Reflections in a Freelancer's Mirror

I am very fortunate to have such a ready supply of interesting goodies to play-er, I mean work with. Take this pump-spray lube from Green oil. In place of harmful isobutane propellants, the contents are pressurised by pumping the top-cap ten times- the same motion as inflating tyres with a mini-pump. Being of comparable dimensions, it slips effortlessly inside panniers and seat packs while being permitted for air travel. Filling it with petrochemical products goes against the ethos somewhat but has proved a a boon for quick, impromptu lubing of chains, cables, pivot points etc. Talking of which, the White Lightning Clean Ride lube not only keeps transmissions clean but works a treat on my barber's clipper set too. Having performed the annual Waxoyling of the Ka chassis, consuming the remnants of my last home-brewed batch I had to pop out and purchase some commercial product to treat the door cavities, wings and boot. The remainder was blown inside the fleet as a quick "While I'm at it" top-up with the Univega receiving the lion's share-frame forks and racks were all given a generous helping of the amber nectar to keep Joe and Joanna rot purely academic.

P clips might lack glamour but they're an extremely effective way of attaching racks and fenders to bikes without eyelets. Time was when I was literally drowning under an avalanche of the rubber coated gizmo's but they've reached a state of inexplicable scarcity now that a high end low-rider rack comes into my possession. Mercifully, a wander round the web has unearthed a supply so hopefully the Univega's front end will soon sport said TIG welded lovelies....Obviously I won't be hauling their 15 kilo maximum payload but they will offer more carrying capacity without my venerable trailer becoming the default option.

Taking a more exciting deviation, I'm delighted to see manufacturers continually recognising and moreover, embracing the mantra that Lycra, while lovely on the chain-gang isn't quite so endearing round town. This waterproof, breathable budget jacket from Madison and Lezyne's Town Caddy satchel being prime examples. Finished in a very fetching blue, the jacket combines cycling cut with civilian practicality- pockets that fall conveniently to hand when mooching round the shops or taking a trail side breather immediately curried favour. That said, I've only been a few miles in it so conclusions are somewhat premature.

Lezyne's Town caddy is a stylish bag marrying messenger kudos with office practicality-space for laptops and "storage by numbers" compartments for tools and other everyday nick-nacks-there's even a bottle opener integrated into the cam buckle. Beautifully chic but I'll have to rack up some miles before we are bewitched by its designer charisma. Long, steady mixed terrain meanders suggest the DSP dual colour wrap is every bit as good as it looks. The tactile rubberised texture not only offers insulation from rider fatiguing road and trail buzz but unparalleled grip in heavy rain. Objectively, it requires greater care when applying and ingrained dirt mustn't be removed using the time-honoured soapy water and brush routine (this will strip the technical coating). Playing devil's advocate £28 is a lot to shell out on bar wrap and two-tone effects are easily created using two packs of traditional bike ribbon. Nonetheless, it seems very hard wearing in either 2.5 or 1.8mm guises so should last a few seasons-even on the everyday bike.

Shrouded in romanticism, being freelance has a much darker side-one synonymous with the "creative professions" generally. My reasons for pursuing this route are complex but on a strictly personal, day to day basis, my love for the written word, cycling, photography coupled with un/related passions brings its own reward. Most of the time, the sense of being driven is positively intoxicating-especially when copy flows like the proverbial waterfall. Equally, hunched over a keyboard editing copy and images into the wee small hours, the continuous need to produce bigger and better features/explore new audiences can quickly distort a sense perspective. Not everyone has the temperament to cope with the relative lack of social intercourse/camaraderie taken for granted within staffed studio and office environments. Then there's getting paid-I've been relatively fortunate but am still owed a sizable amount by one publisher who seemed surprised when I politely advised I would be delighted to contribute but only upon receipt of three month's outstanding money. Loving my work is one thing, being a busy fool is quite another.

Spring Cleaning & Phantom Squeaks...

Inspired by my last entry, I'm pleased to report, said charger is directly compatible with the NR150 which means there's much less traffic at my computer tower-trivial but strangely satisfying. By contrast bike theft is anything but and set to get worse as the economy plummets.

Timely then that this Pinhead security kit should arrive at my door. It's a very clever system that limits the need for a jailer's key fob, safeguarding expensive wheels and finishing kit from all but the most determined tealeaves. Working to the same principles as the common or garden Yale employed in external doors, each has it's own unique nine digit combination and matching key (Be sure to register this online before venturing out into the big wide world in case you should need a replacement!). Fashioned from stainless steel and tipping the scales at 200g per set, installation is simply a question of removing the existing skewers and slotting the Pinheads in place with the logo visible from the right hand side.

Drop some machine oil on the threads before slipping the washer and threaded nut finger tight. Using the key, torque everything down (between half and one and a half turns) giving components a quick tug to check purchase. Operationally, they're no slower than conventional cams so punctures/ generic servicing/adjustment is a moot point. Domed caps prevent tools gaining purchase and/or leverage and unlike chrome plated types, they're not foxed by powerful magnets.

Lightening the mood somewhat, Alan has laced the Rigida rim to the dynohub and to date I'm very impressed- there's markedly less resistance compared with the venerable Nexus it replaces. That said, it's one of those "close but no cigar" stories since I haven't procured the front lamp yet, although I happened upon my old Nexus switch so when it comes, I'll wire everything up and (hopefully) rejoice in the ability to generate my own light. That said, I won't be ditching the NR or helmet mounted systems since the lanes here are virtually pitch black and besides, even the most reliable can fail unexpectedly...

Integrated systems are not limited to the bike either judging by Bell's new Muni lid. Bell define it as an "Urban sports helmet"- it incorporates two very bright LED lights within the retension cradle, there's a mount for Blackburn's flea within the peak and our "Safety Yellow" model looks really rather fetching, proving that the word "commuter" needn't translate as "Oliver Cromwell Piss-pot". In mould construction coupled with its conformity to CE1078 and CSS are pretty much a given these days. Twenty-one vents with an insect net ensure a comfortable inner climate while the peak defends the eyes from sun, rain, sleet and ferocious foliage. Versatile, it features everything you'll need for urban duties while being practical for touring, mountain biking and general riding but I'll give it a good few weeks before arriving at any firm conclusions.

Self confessed polishing zealot, it will come as little surprise to discover Joshua has embraced bucket and brush and we've been pleasantly surprised by Muc Off's Silicone spray which goes on in a flash, locking in a lasting shine without enticing dirt. Sure, you'll collect traces following a wet ride but this wipes away effortlessly using kitchen paper or damp cloth. These qualities suggest it's the obvious preserve for seasonal playthings hibernating during the darker months-Watch this space... Being a leggy chap, we've raised his saddle a couple of inches and since we had the spanners out, added these rather fetching Crank Brothers Cobalt grips for greater refinement.Elsewhere, I have been driven to distraction by the onset of an infuriating squeak that seemed to reappear just as I thought I'd identified the culprit and brought him back into line. Stopping by the roadside, I discovered the Univega's twin bolt clamp bolts were fractionally loose so snugged them fully home with the corresponding 4mm Allen key... A mile or so later, just as we lined up for the descent... There it comes again(!) This time it was my uber long 8mm offering to the rescue, nudging the drive side crank arm tighter, at which point, the Crank brothers M17 was pressed into service, checking and tightening every bolt large and small from carrier to stem.

Satisfied of perfection, the serenity of silence was rudely interrupted.... Convinced it was the soles of my sport touring shoe chafing slightly against the nylon platforms of these otherwise Superb dual-purpose Time All Road, I resigned myself to putting a drop of oil on the mechanism upon reaching home. Closer inspection exonerated the mighty ATAC derived pedals and revealed a slightly sloppy cassette body- easily addressed with the mighty Cyclo tool. Having exorcised the demon, it was time to change the bar-wrap....

Charge of the Light Brigade

Reputedly a creature of the night, lighting is an evergreen subject, not restricted to the depths of winter. Generally speaking I'm really taken by the convenience of systems feeding from USB ports-an indisputable boon for desk jockeys, although docking space at my PC tower is too scarce to mention. Watching the dog-walking Li-on unit charging from the kitchen socket, it suddenly occurred the adaptor should be a universal fit and hey presto, the Vis 360 now guzzles straight from the mains!

There's something deeply satisfying about generating your own power and lighting is a logical extension. Chance acquisition of a mid range Rigida Snyper rim looked the consummate partner to this 105 grade dynohub. Presently bereft of wheel jig and stainless spokes of the corresponding length, I have entrusted the build to Alan at Riverside Cycle Centre. Let's be clear, aside from crazed lacquer there was nothing wrong with the venerable nexus unit. Nexus was a fabulous commuter groupset capable of lasting many years with some basic TLC. Unfortunately, it tended to be run into the ground and criticised contemptuously for expiring!

Identifying an inexpensive, yet adequately powerful lamp as replacement for the spontaneously combusting Basta has proved difficult, although this model from RSP looks very promising. Unlike old-fashioned Sturmey Archer and the super smooth Schmidt units, Shimano cannot be turned off which means minor perpetual drag but installing an intelligent switch that engages come the onset of darkness will hopefully maximise bulb longevity.

Speaking of intelligent systems, these Uvex Sphere glasses are fantastic across the board and suitably stylish sans bike too. They're made from Makrolon, a sophisticated polycarbonate employed because of it's impact/temperature resistance coupled with absolute optical clarity. The latter is hard to quantify and takes several longish rides to fully appreciate but its superiority "litemirror" technology works to the same principles as automatic welder's darkshields, ensuring perfect tone and contrast.

Elsewhere, our home brew citrus bike wash has developed a hiccup, well mould to be precise so I need to introduce an inexpensive, natural preserve to the blend. Mercifully there's still plenty of commercial prep in the garage for now... Just as well seeing Joshua has disconnected himself from the dubious delights of his Nintendo and taken to thundering along the lanes at an impressive thirteen mph. Amazing what a handlebar mounted computer and new helmet can inspire!

Lubes, Lotions & Love Potions

Steady (as distinct from miraculous) recovery from sabre-tooth man-flu coincided with the arrival of these three lubes from White Lightning best described as diet, regular and over proof! The clean ride goes on wet before turning to a milky white paste, shedding accumulated dirt, grunge and grime and can be reapplied with the minimum of fuss without recourse to solvents and chain baths. An obvious favourite for those lazy, hazy days of summer, it's just the ticket for derailluer driven cross and winter workhorses with top-ups around the eighty mile mark.

Their Epic ride formula is something of a curiosity trying to marry the best of both wet and dry worlds in a semi synthetic blend that doesn't attract dirt and reapplied without recourse to extensive wiping and/or solvent baths. Great for mile munching Audax riders, the four ounce sample slips effortlessly inside jersey pockets, wedge/saddle bags/ panniers. Early indicators suggest these non-toxic base oils and petroleum distillates meet their objectives but require copious rag and a steady hand to prevent considerable wastage.

Nigh on thermonuclear protection comes courtesy of Wet-Ride extreme which, taken at face value could be the river rider's wet dream. Super economical to apply, it doubles as a nifty grease substitute for cleats, threaded components/ fasteners/locking mechanism while remaining steadfast and true over high mileages in salty, coastal climes. Control cables and pivot points call for something lighter but foul weather fixed/single-speed pilots and end-to end checkpoint charlies won't be disappointed.

Having mastered production of corrosion inhibitors, a wet, miserable Saturday afternoon prompted my first batch of citrus based, paint friendly bike wash. First impressions weren't so favourable- impotent even, but adding some freshly squeezed orange to the mixture saw it devouring acres of congealed mud. Three minutes and a warm-water rinse later, Joshua's Raleigh was literally squeaky clean!

The expression " Cheap as chips" couldn't be more apt when describing the tumbling prices of electronic technology. Only a few years back, twelve function wireless computers would've commanded the lion's share of £35. In 2011, this pair of Veloset units give change from £25! Chinese made to a pleasing and extremely user-friendly standard, the cheaper 212 seen on Joshua's bike incorporates a really useful back light and large easy-to-read display. Adequate weather seals are readily improved with a customary lick of petroleum jelly on the electrical/battery contacts and a placing a thin freezer bag atop the head unit should be sufficient to counteract all but the most torrential downpours. Common to the sharper styled and better sealed 213 adorning the Univega's cockpit, it boasts a thermometer, although the jury's out as to whether this is genuinely useful-aside from the obvious group-ride bragging rights.

By contrast, these Altura kids gloves weren't so inexpensive. Weatherproof, three layer construction, rubberised non-slip palms and fingers, thunsulate linings make for the perfect technical glove whether cruising through the lanes together on the tag-along or indulging in those rites of passage snowball fights... Alas they've been mislain- more accurately one is thought to be lonesome in his school drawer. Oh the folly of youth and the joys of parenthood!

Cometh The New Year, Cometh The Man-Flu

Quite a bit has drizzled my way these past few days, from this T-shirt gifted me by Richard at Urban Hunter, some Sugru silicone putty and Guy Andrews' " The Custom Road Bike". Alas, with notable exception, riding has been somewhat limited to the virtual kind thanks to the sudden and deeply debilitating onset of sabre-tooth man-flu. Us don't work, don't eat contract types tend to be fairly stoical so I'm pleased to report nominal impact upon features/copy/photography. After a few months' break, Joshua has resurrected his passion for cycling, taking the trail by storm while demonstrating maturity and confidence beyond his years on public roads. Children outgrow their wardrobes with alarming regularity so these Altura Cruiser Winter tights have replaced his season-too-short Polaris. Made from a rugged fleece-lined polyester; these winter versions incorporate a water-repellent (shower proof) coating for comfort and practicality while a looser cut transcends road, mtb and touring genres nicely. Sensibly positioned Scotchlite detailing provides welcome nocturnal visibility-especially at higher cadences and young protege's find stirrups easier to negotiate than zippered ankles.
Early impressions of this Sugru silicone putty seem favourable, effecting good repair/modification of light brackets and similar lightweight resin accessories. Conceived by Jane, it's basically soft touch rubber reckoned to mould and set permanently with/to aluminium, steel, ceramics, glass, wood and some fabrics/plastics...Not simply "Make do and mend" making a fashionable return in these times of austerity but a creative tool powerful enough to improve existing products.
With this in mind, I've been creating some DIY "cable cuffs" to prevent unsightly and damaging abrasion where outers make contact with the frameset. Claimed operating temperatures between minus 60 and plus 180 degrees suggest a wealth of applications around the workshop. Run around the seat-collar it could provide as weather-tight seal for bikes run in all weathers without mudguards (fenders) thus preventing water, salt and ingress channelling inside the seat-tube.

Peeling open the packaging reveals twelve complimentary/contrasting colour sachets containing the goo. Make sure your desired surface is free of the usual contaminant (dirt, dust, grease etc) before moulding the soft putty around the surface(s) and allowing twenty four hours curing at room temperature. Other possibilities include the semi permanent fitment of cable guides and other low-stress applications. However, don't be telling me tall tales of reuniting broken frame tubes by the roadside...For that you'll need a welder and a wealth of skill.

Transferable skills and plenty of 'em are the way to successfully weather economic nose-dives. MIG (Metal inert Gas, or more accurately Gas Metal Arc Welding seeing as oxygen isn't an inert substance) wouldn't be my tool of choice for constructing lightweight bicycle frames as the temperature is less controllable than oxyacetylene, inviting premature fatigue or simply blowing gaping holes in thin tubing. That said, I've seen some very fetching framesets built this way using off-cuts and leftover paint. Crudely, MIG is a semi automatic process-if you can draw a straight line using a marker pen, then you're capable of producing passable welds with a bit of practice and basic tuition.

The real skill lies in metal preparation- clean, well-mitred joins, dexterity and a decent quality weld unit. The difference between cheap and expensive models is ease of use- on the lowest settings, I have been able to fashion prototype touring trailer chassis from basic grade Columbus tubes with a 140amp semi pro model. Seasoned coach builders and similarly skilled metal workers might achieve the same results using a more rudimentary 110amp unit but it's a lot harder and frankly, we always reach for the tools nicest to use.

Devised for use in WWII munitions factories, the process quickly won favour within manufacturing and later, auto-repair shops thanks to it's ease and speed of use-especially on relatively thin car panels. It's possible to build all manner of nice things from scrap steels-work/storage stands, racks, chairs etc. Many motorcycle frames are constructed this way too...

Ten years on from my early prototypes, I am looking at returning to trailer design on a hobby/cottage industry basis. This time from electrician's conjugate which is of comparable weight to basic Cro-moly, yet so much easier to weld. As a rough and ready reckoner, conjugate is like comparing Peugeot's in-house Carbolite 103 with Reynolds 531- the former was marginally lighter, easier to mass produce but lacked the outright responsiveness and strength to weight ratio. Touring/utility trailers need good handling characteristics and while 4130 of the same weight is less likely to fail, basic hi-tensile steels can be repaired in the back of beyond by pretty much any roadside garage...

Slip Sliding Toward the New Year

While the snow has retreated, the landscape remains characterised by acres of sheet ice to the extent I haven't been able to take full advantage of the seasonal lull. Clubwo/men have been conspicuous by their absence and those braving the roads have sensibly shunned their sprightly winter steeds for more upright mtb configurations shod with two inch knobblies.

Against this picturesque, seasonal hysteria, we've been brewing more corrosion inhibiting formula from the comfort of the kitchen, taken delivery of the mighty skyscraper in-line seatpost and contemplated a new cottage industry but more about that in the New Year. Available in a kaleidoscope of sizes from 25.4 to 30.8 in .2mm increments, the aptly monikered skyscraper is phenomenally rigid and boasts a markedly superior finish to most at this end of the market. Hauling my seventy kilo mass coupled with tag-along and SQR type saddlebags failed to induce the faintest hint of whip whether swooping into descents or cantering up the climbs so it's a boon for powerfully built riders looking to take advantage of smaller compact framesets. By the same token, two hours' spirited green laning suggests it doesn't transmit shock like the proverbial pneumatic drill either, although riders of plain gauge aluminium might tell a very different tale.

Being a night owl, lights are very much my bag and while Topeak's Hi light, powered by two CR2032 watch type cells doesn't turn night into day, it's perfect for those "Out longer than I anticipated" winter afternoon excursions. Consuming nominal handlebar real-estate and delivering around 90 hours in flashing, the three ultra bright LEDs make worthy compliments to dynamo systems and won't cramp the style of ultra minimalist fixers either. Weather resistant as removed from waterproof, they benefit from a lick of Vaseline on the contacts but there's little to grumble about considering the front and rear combo gives change from £20.

The same could not be said of the emergent 2.5% hike in VAT (Value Added Tax) commencing in January which will do little to bolster consumer confidence and moreover, spending vital for sustained economic growth. Doubtless some huge corporations will absorb the blow as a sweetener for the first quarter but this remains cold comfort for small businesses and individuals. Cycling is oft dubbed a recession product but unlike thirty years ago when it faced extinction, manufacturers have responded with a wealth of innovative, practical and extremely affordable utility mounts for everyday transportation.

In the right context, this could give rise to a more intelligent, integrated transport system, similar to those employed in countries such as Denmark and the Netherlands that enjoy high standards of living and cycling as a respected, everyday mode of transport. However, such models can only evolve in accordance with the mindset and will of its citizens and sadly I'm not convinced the UK is ready to embrace this cultural shift.

Lipstick, Powder n' Paint

"Red lips, hair and finger-nails, I can tell you're a mean old Jezebel, let's go upstairs and read my tarot cards"...Ahem, well, here's the offending top-tube enamel imperfection in question- insignificant but annoying nonetheless. Much pleading with close female friends, siblings and the odd passer by for good measure drew little more than playful ridicule, so I boldly strolled through the doors of a well-known high street cosmetics chain and scanned the neatly aligned rows of nail varnish (quietly oblivious to periodic quizzical glances) until I happened upon this "New York Color". Not quite a perfect match (Metallic being notoriously tricky) but cures close enough on small areas. Univega's haven't been imported to these shores for a few years but should a genuine OEM colour stick come under my radar at the right price, I'll snap it up there and then. Maldon Shot Blasting & Powder Coating's showroom was positively awash with vibrant, beautiful colours, brightening up the prospect of another day's dull but necessary temping. This glittering pearlescent livery transforms an otherwise bargain basement mid nineties Cro-moly mtb frameset into a thing of beauty. The effect is created using a "flip" powder coat and would cost around £80/90 (including VAT and blasting dependant upon whether a lacquer coat was required). These plain-gauge tubesests aren't particularly rewarding to ride but resist dents and dings better than exotica while lateral stiffness ensures dependable laden handling-especially paired with trailers/tag-alongs.The constant lockings and unlocking take their toll on a bike's livery and while mummifying the top-tube in old inner tube certainly helps, design Maestro's Knog think they have overcome this necessary evil by introducing a range of locks encased in their trademark medical-grade silicone. Pictured is their amusingly monikered mid range Kransky which occupies their " Council Estate" security rating. Complete with "strap-on" carry bracket and tipping the scales at around the kilo mark, it isn't designed to match the outright security of ABUS Steel-O Flex and similar top-flight urban defences but it's really convenient, parking up for shorter periods in prominent areas around town, on club runs, track meets etc. So far so good but we'll see how it fairs under assault from the bike thief's typical arsenal in the coming weeks... Elsewhere, the ETC cushioned cork wrap unveiled last week might just be the perfect finishing touch for long haul tourists and mile munching Audax aficionados looking to trim costs without sacrificing comfort. Generous measures also permit the use of aftermarket MARS type shock absorbing underlays (so long as you didn't mind a slightly chunky look to your cockpit). Real world performance is equally impressive, providing excellent all conditions purchase whether screaming fully laden along wet, winding descents or simply trickling through town.Prolonged rides on and sans asphalt, in gloved or bare hands suggests cushioning rivals that of more exotic polymer blends, although December was quick to leave her calling card upon our pink sample. In fairness, tickled with a medium bristled brush dipped in warm, soapy water returned ours to its original lustre but winter, cross and other bikes in hard service are better served by the more restrained red or blue variants.

Freezing conditions coupled with a modest thaw are once again wreaking havoc upon our infrastructures. Rim ruinous potholes are opening up everywhere and in light of central government spending cuts, local authorities are struggling to cope. Cushioned by two inch rubber and mtb wheels certainly helps but I've had to swerve around a few where the asphalt has seemingly opened up in slow motion!

Persistent low-level vibration succeeded in loosening the RSP Tour light mounting hardware and the recently fitted 12-25 cassette. Both easily cured using 8/10mm wrenches and this rather nifty little tool from Cyclo. Measuring 24cm long, it consumes nominal space in saddlebag or tool board and is so much nicer to use than the traditional hexagonal types thanks to superior leverage, accurate machining and rubberised handle.

Relentless testing of the Gusset 8spd chain suggests the factory lube is one of the most tenacious I've ever come across, still clinging to the links in spite of high mileages in the present climate, although mercy came in the form of Finish line's one stop cleaner and lube to coincide with tightening of the cassette body. Regular audiences will note my sporadic search for decent quality 350/400mm posts in the increasingly obscure 26.0 diameter.

Enter our old friend serendipity and some casual conversation revealed Dutch component brand BBB still offer their aptly named "Skyscraper" in extensive and more unusual sizes (25.4 through to 27.2 in point two millimetre increments). Some may baulk at the 386g weight penalty but rigidity is of greater significance on smaller mtb/other compact geometry designs-especially those that partake in tag-along slavery. Sure, there's nothing, structural or otherwise wrong with the venerable polished and lacquered Kalloy but I've happened upon this model at a very tempting price so, seeing as it coordinates perfectly with the Univega's other finishing kit...