Spring Has Sprung?

 Spring is in the air… Well, the dawn is coming earlier, the days are getting longer, and I’m being sent some lighter lubes and lovely summer kit. Saddleback have sent me Castelli’s new Espresso range- well, the bib shorts, jersey and socks. Aside from some extremely tasteful colourways, these are intended with everyday riding in mind and should suit 90% of riding duties. The jersey is made from a stretch polyester/elastane mix which Castelli says offers breathability, comfort and a perfect fit and excellent aerodynamics. I’m also told it features UPF30, which blocks 97% of UV rays. An elasticated waist is designed to prevent gathering and ride-up.   

Round the back, there are four pockets- the traditional deep terrace with a zippered annex for keys and other valuables. These, along with the Espresso bib shorts employ raw cut endings for comfort. The shorts also feature silicone grippers for tactile, gather free tenure. Stretchy bibs feature acres of mesh for ventilation, while the ProgettoX2 Air Seamless pad is reckoned to provide all day comfort.  

 

There’s also a pocket for change and similar essentials. Pockets have become a slow, but increasingly common feature on shorts in recent years. Gravel designs, such as the Madison Roam Madison Roam Men's Cargo Bib Shorts | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) feature pockets along the legs and bib sections.   

I’ve found the Roam’s well executed. These will swallow larger items-including compact cameras and phones (although I prefer these in a jersey pocket, or bar bag) without ejecting them at the first bump, or frustrating mid-ride access. Staying with the Espresso range, the subtle, classy colours and subtle styling has a refined, some would say “grown up” flavour.   

Now, I really love bold, funky designs-Cycology and others genuinely resonate with me but there’s a lot to be said for calm and classic too. Then of course, the Espresso Winter/Belgian blue compliments the Holdsworth and fixed Gear Winter/Trainer’s liveries handsomely. I’m not one for trade jerseys and haven’t been for a long while. I still retain a tremendous fondness for the team Motorola jersey gifted me on my 18th birthday (yes, it still fits, thank you) and of course, other kit from that era.   

Some other retro prints-Peugeot being a classic example, are another exception to my aversion to being a mobile billboard, dare I say a wannabe. Beyond grass roots competition, I left any fantasies of the pro peloton and the “glamour” associated with it when I was 16, or 17.  

Still watched some of the stage races into my twenties but by that point any kind of “hero worship” or admiration had evaporated. Besides, at that point, I’d embraced ‘cross country mountain biking and what I perceived as its more egalitarian, dare I say inclusive feel. Maybe, I was still looking for a tribe and had yet to realise I am essentially a socially competent loner.   

The more I reflect on this and the times generally, I was essentially still working out who I was and what/who worked for me and who didn’t- the hard way, many would rightly point out. Lessons learned and I’d argue within time. Others would argue differently. I have neither the time, inclination, nor patience to indulge them.       

The Topeak Compact 1.5 litre handlebar bag is proving an excellent addition to Ursula’s Soma Condor2 bars SOMA CONDOR 2 SHALLOW DROP BARS | (sevendaycyclist.com) and even better pairing than the Cycology Handlebar bag, which will remain tethered to the fixed’s Genetic D-Riser 4 bars GENETIC DRISER 4 HANDLEBARS | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com). I am needed to adjust the little Topeak for ready access to stuff- worst case scenario, I’ll mount it atop the bars, so it sits on the stem. However, I really doubt that will prove necessary.   

In common with the Cycology See Me Pink Handlebar Bag Cycology See Me Pink Handlebar Bag | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com), its easily whipped on/off and features an elastic stabiliser strap. However, the Topeak has a longer zipper tag, which makes access, especially in full finger gloves that bit easier. It’s a single compartment design, whereas the Cycology has a mesh pocket and a handy elasticated cargo net for catching gloves and similar overspill. Arguably a cleaner aesthetic but may be a consideration. 

 

Reflecting upon these things from the saddle, as I do, I’m wondering if this sudden flash of retro excitement is the classic wanting to revert. Reverting to a perceived simpler time, one with endless opportunities and optimism perhaps.  However, while there are some concepts I may like from an era, materials have moved on quite considerably. Woolen shorts and jerseys have their place but save for Merino, it’s not necessarily the most comfortable fabric against the skin.  

Obviously, there are different grades but polyesters wick moisture effectively and are generally easy to wash and care for. I’d also been revisiting the concept of a portable mini compressor for roadside recovery, rather than Co2 inflators, while keeping a mini pump in reserve. The Thumpa unit is still a reliable choice but it's also a little on the bulky (and weighty) side.  Talking of roadside recoveries, here’s my review of the Muc-Off 17-in1 Multi Tool  Muc-Off 17 in 1 Multi Tool | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  

Warmth & Waxes

 250 miles in, and I’m warming to the Momum Mic Wax. Several things have stood out. Waxes tend to be less temperature stable than other lubricants but ours is still running very clean. I’m told its best described as a Tribolubricant.  

It contains natural waxes that come from the palm Copernicia and offers high resistance to wear and has a melting point at 85 degrees c. The latter is much higher than traditional waxes, which tend to assume a mushy state and would account for the Momum’s cleanliness thus far.  

Presently we’re experiencing temperatures around 70 degrees, so perhaps not surprising but certainly reassuring.  The blend penetrates deep within the chain’s inner sanctum, so the transmission feels refined, while shifting remains snappy and crisp. No thunderstorms to date, but plenty of wet roads, which are failing to make tangible impression on its integrity.  

Will be interesting to see how many miles I get from a single application...I’m also wondering how well it serves on cleat mechanisms and other metal to metal interfaces.  No sooner had this thought entered my head, Madison Cycles (Shimano’s UK importer) sent me two sets of pedals. Shimano PDM8100 (XT by another name) which almost require no introduction and these PD ED500, which are a slightly more intriguing design.  

Featuring generously proportioned aluminium alloy bodies, these are dual-sided for easy entry, and I was pleasantly surprised to learn, have cartridge bearings. Cro-moly axles aren’t the lightest options but should be ultra-dependable.  Shimano seems reticent to pigeon-hole them but suggest they’re perfect for road touring. Given those strong axles and sealed bearings, I’d wager they’re a good bet for mixed-terrain touring, gravel and indeed commuting, too.  Time and miles will tell...

A bit like these SH-MT701GX shoes, which are built for “all weather mountain touring, bike packing or commuting”. They feature synthetic leather uppers, a Gore Tex  breathable, waterproof liner for dry feet, a Boa L6 dial, for quick and precise adjustment, a toe cap for additional protection and a chunky sole for comfort on and off the bike. 

About soles and stiffness, these are 4 on Shimano’s off-road scale, which goes all the way to 11. Road, to 12 but while I’m fond of mixing things up, I’ve never gone the Look ARC, or KEO route when venturing beyond asphalt. Did run these on Ursula during periods of extended road riding. Primarily since I was curious, and the confused double takes from some road riders always amused me.  

Gravel is arguably an offshoot and “logical evolution” of cyclo cross and mountain biking and to some extent a genre with obvious appeal to yours truly- drop bars, knobbly tyres, wide ratio gearing and the ability to escape the seemingly ever maddening crowd.  

I’m less of a pioneer than I’d like to think, judging by the wealth of photos depicting mountain bikes ridden in competitive contexts, with drop bars. John Tomac was famous for it, during the late 80’s Ross Schafer, too.  However, go further back in the days of quill stems and 25.4 diameters, it wasn’t just Specialized and Muddy Fox who were colluding in this sorcery.  

The Vittoria Evolution Road Bike Tyres are also proving very competent on wet, greasy roads. Particularly welcome since it had been a few weeks since any tangible rain. This means diesel, oil and other slippery contaminant gets flushed from verges and into the road’s surface.  

The next obvious move was to take a detour and see how they’d behave along some varied bridle path. Spoiler alert, if you want to hoss along at warp speed, or tour primarily unmade roads, I’d suggest spending a good bit more and looking toward Schwalbe Marathon Mondial Double Defense TEST & REVIEW: SCHWALBE MARATHON MONDIAL TYRES (sevendaycyclist.com)   

That said, the Evolution are still quite agile and relatively composed in these contexts to around 17mph. Spirited enough to give a sense of freedom, or to engage young protégé's cruising behind in their trailers or contributing on tagalongs. Still miss Vittoria’s Randonneur Trail though... 

Dawns have become sufficiently balmy that I’ve switched from my default 3/4lengths to these Funkier Bib shorts, which have a decent pad and some nice features.  

I initially found the Lycra a little slippery atop traditional leather saddles, such as the Spa Cycles Aire Titanium and Cycles Berthoud Solour CYCLES BERTHOUD SOULOR LEATHER SADDLE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com). However, no annoying, power-robbing surf. Moot point with the Teenage Dream’s long-serving and seemingly discontinued Selle SMP Strike Plus.