Reflecting in the Rain..

 I’ve entered my 49th year and it marks the 36th anniversary of receiving a Holdsworthy-built Claud Butler, and Richard Ballantine’s legendary “Bicycle Book”. Mine was the copy with him fettling a Dawes tourer, sporting 70’s beard and jumper. Cycling (and indeed motorcycling) is a metaphor for life. It's exhilarating, challenging has ups, downs, and builds resilience, character, and resourcefulness.  

There's no such thing as the wrong weather, just the wrong kit...Something I reminded myself of while battling a squally crosswind and a carpet of leaves and dung at 4.30am. Ursula’s big Soma Condor 2 Shallow drop bars SOMA CONDOR 2 SHALLOW DROP BARS | (sevendaycyclist.com) beefy Schwalbe Land Cruiser and Vittoria Evolution Vittoria Evolution Road Bike Tyre | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) held their line impeccably, allowing me to fight the gusts and keep momentum.  

Yes, I know the British are obsessed with the weather, but, leaving aside the political and economic climates, its surprisingly mild here in the UK presently. 10-12 degrees, meaning I ‘ve been donning short sleeve base layers, lightweight long sleeve jerseys and only donning a lightweight shell jacket, such as the Oxford Venture OXFORD VENTURE JACKET | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) or the 7Mesh Cypress Hybrid Jacket 7mesh Cypress Hybrid Cycling Jacket | Seven Day Cyclist 

Its occasionally dipped lower, meaning I’ve reached for the full-finger Seal Skinz, but these Passport Crochet Back Cycling Mitts TEST & REVIEW: PASSPORT CROCHET BACK CYCLING MITTS (sevendaycyclist.com) have often been sufficient which coincidentally, remind me of the first Caratti pair I bought just after receiving the Holdsworthy Butler.

  

Lights have come so far since those days and the infamous Wonder, or Ever Ready glimmer-type filament models. Take this Ravemen TR500Ravemen TR500 Rear Light | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) for example- 500-lumen day flash, braking function, intelligent sensors, and though relatively hefty by contemporary standards at 93.5g, unimaginably light back in the late 80s. I’m developing a fondness for the Ravemen LR1600- big brother to the LR1200 Ravemen LR1200 Front Light | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) tested by Steve, recently, same goes for these Infini Tron and Infini Metis.  

Then along came another saddle, this 137mm (about 5.39 in) Smanie GT, which is reckoned to be all things to all mile-munching riders, be they asphalt, or dirt devotees. It’s a little narrower than my 143mm “ideal”. Ursula might be an odd host but, a good starting point. Faux leather coverings and Cro-moly rails might not set anyone’s Lycra ablaze but strike a good balance between performance, weight, durability, and price, in my experience.  

I was also pleasantly surprised to discover it allowed me to raise the Axiom Ocean Wave City+ Seat Bag slightly, meaning the LED light tab was parallel (or as close to) 

Arguably the Holdsworth is the best host. However, said machine is a sunny day’s plaything and right now, the roads are decidedly waterlogged, which is where these Q36 5 Anfibio Winter Rain Cycling Gloves and Showers Pass Atlas Cycling cap come in.  I’m still fond of Prendas Ciclismo Lisboa Waterproof Cycling Cap PRENDAS CICLISMO LISBOA WATERPROOF CAP | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) although, hand wash only can be a drag sometimes.  I’ve returned to the Shimano MT701 GTX SPD shoes Shimano MT701 GTX SPD Shoes | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  360 Dry calve length socks and have alternated between these Primal Dawn Bib Knickers TEST & REVIEW: PRIMAL DAWN MEN'S BIB KNICKERS (sevendaycyclist.com) and some surprisingly capable, wallet-friendly Triban.  

These form a nice, weather-cheating union without recourse to full-length tights, overshoes, and similar jazz. I’m generally of the opinion that talk of snowfall and “whiteouts” in November are little more than distractions by tabloid newspapers. I’m also tempted to say, “heard it all before” and whipped out the spiked Schwalbe winter, only to discover the narrative was wet and soggy.  

However, there’s a palpable uncertainty at present. Blackouts, anyone? Not that I’m a fan of the salt monster, but with local authority budgets slashed to the bone, gritters may be conspicuous by their absence. A winter wonderland would be an ideal opportunity to evaluate the higher-end Schwalbe spikes but also reminds me that many of society’s most vulnerable will be plunged into circumstances we would’ve considered unimaginable a few years ago.

 

The sudden onslaught of wet, mulchy conditions are great testing grounds, particularly for chain lubes and I’m pleased by how well the Momum MIC Wax Lube Momum MIC Wax Lube | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) is holding up in these contexts- staying put without attracting loads of transmission killing grot. Unlike more traditional waxes, there’s a corrosion inhibiting part, so no orange taint come the first hint of a puddle.  

However, when I last reviewed it, sustained wet stuff still resulted in some tell-tale freckling so we’ll see how much impact November makes. 440 miles per application was returned during the spring, wonder what we’ll achieve this time round...  

Never Ending Story

 

The quiet and extended periods of darkness are extremely conducive to product testing and more generic reflection. On the bike front, it can also be a time when an idea, becomes the ONLY idea. Ok, Michael, give us something to work with. Well, I’ve been pondering, with the new SD8 dynohub, whether I should take Ursula the disc route upfront. This would obviously require a new set of forks and a caliper.  

There are several routes I could’ve taken. The first is custom. I could get a frame builder, such as Lee Cooper Home - LEE COOPER CYCLE FRAMES (webs.com) to build me a suitable set from a decent grade of Cro-moly. However, going that route, I would need cantilever and disc brake mounts, mudguard eyes, and would probably add some custom mounts atop. Did I mention paint.... A bespoke, but arguably not the most cost-effective route...  

I happened upon some aluminium alloy Kinesis, which were another very plausible, relatively inexpensive choice that would’ve also presented a weight saving, albeit feeling a little more direct than their steel counterparts. However, transpired these were an archived model.  I toyed with the idea of something with carbon blades and an alloy steerer.  

A few inexpensive Chinese models looked basically OK. However, they only sported a disc caliper mount, which defeated the object. Now, it’s suggested in some circles that budget forks tend to be a little overbuilt. However, the prospect of a cheap fork failing at any point, inducing an expensive and painful spill, is another turn-off for me.   

Then a set of lightly used Kona Project 2, complete with both sets of brake mounts came under my radar (and moreover at the right price). 180mm steerer...Now, I hadn’t expected these to materialise, so got over excited and bought blind, taking a gamble on the 180mm steerer tube.  

This was on the slimmer side of precise but viable, with a spacer exchange. Paint was similarly good. A light dab of phosphate primer and some gloss black will cure a couple of superficial chips. Topeak Versa Mounts TOPEAK VERSAMOUNT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) will address the missing mudguard eyelets. For the time being, I’ll run the existing setup and new wheel until I’ve got everything together and can transfer everything seamlessly. Afterall, new front brake, pads, rims with machined side walls...   

I've gone for another TRP Spyre SLC caliper, a TRP compression-less cable kit, and will take the Cane Creek SC5 route. Disc rotor will be a 160mm Clarke unit, since that’s what I have in stock, and I’ve used them to good effect with my fixed gear winter/trainer’s Spyre setup. This will of course be topped off with a change of bar tape. Elsewhere, back in the moment, Oxford products have sent me this Torque Covert Crank Multi tool, which fills the gap in the drive-side of your Hollow tech crank.  

I’d been known to blank these with a surplus bar end plug, on aesthetic grounds but this way, you’re filling space with something genuinely useful. Held magnetically in situ, the 7-function tool includes 3,4, 5, 6mm Allen keys, Philips head screwdriver, T25 Torx key, Chain tool, chain link holder, which is quite an impressive feat.

  

Oxford have really turned up the dial on their advanced rider range and the Oxford Venture Jacket is no exception. It’s a lightweight, packable “proper” shell jacket designed to thwart the elements. 10,000mm for waterproofing and breathability might sound distinctly average but in practice are proving very effective in the real world.  

Though snug, it’s accommodating of winter layering. The laminate shell has also been doing an excellent job of blocking icy chills and even the detachable hood is winning me over. However, there’s a couple of hundred miles before I draw any firm conclusion. Should reach those come the close of Christmas...