Easter Beatings & Blessings

 

In recent weeks, I could go ten miles on (controlled) rage alone. Perhaps it’s time I revisited time-trialling, channel these emotions competitively and with tangible result... That was my original intention for the Holdsworth, once I’d deviated from the fully dressed road path brief, afterall.  

Hydration is important full stop, even on short distance events and though rider mounted bladder systems enjoyed a small following outside of mtb circles, the humble bottle still dominates.

Hosts may have become sleeker, single piece composites (carbon or otherwise) titanium and stainless steel gentrifying the bosses, where 6061 aluminium once ruled. However, I’m wondering if the humble cage will be phased out, not all together but in favour of something sleeker.

Over the last twenty years or so, semi-compact geometry frames have made life so much easier for smaller riders, overcoming the need to go bespoke in some instances. That said and this goes for smaller mtb framesets too; getting two cages to harmoniously co-exist along seat and down tubes can prove challenging.

Adjustable systems, such as Topeak Shuttle engineer some useful, faff-free leeway into the equation and this week, the Univega’s has been joined by the fidlock bottle-twist system that arrived in a box of test goodies.

The bottle-twist is an integrated system of bottle and mount. The latter attaches to the frame’s bosses in the conventional way but this and the bottle mate via two suitably potent magnets-the pull took me by surprise during the fitting stage-no danger of losing screws to the flower bed, ditto multi-tools.

Being a 41cm frame, the Univega hasn’t been a particularly tricky customer on the bottle front but this affords a little extra wriggle room. From an aesthetic perspective, this also compliments said machine’s black and cream theme.  Far too early to say whether I’m about to become a devotee but the fidlock is certainly growing on me. 

These Altura Peloton 2 pro gel mitts were also among the stash, timely since I was hankering after something a little more sophisticated than the otherwise cheap but cheery Ozzo.

In stark contrast to the retro crochet and faux leather palm, these are a very snug fitting Lycra backed design boasting fast wicking, breathable backs, 3D design and those strategically positioned gel inserts.

So far, I’ve only clocked up 40miles. By my reckoning, 400 is the point where you can say something conclusive but I’m certainly warming to their snug fit and low profile padding. By snug, I mean very. I’ve fairly long fingers and can usually get away with medium but in this instance, struck lucky with large.

Easter is notoriously unsettled-I’ve known it to snow at certain points through the holidays and I’m not harking back to my childhood and time spent in Utah, where the mountains were topped with a thick carpeting of snow and cars sported snow-chains until mid-April, sometimes beyond.

I’m alternating between tights and 3/4lengths, sometimes a gilet, others a jersey, neck-warmer, long sleeve base layer and micro-shell jacket peeking out from a jersey pocket.

Swapping between lenses can be a pain, so I’ve tended to stick with reactive lenses, which lack the outright defence from intense sunlight but cope pretty well in changing conditions. That said; skies can be pretty dull, grey and overcast and in this context, I’ll go the amber route-sharper focus and bolstered mood.

I’d talked in terms of stripping my cross inspired fixer’s KMC chain of Weldite TF2 in favour of something lighter, then backtracked, then decided I’d use up some of the nearly empty bottles of lube-stock rotation principle. Perfect candidate being this Finish line ceramic wax, so, on it went. These take a while to cure and will need a second coat to complete the bond

That said; though the UK has a reputation for damp, I managed to go a whole summer-June to October on a single helping of wet lube. Admittedly, this was on a road bike and I’d opt for something more condition-specific on a mountain or cross derivative that ventured beyond tarmac.

The dry spell also presented an ideal opportunity to apply liberal helpings of my home brewed corrosion busting preserve to the KA’s underside and chassis components.

Though messy, it’s very effective and extremely cheap-less than £10 all told. Ingredients essentially boil down to 10w/40 and semi synthetic motor oil, offcuts of candlewax and turpentine. This punnet load has lasted almost four years, treated five framesets and been applied twice yearly to my MK1 KAs and periodically to an older Nissan Micra.  

So what else is new? Well, Seven Day Cyclist www.sevendaycyclist.com has lots of goodies coming our way from various sources, domestic and international. Meantime, I’ll leave you with our take on the “Bespoked” handmade bike show in Bristol https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/bespoked-bespeaking

 

 

 

Mods n' Ends aka beating the shot bolt & temp job blues

So there I was belting along the dusky back roads, putting another days’ temp job frustration into perspective and seeing the bigger picture. This heady mix of serenity and pragmatism was rudely interrupted by the sound of metal bouncing across asphalt… Thankfully not the handlebar cam mount, rather this largely likeable Lucas king of the road front light.

Aesthetically pleasing, I’ve never really been convinced by the ornate clasp’s durability and found the knurled bolt uniting its resin bracket unnecessarily fiddly. The lamp itself is another commuter plus model that produces 565lumens in top, with navigational clout through sticksville to around 25mph and 2.5 hours from a full charge.

An easily accessible li-on cell and inexpensive replacements allow extended playtimes with minimal bulk. However, just entering dusk, mine was sipping reserves in flashing…

Meanwhile back at the roadside, I’d leant the Ilpompino against a gate and began foraging through overgrown verges, hoping to find said fastener gleaming in the fading sun. Several minutes hence, I resigned myself to its loss, popped lamp ensemble in my wedge pack and resumed a brisk cadence-mentally scouring Perspex boxes for suitable substitute.    

This materialised as a stray stainless fender eyelet bolt, which aside from improving tenure, makes the bracket harder to swipe. I also discovered another (!) helmet strap complete with Go-Pro mount, so have bolted the Knog pattern atop. These will be tethered to a lid and trialled over the coming weeks.

I’d deliberately allowed the Ilpompino to cultivate a grimy patina during this time to test the effectiveness of some eagerly awaited bike washes, foaming chain cleaners and lubricants of varying viscosity. Air temperatures are still holding around the 20c mark, thus sludgy black frame preserve continues to leach stubbornly from my fleet’s breathe holes and bottom bracket shells.

Ideal conditions for basting the KA’s underside and chassis with my medieval medicine…Previous coats have remained firmly ensconced; albeit slightly weathered, thus bi-annual top-ups stop anything nasty getting a foothold.   

Most cleaners are now designed with composites in mind, eliminating risk of solvent damage. Genuinely effective on light to middleweight summer lubes, filmy residual road spatter and organic stuff; heavy duty wet potions demand three, sometimes four helpings and concerted coaxing from medium firm bristle plots.

Freelancing is synonymous with competence-if you’re not, you don’t last. Very occasionally, we might receive a stiff, though constructive editorial rebuke. Critically evaluate, raise your game and avoid repeat offences.

By contrast, incompetence is one of my biggest bugbears. Present temp role mirrors that this time two years ago, though I’m channelling frustrations into creative endeavours, while assuming an economically pragmatic, means-to-end focus. Stressing the positive, I’m off to play with some rather exciting chain lubes, check progress with my collaborators and work on some drafts before Monday’s 5.30 awakening.

  

Back to the Bodge Box

Well, after all that fuss n’ fanfare, the K-Edge & Geonaute polycarbonate shell combo proved decidedly disappointing. Specifically, persistent low-level road vibrations induced perpetual and distinctly infuriating slippage. Clearly struck by a Eureka moment, I returned from an early evening’s backwater blast and began rifling through a series of clear Perspex boxes.

By this point, frustration was such that I was thinking of helmet mounting when ten minutes later-Bingo! The Wingman’s resin bar bracket materialised, proving fully compatible with case and oversized bulge diameters, though I had to forgo the standard bolt in favour of a super stocky UV resistant zip-tie.

Successive dry runs along the lane confirmed rock solid, blur-free tenure, inducing a tremendous sense of achievement (not to mention uncharacteristically large grin).

Knog’s Qudos action video light materialised at the tail end of last week, which is similarly pleasing. Coming from a design company, I wasn’t surprised (though suitably impressed) by the sleek metal box and foam packaging which keeps everything safe and secure in storage/transit. Foraging inside revealed a beautifully executed light, slightly reminiscent of their Blinder Road2 lamp fed a steroid diet.

Ours was anodised black, though silver is no less alluring and will arguably age more gracefully. Now, somewhat sensibly, the mounting bracket is a Go-Pro pattern, so I’d anticipated some compatibility challenges with the G-Eye.

First and foremost insufficient spacing meant the two were literally butting heads, especially with the cameras’ polycarbonate housing in situ. After much head scratching/trial n’ error, I overcame this obstacle by resurrecting the Wingman and K-Edge brackets before reintroducing said gizmos as separates.

Knog also include a cold shoe tripod mount designed compatible with DSLR convergence work (another area of image making that has slowly but surely pricked my consciousness) in mind. Indeed, the Qudos is another example of the Australian marque’s consistently improving build quality.

Aluminium is an obvious choice for headlamp housings-rugged and lightweight it also displaces heat more efficiently than cheaper resins, so those three Cree diodes and circuitry stand a sporting chance of enjoying old age. Its’ also water resistant to 40 metres-130ft or so, giving potential for scuba and other submergible action. 

Now, 400lumens sounds impressive and in bike lighting terms is good enough for sprightly canters in semi-rural contexts.However, despite the Sports Action tag; I have suspicions this will require support from an uber lumen handlebar amp for capturing moonlit blasts, let alone trail antics. 

Those looking for more subtle illumination will be pleased to note its 70 lumen setting is claimed to sip the fully loaded 1,000 m AH lithium polymer cell for four hours, whereas the former is reckoned good for 40odd minutes.

That said; batteries are available separately and I’m thinking there’s some scope for emergency bike lighting, should your mains system flake out in sticksville.  Well, I’ll leave it here for now and will report back once a bigger micro SD card arrives…

The staying prowess of Btwin Teflon lube continues to astound me. We cruised through the 1100mile barrier on a single application and though about due replenishment, my fixer’s stainless steel chain still sported a protective film and minimal contaminant. 

Let’s see what the season of falling leaves, rich colours and damper roads reveals. Talking of which; I must crawl beneath the KA and give its underside and sills a routine basting of home brewed corrosion inhibitor before too long.

Michael's Marvelous Frame Medicine

“Your mother who neglected you owes a million dollars tax and your father’s still perfecting ways of making ceiling wax”; I crooned while stirring a cauldron of highly flammable, magnolia broth. Aside from an impromptu deep clean of one’s domicile, last weeks’ somewhat comical bath tub capers prompted me to revisit my corrosion busting elixir first perfected some two decades back during the penultimate year of my degree.

Monty python-esque detonation of my improvised distillery (induced by a passer-by carelessly discarding their cigarette end) and subsequent mirth were to be avoided at all costs, so raw materials were decanted safely away from unidentifiable flying embers/similar sources of ignition. Ninety minutes hence, my 5 litre tub was sealed shut and left resting in a cool, dry, secure location.   

This latest, sprayable formula is characterised by higher solvent content, hastening circulation, coverage and therefore, protection of thin walled tubing. Doubting Thomas’s will scoff, asserting they’ve ridden their ferrous friends across the seven seas without faintest freckling but just as smoking tobacco doesn’t induce terminal cancer by default, prevention is much better, nay cheaper than cure-especially in coastal regions.

Talking of coastal, Harwich based frame builder, Justin Burls has been in touch, enticing me to come and play with his new mini velo. Until recently these have been something of a Japanese phenomenon but are slowly finding favour in densely populated cities on account of their size and subsequent manoeuvrability in slow moving, sardine-esque traffic.

Small (20 inch) wheels continue the compact, whippet-fast theme, enabling swift getaways, while theoretically ensuring said steeds store unobtrusively in the most bijous abodes. However, these are fixed, as distinct from folding framesets with otherwise classic road geometry.  

Justin has opted for Reynolds’ venerable 525, a justly popular tubeset loosely on par with 531 but capable of withstanding modern TIG welded construction methods. Conversely, it boasts a lugged n’ brazed seat tube, slightly reminiscent of Raleigh’s bonded Dynatec series. Elsewhere, we’ve a very contemporary 11/8^th head tube, full carbon fork and Sram Rival groupset keeping things competitive. Proof of the concept’s virtue lies in credible mileage, hence I’ll reserve judgement while remaining suitably intrigued until such opportunity presents.

Disc brakes, both hydraulic and mechanical have been standard issue in mountain bike circles for fifteen years, though mass produced, compatible racks have often seemed comparatively poor relations payload-wise. However, their increased prevalence within utility and expedition/touring markets is forcing manufacturers to respond ingeniously. 

Axiom continues to impress me with innovative, user friendly design and their Journey MK3, with colossal 50kilo payload is probably the easiest I’ve installed to date. Much of this stems from nicely engineered, interchangeable adjustable feet that accommodate most frame configurations, including those with sportier chainstays and/or sans eyelets, which often translates into heel clearance hassles with larger, expedition type panniers. 

Most tour ready models employ two-tier design, improving centre of gravity while calming neighbourly disputes with rack bags. Ours was the T6 6061 aluminium version dressed in tasteful satin black epoxy powder coat but there’s a Cro-moly sibling boasting identical, elephant ferrying capacity. Figures of this magnitude are based upon belt n’ braces four (as distinct from three) point mounting, so I’d be inclined toward a low slung mono-wheel trailer in this latter context, should one’s burden exceed twenty-five.

Given the right variables, fatigue will eventually claim any rack, although aluminium alloys succumb faster than steel. Therefore, minimise, or better still; avoid laying bikes down on their luggage and while warrantees are cold comfort should breakage strike, overloading, abuse or indeed modification risks voiding them…Having said this, something of a perpetual fettler, I have no qualms about adapting products once their warrantee period elapses, so long as such is safe and delivers genuine improvement.

Another endearing misconception is that of the developing world artisan- roadside sorcerers capable of seemingly effortless frame/carrier reunification.While theoretically easier to fix distressed Cro-moly, the sort of temperatures involved in automotive/agricultural contexts is ruinous to wafer thin walled 4130, inducing spontaneous collapse of brazed/silver soldered examples. Thus, sweeping statements about steel being repairable virtually anywhere teeter on urban myth.

Thorough product evaluation shouldn’t be confused with wanton vandalism; rather I (and many others) am concerned with how something performs according to design brief, intended purpose and of course, price. Occasionally products do fail but just as twenty minutes turbo trainer slavery cannot determine bib short/insert quality, taking a belt sander to the crotch in attempt to assess abrasion resistance in the event of a nasty spill is equally spurious.