Bouncing Back

Having recovered from side-effects associated with the second COVID shot, I found myself contemplating some front-end revision. Now, I’m a HUGE fan of the Soma Condor TEST: SOMA CONDOR HANDLEBAR (sevendaycyclist.com) and Condor2SOMA CONDOR 2 SHALLOW DROP BARS | (sevendaycyclist.com) bars. The former is absolutely bang-on for Ursula-in every respect. Ok, so why swap the condor2 for these Gametic D-riser4 GENETIC DRISER 4 HANDLEBARS | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com), then?  

I've run both on my fixed gear winter trainer and for some miles.  

However, the D-riser are uniformly oversized across the top section, thus making accessories easier to fit, and to my eye, has an aesthetic edge. The lower profile not only looks sharper, it allows me to hunker lower, out of the headwind (without being nose against the stem or in snake’s testicle territory)  

Prior to this Eureaka moment, I was pondering returning to the Kinekt stem and inspecting the outer cable’s condition beneath the bar wrap. I’d also noticed the otherwise grippy silicone has slipped in places, so I needed to partially rewind it, in any case. Rather than procrastinate, an hour later, everything was switched, checked, and ready to ride. 

The D-Riser 4 have a very subtle flare. More so than their D-Riser 16GENETIC D RISER 16 BARS | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) stablemates, which lends them best to road duties. For the uninitiated “flare” refers to the degree by which a handlebar slopes outward.  

Gravel/Adventure bikes usually sport drops with quite pronounced flare, which provide greater stability, and ultimately control, when riding on the drops, off-road. Elsewhere, although along similar lines, after a few filthy rides, it was time to give Ursula a good sudsy bucket wash. This presented the ideal opportunity to check and purge anything abrasive from the brake pads and enhance the front brake’s performance slightly.  

Around the same time as the bar swap struck, I was giving serious thoughts to upgrading Ursula's existing Selcoff post in favour of the plush Kinekt 2.1KINEKT 2.1 SUSPENSION SEAT POST | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com). I had planned this a while back, but the seat tube needed a comprehensive cleaning first, to avoid scratching the shim and post. Not a complex job but quite time-consuming and best performed without risk of interruption/distraction. I used some 180-grit sandpaper, rather than a powered abrasive. Pedestrian but infinitely preferable to removing too much metal.   

50 minutes later, the Kinekt shim glided inside. I introduced some of the Peaty's Assembly paste to the post, then slid it in situ and torqued the seat collar snug. I have refitted the Zefal Adventure R5 Waterproof Saddle Bag ZEFAL ADVENTURE R5 WATERPROOF SADDLE BAG | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com), while I hunted around for the Carradice SQR mount and (only to discover the clips were showing obvious signs of fatigue).  

Thankfully replacements are readily, and cheaply available) the Carradice CARRADICE CARRADRY SQR BAG | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) . Reversion might sound odd but the Kinekt’s protruding suspension components will wear through the Zefal’s top section. The SQR can be mounted lower, thus avoiding this problem. A formative 20-mile blast purged any post-creep anxieties, although confirmed suspicions that I’d set it a few millimetres too tall.  

Easily sorted upon my return- could've done mid-ride but didn’t want to tempt binder bolt bother miles from home. This wouldn’t usually be something I’d give a second thought, but I’d gone for a budget bolt of unknown quantity since that was all, I had “in stock” of the correct length and diameter.   

As I have said in earlier entries, getting components/spares has been increasingly tricky, partly due to the global pandemic but the impact of Brexit cannot be underestimated, either.  

The sudden and complete dismantling of any restrictions here in the UK is likely to induce unprecedented levels of infection, with lasting social and indeed, economic consequences. I have bought new supplies of PPE (masks with filters and aerosol-based santisers) and on a different note, maintenance sprays and other workshop products, while prices and supplies were favourable.   

Talking of favourable, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the performance of the Peaty’s Link Lubes- dry and all-weather alike. The dry is closest to an emulsion/wax and has returned a decent mileage from a single application, well past 300 miles, and that included some decidedly wet, gritty backroads. In the higher temperatures, there’s no hint of it being temperature-sensitive in the melting sense.  

The All conditions is essentially a middleweight wet formula. One that I’ve found particularly effective on the fixed. It seeps deep within the links and clings to the rollers tenaciously, serene silence, albeit it attracts a little more contaminant than some.  

Talking of attraction, it seems that a previous low-paying, high-stress, and socially isolating career is drawing unwanted attention. There has long been a recruitment and retention problem within social care. There are several core reasons for this, at least in the UK. Appalling work/life balance, perception of it being unskilled (and paid accordingly) are major detractions.  

Recessions help in this respect, but observations and personal experience of the sector suggest these problems have remained consistent, for at least 25 years. Thankfully, it’s not an industry (or indeed era in my life) I have any intention of revisiting. However, the attitudes towards our most vulnerable are in my view, a barometer of the society we are living in.  The re by the grace of God some would say. Indeed, the long-term implications for young adults experiencing, or susceptible to long COVID are yet to be realised. 

     

Puddle Muddle

 

The weather has turned wintry over the past week and for the most part, I’ve been enjoying the changes and minor challenges it presents. Forecasts had threatened but thankfully not delivered ice. I set out on Friday morning a little later than usual for a longer meander around the lanes.

Harsh winds, sleet and snow showers greeted me as I warmed up along the winding descent. I’d opted for these Primal Dawn Men’s Bib Knickers BUFF PACK BIKE CAP | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and Oxford Products Ox socks OXFORD OX SOCKS | cycling, but not usually racing (sevendaycyclist.com). Up top I opted for a short sleeve base layer with windproof panel, long sleeve jersey and technical jacket. For some reason, I switched gloves and meant to grab my Belgian style cap but stuck with the Buff Pack Bike Cap BUFF PACK BIKE CAP | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com).  Perfect conditions for evaluating the FLR defender.

On the outward leg, roads were wet, greasy but I quickly upped the tempo and cruised along. Ten miles in a flooded causeway and seemingly stranded Audi signalled a quick U-turn and alternative route. Checking the fixed’s chain revealed a stubborn but increasingly filmy layer of Muc-Off ebike Wet weather Ceramic Chain Lube and I was yet to be serenaded by the faint metallic tinkling, so charged up another climb and along some very windswept, lonely lanes.

Three miles from home and the narrow lane had become a river. Calve-deep by the time I’d done a proper risk assessment. Riding was too risky, so I shouldered the bike and trotted through cyclo-cross stylee.

Two miles later and I was home. Soggy but relatively warm feet meant I treated the bike to a thorough wash, and I stripped the chain of the residual lube and embedded gunk. In fairness, this particular wet ceramic doesn’t overly attract drivetrain gobbling muck but there’s no sense allowing it to reach that stage, especially since the bike needed washing anyhow.

One thing lead to another and I decided to swap the excellent Redshift Sports Shockstop Suspension Seatpost REDSHIFT SHOCKSTOP SUSPENSION SEATPOST | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) for the Kinekt 2.1 seat post (with a long Cane Creek 25.4-27.2 shim not the 25.4-26.6mm, pictured) and this bespoke Dill Pickle Store Bag that has been doing the rounds, very capably for a few years.  

Shims have a slightly dubious reputation in some circles and having witnessed some frame popping caused by the very minimalist designs, back in the early-mid 90s, can appreciate why. If you are going this route, spend a tenner and get something decent. People risking a decent frame for the sake of a few quid astound me.  I would not go this route with carbon-posts, let alone framesets.

The Cane Creek shim is 100mm long, and very nicely machined, which should eliminate risk of additional stress being placed upon the seat tube, especially, since there’s ample post inside the frame. I’ve used a light grease between post and shim, shim and seat tube. To avoid the risk of galvanic corrosion, between an alloy sleeve and steel frameset, go for a synthetic, or PTFE infused, rather than lithium-based prep. 

Talking of lubes, I was also stunned to discover a phantom creak. I initially attributed this to the front hoop’s q/release having worked loose, permitting minor movement of the wheel, causing the rotor to catch the pads. To my astonishment, said sound was traced to the Kinekt stem. This seemed to ease out, as the miles progressed, silence restored of its own accord some five miles later. However, I’ve since added a precautionary drop of Green Oil Slip Eco Lube GREEN OIL SLIP ECO LUBRICANT (sevendaycyclist.com) to the unit’s linkages.

 I’ve also switched to the Halo White Line and Shutter Precision PD8 wheel  HALO CLASSIC RIM & SHUTTER PRECISION DYNOHUB DISC WHEEL BUILD (sevendaycyclist.com) and shod it with the 38mm Vee Tire Co Zilent MK2 Tyre up front TESTED: VEE TIRE CO ZILENT MARK 2 TYRES (sevendaycyclist.com)   Chain lightly lubed, a quick shot of maintenance spray on cables and cleat mechanisms-job done and warm bath for me, before I ran the cold gauntlet.  Talking of which, Steve has been impressed with these Showers Pass Crosspoint GlovesSHOWERS PASS CROSSPOINT GLOVES | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) . More next week..

 

 

Concept Realised

Back in March 1987, reading the now long-defunct “Bicycle” magazine, I happened upon the Muddy Fox Trail Blazer-in essence a mountain bike with drop bars, bar end shifters 1.75 knobbly tyres.. Aside from wanting that particular machine, it awoke a deep desire to build a concept machine. One that was lightweight, rugged, go anywhere (Ok, with some trade-off). Fast forward 12 years, countless miles, a degree and other trappings later..I happened upon the Univega frameset hanging in a friend’s shop window. It started off as a flamboyant red enamel bitsa- bits of this, bits of that-a Frankenbike, some might say.

Wheelset handed down from a racing mtb, Stronglight triple crankset from a tourer, drops from said tourer, 25.4 Kalloy stem, Kalloy seatpost, Shimano 600 rear mech, STX front, Shimano bar end shifters, first generation Shimano SPD pedals, Minoura four point 4130 Steel rack.

Its evolved quite considerably and racked up considerable mileages along the way. Ursula has been a trailer tug, winter trainer, daily driver, tourer and confident come sunny days or bitter snowy blizzards.

Save for the frameset, the only thing remaining of the original build is the front cable hanger. However, it has evolved to meet my needs and is incredibly close to the original brief. High power dynamo lighting, full guards, plenty of room for spiked tyres when things get icy 1x10 drivetrain (albeit more a’la carte than some would like). Throughout this evolution, suitable drops were the biggest challenge.

I experimented with a few road blends, changed the stem and then perfection in the form of these Soma Condor https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/soma  just the right shape, width and enable me to stay on the drops with no loss of control on, or off road. On-One Midge (in the 31.8 diameter) might’ve been a good budget option-I’d run them very happily for a good decade, or so on my fixed gear winter/trainer. However, I’d since sold the Midge on and gone for the Genetic D-Riser 16 https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/genetic-d-riser-bars and Soma Condor 2 https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/soma-condor-2-shallow-drop-bars  on the latter.

A while back, I had toyed with the idea of running Cane Creek Thudbuster ST https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/cane-creek-thudbuster-suspensuin-se , since the 3^rd Generation short-travel unit was still available in 25.4 and with a suitably high quality shim, compatible with the Alpina 506’s 26.6 seat tube. At the time, I shied away from this (a) On the basis of cost-this was indulgence, rather than an inherent need.

(b) It was incompatible with the Carradice SQR luggage system https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/carradice-carradry  I was running at the time. Reasonable quality, perfectly serviceable aluminium alloy models to be found in this diameter and my experimentation was titanium was partially successful.

However, I had acquired some very inexpensive Chinese titanium, which was too thin in diameter for machining down to 26.6. Funny what happens when you’re not looking for it…Along came Cirrus Cycles with their Kinekt suspension post. They still offer a 25.4, thus compatible with a suitable shim.

Spring strength varies according to rider weight-ours is the medium, in accordance with my own 70 kilo frame. Some specifications. There is a carbon model but that wouldn’t be suitable for this application (or available in the desired diameter) hence the 6061 aluminium anodised version.

The Kinekt employs a spring/urethane elastomer system, offering travel between 0 and 35mm. Initial setup seems pretty intuitive and I’ve set mine on the firmer side-enough to take some edge off, without robbing too much power. Whether it will win my heart, like the Cane Creek Thudbuster ST remains to be seen…

They’ve kindly sent me a 90mm stem (7 degree rise), which I have earmarked for my fixed gear winter/trainer. Elsewhere, I’m being won over by this Showers Pass Men’s Elements Jacket, which not only keeps the weather out but there have been no issues with the inner fabric “sweating” as some 2.5 layer laminate models can. It also has a chameleon personality meaning it performs well on the bike without looking overly technical, worn with more casual clothing.

Lots of pockets-two at the hip, three internally continues this theme, although I am still very fond of the “Nelson” types. 15,000 breathability and waterproof ratings are well suited to longer, faster paced rides. 225miles in and the Zefal Ceramic Ultra Wet has clung on very tenaciously, despite November’s slimy conditions. Much as I expected, side plates sport a slightly grimy patina but it’s not overly grotty. Looking a bit filmy but still doing its thing.

Last but not least, here’s our review of the Pro-Viz LED 360 Vega Rear Bike Light. Well worth a look if you wanted a simple but effective two-mode design. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/pro-viz