Behind Bars

Well, after several months, I’ve refitted the Soma Condor2 bars https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/soma-condor-2-shallow-drop-bars to my fixed gear winter/trainer. Now, don’t infer that I didn’t like the Genetic D-Riser 16 https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/genetic-d-riser-bars and its D-Riser4 stablemate. 

I think they’re great bars for gravel and road duties. The former are also 11g lighter than the Condor2. However, I also like both Condor bars. The original Condor https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/soma is definitely the right choice form my Univega, whereas, the Condor 2 is a better fit for my fixed. 

Especially with the Genetic Neuron Accessory Bar https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/genetic-neuron-accessory-bar  The naturally grippy nature of the Acros Silicone Wrap Handlebar Tape https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/acros-silicone-wrap-handlebar-tape meant it could be machine-washed, then ported over.  

Since we’re talking bars, let’s discuss the riser designs and their perceived/benefits.  

The Gravel and adventure markets are widely credited for the introduction of dropped bars with a “riser” section. 

As with the flared ends, the riser element gives some additional height, without resorting to taller head tubes, flipped stems and/or additional spacers. Now, while the adventure/gravel markets are the obvious drivers for this design, the breed may also benefit riders like me, who are of “feminine proportions” I.e. long in the leg, short in the body.  

Yes, semi/compact geometry framesets and a much wider choice of stem/steerer length has greatly reduced the need for custom frames. However, top tube length can still prove proportionally too generous. A shorter stem and bar lift can solve this-without a frumpy aesthetic.  50mm wide, the Condor 2 are broad enough to entertain bigger, bike packing friendly bar bags.  

I found the original condor less compatible, although I’m running the K-lite Bikepacker Ultra dynamo light https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/k-lite-bikepacker-ultra-dynamo-ligh  beneath the bars.  The Carradice SQR tour swallows most of my needs pretty convincingly, so a small unit, such as this bijous See Sense Handlebar Bar Bag https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/see-sense-handlebar-bag is more than adequate.  I’ve also resurrected the Minoura VC100 Quick- Release Camera Mount.  

Beautifully finished, the clamping system is phenomenally secure and will even hold compact video cameras. 

The cork platform is another definite plus, minimising vibration both to the camera and video capture. It’ll be hosting the Apeman A80 Action Camera, although possibly when I’ve acquired a replacement waterproof housing, given the seemingly unrelenting rainfall. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/apeman  

Bike and other theft are on the rise, for a wealth of different reasons. It’s always been a serious problem but at crisis point, as police resources are diverted to tackling violent crimes. Mercy and compassion are the two basic human values that thieves lack and will seek to legitimise their behavior in every conceivable way. 

Maintaining the vigilance and good locking practice at home, as you should in the street is imperative. Datatag and similar systems are useful tertiary security/deterrents, making machines harder to sell-on. The same goes for other distinctive distinguishing features.  

I have been known to engrave stems, crankarms and other components with my full name and sometimes postcode/blood group type, etc. Velo Eye sent us their  Bicycle Security QR Tag https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/velo-eye-bicycle-security-qr-tag  

The big difference between it and other systems, including Datatag is that it’s app-based. Anyone who has a bike on the app can check to see whether a stickered machine has been reported stolen. The App allows the machine’s location to be sent, in real-time to the registered owner. 

Theoretically, this improves the likelihood of successful retrieval. We’re told recovery rate stands at 75%. There’s a dealer in Montrose who deploys them on all their bikes. Only one has been stolen to date and that was quickly recovered. 

Home intrusion is similarly distressing. Thieves are targeting the more affluent areas-leafy London suburbs, particularly. Easier and richer pickings being the most obvious explanations.  

Thinking like a thief i.e. how would I foil my own security and making necessary improvements. Bike theft has always been small beer for the police. We’re told that police resources are stretched to the point where violent crime is their primary focus. 

Burglaries, motor/cycle and other vehicle thefts are only likely to increase. Now, you’ll excuse me. After 300 filthy miles, I need to replenish the White Lightning Wet Ride and there’s a rush of people offering me “features” on knitting machines...   

Snapped Springs & More Saddle Swapping

Wet, gritty stuff not only consumes chains and other drivetrain components but brake seals and springs too, it seems. Having exited a junction, my relative serenity was interrupted by a strange binding noise. I initially believed it was this BTwin Triban shoe slipping off the Wellgo’s surface, causing my heel to nudge the mudguard out of alignment.  

The chainstay bridge bolt needed nipping tight but there was an unusual amount of slop in the rear brake. I predominantly use the front but nonetheless, the rear needs to be bang-on. Given I was by the roadside, seven miles from home, on a very dark and rainy night, I centered the Avid Shorty 4 and made a mental note to strip and inspect once I’d returned.  

Univega on my long-serving aluminium alloy work stand, I stripped the Avid and discovered the spring had sheared clean in two. Claimed by fatigue but slightly odd, given it didn’t lead a particularly hard life. Presented and opportunity to re-grease the bosses and mounting hardware.  

A nice stiff grease-Park PPL1 https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/park-tools-polylube-1000   being the obvious choice, since it was already loaded into my gun.  The Genetic CX cantilevers, were an obvious substitute.https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/genetic-cx-cantilever-brakes However, small frames, wide arm cantilevers and size 43/44 feet are a recipe for heel clearance hassles.  

Therefore, I opted for these Shimano CX50. A relatively low- profile model designed to work with Super SLR levers, hence no compatibility (cable pull) hassles with road brifters. Set up is relatively straightforward too and I was able to utilise the existing straddle wire. Rather than Shimano’s Y pattern.  

I’ve also been contemplating a new ring-at the right price. 94BCD is starting to become the preserve of retro pricing these days and choice is similarly, restrictive. Therefore, replacements can be very cheap, or very steep. Research suggests a 36 tooth is as close as I’ll get.  

Though adequate, I’d welcome a slightly lower, closer spread of gears, while still enjoying a 1x10’s simplicity. Much of this has been prompted by persistently high winds. Conditions that have defined the past few months, here in the UK.  

I have also been pleasantly surprised by the stoicism of the Juice Lubes Frame Juice. It does attract some grimy patina but this gets locked into the top layer, meaning you simply dismiss this, using a soft, lint-free cloth.  

An invisible, protective barrier remains and has done so for several weeks before replenishment’s been necessary. One minor consideration is that its designed for gloss finishes, so something like Naked Bikes Bike Bling https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/naked-bikes-bike-bling might probe a more cost-effective option if you have a bike or fleet with gloss/satin and matt surfaces.      

Now, no sooner had I played musical saddles; this rather fetching Cycles Berthoud Soulor leather saddle arrived at my door. Measuring 278x146mm and tipping the scales at 423g, its actually 40 odd grams lighter than this titanium railed SPA cycles Aire. One that served on my fixed gear winter trainer, for a good few thousand miles.  

The Aire is made from Australian cowhide, which tends to be thicker and subsequently, took longer to break in. Even with periodic deployment of Proofide/similar leather “food” it took 500 miles before the Aire was moulding to my derriere. 

Putting this into context, a modern Brooks is 250 miles, give, or take. The solour’s rails are a highly polished stainless steel (although there are titanium siblings, if you can stretch to £189) which adds some compliant zing. Unlike electroplating, there’s little risk of them tarnishing, although stainless steels are alloys of different metals. Therefore, a quick buffing and occasional hard-paste waxing never goes amiss.   

In common with the Spa cycles Aire, the underside appears to have been treated, offering it greater protection from the elements. A lesser consideration with full length mudguard perhaps but again, another consideration when buying traditional leather saddles.  

Thus far, ours feels more like a Brooks Swift. Quite firm but not unforgiving. Even so, bedding in has been a very gradual process, starting with as few 25mile loops, before increasing the mileage by ten miles each time, giving the top side periodic helpings of a water-based hide food, to assist this assimilation to my ass.  

Although the evenings are getting steadily lighter and seemingly less wintry, good lighting remains a must. I love the convenience of dynamo systems-at least up front.  Though failures are pretty rare these days, I always run these in conjunction with a compact, commuter type light up front and two rear lights. Aside from presence, so long as good charging discipline’s maintained should one fail, there’s another to get home with.  

Again, being someone who predominantly tackles unlit roads, 15-20 lumens is my minimum-even for a secondary/contingency unit. Up front, even with the dynamo, I tend to go for a 500lumen light, defaulting to flashing (100-150 lumens). However, a steady 250/400/500 lumen mode is really useful for tackling punctures and similar roadside mechanicals-especially if you can mount it atop a helmet, leaving both hands free to do the fixing.  

These Moon Meteor and ETC Sirrah Front/Rear Light have proven particularly good defaults. I’ve also been pleasantly surprised by the Oxford Products Ultratorch R75 rear Light https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/oxford-ultratorch-r75-rear-light  . Its bright, with sensible staircasing, although run times are relatively modest and favour commuting/winter training, rather than longer distance/endurance events.