Flashbacks & Fancies

While mooching around Coventry’s Fargo Village, I was drawn to “The Bike Box”. Initially, by a Surly pacer and this Salsa. Being Sunday, I wasn’t entirely surprised to discover the shop closed. However, peering in through the window, I noticed this Holdsworthy Claud Butler.

An early 80s, 531^ST frameset built around period sensitive, yet broadly contemporary components. Colour aside, the frameset was almost identical, to a 1982 Super Dalesman, that seduced me, and my paper round savings, 29 years 1 month ago.

It cost me £250 at the time. £125 of which, I borrowed from my mother. A tourer that handled beautifully, laden or otherwise and one I remember, with great fondness.

Thankfully, Sharon came to collect me at this point. Being an empath, she humoured me, then whisked us away to a very pleasant Turkish café’. Elsewhere, the Holdsworth and I have been enjoying the clement conditions.

Perky and pared to the essentials, there’s been plenty of smiles per mile too. I was tempted (when Lee Cooper graciously performed the bottom bracket shell replacement and other, remedial work) to have a set of bottle bosses added. However, while its far from period, I want to keep the frame original-structurally, at least.

Hence, I’ve gone the strap on route. (You at the back, stop sniggering!!!) The slightly dumpy, though extremely practical SKS unit, has been joined by Topeak’s infinitely prettier Versa mount.

I’ve whipped this carbon composite Enigma bat-wing design. On an aesthetic note, I should probably swap the Elite Ciussi, for the Boardman cage clinging to my Univega’s downtube.

The Versa mount can be mounted in a variety of ways, to entertain small/compact geometry frames and even folders-head tubes, seat posts, or even fork legs are a few obvious alternatives. 1.2 kilos, is the maximum payload. One trick ponies in some respects. You certainly wouldn’t deploy them as a P-clip substitute for 4point carriers.

Continuing the swapping theme… I’ve swapped my fixed gear winter trainer’s Syncros matchbox cage for this bright green Vel race cage. A much closer match, pattern-wise, to the Deva.

At 34g, its made from a composite resin, which in turn is painted and lacquered for a glossy, durable sheen.  I’ve also exchanged said machine’s Brooks swift pattern perch, for this BBB Echelon.

The Echelon has a unique, dare I say characteristically Dutch flavour.  It supposedly straddles mtb and road genres, suggesting it’ll be a viable option for rough stuff and gravel too.

This is the 141, which is slightly misleading, since its actually145mm wide, 265mm long. 2mm broader than the toupe’, which may prove a more suitable option for my ‘cross biased fixed.    

Another cutaway design, it features a carbon reinforced shell, EVA foam padding and a durable, faux leather cover. Hollow Cro-moly rails with adjustment scales strike a good strength to weight ratio and make setup straightforward. Especially, if you’re swapping it between bikes.  

Having done 400 miles on the Vee Tire Co Zilent and crucially, reached some tangible conclusions, I’ve switched to The Soma Shikoro upfront. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/s  A supple, compliant ride to match and indeed, compare with their 33mm Supple Vitesse cousins.

Talking of Soma, here’s my review of the Condor bars https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/soma and the Lizard Skins DSP https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/lizard-skins-dsp

Elsewhere, Sinner have been in touch with me, regarding the refinishing of Mango bodies. According to Melvin, these are in fact made from Gelcoat. A composite but not actually carbon fibre as first thought. We are advised that a decent car body finisher should be more than capable of repainting to a high standard.

I’m inclined to say that many will regard the Mango as specialist equipment and politely decline, as tends to happen with motorcycle components. A project finisher, or someone working with motorcycle GRP (fairings etc) is likely to be a better bet. John is also looking to upgrade the gearing to a triple, for greater range.

He’s opting for 28/40/70. However, we have discovered the Sunstar battery assist’s spider, will only accommodate two rings. Therefore, I have contacted Sunstar, asking if they produce a compatible pattern, capable of accommodating a triple.

John is talking in terms of making a custom model from stainless steel; or modifying the existing setup. No surprise, given he’s a retired engineer but I’m thinking a stock model will be a more efficient use. of time and other resources. Talking of models, here’s some more from last week’s shot with Krystal J.

Chopping n’ Changing

At the close of last week, my working fixed was struck with an infuriating phantom squeak. Cranks snugged, tight, stem bolts freshly greased, seat post cradle stripped and lightly greased, chain still sporting a filmy layer of lubricant…Still, something piped up, unannounced, and slightly unnerving.

I had wondered whether the UN55 was beginning to sing its swan song. Some gentle tugging suggested those single-sided Tiagra, pedals might be to blame. Will strip and re-grease, when time presents.

Meanwhile another grope around in the pedal box unearthed two sets of Wellgo RC 713 (Shimano SPDR homages) which feature buttery smooth, sealed bearings. One for the fixed, the others spun aboard my Univega’s cranks.     

Single sided designs aren’t the most obvious choices mixed terrain riding and less practical for click n’ go getaways on the fixed. Not that ground clearance is an issue on either machine but some additional won’t hurt. Could be one of my five-minute wonders…May even go old school, back to some first generation Shimano SPD from 1990. Watch this space…

On the testing front… There’s my test of the Vee Tire Co Baldy https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/vee-tire-co-baldy-tyres  while I rack up the miles on their Zilent cousins and of course, the Soma Supple Vitesse.

150 miles, or so in, and I’m warming to their swift, yet very compliant charms. The ride quality is very reminiscent of tubulars, gripping the tarmac liker a leach, while soaking up those light, washboard type imperfections, majestically. All without the gluing and stitching drama, associated with tubs.  

The unrelenting soggy spell consumed the finish line 1-step in 160miles, which isn’t bad for lube at the lighter end of the middleweight scale. Given the bike was grotty, I took the opportunity to strip the remainder using some neat Crankalicious Pineapple Express.  

I’m revisiting Smoove Universal chain lube to see how it performs in less taxing conditions https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/smoove-universal-chain-lube . We were also very pleasantly surprised by Crankalicious Science Friction ceramic chain lube. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/crankalicious-science-friction-cera

The frameset’s accumulated filth, easily dismissed with a dilute, though custom variant.

I hold the belief (and, some would say, an almost religious observance) that cleaning is part of riding. To be done regularly and providing surfaces sport a decent quality, protective wax, we’re talking 20-25 minutes start-to finish, no drama.

 Although fighting the compulsion to fettle and tweak, often sees this task expand, to fit the time available...

A few months back, I was looking for an IRO Rob Roy frameset for a single-speed cross project but drew a complete blank. More recently my urges tugged me in the direction of Genesis Day One.

However, these are not available as a frameset option. So I’ve decided On-One’s Pompetamine, complete with disc mounts, is the next best thing. These had a fairly short production run. Bottom line, I’m looking for a sound, if cosmetically tatty example, at the right price. So, feel free to get in touch if you’ve a large, in need of a good home. 

For those of you who’d rather be out riding, Seven Day Cyclist has teamed up with route you https://www.routeyou.com/en-gb/route/view/5046397/recreational-cycle-route/to-tan-hill-and-over-the-stang

A sudden shift to summary weather presented my first opportunity to pluck the Holdsworth from hibernation, for some serious skinny tubed, skinny-tyred fun.  

Swapping hats a moment, models continue to come to me for port-folio building/development. Jersey Jones booked me for a glamour/boudoir session, with a bit of fashion mixed in last week.

Krystal J got in touch to refresh her port-folio. Another really pleasant, 3 hour shoot.  With the wedding season just around the corner, I’m also getting approached in the context of Punjabi and other South Asian events. Contact me (Stenningphotographic@gmail.com) if you’re a model, or bride and want to discuss your requirements.

  

Maddening Crowds & Magic Models

 With April turning less austere, I decided it was time to swap the Univega’s rubber. Gone are the Schwalbe active winter, substituted for the equally mighty Schwalbe Marathon GT 365 https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/schwalbe-marathon-gt-365-tyres-in-w . I also switched from the SKS lube your chain https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/sks-lube-your-chain  to Finish Line ceramic wax.

Bombproof go anywhere dependability https://www.facebook.com/Sevendaycyclistmagazine/posts/1885288428168746?notif_id=1523350698147526&notif_t=page_post_reaction&ref=notif  and a super slick, low friction transmission seemed a very alluring combination.

https://www.facebook.com/Sevendaycyclistmagazine/videos/1885251548172434/?hc_ref=ARRs7tXGmIFC0BSiyUcotmK7Xp1ifFVE0fJOXtFtUwNipl9b30EMHA8HY3igEVxDAz0&fref=nf

I go through “Garbo” phases of not wanting to speak, or otherwise engage with people, at least in a social context. This very much depends on their energies. Introverted by nature, professionally, I am quite loquacious but require periods of isolation, outside of working hours  to recharge.  

The ability to deviate from metalled roads, be alone with my thoughts and whatever kit I’m playing with, is imperative.

Not that reflecting is wasted time but something, tangibly productive needs to come from it. 400 miles on my beloved fixed gear winter/trainer hence, and I’ve formed my conclusions, where the 32mm Panaracer T-serv PT and Vee Rubber Baldy are concerned. Both are favourable, albeit with different charms.

Verdicts reached, I wasted no time swapping over to the 42mm Zilent and following behind, 33mm Soma Supple Vitesse. These are the EX (Extra wear) tread compound, which as the name suggests, is designed with durability in mind.

Formative (50 mile) impressions are of svelte, grippy and fast rolling rubber, yet with a surprisingly compliant persona. Reminiscent of their Shikoro cousins https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/s  but a fraction friskier. Clearance a bit tighter? The Vee Tire co Rolldiac are another good choice, for general riding and speed-biased commuting https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/vee-tire-rolldiac-tyres   

Just as well, given the pock marked and badly patched infrastructure. I was even greeted with some impromptu “gravel” on Tuesday morning’s escape.  The big, swoopy Soma Condor bars continue to seduce me with their buxom charms, affording excellent control. A little narrower than the midge, and this is apparent when out of the saddle (which is more frequent on the fixed, say powering away from the lights, or along a gradient).

By the same token the Condor feel markedly stiffer, resulting in a tighter feel up front. The build’s portlier tyres, steel frame and carbon composite fork, retain a very compliant ride quality.

I’m often contemplating locations for photoshoots/scenarios. The Univega’s all-terrain persona is perfect for scouting beyond the beaten track. Abandoned buildings make fantastic settings but are fast in decline, thanks to demand for redevelopment. They also present a wealth of potential hazards for models and photographer alike.  

Iconic red phone boxes, most now left for prosperity (or as makeshift urinals for those whose bladders, have reached the 500 odd millilitre capacities en route home from the pub/a mate’s house) have scope for fashion/similar portraiture.

This one was often frequented by yours truly, as a teenager. Calls home, advising of impending lateness, due to a mechanical, or sheepishly requesting rescue. Provided I got through to an Au Pair, not the cat, things were generally fine. Alas, this one’s a bit exposed for anything vaguely arty and though temperatures have mellowed somewhat, the climate is still sketchy for location work.

Hence, I’m busy in the Studio. Here’s a few of Amelia Mary Instagram: @ameliamaryorvis another highly professional and accomplished model. Photographed last week, at Mark Coventry’s Clacton Studio https://www.markcoventry.com/

 

Sinner Revamp

 

We are looking for a carbon specialist to refinish John’s beloved Velomobile body. Ideally, you’ll be based in the midlands and have a 2K paint booth big enough. Colour-wise; John’s looking for a retro-reflective yellow (think the sort of effect used in vehicle licence plates). Feel free to get in touch here, or email Michaelsevendaycyclist@gmail.com  

Buxom Bars & Lighter Lubes

These Soma Fabrications Condor flared drop bars arrived among a consignment of delightful Soma goodies. Now, I like big flared drops for cross and other, dirt biased riding. WTB mountain drop and On-One Midge being my two, favourite patterns.

The condor is made from shot-peened 6061 T6 aluminium alloy. I’m deceptively broad across the shoulder for my height and build, so have gone for the extra-large (44/49cm), still slightly narrower than the Midge.

However, the medium is 40/45cm, large 42/47cm. The smaller number denotes the c-c width i.e. measured between the hoods.  Look closer and you’ll notice it’s pattern is a hybrid of riser and compact drop bar.

Now, in common with the other two, the condor’s shallow drop supposedly allows more time riding the drops.  Little surprise that they’re marketed at touring, bike packing and gravel riding audiences.

Apparently, rotating them accentuates certain characteristics to suit personal preference. I deliberately avoided my “Child at Easter” urges to strip and fit, to my fixed gear winter/trainer’s cockpit- immediately.

I had higher priorities and wanted to avoid (a) Rushing the fit (b) forgetting to weigh them and having to strip bar tape, brake levers, lighting and other goodies, later. Soma cite the weight as 320g, ours tipped the scales at 348g.

I’m generally indifferent to black/dun finishes. Thankfully and in common with the WTB, this is a good quality one. The sort that resists accidental marking, say when fitting/adjusting brake levers, rotating them in the stem.

Any adjustment/component change tends to feel different, often an improvement psychologically. Formative impressions are of a higher position, my hands defaulting to the drops, as opposed to cruising atop the hoods.

Not that the oversized midge could be described as springy, However, the Condor’s increased rigidity is very apparent, especially when climbing out of the saddle. Powering up a climb, superior stiffness permits effort to be channelled into cadence, which can make all the difference, when you’re forced to rely on a single gear ratio.

The Condor’s curved, swoopy profiles still offer a reasonable amount of useable parking space for lights, computer, action camera etc. However, the Trelock Ls960i switch https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/trelock-ls960i-dynamo-front-light isn’t oversized. Thus, it needs to sit where the bar narrows and consequently, at a slight angle. Operationally, this isn’t an issue but something to consider, if you’re porting clamps/brackets of similar diameter over.

The inexpensive, though high performing BBB BHT 14 flexribbon gel bar tape https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/bbb-bht-14-flexribbon-gel-bar-tape  could’ve been reused but I had some very fetching Lizard Skins DSP 2.5mm, doing something close to nothing.

They grey swirl effect also compliments the build’s colour scheme handsomely.  A phantom squeak was traced to the otherwise loveable Revolution Ritchey copies, so a quick game of lucky dip in the spares drawer, sees them substituted for these single-sided Shimano PD A520 pedals. Tiagra by another name, these are a sporty platform type. Greater support but without the ground clearance hassles and the versatility offered by recessed SPD cleats.  

Holdsworth aside, all my fleet feature slightly flared drops. This sea change started when I was introduced to the On-One midge back in 2005. This wasn’t love at first feel but within a matter of rides, I was warming to them.

Upgrading to the increasingly standard (oversized) diameter was a good move. The 25.4, though great for drop bar retro mtb builds/conversions, felt whippy by comparison. I sold these on to a good home, 18months back.

Leverage and to some extent control, are the main benefits of a wider/flared bar. Hence their particular appeal, on a rough stuff tourer cum trailer tug. However, they also open the chest cavity, which is quite helpful when tackling steeper ascents, especially on the fixed.

https://www.facebook.com/Sevendaycyclistmagazine/videos/1874477312583191/

The wild and weird weather hasn’t relented on these shores, which is perfect for testing tyres., chain lubes, mudguards and pretty much anything else, really. Talking of which; I’ve racked up 225 extremely wet miles from a single application of Finish Line Ceramic wet.

 

 

Thankfully, it can be reapplied with minimal prep and without curing period. A definite plus, should topping up be required mid ride, or needing to head out, sharpish. However, since the weather is turning milder, more spring-like, I have switched to Finish Line 1step cleaner and lubricant.

I’ve used its aerosol variant in the past to reasonable effect. Convenience is the main draw. The solvent component will consume any residual chain lubricant (although some stiffer ceramic/wet formulas require a more voracious solvent cleaning first).

When this evaporates, the low friction lubricant layer is left behind. Aerosols use a solvent to make them sprayable, coupled with a butane propellent. Great for channelling it into those hard to reach areas, such as sticky mechanisms/cables, or even loosening rusted/lightly corroded contact points.

The bottle version requires a swift shake to mix the formula and chains a quick wipe afterward. Despite being a dropper type, the super runny mixture means it will go everywhere and is best deployed using their no drip chain luber. Doubling up i.e. leaving it a few minutes between coats, adds a more substantial and ultimately durable layer.  

Forget about cheeky topping up indoors, for this and very flammable, reasons. If you have pets, or small children, wash down any residual stuff too. While cats in particular, will give anything noxious, or petrochemical based a wide berth, they can still succumb to poisoning. The most common cause being traces of product sticking to their fur. Cats will lick this, ingesting the poison and can be fatal.    

I found the Crankalicious pineapple crush concentrate, agitated with a stiff bristled brush perfect for speedy dismissal.    

Looking forward to bringing the Holdsworth out of hibernation over the coming weeks. Feeling the need for some serious, flat out, point to point blasts.