Sitting On It

 

I’ve always liked a bargain but there’s a significant difference between bargain and false economy. Often, it’s a very subtle differential in price too. I’ve reasoned that if I’m typically returning 1300miles from a ten-speed chain, especially during winter, then there’s some sense in economising here. I default to KMC these days, but my search engine flagged up a 116 link Clarks for £8.99.  

All that glitters is not gold, or indeed nickel plated. I opted for two slightly cheaper KMC, keeping them in stock until Ursula and Denise’s existing chains reach .7 on the chain checker. Chains, cables, brake pads and the odd cassette are parts I like to keep in stock, since they usually fail at the least convenient point and in the case of chains, can wear remarkably quickly.  

While Ursula’s front RL340 proved an effective job of commanding the TRP Spyre, upgrading it to a 520 was the right move. I’ve re-discovered the 340 pairing, and will put these aside for Denise, should need arise, now I’ve decided the non-aero route was but a 5-minute wonder. I’d also toyed with popping some new hoods on an old set of Campagnolo Athena (which if I recall were reversible) but boils down to change for changes sake, essentially and not the best use of my time.   

I’ve replaced Ursula’s front pads with these DiscoBrakes Sintered Brake Pads | cycling-not-racing since I was doing a deep clean. That said; I was pleasantly surprised to discover once I’d removed the sludgy grime, a decent amount of pad material remained on the substituted pair. I’ve popped them away in my disc pads packet and will re-use another time.      

Left unchecked a worn chain will chomp through more expensive drivetrain components-cassettes, rings and derailleurs. This is particularly costly on a touring lorry with old school triple setup. Keeping a touring triple on song year-round can be something of a chore, so changing the chain just before it’s spent saves time, money and hassle. Rim wear is also rapid, if your bike(s) run rim brakes and don’t keep an eye on pad health. Regularly cleaning them of grit and other embedded muck will extend the life of both, with relatively little effort and save a lot of money long term.    

Talking of tourers, Raleigh’s Sojourn was an interesting model which I spent quite a bit of time testing back in 2012.  

However, despite handsome looks and some definite charms, with the stock wheelset it was less responsive and engaging than I’d come to expect, even from a traditional tourer, which is designed to handle predictably while hauling the kitchen sink. The sojourn sprung back from the vaults of my bike testing consciousness when someone posted their much modified and recently re-finished (powder coated) example.  

Despite some definite charm, I would upgrade the wheelset- probably to Ryde Sputnik, XT rear, Nexus, or Alfine Shimano Alfine UR700 Hub Dynamo | cycling-not-racing dynohub up front. Rubber-wise, and assuming we’re going the full mudguard (fender) route) I’d go for something like the Pirelli Angel DT Urban c. 37mm Pirelli Angel DT Urban Tyre | cycling-not-racing. I’d possibly ditch the metal guards for chrome plastics, too. Though functional enough, I was never really taken with Avid BB5, or other single piston mechanical callipers, finding them tricky to adjust and prone to rub.  

They’d be substituted for TRP Spyre and decent quality sealed cables, such as these Jagwire Road Elite Sealed Brake Kit Jagwire Road Elite Sealed Brake Kit | cycling-not-racing   Staying with the stock theme, I’d also switch the Sora brifters for Tektro RL520 and bar cons of some description. Alternatively, something like Kona Dew Drop might be a better starting point. Much of it for me comes down to the right price.    

I’ve done enough time sat on the WTB Rocket saddle, which has proven very agreeable to my derriere, despite being narrower than my bike fit ideal WTB Rocket Saddle | cycling-not-racing. It’s offered ample support, the subtle pressure relieving channel has done its thing competently, without fuss, or fanfare.  Contact points generally, and saddles specifically are very personal things and not an exact science.  

With a favourite go-to technical shell coming to the end of its useful life, the arrival of this Madison Stellar Ultra Reflective Men’s Waterproof Jacket was also timely. Aside from the bold yellow and retina tickling retro-reflective detailing, waterproofing and breathability are 10,000 apiece and there’s a big waterproof breast pocket and at £79.99 it's competitively priced so will be interesting to see how it performs in the coming weeks.    

 

Forever Bikes

 

 

A term that can, like many others, mean different things to different people. Some would describe a “forever bike” as one you can pop into storage and feel instantly connected, like you would an old friend, months, possibly years down the line. I can broadly agree with that sentiment but tend to regard forever bikes as part of the family. Machines that have been with you throughout life’s twists, turns, turned massive mileages and evolved. Tourers often fell into this category.  

Sometimes they start off as a high-end bike for long-haul rides and tours but evolve over the years. Low gears, mudguards, and stable handling mean they often evolve into go-to beasts of burden, towing trailers, and tagalongs when the children are small, practical for other general riding but deeply revered in the same way you would a family pet. No prizes for spotting Ursula falls into this category. The lightweight triple-butted 4130 cro-moly frameset is rugged, fun to ride and has a wealth of nifty braze-ons/ features that cater for most contexts.

  

Full length guards (fenders) ensure year-round comfort, loads of clearance for big tyres, three bottle bosses, four-point carrier fixings. She’s rides beautifully, laden, or otherwise. There are the memories of the rides with Joshua on his tagalong, cakes, and goodies in the pannier- sociable resistance training, essentially. Times when he and I were close. The old girl could go anywhere we wanted, on a whim. 

Especially with good quality dual-purpose tyres, such as the now-discontinued Vittoria Randonneur Trail.  Spiked tyres, and I can slither along the lanes and backroads safely.  No such thing as the wrong weather, just the wrong kit.  

Loved, cherished and regularly waxed, she’s a machine I’ve been confident about riding, no matter how wild the weather gets. There have been evolutions, constant component changes (not least since the stuff to make her go, stop and handle in great proportion wears out). I’ve tended to upgrade as I’ve gone along, but on a working bike, reliability and durability trump glamour.  

These things must be cost-effective, too. The full-length guards and rugged tyres make a huge difference as the roads become coated in a greasy mulch. I was stunned to find a complete loss of drive the other morning. Pre-dawn and sans Sigma Buster 2000 (or similar helmet light) I was convinced yet another chain had broken and slithered off, into the undergrowth, meaning another six-mile scoot home. Imagine my relief discovering it had simply slipped off the front ring- no damage. No obvious cause, either.       

I’ve toyed with hub gears and may eventually go the Alfine route when the XT hub finally gives up the ghost and I’m looking at another wheel build. Ok, so it’s 700c, not 26 inch but I’ve always felt something like Genesis Day One 20 is a very well equipped “from the crate” package with hub transmission (30-90 inches) drop bars, full-length guards and clearance for 700x35c tyres.  

Personally, I’d want a hub dynamo and disc calliper upgrade, and knowing me, I’d go for an external BB & crankset but otherwise a very practical road-going workhorse. One I’d gladly have in my stable. Well, if we’re going with my opening narrative, taking this route, I would build a similar machine around a higher-end frameset.  

Reynolds 631 might be overbuilt for some tastes but I’ve found it very responsive and built correctly, it will certainly serve the test of time. Some Waxoyl sloshing around its inner sanctum and a high-quality powder-coated After The Gritters Went Home | Seven Day Cyclist dove grey finish. Disc brake mounts, clearance for 700x42c plus, four-point carrier mounts and some other personalised nick nacks...