White Witches, Wrenching & Other Intrigue

The Genesis Croix de fer 2.0 has certainly cast a playful, engaging and dependable spell upon me. 180 mixed terrain miles and counting.  There’s no space for another machine and in any case, simple, squeezed economics preclude such indulgence. However, swooping through the S bends or enjoying its punchy climbing prowess conjures thoughts of building a frameset along similar lines.

I’m thinking rear facing track ends, two sets of bottle bosses, disc mounts and spacing for Alfine/similar hub transmission. This would give the option of running it fixed (packing the hub with spacers), single speed freewheel, or geared.

Cyclo cross bikes were a well-kept secret for countless years, until renewed interest in the discipline saw larger names cotton on, producing “civilian” ranges with wider gearing, mudguard/carrier eyelets, several sets of bottle bosses and similar refinements.

In many respects, the Croix de fer is a prime example of this species. Said Chimera is to cross what road path was to track-capable in competition, yet faithful weekday donkeys that will tour equally convincingly. Steel blades have been largely eclipsed in sporting terms by carbon/composites but remain extremely practical and arguably better suited to this design brief.

Short in the torso, I’m finding reach a little stretched-not painfully so and steering could never be described as barge like. Nonetheless, I’m going to see what difference a 9cm extension makes.

The past 140 miles have coincided with seasonally appropriate temperatures and challenges; though there’s been no hint of going “rubber up” due in part to the super supple 35mm Continental cyclo cross speed tyres. Designed for hard/dry courses, they’ve been surprisingly competent in soggy, churned bridle path and through leafy forest trails.

Proof that dual purpose isn’t synonymous with woefully lacking, they roll quickly over tarmac at 80psi and contribute to the “magic carpet” ride quality. I’d consider a set of these for the Ilpompino but being an earlier incarnation, its rear triangle shuts the door to anything bigger than 32mm with mudguards. 

Conversely, the Croix de fer will entertain 38mm spiked snow/ice rubber with breathing space, though playing it safe, I’d err on something 35mm like Kenda’s Klondike skinny.

Sticking with tyres in a broader context and reverting to the 90s when I lived in the capital, I found myself bitten by the “frankenbike” hybrid concept. This involved dressing an older/new old stock, upper mid-range Cro-moly XC mtb frameset in a hotchpotch of aesthetically agreeable goodies that made it stop, go and handle in decent proportion.

44/46cm Drop bars were easily acquired-cheap as chips too but patterns were decidedly conservative and a bit whippy when pushed hard.  Given  ‘Cross racing’s such a short season on these shores, many riders entered on MTBs, which were welcomed, or at least superficially most people seemed live n’ let live about things. 

Hutchinson even produced a 26x1.4 ‘cross specific model for this market. Capable, it was also decidedly niche and priced accordingly. Prior to their discovery, I also had surprisingly good results in dry to moderate conditions with WTB 26x1.5 All Terrainasaurus (£6pr NOS back in 2001).

The Univega is an extension of this concept and originally conceived for long and short haul rough stuff touring. Having upgraded its computer, subsequent test runs confirmed the head unit’s location was incompatible.

Further bin diving couldn’t retrieve a compatible bar mount, so I modified the stem-fit using Sugru putty impregnated with a powerful button magnet.  This tethers securely to the stem’s preload bolt and is effortlessly removed when performing headset strips/servicing or just locking up in the street.             

Coinciding with a bar wrap group test at Seven Day Cyclist www.sevendaycyclist.co.uk, its tainted, though extremely agreeable Lizard Skins DSP (Dura Soft Polymer) tape has been superseded by Cinelli “Chubby Ribbon”.

Claimed 30% thicker than traditional corks, there’s plenty of it, although greater density meant several revisions before pleasing, uniform effect was achieved. By contrast, this equally fetching M-part tape (M-part is Madison cycles in house brand) breezed aboard in fifteen minutes flat.

Fashioned from leather look polyurethane, its reckoned to deliver in all weathers, thus “particularly suited to daily commuters and winter bikes”. Initial impressions suggest so but in common with a few other titles, we test things for at least several weeks and a good few hundred miles before arriving at any firm, conclusive opinion. Let’s see what another 300 miles through wet, cold and fairly mucky February roads reveal….

Finally, let’s talk torque wrenches. Like track pumps, they’re not essential in the literal sense-most of us will snug something tight, guess tyre pressure when recovering from a roadside flat (though most of us carry Co2 cartridges and/or some form of gauge too). Emergencies aside, incorrect assembly tension has the very real potential to threaten life and limb via ruin components, frames and voids warrantees.  

Thankfully as prices for space age materials tumble, consumer tooling follows suit. £50 buys something like this M-Part, which comes complete with protective carry case and compliment of popular bits. Regardless of type; these are very sensitive to everyday wear n’ tear, let alone abuse, so should always be stored in their protective cases at the lowest settings.

“Click” models such as this are the most common variety. These employ a factory calibrated clutch mechanism with a pivoted head indicating when desired pressure has been achieved.  

STOP AT THE FIRST CLICK, beyond this places additional strain on the component/fastener, enticing fatigue and the risk of tool destruction (though you’d be forgiven for thinking otherwise, watching some automotive fitters!!).

A consistent, mechanically sensitive technique is equally imperative. Components such as four bolt stem faces demand following a diagonal pattern to prevent stress points or stripped threads. You did introduce that lick of grease/bonding agent….        

Lipstick, Powder n' Paint

"Red lips, hair and finger-nails, I can tell you're a mean old Jezebel, let's go upstairs and read my tarot cards"...Ahem, well, here's the offending top-tube enamel imperfection in question- insignificant but annoying nonetheless. Much pleading with close female friends, siblings and the odd passer by for good measure drew little more than playful ridicule, so I boldly strolled through the doors of a well-known high street cosmetics chain and scanned the neatly aligned rows of nail varnish (quietly oblivious to periodic quizzical glances) until I happened upon this "New York Color". Not quite a perfect match (Metallic being notoriously tricky) but cures close enough on small areas. Univega's haven't been imported to these shores for a few years but should a genuine OEM colour stick come under my radar at the right price, I'll snap it up there and then. Maldon Shot Blasting & Powder Coating's showroom was positively awash with vibrant, beautiful colours, brightening up the prospect of another day's dull but necessary temping. This glittering pearlescent livery transforms an otherwise bargain basement mid nineties Cro-moly mtb frameset into a thing of beauty. The effect is created using a "flip" powder coat and would cost around £80/90 (including VAT and blasting dependant upon whether a lacquer coat was required). These plain-gauge tubesests aren't particularly rewarding to ride but resist dents and dings better than exotica while lateral stiffness ensures dependable laden handling-especially paired with trailers/tag-alongs.The constant lockings and unlocking take their toll on a bike's livery and while mummifying the top-tube in old inner tube certainly helps, design Maestro's Knog think they have overcome this necessary evil by introducing a range of locks encased in their trademark medical-grade silicone. Pictured is their amusingly monikered mid range Kransky which occupies their " Council Estate" security rating. Complete with "strap-on" carry bracket and tipping the scales at around the kilo mark, it isn't designed to match the outright security of ABUS Steel-O Flex and similar top-flight urban defences but it's really convenient, parking up for shorter periods in prominent areas around town, on club runs, track meets etc. So far so good but we'll see how it fairs under assault from the bike thief's typical arsenal in the coming weeks... Elsewhere, the ETC cushioned cork wrap unveiled last week might just be the perfect finishing touch for long haul tourists and mile munching Audax aficionados looking to trim costs without sacrificing comfort. Generous measures also permit the use of aftermarket MARS type shock absorbing underlays (so long as you didn't mind a slightly chunky look to your cockpit). Real world performance is equally impressive, providing excellent all conditions purchase whether screaming fully laden along wet, winding descents or simply trickling through town.Prolonged rides on and sans asphalt, in gloved or bare hands suggests cushioning rivals that of more exotic polymer blends, although December was quick to leave her calling card upon our pink sample. In fairness, tickled with a medium bristled brush dipped in warm, soapy water returned ours to its original lustre but winter, cross and other bikes in hard service are better served by the more restrained red or blue variants.

Freezing conditions coupled with a modest thaw are once again wreaking havoc upon our infrastructures. Rim ruinous potholes are opening up everywhere and in light of central government spending cuts, local authorities are struggling to cope. Cushioned by two inch rubber and mtb wheels certainly helps but I've had to swerve around a few where the asphalt has seemingly opened up in slow motion!

Persistent low-level vibration succeeded in loosening the RSP Tour light mounting hardware and the recently fitted 12-25 cassette. Both easily cured using 8/10mm wrenches and this rather nifty little tool from Cyclo. Measuring 24cm long, it consumes nominal space in saddlebag or tool board and is so much nicer to use than the traditional hexagonal types thanks to superior leverage, accurate machining and rubberised handle.

Relentless testing of the Gusset 8spd chain suggests the factory lube is one of the most tenacious I've ever come across, still clinging to the links in spite of high mileages in the present climate, although mercy came in the form of Finish line's one stop cleaner and lube to coincide with tightening of the cassette body. Regular audiences will note my sporadic search for decent quality 350/400mm posts in the increasingly obscure 26.0 diameter.

Enter our old friend serendipity and some casual conversation revealed Dutch component brand BBB still offer their aptly named "Skyscraper" in extensive and more unusual sizes (25.4 through to 27.2 in point two millimetre increments). Some may baulk at the 386g weight penalty but rigidity is of greater significance on smaller mtb/other compact geometry designs-especially those that partake in tag-along slavery. Sure, there's nothing, structural or otherwise wrong with the venerable polished and lacquered Kalloy but I've happened upon this model at a very tempting price so, seeing as it coordinates perfectly with the Univega's other finishing kit...