Hairs' Breadth

Tyres have been at the forefront of my mind these past couple of weeks, what with the Schwalbe Kojak suffering some rather gruesome lesions courtesy of broken glass and my Ford Ka’s front pair suddenly splitting where it wasn’t obvious, leading to some very curious motorway handling as I cruised home from another day’s temping. Then we’ve these Schwalbe Marathon plus, which are the best road-orientated commu-winter/touring rubber I’ve used to date. Rolling resistance is refreshingly low too given their relative girth, deep tread and maximum 85psi operating pressure.

Seemingly invulnerable to the usual suspects, Kevlar is superseded by a soft, maulable sub section, which forces potential invaders out, as opposed to in with every rotation, which holds obvious appeal for dead of night riding, four seasons’ commuting and of course, laden touring. However, while our 35mm sections shared more than passing affinity with reality, shipping them aboard standard section ‘cross hoops saw rapid development of embarrassing hand muscles. 

I knew I was pushing my luck somewhat given the Ilpompino’s wishbone rear triangle is reckoned to manage 35mm tops-sans guards. No surprise then to discover their residual rubber whiskers tickling the undersides but given a hundred miles or so, these wore smooth, although clearance is strictly fag paper territory!

Said experience saw expedient purchase of this Cyclo workshop tyre fitter. Essentially a Godzilla lever, it works on the simple principle of leverage-slip the hoped end aboard the axle and rotate clockwise to persuade stubborn beads on/off in seconds. Hardly a novel concept perhaps but aluminium construction with high quality composites bodes well for longevity, even in commercial settings and better still, Cyclo are a UK brand.

Despite cataclysmic industrial decline these past four decades; the UK remains a hotbed of invention. Take these Santo Velo arm warmers.  Brainchild of midlands based Guy Stanton, one time moto-crosser turned sportive specialist who has devised protective models following a nasty spill that left him nervous about riding with extensive gravel rash. Unable to find a commercial product, he experimented with various materials before ultimately settling upon antibacterial EVPA- a rubberised elastomer more commonly employed in flat roofing contexts.

Initial impressions are very favourable, rugged fleece lined Lycra is extremely tactile and does an excellent job of retaining warmth, while the padded fillets offer excellent damping from road shock and general fatigue when hunkered low on the tri bars for longer periods. Fordist black with retro reflective detailing is quite nifty on nocturnal runs and compliments this Primal Wear Tattooed print jersey handsomely. Primal have been spicing up race jerseys/accessories since 1992 and this sports a medley of classic and contemporary designs ranging from Chinese tigers/90’s tribal stuff to Celtic crosses and themes from an era when ink was strictly the preserve of service folk and “undesirables”. 

Cut is extremely flattering, though while Primal make much of their  “Pro sensor Advanced Moisture Transfer”; essentially it’s just a plaited two layer polyester weave. Fibres against the skin absorb wetness, while the second uses existing body heat to spirit it away, thus banishing odour and chill. 

Unfortunately it doesn’t seem so effective at warding off little darlings who believe twelve-year-old bangers with big cans and thumping base are suitable substitutes for driver competency…Staying retro, this SKS triangle bag is the 80’s shoulder holder repackaged for a new audience. Made in cooperation with deuter, there’s a more tour friendly persona-hence less pronounced padding but Bontrager has also reintroduced the classic holster design with a distinctly pure, Mountain bike flavour.

Nonetheless, It swept me back to 1989 and geography classes spent ogling triple butted, rigid cross country Cro-moly fare with bio-pace cranksets, Tioga farmer John tyres, Girvin flex stems, Power grips and a host of similarly iconic stuff that proliferated the era’s cycling press. Not a good example for subsequent generations perhaps but infinitely more appealing than listening to a hirsute middle aged man prattling on about his gap year adventures across the Sahara desert aboard a melon truck with his old Etonian friend!

Correctly tensioned Velcro and slimline profiles eliminate annoying, thigh-brushing sway while the rip-stop nylon fabric seems pretty waterproof, aided in no small part by its sheltered location between seat and top tubes. Hmm, Ridgeback S, Muddy Fox Courier, Fisher Hoo-Koo-Ecoo, Saracen Kili Flyer anybody?