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…
