Seeking solace from keyboard
slavery, I headed to the workshop and unearthed these Halo Aero track wheels
that had been enjoying extended hibernation. A quick tickling with a soft brush
dunked in sudsy bike wash restored their powder coated neon lustre within a
matter of minutes. Further rummaging in various stash points retrieved fresh
rim tape, two compatible tubes with giraffe-esque valve stems and some 23mm
section Specialized tyres.
Folders, especially those bound
tightly for any time can prove fiendishly tricky to mount, though these were
swept aboard in thirty seconds courtesy that prodigious Cyclo wand type lever.
Five minutes sprocket-bobbing later rewarded with two- one Cro-moly, the other
ti, both fifteen teeth and sped home on a bed of space age grease so they’ll
fit snug but will budge without copious helpings of penetrant spray. On a roll,
I happened upon another of the pressure fit SKS cage adaptors so popped that in
situ while watching some instantly forgettable late night “chewing gum”
television.
These are by far the best of this
genre. Paint friendly yet phenomenally tenacious-I’ve carried 25lb old school
cyclo crosser by said composite mount without slippage or cataclysmic failure.
That said; riders of smaller frames looking to mount symmetrical pairings on
seat/down tubes are better served by side-entry cages given the bracket’s
greater girth but a moot point on 58/60cm horizontal configurations.
Had an interesting email from
Dani at Foffa bikes (photo credit Tyson Sadlo) inviting me to test their latest
hub geared urban scoot, which looks rather fetching from this picture, though
suggests clearances might be a bit tight for full length mudguards (fenders) .I’m
due to take delivery early January so will reserve judgement until then. Recent
years have seen a welcome explosion in wallet friendly, ultra practical
everyday bikes but despite being well catered for in terms of trailers, I’m yet
to find a bicycle sidecar system that works without being brutally
unsympathetic to their hosts-even plain gauge gas pipe tube sets have been
known to fracture under such duties. That said; many motorcycle chassis (V-twin
Moto Guzzi in particular) suffer similar fates when coupled to outfits.
Critics would argue these belong
firmly in museums given the pace of modern traffic but such has tremendous
potential during winter when remaining upright takes priority. Speaking of which, Joshua and I have both
succumbed to a spot of tyre slide on separate occasions this week. Experience
meant I kept Univega in check across a greasy manhole cover while turning
right, whereas he wasn’t so lucky- nothing more serious than a twisted saddle
and dented pride mind.
Talking of rubber, since roads
are slimy as opposed to snowy for the foreseeable weeks, I’m off astride the
Ilpompino to see how these 29mm Halo twin rail courier Berlin and my modified
fibre flare mount behave. Said fixer’s sportier configuration means the mono
stay now doubles as a nifty mount for this literally brilliant GLO blinker4 http://www.bicyclelightshop.com/collections/rear-led-lights/products/rear-bike-light-led-big-blinker.
Hopefully the dreaded “hiss” will remain firmly the preserve of pantomime,
especially since fresh supplies of 18-25mm tubes and patch kits haven’t arrived
yet.
