Headsets & Heart Warming Stories

The arrival of this crown race removal tool prompted transplant surgery on the Univega. Aside from adding a second spacer and longer headlock bolt, everything slotted together with minimal faff.

Weighing a very reasonable 118g (by my scales) Stronglight O light LX alloy Aheadset is nicely machined from 7075 aluminium. Annular contact bearings are another definite plus, vastly superior to standard balls. Deliciously slick, these are popular with touring, tandem and trike builds given their large contact area and load bearing properties.

Irrespective of genre, lower races suffer most and pitting can occur alarmingly quickly with traditional balls, especially those of more humble origin. By the same token, rubbishing these is utter nonsense-high end models last years with regular servicing, stiff greases and 25 grade balls.

Contact lip seals should shut the door to moisture and similar ingress between overhauls and a two year warrantee bodes extremely well. Those of a belt n’ braces persuasion might want to slip a rubber “boot” made from a section of old mountain bike butyl, secured with colour coordinated cable tie. 

I may go this route come inspection time but it’s less of a concern on bikes wearing full length mudguards (fenders to our friends in the states).Ours was treated to a hearty helping of Muc-off bio grease, which consists of “naturally derived lubricants, anti- corrosion agents, friction modifiers, viscosity controllers and stabilisers”.

Hmm, well colour and consistency are reminiscent of premium grade strawberry jam, lubricant properties seem favourable and it should be kinder to seals, skin and rubberised components than petrochemicals. I’ll take a peek come March to see how it compares with Teflon, Lithium and Ceramic blends.    

Talking of kindness, the curious, yet previously agreeable SR Becoz has mysteriously started encouraging Lycra to gather intrusively-Nora Batty fashion. I initially thought it attributable to old, saggy shorts/3/4lengths but the song remained consistent with new pairs.

Uncomfortable, not to mention aesthetically unflattering, I originally substituted the Becoz for the marques’ sportier Lookin; then remembered this superb Turbomatic gel flow team perch snoozing in a drawer. As its name suggests, this is the late 90s classic reinvented with a wealth of contemporary twists.

These include carbon fibre rails, cutaway, variable density memory foam padding, gel inserts and a very sturdy Lorica (faux leather) cover. 230g is seriously impressive too and shaves a welcome 320g from the portly tourer. Seventy miles hence and levels of support seem perfect.

Bereavements tend to focus the mind-what is genuinely important in life and death’s inevitability. Sorrow and mourning are the most obvious sentiments but funerals should also celebrate someone’s life.

I only met Mr Alturo Gandolfi on one occasion but despite advancing years and ill health, he was one of those genuinely remarkable people who leave a lasting, positive impression. Like scores of young men, he served in North Africa during World War II in various capacities.

Badly injured and left for dead, he was subsequently transferred to the UK as a prisoner of war. Soon afterward, while chatting with a friend in the street, a young woman caught his eye.

Bound for Italy and speaking no English, he vowed to return and marry “That girl”. He did and I’ve seen some beautifully preserved photographs of those formative days, which became a happy 66year marriage.

Ending on a completely different note, I’ve a selection of handlebar coverings and do-all touring bikes to harvest for group testing in “Seven Day Cyclist” magazine. Hopefully, their arrival will coincide with challenging weather conditions.

       

Within my grasp

A mysterious spoke breakage on the Univega’s front hoop had both myself and Alan at Riverside cycles scratching our heads- I hadn’t plunged headlong into any holes, ruts or similar surface imperfection, evidenced by the fact it was still running perfectly true. However, he slotted in a replacement at a moment’s notice before going on a week’s holidays. Elsewhere, that Cinelli Caleido handlebar wrap has delighted on so many levels. Something of a curiosity, performance is on par with the ultra sophisticated polymer types, yet much easier to live with-spillages of energy drinks and similar beverages are easily chased away with a soft bike brush dipped in a bucket of mild sudsy water, without fear of stripping space age coatings, thus ruining all- weather grip.

Application is a little more involved than traditional corks though and the every so slightly rubberised leatherette material benefits from being left near controlled surfaces of heat, while you strip the existing coverings and gungy residue from the bars. This technique makes it all the more maulable for classic, swooping overlap. There’s plenty of it mind, even the Univega’s prodigious WTB drops allowed for some bespoke double ups for the last word in shock absorption, while powerful adhesives prevent your artistry unravelling as you reach for the finishing strips.

By the same token, it seems very tolerant of being rewound-at least during installation so perfectionists needn’t fret. Suffice to say, I’ve notched up fifty miles plus in bare hands, without so much as a hint of tingling, let alone more pronounced discomfort.

On the subject of mitts came the promise some beautifully crafted classics from Dromati. Evocative of those 60’s heroes powering up the dolomites on Peugeot PX10s, it came as pleasant surprise to discover they’re actually handcrafted in Surrey, a region in the UK more famous for its stockbrokers, rather than craftspeople.

Devoid of Ulnar defending blobs, or similar contemporary sensibilities they’re comprised of lightly padded cognac brown Nappa hide palms laced to knitted crochet backs- beautifully executed and priced to suit. Sure you could have the look for considerably less-cheaper materials, manufactured in southern Asia but this propagates so many unwelcome notions, demeaning traditional skills and legitimising sweatshop practices within developing countries.

After a brief interlude and some obvious calming of my scorched arms, the damp and dreary summer has reinstated itself, presenting excellent test conditions-especially for chain lubes and maintenance sprays, while washing local council hopefuls to my doorstep.

On the one hand, I come from a highly politicised linage and am pleased to see sustained interest in politics at a localised grass-roots level but on the other, their lack of underlying direction proved irksome and I had chapters to compose and other work to bid for. Another steady gig or two would be very welcome at the moment. I’ve been going through bouts of chronic block and phenomenal productivity at the moment, especially with the book and sometimes, good discipline is confused with staring at a screen.

During the down periods, I’ve been visiting locally derelict sites (within forty miles) and drawing inspiration, trying not to attract attention or be confused with metal thieves-a perennial problem around industrial compounds and a far cry from the days when children played in the bombed out shells of post war Britain’s inner cities. Such ruins were often credited with launching the careers of photography’s “black circle” during the 1960s- the most famous being David Bailey. While genuinely in awe of his creativity, hold a greater affinity with Terrance Donovan.

Both grew up just a few miles from each other (Newham and Tower Hamlets respectively) but sadly, while Donovan enjoyed measurable commercial recognition, he suffered from depression and consequently took his own life. Depression, rather akin to dyslexia is one of those phrases oft over used, little understood and heavily stigmatised. Granted, we all feel low from time to time and I’ve no problem with this in so long as it’s a passing phase, proving the catalyst for more positive outputs/outpourings. However, the genuine article is an entirely different thing.

To sunnier topics now and the new season’s lighting systems are slowly but surely coming on stream. Moore large have sent me some of their aptly named and super cheerful Torch blinkies, while Raleigh passed these rechargeable Moon comet, which enjoy a comprehensive range of very powerful settings. For the piers de resistance, Magicshine have dropped in their MJ880 2000 lumen and an even more powerful My Tiny Sun. Both are beautifully made and whose names imply Chinese heritage, although the latter is actually lovingly crafted in Germany. Now without further ado, I’m off to charge up and test these beauties and probably contemplate my own place in the universe.