New Guards & Big Flaps

Ended up stripping the Univega of the mighty Tortec chrome plastics, while I waited for these superbly solid SKS BLUEMELS SHINY 26″ 60 BLACK SET to arrive. Good thing I did too, since the front was one rattle away from falling atop the tyre, and launching me over the bars.

Sans guards it has a very rugged, raw simplicity. Arguably closest to the original 80's concept that fired my teenage imagination, its trail potential was fully realised, along with some seriously big grins for a few evenings. 

The first was quite cold, frosty, although rains returned the following two nights. Thankfully I've been testing these Funkier Aqua Water Repellent Tights. Very welcome (Competent too, especially considering the asking price (£74). 

Talking of the 80's, though frame fit pumps have largely disappeared (thanks in no small part to compact geometry framesets, and mountain biking's other influences) Zefal HPX High Pressure Frame Pump remains quite relevant. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/zefal-hpx-frame-pump 

I returned from Tuesday night's mud spattered meander to find the SKS guards waiting. 

Not the sort of job I wanted to embark on, then. Wednesday morning came and I wasted no time in un-boxing and weighing the guards, which are 50g lighter than the Tortec. 

Next my beloved tubby tourer was popped in the workstand, stripped of wheels and given a rich, sudsy bucket wash. 

Rinsed and dried, I turned my attentions to the front guard. Fitting mudguards can prove fiddly, rather than difficult. In this instance, it's complicated by my preference- a Gusset Uni Head system, rather than the Star Frangled Nut (SFN). 

Now, these might carry a weight penalty over the humble SFN, or expandable wedge type systems. However, they offer improved security. I've never had one work loose and they're also reckoned to keep things together, in the event of a steerer crisis. One of many experiences I would like to keep academic. 

However, it does preclude attaching mudguards via the fork drilling. I judiciously cut out the riveted stainless steel mount, using a hot blade. Given the quality of chrome plastics, and valuing my own digits, this had to be done in three stages. 

Having established the uni-head's bottom nut would slide snugly through the hole, I began bolting the guards in situ. Measure twice cut once when tackling the stays but otherwise everything bolted together smoothly, sans faff.

Achieving graceful, flowing lines is very simple with this calibre of mudguard too. 90, rattle free miles in, and despite the absence of mudflaps coverage is surprisingly good. Nonetheless, presented with a scrap Panaracer tyre, I decided to cut and fashion a set. 

Arguably pop-riveting would've been the neatest method but I settled on a high-strength glue, left clamped and curing for 24 hours. Though not a precision cut, they're neat enough and I've been refining things, gently sanding excess glue-at least where it can be seen. Besides, blasted with dodgy looking water, diarrhoea like mud and other greasy midwinter muck, they'll blend in nicely!  

Talking of which, the Weldtite TF2 Performance all weather lubricant https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/weldtite-tf2-performance-all-weather has fared much better than the Juice Lube Ceramic Juice Chain Lube in comparable conditions. 

The Ceramic Juice hit 185 before the dreaded squeak struck but I should point out, its actually blended for dry to moist, rather than wet weather. 

Therefore, I will reserve judgement and resume testing once (some might say, if) we get a decent dry spell. Meantime, I've switched to their Viking Juice, which they say, is the most durable of their range. 

Application is reminiscent of early ceramic blends in the sense its applied in stages. Whereas some required you to ride around, before adding a final layer, Viking Juice takes but a few minutes. 

Between 2 and 4 coats are recommended, so having established we're in the depths of winter, I've gone the whole hog. 

Its a really runny formula too, designed to seep deep within the chain, so keep some clean rag handy and resist any urges to apply indoors. My Univega's drive train feels suitably frisky but staying prowess is another thing entirely. 

Been rather impressed by their JL69 Bike Maintenance Spray, which seems versatile, durable and very competitively priced. Cleat/mechanisms, locks, cables and jockey wheels have all cheered up with a squirt. Electroplated Allen bolts and similar fasteners have also remained taint free.  

Been rather impressed by this Naked Bikes Pro Wax Special Edition, too. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/naked-bikes-pro-wax-special-edition  . Though hardly cheap, the quality and durability of finish is very impressive. A Christmas gift idea, for the rider who is tricky to buy for.

In the saddle, back on the game

Since my last entry, I’ve  secured another temp gig and therefore some fiscal liquidity, plugging the gaps between retainers and other, less consistent editorial payments. Managing sheltered housing schemes is familiar territory for me and not unpleasant work, although nowadays I associate it with the classic, slightly kitsch but brilliant piece of social commentary that is “Pearls Café’”.

For the uninitiated, it’s an old Specials’ track dating back to 1980, seemingly about a deranged old lady in a café, lamenting her life. However, the final verse the narrator suddenly has an epiphany; that his present girlfriend is cold, shallow and unfeeling  “ When I first met you, I really thought you were a wet dream come true. Now I know that you don’t care about somebody else’s nightmare”.

Having lured Joshua back to his BMX courtesy of this spatter deflecting SKS X blade clip on mudguard, there’s been a resurrection of competitive ambition on his part, expressing a desire to try racing first hand and wanting to accompany me on evening meanders. Given woefully inadequate standards of driver etiquette/skill seem supplanted by ever greater aggression, I’m of the opinion that cross country mountain biking is the most obvious and accessible outlet, with a view to cyclo cross when he’s twelve or thirteen and suitably prepared for long, steady road outings.

The nice folk at Zyro (www.zyro.co.uk)  dropped Minoura’s VC100 bracket over for me to play with. Beautifully made from CNC machined, silver anodised aluminium, it essentially converts the bike to a mobile tripod and camera spec allowing; ensures capture of impressive video footage-whether carving through deserted back roads or hustling through congested city centres. This is largely attributable to a combination of rigidity and broad, shock absorbing rubberised cork platform.

Obviously, it cannot compete with the 180degre peripheral capture of a helmet cam and 350g magnesium bodied super zoom compacts are pretty much its limit. Some of you will baulk at fifteen quid but while the backyard specials brewed using an old reflector bracket and similar oddments from the spares box are phenomenally satisfying to make, should it fail at tour typical speeds, cameras run the risk of becoming bin fodder.

Spring may well be in full bloom but manufacturers are keen to showcase their new season’s lighting and I require little persuasion to try them Silva, a marque more commonly associated with compasses, torches and similar generic outdoor apparel have been expanding their bike range.

In stark contrast to their road specific see with Pave’ comes this quirky looking “Commute”, which given cursory inspection looks indistinguishable from a sea of similarly competent contingency units, perfect for extended summer playtimes on the best bike or as dynamo companion/backup.

On paper 45 lumens lags behind the latest generation of bobby dodgers but the collimator lens delivers a very pure beam, devoid of halos with reassuring peripheral prowess. Tool-free silicone wrap over mounts are a welcome revolution, offering secure purchase, yet slipping off in seconds when locking in the street. This one is unremarkable other than to say it sweeps anaconda fashion around the full panacea of handlebar diameters without indigestion.   

Reassuringly stout composites bode well for longevity, shrugging at the inevitable everyday carelessness and Silva boast that it’s unaffected by temperatures as low as minus 20. A rubberised, centre mounted switch is easily operated in gloved hands and on the fly, although not the sort prone to accidentally engage when hibernating in jersey pockets/panniers. USB rechargeable li-on cells have almost become default but while in many respects a blessing, AAA are readily available pretty much anywhere and offer tour practical run times-I’ve managed eighteen odd (max) and an Uber frugal ninety eight in flashing using premium grades. All the more impressive since it gives change from £20. www.silva.se.

Another unexpected pleasure is this beautifully crafted saddlebag complete with Camera insert made by Emily O’ Brien. Hailing from Medford Massachusetts, she’s a mile munching, limerick loving music teacher and lifelong fettler who manufactures a handmade range of luggage/accessories capable of passing her own rigorous testing regime. Initial impressions are extremely favourable and its one of the most exciting bits of luggage I’ve had the privilege of testing to date. http://www.dillpicklegear.com/