Justin Burls has been
branching out into titanium components, specifically forks, headsets, seatposts
and collars. Suffice to say all are beautifully executed to his exacting
standards and once again, I find myself using sound economic rationales to
quell urges compelling me to upgrade the Univega’s front end.
Said tourer has recently
received this nicely nickel plated, albeit comparatively hefty 12-25 Sun Race
cassette and KMC’s imaginatively monikered X393 chain, replacing the venerable
BBB and heavily galvanised KMC unit that finally succumbed to a heady mix of
high mileages and last winter’s particularly vengeful salt monster.
The latter (designed for
6,7 and 8speed transmissions) features an interesting nickel/brown finish,
which is presumably a cost cutting exercise, since its loftier 99 boasts full
nickel plating. Theoretically bushingless designs counteract accelerated
wear, ensuring comprehensive free-flow lubricant on the one hand, while flushing
salt, grit, sand and similar contaminant out in due course. In practice this
seems to depend on prep quality and riders observing good standards of
drivetrain hygiene
I’m leaving ours dressed in
the factory drizzle for now to see how it behaves but have forgone the
seemingly obligatory “magic” link joining system that irrespective of brand,
seems blessed only with an uncanny ability to self destruct fifteen miles from
the nearest chain tool.
Print as opposed to web
titles have longer lead times, hence Moore Large www.todayscyclist.co.uk were kind enough to send over Knog’s
new blinder family of blinkies and at the other extreme, some of their house
band ballistic models boasting a combined firepower of 3000 lumens. The
single lamp seems breathtakingly similar to Magicshine’s MJ808E right down to
beam patterns and minor shortcomings but these pale into relative
insignificance when you consider it gives change from £80 and adds a modest
335g to proceedings.
Producing 2000, its sibling
is remarkably compact, although twice the output demands a more powerful fuel
source-6.4amh compared with 4.4. Knog stuff is always interesting, if only from
a funky design perspective but the past few seasons have seen the Australian
brand twist the quality control knob a few notches higher. Big daddy of the
blinder clan, the front reminded me of an old school twin lamp night sun unit
that had been passed through a matter shrinking device by some batty boffin.
Living up to their
name, beam purity throughout the eight settings is certainly attention
grabbing, though unleashing the stated two hundred does horrendous things to
run times but crosses over into see with territory in suburban and less
challenging semi rural contexts.
Traditionally USB
rechargeable models were water resistant by middling degrees but a clever flip
out pod combined with high quality silicone/ polycarbonate and aluminium
construction enables easy connectivity with portable devices, while ensuring
Mother Nature stays firmly outside.
Repeated five minute
attacks using a high-pressure garden hose and salt water immersion testing
failed to make any impression. Some would reason this a little extreme
but I reason if a manufacturer claims something is genuinely waterproof within
prescribed tolerances, a diligent tester will always call their bluff and often
as with bikes, this can take time. I run winter/audax models in particular for
at least three, sometimes four hundred miles in a variety of weathers/contexts
to see how they behave and to properly evaluate facets such as handling,
build/finish quality.
Winter steeds and daily
drivers lead harder lives by definition, regardless of rider compassion so
those under my scrutiny are left under said slimy cocktail until their rightful
owners send couriers to repatriate them. Most manufacturers/distributors are
welcoming of this and I always supply photographs of their mucky states to
substantiate my findings.
Suppliers and wider
audiences are fully entitled to challenge opinions but should never be in a
position to question factual stuff. Every so often I get PR companies expectant
that I will take delivery of something one day and submit a glowing report the
next. Conclusions can be reached within different timescales and these days,
bad products are notable by their exception. However, I’m not prepared to
consign my, or a publication’s credibility to the nearest skip by submitting
rehashed press releases. At the other
extreme, there are people wilfully determined to break stuff, taking belt
sanders to pro quality bib shorts with the misguided view this somehow
replicates the abrasive forces experienced in a typical tarmac slide, thus
indicating levels of rider protection (!)
Hmm… any kindred editorial spirits needing a helping
hand with their virtual, or indeed print titles are very welcome to approach me
by email in the first instance.
Time
I stripped the Teenage Dream’s chain of mothballing agent and drizzled some Finish Line ceramic wax into its links. Think I’ll swap some components
around and treat the front hoop to a quick tweak while I’m about it.
