Buoyancy Aids

The long holiday weekend and lockdown presented the ideal opportunity to setup the Redshift Sports Suspension Seatpost and take the Holdsworth for a 7am blast, on Easter Saturday. 20 miles confirmed that I’d set the saddle height just a fraction too high, putting unwelcome strain on my knee joints. However, my pre-load guesstimate was bang on.  

A gentle, progressive sag and return, no power-sapping “Pogo stick” bounce… I slid a 5mm hex key in the binder bolt, then eased the post down by 4mm-perfect. Balmy weather turned Bandit by the mid-afternoon, so I’ve switched back to my Univega for daily social distancing. The weather has veered between 20 degrees and a blustery 10. Conditions that call for a more flexible approach, in terms of clothing. 

Early mornings have been the order of my routine. Therefore, three quarter lengths such as these Primal are perfect. Cooler and I default to a long sleeve base layer and a jersey cum jacket. Milder, I reach for a middleweight training jersey, such as this Prendas Ciclismo Paris Bordeaux Long Sleeve Jersey https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/prendas-ciclismo-long-sleeve-jersey. 

Just now, I’m staying with full finger gloves and alternating between the buff cap (photo) and This Scimitar Recycled Neck warmer, which, rather like the Original Buff can be worn in several ways. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/scimitar-recycled-neck-warmer  

Despite a generous thatch, I’m finding the Buff Cap a little too airy when battling icy blasts, leading to the occasional “ice cream” headache when scorching along exposed descents. 

Nonetheless, in milder weather, it seems a superior alternative to the traditional race cap. 10 days in, it’s still smelling refreshingly fragrant too... These are also easier to shove in a jersey pocket, when not required.   

30 years back, I was rotating my oval rings and indeed, pouring scorn on the concept. Fast forward to the present, I’d never suggest going oval across the fleet, or otherwise proclaim elliptical as the Holy Grail. In some instances, those running a front mech may need to raise theirs and make similar, small adjustments.  

However, the 15% ovality and 38 tooth Raval ring has certainly transformed my Univega’s gearing from nearly-there, to tailor-made. There is a slight period of adjustment in muscle timing but it’s loosely comparable with that experienced, switching between fixed and freewheel transmissions.  

I’m also trying to steamroller my butt’s specific contours into THAT saddle.  

It had fooled me into a false sense of security after a few hundred. One that was only realised when I switched to my fixed gear winter trainer and the Swift pattern (that has been sat on for many thousand miles). On current progress I’m reckoning a further 300 miles should prove the turning point.   

Despite my best efforts, the Tom Tom Bandit Action Camera Bracket’s infuriating low-level rattle has returned, along with some slippage. I tried to bolster the bracket’s ball joint with Thermoworx Whitemorph https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/thermoworx-whiemorph  but it’s not held firm. Helmet rather than bar mounting may be the only solution.   

As an interim measure, I have resurrected this Geonaute G-Eye2. It’s a 1080HD Go-Pro homage, with some nice features, although it’s not as comprehensive, or user-friendly as the Aperman A80 4K Action Camera https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/apeman. The lack of a preview screen is another minor niggle of mine, but preferable to the Bandit’s noisy and slightly sloppy bar mount. Looks like it should cadge a lift on a Go-Pro type bar/stem face mount, much neater... 

Elsewhere, I’ve concluded switching to the Vee Rubber Zilent, on my fixed gear winter/trainer was a smart move.   Steve’s been relatively impressed by these inexpensive Lifeline Essential Armour Commuter tyres. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/lifeline-essential-armour-commuter   

Superficially, they are clear nods toward Schwalbe Marathon Plus https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/schwalbe-marathon-plus-tyres and none the worse for it, although you’re limited to 700x32 or 35mm widths.   

I’ve also invested in this fresh batch of tubes too. Well, at 99p each, it would’ve been rude (not to mention silly) not to! 

Fact & Friction

180 miles in, and I’m bonding with the 38 tooth Raval oval ring, the improved mid-range has given a better spread of power, improving cruising and climbing prowess quite considerably. It’s worth noting that oval/elliptical rings require careful consideration and favour a smooth, relatively high cadence. For these reasons, I (personally) would be inclined to shy away from them on a purebred MTB. 

Otherwise, there is the temptation to turn a taller gear than ideal, which can result in a jerkier pedaling motion, inducing precisely the knee and back strain the concept was intended to alleviate. Shimano’s bio-pace was originally marketed at tourists and time Triallists but over time, marketing shifted to novice and returnees. By the mid-90s it had fallen out of fashion, meaning decent cranksets with said rings were plentiful and very cheap. 

The Pro Gold Pro ink chain lube is also proving a reciprocal compliment to this setup, although I’ve decided topping up around the time its ¾ spent stage (150 miles, or so, during a dry spell) is the best means of appreciating its qualities, rather than allowing it to become a thin film. I’ve also applied it to the fixed’s new KMC HL710.  

I also discovered, on our first outing, that I’d got the tension too tight-this wasn’t obvious on the work stand but immediately apparent, when I headed out, on Sunday morning. It remained a little agricultural, so I’ve switched back to the PC1, using the Topeak All Speeds Chain Tool https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/topeak-all-speeds-chain-tool. One thing led to another and in this instance...A lower headset bearing strip, cable strip and re-lube, then I found another 35mm Zilent https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/vee-tire-co-zilent-mark-2-tyres, so popped that up front.   

Elsewhere, Redshift Sports have sent me their Shockstop Suspension Seatpost. Available in either 27.2, or 31.8mm diameters, it’s likely to sit pride of place on the Holdsworth. Not the most obvious choice perhaps, given the bike’s minimalist “enough parts to make it stop, go and handle in good proportion” persona and those relatively compliant plain gauge 531 tubes but we’ll see...Since we’re on the subject, here’s a seatpost overview...https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/a-guide-to-seatposts  

Set up is more involved than some, so set aside some time to familiarise yourself with the instructions- their youtube video is particularly insightful. It’s pretty low maintenance from then on. No need to lubricate the moving parts (although the internal preload spring may require occasional re-greasing) and obviously, regrease the post periodically, if you are pairing it with a metal frameset. 

Elsewhere, Buff has sent me their new, improved original Buff, which is now made from 95% recycled Polyester and their Pack Bike Cap. Pleasant, funky and very welcome surprises.    

https://www.facebook.com/sevenday.cyclist/videos/2275936309368820/ 

Roads remain quiet with most people broadly adhering to the UK’s lockdown policy-at least in this part of the South East but there’s a palpable, simmering restlessness. I can envisage the present administration banning all exercise, and that includes going out, into the garden. (Yes, and you thought the turbo trainer would sort this!)  

However, there are two potential scenarios (a) They won’t since they will not want to experience a backlash at the ballot box (b) People will simply flout this in bigger numbers. Indeed, many will argue an under-funded police force will not have the resources.  Therefore, even with drone and similar remote technology, enforcement, beyond major cities, will prove extremely difficult. My hope is that people will behave sensibly and responsibly, without recourse to further curbing of freedom.  

If you do fancy a read, this link will take you to a book review “The Story of A Bike” The Lotus 110 bike and its 108 predecessor https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/the-story-of-a-bike