The Eat My Dirt brake shields were sent my way on the basis they had “Michael Stenning” written all over them. These are primarily designed to protect disc brake/rotors from a sticky coating of spent lube when re-lubricating a thirsty chain. Same goes for tyres and rims.

Story goes these were invented after Jon fancied a quick blast on Gary’s bike. Unbeknown to him, Gary had “just chucked a bit of oil on his chain and cassette” seeing as they were looking a bit dry…

Mid wheelie, Jon engaged the rear brake…Nothing. Next thing he knew he was flat on his back and the concept was born.  Being marine engineers, they made a prototype from cardboard and refined the design with some input from Huddersfield University.

The brake shields are essentially a massive “bib” that clips on in literally seconds once you’ve got the knack. Bike Bib was their intended moniker but it seems, Michelin own the name “bib”…

Ultimately, they decided polypropylene was the ideal, flexible, chemical resistant material. In fact, they are so confident in its longevity, they will replace free of charge and under normal use, so long as you send them a short video explaining how they failed.

First slip the shield behind the cassette and secure the tab around a convenient spoke. Clip the top hook around another spoke and check it won’t move when you rotate the cranks backwards.

Once you’ve cleaned and/or re-lubricated your chain, unclip and flush the channel through with a bit of bike wash/concentrate and rinse that away using tepid water. Despite some initial scepticism; it’s beginning to find favour with me. http://www.eatmydirt.eu/brake-shield

Out of the blue, this Blackburn Piston 4 floor pump arrived on the SDC test bench-straight from the States. It’s a high volume model, featuring a steel barrel and base, which are welded together and finished in a very fetching gunmetal grey, a huge 3 inch gauge that goes all the way to 220psi.

Formative impressions are very favourable-these 35mm Clement were brought from flaccid to 90psi in a cool 38 strokes and my Univega’s 26x1.75 Vittoria to 80 in 50, both with minimal effort. As you’d expect from this end of the market, not to mention Blackburn, the build quality is absolutely top notch, with a really solid feel and refined action.

While looking at foot mounted gauges is hardly a hardship, the super clear top unit means there’s no excuse for over-inflation and if you do, simply  scrub off the unwanted pressure by hitting the head’s integral bleed valve.  

Other pleasant surprises include these uber lumen Meteor Storm Pro and Shield-X lights from their UK importerwww.raleigh.co.uk . In recent years, high power systems have become increasingly compact, especially for the road market. The Meteor storm pro boasts a range of steady settings delivering between 1700 and 125 lumens, which is very impressive from a torch type with integral battery.

On paper, this range should cater for everything from race pace antics along unlit back roads to urban commuting. Admittedly offset by 6hour charge times, a quoted run time of 2hrs with the full 1700 on tap is pretty reasonable given its fuelled by a 3.6 volt 3200mAH cell…Buying a second will obviously extend its potential, especially since those sorts of charge times aren’t the most convenient for desk bound commuters.

Spec wise, we have two Cree XM-L2 diodes, CNC machined aluminium casing for durability and excellent heat displacing qualities and an automatic shut down in the unlikely event of overheating.  No less than ten modes, including a 2000lumen flashing “day” mode that they reckon will run for a claimed 38hours. 

Those looking at the bottom line will point out that high power Cree units complete with battery and charger can be picked up online for around the £20mark. True, these offer a lot of bang for little buck but tend to be a little unrefined in terms of delivery. Three modes, run times around5hours in top are quite enticing and in my experience, practical for longer winter training runs along unlit roads.

However, reflector and lens quality tends to be bargain basement, so while there’s enough bite for 35mph plus on straight sections, they tend not to be so useful in the twisties.

They’re decidedly overpowered in the suburbs, let alone town centres too, which is where those with more intelligent, multiple modes score highly. On a completely different note, I found myself roped into photographing a wedding at a days’ notice-one of the biggest textbook no-no’s for any photographer.

However, I had trusty CSCs and a few suitable lenses, so was happy enough to help out; on the understanding it was a favour. Despite some initial trepidation, the Baptist ceremony went surprisingly smoothly. I was even asked by one guest, if I had photographed her wedding 22 years previously (!). Right, off for a chat with Tegan Philips about her bike, Axel

My Ilpompino’s lower race bearings are showing some signs of wear, so I invested in 75 10 grade balls given the races/surfaces were in otherwise good shape. Obviously, price is a key player but most found in entry level to mid-range components are reckoned to be around the 100 mark, whereas higher end Shimano and Campagnolo are around 40 and 25.

So, what do these numbers actually mean? Well, essentially we’re talking materials and accuracy of machining, which has implications for efficiency and longevity. The most basic blister pack variants offered at £1.50 or so are 1,000 grade-more commonly associated with furniture casters-not a precision engineered load bearing component.

Caged bearings are convenient for factories and servicing headsets-they also fill space, thus fewer balls are required, saving manufacturers a pretty penny. However, loose always run smoother and seating them in a bed of stout grease overcomes that heart sinking tinkle as another leaps lemming-fashion beneath the fridge, or similarly inaccessible point. 

Talking of which, it’s amazing what gets rediscovered when rationalising the spares bin/drawer.

This week, I have reclaimed a bedroom drawer for T shirts but much more exciting was the rediscovery of this carbon composite Blackburn Airstik SL micro-pump. At 15cm it’s hardly efficient, though handy back pocket bling when coupled with Co2 cartridges and enjoying the Holdsworth’s company, or popping out on a similarly pared to the essentials test rig.

Budget track pumps can be surprisingly longlived too, although gauges are their weak spot. I’ve had this Revolution (Edinburgh Bicycle Co-operative’s own brand) unit complete with smart head for a good few years.

The gauge is well on the road to retirement but barrel, piston and other components are in rude health. A new valve end for this Lezyne Floor Drive has just arrived from Upgrade bikes- their UK importer www.upgradebikes.co.uk so; I will pass the Revolution unit on to a good and grateful home.

Speaking of testing, Seven Day Cyclist has a You Tube channel in the pipeline. Yes, it will involve action cams but no, we’re seeking to avoid More about this once its’ live.

Recent overcast conditions and summer’s slow but definite swansong sees me setting out with freshly fuelled blinkies. Tethered to bars, post and luggage-we’re eagerly awaiting the arrival of this season’s latest designs and more powerful models-promised in the next week or so…

However, an argument has been brewing suggesting cyclists should use blinkies in all conditions-all the time. Dull, low light-hell, yes but perpetually a’la Volvo no.

The perpetual sidelight argument was popularly banded about for motorcyclists too but independent studies seemed to suggest other road users simply acclimatised, thus riders became “invisible” once more.

I can also see this turning into a very convenient legal loophole for someone looking to swerve a driving without due care and attention charge.  “I was getting the perfect angle for my selfie, when I suddenly felt this disconcerting lump. Having uploaded it to my social media channels and two dating sites, I thought an exhaust mounting was coming loose and found a stowaway cyclist”…

Staying with images, Infrared photography has always inspired curiosity, not so wholesale camera conversion. Once converted, your committed-it cannot be reversed. Following a conversation with a camera dealer inclined towards this genre; I jumped at this 55mm Hoya filter.

There are plenty of filters being hawked on the online auction sites for around a third of the asking price but with decidedly inferior results. I saw no sense in taking this route, only to find myself forking out for the Hoya afterward-false economy. Initial results were quite impressive when using a tripod, small apertures and long exposures, although hot spots and similar imperfections seem harder to sidestep.

These models weren’t quite what I’d had in mind either but at least the brazing holding this Beetle’s roll cage together is nicely done. Before I close this entry, let’s talk riding attire.

For training and similar riding, I’ve always felt perfectly comfortable in Lycra but much prefer a more civilian look for commuting and more general riding. Practical and chic, we’re talking ¾ lengths and looser fitting Plain Jerseys with concealed pockets and subtler colours.

While photographing birds at a local reservoir, this young woman’s machine and attire caught my attention; rolled up sleeves and turn ups... Save for quick scoots of a mile or two, denims are a recipe for chafing and discomfort. Were hers skilfully tailored-possibly home made with a cycling specific cut, or just the old street jeans with shorts beneath trick….

Either way, she was turning a seasoned tourists’ cadence too. A few firms were converting old MOD fatigues into messenger knickers some years back, wonder if the same goes for jeans. Levis, Muxo and a few others offered some nice versions straight off the peg but bespoke always provides food for thought.

Hot Air

Perhaps I’m in a minority but despite having preferential telephone listings that theoretically prevents invasive cold-call telesales; I am pretty much guaranteed to experience cognitive interruptus while someone reading from a script and on commission-only contract unleashes their sales patter- double glazing, loft insulation, kitchen scrappage (or whatever laxative scheme the present administration can inject into a merely flatulent UK economy).

Thrust from academia back in the mid-1990s into a landscape of immediate starts and media sales, it seems eerily familiar two decades on. Having been one of those battery-grads cruising through a printed call-list, supervisor over one’s shoulder checking to ensure everyone is rigidly conforming to company schpeel; I’m generally compassionate in my decline.

Hard sell artists on the other hand engage my subversive streak, especially as I’ve since discovered there’s a commonly used database linking my landline with an unrelated property several miles away. Often I have sent cocky sales monkeys on fool’s missions in the hope a seamless procession of unwelcome vans bearing solar panels, “installation engineers” and “surveyors” descending on their doorstep might see the penny drop.

Inner tubes tend to be forgotten until we’re assaulted by a heavily patched butyl octopus when sweeping into the garage, or serenaded with the dreaded hiss miles from civilisation, only to discover spares didn’t come along for the ride.  It’s amazing how many will spend good money on a top-flight wheelset for whatever purpose, yet bung in the cheapest, wafer thin, poorly moulded fare with excruciatingly vulnerable valve stems.

Twenty eight years back, Latex tubes were revered by time trialists/road racers (who weren’t necessarily die hard tubular devotees) on account of their low weight and rolling resistance when paired with the best clinchers. Abrasion and therefore, puncture resistance was another feature manufacturers were quick to promote in the era’s cycling press. Not without merit either; since the material tolerates considerable deformity and it’s precisely this fluidity that resists pinch and penetration flatting.

However, since Latex is porous, received wisdom suggested daily (rather than weekly) inflation with narrower, high pressure tyres experiencing greatest losses of pressure. Specialist sealants lining their interior walls supposedly counteract this without blunting performance advantages but then of course, said material has no blocking property so degrades really quickly exposed to extremes of temperature, UV light oils and indeed heat induced during braking. Hmm, seems glaringly obvious why these haven’t become universally adopted.

Goo-filled models certainly fired public imagination, or should I say faith, which is no bad thing if it encourages people to ride more generally. However, green gloop enjoys a lifespan of around six, possibly nine months before losing mobility, or in some instances leaking through the valve stems, leaving trails of mysterious spatter marks.

Admittedly; they’ll owe you nothing if you’ve enjoyed trouble free commutes during this time but very messy should a particularly vindictive sharp burrow home. In common with patch kits, qualities vary and sometimes it boils down to faith/other decidedly “unscientific” stuff.

Whatever your preference, track pumps are probably the most cost and labour saving acquisitions for newbies-enabling optimum pressures with nominal effort, greatly extending tyre life, reducing punctures, improving ride quality/comfort and damage associated with potholes, ruts and similarly destructive surface imperfections.

My first was a Silca unit-all steel with bright orange barrel and lozenge shaped handle. Pressure gauges bore only passing affinity with reality but these were easily and inexpensively rebuilt (mine finally expired after eleven years’ relentless service).

Actually, I part exchanged it with a then local dealer/friend, in favour of a deluxe version sporting longer barrel, smoother piston and wooden handle.  More than adequate for most contexts perhaps but designs have come along immeasurably since with greater refinements, not to mention improved accuracy.

I’ve always run higher end metal models alongside a cheap, yet cheerful composite (back up-more convenient consuming less car space when attending race meets, a week’s cottage based touring escape etc).

However, the trend for loftier designs has been a godsend for efficiency-requiring notably fewer strokes, while overcoming the discomfort of being stooped. Arguably this latter point’s a moot one in two bike households but those with bigger fleets, or taller riders serving as race-service/club mechanics.

Loftier desingns, especially those exceeding 68cm can be a little unstable-so look for a nice, sturdy base. Oh and in these times of terrorist anxiety, be wary about using them on the drive since ignorant passers-by may believe you are preparing to detonate explosives. Absurd-perhaps but alas I’ve already been on the receiving end of such hysteria once this week! Now going to educate myself regarding platforms and other digital/e book structures….       

Beating a Retreat

Sometimes, enforced leave's the best way to remain focused and moreover productive. Bang up to date with immediate deadlines and other planned works, I took a few days away from the keyboard to photograph petty women against gritty backdrops of urban and coastal decay. Had to do a fair bit of bobby dodging since police and private security firms are very prone to overzealous and dare I say, aggressive misinterpretation of anti terror legislation. On the flip side, there are those who do not help themselves, gaining access to buildings under the misconception that trespass is as serious as things will get, when in fact breaking and entering or indeed, criminal damage is more probable.

Sites of medical/industrial origin present other hazards including asbestos, pigeon faeces, biological/chemical pollution. Depending on their location, squatting and all that it attracts can prove a very dangerous cocktail. Some years ago, I happened upon an abandoned house in one of London’s most deprived districts. A trail of scorched silver foil blowing about this particular tenement was a clear indicator of what awaited me as I zipped through an adjoining alley leading to what remained of the back door…A couple, probably in their early twenties were desperately chasing another hit of heroin-it was to be their last. I took three shots through a 50-200mm lens before slipping into the high rd.  

Having prepped the Univega prior my departure, I noted a few fresh chips in its somewhat delicate flamboyant red enamel. Mercifully, a quick scout around Superdrug uncovered the perfect touch up stick-yep; nail varnish to the rest of us. Aside from pillar-box or Coca Cola, first-rate retouching of reds, especially those of the metallic persuasion is notoriously difficult. This particular brand dries in sixty seconds but I’ve applied two or three thin coats before allowing them to cure overnight.

On the subject of refinishing, the otherwise tough satin powder coat finish adorning the beefy expedition rack is beginning to tire slightly where panniers and other luggage sit so I’m toying with having it blasted clean and given a colour-coordinated rebirth. The other alternative is a phenomenally resilient industrial treatment known as plasti-coat. Applied in the same fashion as powder its commonly used on wrought ironwork and similar ferrous metals left in the most challenging environments. Given its notorious difficult removal –even with extensive chemical assistance, the faintest trace on threaded sections spells disaster so you’d never apply it to a frameset… Were I to take this route, I’d also ask if they’d mind passing this simple tune up stand through at the same time since the existing paint is firmly in dip n’ hope territory.

In the meantime, Rory at Upgrade has been kind enough to send me a bundle of goodies including Lezyne’s power rack elite-a beautifully executed TIG welded aluminium affair complete with 25 kilo maximum payload, this rather fetching, long handled pedal rod and Microshift Sti brifters. The latter are nine, as opposed to eight-speed, short reach examples heralding the Ultegra bar cons’ retirement and more or less completing the tubby tourer’s road biased, yet trail friendly evolution. Despite sporting an extra click, these index perfectly with eight while rivalling Tiagra in performance stakes. Elsewhere, a garage gremlin appears to have gobbled all my open ended ten millimetre wrenches-the sort perfect for nipping old school cantilever brake pads snug. Thankfully, much rummaging unearthed one of those awful but will- do- in- a- pinch giveaway types.

Product testing forms a major part of my work and these days it’s genuinely rare to find bad ones per se. Sure the odd howler, or rogue model crops up from time to time, sometimes with hilarious consequences. Most recently and falling into the latter camp was this otherwise super cheery house branded waterproof day pannier, ideally suited to quick release, post mounted racks. Swooping through the deserted backwaters with only a gentle breeze, moonlight and furtive scurrying emanating from the hedgerows for company, I was compiling a mental list of priorities when a blood-curdling rip as the pannier’s mounting hardware parted company with the weatherproof fabric tore through my serenity!

A modest cargo consisting of armoured cable lock, tyre levers, patch kit, spare tube, multi tool, pump, Co2 inflator, cable ties and compact camera hardly constitutes overloading but thankfully, the humble plastic ties were up to the job of lashing everything together, allowing me to complete the ride, albeit with one ear attune to further, untimely demise.

Naturally, I reported this to the distributor who are determining whether its an isolated fluke or symptomatic of a sub standard batch. Then came a trio of track pumps, which Joshua helpfully proclaimed looked like detonators, doubtless intensifying neighbourly suspicion. Lest I forget to seat a 700x23 tyre and tube properly, resulting in an ear shattering din otherwise those poor darlings will scatter beneath dining room tables, some hands on heads, others with the home office on speed dial…

Dropping down to Dovercourt

Easter was once a time when folk would heed the call to Church, feasting and prayer. Now, the masses descend upon DIY stores in their millions, partaking in an orgy of frenzied bodging-whether painting the spare room, erecting pagodas, paths and patios or attempting full-on domestic re-wires. Accident/Emergency receptions brim with hapless heroes, who’ve discovered the human body is a mightily efficient conductor of electricity, dropped paving slabs on their sneakered feet or nailed themselves to the flat pack furniture they were trying so desperately to erect. Joshua and I took the opportunity to drop by on Justin Burls and take a sneak peak at those lovely fillet brazed prototype framesets I mentioned a while back. Both are fashioned from a lovely Columbus tubeset topped off in either electric blue or rich, ruby red. Construction is, as might be expected, flawless-evidenced by this road fixer chassis finished in a clear lacquer topcoat, that will no doubt catch on amongst the fixer fashionista. Timing (Justin had just returned from the Bespoke Bristol show) and the weather conspired against a preliminary spin but for now I’ll tease you with a few photos….
My own fleet continues to evolve, courtesy the Ilpompino's new S-Link chain and a very swish locking seatpost collar for the Univega. Now, the latter are built to order from aerospace grade titanium by Atomic 22- a small-scale manufacturer based in Horsham, West Sussex. This kit is unique, not only in terms of materials but in that they can produce locking fasteners for pretty much every component on your bike, whether road, fixed or mountain bike, brifters, brake mounts, pedals, derailleurs, crank bolts, you name it, they can protect it. Fitting is best performed using a good quality torque wrench and 8mm socket but a ring spanner will also do the trick, since most of us don’t pop torque wrenches in with the patch kit when heading out for a quick twenty-mile blast.
Early impressions are good, although I’ve had an attack of the vapours on several occasions, trying desperately to reclaim the tiny unique key from beneath the fridge/freezer. Obviously replacements are available (£30 each) and much easier to obtain since keys are automatically registered to the rightful owner at the time of order. Presently, they’re looking to employ alternative metals without compromising strength, thus lowering the cost and broadening appeal. However, it’s no substitute for a decent lock, insurance and similarly sensible precautions since a truly frustrated Neanderthal could wrap your pride and joy around some street furniture…

Theft, particularly of metals and central heating fuels is becoming endemic and almost normalised by the present economic climate but I find these rationale's a very convenient justification for wantonly criminal behaviour. A friend’s storage barn was recently ransacked of copper piping and similar raw materials associated with his plumbing and heating business. Subsequently, he spent a day making effective repair and relocating a project car and essential tooling for fear of subsequent visitation. A happier re-homing came for my faithful Specialized Air Tool track pump; this now resides with my mother and her partner’s bikes. I had a choice of two replacements, including this super sturdy twin barrel Zefal, albeit with defunct pressure gauge.
Back in the saddle and there’s been lots to play with. That BBB chain and cassette seem to be wonderful bedfellows with the Univega’s a’la Carte drivetrain, not so much as missing a shift in four hundred miles. Quality of electroplating appears equally impressive and the factory marinade tenacious for the first two hundred but I’ve since reverted to a wax based dressing. Then came these aptly named Knog Blinder, which belt out a whopping eighty and forty-four lumens respectively. Gone is the iconic medical silicone in favour of anodised aluminium faces and a choice of five funky lighting patterns.
We’ve got the standard “dice” but noughts; crosses, stripes and arrows are the alternatives. Tipping the scales at thirty-five grams a piece, they’re hardly going to cramp the style of even the sleekest of road/fixers either. Performance seems generally impressive, visible in the "bobby-dodger" see-by sense to around 750 metres and rechargeable run times between two hours fifty three and 78.47 hours in top and eco-flash settings respectively. Overall, aside from the slightly swanky price tag, I’m genuinely very impressed and the quality has been tweaked a notch or so higher than the otherwise loveable silicone types too…Back to the book…




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