless systems, including this Knog NERD, gave erratic, or zero readings, even with the usual remedies (i.e. fresh batteries and Vaseline on the contacts). Given this track record, I wasn’t surprised to discover these intermittent faults teasing me, on our first, misty morning test run.

Sure, its cost me in terms of time. I wouldn’t be doing these things during billing hours but being holiday season. I found the process relaxing, and end results very satisfying. In common with the CAFAM, sometimes it’s the process of really getting to grips with, and mastering something. I am also looking for a replacement sensor, for this relatively elderly (2009/10), yet extremely solid Blackburn Atom 4.0.

In case you hadn’t noticed, I have a fiercely strong bond with my machines. My working bikes. Much loved but designed to be ridden, whatever the weather. Hence why Jeff Rutland’s Goldhawk Roadax resonated so deeply with me https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/goldhawk-bicycles-purposeful-passio . In anticipation of the test bike’s arrival, I’ve dusted down my Bob Yak homage…

Aside from its hauling capacity, the mighty single wheel trailer is a means of testing a test bike’s laden handling characteristics. I am of course, referring to touring, commuting, cyclo cross derivatives, not race bikes. Laden with 20 kilos, (sometimes more) I hunt down some sweeping descents, and aim for 30mph, plus.  

The Roadax is a sportier build than, the Kinesis Tripster Ace https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/kinesis-tripster-ace  . The Kinesis is more of a cruiser, thanks to the more relaxed positioning but will do tagalong and trailer tugging duties very competently. The Roadax should be master of most trades. I’m looking forward to finding out.  

In the meantime, can’t start 2019 with a filthy fleet, or an impure kettle…

Resilience & Roadax

 Resilience, the ability to keep going, regardless of what’s hurled our way, is one of those attributes that cycle, and motorcycle touring/racing nurtures. By the bucket load.

Battling an epic storm, lashing a busted rack back together, or remounting following a nasty spill. All part of the ride, develops character, coping mechanisms and self-knowledge. 

I don’t meditate in the commonly accepted sense, but as the miles and asphalt whizzes past, so ideas are explored, and solutions arrived at.

With the right kit, winter can be a very engaging, or miserable experience, depending on your chosen attire and bike prep. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/winter-wonderland-2-destination-spr  

420 miles in, my Univega’s chain still sports a decent layer of 5w/40.Aside from a gungy beard, cultivated during the first fortnight, it’s attracted surprisingly little contaminant.

I’m still bargaining on another 100 miles, before replenishment’s called for. At which point, I will switch over to the chainsaw oil. Unless of course, something bike-specific lands on our test bench.

Gritting lorries have been spotted, these past few nights, a clear indicator that winter means business. Take this opportunity to treat painted, plated and polished surfaces to a hard paste waxing.

Pressed for time?

Car Wash n’ wax shampoos will clean and impart a waxy barrier (remember to rinse salt spattered bikes with fresh, cold water first). Pro Green MX after shine 101 can also be used on a damp, freshly washed bike. Simply spray a light film and leave to cure. No buffing, or polishing required. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/pro-green-mx-triple-pack   

My elderly feline is also beginning to nuzzle these Schwalbe Winter but we’ll see… https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/schwalbe-winter-spiked-tyre     

With SP PD8 hub https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/halo-rim-and-shutter-dynohub-disc-b  receiving expert care, from their UK distributors, Ison Distribution www.ison-distribution.com I’ve popped the Halo SL9 https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/halo-evura-shutter-precision-sl9-dy  in its place and putting the Passport Galvanised chain though its paces.

Unsurprisingly, given its half the KMC X1’s asking price, the Passport lacks the same level of refinement. However, this is only apparent when under load. Climbing out of the saddle, with my full 70 kilos dancing on the pedals, or accelerating hard. Crucially, it feels solid, during this, or transmission braking. 350 miles, or so, before I reach any solid, tangible conclusions, though.

Staying with wet wintry stuff, Steve has been putting Silkolene Premium Cycle Lube Wet  through its paces https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/silkolene-premium-cycle-lube-wet   

Winter and working bikes are a big draw for me. Machines built to be ridden, day in, day out, rain or shine. The sort of working bikes that you love but don’t induce palpitations, when locking up in the street.

Reynolds 520 frame tubing might not hold the wow factor of 853, or similar tubesets. However, its blend of performance, price and durability lends it perfectly to the design brief.

Up front, there’s a carbon fork (with alloy steerer) continuing the lightweight, compliant theme. Although, on steel framesets, a bent derailleur hanger is easily coaxed back into line with an alignment tool, Jeff has gone for a replaceable hanger. Another sensible move, given the design brief.  

Clearances for 700x42c tyres, cyclo cross/gravel bike genre geometry, braze-ons for four-point carriers, full length guards… Hydraulic discs, capable of stopping rider (and trailer/tagalong), on the proverbial sixpence. Oh, and a decent spread of gears to ensure you can winch up hill, bomb down dale and cruise with similar ease.

I think Jeff Rutland has cracked this design brief with the Goldhawk Roadax.   

I met Jeff in Spitalfields, a London district I once knew very well. I still retain a strong attachment to the East End, and its side streets. Superficially, these have been gentrified beyond all recognition. Three minutes away and things felt reassuringly familiar. Environments where the Roadax thrives. However, the versatility of its design also bodes well, far from the maddening crowd.

In a nutshell, I can’t wait to swing a leg over its top tube, and do some serious mileage.