Too Much Pressure?

There’s been no relent in the wet weather. Thankfully, my Univega’s dressed for foul conditions and mixed terrain service. Besides, I needed to test the mud-shedding prowess of these Wellgo MO94B pedals https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/wellgo-m094 and cast my own, personalised imprint in the Cycles Berthound Solour leather saddle. 

After 85 miles, the latter and I were in friendly acquaintance territory, 150 miles in and the friendship is blossoming. Regular feeding of the hide, using Proofide, or a similar quality leather preserve also helps accelerate this process. Once forming is complete, feeding need only be done every 6 weeks or so.  

Existing gearing was low enough to winch myself through the thick, boggy mud. However, I’ve concluded a 38 (rather than 40) tooth ring would strike the elusive sweet spot. Enough zoom for the flat and descents, just a little more grunt on the climbs.  

Production 5 arm 94 BCD rings are getting harder to source (although I am advised that Stronglight still list them). I’m not prepared to pay “classic” prices for NOS (New Old Stock) rings either. However, the existing Talon ring is in rude health and if something suitable comes along, brilliant, if not the gearing is, in the main, perfectly serviceable. 

While I’m delighted that high quality, small scale manufacturing/engineering is very much alive, sourcing products from Europe and indeed, elsewhere could become fraught with difficulty, come 2021.  

Unfortunately, highly skilled engineering and similar vocational education is (and has long been) regarded as a poor second to academic learning. A long-standing snobbery, which is neither accurate nor desirable.  

I graduated 25 years ago, during a recession. During this period, I was also keen on pursuing a new life in the Netherlands. I had a girlfriend studying there. Catching her aside her housemate (who had a 1st class honours degree), seemingly ingesting his enviable intellect saw any love for her evaporate, replaced by a strengthening bond to the Dutch.  

One thing led to another and I decided to check out the cross-country mountain bike scene there. I met an ex-pat and former banker who had relocated from the UK and retrained as a skilled machinist. Decent salary and standard of living, too. He’d never looked back. 

For the uninitiated, a skilled machinist operates machine tools to manufacture and repair precision equipment. It requires a solid understanding and application of mechanics, metals, layout and machining procedures. Apprentice trained engineers are life-lomg learners by nature and continuously develop their knowledge/skillset.  

The same is not necessarily true of University graduates, regardless of specialism-at least, here in the UK.  In the late 90’s, the UK administration introduced life-long learning accounts. A system, which was well-intentioned and originally aimed at people made redundant, when traditional industries collapsed.  

Unfortunately, this didn’t reach the intended/target audience, so it was quietly disbanded. It was recently resurrected as part of the Liberal Democrats’ election manifesto, and once again, been consigned to the vaults of history.  

Observing the patterns, I do not feel we will reach a point of total automation, where human labour/skills are made redundant but the skills required (and to some extent, legal/insurance implications) will need to change and it is quite possible that many people will be unable to make these transitions.   

These will not replace important “soft” skills, such as emotional intelligence, which are also incredibly important, in any role requiring human interaction. For example, a heating engineer who communicates well and problem solves on this level, is also likely to have more customers than one who is technically very competent but lacking in inter-personal abilities.   

I’ve been chatting a lot about handlebars in recent entries, specifically Soma Condor and Genetic’s D-Riser family. These are riser drops and some would argue, more specialist than required by some road-biased riders. Arguably, components on complete bikes should be proportional to frame size e.g. stem length, bar width etc.  

Similarly, there is a perfectly reasonable argument for making substitutions/upgrades at the point of sale. Tyre and saddles are two prime examples. This has changed slightly, given modern retailing- the switch to online, rather than physical shop consultations and purchases.  

However, unless something is obviously the wrong width/pattern/size, there’s an argument for running stuff a little while, then upgrading/replacing at a later stage.  At £30, Steve reckons the Genetic STV Road Handlebars are a great starting point for generic, road-biased riding.     https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/genetic-stv-road-handlebars 

Continuing my theme, some inexpensive but cheerful “Lifeline” branded tooling arrived, including this digital tyre gauge. Even though those fitted to most track pumps have much closer affinity to reality, getting pressures spot on gets the best from tyres and ride quality. Capable of registering 160psi, the digital is a little small, compared with a  Topeak Smartguage I had some 15 years back.   

However, in common with this premium quality SKS unit (that’s been loyal to me for a decade, or so), it features a useful backlight. Another similarity is the dual (rather than “smart”) valve head. There’s no denying the “Smart” type, which automatically morph to fit Schrader/Presta heads are super convenient.  

However, in my experience, the sprung mechanism is their Achille's heel, eventually going the self-destruct route. It also features a bleed valve, for quick tweaks and runs from the ubiquitous CR2032 button battery.  

Giving change from £10, it doesn’t feel fragile but it will be interesting to see how accurate and durable it proves. The backlight and valve light and similar features suggest it’s intended to be taken along for the ride.  

Given the price point, if it did take a bad knock, then cheap enough to replace. Nonetheless, I’m more inclined to carry an analogue model, such as this Revolution, since there’s no risk of accidental, battery draining engagement.         

There is a perception among some, that tough tyres “suck the joy out of riding”. However, this needn’t be the case. The Schwalbe Marathon GT https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/schwalbe-marathon-gt-tyres are relatively portly but still deliver a very smooth and relatively quick ride.  

I’ve had a couple of flats over the past few years and countless thousand miles. 800 odd grams is pretty much as portly as I’d want to go. Nonetheless, I’d prefer a few additional grams and reclaim riding time, over tending punctures on dark, rainy nights.      

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...