CAFAM Redemption & Frankenpute

Well, the CR50 arrived bang on cue but being holiday season, I zoned in and played with, the IRD CAFAM2 https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/ird-cafam-2-cantilever-brakes . 

Cantilever posts were sanded intensely, yet judiciously, using a fine grade of sand-paper. Next, a generous slither of Park PPL2 grease.

The cable and anchor bolts were both looking a little scabby too. So, new Jagwire Pro Road cable https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/jagwire-pro-road-brake-kit  and a Genetic straddle wire.

Fresh consumables instated, it was a question of painstakingly adjusting the spring and straddle wire tension, toeing pads in etc. Light and temperature dipping fast, I’d got modulation, power and feel perfect.

Serendipity was again, my friend. Ditto my elderly feline, who required his food bowl replenishing. Cable stretch isn’t an issue with better quality inner wires, so I wasn’t surprised to discover all was peachy the next morning. Fifteen miles of climbs and descents reaffirmed this.

It also proved an ideal opportunity for a saddle swap, and to rack up some miles with the chainsaw oil. 40 miles spent traversing wet, greasy backroads and the side-plates have cultivated a slightly grimy beard, However, in keeping with my fixed gear’s galvanised model “fling” has been minimal. The cassette also looks a good bit cleaner, than it did, when the chain was running 5w/40 motor oil.

Now, Frankenpute…

That corridor between Christmas and New Year is ripe for experimentation and bodge box rummaging. While doing some general housekeeping, I found four scrap computers. One with a dead head unit, one with a broken bar mount bracket and the other a defunct sensor.

I then decided to challenge myself. Build one good unit, from the three scrappers. Finding which combination would play nicely, took a while. However, with fresh CR cells and a spare magnet, this 20function, Revolution head proved compatible, with the other, cannibalised parts.

A big rubbery shim and cable ties ensured secure tenure, to my fixed’s Soma Condor bars https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/soma  

Admittedly, black would win aesthetically but white are at least, uniform. I’m unsure whether it’s the shutter precision hubs’ strong magnets. However, other wireless systems, including this Knog NERD, gave erratic, or zero readings, even with the usual remedies (i.e. fresh batteries and Vaseline on the contacts). Given this track record, I wasn’t surprised to discover these intermittent faults teasing me, on our first, misty morning test run.

Sure, its cost me in terms of time. I wouldn’t be doing these things during billing hours but being holiday season. I found the process relaxing, and end results very satisfying. In common with the CAFAM, sometimes it’s the process of really getting to grips with, and mastering something. I am also looking for a replacement sensor, for this relatively elderly (2009/10), yet extremely solid Blackburn Atom 4.0.

In case you hadn’t noticed, I have a fiercely strong bond with my machines. My working bikes. Much loved but designed to be ridden, whatever the weather. Hence why Jeff Rutland’s Goldhawk Roadax resonated so deeply with me https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/goldhawk-bicycles-purposeful-passio . In anticipation of the test bike’s arrival, I’ve dusted down my Bob Yak homage…

Aside from its hauling capacity, the mighty single wheel trailer is a means of testing a test bike’s laden handling characteristics. I am of course, referring to touring, commuting, cyclo cross derivatives, not race bikes. Laden with 20 kilos, (sometimes more) I hunt down some sweeping descents, and aim for 30mph, plus.  

The Roadax is a sportier build than, the Kinesis Tripster Ace https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/kinesis-tripster-ace  . The Kinesis is more of a cruiser, thanks to the more relaxed positioning but will do tagalong and trailer tugging duties very competently. The Roadax should be master of most trades. I’m looking forward to finding out.  

In the meantime, can’t start 2019 with a filthy fleet, or an impure kettle…

Adapt & Survive

I’m not one for meaningless marketing speak but sometimes less is genuinely more-especially when it comes to computers. Models that pretty much make the tea are a joy to play with and really effective training tools when used properly but there’s a lot to be said for simplicity. Urban has become the buzzword for minimalist chic and RSP CX3.0 seems to embody this perfectly. Including wireless, sleep and two bike functions (allowing it to be swapped from best bike to winter workhorse) amongst the nine is perhaps gilding the lily but the super clear display and “telling you straight” accuracy complete with motivational pacer arrows means its great for everyday riding and training duties.

Playing devil’s advocate, many brands offer seventeen function wireless types for the same money but having survived repeated September downpour and an unintentional trip through the washing machine; suggesting build quality is a notch higher than most. Simple rubberised rings hold the mounting plate securely to even these WTB and are so vastly superior to low-rent cable-tie affairs, it’s difficult to grasp why this method of attachment hasn’t become universally popular. Mode and set buttons are well conceived too, easily operated in gloved hands without being overly sensitive to accidental knocks. Night owls such as myself will mourn the omission of a backlight and on a wider note; I’m disappointed by the distinct lack of models without a cadence function…wired or otherwise. Debatable around town and on short haul time trails, maintaining a steady cadence is remains pivotal to efficient cycling. Seem to recall managing 188rpm turning an eighty-one inched fixed on a mile long descent several years back.

Maybe I’m showing my age but once upon a time there was a game for the Commodore 64 called “BC’s quest for tires”. The central character was a uni-cycling caveman who had to ride his way through various canyons collecting tyres and avoiding hazards en route. I’m thinking of producing a sequel for the modern age, imaginatively entitled “ Michael’s quest for (big) tyres. Why? Because I’m relentlessly searching for the ultimate go-anywhere, minimum compromise semi slick capable of bombing along asphalt and through forest alike. 1.75 inches wide, 85psi maximum pressures for asphalt duties with a stout puncture preventative belt being my design brief.

To date, Vittoria Randonneur trail are the closest I’ve come to this particular Nirvana. Several thousand miles later, ours still look as fresh as the proverbial daisy, which is all the more impressive at £20 a pair. Rolling resistance is noticeable alongside a slick on smoothly paved roads but the tread doesn’t turn skittish through bridle path and forest trails at moderate speeds. Really sharp flints can cause mischief, although three flats hardly constitute a blot on their copybook. More than can be said for a small-scale publisher doing everything they possibly can to avoid paying me…Then we have the problem of undercutters, those so desperate to enter the creative professions, they will literally work for free (or nigh on) without a thought as to the consequences for these extremely skilled vocations or their sustainability. This certainly isn’t limited to photography or to a lesser extent, journalism. Some fifteen years ago, Universities were able to draw upon a wealth of students who “Loved to teach” sans recognised professional qualification or tangible experience. This reserve army of labour was happy to accept short-term contracts for £10,000 less per annum, pro rata with the obvious decline in standards.

During last weeks’ production line laundering of technical garments, I resurrected these Scott sport-touring shoes. Classic road looks met with old school sneaker pattern sole and SPD drillings for an unusually practical hybrid on and off the bike. Acres of mesh aren’t ideal for the darker and undoubtedly wetter months but from memory they’ll entertain overshoes so I’ll let serendipity and pedal choice guide me. This might only be a week or so away given the relatively rapid wear rate of these otherwise amiable Keo copy cleats. Speaking of weather, the fall is a busy time for winter hacks, prepped and preened with new bar wrap, cables and other precautionary upgrades. Having completely exhausted my supply of clean lube, select and coordinated rummaging in the garage unearthed a 75%full bottle of nytralube slick caramel- a thin lightweight PTFE derived racing blend. Other options included White Lightning’s epic ride and finish line’s one-stop degreaser and chain prep aerosol but the nytralube will remain my weapon of choice until I get the opportunity to play with the amusingly monikered but widely revered Squirt brand.

Peugeot framesets managed to market themselves on a successful pro pedigree during the 1980s but the production bikes were never particularly special. Some sported nice Reynolds and Columbus tubesets (I always had a secret yearning for the Perthus Pro) but were plagued by poor quality control-fork steerer failures and badly scored seatposts weren’t uncommon during this era. At the other end of the market is this old HLE/Carbolite 103 model. Basically a high tensile steel tolerant of the marques distinctive welding technique, it’s the stuff of winter hacks and a popular choice for first fixer conversions too. Arriving in a very sorry state, a gloss black powder coat not only gives this one a new lease of life but an intriguing air. Right then, I’ll totter off, figure out how to lash a Mont Blanc carrier to my much loved, mile munching Ka and brew some more corrosion inhibitor from the garage.