Temptations

 

Google and other search engines have been throwing all manner of temptations my way, although specifically older road fixed gear framesets from the 50s, through to the 80s. Some needing more work than others. The latest being a Geoffrey Butler made from 531 throughout, track ends, mudguard eyes etc- a very practical winter cum trainer but then I remind myself, I already have my beloved Holdsworth and a nice, fixed gear/winter trainer that has been refined and tailored to my tastes, so indulging would be precisely that an unnecessary indulgence.  

 

Left unchecked, window shopping is a dangerous thing, and the internet makes resistance all the harder Besides, I’ve got Ursula’s renewal to get on with before winter comes Since we’re on the subject, all our bikes become custom bikes in the end. Components wear and are replaced, depending on budget, personal taste, riding style. 

  

Sometimes we may upgrade, sometimes stick with the same grade of drivetrain, brakes etc, especially if a bike is being recommissioned as winter/trainer. I’ve said this before, but I’m more interested in the sometimes more eclectic but reciprocal collection of components on people’s working bikes, rather than packet fresh, top-drawer playthings.  

 

Same applied to motorcycles, although obviously, I can fully appreciate a sunny day’s, no expense spared plaything, bespoke tourer, tandem, tandem trike-whatever the build’s genre. As a childhood friend once commented, “Gotta have some want Mike, gotta indulge now and then.” Something my late father would also say and they’re right. The important thing is wanting what you have and enjoying it. 

  

Talking of the past, I recognised the name on an accountants office, it was from school. They had a very distinctive surname, so I was confident it was the same person. They had a beautiful Rosso Red and chrome Olmo that was also dripping in top- flight Campagnolo components when we were seventeen. I recall him out riding it on a slushy January afternoon in 1991-I was returning from a day at FE college on my workhorse Holdsworthy Butler (sans chrome and with dynamo, full length guards, 28mm tyres and rack).  

 

He and I weren’t close, just in the same form and frankly, for me, other than a pleasantry, or kind word, I’m not interested in talking with a stranger-unless it has some tangible relevance now. Smile, nod and move on.    That’s not to say my curiosity isn’t sparked from time to time. Someone may pass through my thoughts but again, these are shared, fleeting histories, nothing more.  

Whooosh! Back to 2024 and I’ve Ursula to package and send to Winston Vaz. I’ve also received these Grip Grab RC Max Short Finger Gloves, which promise to “excel in every aspect expected of summer cycling gloves”.  

Padding is a mix of high-density and memory foam, promising superior protection from vibration and general fatigue. The ventilated palms are a micro suede (synthetic to you and I), while the backs continue this narrative, comprising of an elasticated mesh. The formative, mixed terrain 200 miles have proven very favourable- I've only noticed them in the most positive sense.  Steve’s been impressed by these Sportful Matchy Gloves Sportful Matchy Gloves | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

There are many things my military motorcycle instructor said that have stayed with me. One was about eyes and that we only get one pair, so look after them. Decent quality glasses are our best defence against UV light, wind, dust, rain and of course, projectiles. I’ve been sent these.  

 

Magicshine are most commonly associated with lighting, so given their experience with optics, it’s not that much of a quantum leap. These feature Broad 6 base curve, photochromic lenses for improved peripheral protection, rubberised anti-slip nose, temple tips for optimal fit.  

 

The generous coverage seems to offer comprehensive protection and without attracting grime- the sort that transfers from fingers, along with the usual culprits- rain, spatter, and similar wet stuff. As I’m always saying everything feels “different” to begin with and the miles will reveal whether this difference is beneficial, detrimental, or something in between. I usually enjoy finding out. On that note, I’ll leave you with my review of the Maxxis Ravager Maxxis Ravager TR Tyres | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

Ta da! Trail & Green Lane fun

Having whipped The Maxxis Ikon aboard Ursula’s Ryde/Alfine Shimano Alfine UR700 Hub Dynamo | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and Sputnik/XT hoops, I took to the backroads, byways, dirt roads and bridlepath and swept myself back in time. Not one I was nostalgic for, rather my construct of the drop bar mountain bike-an all-terrain bike in the literal, purist sense. One conceived while mentally disengaged from an English class in March 1987.  Lightweight, yet rugged, ones that could be ridden beyond the confines of metalled roads and maddening crowds.  

Whoosh! I’ve always revelled in the ability to hop aboard a well-loved, carefully serviced two-wheeled vehicle and leave the world behind. Even if only for an hour, or two. The intoxicating sense of freedom. Increase the cadence, feel the machine respond to your every effort. With the miles come contemplation, reflection, solutions and clarity-although sometimes I need to write these down before they evaporate in a stream of consciousness.  

Much as I expected, the Ikon deliver a responsive, compliant, and engaging ride over dry hardpack and loose surfaces. Be these trails and bridlepath, or unmade roads. Their rolling resistance is quite palpable over metalled roads and I’m glad I put some precautionary goo in a batch of Schrader tubes, mind.  

Being the base model, there’s no puncture-repelling belt. I didn’t want to take the edge off their speed but wanted some added peace of mind.  Theory behind latex/sealant-filled tubes is that rotational forces plus release of pressure traffics the goo to the affected hole.  

Most work on nicks and holes around 1-1.5mm. The downside is a bigger hole, let alone blowout will result in a sticky encounter by the road/trailside. Time and miles will tell whether, and indeed, what contexts this proves an issue.  

A minor point, but I needed to raise the Mud Hugger Evo by a few millimetres to ensure some very necessary added clearance, coming from The Maxxis Overdrive Excel. However, that’s because I’d used these as the mounting template and wanted a super clean aesthetic. My fault for not factoring in a knobbly first-time round.     

Talking of which, long-term, I’m really impressed by the Motoverde PTFE Chain Lube Motoverde PTFE Chain Lube | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) staying prowess, and economy. Sparing is the word when it comes to application. Ditto 12 hour curing times but both Ursula and fixed gear winter/trainer are still sporting theirs, with no sign of reapplication coming. In contexts which have all but dismissed some middleweight wet blends. 

 

Seems to be doing better than several on the cleanliness front too.  Talking of clean, here’s my review of the Weldtite Bike Cleaner Concentrate Weldtite Bike Cleaner Concentrate | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)   

A year and 8,000 all-weather miles down the line, the Souma Leather Handlebar Tape Souma Leather Handlebar Tape | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) is holding out well. I’ve fed it with a decent quality leather food periodically and being a natural fabric, it has relaxed a little, resulting in slight slippage. Predictably, there’s more patina on Ursula’s, given the off-road ventures. On both bikes, I’ve needed to unwind and re-wrap a few times to allow for this and then of course a couple of cable changes but the backing adhesive is high quality, so no issues.   

Regarding contact points, midway through a 4am ride, I became convinced that the fixed’s top tube or stem were growing like Pinacho's nose. Laughably illogical thought but this kind of stuff creeps in however fleetingly. This was simply attributable to a slackening saddle cradle bolt on its Cane Creek Thudbuster ST G3 TESTED: CANE CREEK THUDBUSTER ST SEATPOST (sevendaycyclist.com). Would explain some low-level but intrusive chatter (which I’d originally attributed to a pump, the Lezyne riding shotgun on he down tube, specifically). Talking of down tubes, I’m a fan of the large PET cages-great for lugging big stuff. No wondering where you’re going to park that 1.5-litre bottle of mineral water you bought mid-ride.   

Topeak Modula range has always caught my eye and I’ve always had a particular soft spot for their Modula XL. The rubberised strap holds different diameters of bottlenecks very securely, eliminating chatter, not to mention ejection over rougher surfaces. Minoura made a similarly innovative model, although that’s been discontinued as the market seems to have moved toward multi-purpose models aimed at bike-packing audiences.  

They look similarly well engineered and I wouldn’t mind acquiring one for testing. Minoura makes some nicely engineered solutions- the VC100 camera mount that graced Ursula’s bars for some time being a case in point.  Back to Topeak and I find myself similarly endeared to their Modula Java Topeak Modula Java Cage | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  

Right, time to mix things up a bit- I’m off for some more skinny-tyred fun on the Teenage Dream! John Moss (link) has also been in touch, saying his finished making the calliper mount for a TRP HYRD calliper. Think Ursula will reap those benefits, come the next cable change.