Lucky Dip

Spring-like conditions continue the narrative of cool starts giving way temperatures in the mid-teens, bright sunshine and birdsong. 3/4lengths have been substituted for shorts, micro jackets for gilets and gloves for mitts.  

We’re waiting on some spring/summer clothing at Seven Day Cyclist but like most riders, let alone kit test junkie journos, we’ve usually built up a decent stockpile of goodies to draw upon.

I’ve resurrected these Ozzo, which are the classic knitted back and synthetic, faux leather palm. These have been serving on a shit-rota for the best part of a decade and rather like a well-loved teddy bear, the thin pile foam is starting to peek through the lining in places.

The embodiment of cheap but cheerful, they’ve proven more comfortable, even over longer mixed terrain rides than many, more sophisticated models. Gel pads designed to defend the vulnerable ulnar nerve region are not an exact science and can, in my experience, sometimes induce precisely the numbness, tingling and discomfort they were intended to alleviate.

Elsewhere, after two years’ riding shotgun on my MKII Ilpompino’s downtube, exposed to the harshest, wettest conditions, my Specialized mini pump breathed its last. Another quick rifle through the spares drawer unearthed several credible replacements.

Salvaging the Specialized’s ultra-dependable snap-shut bracket, I instated this The Lezyne Micro floor drive HVG mini floor hand pump with gauge (affectionately referred to by yours truly as the “detonator”) and compatible composite caddy.

It’s best thought of as a track pump that has been put through a matter-shrinking device. There’s a high pressure sibling that I’ve also used to good effect but this one will still deliver real world realistic pressures into medium section touring and narrower, street inspired mtb rubber.  

The Beast of Bodmin; my elderly farm cat clearly approves of this revision and the Vee Tire Rolldiac too, which have proven very competent all-rounders. These are 30mm, which seem optimal for this genre of machine but there are more traditional 23 and 25mm options. Personally, talking 25mm sections, I’d go for their rain runner, which for me at least, has the edge when it comes to speed, puncture resistance and outright grip in the wettest weather.  

Back to the pump; screw on valve connectors are another welcome touch, preventing the heart-sinking hiss as willowy valve stems are sheared clean off under vigorous effort. At 216, there’s a weight penalty over more minimalist designs and if that’s your criteria, a mini/micro pump and CO2/inflator are better choices, assuming you puncture infrequently.

Though adequate, the resin bracket could be more substantial, hence I’ve reinforced it with a stretchy Velcro backed offcut that was also doing something close to nothing. Judging by a formative thrash along local roads, this has cured any incremental creep, leading to the base chattering against the frame tubes like a demonic wood-pecker.

Remember to whip it off when parking in the street too, since the mirror polished anodized finish is extremely seductive. On a cold, wet night in the back of beyond, fresh tube and fully loaded CO2 inflator are my first resorts but a decent pump should always be on hand to save the day.

Continuing this salvage theme, having concluded the titanium post surgery a success; I happened upon this Crank Brothers Cobalt 3 rolling about in the same drawer-sans cradle. A quick email to extra bikes, their UK importer https://www.extrauk.co.uk/product/cats/crankbrothers/all/  was met with a very helpful response and ultimately, a new clamp.  The Cobalt 3 is a lightweight model, designed to some extent as a lightweight alternative to composites; hence the wall thickness is wafer thin around the minimum insert mark.

Yes, I was a little alarmed at just how thin but it becomes gradually wider then onward, so all things being equal, most riders shouldn’t have too many worries. Hell, I’m so confident, yes, you ca see where this is headed…I’m going to look into getting it reduced by .2mm, from 27.2 to 7.0 and have it serve the teenage dream.     

Talking of tooling, we’ve reached our conclusions re Blackburn’s switch and wayside models, which are very different but equally competent models. One for those who like to travel light while adding some bespoke bits n’ bobs to the mix, the other a one does most pocket workshop.      https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/blackburn-switch-multi-tool                   https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/blackburn-wayside-multi-tool

Get some nuts, temp work and install a new bottom bracket while you’re at it!

You at the back, stop guffawing! I’m referring to the track variety and more specifically these electroplated beauties from the good folk at Edinburgh Bicycle. These are designed so their sadly defunct Cargo trailer can couple with fixed, or indeed other steeds using solid axles. Might need to revise that eighty-one inch gear though…Time will tell. Falling leaves also signalled the boxing up and return of their Audax bike-its been a very welcome, albeit temporary addition to the fleet and I’ll confess to shedding a farewell tear as I drew the gaffer tape taught around the box. However, akin to ET, it didn’t belong in my world/workshop indefinitely.

Experience suggests there’s a fine line between complimentary, dare I say comforting clutter and that countering creative flow. A healthy sense of organised chaos permeates my workspace and on a day-to day basis, this works just fine. However, a post features/testing binge calls for cathartic cleansing of papers and where appropriate, repatriation of equipment. In common with most teenagers, I had dreams of professional recognition as a successful author-name in lights stuff. Fundamentally nothing has changed and these remain a central focus or paraphrasing Tom Simpson, “Something to aim at”.

Both book projects continue with a gentle, lapping tide of progression. However, a sense of pragmatism dictates that freelancers adopt other flexible income streams. While something of a frustration, it is impossible to remain relentlessly creative, nay productive on a 24/7 basis

Many, myself included have a notion that if we’re not locked away in our studios or  ivory towers; then by definition we are not working. Creative forums can serve as useful  springboards but all too often descend into habitual and moreover dis empowering grumble fests sapping morale and moreover ingenuity. Thankfully a temp opportunity arose which helps with short- term liquidity while allowing investment in other areas.

Speaking of which, I’ve discovered Green Oil can supply their chain degreaser in workshop quantities (forms the basis of their miraculous citrus based bike wash when diluted) so I’ll be investing in some. They’ve also sent some second generation “White” clean lube. Devoid of petrochemicals, the original was good (at least while it lasted-we were averaging a mere forty road miles per application) so it’ll be interesting to see how the new formula compares.  

Dressed in black patent leather, I feel so much better…as the weather starts becoming more inclement and nightfall descends around 19.30, I’ve resurrected these Bontrager twin bolt commu-tour types. Low “ deft lick of the Jey cloth” maintenance, grippy soles and neutral colours compliment both ends of the wardrobe, although their footbeds were firmly in wallpaper stripping territory given a few season’s service! A fresh set of cleats completes the makeover and the design is just narrow enough to accommodate traditional overshoes should things turn decidedly damp…Shame they’re no longer current-although online retailers seem to have healthy stocks at generous discounts…

A penny shy of £70 this rather fetching Dhb EQ 2.5 jacket continues my black theme. It’s an affordable weatherproof model with a sportier than average, tailored cut that still entertains the time honoured base layer and race jersey combo. Red/black or grey/green are the similarly subtle alternatives, which may not be to everyone’s taste in murky weather and a few moonlit miles saw me don a Sam Browne belt or reflective tabard for enhanced road presence. On the flip side, the darker colours and Teflon coating slows the advance of grimy patinas in between low temperature machine washes.

Moisture management is pretty much on par with competitor models, keeping pace with my own at steady cadences and to around 20mph. Upping the tempo closer to chain gang speeds sees it struggle, especially when the mercury creeps into double figures but its available in gender specific cuts and seems ideally suited to winter proper (November-March).

 Much is made of China's status as an economic powerhouse and its implications for the West. Schools in particular have been quick to leap on a dogmatic bandwagon of teaching Mandarin. However, thanks to an ageing population and one child policy, the numbers of economically active adults fuelling its corporate engine will be greatly reduced with crippling implications.

Arguably next in line are India and Brazil, so Punjabi or Portuguese might be more prudent. Some within the cycle industry are suggesting the rising costs of imports from the Far East may be fuelling a slow but steady return to large- scale domestic production of lightweight frames…

Right, I’ll leave you all to ponder this while I whip out my big 13-½ inch (33.5cm) Lezyne CNC rod and replace the Univega’s cartridge bottom bracket. 

Meandering through the monsoon: Helmet cams, Secret compounds & portable detonators…

Rain has remained a consistent metaphor for my somewhat downbeat mood these past few weeks but maybe it’s just a question of skies being darkest before dawn. A publisher popped up from behind the proverbial parapet keen for the book project to take off, subject to contact. Heartening though this is, congratulatory backslapping does not a book write. Sat under the shade of Uncle Benny’s Veranda, guzzling diesel strength coffee, we happened upon a light bulb cash-flow solving moment. I have a long held fascination for pattern parts, specifically electronics and am seriously looking into importing some for commercial purposes…speaking of electricals, I’ve been mightily impressed by the original Go-Pro Hero HD helmet cam.

Arguably superseded by its MKII sibling, build and image quality remain top notch, especially in 1280x960 mode thanks to a wide-angle f2.8 lens. Documentary filmmaking prowess aside, its had a very positive effect upon driver etiquette. All but the most ignorant/unlicensed/uninsured (and therefore untouchable) overtook and approached with greater courtesy. That said, it’s widely acknowledged that in tense inner city neighbourhoods, violent conflict can be sparked simply by a motor/cyclist making greater progress through stationary traffic, let alone potentially criminal driver behaviours being recorded. Generally user-friendly, it requires several trial runs for intuitive function and consequently, I lost some potentially hilarious footage on those initial outings. Similarly, it’s a little hefty worn atop a lightweight road lid longer than ninety minutes, so I’m eager to get hold of the recently launched handlebar mount.

Our celebrity culture isn’t a new phenomenon, people see a camera and either call the authorities, or loose all inhibitions. Two teenagers approaching me couldn’t have drawn more attention to themselves if they’d sported colossal white beards and red tunics. Even those who wouldn’t so much as manage a grunt couldn’t resist a breezy holler and one chap even indulged in a bit of ad-hoc business promotion (didn’t have the heart to tell him I’d got the weather and therefore, soundproof backing in situ!).

Extensive praying to the god of blowouts brought some lovely goodies. These Panaracer Ribmo arrived for the Univega courtesy of their UK importer (www.zyro.co.uk). Three hundred miles or so through flooded roads has left a very positive impression, although their profiles are closer to 1.6 rather than 1.75 inches as denoted on their sidewalls. This hasn’t negatively affected performance, especially cantering across metalled road but called for tyre levers when persuading their folding versions aboard common or garden cross country mtb rims. In the wake of this latest wave of terrorist paranoia, perhaps this beautifully executed Lezyne micro floor drive pump could be mistaken for a plastics explosives detonator when cadging a lift on the bottle bosses and perhaps best stowed away in the panniers. Subversive humour aside, its mightily efficient to a genuine 120psi, which is sufficient for all bar top-flight tubulars. However, care must be taken to avoid accidentally triggering the bleed valve when disconnecting the hose.

A fresh set of fetching Fibrax gear cables have brought renewed vigour to the tubby tourer’s shifting and I’ve resuscitated its cheap but oh so cheerful blinky whose switch had succumbed to the recent Bollywood monsoon conditions. Dismantled and left to dry at room temperature, I administered a slathering of Vaseline to the internals and repaired a hairline crack where seal and lens meet using Effetto Mariposa Carbo Grip. Essentially, it’s a sophisticated silicone resin assembly spray, designed for the modern, composite age but works a treat on a wealth of other materials/contexts including tri-bars, handlebar grips, bottle/carrier and fender mounts 

Elsewhere, The Teenage Dream was roused from hibernation with a set of these Fibrax Xtreme weather pads and I took this opportunity for a quick tyre swap in favour of those 25mm Freedom thick slicks-pretty much filling clearances to capacity while the pads stopping prowess saw me sit up and take notice. Perfect for winter trainers, I’d like to put their cantilever versions to the test on a laden tourer-just by way of comparison and mountain bikers will be interested to hear they’re also available in a V brake compatible format. Clever self-cleansing channelling uses rainfall to prevent muck/grit accumulating and scouring sidewalls-great news for less vigilant riders but those with swanky composite hoops will need to look elsewhere. Loquacious probing couldn’t reveal anything of their exact composition-apparently it’s a trade secret and native to Wales….

 

Reflections in a Freelancer's Mirror

I am very fortunate to have such a ready supply of interesting goodies to play-er, I mean work with. Take this pump-spray lube from Green oil. In place of harmful isobutane propellants, the contents are pressurised by pumping the top-cap ten times- the same motion as inflating tyres with a mini-pump. Being of comparable dimensions, it slips effortlessly inside panniers and seat packs while being permitted for air travel. Filling it with petrochemical products goes against the ethos somewhat but has proved a a boon for quick, impromptu lubing of chains, cables, pivot points etc. Talking of which, the White Lightning Clean Ride lube not only keeps transmissions clean but works a treat on my barber's clipper set too. Having performed the annual Waxoyling of the Ka chassis, consuming the remnants of my last home-brewed batch I had to pop out and purchase some commercial product to treat the door cavities, wings and boot. The remainder was blown inside the fleet as a quick "While I'm at it" top-up with the Univega receiving the lion's share-frame forks and racks were all given a generous helping of the amber nectar to keep Joe and Joanna rot purely academic.

P clips might lack glamour but they're an extremely effective way of attaching racks and fenders to bikes without eyelets. Time was when I was literally drowning under an avalanche of the rubber coated gizmo's but they've reached a state of inexplicable scarcity now that a high end low-rider rack comes into my possession. Mercifully, a wander round the web has unearthed a supply so hopefully the Univega's front end will soon sport said TIG welded lovelies....Obviously I won't be hauling their 15 kilo maximum payload but they will offer more carrying capacity without my venerable trailer becoming the default option.

Taking a more exciting deviation, I'm delighted to see manufacturers continually recognising and moreover, embracing the mantra that Lycra, while lovely on the chain-gang isn't quite so endearing round town. This waterproof, breathable budget jacket from Madison and Lezyne's Town Caddy satchel being prime examples. Finished in a very fetching blue, the jacket combines cycling cut with civilian practicality- pockets that fall conveniently to hand when mooching round the shops or taking a trail side breather immediately curried favour. That said, I've only been a few miles in it so conclusions are somewhat premature.

Lezyne's Town caddy is a stylish bag marrying messenger kudos with office practicality-space for laptops and "storage by numbers" compartments for tools and other everyday nick-nacks-there's even a bottle opener integrated into the cam buckle. Beautifully chic but I'll have to rack up some miles before we are bewitched by its designer charisma. Long, steady mixed terrain meanders suggest the DSP dual colour wrap is every bit as good as it looks. The tactile rubberised texture not only offers insulation from rider fatiguing road and trail buzz but unparalleled grip in heavy rain. Objectively, it requires greater care when applying and ingrained dirt mustn't be removed using the time-honoured soapy water and brush routine (this will strip the technical coating). Playing devil's advocate £28 is a lot to shell out on bar wrap and two-tone effects are easily created using two packs of traditional bike ribbon. Nonetheless, it seems very hard wearing in either 2.5 or 1.8mm guises so should last a few seasons-even on the everyday bike.

Shrouded in romanticism, being freelance has a much darker side-one synonymous with the "creative professions" generally. My reasons for pursuing this route are complex but on a strictly personal, day to day basis, my love for the written word, cycling, photography coupled with un/related passions brings its own reward. Most of the time, the sense of being driven is positively intoxicating-especially when copy flows like the proverbial waterfall. Equally, hunched over a keyboard editing copy and images into the wee small hours, the continuous need to produce bigger and better features/explore new audiences can quickly distort a sense perspective. Not everyone has the temperament to cope with the relative lack of social intercourse/camaraderie taken for granted within staffed studio and office environments. Then there's getting paid-I've been relatively fortunate but am still owed a sizable amount by one publisher who seemed surprised when I politely advised I would be delighted to contribute but only upon receipt of three month's outstanding money. Loving my work is one thing, being a busy fool is quite another.