Return Of the Bar Cam?

 

Glancing down at Ursula’s riser-drops while hossing along a particularly muddied byway, I decided there was plenty of available real estate and it might be time for the bar cam to return... Once its rear wheels had been sorted by Mick Madgett, obviously. I’d had another six mile walk of shame, courtesy of a blow-out and pothole tag team. I decided to prune the expired Ikon Maxxis Ikon Tyres | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) down and it could live on as a belt, rather than becoming landfill. Mick had finished building the new XT wheel and tweaking the Rigida Sputnik/XT the following Friday.  

Not to be out-done, the fixed gear winter/trainer’s rear Pirelli Angel DT Pirelli Angel DT Urban Tyre | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) succumbed to a hedge clipping-close inspection of the tread suggested it had struck just proud of the centre strip and 5mm puncture repelling breaker strip- a hedge clipping the culprit, although it was only a tiny pin prick in the tube.  

Comes with the season and of course, wet, greasy roads make a sharp’s progress that bit easier. Winter and early season riding is hard on even the best maintained bikes. Aside from taxing tyres, it’ll chew through chains and other drivetrain components, mechanisms can gum up, contact points can seize.  

Periodic re-greasing of the latter, regular washes and inspections go a long way to prevent mischief, not to mention long walks home. Then of course, wheels get more punishment courtesy of poor infrastructure. Again, vigilance certainly helps. However, due to chronic lack of investment, the UK’s roads have been falling into serious disrepair. Local authority budgets squeezed to oblivion by central government is compounding matters.         

Ironically, the temperatures rose, and roads dried out sufficiently for the Holdsworth to appear briefly from seasonal hibernation. My first opportunity to evaluate the repaired steel fork and its impact on the bike’s handling. Spoiler alert, it was worth the switch- handling is still very engaging, just a little less twitchy and whisper it, more comfortable over longer distances.  

The CamparkV40 had been doing something close to nothing for a good while, too. Action cameras have improved over the years, but the small sensors mean footage in low light is so-so and, in my experience the V40 is no exception. However, I was attracted to its solid build quality and highly weather resistant body.  

No call for a separate, audio distorting polycarbonate case-a definite plus. Google had been floating several other options at me. Go Pro 12 was an obvious choice, DJI Osmo Action 4 another but there’s no justification for shelling out if existing kit is otherwise solid. (I already had an ancient but very worthy Geonaute G-Eye 2 doing not a lot- it has outlived the Apeman A80).  

 

With the Leatt Endurance 2.0 enjoying a well-earned wash, I’ve resurrected an impressive Gore Torrent Men’s Jacket. It’s a lightweight three-layer model made from polyamide. Water resistance is superior to the Leatt (although I’d expect so, given it was £229 back in 2021) and the medium tips the scales at 190g.  

 

Fit is decidedly snug, but sizing is perfectly accurate. I should also point out, it’s a road rather than gravel, or trail garment and, it's also less packable, which may also be significant in the latter riding contexts.  

 

The 7Mesh Cypress Hybrid 7mesh Cypress Hybrid Cycling Jacket | Seven Day Cyclist is a more packable design, much closer to the Leatt in this respect and indeed, at £131.25, pricing. The 7Mesh is made from Gore Tex Infinium, the body being 50d polyester, the back body is 78% polyester and 22% elastane. Really close fit eliminates flutter and similar distractions, while the dual zippered side vents allow more tuneable airflow, while simultaneously improving access to jersey pockets. 

  

Talking of jerseys, I’m a major fan of long- sleeve summer models, especially since they offer greater protection against sun and to a lesser extent, wind burn (which can be an issue when riding in and around coastal regions). They’re also useful for when the temperature’s a little changeable-late summer evenings, early autumn and of course, spring.  

 

Cycology has sent me their Summit Lightweight Long Sleeve Summer Jersey and Baja Blue Classic Cycling Cap. The Summit follows the Polyester/Elastane narrative, and the yarn offers SPF50 protection, which is very welcome (although I’m still inclined to apply a high-factor sunscreen during the height of summer).  

 

Three large rear pockets and a fourth zippered design are hardly front-page news but again, very welcome, and sensibly proportioned. A full-length hidden zipper gives a seamless look, while affording excellent, tuneable airflow and temperature regulation.   

 

The Baja Blue Classic Cycling Cap follows the brand’s tradition of lively artwork and is made from a polyester/cotton mix. (65/35%). More cotton than I’ve come to expect from the technical variants, so time will see whether this has any impact upon moisture management and odour control.  It does have a very generous peak, which can be flicked up, or down, depending on choice and riding contexts.  Enough chat, time to get some more miles in... 

Reflections & Relentless Rain

 Water, Water Everywhere but Not a Drop to Drink. Flooding has been this winter’s narrative and the lack of flood defences here in the UK would seem to be making matters worse. However, the less extreme ends of this are great for assessing the capabilities (and sometimes shortcomings) of everything.  

From waterproof, breathable clothing to mudguards, waxes, detailing products, bike washes, lubes, and of course, electricals. Leatt has sent me their Endurance 2.0 Jacket, which is aimed at cross-county mtb/gravel audiences but in my experience, makes the transition to general road duties very well.   

The jacket is a “super lightweight” model that packs down very compactly. Leatt reckons inside a jersey pocket, and I’d broadly agree, depending on how large your pocket is. No issues with the old-school, deep terrace type.  It’s a Nylon/Elastane “rip-stop” weave that forgoes a laminate for improved ventilation and features a DWR (Durable water repelling) windproof and stain-resistant outer shell. Knitted panels also feature knitted paneling in the back and panels for improved ventilation. 

The former also features a poacher’s type rear pocket. Me being me, I would’ve preferred a breast pocket too, for a compact camera etc. However, it’s a feathery, racy, close-fitting cut for minimal flutter and this second pocket with cargo would pull, thus impairing the fit etc. That shouldn’t be read as only being suitable for summer weight/long-sleeved jerseys. I’m pleased to report ours is roomy enough for the winter-weight jersey cum jacket genre too.   

I’ve gone for the blue but black and rust are the alternatives. The zipper is also waterproof, although I would’ve preferred a bigger tag, even allowing for my not-so-dextrous dominant index finger. I’ve done my usual, cable tie zipper tag extension, solving said problem.   

Packable garments are arguably the most practical options for changeable conditions, although I’m still a big fan of the 2.5-layer laminate type when it’s predictably wet and indeed cold. Talking of which, I also received some more lubes.  

This time from Blub’s range- a ceramic and a wax, which are cleaner running preps designed for drier weather. Obviously, it's most important to test them in the conditions for which they were designed. However, I am also interested to see how products like lubes behave in wider contexts. After all, conditions can change throughout a ride. How practical is a lube to reapply? Does it wash away, how good are its corrosion-inhibiting properties? How much grime does it attract etc.   

One of the very appealing features of these two is their rapid curing times- allegedly two minutes apiece for both, which is on paper as practical as you’re likely to find. Seems a little longer in practice. That said; I’ve been applying in 2/3 degrees. Yes, I know there are still pour-and-go formulas but even after you’ve drizzled them into the chain’s inner sanctum, you’re still needing to wipe away the excess before hopping on and scooting off.  I’ve left the fixed and Ursula’s curing for a day, primarily since I applied having purged their drivetrains and given both bikes a seriously good sudsy bucket wash and wax.  

One thing led to another, and I whipped this 28mm Schwalbe One 365 up front.  All weather/ al conditions tyres are a big ask and to some extent, there’s always an element of compromise somewhere. In my experience, with lighter, swifter tyres it tends to be puncture resistance.  

The Schwalbe weigh in at 332g apiece, less than half the weight of The Pirelli Angel ST Urban Tyres Pirelli Angel DT Urban Tyre | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and indeed, the super dependable Kenda Kwick Journey KS Plus KENDA KWICK JOURNEY TYRES | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) . However, these Vittoria Rubino Pro Control Graphene 2.0 Vittoria Rubino Pro Control Graphene 2.0 | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) are a much closer comparator and 5g apiece heavier. Will be interesting to see how the Schwalbe perform across the board and compared with the Vittoria and to a lesser degree, the Maxxis Refuse 700x32c 60 TPI TR Folding Maxx Shield Tyres MAXXIS REFUSE TR FOLDING TYRE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

I’ve also been further contemplating the benefits of hub transmissions and bikes built around them. Genesis Day One employs a double-butted aluminium alloy frame and Cro-moly fork and is built around the humble 8-speed Nexus hub. Cable-operated discs might lack the low maintenance bite of hydraulics but are easy to service and repair.  

Budget but a practical workhorse cum commuter. Nice enough but not so pretty you’re petrified by the thought of tethering it to hardy street furniture with a decently stout “fuck off” lock. Long story short, I’d be interested in racking up some proper miles on one.  

Another enticement, given the flooding and generally adverse conditions are hub dynamos that can be serviced “in the field”.  By that, I really mean models that can be stripped, bearings replaced and regreased without going back to the factory. Interestingly one side of the Alfine hub dynamo Shimano Alfine UR700 Hub Dynamo | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) can be accessed and the bearings replaced.  

While the SP series of hubs have been impressive despite some extreme and persistently wet conditions, I’m tempted by the KASI FS DynaCoil CL/D6 units which are designed to be opened using a 36mm headset spanner. I’ve had 20,000 miles plus from the PD8 before the sealed bearings got sloppy. However, given the miles Ursula and fixed gear trainer rack up in foul weather, the ability to strip, clean, and rebuild the hub, without dismantling the wheel is a definite draw.