Interplanetary Thoughts

 Well, these were bound to strike. Not a new dalliance of mine. Back in 1999/2000 I had toyed with the idea of a bike as car machine built around a high end (bespoke) steel frameset with drop bars, disc brakes and hub transmission. At the time, Sachs Pentasport was the transmission of choice and hydraulic stopology.  

Yes, I still like Hydraulics in terms of outright performance but prefer the convenience, dare I say, simplicity of cable-operated systems. So, do we blame the interplanetary stuff on broken mechs, Brexit/Pandemic/Sabretooth Man Flu, or an amalgamation of them all...All are contributory factors. If I do go this route, my beloved tubby tourer will be the recipient.  

However, as I was saying in my last entry, these things need to be carefully researched on the spend once, spend right basis. Experimentation (unless you had a free hand in these things and indeed, copious amounts of free-time) consumes time, money and space. Three resources which are very finite for me. Preliminary research says that 11spd Alfine is the way forward. John Moss runs Alfine with DI2 on his Mango Velomobile and believes this, the optimal pairing.  

Hmm, I’m erring toward the JTEK Alfine shifter, a bar end system, given it’s a simple, discrete option and relatively inexpensive, compared with Microshift’s undeniably neat SBN 110 brifter configuration. We shall see. For the time being, I will run the 1x10 blended Microshift Centos/Sun race NRX drivetrain and get my moneys worth from that, sell on unwanted stuff that is taking up room (rather than good stuff being stored) and plough the proceeds into the hub, wheel and shifter.  

Rohloff wasn’t really an option, given we’re then into eccentric bottom bracket shells and a new frameset would rather defeat the object-in every respect. For the meantime, the mix n’ match derailleur setup runs just fine. Despite some persistently wet rides, the Tru Tension All Weather Chain Lube https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/tru-tension-tungsten-all-weather-lu  clung on, until 600 miles, which is pretty good all round but important to stress that the first 400 were predominantly dry. I’ve since switched over to their wet (ceramic) and will go for Zefal Wet, should autumn follow a wet narrative.  

 

Mile after mile, I’ve happily defaulted to the Dex Shell Ultraflex gloves. However, black is a mixed blessing, especially since daylight is in noticeable recession. Enter these Chiba Pro Safety Reflector Gloves. These are a beautifully snug fit and supposedly windproof and water-resistant, boast extensive non-slip silicone detailing on the palms and fingers for purchase and touch screen compatibility.  

I was also pleased to note reinforced sections between thumb and forefinger, theoretically subverting premature Brifter/hood wear. This Control Tech Silicone High-Performance Handlebar Tape was another welcome compliment and also proved the ideal opportunity to replace my Univega’s front brake inner cable.  The Control Tech tape is a three-layer design. The top features a durable, tacky PU finish, the middle and base layers are gel. The former for damping, the latter so it can be un/wrapped repeatedly, so cable/bar changes don’t spell bin-fodder.  

It weighs 155g (uncut, including aluminium ends) is much thicker than many tapes I’ve used, including the Fizik Vento Microtex Tacky Bi Colour Tape https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/fizik-vento  it replaces and requires a very firm tension. It took me three attempts to achieve consistent, uniform overlap, especially on these Soma Condor drops https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/soma , where the diameter varies and there’s a chunkier (though not unattractive) aesthetic. 80 wet miles down the line, I’ve been delighted by its blend of grip and damping.  

Qualities, which compensate for the lack of padding in some full finger gloves, including these likeable Chiba. These are water-resistant, although when heavy/persistent rains hit, twenty minutes or so, before water penetrates the fabric, which could be a deal-breaker on longer commutes, especially during winter, where chill can make things miserable. 

 

Pro-Viz have sent me their Reflect 360 Waterproof gloves, which are supposedly impervious, feature padding and a nose wipe. I’ve been playing musical lids again, returning to the Pro-Viz Reflect 360 https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/proviz-360-reflect-cycling-helme  to coincide with the reduced hours of daylight and my preference for riding in the dark.  To close on a fettling note, here’s my review of the Muc Off Mechanics Gloves https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/muc-off-mechanics-gloves  

Retro Reflective

 

Leading up to New Year, I defaulted to my rough stuff tourer and lots of mixed terrain riding. For the uninitiated “Gravel” is an endurance discipline, where riders tackle unmade roads on bikes that are, crudely cyclo cross machines with bigger clearances and disc brakes. It’s a genre of cycling that really appeals to me.


 

Some would say (aside from my fondness for cyclo cross machines) I’ve just been swept up by its burgeoning popularity. Can see that argument but I’ve concluded it’s a similar pull to mountain biking 30 odd years ago.
 

Machines that were lightweight, yet strong and exciting to ride-anywhere.  

In many respects “Ursula”; my Univega has morphed into the sort of machine that fired my imagination back then. The first drop bar mtb build I recall seeing on these shores was Muddy Fox‘s trailblazer, which I spotted in the March 1987 edition of “Bicycle” magazine. That was pretty much the last I saw of it too.

A few, long serving bike journalists shared a vague recollection, some suggesting Muddy Fox’s ability to bring concepts to production did not match their enviable marketing prowess.
 


Periodic bouts of curiosity revealed a few drop bar Trailblazers of 1989 vintage but I’ve got to admit, they’ve lacked the magical allure of the original build.

I’ve a soft spot for the 1990 courier comp but otherwise, I wouldn’t pay “Investment” prices, not even for a pretty one. Yes, I like retro, yes its cool-some of it any rate but frankly, for some of the asking prices, I’ll enrol on a frame building course and come away with something custom made from Reynolds or Columbus.

Drawing parallels with human relationships, vocations etc. I’m a whole heap older now. While exploration is fun and development, a must; by the time 40 strikes, you should have a pretty good handle on what makes you tick.

With all this in mind, Ursula’s chain was degreased and treated to some Siberian chain lube. Being a pour n’ go formula, we hopped out the door and left the world behind-albeit it with smartphone and long zoom compact camera en tow.

Along the backroads we went, Schwalbe Marathon 365 https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/schwalbe-marathon-gt365-tyre and Kenda small block 8 beating out a rhythmic patter on the asphalt. At least until I got curious, turning right and into a strange, seemingly parallel universe.

Abandoned houses, orthodox churches, spooky lanes and an equally unsettling feeling of being watched were interspersed with totally unmade roads. The odd satellite dish with very Soviet lines also fired my curiosity, not to mention suspicious glances.

I should point out, I was not trespassing. However, discretion is, apparently, the better part of valour. Therefore, I flashed a “California” smile, engaged a lower gear and sprinted off. 
 


Three hours later, Ursula needed to see a sudsy bucket and jumbo car sponge I, some more coffee. Nonetheless, we’d escaped and returned with a very different perspective.

Regrettably, it seems my hunch about postal theft was all too real. Thanks to Royal Mail’s seemingly protectionist policies, tracing intercepted goods/making formal complaint proved futile.

Thankfully, several suppliers, including Smoove lube’s uk distributor www.cyclorise.com  are graciously sending replacements. Steve has been very impressed with Pro-Vis Sportive Waterproof gloves https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/proviz-sportive-waterproof-gloves

We’ve also had a new batch of Seven Day Cyclist www.sevendaycyclist.com  https://www.facebook.com/Sevendaycyclistmagazine/  mugs arrive from the stationers.
 

Just in time too, since the kitchen’s long serving coffee receptacles needed pensioning off! Right, well I’ll leave it here, having succumbed to a nasty case of Sabre Tooth man flu-a very serious condition that needs exorcising before next Wednesday’s studio shoot.