Displacing The Load

Pleased to report that my DIY shim/protector made from old inner tube has had the desired results (a) Eliminating sway with the Aero Post Rack, while placing less strain on the SQR clip, since less torque (and therefore, stress) is required to keep everything snug and solid.  

Using the larger, full-size SQR clip probably helps, on account of its larger surface area. I’ve slipped a spare into the side pocket, just in case. In the absence of the mighty Carradice Carradry SQR bag https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/carradice-carradry, I’ve gone for a bike-packing configuration, courtesy of this Merida Travel Frame Bag.  

It’s the large version and arguably, the medium would be a better fit, since it obscures the seat tube bottle cage (although switching to side entry models largely corrects this). The hardy, lightweight TPU material seems genuinely waterproof and the internal layout also suits me.  

The Velcro straps feel a little low rent, although bolstered by the seat and downtube counterparts draw tight enough to prevent sway. I’ve been impressed by the design ‘s rigidity (although would appreciate thicker straps) I’ve not needed to effect a knees-out pedaling style, so no issues maintaining an efficient cadence.  

Experience with webbed strapping (the sort common to top tube bags and years ago, high power rechargeable battery lighting) suggests minute amounts of sway can leave tan-lines in lacquered, or painted surfaces. This is easily addressed by dressing these areas in helicopter/similar clear protective tapes, first. Zefal Skin Armor Roll is a good, affordable workshop staple https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/zefal-skin-armor-roll  

I continue to appreciate the qualities and refinements offered by higher-end suspension seat posts and am endeared to the Redshift Shock stop https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/redshift-shockstop-suspension-seatp and Cane Creek Thudbuster  STG4.  

Though not essential, their supple zing is very welcome on longer rides, especially given the condition of local roads. Now lockdown has been eased, road patching (as distinct from resurfacing) is becoming quite prevalent. I have toyed with the idea of acquiring a G3 for the Univega, while they’re still available and not at collectors' prices. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/cane-creek-thudbuster-suspensuin-se 

Nonetheless, the present uncertainties mean it would need to be at the right price to justify the outlay, since the tubby tourer’s big tyres do a pretty good job of ironing out the bumps and the existing Selcof holds the Cycles Berthoud saddle securely. Therefore, want over need. 

I’ve also been pleasantly surprised by the Juice Lubes Chain Juice Wax this time round. I’ve used it some years back and indeed, more recently, during a wetter spell, which on some levels, was a little unfair. Afterall, these are designed for dry/dusty conditions. This time round, I’ve applied ours in two coats, leaving ten minutes curing between them, then observing an 8hour curing period before riding.  

Thus far, I’ve managed 250 predominantly dry weather miles and its running very clean. 

This hasn’t rivaled dry formulas, such as Weldtite TF2 Ultra Dry Wax https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/tf2 but then it seems unaffected by higher temperatures (unlike Zefal Pro Dry Wax https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/zefal-extra-dry-chain-wax) or Muc-Off Dry Lube https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/muc-off-dry-chain-lube. Cleanliness is good for chain health and to some extent, extends maintenance intervals (save perhaps for reapplication, depending on the lube’s staying prowess).  

The KMC in question has gone past the 1,000mile marker and if the weather remains predominantly dry, I’m confident I’ll get at least 1,500 before its ready to collect its pension. 

When it comes to chains and cassettes, I get a quiet satisfaction from just in time replacement of chains and cassettes i.e. getting my money’s worth but replacing on time, before they can consume more expensive parts. Since the Pro Gold Pro Link Chain Lube https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/pro-gold-pro-link-chain-lube  dressing my fixed’s chain was beginning to look a little filmy, I added some Zefal Pro Dry Lube https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/zefal-pro-dry-lube to see whether the two would react negatively. I’m gambling on the solvent content being strong enough to strip the other, thus rendering this academic but we’ll see.   

With the roads being more congested now, I’ve also reinstated the Orp Smart horns https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/orp-smart-horn to my fixed and the Univega. Primarily so I can gently warn pedestrians of my approach along the lanes and sometimes, dissuade a small minority from crossing high streets without looking. 

Talking of just in time, there seems to be some surprise that a no-deal Brexit will result in Sunderland’s Nissan factory closing its doors. Car factories run on the just in time principle, relying on goods arriving at a precise point. Otherwise, productivity and profits plummet.  

61.3% of Sunderland voted to leave the EU, Nissan is owned by Renault, who (in the event of no-deal) will relocate elsewhere in Europe where trade is seamless. The collapse of a major employer has major ripples for any community. Suppliers, café's and other businesses, which depend upon them will also disappear. Short-sighted and desperately sad, given the demise of manufacturing and its wider consequences, has been so widely documented.           

   

Future Proofing

Arguably there’s no such thing, everything must evolve to stand any chance of survival and those, no matter how “intelligent” who refuse to acknowledge and evolve will find themselves obsolete. Change is difficult for us to accept, it challenges our sense of certainty, presenting a new sense of vulnerabilities.

For many decades there prevailed a myth through Dagenham (a town built around the Ford motor company) that educational attainment was completely irrelevant since said motor giant would always grant local people (comparatively) well-paid, semi/unskilled work on their assembly line.

By 1995, according to schools liaison officers the average Dagenham school leaver “Stood a cat’s chance in hell” of being considered for the line’s most rudimentary jobs. Engineering has continued to make a low key return here and in other regions of the UK but levels of remuneration are incomparable with previous decades.

Those of a technical grade, with “valuable” transferable skills will move sideways into other industries/roles, those without face a decidedly uncertain future, forgotten by political administrations-regardless of their ideological “convictions”. 

Many people purport to understand social media but until recently, I’d been an operator, as distinct from mechanic. Rather akin to being stranded by the roadside with an elderly car haemorrhaging litres of coolant, oil and similarly vital fluids, grappling with the running gear is proving a steep but empowering and arguably essential learning curve.

Suspension systems are another perpetual evolution, though have never really fired the imaginations of road riders or at least enjoyed sustained commercial success. Two decades back, Steve Bauer’s Eddy Merrcx Paris Roubaix bike (sometimes sporting Rock Shox front boingers) looked loosely contemporary, though hasn’t aged well-its profile and seating position more reminiscent of Harley homage cruiser motorcycles.  Ditto Bianchi’s curious celeste dual road sussers from 1996 that resemble bicycle shaped objects flogged on petrol station forecourts.   

Weight and added complication have been the traditional lines of resistance. Carbon fibre and titanium  has long been the zing of choice-justly so in most contexts, though I must confess to a soft spot for Girvin’s Flexstem and AMP research’s simple forks-both now rapidly gaining anorak status, having vanished from production at least fifteen years ago with very modest spares availability.

Seatposts have been another mixed bag, from simple yet serviceable elastomer types slipping under £25 to ultra-smooth units employing a heady mix of nitrogen gas cartridge and coil sprung technology. Shorter travel designs have always nudged my consciousness for rough-stuff touring, cyclo cross and tandem stoker applications with Cane Creek’s Thudbuster proving one of the more enduring designs I’d not had the opportunity to test until now….

For the uninitiated, there’s two versions-LT (long Travel) aimed primarily at the enduro /cross country mountain bike audiences whereas its’ ST (short travel) counterpart is for lighter trail/cross/tandem stoker antics. Nudging 454g for the standard 350mm version, it’s offered in a refreshingly comprehensive range of sizes.

Other diameters are accommodated via a series of long shims. Back in the 1990s, several manufacturers of “trick” sub 200g CNC machined exotica produced a single size, supplied with the corresponding shims. Thing was, these were decidedly minimalist, often shallower than penicillin tablets, resulting in seat tube stress fractures. Thus some very prominent brands wouldn’t honour frame warrantees when paired to such.

Popular culture, though TV in particular seems central in engendering an “us n’ them” vehicular tribalism, which misses the point and isn’t remotely conducive to forming intelligent, cohesive integrated transport systems. 

Cycling plays a big part in Joshua’s continued quest for greater autonomy, requiring carefully reasoned, rational risk management. Knee jerk “cotton wool” protectionism is perhaps understandable but disastrously counterproductive, hence why I instilled the basics of road craft and an awareness of the increasingly maddening crowd who substitute skill for varying levels of aggression during his formative tagalong tenure.

Instrumental in this slackening of parental reins are his phone and this bar mounted waterproof Aquapac mobile phone bag. Some would advocate tracking apps and other surveillance but to me, this is decidedly Orwellian and recognising he’s not easily distracted, I’m happy knowing he will ride within his limits, can be contacted and communicate with me should circumstances arise.