Hmm, perhaps someone in the
logistics industry was reading my last post-those Tenn gloves and overshoes
have just arrived-along with this Stronglight Aheadset.
Made from neatly machined
7075 aluminium, it boasts annular (as distinct from ball, or needle roller)
bearings. Arguably, the latter are equally suited to touring, tandem, trike and
similarly high stress applications thanks to broad surface areas.
Will be interesting to see
what (if any) difference these make, especially at the lower race. I have
previously employed the French marques’ justly popular and similarly priced
threaded A9 model with more traditional touring builds.
Trouble free for many
thousands of miles; I’m hoping this unit will follow in its footsteps. Lip
seals promise similar defence against moisture/ingress but other factors;
including correctly reamed and faced head tubes, sympathetic installation using
stiff greases is equally significant. Fitting’s earmarked for that quietly
industrious, contemplative corridor between Christmas and New Year.
According to folklore,
things run in threes. Freehub was first, headset second and this week, its
otherwise dependable Dia Compe rear stoppers got the sulks and couldn’t be
cajoled back to civility.
Regular readers will recall
my predisposition toward front braking, reasoning that 80% of our weight moves
forward. However, legalities aside; I’m firmly of the mindset that if
something’s fitted, it must be functional and preferably finely honed.
Often a judicious blast of
PTFE based spray while repeatedly pumping the lever cures matters. No joy…Closer
inspection confirmed the frame’s pivot points were clean and completely free of
corrosion. In fact, they still sported a protective layer of ceramic grease,
comparably spotless springs too. Yet the left wouldn’t return for love, money
or kind words…
While having a thorough
clean, sweep and tidy of the garage (as stipulated by one’s maternal figurehead
during her most recent weapon’s inspection), I happened upon these wide arm
units that once adorned the Ilpompino’s seat stay bosses.
Mechanical efficiency is
greatly superior to low profile designs, although more extreme versions can
present compatibility issues on smaller frames, especially when large panniers
and generous feet enter the equation.
Fresh cable, a lick of lube and ten minutes light fettling later they were pride of place. Reliable service resumed with discernibly superior modulation and feel-huzzah!
Fresh cable, a lick of lube and ten minutes light fettling later they were pride of place. Reliable service resumed with discernibly superior modulation and feel-huzzah!
Talking of braking, I’ve
always been a fan of the much maligned U brake. Sure, its low slung location
had dire consequences for mountain bikers venturing beyond arid, dusty trails
but I was impressed with their power and believed it had much wider horizons.
Decathlon would appear of
similar opinion judging by their Alur 700. An unusual move since discs have
stolen the show on road biased builds these past few seasons. However, this
configuration was chosen to improve clearances, thus entertaining 28mm tyre
sections, which can deliver a more compliant, sure-footed passage over wet,
greasy winter roads.
Suspect said stopper will require more frequent
cleaning/inspection given its likely to be blasted with that slimy, sludgy and
sometimes salty cocktail, mind.
Right, well my extra
powerful 1700watt vacuum cleaner has just this minute expired-the fourth thing
in a row (!) Best pack bags, head off to the midlands, watch some grass
roots ‘cross racing and spend Christmas with very special people.