Perched & Polishing

 

Sixteen years down the road and I was experiencing some uncharacteristic discomfort while out on the teenage dream, specifically my inner thigh. Closer inspection revealed the Selle SMP Strike Plus’s Selle SMP Strike Plus saddle - BikeRadar foam padding was beginning to soften and disperse, thus supplying no support at key points. With heavy heart, I slackened the Thompson post’s cradle and set it free. I’d originally reached for the Selle Italia Turbomatic Gel Flow Team Saddle.  

However, the carbon rails were too wide for the cradle and at 153mm (about 6.02 in) wide, it’s a bit broad for my sit bones and this particular machine. After some thought, I reached for another Selle Italia, their Sport Gel Flow FEC-Alloy Saddle. It's 55g heavier than the relatively exotic, carbon-railed Turbomatic Gel Flow but narrower and incredibly supportive with a decent cut out. Level pegging weight-wise, with the Strike Plus, too.  

Less exotic than some but an extremely comfortable perch, nonetheless. Talking of carbon, Carbon Cycles have sent me a rather fetching carbon post. At 27.2, the Teenage Dream’s out but The Holdsworth’s not.  I’m fond of the Holdsworth’s Crank Brothers Cobolt3 Seat post- it measures a giraffe-like 400mm and is made from 7075 aluminium, so despite being wafter thin, is also surprisingly stiff. 

I’m not overly keen on single-bolt cradles and to some extent, it started here. Thankfully, it doesn’t happen very often, especially since I’ve got it torqued to 12nm (the design’s recommended maximum) but it’s a nuisance when slack strikes 15miles from home-an even bigger pain if you’ve forgotten a T25 Torx key.

  

Now, the carbon post is lighter and may offer a little more compliance into the bargain. Several hundred miles will be very revealing. I’d been tempted by the idea of upgrading the Teenage Dream’s Campagnolo Xenon crankset for something more modern, employing an external bottom bracket.  

This might improve stiffness around the bottom bracket shell and ultimately, power delivery. However, while I’m one for continuous improvement, there’s also upgrading for its own sake and where performance gains are nominal, compared to the outlay.  

I’d seen some nice carbon fibre cranksets at very tempting prices but then we’re into new bottom bracket too. We’re out of treat territory here. Then along came some mid range silver Campagnolo crank arms-used, in decent shape, and realistically priced. There would, of course, be some polishing and buffing to achieve the correct lustre, before I'd consider fitting rings, let alone to the bike.. 

 

Crankalicious Mayo Jaune Intensive Frame Polish TEST & REVIEW: CRANKALICIOUS MAYO JAUNE INTENSIVE FRAME CLEANER (sevendaycyclist.com) is one of the best I’ve used to date. Automotive cutting compounds also do a decent job of lightly sullied painted, plated, and polished finishes. However, caution is needed on some surfaces, and I'd keep them away from composites. No such fear with the Mayo Jaune, although keep it away from matt finfishes, or they’ll turn satin.  I started by hand polishing but was tired of this and plugged a polishing cloth into my drill.     

135mm BCD meant I could just port the Xenon’s rings over, or indeed, acquire some fresh-maybe go with a 53/36 for a wider spread, without taxing the existing mechs-perfect for hills. Either way, this is another one of those contexts where I want to get the best results for minimal outlay.

There have been several occasions in my 20s, 30s, and 40s when I’ve literally had no money, or at least disposable income. Circumstances attributable to toxic relationships and going against my better judgment. In that respect, I received the spanking I deserved and learned valuable lessons. Be careful who you get into bed with, figuratively and literally, romantically and platonically.  

Under-estimate your income, over-estimate your expenditure and beware the sudden change in tempo, gradient, and holes- cycling and motorcycling are metaphors for life in general. I recall couples commenting that if a couple could tackle the challenges of a tandem tour together, it bodes well for a strong and successful marriage. Paradoxically, I bitterly regret my marriage, the emotional damage, and the fiscal losses incurred. However, this bleaker chapter in my life also built resilience, resourcefulness and a much clearer sense of self.   

Not to be confused with an allegiance with MGTOW (Men Going their Own Way), or indeed the incel culture, which actively seek to form and fuel misogynistic, adversarial attitudes. This latter isolation serves to make young men easier prey for products-coaching, motivational stuff, or opening gateways to other forms of discrimination and ultimately, circular isolation. In extreme cases, it leads to murder, political extremism, and targeted attacks.  

The most frightening thing is the ease at which people are swayed, dare I say funneled, toward hatred. The lessons from history have not been learned, or at least, quickly forgotten. Funny what runs through the mind when out on a ride. Talking of which, here’s my review of the Safety Labs E-BHAN 2.0 MIPS Urban In-Mould Helmet Safety Labs E-Bahn 2.0 Helmet | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  

Coming Together

The kind folks at Ison distribution www.ison-distribution.com generously dropped me two of these lovely Genetic (Campag homage) seat post binder bolts yesterday (19 and 22mm just in case). Seizing the moment, I gently manipulated the frame’s ears, applied some composite friendly grease to bolt and post before introducing said components at their correct nm. Some folk still regard torque wrenches as a new-fangled luxury but in my book, lying prone in A&E while an overworked and undervalued nurse plucks shards from one’s buttocks is extremely undignified and totally unnecessary. Emblazoning my moniker along its top tube, fiddly bits are finished and with freshly herded goodies, my ferrous friend can resume secure hibernation until spring while I address pressing business matters and chart long, slippery outings aboard suitably dressed Ilpompino and Univega.

The deskilling debate has been hotly contested in many quarters with equally compelling contradiction. Traditionally this has referred to the labour market, primarily in relation to automation and manual labour. However, it appears increasingly prevalent in other spheres. I was somewhat gobsmacked to hear a police (traffic) officer remark that once someone has successfully passed their driving test; they are by default competent and capable users of the public highway (!) This contradicts widespread driving instructor/examiner conviction that such assessments are simply to ascertain someone is safe to be allowed to operate said vehicle(s) unaccompanied.

London’s seamier districts have always been awash with the unlicensed/uninsured and otherwise illegal drivers. However, toward the end of my twelve years spent navigating the capital on two-wheels, standards of PSV (Public Service Vehicles) operation had become obviously dilute to counteract declining numbers. This new breed of operator often substituted skill and courtesy with a deadly cocktail of elephantine ignorance and aggression toward smaller craft. I even recall the story of one, high on cocaine and deciding his passengers would benefit from a more scenic commute through suburban Kingston-Upon Thames (!)

Far from engaging “Victim” mode, I’m advocating for the re-establishment of “Road craft” whereby we have a collective responsibility to adopt a sense of greater humility, while continuously developing our skills and shedding this corrosive them/us tribalism. Aside from the (very real) fear of their driveway resembling a motorcycle salvage yard, my parents weren’t the least bit hysterical about a strange and irrational interest in middleweight motorcycles running in parallel with that of lightweight bicycles. Rather, they preferred to stress the importance of having a car licence-if for no other reason than to appreciate driver perspective and therefore, perceive potential hazards before they arose. Bottom line, I’m pro cycles but only have a pronounced allergy to stupid/ignorant/myopic humans, whether they be commanding car/van/bus/truck/horse/yak or indeed motor/cycle.

Against this backdrop, I am slightly perturbed by the notion of the UK’s sixteen year olds being able to drive unaccompanied on public roads, albeit behind the wheel of a heavily restricted vehicle. Now (before I’m mown down by an entourage of irate parents defending the civil liberties of their offspring) this has always been possible here under P class-trikes powered by engines no larger than 50cc. I can also appreciate why these micro-vehicles would seem preferable to little darlings terrorising commuter towns/estates astride sports mopeds, bereft of exhaust baffles (in the misguided notion such unleashes extra dobbins!) However, these do teach observation/road craft, contributing to an elevation of driver standards.

The Netherlands and to a lesser extent, Denmark are hailed as pinnacles of achievement when it comes to systems of integrated transport but in common with other social phenomenon, notions of being able to prune and re-pot in the UK is extremely naïve, failing to recognise the pronounced differences in public psyche.

Now, time I was charging some high power commuter lights and replenishing tired AAA cells, lest I fall foul of the fuzz, or worse still, become a statistic on tonight’s moonlit meander.