Flashbacks & Fancies

While mooching around Coventry’s Fargo Village, I was drawn to “The Bike Box”. Initially, by a Surly pacer and this Salsa. Being Sunday, I wasn’t entirely surprised to discover the shop closed. However, peering in through the window, I noticed this Holdsworthy Claud Butler.

An early 80s, 531^ST frameset built around period sensitive, yet broadly contemporary components. Colour aside, the frameset was almost identical, to a 1982 Super Dalesman, that seduced me, and my paper round savings, 29 years 1 month ago.

It cost me £250 at the time. £125 of which, I borrowed from my mother. A tourer that handled beautifully, laden or otherwise and one I remember, with great fondness.

Thankfully, Sharon came to collect me at this point. Being an empath, she humoured me, then whisked us away to a very pleasant Turkish café’. Elsewhere, the Holdsworth and I have been enjoying the clement conditions.

Perky and pared to the essentials, there’s been plenty of smiles per mile too. I was tempted (when Lee Cooper graciously performed the bottom bracket shell replacement and other, remedial work) to have a set of bottle bosses added. However, while its far from period, I want to keep the frame original-structurally, at least.

Hence, I’ve gone the strap on route. (You at the back, stop sniggering!!!) The slightly dumpy, though extremely practical SKS unit, has been joined by Topeak’s infinitely prettier Versa mount.

I’ve whipped this carbon composite Enigma bat-wing design. On an aesthetic note, I should probably swap the Elite Ciussi, for the Boardman cage clinging to my Univega’s downtube.

The Versa mount can be mounted in a variety of ways, to entertain small/compact geometry frames and even folders-head tubes, seat posts, or even fork legs are a few obvious alternatives. 1.2 kilos, is the maximum payload. One trick ponies in some respects. You certainly wouldn’t deploy them as a P-clip substitute for 4point carriers.

Continuing the swapping theme… I’ve swapped my fixed gear winter trainer’s Syncros matchbox cage for this bright green Vel race cage. A much closer match, pattern-wise, to the Deva.

At 34g, its made from a composite resin, which in turn is painted and lacquered for a glossy, durable sheen.  I’ve also exchanged said machine’s Brooks swift pattern perch, for this BBB Echelon.

The Echelon has a unique, dare I say characteristically Dutch flavour.  It supposedly straddles mtb and road genres, suggesting it’ll be a viable option for rough stuff and gravel too.

This is the 141, which is slightly misleading, since its actually145mm wide, 265mm long. 2mm broader than the toupe’, which may prove a more suitable option for my ‘cross biased fixed.    

Another cutaway design, it features a carbon reinforced shell, EVA foam padding and a durable, faux leather cover. Hollow Cro-moly rails with adjustment scales strike a good strength to weight ratio and make setup straightforward. Especially, if you’re swapping it between bikes.  

Having done 400 miles on the Vee Tire Co Zilent and crucially, reached some tangible conclusions, I’ve switched to The Soma Shikoro upfront. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/s  A supple, compliant ride to match and indeed, compare with their 33mm Supple Vitesse cousins.

Talking of Soma, here’s my review of the Condor bars https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/soma and the Lizard Skins DSP https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/lizard-skins-dsp

Elsewhere, Sinner have been in touch with me, regarding the refinishing of Mango bodies. According to Melvin, these are in fact made from Gelcoat. A composite but not actually carbon fibre as first thought. We are advised that a decent car body finisher should be more than capable of repainting to a high standard.

I’m inclined to say that many will regard the Mango as specialist equipment and politely decline, as tends to happen with motorcycle components. A project finisher, or someone working with motorcycle GRP (fairings etc) is likely to be a better bet. John is also looking to upgrade the gearing to a triple, for greater range.

He’s opting for 28/40/70. However, we have discovered the Sunstar battery assist’s spider, will only accommodate two rings. Therefore, I have contacted Sunstar, asking if they produce a compatible pattern, capable of accommodating a triple.

John is talking in terms of making a custom model from stainless steel; or modifying the existing setup. No surprise, given he’s a retired engineer but I’m thinking a stock model will be a more efficient use. of time and other resources. Talking of models, here’s some more from last week’s shot with Krystal J.

Maddening Crowds & Magic Models

 With April turning less austere, I decided it was time to swap the Univega’s rubber. Gone are the Schwalbe active winter, substituted for the equally mighty Schwalbe Marathon GT 365 https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/schwalbe-marathon-gt-365-tyres-in-w . I also switched from the SKS lube your chain https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/sks-lube-your-chain  to Finish Line ceramic wax.

Bombproof go anywhere dependability https://www.facebook.com/Sevendaycyclistmagazine/posts/1885288428168746?notif_id=1523350698147526&notif_t=page_post_reaction&ref=notif  and a super slick, low friction transmission seemed a very alluring combination.

https://www.facebook.com/Sevendaycyclistmagazine/videos/1885251548172434/?hc_ref=ARRs7tXGmIFC0BSiyUcotmK7Xp1ifFVE0fJOXtFtUwNipl9b30EMHA8HY3igEVxDAz0&fref=nf

I go through “Garbo” phases of not wanting to speak, or otherwise engage with people, at least in a social context. This very much depends on their energies. Introverted by nature, professionally, I am quite loquacious but require periods of isolation, outside of working hours  to recharge.  

The ability to deviate from metalled roads, be alone with my thoughts and whatever kit I’m playing with, is imperative.

Not that reflecting is wasted time but something, tangibly productive needs to come from it. 400 miles on my beloved fixed gear winter/trainer hence, and I’ve formed my conclusions, where the 32mm Panaracer T-serv PT and Vee Rubber Baldy are concerned. Both are favourable, albeit with different charms.

Verdicts reached, I wasted no time swapping over to the 42mm Zilent and following behind, 33mm Soma Supple Vitesse. These are the EX (Extra wear) tread compound, which as the name suggests, is designed with durability in mind.

Formative (50 mile) impressions are of svelte, grippy and fast rolling rubber, yet with a surprisingly compliant persona. Reminiscent of their Shikoro cousins https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/s  but a fraction friskier. Clearance a bit tighter? The Vee Tire co Rolldiac are another good choice, for general riding and speed-biased commuting https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/vee-tire-rolldiac-tyres   

Just as well, given the pock marked and badly patched infrastructure. I was even greeted with some impromptu “gravel” on Tuesday morning’s escape.  The big, swoopy Soma Condor bars continue to seduce me with their buxom charms, affording excellent control. A little narrower than the midge, and this is apparent when out of the saddle (which is more frequent on the fixed, say powering away from the lights, or along a gradient).

By the same token the Condor feel markedly stiffer, resulting in a tighter feel up front. The build’s portlier tyres, steel frame and carbon composite fork, retain a very compliant ride quality.

I’m often contemplating locations for photoshoots/scenarios. The Univega’s all-terrain persona is perfect for scouting beyond the beaten track. Abandoned buildings make fantastic settings but are fast in decline, thanks to demand for redevelopment. They also present a wealth of potential hazards for models and photographer alike.  

Iconic red phone boxes, most now left for prosperity (or as makeshift urinals for those whose bladders, have reached the 500 odd millilitre capacities en route home from the pub/a mate’s house) have scope for fashion/similar portraiture.

This one was often frequented by yours truly, as a teenager. Calls home, advising of impending lateness, due to a mechanical, or sheepishly requesting rescue. Provided I got through to an Au Pair, not the cat, things were generally fine. Alas, this one’s a bit exposed for anything vaguely arty and though temperatures have mellowed somewhat, the climate is still sketchy for location work.

Hence, I’m busy in the Studio. Here’s a few of Amelia Mary Instagram: @ameliamaryorvis another highly professional and accomplished model. Photographed last week, at Mark Coventry’s Clacton Studio https://www.markcoventry.com/

 

Studio & Beyond

I’ve been back in the studio doing fine art nude photoshoots with some fantastic models. Further collaborations are being arranged for January. My Minolta film SLR and this partially stripped Ural motorcycle is all I can publish right now.

 

 

 

I take consent and professionalism deadly seriously and will not release anything, unless the model(s) involved are willing for me to do so. Thanks to Brian, who runs the cottage studio http://www.thecottagestudio.co.uk/  for the use of space and lighting equipment. 

 

Proved an ideal opportunity to see what my A6000 would do in a studio setting. Behaved impeccably from start to finish. Traditionally, I’ve run SLRs in the studio and kept CSC systems for street and location shots but the (minor) gamble paid off. Just as well, given my Alpha SLR got the sulks and refused to play nicely with the remote trigger.

I’ve appreciated the cold, harsher weathers, which is ideal for testing lubes, cables, tyres and of course, clothing. Nasty Lube http://nastylube.com/about/  over in Canada, have sent Seven Day Cyclist www.Sevendaycyclist.com their winter lube.

Simple to apply-sparingly, mind. Too much and you’ll get the spatter effect along your chainstay and rear wheel. That aside, there’s no hanging about waiting for it to cure. Simply, drizzle a little into the links of a freshly cleaned chain, wipe away any excess and scoot-off.

Great for commuting and winter generally, since a wintry spell can strip lubricant bare in a matter of rides. So far, it seems cleaner, dare I say less syrupy than some justly popular favourites. Minus figures in the UK are often over exaggerated but it’s dipped to minus 2 and felt decidedly raw, when wind chill’s introduced. 

We’re looking to get some narrow section spiked tyres in but for the time being, the Schwalbe Marathon GT https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/schwalbe-marathon-gt-tyres   and the Univega’s GT365 https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/schwalbe-marathon-gt365-tyre  are hugging slimy roads reassuringly well.       

Spiked, sometimes referred to as “snow” tyres all work to the same basic science. The tread ploughs the white, powdery stuff away, leaving the tungsten carbide spikes to bite into the ice beneath, providing traction.

Progressive acceleration and braking remains imperative but a steady tempo means 17mph is a realistic, dare I say, respectable average speed. Cables are another relatively inexpensive upgrade.

Obviously, testing tends to influence replacement frequency but I’d be inclined to replace standard brake and gear cables twice yearly, seasonally if you’re racing. Rather like stiff greases, sealed systems are a good investment for bikes in hard service.

These typically comprise of a factory lubricated, premium grade stainless steel inner wire, a Teflon coated liner and a heavy duty Kevlar outer. The latter can chomp through paintwork with alarming haste, especially if a layer of grit is allowed to form between them.

Most kits these days use rubberised cuffs to prevent abrasion but carefully cut sections of “helicopter” tape pretty much eliminates this problem. Layered electrical tape will also do, although check more frequently to ensure the outers aren’t making inroads.

While not a sealed system in this sense, I’ve been very impressed with these Jagwire pro road https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/jagwire-pro-road-brake-kit. Simple to fit, compressionless housings, EZ (easy) tunnelling and high quality, PTFE impregnated stainless steel inners deliver impressive modulation, feel and ultimately, stopping prowess!  Right, time I was heading north for another adventure.