Titanium & Timewasters

I’d done a couple of model shoots in Dovercourt but hadn’t dropped in on Justin Burls http://burls.co.uk/  for almost three years. High time we had a catch up. Down in the workshop, he was busily building a customer’s mountain bike, based around one of his legendary, custom made titanium framesets. I can hear some of you screaming Wot no discs!!!????

Well, the machine in question is being built for an epic, wilderness tour of Africa. A raw and punishing environment, where outright reliability trumps sophistication/exotica.

One of the many reasons I toured with 4130 Cro-moly racks, or trailer.

Worst case scenario; should a breakage occur, chances are a roadside garage would be able to blast it back together with either an oxyacetylene kit, or MIG welder. Talking of which (Probably has its origins in my childhood and many afternoons in a workshop) I was keen to inspect Justin’s new workshop extension and TIG inverter.

TI aside, Justin traditionally fillet brazed his framesets. I was rather taken with his frame jig. More with its rusty patina, than the contrasting, space age titanium road frame held within it.

He was also preparing a pared to the essentials fixed frameset with a beefy wishbone rear triangle. No drillings for brakes, let alone mudguards, or similarly civilian stuff here!  Hanging on the wall, was his Dawes Galaxy tandem.

Arguably one of the best production models, rivalled by Claud Butler (Holdsworthy) Super Dalesman during the 80s I also liked Dawes Double-edge mountain bike tandem. Look closely at Justin’s and you’ll notice shortened Shimano cranks and a very sleek adaptor.

This was so his daughter, Alex could do stoker duties. However, she’d had a growth spurt, thus this expensive adaption was now redundant! At least, until his son, Tom gets tall enough…

Now, being able to ogle another rider’s workshop space is an honour and a privilege. Its also fascinating and serves to illustrate that one rider’s trash, is another’s treasure. Swap meets sound like the ideal means of exchanging unwanted kit but for the moment, online auction sites are my default. Keeps personality and emotions out of the equation.

Back to my fleet. I’ve swapped the Vel SE cage, from the Holdsworth and to my cross/gravel fixed. Reason being, the twisting forces associated with a side-entry design, coupled with a large trade bottle, has proved too much for the former’s band on mounts.

It’s caused them to rotate annoyingly over the course of a ride. No migration issues with traditional, top entry cages and 750/800ml bidons. Something to bear in mind…I’ve also hit the 300mile mark with the Finish Line Dry lube, so have introduced some Joe's Dry, which arrived for testing, last week.

Been a frustrating week, with models cancelling, or messing about, prompting me to update my cancellation policy. The model who cancelled, is usually super reliable and was presented with a situation she had no control over. She also contacted me first thing, that morning.

I am a compassionate person and know only too well that sickness doesn’t stick to a schedule.

I also know, first hand that the most reliable and well-maintained vehicles, or childcare can let us down. However, I have no time for those, who book shoots and then hedge their bets, or don’t show.

A Bedford based model did just this. On the one hand, inconvenience and wasted time have really irked me but on the other, clearly a lucky escape. I’ve wished her every future success and promptly blocked her, from future email, or portal communications.

Communication is key and its one of the reasons I engage in a fair bit of pre-shoot correspondence. Any photographer, who cannot bolt together, a coherent and articulate paragraph is worth swerving. The same goes for models who approach, wanting to work but with no idea of what they want to achieve.

If someone approaches me with the opening line “Hi, I like your work, would you like to shoot?”; I’ll typically reply, asking what attracted them to my work and me, specifically. If they do not reply, or cannot articulate in reasonable detail, it tells me all I need to know.    

Pest from the West

No, not that one.Tthankfully, after several years, she appears to have finally accepted her approaches are unwelcome, and non-reciprocal.

 

Serial, uninterrupted monogamy is, in my experience, often practiced by those who don’t want to work on themselves. Moving from one partner, without taking stock and investing in yourself, is an avoidance strategy.

Each relationship inevitably fails because the other, unwitting party cannot fix them. So, they move to the next and this cyclical shift perpetuates. A complete waste of time, emotional and monetary reserves. We all have our lessons to learn. Some choose not to.

I am referring to the persistently wet/windy weather front. One that has compelled me to tolerate a filthy fleet. On the flip side, during drier spells, let alone brief periods of sunlight, I’ve been testing the mettle of assorted bike washes.   

Crankalicious ceramic chain lube arrived at SDC HQ and was passed to Steve, esteemed co-editor and touring aficionado. However, the fixed’s links looking distinctly thirsty, prompting the introduction of some Finish Line Ceramic Wet. I’m reasoning this will be an interesting comparator and in ideal testing conditions.

Bucking the trend for curing periods, both are pour, wipe and scoot off, which is welcome when time’s not on your side. Elsewhere the SKS lube your chain formula is also going strong, 180 harsh miles hence. It looks a filthy, congealed mess but I’m assured this is locked in the top layer and not chewing components.

The Schwalbe Active Winter https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/schwalbe-winter-spiked-tyre  remained in situ on the Univega, given further snow was forecast. I wanted the option of getting some miles in, regardless. https://www.facebook.com/Sevendaycyclistmagazine/posts/1863791363651786?notif_id=1521379387031484&notif_t=page_post_reaction&ref=notif  Another title I freelance for, have sent me these Panaracer T-Serv PT Folding 700x32C.

Vee rubber have also sent me their 700x32 Zilent and and their 42mm Baldy. Will be interesting to see how the latter compare, speed-wise with Maxxis Roamer https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/maxxis-roamer-tyres  

These, as their name implies; are aimed at the urban market Soma Shikoro https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/s , are my favourite big(ish) section all-rounders Quick acceleration, smooth passage over lumpy sections, at 464g apiece, they’re a little heavier than the Panaracer (As you’d expect. However, they’re also made, under licence, by them).

Over the years, I’ve hustled around the capital on everything from 20mm to 2.1 inch, generally settling for 26x1.5 (or thereabouts) due to their balance of speed, comfort and control across badly surfaced, glass strewn tarmac. Otherwise; 32mm was my default for touring and general road biased riding.

It was also the biggest section many 80’s touring bikes could swallow without fouling; or forgoing full length chrome plastic mudguards. Personally, I’m happy to leave fag paper clearances and toe clip overlap in the dim and thankfully distant past.  

With this in mind; there are some frames, components and other, unrelated objects I’d like to own from this and other eras. At the right price… Some would argue that Nostalgia’s true power is the commodification of emotions, those we attach to objects.

Subjectively, a MK III Norton Commando is a nice motorcycle. However, its outclassed, totally eclipsed by modern machines. Therefore, I wouldn’t entertain the £20,000 “market value”, nor would I’d pay fancy prices for air cooled type 1, 2 and 3 VW cars.  Yes, I am fond of them but regard these things as working vehicles, not museum pieces. The same applies to my 1991 road bike, aka “The Teenage Dream”.

A fair-weather machine but a bike ridden in fair weather, nonetheless. It’s fun to ride yes, there’s a deep sentimental bond and no I wouldn’t willing   part with it. That aside; I certainly wouldn’t pay some of the prices I’ve seen comparable machines being offered for.

Another, arguably more positive/optimistic account of nostalgia, is that it (according to Sedikides and Wildschunt) “Is shown to be both a driver of empathy and social connectedness, and a potent, internal antidote for loneliness and alienation”.

Indeed, Sedikides suggests nostalgia is the “perfect internal politician, connecting the past with the present, pointing optimistically to the future”. Whatever your particular perspective may be, its food for thought. I’ll leave you with a few shots from my booking with Louise, a delightful ballet/dance and lingerie model.

Frozen Frolics

Forecasters have been promising wild and wintry conditions here in the UK.  Gritters were certainly out in force. Add indecisive models to the mix and it’ll be no surprise that I’ve swung a leg over my Univega and busied myself with some intensive kit testing.

I should point out, most models I liaise with (such as Karen, photographed here) are consistent, reliable, professional and ultimately delightful. There are always exceptions, as per any trade/profession. I am very adept at reading people and anyone presenting “red flags” of any description, is swerved, like a pothole.

Dry/wax lubes might sound like an odd choice for chains and other moving parts and though not perfect, the Smoove Universal chain lube is certainly among the most stoical I’ve come across in grotty weather https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/smoove-universal-chain-lube . I’ve swapped over to the lighter weight TF2 Ultra dry chain wax https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/weldtite-tf2-ultra-dry-chain-wax to see how that copes with mid-winter. 

An intermittent phantom squeak, prompted some more stripping and component swapping. The phantom in this instance, turned out to be loose cranks. I stripped the 8mm bolts and re-lubed using Finish line wet. Decent quality wet lubes, also double as excellent grease substitutes, on threaded fasteners.

Chain-ring bolts received the same treatment, since I was there. Shimano A530 pedals were substituted, for these Ritchey lookalike XTC, which have proven tough n’ dependable. Being able to clip in and power away pretty much instantly is another definite draw, over the otherwise agreeable platform/SPD patterns.   

There are several things that take the struggle out of winter riding. First and foremost reliability. Being plagued by punctures miles from home on cold, dark, rainy nights isn’t my idea of fun. Let alone if I’m hauling a week’s worth of shopping back from the supermarket. 

I’ve a soft spot for Kenda’s relatively frisky, uni-directional small block 8. However, the lack of aramid/similar belting means it’s more susceptible to thorns, flints and similarly invasive sharps.

I was going to switch to the Schwalbe Marathon GT 365 https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/schwalbe-marathon-gt365-tyre  last puncture but held fire. (Vee Rubber are due to send us some interesting models for testing).

Chickens and roosting sprung to mind, while riding the crest of a slow-puncture wave. This struck along a deserted lane, exactly fourteen days and almost to the hour, hence.  

No rain but a very strong, blustery crosswind, depleting my reserves and bringing the temperature closer to -2. Another shrewd move during the colder months/early Spring-packing additional layers, in case the mercury should slide, or delays/detours present. 

Ten minutes and some cursing later, tube swapped, wheel reinstated with 50psi and we were homeward bound. Three miles or so later, I was flagged down by a long wheelbase Mercedes Sprinter van…

Transpired the driver, a young Polish man was lost on his multi-drop round. Having experienced the misery of multi-drop myself, I took pity on him but didn’t recognise the address on his job sheet. The irony was, he seemed colder than me! No such thing as the wrong weather, just inappropriate kit... 

Elsewhere, John Moss wants his Sinner Mango’s body refinished in a retro-reflective signal yellow. Wet spray 2pac is the obvious choice, given its carbon fibre.

However, preparation is the tricky part. I reached out to Carbon Bike repair in Leatherhead https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/a-visit-to-carbon-fibre-bike-repair  and another in the midlands, to see if they’d help. John’s after a retro-reflective effect, the sort used on vehicle licence plates. Signal yellow with a sparkle lacquer top coat is our starting point, prior to professional guidance.

Talking more generally about these things, while the body provides fantastic protection from the elements per se, akin to glass fibre cars, the occupant can get a full “cauldron” experience i.e. freezing cold in winter, roasting hot in spring/summer. Going off tangent, I’ve long had a yearning for a Lomax; the 2CV based kit car/trike. Incredibly simple, robust and inexpensive to run/maintain. However, sporting glass fibre bodies, air conditioning would be a must.

Musing

Here’s a few shots from December’s shoot at the Cottage Studio http://www.thecottagestudio.co.uk/  with Elle Beth http://www.ellebethmodel.com/   .Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve been commissioned by other models elsewhere in the UK, seeking to expand their port-folio in 2018.

Some follow the fine art narrative, others seeking something more visually dramatic, or indeed, provocative in tone. I’m happy doing either, considering each on their own merit. Nothing (legal) is off limits, save for gratuitously pornographic.

Salty and slippery stuff licked the first application of nasty lube clean after 300miles, so I topped it up and resumed testing. Cleanliness is better than I was expecting, although predictably, my chain’s outer plates were sporting a gungy beard. Less problematic on a fixed/hub/single speed transmission. However, I’d be wiping these weekly on a derailleur geared build to avert component consumption.

Those 38mm Soma are delivering precisely what I was expecting from a tyre marketed as for road and commuting duties. “Gravel” has been a big thing for a while and for me, has captured the original spirit of mountain biking. Vernier in hand, they actually came closer to 35mm, which didn’t surprise me, having learned they’re made for Soma by Panaracer. However, I was pleasantly surprised to discover they’re also available in more traditional 23 and 28mm road sections too.

The Shikoro takes its name from the neck armour used by Samori warriors, inferring a tough, puncture repelling casing. The polyamide puncture repelling bead runs edge to edge, rather than simply covering the centre strip. Bodes well, given the roads can be decidedly unforgiving this time of year

Supple, leach like cornering prowess and a magic carpet ride. Unlike other vehicles, bicycle tyres needn’t have any tread. The Shikoro is basically a low-profile gravel pattern, which coupled with the puncture repelling qualities, suggest a tyre best suited to hard-pack/dry gravel/cross meets, interspersed with longer sections of asphalt.

A decent quality slick (not to be confused with bald) tyre, run at the correct pressures is arguably optimal for tarmac duties. Thus far, traversing the same roads littered with thorns and similar hedge clippings, hasn’t induced any nicks, or similar damage to the casings, let alone punctures.

I was surprised by the operating pressures, which range from 35-90psi, closer to that of a tubeless system. In theory at least, this should cover the entire zodiac of riding conditionals. Minimal rolling resistance on virgin asphalt, optimal traction on loose, icy surfaces.

Obviously, rider (and luggage) weight also play a part.  Current trends suggest an extra 1% pressure for every extra kilo. Working on this basis, 70-75psi should prove optimal. We’ll see. So far, run at their maximum, they don’t feel remotely harsh, although by my reckoning, big tyres should be compliant and comfortable at the upper end of their operating pressures.

The sudden resumption of wintry weather proved an ideal opportunity to see just how well Schwalbe Marathon 365 perform in the ice. Reassuringly well, it appears. Sure, spikes add another level of confidence but run at 65psi, their wide profiles hugged the tarmac, 15-17mph through the slushier stuff with no apparent skittishness.

In this context, their additional girth isn’t a hindrance. Admittedly, the machine’s more upright positioning also helps keep things on track.

This recent chill snap has also made me grateful for these Lake booties, which are far more convenient than overshoes when it comes to beating the brrr factor. These are MTB versions, which also provide scope for more adventurous outings sans asphalt. Not your bag but wanting a rugged set of boots that you can also do a day’s work in? Take a look at Steve Dyster’s test of these Chrome Storm 415 https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/chrome-storm-415-cycling-work-boot . Happy New Year!   

 

Studio & Beyond

I’ve been back in the studio doing fine art nude photoshoots with some fantastic models. Further collaborations are being arranged for January. My Minolta film SLR and this partially stripped Ural motorcycle is all I can publish right now.

 

 

 

I take consent and professionalism deadly seriously and will not release anything, unless the model(s) involved are willing for me to do so. Thanks to Brian, who runs the cottage studio http://www.thecottagestudio.co.uk/  for the use of space and lighting equipment. 

 

Proved an ideal opportunity to see what my A6000 would do in a studio setting. Behaved impeccably from start to finish. Traditionally, I’ve run SLRs in the studio and kept CSC systems for street and location shots but the (minor) gamble paid off. Just as well, given my Alpha SLR got the sulks and refused to play nicely with the remote trigger.

I’ve appreciated the cold, harsher weathers, which is ideal for testing lubes, cables, tyres and of course, clothing. Nasty Lube http://nastylube.com/about/  over in Canada, have sent Seven Day Cyclist www.Sevendaycyclist.com their winter lube.

Simple to apply-sparingly, mind. Too much and you’ll get the spatter effect along your chainstay and rear wheel. That aside, there’s no hanging about waiting for it to cure. Simply, drizzle a little into the links of a freshly cleaned chain, wipe away any excess and scoot-off.

Great for commuting and winter generally, since a wintry spell can strip lubricant bare in a matter of rides. So far, it seems cleaner, dare I say less syrupy than some justly popular favourites. Minus figures in the UK are often over exaggerated but it’s dipped to minus 2 and felt decidedly raw, when wind chill’s introduced. 

We’re looking to get some narrow section spiked tyres in but for the time being, the Schwalbe Marathon GT https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/schwalbe-marathon-gt-tyres   and the Univega’s GT365 https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/schwalbe-marathon-gt365-tyre  are hugging slimy roads reassuringly well.       

Spiked, sometimes referred to as “snow” tyres all work to the same basic science. The tread ploughs the white, powdery stuff away, leaving the tungsten carbide spikes to bite into the ice beneath, providing traction.

Progressive acceleration and braking remains imperative but a steady tempo means 17mph is a realistic, dare I say, respectable average speed. Cables are another relatively inexpensive upgrade.

Obviously, testing tends to influence replacement frequency but I’d be inclined to replace standard brake and gear cables twice yearly, seasonally if you’re racing. Rather like stiff greases, sealed systems are a good investment for bikes in hard service.

These typically comprise of a factory lubricated, premium grade stainless steel inner wire, a Teflon coated liner and a heavy duty Kevlar outer. The latter can chomp through paintwork with alarming haste, especially if a layer of grit is allowed to form between them.

Most kits these days use rubberised cuffs to prevent abrasion but carefully cut sections of “helicopter” tape pretty much eliminates this problem. Layered electrical tape will also do, although check more frequently to ensure the outers aren’t making inroads.

While not a sealed system in this sense, I’ve been very impressed with these Jagwire pro road https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/jagwire-pro-road-brake-kit. Simple to fit, compressionless housings, EZ (easy) tunnelling and high quality, PTFE impregnated stainless steel inners deliver impressive modulation, feel and ultimately, stopping prowess!  Right, time I was heading north for another adventure.