Baggage, Racks & Resurrections

 

Yes, I’ve plenty of the former apparently. Comes with age and experience but that’s not what I’m on about here, so don’t turn away just yet... Storms and general biblical rains have seen me switch Ursula back to the Carradice Carradry SQR Bag CARRADICE CARRADRY SQR BAG | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) while the arrival of this Topeak Uni Super Tourist DX Disc rack saw the Carradice Super C Rack Bag resurrected from several years’ hibernation. I nearly sold it during the pandemic and so glad I didn’t.   

For the uninitiated, the Topeak Uni Super Tourist DX rack is made from hollow tubular 6061 T6 aluminium alloy, finished in a very fetching black powder coat. Ursula sported a Super Tourist DX for a few years-I was very endeared to it and some of the brands’ integrated MTX luggage. Integrated systems are a double-edged sword and on balance, I err towards luggage with a more universal, transferable fit. 

Talking of which, Uni stands for universal fitting, not just for bikes with disc mounts. According to Topeak, it’s built to entertain mtbs with 24–29-inch wheels and 700c builds. Oodles of clearance for big tyres- a boon if you’re switching between bikes of different genre.  

The beefy 10mm tubing also makes a reliable host to rear lights (assuming you’re not using two panniers) when the aero post insert is employed. This version now adorns the fixed gear winter/trainer’s braze-ons, for several reasons. Not least since I’ve been wanting to keep the Exotic carbon seat post, ruling out the SQR luggage I’m so fond of. 

There’s not much difference weight wise, the Carradry weighs 1390g, whereas the Topeak and Super C 1590g. At 915g for the Topeak is heavier than some tubular steel favourites and some aluminium alloy designs boasting similar, 26 kilo payloads. However, lateral stiffness is excellent. I’d much sooner a few extra grams and a laden bike that tracked and handled in good proportion, than one that felt like a runaway blancmange.

  

6061 racks should not be overloaded, or bikes lain down on their luggage. The former might sound obvious, but the latter also places increased stress on them. Wrapping electrical, or duct tape around the sections where luggage touches is another sensible precaution. I’ve only had two breakages in 38 years, and I’m pleased to report I was able to lash them up and ride home on both occasions. A well-known US brand replaced theirs under warranty-no quibble, no fuss.       

Though not a unique frameset by any means, my fixed gear winter has some quirks- most notably the mono stay rear triangle. I wondered if the Topeak’s disc-specific design would impede access to the track nuts-say when adjusting chain tension, or wheel removal.  

Not when using an open-ended 15mm but the cheap and usually cheerful box type are non-starters. I also needed to drop the rear, curvaceous Mud Hugger Gravel Hugger Mudguards MUD HUGGER GRAVEL HUGGER MUDGURADS | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) by a few millimetres, allowing me to bolt the rack and arms in situ. 

 

Topeak have gone for 5mm, rather than 4mm Allen heads but stayed with 8mm bolts- remember a standalone ring spanner, or a multi-tool, such as their Alien in case you need to nip things snug by the roadside. As would be expected, the nuts fasteners employ a thin, rubbery insert, minimising the likelihood of them vibrating loose and being ejected into a verge.  

Anyhow, I’m loving the increased carrying capacity- means I can bring changes of gloves, spare glasses, lightweight shell jackets/gilets and shoe covers for changeable conditions. I also like to postcards and similar stuff mid-ride.  

A time management thing-they’re already en route and off my list, before the business day has begun.  I’ve also resurrected this Showers Pass Men’s Elements Jacket. SHOWERS PASS MEN'S ELEMENTS JACKET | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) which is aimed at mountain bike audiences, but in my view, well suited to general riding.  

A little heavier than the Oxford Venture (399g compared with 249g) the Elements is a 2.5-layer hard shell laminate model boasts waterproof and breathability ratings of 15,000 apiece and has plenty of internal pockets. Mine is the Titanium version, which is a neutral grey by day but comes alive under street and vehicle headlights. There’s also a “Night Ride” which I’d describe as a similarly fetching green/grey.   

Talking of which editors have been kind and I’ve just received some Altura All Roads Waterproof Gloves. Essentially these are closer to a waterproof sock, than a traditional cycling glove, which along with their subtle colours extends horizons to other, more generic outdoor activities.   

There's a tactile outer made from a Polyester/Polyamide mix (49 and 44% respectively) coupled with 4% Elastodiene 2% Elastane and 1% metal fibre. Internally 75% acrylic, 18% Polyester, 3% Polyamide, 2% Elastodiene, and yes, 1% metal fibre. Palms have the all-important silicone grippers and tech-friendly digits, while retro-reflective finger and thumb tips stop things being too stealthy. Waterproofing is an impressive 22,000mm, breathability 4,500 g/m2/24hrs.   

Reminiscent of the Q365 Anfibio Winter Rain Cycling Gloves I reviewed last year, and there’s little separating them price-wise. Formative impressions are favourable, but it’ll be interesting to see how they really compare several hundred miles down the line. Steve's been really impressed by these Chiba Bioxcell Winter Warm Line Gloves Chiba Bioxcell Winter Warm-Line Gloves | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)

Talking of which, here’s my review of the Schwalbe Smart Sam Performance Line Folding Tyre Schwalbe Smart Sam Tyres | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)

I’d planned to resurrect the Weldite Extreme Wet Lube but couldn’t find it, so have opted for the SKS Lube Your Chain TESTED: SKS LUBE YOUR CHAIN (sevendaycyclist.com) instead- super durable in some very challenging conditions.  

 

Never Ending Story

 

The quiet and extended periods of darkness are extremely conducive to product testing and more generic reflection. On the bike front, it can also be a time when an idea, becomes the ONLY idea. Ok, Michael, give us something to work with. Well, I’ve been pondering, with the new SD8 dynohub, whether I should take Ursula the disc route upfront. This would obviously require a new set of forks and a caliper.  

There are several routes I could’ve taken. The first is custom. I could get a frame builder, such as Lee Cooper Home - LEE COOPER CYCLE FRAMES (webs.com) to build me a suitable set from a decent grade of Cro-moly. However, going that route, I would need cantilever and disc brake mounts, mudguard eyes, and would probably add some custom mounts atop. Did I mention paint.... A bespoke, but arguably not the most cost-effective route...  

I happened upon some aluminium alloy Kinesis, which were another very plausible, relatively inexpensive choice that would’ve also presented a weight saving, albeit feeling a little more direct than their steel counterparts. However, transpired these were an archived model.  I toyed with the idea of something with carbon blades and an alloy steerer.  

A few inexpensive Chinese models looked basically OK. However, they only sported a disc caliper mount, which defeated the object. Now, it’s suggested in some circles that budget forks tend to be a little overbuilt. However, the prospect of a cheap fork failing at any point, inducing an expensive and painful spill, is another turn-off for me.   

Then a set of lightly used Kona Project 2, complete with both sets of brake mounts came under my radar (and moreover at the right price). 180mm steerer...Now, I hadn’t expected these to materialise, so got over excited and bought blind, taking a gamble on the 180mm steerer tube.  

This was on the slimmer side of precise but viable, with a spacer exchange. Paint was similarly good. A light dab of phosphate primer and some gloss black will cure a couple of superficial chips. Topeak Versa Mounts TOPEAK VERSAMOUNT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) will address the missing mudguard eyelets. For the time being, I’ll run the existing setup and new wheel until I’ve got everything together and can transfer everything seamlessly. Afterall, new front brake, pads, rims with machined side walls...   

I've gone for another TRP Spyre SLC caliper, a TRP compression-less cable kit, and will take the Cane Creek SC5 route. Disc rotor will be a 160mm Clarke unit, since that’s what I have in stock, and I’ve used them to good effect with my fixed gear winter/trainer’s Spyre setup. This will of course be topped off with a change of bar tape. Elsewhere, back in the moment, Oxford products have sent me this Torque Covert Crank Multi tool, which fills the gap in the drive-side of your Hollow tech crank.  

I’d been known to blank these with a surplus bar end plug, on aesthetic grounds but this way, you’re filling space with something genuinely useful. Held magnetically in situ, the 7-function tool includes 3,4, 5, 6mm Allen keys, Philips head screwdriver, T25 Torx key, Chain tool, chain link holder, which is quite an impressive feat.

  

Oxford have really turned up the dial on their advanced rider range and the Oxford Venture Jacket is no exception. It’s a lightweight, packable “proper” shell jacket designed to thwart the elements. 10,000mm for waterproofing and breathability might sound distinctly average but in practice are proving very effective in the real world.  

Though snug, it’s accommodating of winter layering. The laminate shell has also been doing an excellent job of blocking icy chills and even the detachable hood is winning me over. However, there’s a couple of hundred miles before I draw any firm conclusion. Should reach those come the close of Christmas...