Forks Return...Winter’s Wrath Continues

 Lee Cooper returned the Holdsworth’s forks. I’m delighted with the steerer extension and ahead conversion. The eagle-eyed will note it’s a slightly different shade of blue, but I like the subtle contrast, so it’s staying. I’ve retrieved the XLC longer reach dual pivot calliper and then I’m ready to switch everything over, at my leisure- the Holdsworth is a sunny day’s plaything and presently enjoying seasonal hibernation. For now, they can sit in my office.  

The plan is just to whip the Woodman’s lower cup from the Acor carbon unit and transplant it to the steel fork. At that point, I’ll thoroughly inspect the cheap but cheerful Acor and decide whether to keep or euthanise. I’ve sold older, branded forks with 6061 steerers and carbon blades in the past. However, on balance, I’ve concluded it’s not worth the hassle, or risk this time.  

While on these missions, I also acquired another 1-inch Aheadset (an FSA) since these, or at least, decent-quality staples are getting trickier to find-at least at the right price.  The blue anodised finish is another shade of blue but again, aesthetically compatible with the existing livery.  

Famous last words, that’s the Holdworth’s revisions complete. I might port the Miche calliper over to the Teenage Dream as an upgrade to the budget but very serviceable Miche Performance unit but that can all wait- we’re slap bang in the middle of a stormy winter. 

 

The ice relented but was replaced by storm Isha. Milder temperatures induced a switch back to the Halo Spin Doctor and Shimano Alfine Dynohub Shimano Alfine UR700 Hub Dynamo | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) wheels shod with the Maxxis Ikon tyres Maxxis Ikon Tyres | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com). I also decided then was time to retire Ursula’s KMC chain. I managed 750 miles before it nudged .7 on the chain checker. Typically, I’ll get 1100-1300 miles so this should give an idea of how wet and generally grotty the past few months have been.  

I have a love/hate relationship with magic links. On the one hand, they are very convenient (especially when you’ve the magic link pliers to hand. Note to self, must locate mine). Much of this arises from a lack of feeling in my index finger, which makes aligning the two parts fiddly-especially when it's bitterly cold. I manage, it's just a slower process.  

While hunting the KMC magic link pliers, I rediscovered this Hyper Cracker cassette lockring tool. It basically turns the bike frame into a giant chain whip and allows roadside cassette removal, say when needing to replace a drive-side spoke mid-tour. Really nicely made and a pleasant resurrection. Wondered where that had got to.   

 

Given things had thawed, I headed out on the fixed for some faster-paced fun. Thick mud carpeted the roads, and I was pleasantly surprised by their grip through some seriously slippery, gloopy stretches. Not quite in cyclocross, or Paris Roubaix territory but not a great deal of tarmac.  Despite the low temperatures, these Castelli Entrata Thermal Bib Knickers are surprisingly comfortable Castelli Entrata Thermal Bib Knickers | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

  

As for the tugs, well, perhaps predictably, I’ve gone for another set of MKS NJS. Credit where it's due, the auction site specials were in fact of a decent quality. Problem being they were 10mm, which means they’d foul the chain. The non-drive side was a nice fit. In some respects, I’m annoyed- should’ve just gone for the MKS first time around but that’s the thing with auction sites, they’re a gamble. You can get an absolute bargain or buy cheap and buy twice. 

 

I’m sticking with the Weldtite Ceramic WELDTITE CERAMIC LUBE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) for now-at least until something seasonally appropriate arrives for testing. As defaults go, there’s a lot in its favour. It’s relatively clean for a middleweight and doesn’t wash off come the first puddle. The advantage over a more traditional, gloopy wet lube is that while it won’t hold back hell n’ high water, it won’t become such an effective grinding paste when grit, salt, mud and other contaminant litters the landscape.   

Ben Hur

 Life is continuously changing, evolving and thus we must adapt, accordingly. Bike Journalism/Kit testing aside, I am a fettler. My two-wheeled fleet is, to some extent always evolving. Not for change’s sake, or to fill a void in my life, rather ‘cos stuff wears out, or in some instances, breaks.

On other occasions, I ruminate on something, explore a few options, THEN decide on the solution(s). This avoids consumption of resources. Money, time, energy/labour and of course, storage.

To some extent, bikes are like relationships, as we mature and (hopefully) gain greater self-awareness, we understand what works for us. I am deeply attached to the Holdsworth and Teenage Dream. However, for general, everyday riding, something with ‘cross type geometry, clearances and indeed, big tyres, is my preference.

Life and people are here to teach us lessons, it is up to us, whether we heed, and learn from them. There are a wealth of people/personalities I navigate on a professional and personal basis. I am pleasantly indifferent to most, deeply attached to a few. There are people with enormous amounts to offer, but nothing good/right for me.

Another narrative, which has endured from my teens, is user-serviceability. Anything I own must be relatively straightforward to maintain properly, and to the highest standards. This also goes for cars, and motorcycles. Back then, the ability to braze/frame build was high on the list.

However, opportunity/finances never presented, and I’ve long recognised it’s a skill best outsourced to those with years of experience. I like welding. A semi-commercial MIG welder capable of taking commercial Argon/CO2 cylinders would be a sensible investment for light fabrication, repair etc.

Fully equipped workshops with TIG welders. Oxyacetylene, Jigs etc are not. A week’s frame building course, does not a master craftsperson, make “Building by numbers” is one thing, being able to problem solve and deliver impeccable results is something entirely different.

To paraphrase my late Grandfather (40 years welding experience, 6year apprentice trained) “Any fool can blast metal together. Making something stick, and moreover behave according to draft, is something entirely different.”  

I do share his somewhat surly and difficult charm, although would like to think I’m more moderate, dare I say agreeable, overall. Contexts established, I leave frame building/modification/repair to the likes of Lee Cooper, and Maldon Shot Blasting & Powder Coating. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/gravel-bike-on-a-budget 

So, with all this in mind. I was overtaken by one of THOSE urges. Pandora’s box sprung open and with it, the yearning for Titanium…Forks. Yes, for Ursula…Not that there’s anything particularly wrong with the existing “school chair” setup, with its beefy legs.

That said; they were aimed at the “Jump” market, so there’s a weight penalty, relative to the original triple butted uncrown, or something like Kona’s iconic Project II. A Chinese manufacturer got in touch, offering me a set with disc, cantilever and mudguard eyelets. £450 was an absolute deal-breaker. If something comes along, at the right price and specification, I’ll take a closer look.  

Elsewhere, I’ve resurrected my Revolution Cargo Trailer (Bob Yak homage) from hibernation. Its primarily been used, not for shopping/utilitarian purposes, but rather assessing the laden handling prowess of test bikes. It needed a good polish, which proved the perfect opportunity to test this Muc-Off Cherry Pop Silicone shine (I also took this opportunity to treat the Univega).

Silicones certainly add shine-especially to plastics. They also add lubricant to polymers/rubberised components, which is good for suspension components. However, unless used sparingly, silicones can also prove dirt traps. To assess this, I delivered ours directly to the trailer chassis, tourer via micro-fibre cloth.

For the time being, said trailer can follow behind my beloved tubby tourer, hauling various weights, to scrutinise gearing more critically-now the honeymoon period’s done. I have a few minor niggles with the Yak homage.

Firstly, the finish isn’t particularly good. Its not poor, rather softer than I’d expect. Once it gets tatty, I’ll get it blasted and powder coated. Similarly, though the wheel is identified as being 16x1.75, offer a branded slick/road version against it, and, nope.

Since its functional enough, I’ve decided to whip out the valve core and introduce some latex type, puncture sealing splooge. Aside from the obvious, I needed to use it up, and this seemed the obvious candidate.

Letting the bike do the lugging, is a golden rule of touring and longer commutes. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/tug-jobs However, depending on your payload, for shorter hauls, rider mounted luggage can be a boon, especially filtering through tighter gaps in traffic. Well-made messenger bags are old boots tough, (usually) weatherproof and ooze cool. Little surprise they’re so popular.

Statistically, many car journeys are less than 2.5 miles. Between this and 5 miles or so, messenger bags have a ln their favour. My Chrome Industries (model) is still serving me well, and Steve’s been putting this Chrome Modal Vale Sling Bag through its paces  https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/chrome  .

He’s been similarly impressed with this Carradice Kelbrook Satchel, which is made here, in the UK  https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/carradice-kelbrook-satchel