Further
plotlines and characters for my series of children’s stories devised and deadlines herded into their respective pens, Border collie fashion, I settled to slathering some
fresh Muc-off Carbo-grip to the Holdsworth's Tifosi branded composite post.
While about it, the Specialized toupe' was reinstated on grounds of grams and the coarse grain leather saddlebag substituted for this Zefal. Aside from superior capacity and zero sway,it includes retro-reflective detailing and LED tab. I had hoped this Cycliq fly 6 HD camera and LED combo would cadge a lift but its specifically designed for post mounting. No bad thing, since the latter provides superior tenure and blur-free recording.
Polishing and preening complete, attention turned to its track nuts, which needed nipping tight. Obviously, I don't generate the herculean output of a 90 kilo sprinter.
That said; proves transmission braking and hard core honking call for regular inspection.
Contrary to popular
misconception, fixed chains wear faster than their derailleur counterparts.
Sure; they’re no skipping up and down a cassette but those forces, coupled
with grotty winters (and in my case, occasional trailer tugging duties) lead to
hard and relatively short lives.
I’ve managed
3,000miles from this Z1X inox which is roughly twice that of a typical nickel
plated speed derailleur chain subjected to similar conditions. Now well into
late middle age, I’m probably looking at a further 700miles before it becomes
bin fodder. Chances are, we’ll receive another beefy model for review by then;
otherwise, I’ll go for another X1. (Full
report on Seven Day Cyclist www.sevendaycyclist.com).
On the subject of trailers, leaving the house without a camera is unthinkable-there’s always something interesting to capture. I overtook this rider on a bypass road while driving the KA and pulled into a layby several hundred metres away to get some shots of his Specialized and Burly combo.
Bikes are incredibly versatile and can haul surprising loads safely, at sensible speeds and for long distances.
Admittedly; the safe bit is clearly open to interpretation, depending on where you are in the world and I’m not sure, even with gearing lower than a snake’s testicles, that I’d attempt hauling Peter Eland’s payload www.eland.org.uk/
Nonetheless, a week’s family shop is easily brought home in a typical mid-range unit. In keeping with panniers, a low slung hitch and sensible weight distribution are musts but so long as 35kilos isn’t exceeded, I can haul more in my Bob Yak homage than the KA and other micro-minis.
Single wheel designs, such as the Yak and its followers track behind the bike and enjoy a low centre of gravity, which makes them a more obvious choice off road.
Sneaking through tighter gaps and side alleys is also easier than their two wheeled counterparts. On the flip side, two wheelers tend to cope better with potholes and make stop-start parking more convenient. Hitches are similarly crucial, look for something low slung that bolts neatly to the rear dropout.
Chariot trailers used to employ a clever ball-joint coupling that was secure, yet counter intuitive to use. Avoid post mounted types crude, or otherwise since they’re agricultural and cursed with a high centre of gravity, which have a detrimental effect upon handling. Substantial twisting forces generated by the beam “wag” the rider, which is tiring to counteract and overcome, even over moderate distances.
Elsewhere, Green oil's workshop sized, gun-friendly 200ml tube has just arrived. This makes for very precise, mess and waste-free delivery ; especially to quick release skewers, small fasteners, bearings etc. Other than an initial squeeze, contents flow much faster than the original dropper-bottle, which often needs standing in hot water for a minute or so, particularly in cooler weather.
Initial
reactions are favourable and it seems much stockier than the original recipe,
which though good, degraded faster than PTFE or lithium pastes. Unlike these,
it’s reckoned safe on rubberised components such as seals and suspension
bushings. We’ll see…Off to watch some old frames restored now.
