Schoolboy Errors, The Brexit Blues & Big Bars

Schoolboy error, indeed. I am of course referring to my Univega’s chainline.  In my haste to instate the new Talon ring, I accidentally mounted it to the outer spider. Yep, threw the chainline right royally out.  Very apparent when dropping to the lower ratios.

Eureka moment struck and ring repatriated, shifts are crisp, clean and predominantly silent. What you’d expect from a new chain, ring and cassette, essentially.  Corrections made, I’ve concluded that the gearing is now, where I need it for most contexts.

An 11-30 (rather than 11-28) will be my next move but otherwise, the existing setup offers enough grunt, cruising and bombing prowess. Solo and with Bob Yak homage en-tow. Can comfortably cruise up a 1in7 at 13-14mph, 20 plus on the flat.   

Straying from variable gears but staying with gearing and chainline... Those looking to optimise precision with their fixed are well served by Halo Fixed -G Track Hub.  https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/halo-fixed  I’m extremely impressed by the concept and its execution. Some might consider it a bit pricey for winter/hack duties but it’s a better option for nicer conversions.

An acquaintance used to own a 1948 fixed gear Freddy Grubb. Beautifully made, with original gloss black enamel, ornate lugs and an interesting, road friendly fork rake, it had horizontal, road ends…An ideal candidate.

So, with a looming dental appointment, and the UK administration following the British Leyland model of breath-taking incompetence https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsizoYrceOg , I needed a distraction. Off came those Soma Condor 2 Shallow drop bars https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/soma-condor-2-shallow-drop-bars  and in their place, these Genetic DRISER-16 bars.

Their flatter, semi aero profile top sections provide better mounting points for lights and other accessories. Using the Genetic Neuron, I’ve been able to mount the Trelock dynamo switch https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/trelock-ls906-dynamo-front-light  and route its cabling more neatly, too. The Genetic DRISER-16 are marketed as a great option for cyclo cross and gravel racing, while also suitable for touring and commuting.

They’re made from heat treated T6 6061 aluminium alloy, the 20mm rise supposedly works to the same principle, as the Soma. Namely, providing a higher riding position, without faffing about with spacers.

The top, semi aero section is designed with cruising on the tops, in mind. 16-degree flare in the drop supposedly provides an additional control, which would tally with the design brief.

Ours is the widest, 44cm version. I typically go with 46cm upwards, so we’ll see. For the time being, I’ve dressed them in some salvaged Lizard Skins DSP 2.5mm wrap. However, we’re expecting some competitor test-tape to arrive very shortly, and the Easton Pinline Foam Bar Tape is well suited to my Univega’s mixed terrain, daily driver duties. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/easton-pinline-foam-bar-tape

While the UK isn’t affected by rapid and extreme changes in climate, early Spring can still prove a very changeable period. I’m still sporting ¾ lengths, Lake Winter booties, Buff, winter weight jersey cum jacket and full-finger gloves. Prendas Cyclismo https://www.prendas.co.uk/ have also sent us some Jerseys, bib shorts, socks and other Spring goodies for testing but with the mercury struggling towards 7/8 degrees, they’ll have to wait until things thaw a little.  

After last week’s sad demise of Frankenpute, Paligap www.paligap.cc kindly sent me this VDOM3WL. Setup was intuitive, following their You Tube tutorial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cA_JqUSNGko  

Wax based/emulsion type lubricants have come a long way in recent years. Most noticeably in the context of stoicism. Both bikes are still on their first helping of Squirt Long Lasting Dry Chain Lube. 200 miles apiece, neither chain looks thirsty, and on this basis, I’m reckoning on 300 plus before topping up is required.

Squirt has transferred more readily to hands and clothing, than some petrochemical blends and required a couple of machine washes to shift it. Bodes well for longevity but Something to consider, if you commute in light coloured trousers.   

Safe As Houses....

Seven Day Cyclist (www.sevendaycyclist.co.uk) continues to attract the desired demographic along with increasingly disparate contributors. Fancy a freebie?

Simply like our facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/Sevendaycyclistmagazine?ref=aymt_homepage_panel) to be in with a chance of bagging this Carbon Pro sports travel kit comprising of their dri shine, chain cleaner, heavy duty lube, med lube and microfibre towel.

The battle of the bike washes intensifies with some interesting twists too. Supposedly safe on carbon, lacquered, plated, painted and polished surfaces; all tackle the usual mucky suspects capably but a couple have proved disarmingly efficient, though seemingly gentle degreasers too…

This signalled a timely end to the Teenage Dream’s seasonal hibernation. I had planned to upgrade the groupset to something contemporary of the Sun Race or Microshift flavour but frankly, I can’t bear to be parted from the quaint, though likeable a ’la carte mix of 80s, 90s and early noughties Campagnolo.

Outclassed in sporting terms (along with the “Low rent” 531competition tubeset) said machine still behaves in excellent proportions and the framesets' makeover still pleases me greatly.  

I’ve also bagged a temporary facilities management gig to balance the books. This week has been one of imploding ceilings, surly contractors, tenants locking themselves out while inebriated and then purging their colonic demons noisily (and messily) in communal toilets.

Back on bikes, we’ve been playing musical tyres. After 200miles the 35mm section Vittoria Voyager hyper and MK2 Ilpompino rear triangle proved breathtakingly close, hence I reverted to the front 32mm Kenda Kwicker. Alternating between front and rear tyres was once widely advocated but is incredibly dangerous practice.

However, scrapping a worn rear, popping brand spanking new rubber up front and having the old one follow behind remains acceptable. Similar problems arose with the Univega and Kenda small block 8 pairing but I’m keen to retain its go-anywhere persona, so resurrected these 1.75 section Vittoria Randonneur trail. As its chain and cassette sneak into that twilight before retirement, I found myself toying with the idea of cutting the tubby one down a ring and introducing 11-30 cassette.

A few minutes virtual rummaging later I’d found a nickel plated HG50 for £10 and this similarly worthy KMC has just arrived from chicken cycles. Substitution will strike once I’ve reached another 250miles and can say something concrete about the Muc Off hydrodynamic lube. This will also prove a convenient moment for investigating and hopefully purging that phantom squeak. Some Genetic bar wrap promising phenomenal purchase and damping properties has just arrived and will mummify its muzzies when I get a moment.  

Elsewhere, I’ve been indulging in some graffiti porn and a recent spate of thefts has given cause to revise my own security systems. It’s widely accepted that good locks are only to keep honest people out and to deter others. Most thieves are looking for something that can pilfer discretely within a minute but nothing is invulnerable.

Using two different (Sold secure) types certainly helps but assumes organised criminals don’t arrive in well-equipped vans. Brute force is their default and techniques are common knowledge. This particular group of “professional” is also extremely mobile, quashing any notion of “safe” areas.  

Yes, the probability of falling victim in a well healed semi-rural community is less than slum inner city neighbourhoods but criminals are only too willing to exploit this, often targeting several locations each night before disappearing on the motorway network.  Obviously, strong locks are only part of the equation.

Those living in private rented accommodation have fewer options when it comes to installing wall-anchors and other high security measures. However, aside from robust physical security, think carefully about your online activity. I’m astounded by the number of people who post photos of their pride and joy in a way that leaves them sitting ducks.  

Sorting Shot Bearings

Amid the chaos of wholly unnecessary central heating oil tank replacement (resultant from a neighbour’s vitriolic refusal to accept two independent, qualified reports that the old unit was completely sound and fit for purpose); one's freelance canoe has been paddled with renewed vigour and seemingly positive results. Aside from the usual projects/collaborations, I’ve been weaving through the web's many strands of opportunity, albeit slightly undecided about some.

Anything with the “homeworking” tag targeted specifically at women sets my senses on red alert. For decades this was a euphemism for sweated, piece rate labour that often cost participants more money to acquire the raw materials than they actually made-£5 per thousand envelopes being one of the most commonly advertised lures that springs to mind. 

This appears to have crossed into creative, skilled vocations in recent years- $5 for 1,000 word feature ring any bells among fellow freelancers? Frankly, anyone foolish enough to plunder these depths i.e. willingly compete in such races to the bottom will find precious little sympathy from this corner.  

While shifting half a tonne of new central heating receptacle through the side gate and to its newly set concrete plinth, “Uncle” Benny happened to mention one of his bike’s fit n’ forget square taper bottom brackets had finally turned sloppy, so I agreed to supply and fit a cheap but fairly cheerful Shimano replacement. In this instance we settled upon the Japanese giant's basic UN26 complete with composite sleeves and solid steel axle-£7 inc postage. Removing the resident "Power pro" unit proved less taxing than I thought given a brief blast of penetrant spray inside the seat tube and using sheer leverage from Lezyne's CNC rod.

Despite giving the incoming unit’s threaded sections a liberal slathering of ceramic polymer grease and using precision tooling, these components are decidedly soft and very easily stripped-overcome by applying gentle pulses of super invasive penetrant spray while surreptitiously winding it fully home in gentle bursts.   

No sooner had we everything reinstated and double checked, it became apparent that his entry level road bike’s unit had succumbed to the same fate despite only a handful of rides! Given our experience with the UN26, he’s requested I supply and fit the UN55, whose superior bearings, seals and hollow axle should amass much higher mileages before singing that familiar swansong.

Staying with square tapers, this rather fetching System EX crankset has replaced the cheap but decidedly charming Stronglight ST55. 44 teeth maintain the road sensible 77 inch gearing, eliminating risk of spinning out on the flat or straining on moderate climbs.46/48t are the preserve of track or pancake flat TTs, though supply of 130 BCD fare is reasonable should wear or whim dictate.

At a glance 669g is fairly beefy-less than some super stiff hot forged track models but in keeping with other sub £60 fare and 170mm arms will suit production fixers, conversions or indeed some single/hub gear builds with lower bottom bracket heights since there’s less risk of grounding out when cornering hard.  

Mirror polished finishes are vastly superior to paint and this one should resist the salt monster’s advances for several seasons-longer fed periodic helpings of decent quality polymer car polish. In common with others in this class , detailing's a little workman-like around the inner spider but this isn’t glaringly obvious/likely to prove a deal breaker on trainers/club builds. 

Initial impressions are extremely favourable with excellent power transfer and nominal whip under sprinting or climbing efforts. However, we’re only 50 in to a 300mile plus evaluation for a new consumer focused title, so said remarks must be regarded as formative at this stage.

Rummaging through my spares drawer resurrected these low-profile, dual-sided shop branded Ritchey WCS homages for more convenient getaways and further improved ground clearance.They’re actually rather well made by FTP-another Taiwanese marque, boasting nicely machined, powder coated aluminium bodies, super reliable Cro-moly axles turning on remarkably smooth cartridge bearings. 

Ironically (and this seems true of other patterns) while perfectly accommodating of genuine Shimano cleats, they seem happiest with VP, Wellgo, Btwin and indeed Exustar! On that note, I’m off to pedal my wares and invest further energies into matters marketing/promotional.