Twaaang! Aka Way of the Exploding Cable Hanger

Yes indeed, having returned from another head-clearing blast along the back roads, I was gently sweeping my Ilpompino back inside the garage when serenity was rudely interrupted by the faintest sound of binding…

We hadn’t encountered any holes or similar rim worrying phenomenon, so I presumed it was just a sticky inner wire. Pumping the left Tektro lever saw induced a faint tinkling as the tiny little pressed steel cable hanger expired, blowing itself into oblivion and inducing that sudden, monumental loss of cable tension.

Stunned silence was replaced by mild irritation-fettling aside; I’d literally engaged its rear stopper three, maybe four times in the last eight years. Initial thoughts leaned toward buying another Surly “braker” unit (as fitted to my Univega) but since the law only requires fixed builds to run a single, lever operated brake, I decided this presented the ideal opportunity to forgo it completely. Not so the braze-on posts. Some folks love nothing better than taking a hacksaw to their framesets but I like the option of reintroducing stuff should need, or fancy take me. They might also make brilliant blinky mounts...

A quick rummage in the spares drawer resurrected this resin Tektro stoker/dummy lever, some grey primer and my long T handled 5mm Allen key. Despite being well maintained, I was surprised at how arthritic the wide arm cantilever’s stainless mounting screws had become and momentarily envisioned strip-city. Having bypassed this grim narrative with a timely shot of release spray and severed the inner cable, things breezed together pretty smoothly.

Despite being previously repatriated and increasingly weathered, the Spa cycles leather handlebar wrap rewound sans protest and having wiped the bosses clear of residual grease, it was a question of either applying a thin, protective layer of polymer lube or, in this instance a thin coat of grey primer topped off with some of this Sugru “form & fix”.  

For the uninitiated, these are thin sachets of self-setting, flexible rubber that, until cured have a texture broadly similar to play dough/plastercine and can be moulded in much the same way.

Achieving smooth, even effects takes literally forty seconds or so, though seems to require a few hours unmolested to cure fully. Paint protectors are an obvious use, though ours has also been employed as replacements for mudguard (fender) stay caps, resealing electrical cables/dynamo wire etc.

Having double checked lever symmetry, reinstated and sealed the cowhide wrap, taking this opportunity to substitute the fetching but only moderately secure wooden plugs with some tap-in composites On the home straight, reinstating those canti-bolts with some Teflon prep the back door sprung open. It was Joshua who, to my astonishment proceeded to tell me this Dualco unit must be a “vacuum primed” design. 

Upon my affirmation, he then explained the mechanical principles behind them-correctly (!) Somewhat fond of deviating from the stock strip when it comes to degreasers and similar grime busting potions, I’ve just taken delivery of this three-litre dilute to taste concentrate from chemicals direct.

Hmm, familiar orange hue, “safe on all surfaces”, not for human consumption etc, interesting aroma too…I’ve a few sneaking suspicions about its potential hostility towards delicate anodised and indeed, flamboyant wet-spray finishes but let’s see how it behaves in various strengths and contexts before passing judgement. 

Cockpit Viagra

Having decided on the oversized route and acquired those 31.8 Midge; serendipity took charge and presented a compatible 17degree matt black On-One stem. Admittedly, its 90 rather than 80mm but this discrepancy was easily addressed by shuffling the saddle forward, improving comfort on longer runs without denting acceleration or seated climbing prowess. Accessing said steeds’ unbranded ti post bolts proved nigh on impossible using standard pocket tools. Salvation arrived in the guise of this Z shaped giveaway unit, so beloved of flat pack furniture, which has since become a wedge pack staple on account of its prowess in awkward spaces.

Reclaiming that Spa Cycles leather handlebar wrap was another concern given the adhesive backing hadn’t aged particularly gracefully. However, even tension and a lick of electrical tape proved similarly successful. Net effect, £35 and one hour’s reprieve from business planning well spent. Wrap and lighting systems repatriated, rain of biblical proportions couldn’t dampen my enthusiasm for a fifteen mile blast. Swinging a leg over the Ilpompino’s semi sloping top tube, it took but a matter of minutes to fully appreciate the benefits of a stiffer cockpit.

While far from blancmange like, the front end now tracks beautifully, especially performing those last minute swerves around gaping potholes, opening car doors, rabid dogs, errant pedestrians and similar hazards. This rigidity enables rider effort to be poured into maintaining momentum-perfect for cantering gazelle fashion along those deceptively steep climbs when turning taller gears, powering away from the lights or demon descending. Fatigue inducing low-level vibration’s a moot point, tempered perfectly by those sensibly raked composite ITM blades.    

Thanks to their shallow drop and prodigious width, Midge lend themselves handsomely to geared ‘cross builds and mountain bike conversions too, the smaller diameter allowing effortless transplant of pre-existing thumb shifters/sti controls. Tempted? Well, Tektro produces a comprehensive, wallet friendly range of shapely aero levers catering for cantilever, linear pull and cable operated discs. Oh and unless intended recipients sport an old school quill unit; you’ll also need a loftier 25/30 degree stem.

Winter prompts more frequent post ride fettling, if only to flush away that corrosive cocktail of accumulated salt/grit with cold water. Timely then, that Green Oil’s third generation eco-sponge should land on my test bench. I’ve always been a big fan of the Brixton based brand’s range of blisteringly effective, yet genuinely planet friendly lubricant/cleaning goodies. Previous incarnations also hailed from the Philippines but their original texture proved abrasive, wounding thinner lacquers and leaving unsightly swirls in thinner/flamboyant enamels. Taking heed, Green oil has encased the matted Luffa “sponge” within a recycled cotton pillow  

Not only does this version promise to cleanse filthy steeds, they reckon it’s great for waxing/buffing duties too. Well, since proof of said product lies in the polishing, I’ll put ours through its paces on a wealth of different surfaces and provide more informed feedback several weeks hence. 

Continuing the new arrivals theme, I’ve just taken delivery of this Nexus geared flat bar Foffa Urban. More commonly associated with the fixed gear scene; it’s an interesting kettle of fish with a host of contradictions. Sneaking past 13kilos and commanding the lion’s share of £500, it’s based around an entry level Cro-moly frameset, which should resist accidental denting better than thin wall exotica. Welds are a little workmanlike in places perhaps but uniform and extremely unlikely to fail. Closer inspection reveals a properly reamed seat tube and clean bottle screws, which is heartening.

That said; internal cable guides might look minimalist, yet serve as a conduit to corrosion and there are several peculiarities reminiscent of small scale British marques twenty five years back-seatstays sporting carrier mounts but ends bereft of eyelets anyone? Then again, a 7 speed Nexus hub gives sufficient scope for commutes exceeding city limits, while keeping maintenance minimal, plain Jane components ensure it stops, goes and handles in good proportion without luring the light fingered…Let’s see what the next 500miles have in store…