Tests of Time

Nostalgia is very comforting and there were some genuinely great products and concepts back in the late 80s. Many I recall from the cycling press, read during my otherwise instantly forgettable, and decidedly dubious school career. Some have stood the test of time and remain very relevant, others consigned to history.

Anything dirt based with drop bars obviously grabs my attention. Specialized’s Rock Combo (sadly short-lived) and Muddy Fox’s Trailblazer being two prime examples. Seems I'm not the only fan, either! https://bikesboardsandphotos.wordpress.com/2018/01/21/specialized-rockcombo/ 

I’m not convinced U brakes were an inherently bad idea. They certainly offered considerable stopping prowess.

However, chain stay mounting was more conducive to dry, dusty California. Not the damp, leafy climes more commonly experienced in the UK and Canada. Little wonder why Kona mountain bikes were such a hit in the UK. Compact geometry framesets with sensible clearances. Designs that look current and still perform beautifully today.   

Some saddles fall into the classic narrative. Aside from traditional leather saddles, which has remained a quiet institution among tourists, there’s the Selle Italia Turbo, the Rolls etc. The catalyst for this sudden rush of retrospective was induced by the arrival of Selle San Marco Concor Super Corsa saddle. Tipping the scales at 320g, it’s not the lightest but hardly outlandish, so now sits pride of place on my fixed gear winter/trainer.

I had a Concor on my first fixed-a conversion based around a 501 tubed Raleigh frameset. 

When that frameset died in July ’92, I bought a comparable frameset from a small scale, midlands-based builder. Ported most of the stuff over and headed to London’s East End. University and idealism followed. Come ’94, I’d worn it smooth, the rails a little wobbly where they slotted in the base.

Flogged it to a cash strapped land surveying student for as little as I paid for it (Having bought a luminous yellow Turbo gel from a shop’s bargain bin). Not a bad buy and it matched the frameset’s lurid enamel. Shortly afterward, I’d primarily switched to cross country mountain bike racing and a flyte.

Had a couple of the minimalist, ti railed wonders and got along with them surprisingly well. Back then, saving every last gram, as economically as possible, was the primary focus. Though I keep a keen eye on my machine’s girth, it’s not at comfort’s expense.

That said, I was pleasantly surprised to discover this PRO Stream Off Road Saddle weighs a positively feathery 207g. Surprising, since the rails are stainless steel (Inox) Yes, there’s a bit of carbon involved, and on some levels, a less obvious choice for my Univega. However, I’ve been running the BBB Echelon with good results. Besides, being a mixed terrain, four seasons’ build its perfect for assessing the design’s capabilities and potential limitations. 

Classics aside much technology has improved considerably. Clothing is one area, where materials have become more sophisticated on the one hand but crucially budget and mid-point clothing staples arguably represents better value than ever before. I’ve been quite impressed by these middleweight Prendas Ciclismo Winter Cycling Socks https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/prendas-ciclismo-coolmax-winter-cyc   

Lighting and other, electrical tech are another, prime example. These days it’s difficult to find a poor light, thanks to competition. I’ve been particularly impressed by this Moon Meteor.

Not the most powerful designs (400 lumens steady, 500day flash) but extremely compact and a great companion to my high-power dynamo units. 

A good choice for pared-to-the essentials best/winter bikes.  Intelligent and tuneable designs are another clear trend. Knog Cobber Mid rear Light https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/knog-cobber-mid-rear-light  being one example. At the time of writing, these are at the upper end of the market. However, like most tech, it’s only a matter of time before this technology trickles down. 

Others, such as this See Sense Icon2 https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/see-sense-icon-2-rear-light offer these options but are also capable of monitoring road surfaces and a wealth of other information. This can be shared, via their app and theoretically, has the power to shape town planning and improve safety. However, you don’t have to use all these features to appreciate its intelligent design.  

At the other end of the market, this Oxford Ultratorch R75 pumps out an impressive 75 lumens (tops) and so far, decent run times, from a full charge.

There are four modes in total. Three flashing (high, medium and low) modes and my default, flashing.  COB (Chips on Board) technology intensifies output, since you can pop more diodes within the same space. In this instance 24. 

These are fuelled by a lithium polymer cell and the unit meets IP65 for weatherproofing. To date, ours has been swamped with dodgy standing water, silt, spray and similar unmentionables with no issues. Talking of subverting wet stuff, I’ll close with my review of the Raw Prismatic reflective Mud flaps https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/raw-prismatic   

Dark Days &Filthy Lanes

I've managed to evade anything resembling a seasonal Lurgi, despite several doing the rounds. Part of this is down to the old adage that there is no such thing as the wrong weather, only the wrong kit for those conditions. 

Full length mudguards make a considerable difference, in terms of comfort and cleanliness. Rains have shown little sign of easing, so roads and lanes resemble muddy streams and surprise, surprise, I've favoured waterproof/repellent outer layers. 

Temperatures have held at around 6/7 degrees, so jackets with a breath ability rating of 10,000 are fine, atop a winter weight base and mid-layer. I generally prefer those with a rating of 15,000, which are that bit more temperate for faster-paced general riding. 

The Funkier Aqua water repellent tights and Prendas Ciclismo Lisboa Waterproof Cap https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/prendas-ciclismo-lisboa-waterproof- have also come in to their own, in these contexts. I prefer water-repellent to completely impervious fabrics, when it comes to socks and gloves. 

Those with a TPU lining may be waterproof in the submersible sense. However, they tend to become very hot, and turn uncomfortably clammy.  I've been cruising along quite happily with these Altura Night Vision, which are waterproof, in the submersible sense. 

They are also a three-layer design. however, this consists of a polyester laminate, a windproof, breathable membrane and a thermal liner. Little surprise then that my hands have remained temperate and completely dry in these very soggy scenarios. 

Day glow yellow doesn't appeal to everyone but its useful in dull, murky conditions and the retro-reflective detailing helps keep signals acutely visible.  No danger of falling off the radar with the See Sense Icon 2, thanks in part to the clever diode pattern and poly carbonate lens. The idea is that these spread an arc and tempo of lighting that humans find difficult to tune out from. 

I am also guessing there's an element of future-proofing at hand i.e. It may also be a tempo that autonomous vehicles may register and process.  I've also found time to fit their little bar bag. 

Designed for those essentials you need ready access to, I've decided its the ideal parking spot for the K-lite twin port USB charger and whatever I fancy refuelling, during the day, when I can opt for a blinky in day-flash and the dynamo, off. 

Talking of which, I am often asked why I could possibly want to carry a compact light, with a 1300lumen headlamp. A valid point, at face value. However, even the most reliable system can develop a fault. 

Even with the K Lite Bikepacker Ultra's prodigious standlight https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/k-lite-bikepacker-ultra-dynamo-ligh, a portable (ideally helmet mounted) light comes in really handy. Something I was reminded of, last Tuesday night. 

This ETC Sirrah came to my rescue when I felt the familiar, mood torpedoing  "bob" of a rear flat, several miles from home. I was also stunned to find a large Audi slowing to a halt, the driver genuinely concerned for my welfare. 

I  confirmed all was basically OK and thanked him for stopping. Mind you, I'm a very independent (some would say proud/stubborn) soul. Someone who asks for help, only as a last resort. That goes for life generally. Arrogant? No I just feel I should be able to manage. 

Being helmet mounted meant both hands were free to whip out the rear wheel, remove the tube and check the Schwalbe Marathon Mondial's casing for sharps. I initially replaced it with a bog standard multi-buy butyl. 

Wanting to minimise the likelihood of this happening again, I subsequently exchanged that for a Kenda Thorn Resistant tube. I'd also introduced some latex sealant, so the dreaded hiss should be a moot point. 

Now, the Marathon Mondial https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/schwalbe-marathon-mondial-tyres are a very hardy tyre, which employ an equally robust puncture repelling system. Something embedded in the mud clearly worked its way into the casing, and grazed the thin butyl tube. 

The Sirrah full 500 made said roadside repair that bit easier but it would seem my Lezyne pump's valve plug has been claimed by the verge monster. Even if you default to the CO2 inflator, a decent pump should always be carried in reserve. Steve's been quite taken with this Zefal https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/zefal-air-profil-micro-pump . At the other extreme, and for home/workshop use, there's the Fumpa Pump https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/fumpa-pump

I've since patched the wounded butyl and returned it, along with a sibling to my Univega's Carradice Carradry https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/carradice-carradry. Another godsend, keeping everything dry and secure.  

Conditions like these are perfect for testing lubes, cleaners and similar potions. I'm, pleased to report the Juice Lubes Viking Juice is still holding out, 130 waterlogged miles in. 

No less than I'd expect. Weldtite TF2 All Weather Lubricant https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/weldtite-tf2-performance-all-weathe has returned 400 from a single helping in comparable circumstances, after all.  the SKS Bluemells mudguards have also been proving their worth. 

However, my DIY "Bodge Flap" was another casualty of the verge. Something I attribute to the chosen adhesive. I've found Gorilla glue very useful for a wealth of things. However, it cures to a relatively inflexible state, thus doesn't handle pulling/twisting forces so well. Thankfully, Richard at RAW has sent me these to test https://rawmudflap.uk/about-mudflaps/

  

Happy Christmas!

Friday night, Saturday Morning

“Hope the chip shop isn’t closed, ‘Cos their pies are really nice. I’ll eat it in the taxi queue; standing in someone else’s spew. Wish I had lipstick on my shirt, instead of piss-stains on my shoes. I go out on Friday night and I come home on Saturday morning”…Terry Hall (The Specials)

Looking for gigs down seedy back alleys, has life become that desperate? Well, perhaps not, although joining the Hare Krishna movement as they sashayed joyfully through the lower shopping precinct proved intensely compelling- for all of thirty seconds.

Mirth aside, the sense of urgency is becoming increasingly apparent. Lateral, pragmatic thought and a cool, rational head, coupled with steely determination and self-belief are imperative. The Reliant (?) based trike has not rematerialized, so I’ve been unable to glean anymore spec, or owner-wise.

While not a subscriber to the suggestion that machines are extensions of personality, I’m always fascinated by the human interest stories behind the spec-sheet. Nonetheless and along these lines, it also inspired another photographic project, which is presently being broadcast on Stenning photographic’s Facebook page.

On the test bench, mucky lanes and grotty spring weather have revealed some minor, though not unexpected weaknesses in those BBB slimguard fenders. Subjectively, good quality fittings and materials have ensured good, silent tenure to the Teenage dream and they do look pretty sharp. However, overall performance is good, rather than ground-breaking.

30mm tyres are pretty optimistic by my reckoning, since 25mm will still result in some residual spray decorating the stay and top section (though I’ve never succumbed to a soggy backside). Even allowing that 5mm gap, accumulated mulch lodged between rear tyre and mudguard. This was predictable given fag paper clearances and hasn’t caused more serious binding to date.    

Rear triangle and bottom bracket still get a liberal spattering, ditto feet, so pack overshoes and/or waterproof socks are imperative on longer/really wet rides. Cannibalising an old set of clip-on race blades for their mud-flaps has certainly improved matters without tainting the aesthetic.

In stock guise, riding companions don’t get a face-full, so you won’t get dirty looks, or the silent treatment-for this at least. Aside from going the bespoke route, an option if you sought the last word in customisation, these are probably the closest I’ll come to proper-full length guards on this build, without spending a bundle, so am relatively accepting of compromise.

Besides, it’s presented an ideal opportunity to assess another batch of bike washes, polishes and anti/lubes…Traditional all-purpose lubricants have tended to be based around vegetable oils, which in the long-term causes hinges and sprung mechanisms to gum up uselessly requiring healthy blasts of water displacer.

So far, Green Oil’s latest challenger seems pretty good. It’s relatively thin and broadly comparable with three-seasons ISO/PTFE chain preps. I’ve drizzled some into the Teenage Dream’s elderly 6 speed Regina freewheel mechanism, locks and arthritic door hinges to good effect. Simon Nash is so confident of its safety; he’s been guzzling some here. https://www.facebook.com/BicycleOil

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Other brands have produced similar demos with theirs. Personally, I avoid ingesting chemicals wherever possible but we get the idea!  Seven Day Cyclist (www.sevendaycyclist.com) has just received their new eco grease, which has not only been refined for this season but soon to grease gun compatible, which makes it that bit easier and cleaner when applying to bearing races, fasteners and other threaded components.

Talking with Justin Burls, suggested that any high quality grease should be fine when mating titanium surfaces together, ditto steel and titanium. My preference has always erred in favour of high spec petrochemical ceramic products on anything space-age, so it will be interesting to see how this bio formula holds up on contact points, cleat bolts and similar quick-seize fasteners.