Front Ends & Fargo Revisited

After all the drama associated with procuring forks, callipers, wheels, rotors and hoops, I headed north to the midlands and to Coventry’s arty fargo district for some photographic inspiration. Plenty to see and further units are being built to accommodate its steady expansion. Back down south, I awoke early and decided it was time to prepare the Kinesis fork and gen up on Avid BB7’s.

The Kinesis steerer proved shorter than many I’ve come across given its racing credentials, so having double checked the measurements against the Ilpompino’s existing ITM Vista, I introduced my Cyclo cutting guide and pruned it to 23cm. Worst case scenario, I could always loose a spacer and adopt a slightly racier stance but there’s no excuse for sloppiness…

For this very reason and given my present workload, I wanted to complete this job in carefully executed stages, so tiredness didn’t lead to mistakes and/or frustration.  I was fairly confident the existing Tektro lever would pull sufficient cable, though a quick rummage through the spares draw unearthed its black, V brake cousin-which proved surplus to requirements.

On a roll, I introduced the crown race before putting the project to one-side, earmarking that evening for transplant surgery.

Everything came together without too much fuss and persuading the Avid’s to play nicely proved easier than I’d expected…After some initial cartwheeling, the state of euphoria bombed when the headset bearings proved baggier than MC Hammers’ trousers.

A new set of caged balls basted generously in white lightning crystal grease, musical spacers and a Gusset “headlock” clamping system dialled things in perfectly. For the time being I’m going to enjoy the new set up sans front mudguard, since the stays were a little short and fouling the calliper’s torque arm-causing pads to drag on the disc.

Axiom probably has a gizmo or two, which will solve this small but irritating puzzle. Failing that I’ll have to seek out something aesthetically compatible with a single stay…

Elsewhere, we’ve decided to offer Seven Day Cyclist as a free downloadable publication-starting with number 8. Back issues are also available simply by clicking on the appropriate tab: www.sevendaycyclist.co.uk

Laid Up with a Lurgi ?

Just crossed the three hundred mile marker on the Croix de fer 2.0 when Joshua’s viral infection decided I was its next host. While a less catastrophic assimilation than those depicted in John Carpenter’s seminal 1982 shocker “The Thing”; nonetheless I spent two days and a further three nights in a feverish and convincingly comatose state, moving only to expel gallons of phlegm into the dog’s previously empty water bowl…

Reverting to more appetising propositions, these past few weeks with the Genesis have awakened a strange and irrational yearning to equipping the Ilpompino with a disc-braked front end. 

By my own admission, such urges belong firmly buried in the “want” vault since we’re talking new fork, wheel build, calliper, cables and related disc components. Then of course, a single, well-honed cantilever is more than adequate for stopping a speeding fixer and 70odd kilo pilot.

We’ll blame it on the fever for a moment since these usually induce a strange, contemplative state of euphoria somewhere in their gestation. Is Northern Soul simply an excuse for wearing big trousers and recreational use of amphetamines? Why does the scriptwriting process for certain “flagship” TV soaps apparently employ so little hard research? Has mainstream politics lost its legitimacy?

Joking aside, those TRP HYRD fitted to the Croix de fer, were the real catalysts for this proposed upgrade. For the uninitiated, they’re a hybrid design employing an open hydraulic calliper-with all the obvious benefits yet commanded by a high quality cable, thus maintenance/repair are pretty straightforward and they’re fully compatible with standard road/brifters.

Costs for this sort of specification aren’t outlandish by any stretch of the imagination but too exotic for said fixie. A quick wander round the web suggests something Deore flavoured with corresponding front hub and a shop branded carbon composite fork/aluminium alloy steerer is a more cost effective and therefore, realistic proposition. Not a priority, rather one to seize should a suitable ensemble come under my radar and moreover, at the right price.

Maybe it’s just another illustration of the “Confirmation bias” in full flow-the notion that “When men wish to construct or support a theory, how they torture facts into their service! (Mackay, 1852/ 1932, p. 552)” However, further trials of driver-less vehicles add fuel to my particular belief that Public Service Vehicles (Buses, Trams etc) along with Heavy Goods Vehicles will become fully automated within ten years.

This has a wealth of implications and contrary to widely held opinion; technology and development is not neutral. It does not exist in a separate sphere but driven by the inventors’ (or corporations) own ideological leanings.

At the moment there are questions of their hazard perception programming/equipment. How will they recognise, or indeed distinguish between cyclists, motorcyclists, horse-riders, pedestrians, children/adults etc? 

When will these calculate is the optimal point/distance for overtaking? Human error is to blame for a great many accidents but at some level, computers are still potentially flawed in exactly the same fashion as they’re programmed and developed by humans.

Because the technology has come on stream, does this mean it will flourish by default? Does it actually toll the bell for commercial drivers as I first thought, or is it a proactive response to a dying trade, aging operatives not being superseded by young blood?

Computers are excellent at fast paced calculations and repetitive tasks but while they can operate within pre-set tolerances, they still cannot determine whether something is correct beyond this coded framework.

I can see the possibility of android operatives, housekeepers, companions and pets a’la Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner, though feel humans will not be replaced, or made redundant in the flavour suggested by proponents of de-skilling theory. Public perceptions of photography fuelled by falling prices and point n’ shoot technology implies there is no longer any mastery required…  

Another thing that’s been with us since time in memorial and similarly variable in quality is the humble paint defending patch-kits. You know the sort; they stop cable outers chewing through your head, seat tube but were notorious for peeling come the first hint of a muddy trail, sudsy bucket or lick of solvent. 

Technology filtering through from other industries (“Helicopter tape” being the most obvious example) has forced manufacturers to develop vastly superior versions.

Zefal skin armour large shown here is a comprehensive ready cut set made from 250 microns thick polyurethane, which is supple and extremely stretchy at moderate temperatures. Good, unhurried preparation is pivotal but proved delightful to fit and hasn’t shown any obvious signs of cultivating that fuzzy, filmy outline to date.      

Elsewhere, issue 4 of Seven Day Cyclist hit the digital newsstands this week: 

http://www.pocketmags.com/viewmagazine.aspx?catid=1038&category=Sport&subcatid=234&subcategory=Cycling&title=Seven+Day+Cyclist&titleid=2582


I’ve also been up to the midlands following some leads for my book exploring the lives of ex car workers and capturing some shots of the Fosehill district since opportunity presented.             

Nirvana?

November arrived and once again, I spirited myself off to the midlands. I’ve always been wary of gentrification since intentionally, or otherwise, it can equate to socio-economic cleansing, changing communities forever.

Coventry has experienced decline harder than most-evident in children’s faces. Once hub of the transport industry and home to many household names, you can almost hear the Special’s seminal “Ghost town” playing a soft accompaniment as you pass the former car plants, derelict pubs and empty shops. Far from being disparaging, I am very fond of the city and its rich, colourful history.

On this occasion, we found ourselves in Fargo village, a creative space hosting galleries, studios and independent retailers. Parallels with London’s Spitalfields’ and Brick Lane districts are perhaps inevitable but it’s not trying to emulate my once beloved East-End and I found plenty of photographic inspiration.

Winter is literally around the next bend, although temperatures have been decidedly mild until now. Traditionally harsh, it remains richly rewarding so long as rider and machine(s) are appropriately dressed. 

Clothing needs to keep us dry, yet temperate and while reliability presides, bikes must be suitably inspiring to entice us outside. Indeed some pundits are prophesising harsh weather front originating in Russia will hit the UK around New Year, causing temperatures to plummet to record lows. Looks like spiked tyres will make reappear on the Univega afterall!    

http://www.pocketmags.com/viewmagazine.aspx?titleid=2582&title=Seven+Day+Cyclist

On a brighter note, we’re delighted to announce the arrival of “Seven Day Cyclist”-a new consumer focused magazine with a slightly different perspective. The first issue is available on pocketmags for less than your typical Latte’ and features a thorough road test of this Foffa Urban, these Axiom racks and a fair bit of grass roots touring too. 

Reportage!

The 32gb Micro SD card’s arrival coincided with my own, somewhat reluctant return from the marvellous midlands…

K-Edge and modified Delkin Brackets seem to be doing their thing handsomely, although given the levels of distortion, I’m now convinced resin handlebar tidies/extension beams aren’t ideal platforms. Thankfully the padded leather bar wrap proves a better host. In any case, I picked up a model specific helmet kit while mooching around Decathlon on Friday evening.

This present spec would bring the total cost to around £150, though includes the biggest card possible, some lateral thought and experimentation. Like the idea of a plug in LCD screen but this is a luxury for another time-if at all.

I

mage and build quality continue to impress and functions are intuitive, allowing easy operation, even when hurtling into hairpin descents. However, I need to resolve low-level vibration before its true potential is realised, or anything serious committed to you tube.

Talking of tubes, the resin end of my uber long workshop tyre fitting wand mysteriously fractured, so I contacted Cyclo’s distributors, seeking to purchase a replacement directly.

Despite being a couple of months outside of warrantee, Weldtite kindly sent me another free of charge along with some other “taster” products. A lovely gesture and means I can resume effortless tyre (or indeed, tire) swapping.  www.weldtite.co.uk

Elsewhere, we’re reaching the penultimate stages in our collaboration, so hopefully herculean effort will translate into tangible reward very, very shortly.   

       

Positive Changes

Change your weather; change your luck, then I’ll teach you how to…find yourself. Well, perhaps not quite that profound but I managed to slip away to the midlands for a few days and return with a renewed sense of purpose.

Perspective and priorities realigned, copy that had felt baggy and lifeless was swept into shape Mary Poppins ‘ fashion. Piles of creativity sapping drafts, notes and calling cards ruthlessly expelled through the shredder, leaving behind a relatively clean workspace.

Timely then that another tide of tasty test goodies should lap at my shore, including these Time Alium (shaving a further 226g from the Ilpompino), a quirky yet remarkably competent Selle Royal Perch and this ultra chic weatherproof, breathable jacket from Urban 34. Their entire range is really seductive, so scooting moderate distances to work and looking instantly presentable upon arrival (save perhaps for some tell-tale helmet hair) is now a reality.

Admittedly, driven by messenger chic, street styled threads have been coming on tap a while now but these folks and Oregon based “Showers Pass” have brought it to a new level. Early impressions are extremely favourable and I’m revelling in the ability to break away from the keyboard, pop out for a ride, passing by the bank with a few cheques and making other business appointments without feeling underdressed or compromised in the saddle.

Elsewhere, Joshua returned from a quick, unaccompanied blast announcing his solo’s tyre had exploded (!) Closer inspection suggested the resplendent hiss was merely a common or garden puncture (the god of blowouts was merciful this particular morning, clearly recognising I was clean out of 20x1.75 tubes).

Persuading the non-descript knobbly from its steel hoop required the combined efforts of three tyre levers, agricultural language and superhuman thumbs. Having extracted the tube, chasing round the tyre carcass uncovered a particularly gruesome shard of glass and another sharp burrowing inward. However, rim tape was sound and the tube easily patched.

Ironically I’d just written a puncture prevention and repair piece, so emailed photos sequentially to him should it strike again. I’m not overly keen on children having potable devices per se, not least since firewall and similar security software lags ten years behind that of desktops. That said; I also recognise their benefits when used carefully. Refitting was markedly easier, although puts a not too distant future tyre upgrade and workshop quality tyre fitter on the cards.  

My first puncture struck when I was thirteen. Haring round the sweeping back doubles aboard my Holdsworthy built Butler, there was this sudden slow but audible procession of air escaping the front 25mm section Hutchinson.

A local farmer took pity on me and tried to help, reasoning it might just be a leaky Presta valve. He belted what must’ve been forty odd Psi inside courtesy of said steeds’ bargain basement frame fit AFA in the hope It’d hold the last mile or so.

It didn’t so I walked home and sought solace not from my father but Uncle Benny’s- he’d had a 531 framed Dawes road bike in his teens and was more mechanically minded. Continuing the tyre theme, I’ve managed a few brief outings with those spiked Schwalbe to ensure they don’t shed the spikes during the first wave of icy weather.

Modest weight and their more generic winter design brief translates into a friskier ride than comparable models I’ve tried thus far-although obviously remaining upright takes precedence over warp-speed hossing in these conditions. Hmm, coupled to mono-wheel trailers and I’m starting to feel another seasonal, niche’ sport coming on.

Been pleasantly surprised by this Weldtite TF2 wet lube too.

A little still goes a long way but middleweight consistency looks to offer similar protection without succumbing to stodgy shifts or pied piper gloop enticing tendencies. Wonder how we’ll fare two hundred miles down the line. On that note I’m off to craft another caffeine fuelled first draft… Assuming my home brewed kettle de-scaler’s done its job.