Mysteries...

 Playing a waiting game when it comes to hubs and teeth at present, although the latter is booked in for November, while the embers of a National Health Service remain. I’ll just be known as Meth Lab Mikey for the interim period. Credit to Ison DistributionWelcome to Ison Distribution | Ison Distribution (ison-distribution.com), they’ve sent me a replacement SL9. Next job is to drop hoop and hub with Mick Madgett. I’m sticking with the existing Evaura rim since it’s in good shape and given the UK’s economic climate, I’ll be using what I have, wherever appropriate. 

I dropped by Maldon Shot Blasting & Powder Coating since I was in the area and happened upon this Dawes frame. At first glance, I thought it was a Dawes Edge-a high-end early 90s mountain bike built from Reynolds 531 Magnum tubing, but then I spotted the downtube gear lever bosses and the geometry...Maybe their One Down, a mountain bike frameset built for drop bars and with the full complement of touring braze-ons? 

However, it didn’t employ the “guitar string” cable guides typical of mountain bikes and there’s also a pump peg, which screams traditional road tourer. From memory and indeed, photographs, the One Down was TIG welded, not lugged and brazed.  Wish I’d taken the frame number now, but still.  

The more I reflect, the frame size and configuration shout tourer from this era and the 3rd bottle mount had possibly been added later down the line, coinciding with a re-spray. It certainly wasn’t a sibling to this Dawes they kindly refinished for me, back in 2018 GRAVEL BIKE ON A BUDGET: PART ONE (sevendaycyclist.com) 

The Dawes One Down and to a lesser extent, the Sadar follow a remarkably similar narrative to Ursula, and I really loved Dawes’ take on the rough stuff narrative during the late 90s. Both machines fired my imaginations to the point I would’ve bought either, had I not literally just built Ursula. Everything on the Dawes was right, off the peg, although I would doubtless have gone for a hub dynamo, upgraded the transmission etc, as components wore out.  

The frameset would also have been refinished by now, so in some respects, not much to choose pricewise between these complete builds and Ursula some 23 years hence. Ursula: The Never-Ending Story | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) Fear not my tubby tourer, if you’re reading this, we are staying wedded.  

Later versions of the steel Strada also boasted disc brake mounts, although it was sadly replaced by an aluminium framed, flat bar incarnation in 2007. More town bike cum towpath cruiser than tubby tourer-it was hefty, too. 

A wetter, cooler autumnal progression confirms that, despite not being the sleekest aesthetic, the front Blumels Shiny mudguard SKS BLUEMELS SHINY MUDGUARDS | cycling, but not ususally racing (sevendaycyclist.com) remains highly effective at protecting rider and machine from wet, mucky stuff thrown up by the front wheel. Lights are mandatory on my morning outings- dynamo and potent blinkies at the rear.  

I was stunned to discover the Ravemen CLO6 USB Rechargeable Lightweight Sensored Rear Light RAVEMEN CL06 SENSORED REAR LIGHT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) has mysteriously expired. Luckily, I had the Kranx Strix 100 Kranx Strix 100 USB Rear Light | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) playing backing singer, so I just engaged the 50-lumen flash and carried on.  

Strange since the CLO6 is exceptionally reliable and I was convinced it was fully charged, before heading out. It's since received a full charge and behaving impeccably once more. One of those things, that can strike seemingly without reason. The Kranx Shard 100 USB Rear LightKranx Shard 100 USB Rear Light | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) also made a positive impression on Steve. 

Not to be outdone, my fixed fear winter/trainer’s handlebar mount suddenly imploded mid-ride, sending the long-serving Geonaute G-Eye 2 clattering to the tarmac. Mercifully, it seems unharmed. Thoughts were toward another Minoura mount, like that adorning Ursula’s bars.  

However, it’s been discontinued and while those I’ve spotted were around the £25-mark, £50 postage renders them uneconomic.

I spotted a composite homage on an auction site-£6, so could be bargain or bin fodder but at that price, a gamble I’m prepared to take. This also prompted a more general, fastener and cable tie inspection- I wasn’t surprised (yet still relieved) to find all well, but this serves to illustrate the importance of regular inspection. Things can still fail unexpectedly and without warning...

Mischievous Mounts & Sunday worship

 Some of you may have popped by looking for something X rated, sorry to disappoint. For those of you still reading, I am referring to Ursula’s first shakedown ride. Out at 5am, I was initially cruising along with complete and serene silence. This was swiftly and rudely interrupted by a bouncing mudguard (fender) stay and then a binding disc. Slightly dejected, I whizzed the two miles home, popped Ursula away, and headed out on my fixed gear winter trainer to contemplate the root causes.  

A brisk and cold ride certainly helped and reminded me why gilets, such as this Oxford Venture OXFORD VENTURE WINDPROOF GILET | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and other cool-weather kit is necessary during the early season. Conditions where it may be bright but can be deceptively cold, especially if you need to stop for any reason.  

I returned with blood and thoughts flowing. Fixed popped away, I put Ursula on the work stand and began troubleshooting/diagnostics. Having disconnected the cable and got back to basics, I concluded the issue lay with the mount. This was confirmed when I found the TRP’s escapee mount. I say escapee since it had crept beneath the box folds.  

Mounts switched; caliper alignment was immediately looking sharper. I reinstated the cable, drew the lever to the bars while snugging the calipers’ Allen bolts down-belching freely to release tension...Spinning the wheel confirmed sufficient clearance at the pads and between spokes and caliper.  

Repeating this several times confirmed all was well. Home straight then...I was bitterly cold by this point, mucus streaming from my nose, chill nipping at my digits but still very much in the zone.  

I drew the inner wire tighter and snugged it down. Lever pumped several times, wheel spun-repeat three times listening tentatively for anything binding. Repeat once again, to appease invasive thoughts. Neurosis vanquished I reunited mudguard and fork leg with another beefy black cable tie.  

A gentle, calming wave of satisfaction crept over me, inducing quiet song. Time to pack up and hit the shower-a nice warm one. Thawed, cleaned, dressed and caffeinated I ten decided the fixed’s redundant Apeman APEMAN A80 ACTION CAMERA | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) housing needed to go. I had been tempted to get another Minoura mount but since the blue CNC machined bracket was perfectly good and there were some mounts bouncing around the electricals box, I used these.  

Much neater. I can either run the old but loveable Geonaute or the weather-sealed Campark. Action cameras tend to be quite poor in low light but now the dawns are sooner, this allows me to capture footage of red deer cantering across fields and similar incidentals.   

 

Next, I decided to install a centre lock disc to the Alfine hub dynamo Shimano Alfine UR700 Hub Dynamo | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)-all was going well until I discovered the supplied lockring was a different pattern to that I’m used to (and have a tool for).  

Another dive into my small parts tray-bingo, older pattern retrieved, and everything snugged down to 40nm. I also found a quick release skewer while I was there, so added a lick of grease to that before slipping it in situ.   

I’ve yet to run the Alfine and new disc, staying with the Shutter Precision and bedding that rotor in, for the time being. Technically I’ve already done it, but I’ll give it a little while longer for now. 50 miles in, I had to pull the TRP cable through a little but otherwise, I’m happy with the modulation, feel, and lever travel.