Bouncing Back

Having recovered from side-effects associated with the second COVID shot, I found myself contemplating some front-end revision. Now, I’m a HUGE fan of the Soma Condor TEST: SOMA CONDOR HANDLEBAR (sevendaycyclist.com) and Condor2SOMA CONDOR 2 SHALLOW DROP BARS | (sevendaycyclist.com) bars. The former is absolutely bang-on for Ursula-in every respect. Ok, so why swap the condor2 for these Gametic D-riser4 GENETIC DRISER 4 HANDLEBARS | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com), then?  

I've run both on my fixed gear winter trainer and for some miles.  

However, the D-riser are uniformly oversized across the top section, thus making accessories easier to fit, and to my eye, has an aesthetic edge. The lower profile not only looks sharper, it allows me to hunker lower, out of the headwind (without being nose against the stem or in snake’s testicle territory)  

Prior to this Eureaka moment, I was pondering returning to the Kinekt stem and inspecting the outer cable’s condition beneath the bar wrap. I’d also noticed the otherwise grippy silicone has slipped in places, so I needed to partially rewind it, in any case. Rather than procrastinate, an hour later, everything was switched, checked, and ready to ride. 

The D-Riser 4 have a very subtle flare. More so than their D-Riser 16GENETIC D RISER 16 BARS | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) stablemates, which lends them best to road duties. For the uninitiated “flare” refers to the degree by which a handlebar slopes outward.  

Gravel/Adventure bikes usually sport drops with quite pronounced flare, which provide greater stability, and ultimately control, when riding on the drops, off-road. Elsewhere, although along similar lines, after a few filthy rides, it was time to give Ursula a good sudsy bucket wash. This presented the ideal opportunity to check and purge anything abrasive from the brake pads and enhance the front brake’s performance slightly.  

Around the same time as the bar swap struck, I was giving serious thoughts to upgrading Ursula's existing Selcoff post in favour of the plush Kinekt 2.1KINEKT 2.1 SUSPENSION SEAT POST | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com). I had planned this a while back, but the seat tube needed a comprehensive cleaning first, to avoid scratching the shim and post. Not a complex job but quite time-consuming and best performed without risk of interruption/distraction. I used some 180-grit sandpaper, rather than a powered abrasive. Pedestrian but infinitely preferable to removing too much metal.   

50 minutes later, the Kinekt shim glided inside. I introduced some of the Peaty's Assembly paste to the post, then slid it in situ and torqued the seat collar snug. I have refitted the Zefal Adventure R5 Waterproof Saddle Bag ZEFAL ADVENTURE R5 WATERPROOF SADDLE BAG | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com), while I hunted around for the Carradice SQR mount and (only to discover the clips were showing obvious signs of fatigue).  

Thankfully replacements are readily, and cheaply available) the Carradice CARRADICE CARRADRY SQR BAG | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) . Reversion might sound odd but the Kinekt’s protruding suspension components will wear through the Zefal’s top section. The SQR can be mounted lower, thus avoiding this problem. A formative 20-mile blast purged any post-creep anxieties, although confirmed suspicions that I’d set it a few millimetres too tall.  

Easily sorted upon my return- could've done mid-ride but didn’t want to tempt binder bolt bother miles from home. This wouldn’t usually be something I’d give a second thought, but I’d gone for a budget bolt of unknown quantity since that was all, I had “in stock” of the correct length and diameter.   

As I have said in earlier entries, getting components/spares has been increasingly tricky, partly due to the global pandemic but the impact of Brexit cannot be underestimated, either.  

The sudden and complete dismantling of any restrictions here in the UK is likely to induce unprecedented levels of infection, with lasting social and indeed, economic consequences. I have bought new supplies of PPE (masks with filters and aerosol-based santisers) and on a different note, maintenance sprays and other workshop products, while prices and supplies were favourable.   

Talking of favourable, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the performance of the Peaty’s Link Lubes- dry and all-weather alike. The dry is closest to an emulsion/wax and has returned a decent mileage from a single application, well past 300 miles, and that included some decidedly wet, gritty backroads. In the higher temperatures, there’s no hint of it being temperature-sensitive in the melting sense.  

The All conditions is essentially a middleweight wet formula. One that I’ve found particularly effective on the fixed. It seeps deep within the links and clings to the rollers tenaciously, serene silence, albeit it attracts a little more contaminant than some.  

Talking of attraction, it seems that a previous low-paying, high-stress, and socially isolating career is drawing unwanted attention. There has long been a recruitment and retention problem within social care. There are several core reasons for this, at least in the UK. Appalling work/life balance, perception of it being unskilled (and paid accordingly) are major detractions.  

Recessions help in this respect, but observations and personal experience of the sector suggest these problems have remained consistent, for at least 25 years. Thankfully, it’s not an industry (or indeed era in my life) I have any intention of revisiting. However, the attitudes towards our most vulnerable are in my view, a barometer of the society we are living in.  The re by the grace of God some would say. Indeed, the long-term implications for young adults experiencing, or susceptible to long COVID are yet to be realised. 

     

Behind Bars

Well, after several months, I’ve refitted the Soma Condor2 bars https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/soma-condor-2-shallow-drop-bars to my fixed gear winter/trainer. Now, don’t infer that I didn’t like the Genetic D-Riser 16 https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/genetic-d-riser-bars and its D-Riser4 stablemate. 

I think they’re great bars for gravel and road duties. The former are also 11g lighter than the Condor2. However, I also like both Condor bars. The original Condor https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/soma is definitely the right choice form my Univega, whereas, the Condor 2 is a better fit for my fixed. 

Especially with the Genetic Neuron Accessory Bar https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/genetic-neuron-accessory-bar  The naturally grippy nature of the Acros Silicone Wrap Handlebar Tape https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/acros-silicone-wrap-handlebar-tape meant it could be machine-washed, then ported over.  

Since we’re talking bars, let’s discuss the riser designs and their perceived/benefits.  

The Gravel and adventure markets are widely credited for the introduction of dropped bars with a “riser” section. 

As with the flared ends, the riser element gives some additional height, without resorting to taller head tubes, flipped stems and/or additional spacers. Now, while the adventure/gravel markets are the obvious drivers for this design, the breed may also benefit riders like me, who are of “feminine proportions” I.e. long in the leg, short in the body.  

Yes, semi/compact geometry framesets and a much wider choice of stem/steerer length has greatly reduced the need for custom frames. However, top tube length can still prove proportionally too generous. A shorter stem and bar lift can solve this-without a frumpy aesthetic.  50mm wide, the Condor 2 are broad enough to entertain bigger, bike packing friendly bar bags.  

I found the original condor less compatible, although I’m running the K-lite Bikepacker Ultra dynamo light https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/k-lite-bikepacker-ultra-dynamo-ligh  beneath the bars.  The Carradice SQR tour swallows most of my needs pretty convincingly, so a small unit, such as this bijous See Sense Handlebar Bar Bag https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/see-sense-handlebar-bag is more than adequate.  I’ve also resurrected the Minoura VC100 Quick- Release Camera Mount.  

Beautifully finished, the clamping system is phenomenally secure and will even hold compact video cameras. 

The cork platform is another definite plus, minimising vibration both to the camera and video capture. It’ll be hosting the Apeman A80 Action Camera, although possibly when I’ve acquired a replacement waterproof housing, given the seemingly unrelenting rainfall. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/apeman  

Bike and other theft are on the rise, for a wealth of different reasons. It’s always been a serious problem but at crisis point, as police resources are diverted to tackling violent crimes. Mercy and compassion are the two basic human values that thieves lack and will seek to legitimise their behavior in every conceivable way. 

Maintaining the vigilance and good locking practice at home, as you should in the street is imperative. Datatag and similar systems are useful tertiary security/deterrents, making machines harder to sell-on. The same goes for other distinctive distinguishing features.  

I have been known to engrave stems, crankarms and other components with my full name and sometimes postcode/blood group type, etc. Velo Eye sent us their  Bicycle Security QR Tag https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/velo-eye-bicycle-security-qr-tag  

The big difference between it and other systems, including Datatag is that it’s app-based. Anyone who has a bike on the app can check to see whether a stickered machine has been reported stolen. The App allows the machine’s location to be sent, in real-time to the registered owner. 

Theoretically, this improves the likelihood of successful retrieval. We’re told recovery rate stands at 75%. There’s a dealer in Montrose who deploys them on all their bikes. Only one has been stolen to date and that was quickly recovered. 

Home intrusion is similarly distressing. Thieves are targeting the more affluent areas-leafy London suburbs, particularly. Easier and richer pickings being the most obvious explanations.  

Thinking like a thief i.e. how would I foil my own security and making necessary improvements. Bike theft has always been small beer for the police. We’re told that police resources are stretched to the point where violent crime is their primary focus. 

Burglaries, motor/cycle and other vehicle thefts are only likely to increase. Now, you’ll excuse me. After 300 filthy miles, I need to replenish the White Lightning Wet Ride and there’s a rush of people offering me “features” on knitting machines...