Gambles

 

I'd been looking at the Campak4 doing something close to nothing for far too long but hadn't found a decent mount to replace the mighty Minoura. In my experience, action cameras themselves have become more solid, feature laden and weatherproof-without recourse to the polycarbonate casings. However, while I’d always prefer money to be invested in the camera itself, bike mounts supplied tend to be very crude and ineffectual.  

Enter a site notorious for bombarding me with offers of inflatable life-size pleasure dolls...A couple of solid-looking designs suddenly popped up in my feed and only a few quid for the pair-including postage. Some goods on these platforms can be false economy, utter junk in some instances but this one looked worth a punt.  

Yes, you can lash something credible together using an old reflector mount, tap washers, rubber shims, ¼ inch threaded bolt and two nuts. The most involved bit of this is rounding up the parts- a three-minute job to fit. Performance-wise, I’ve found these reasonably effective with smaller compact cameras, so on paper, they should be fine with a Go-Pro type action camera.  

Switching Ursula’s wheels over to those with the Schwalbe Ice Spiker Pro was a shrewd move, although the snowy conditions were a little overplayed. Sure, the temperatures dropped to freezing but the snow’s consistency closer to sleet. Presented the ideal opportunity to adjust the rear mech and dial in the shifting a bit- the Microshift bar con had come loose in the end and the inner wire had stretched a little.  

An easy fix.  In the days leading up to this, I’d been getting Denise muddy, slithering along the singletrack lanes and was pleasantly surprised by how well the 120tpi WTB Nano shed moderate mud, especially when I’ve hit the asphalt, or indeed, leafy hardpack trails. They’re also palpably more compliant than their 60tpi stablemates in the latter contexts, something I was particularly conscious of while navigating a disused airfield.  

I’m also getting familiar, dare I say fond of the Topeak Backloader, which is sensibly proportioned, lightweight and lightweight, without feeling fragile.  The main fabric is ripstop polyethylene/nylon and highly water resistant, rather than proof, but that goes for most in my experience.  

There’s an inner liner with 10,000mm water resistance, which is very welcome and eliminates the need for the humble bin liner-unless you wanted to go the belt n’ braces route. As I said in an earlier entry, despite being the smallest in the family (10 and 15litres being the alternatives. I’ve tried binding old inner tube around the USE post to minimise this but there’s still minor bob and sway-especially when I’ve been climbing out of the saddle. Not close to some of the bigger bike packing designs I’ve tested in the past but the Zefal Adventure R5 Waterproof Saddlebag ZEFAL ADVENTURE R5 WATERPROOF SADDLE BAG | cycling-not-racing  and its bigger, 11 litre sibling ZEFAL ADVENTURE R11 WATERPROOF SADDLEBAG | cycling-not-racing are notably more stable. I’ve wondered if a double hook and loop post strap would cure this, although both the Zefal have only one...

Sat on the toilet, contemplating life, the universe and another Trump presidency, I concluded an aftermarket brace and turned to another auction site for wallet friendly inspiration. I happened upon this Topeak Backloader Wishbone homage, which also features bottle bosses. Some commentators have suggested there are compatibility hassles with luggage and some saddle rails... We’ll see... I’ve switched the fixed gear winter/trainer’s very likeable Cycology See Me Pink Handlebar bag Cycology See Me Pink Handlebar Bag | cycling-not-racing  for the Oxford Aqua Evo Adventure Daytripper Handlebar bag.  

As the name suggests, this is a relatively compact 3.5litre model. Measuring 24x10x14cm, it’s made from 400denier ripstop TPU, with some reflective logos and detailing. Welded seams to lock the elements out, segregated internal pockets for phone and tooling oh and an external cargo net for gloves, packable jacket and similar overspill. Its big enough for day type duties and just fits between the fixed’s bars without obscuring the K-Lite Ultra LD Low Drag Dynamo Light  K-LITE ULTRA LOW DRAG DYNAMO LIGHT | cycling-not-racing  which is a welcome relief.  

Talking of jackets, colder temperatures have seen me dip back into the winter wardrobe for a middleweight jersey cum jacket and Oxford Products Venture Jacket OXFORD VENTURE JACKET | cycling-not-racing. In common with Madison Roam Madison Roam 2.5 Layer Waterproof Jacket | cycling-not-racing, the Venture has a hood and other features that lend themselves equally well to touring, winter commuting, mountain bike and gravel duties.  I'll leave it here with my review of the Madison Isoler Thermal Jacket Madison Isoler Thermal Jacket | cycling-not-racing 

 

Sundries & Finishing Touches

Bob Elliot & Co Bob Elliot Co Ltd - Suppliers of high quality bicycle supplies to registered traders (bob-elliot.co.uk) have kindly supplied me with some of their KranX Stretta Primo-High Grip Anti-Shock Handlebar Tape, which was the other stimulus for change. The KranX employs an adhesive backing, which may be a deal-breaker for some. Double-layer construction promises excellent grip and damping. Any colour you like so long as it’s black.  

Black is great for hiding grime and patina but there are four subtle undertones. In this instance and offered the choice, I’ve gone for the fluro green. Brighter than might be expected but complementary contrast to the bike’s green/black narrative. Depending on the light, it looks yellow, which is complimentary. On the subject of yellow, its certainly been gilet weather these past few weeks, and I’ve certainly warmed to this Oxford Venture Windproof Gilet OXFORD VENTURE WINDPROOF GILET | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) which has a nice blend of features. Decent-sized breast pocket for valuables (Superzoom compact camera being my stowaway of choice) and, at the back, the classic triple terrace.  The cobalt grey detailing is a very potent stealth retro-reflective. Grey by day but turns a very bright, silvery-white when graced by vehicle, or street lighting.   

I also needed a suitable wedge pack.  

A quick rummage through my containers unearthed a filth spattered Axiom Grand Fondo and a similarly silty Dill Pickle Store model, which I have a soft spot for.  

Since I was doing a kit wash in any case, I tossed both in. The Axiom shows some minor signs of wear, where it made contact with the Kinekt 2.1 Suspension Seatpost KINEKT 2.1 SUSPENSION SEAT POST | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com). This won’t affect its structural integrity, nor will it permit water/similar ingress inside. Capacity is the main draw here for both models, although I tend to pop multi-tools, tyre levers and Co2 cartridges, spare chain links, fasteners etc inside a smaller, water-resistant sack.  

After some deliberation, I went for the Grand Fondo and strapped it in situ. I put the main tools in this Passport Frequent Flyer TESTED: PASSPORT FREQUENT FLYER WEDGE PACK (sevendaycyclist.com) wedge pack and slipped it inside the Axiom, Russian doll fashion, then added 2 spare tubes. I’d found a fresh stash in a big cardboard box that hadn’t been scrutinised since relocating. 

 I often carry two multi-tools. My main one and a second, easily to hand, should someone need to nip something tight. Old but serviceable, so not insurmountable if its damaged, or lost. Good maintenance and self-reliance are key riding skills that cyclists and motorcyclists must practice and cultivate.  I will always help another rider but unless they are in distress, or particularly vulnerable, won’t get overly involved.  

     

Being as it was holiday Monday and though skies were cobalt, a stiff breeze was holding the rains back. One thing led to another. I noticed the front mech wasn’t as smooth and snappy as it might be. Slackening the mount and judiciously angling the cage slightly brought this back into focus, as did adjusting cable tension/friction at the shifters.  

The rear Victory mech had also become slightly gummed up-residual wax lube. Noting a quick blast of Muc-Off Fast Drying Degreaser and clean rag couldn’t blitz. Chain length was then called into question. Not far out but removing three links proved the cure. Borderline neurotic gear changing confirmed it would skip up and down the freewheel and no problems clambering up and down from big to small rings either.  

Predictably, the rear brake’s new inner wire had stretched slightly, so I pulled that through, snugged it down and pruned the excess with these Jagwire Pro Cable Cutters And Crimpers JAGWIRE PRO CABLE-CUTTERS AND CRIMPERS (sevendaycyclist.com). By this point, the weather was looking particularly bandit, so I repatriated everything to the garage and quit while I was still tangibly ahead. Satisfied all was well, I glued the end and dressed the Salsa Bell Lap with the KranX handlebar tape. In common with Ursula’s (Univega) Control Tech, it’s a surprisingly thick wrap, and getting it started, at the ends took several attempts.  

However, once flowing, it responds well to being stretched and bound firmly. Particularly on a curvy drop, such as the Teenage Dream’s Salsa Bell-lap, or the Soma Condor TEST: SOMA CONDOR HANDLEBAR (sevendaycyclist.com)    or the Genetic D-Riser 16 GENETIC D RISER 16 BARS | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

 

Talking of the Soma Condor, glancing down at my Fixed Gear Winter Trainer’s VDO computer, mid-ride, I was greeted by strike action. Well, more accurately, it was insistent I change the battery before all data was lost, which is a welcome safety buffer. Slipped in another CR2032 cell and then, while coursing through the settings, found a backlight option (which had been turned off). I've set it to engage around dusk. Wish I'd turned the cadence function on, while I was there but can't recall what I've done with the sensor unit.