Critical Thinking & The Sentimental Season

 

Why aren't you at work??? Well, I am at work thank you very much. I work 70hours per week, just a very different schedule to some. Cycling journalism and product testing are not my only professions, but ones I am particularly passionate about. I wrote my first magazine feature for a national cycling title, aged 14, back in 1988- a test of a Muddy Fox Courier Mountain bike.  

I am highly experienced in several riding genres, but don’t profess to be expert, let alone an oracle. Those that genuinely are, carry themselves with a matter-of-fact humility. There is always something new to learn, concepts to understand, even if not necessarily embraced. I am similarly passionate about photography-models, street and industrial, specifically. Models & Portraiture - Stenning Photographic Model & Portraiture Photography Continuous development and lifelong learning are imperative, otherwise stagnation and regression set in. 

Back to 1989 and I bought my first track pump to counter frequent punctures, tyre wear and loss of wheel truth courtesy of under inflated tyres. Workshop pumps are one of those investments that will repay their investment countless times, even the budget models. The track pump in question was an orange Silca, capable of delivering 200psi- not that I’d ever needed that-120psi was pretty much my ceiling and it was best suited to road biased rubber.  

Sure, I’d raise a pancake flat 26x1.95 to 50psi and faster than mini/hand pumps of that era. However, best for high pressure, rather than high volume. Mine came with me to London and was eventually gifted to my favourite bike dealer when I bought an upgraded replacement in the autumn of 1998.  

I wanted to give it a loving home, albeit as a second/workshop spare. Having learned of my fondness, some might say nostalgia, their UK importer sent me this beautiful, contemporary Silca Terra- £139 at full rrp and a thing of beauty, from the hand lathed ash (wood) handle with hose-guide, and 76mm (3 inch) gauge.  

Unlike my original Silca, the barrel and handle are made from aluminium. There’s a reversable Presta/Schrader valve chuck with a bleed button in case you’ve got a bit carried away. Once upon a time, track pump gauges were notorious for having passing affinity with reality, now (particularly with digital gauges) things are within 1psi or so. I’ll be cross referencing that with my standalone digital gauges. Silca claim the Terra’s analogue unit is precise to within.5 psi at the lower end of the 30-120psi range. This covers most bases with contemporary bikes and tyres. I’ve raised a 26x2.3 tyre from zero to 60psi in 64 strokes.

However, some folks needing higher pressure, will need to look elsewhere. Saddleback also sent me this Feedback Sports Reflex Fixed Torque Bit Driver. It’s designed to be brought along for mid ride rescue, not workshop duties, no bad thing-horses for courses- I wouldn’t want to be lugging a workshop torque wrench in my bike luggage. It is based around the standard ¼" driver, meaning bits are easily acquired, or brought along, meaning you’ve got a custom toolkit for the road.    

Stock, we’ve got 4,5, 6mm and Torx T25 bits, 1 steel 5Nm torque extension. The driver body is a hybrid nylon/steel and the whole kit comes with a limited lifetime warrantee. I’m told the torque is accurate to within +/- 4% for up to 3,000 cycles.  

I was surprised that it took this long for Ursula’s rear mech cable to stretch and shifting go decidedly “off”. Just a matter of slackening the cable, pulling through and snugging down, although I always ensure I’ve a few spares handy before tackling these jobs just in case the inner wire in question decided it was going to implode. This is particularly significant at Christmas, where it’s bound to happen when you’re out of spares and the bike shop’s shut...  

Oh, and that’s the reason you get everything prepped and adjusted before heading out on a tour, reliability ride, or similar endurance event. While checking the fixed’s rack hardware, I found the otherwise superb Genetic chain tugs were impeding the fasteners. Not wanting to stress the fasteners or damage the eyelets I switched to a very discrete set bought as curiosities on Ali Express a year or so back. Solved the issue and hopefully they’ll do a decent enough job of holding chain tension.  

I’d been sent this Beam Corkey Premium Review Mirror a few weeks back and had my curiosity spiked when I saw a homage on one of the auction sites, or rather, the site bots brought it to my attention (along with 1500 inflatable pleasure dolls). “The W’EST Biking” version is breathtakingly similar, albeit noticeably heavier, refuting suggestions of “badge engineering”. I’ll close here with Steve’s review of the Ravemen FR300https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/ravemen-fr300-daytime-running-light 

Flashbacks & Fancies

While mooching around Coventry’s Fargo Village, I was drawn to “The Bike Box”. Initially, by a Surly pacer and this Salsa. Being Sunday, I wasn’t entirely surprised to discover the shop closed. However, peering in through the window, I noticed this Holdsworthy Claud Butler.

An early 80s, 531^ST frameset built around period sensitive, yet broadly contemporary components. Colour aside, the frameset was almost identical, to a 1982 Super Dalesman, that seduced me, and my paper round savings, 29 years 1 month ago.

It cost me £250 at the time. £125 of which, I borrowed from my mother. A tourer that handled beautifully, laden or otherwise and one I remember, with great fondness.

Thankfully, Sharon came to collect me at this point. Being an empath, she humoured me, then whisked us away to a very pleasant Turkish café’. Elsewhere, the Holdsworth and I have been enjoying the clement conditions.

Perky and pared to the essentials, there’s been plenty of smiles per mile too. I was tempted (when Lee Cooper graciously performed the bottom bracket shell replacement and other, remedial work) to have a set of bottle bosses added. However, while its far from period, I want to keep the frame original-structurally, at least.

Hence, I’ve gone the strap on route. (You at the back, stop sniggering!!!) The slightly dumpy, though extremely practical SKS unit, has been joined by Topeak’s infinitely prettier Versa mount.

I’ve whipped this carbon composite Enigma bat-wing design. On an aesthetic note, I should probably swap the Elite Ciussi, for the Boardman cage clinging to my Univega’s downtube.

The Versa mount can be mounted in a variety of ways, to entertain small/compact geometry frames and even folders-head tubes, seat posts, or even fork legs are a few obvious alternatives. 1.2 kilos, is the maximum payload. One trick ponies in some respects. You certainly wouldn’t deploy them as a P-clip substitute for 4point carriers.

Continuing the swapping theme… I’ve swapped my fixed gear winter trainer’s Syncros matchbox cage for this bright green Vel race cage. A much closer match, pattern-wise, to the Deva.

At 34g, its made from a composite resin, which in turn is painted and lacquered for a glossy, durable sheen.  I’ve also exchanged said machine’s Brooks swift pattern perch, for this BBB Echelon.

The Echelon has a unique, dare I say characteristically Dutch flavour.  It supposedly straddles mtb and road genres, suggesting it’ll be a viable option for rough stuff and gravel too.

This is the 141, which is slightly misleading, since its actually145mm wide, 265mm long. 2mm broader than the toupe’, which may prove a more suitable option for my ‘cross biased fixed.    

Another cutaway design, it features a carbon reinforced shell, EVA foam padding and a durable, faux leather cover. Hollow Cro-moly rails with adjustment scales strike a good strength to weight ratio and make setup straightforward. Especially, if you’re swapping it between bikes.  

Having done 400 miles on the Vee Tire Co Zilent and crucially, reached some tangible conclusions, I’ve switched to The Soma Shikoro upfront. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/s  A supple, compliant ride to match and indeed, compare with their 33mm Supple Vitesse cousins.

Talking of Soma, here’s my review of the Condor bars https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/soma and the Lizard Skins DSP https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/lizard-skins-dsp

Elsewhere, Sinner have been in touch with me, regarding the refinishing of Mango bodies. According to Melvin, these are in fact made from Gelcoat. A composite but not actually carbon fibre as first thought. We are advised that a decent car body finisher should be more than capable of repainting to a high standard.

I’m inclined to say that many will regard the Mango as specialist equipment and politely decline, as tends to happen with motorcycle components. A project finisher, or someone working with motorcycle GRP (fairings etc) is likely to be a better bet. John is also looking to upgrade the gearing to a triple, for greater range.

He’s opting for 28/40/70. However, we have discovered the Sunstar battery assist’s spider, will only accommodate two rings. Therefore, I have contacted Sunstar, asking if they produce a compatible pattern, capable of accommodating a triple.

John is talking in terms of making a custom model from stainless steel; or modifying the existing setup. No surprise, given he’s a retired engineer but I’m thinking a stock model will be a more efficient use. of time and other resources. Talking of models, here’s some more from last week’s shot with Krystal J.

Chopping n’ Changing

At the close of last week, my working fixed was struck with an infuriating phantom squeak. Cranks snugged, tight, stem bolts freshly greased, seat post cradle stripped and lightly greased, chain still sporting a filmy layer of lubricant…Still, something piped up, unannounced, and slightly unnerving.

I had wondered whether the UN55 was beginning to sing its swan song. Some gentle tugging suggested those single-sided Tiagra, pedals might be to blame. Will strip and re-grease, when time presents.

Meanwhile another grope around in the pedal box unearthed two sets of Wellgo RC 713 (Shimano SPDR homages) which feature buttery smooth, sealed bearings. One for the fixed, the others spun aboard my Univega’s cranks.     

Single sided designs aren’t the most obvious choices mixed terrain riding and less practical for click n’ go getaways on the fixed. Not that ground clearance is an issue on either machine but some additional won’t hurt. Could be one of my five-minute wonders…May even go old school, back to some first generation Shimano SPD from 1990. Watch this space…

On the testing front… There’s my test of the Vee Tire Co Baldy https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/vee-tire-co-baldy-tyres  while I rack up the miles on their Zilent cousins and of course, the Soma Supple Vitesse.

150 miles, or so in, and I’m warming to their swift, yet very compliant charms. The ride quality is very reminiscent of tubulars, gripping the tarmac liker a leach, while soaking up those light, washboard type imperfections, majestically. All without the gluing and stitching drama, associated with tubs.  

The unrelenting soggy spell consumed the finish line 1-step in 160miles, which isn’t bad for lube at the lighter end of the middleweight scale. Given the bike was grotty, I took the opportunity to strip the remainder using some neat Crankalicious Pineapple Express.  

I’m revisiting Smoove Universal chain lube to see how it performs in less taxing conditions https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/smoove-universal-chain-lube . We were also very pleasantly surprised by Crankalicious Science Friction ceramic chain lube. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/crankalicious-science-friction-cera

The frameset’s accumulated filth, easily dismissed with a dilute, though custom variant.

I hold the belief (and, some would say, an almost religious observance) that cleaning is part of riding. To be done regularly and providing surfaces sport a decent quality, protective wax, we’re talking 20-25 minutes start-to finish, no drama.

 Although fighting the compulsion to fettle and tweak, often sees this task expand, to fit the time available...

A few months back, I was looking for an IRO Rob Roy frameset for a single-speed cross project but drew a complete blank. More recently my urges tugged me in the direction of Genesis Day One.

However, these are not available as a frameset option. So I’ve decided On-One’s Pompetamine, complete with disc mounts, is the next best thing. These had a fairly short production run. Bottom line, I’m looking for a sound, if cosmetically tatty example, at the right price. So, feel free to get in touch if you’ve a large, in need of a good home. 

For those of you who’d rather be out riding, Seven Day Cyclist has teamed up with route you https://www.routeyou.com/en-gb/route/view/5046397/recreational-cycle-route/to-tan-hill-and-over-the-stang

A sudden shift to summary weather presented my first opportunity to pluck the Holdsworth from hibernation, for some serious skinny tubed, skinny-tyred fun.  

Swapping hats a moment, models continue to come to me for port-folio building/development. Jersey Jones booked me for a glamour/boudoir session, with a bit of fashion mixed in last week.

Krystal J got in touch to refresh her port-folio. Another really pleasant, 3 hour shoot.  With the wedding season just around the corner, I’m also getting approached in the context of Punjabi and other South Asian events. Contact me (Stenningphotographic@gmail.com) if you’re a model, or bride and want to discuss your requirements.