The teenage dream’s transformation has rolled to a complete standstill thanks to some kind soul helping themselves to my Czech made headset press and the importer advises a timescale of several weeks until the next delivery. I may have to wait, unless Justin (Burls) can come to the rescue and install the mighty Woodman. A local, mobile “Mechanic” ran the proverbial mile at the offer of work and shops seem understandably, reluctant to undertake work unless components are purchased directly from themselves. Good things come to those who wait…. Timely then is the arrival of these advanced Jagwire pads that will soon replace the OEM cartridge types fitted to the budget Miche Performance callipers earmarked for the build. 
Holdsworth safely hibernating for the winter months, its up to the Univega to provide those much needed smiles per mile and as ever, the tubby tourer saves the day. Sporting 2.1-inch knobblies there’s not a great deal of fender clearance but enough for negotiating surprisingly gloopy trails. 
Admittedly the wide profile makes for a slightly ponderous passage over tarmac but often, I feel the need to escape winter asphalt in favour of green lanes, bridal path and “roads” less travelled. For all their virtues, they’re not impenetrable as my feral cat demonstrated, puncturing the front with his claws. Attempts to repair the gashed inner tube using the imaginatively named “Porno patches” has proven unsuccessful- a shame given Joshua seemed so pleased with his efforts over the weekend. I may try again saying nothing so as not to shatter his illusions or otherwise weaken confidence in his notable mechanical aptitude. 
The Stronglight touring triple has been replaced in favour of this keenly priced Shimano Alivio with identical rings-pretty much plug and play with some slight tweaking of the front mech’s adjustment screws. A contemporary two-piece Deore might’ve been the obvious substitution but there’s a good 6,000 miles of life left in the venerable square taper UN52 so, on balance the Alivio is the most cost effective solution.
There was nothing mechanically wrong with the Stronglight; save for the arms running hairs breadth from the frame’s pronounced chainstays- precluding fitment of neoprene chainstay protectors. Introducing winter overshoes resulted in their rubberised heels chafing the frame’s lacquer top coat. Problem solved and shifting seems, pardoning the pun, fractionally slicker to boot… On the subject of footwear, the recent drop in temperatures have seen these emerge from the wardrobe- foul weather mtb booties, I’m eager to lay my hands a road variant but while a little portly, they’re just fine for blazing a trail through the cold but enchanting forests.
The other thing I love about winter, aside from riding unspoilt moonlit trails, is cross racing. Here in the UK, Genesis have released a singlespeed/ fixed crosser finished in a very fetching retro orange. Fashioned from worthy, if slightly workman like Reynolds 520, it bears striking resemblance to the Ilpompino save for nicer frame ends and a sharper looking fork blade.
Thoughtfully it has the four pint carrier and fender mounts and sufficient bottle mounts to serve as a four seasons’ sub £500 funster. Obviously, I couldn’t justify it but it’s certainly given me ideas of reconfiguring the Ilpompino with these Schwalbe 38mm studded snow tyres. I had also been looking to acquire an mtb variant (Bike Nashbar used to do a good store branded copy) for the Univega as with good preparation and the right equipment, snow opens new dimensions in riding pleasure but unlike Utah and indeed many other parts of the globe, the paltry few centimetres hardly warrants large investment. Besides which, while there’s always room for fun and being care-free, I’m in no position to squander monetary resources either so some restraint’s a good thing. 
Elsewhere, good fortune has presented these non-toxic, bridgeable lubes and cleansers that seem equal to, if not superior to, most of those derived from petrochemicals.
I’m particularly fond of the bike wash that leaves behind only a shiny steed. However, a little care is warranted even with these products as they’re made from oranges and the skins contain d-Limonene, which some folk are allergic too. The firm also manufactures a range of belts made from recycled tyres and if you really wanted, they could recycle your own favourite rubber when the time comes… Watch this space.
Holdsworth safely hibernating for the winter months, its up to the Univega to provide those much needed smiles per mile and as ever, the tubby tourer saves the day. Sporting 2.1-inch knobblies there’s not a great deal of fender clearance but enough for negotiating surprisingly gloopy trails. Admittedly the wide profile makes for a slightly ponderous passage over tarmac but often, I feel the need to escape winter asphalt in favour of green lanes, bridal path and “roads” less travelled. For all their virtues, they’re not impenetrable as my feral cat demonstrated, puncturing the front with his claws. Attempts to repair the gashed inner tube using the imaginatively named “Porno patches” has proven unsuccessful- a shame given Joshua seemed so pleased with his efforts over the weekend. I may try again saying nothing so as not to shatter his illusions or otherwise weaken confidence in his notable mechanical aptitude. The Stronglight touring triple has been replaced in favour of this keenly priced Shimano Alivio with identical rings-pretty much plug and play with some slight tweaking of the front mech’s adjustment screws. A contemporary two-piece Deore might’ve been the obvious substitution but there’s a good 6,000 miles of life left in the venerable square taper UN52 so, on balance the Alivio is the most cost effective solution.There was nothing mechanically wrong with the Stronglight; save for the arms running hairs breadth from the frame’s pronounced chainstays- precluding fitment of neoprene chainstay protectors. Introducing winter overshoes resulted in their rubberised heels chafing the frame’s lacquer top coat. Problem solved and shifting seems, pardoning the pun, fractionally slicker to boot… On the subject of footwear, the recent drop in temperatures have seen these emerge from the wardrobe- foul weather mtb booties, I’m eager to lay my hands a road variant but while a little portly, they’re just fine for blazing a trail through the cold but enchanting forests.
The other thing I love about winter, aside from riding unspoilt moonlit trails, is cross racing. Here in the UK, Genesis have released a singlespeed/ fixed crosser finished in a very fetching retro orange. Fashioned from worthy, if slightly workman like Reynolds 520, it bears striking resemblance to the Ilpompino save for nicer frame ends and a sharper looking fork blade. Thoughtfully it has the four pint carrier and fender mounts and sufficient bottle mounts to serve as a four seasons’ sub £500 funster. Obviously, I couldn’t justify it but it’s certainly given me ideas of reconfiguring the Ilpompino with these Schwalbe 38mm studded snow tyres. I had also been looking to acquire an mtb variant (Bike Nashbar used to do a good store branded copy) for the Univega as with good preparation and the right equipment, snow opens new dimensions in riding pleasure but unlike Utah and indeed many other parts of the globe, the paltry few centimetres hardly warrants large investment. Besides which, while there’s always room for fun and being care-free, I’m in no position to squander monetary resources either so some restraint’s a good thing. Elsewhere, good fortune has presented these non-toxic, bridgeable lubes and cleansers that seem equal to, if not superior to, most of those derived from petrochemicals.I’m particularly fond of the bike wash that leaves behind only a shiny steed. However, a little care is warranted even with these products as they’re made from oranges and the skins contain d-Limonene, which some folk are allergic too. The firm also manufactures a range of belts made from recycled tyres and if you really wanted, they could recycle your own favourite rubber when the time comes… Watch this space.
