Friends Reunited

No, not the infamous and now defunct social networking site, I am of course referring to the return of Izzie, my beloved Ilpompino. Basically a cyclo-cross bike with track ends and plentiful braze-ons, it has a geared sibling known as the Kaffenback; which differed only in terms of livery and frame-ends. Some will sneer and mutter TIG welded, Taiwanese 4130 in house tubing. However, folk forget that several decades of outsourcing to the Far East has given rise to a new manufacturing order and one that isn’t likely to be reversed in our lifetime. Johnny and Joanna come lately wannabe artisans have yet to grasp what skilled craftsmen and women have long known; that there will always be demand for bespoke steel framesets and frame repair but businesses do not survive on romanticism alone.

While it’s true that steel is relatively easy to repair and refinish, contrary to clubroom oracles, many builders will not retrofit fixed ends to fusion-welded chassis due to the extensive prep time. Silver soldered and brazed types can simply heated until the donor metals soften and the ends removed. Fusion welded joints demands more involved and time-consuming surgery…
Izzie sports some owner specific quirks including these dual sided (SPD/Look) spinning pedals. These emerged from storage with a few tiny spots of corrosion on the nickel-plating but nothing that won’t vanish with a few rides. Similarly, the Brooks leather wrap absorbs road shock and has a timeless quality but requires periodic feeding to retain its supple lustre. Arguably the quirkiest of features is this Selle SMP droop snoot saddle, which delivers armchair comfort to those sensitive areas without compromising pedalling efficiency. There’s sufficient clearance for 700x38 sans guards so I could whip studded snow tyres aboard should we experience another adverse winter. Speaking of tyres, these Freedom Urban thick slicks arrived on my doorstep this week and early impressions are favourable. 25mm wide, they slip aboard the rims without tools or blood oozing from the cuticles and run at a relatively modest 110psi. Don’t be rueful of the unfamiliar name, they’re made by WTB and reckoned to be the most dependable of the genre characterised by ultra thick casings and a puncture preventative belt.With both wheels removed, it seemed the ideal opportunity to purge the hub cones and surrounding areas of congealed gloop that’s drawn to wet-lubes courtesy of Purple Harry’s bike floss. Made here in Blighty, these pipe cleaners on steroids get right into those intricate areas other brushes cannot reach. That said; they collect and can redistribute filth so inspect and replace regularly while taking care around paintwork. There’s a softer, carbon specific sibling and bigger brands are getting in on the act too… Watch this space and the Univega’s cassette cluster as winter creeps that little bit closer.
Contrary to my wet lube rule, I’ve cleaned Izzie’s Miche chain and treated it to some super dependable Squirt dry lube. Devoid of nasty petrochemicals and solvent carriers, it’s closer in consistency to an emulsion than the traditional Wax types.
Start by running the chain through the solvent bath and drying with a clean rag. Give the squirt a brief shake before drizzling it on. Common to ceramic types, it initially requires two coats, leaving five minutes in between. Don’t panic if you’ve gone a little OTT, since the excess will congeal and flake off as you ride. The first ninety-odd derailleur miles suggest it’s the most stubborn of the dry types and should be hardy enough for single-speed/fixer set ups too. Rumour suggests its quite good on control cables too… Decided to treat the Univega to a new set of Jockey wheels, these from Hawk racing to be precise. Made from 7075 series aluminium and boasting stainless steel bearings (as removed from the seemingly mandatory ceramic type) they seem to work rather nicely with the tubby tourer’s slightly quirky eight-speed configuration.

Fitting is simply a question of splitting the chain and removing the existing OEM models from the mech-keep the retaining bolts since being aftermarket, the Hawk don’t come with any. While you’re at it, put a slither of grease on the threaded sections and slot the hawk into position with the lazer etched detailing facing the hub side. Snug everything down, reinstate the chain, checking everything clicks up and down smoothly and you’re ready for the road. They’ve certainly brought the otherwise dependable shifting along several notches with a really swift, dependable change under load. Seeing as you can buy a replacement Deore Lx for around £50, these are arguably most cost efficient on the Dura Ace and Sram forces of this world.



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On a Budget

Now there’s a phrase that pretty much embodies the times we live in and I’m going to stick with its positive, as opposed to negative connotations. A childhood friend has recently fancied dipping his toe into the road bike pond and invested in this cheap but very cheerful shop branded model. Plain gauge 7005 series TIG welded aluminium frames with hi-tensile steel forks aren’t going to set anyone’s Lycra ablaze and don’t merit wholesale upgrading. However, dressed in a pleasant starter groupset give a taste of spirited riding, plenty of smiles per mile and can be relegated to a serviceable winter/trainer when the time comes thanks to sensible clearances (700x25 inc fenders).

The only obvious low-point are the resin Shimano 600 pattern copies with ultra agricultural bearings but he plans to substitute these for double sided SPDs at the earliest opportunity. Bonding with one’s bike is a crucial part of riding and subsequent days have seen the introduction of bottle cages, mini pumps, wedge pack and a seat collar cosy crafted from off cut of redundant MTB inner tube. This will prevent dirt and ingress thrown up by the rear wheel entering the seat-tube and causing corrosive havoc, although fenders are likely to follow as fall advances. It’s nice to see a newbies develop as the bug bites that little bit deeper with every turn of the cranks so we’ll pop back and forth to sneak a peek at their blossoming relationship.
Leaving dry cells dormant inside nearly destroyed this brilliant budget One23 blinky. Mercifully genocide was narrowly avoided with some contact surgery, replacement cells and cursory lick of Vaseline. The Good folk at Moore Large (http://www.todayscyclist.co.uk/) have sent me One23’s three-mode Intense bright 1 front lamp. Closer inspection suggests it’s markedly similar to RSP Steradian- by no means a bad thing, neither is the collimator lens which is increasingly approaching industry standard these days. First impressions suggest peripheral illumination is among the best of this genre but some serious late night testing will give a better flavour of it’s capabilities. Curiously we’ve been promised a bitter winter here in the UK and “snow” (as distinct from that familiar to the populations of Scandinavia and North America) could be knocking at our doors come October. Heeding this warning and while opportunity presented itself, I’ve applied a liberal helping of Waxoyl to the KA chassis and inside ferrous framesets. BRRRRR!
My classic road bike has just turned twenty-one and I’m looking to complete the makeover with some good quality vinyl lettering and a set of Crud Racer II full-length fenders. Think it’s time those Magnesium bodied Genetic keo patterns made a return too…
Talking of retro, this Rossin frameset dating from the late 1980s arrived at Maldon Shot blasting &Powder coating ready for a makeover. Built from Columbus Gara, a thicker walled, lower end Cro-moly marketed at the touring and training fraternities and dripping in period chrome detailing (Ironic since the Italian tube maker forbid electroplating) it presents a wealth of potential headaches since the shiny stuff doesn’t magically end and paint commence


Enamellers typically employ acid etch primers to forge good union but the slippery electroplating eventually wins. Slight fading and inevitable chipping aside, this had been well loved and everything was basically sound. To avoid pitting, Graham mummified the chainstays and lower fork legs in electrical tape before passing the frameset inside the smaller blast cabinet. This uses less aggressive aluminium oxides to remove the enamel while providing a decent key for the chrome/paint overlap. Fifteen minutes later, it emerged clean and ready to receive zinc chromate and subsequent colour coats. Timeless gloss black, although hardly flamboyant is classy, affordable and extremely practical nonetheless. Here’s to another twenty-three years faithful service…

Adapt & Survive

I’m not one for meaningless marketing speak but sometimes less is genuinely more-especially when it comes to computers. Models that pretty much make the tea are a joy to play with and really effective training tools when used properly but there’s a lot to be said for simplicity. Urban has become the buzzword for minimalist chic and RSP CX3.0 seems to embody this perfectly. Including wireless, sleep and two bike functions (allowing it to be swapped from best bike to winter workhorse) amongst the nine is perhaps gilding the lily but the super clear display and “telling you straight” accuracy complete with motivational pacer arrows means its great for everyday riding and training duties.

Playing devil’s advocate, many brands offer seventeen function wireless types for the same money but having survived repeated September downpour and an unintentional trip through the washing machine; suggesting build quality is a notch higher than most. Simple rubberised rings hold the mounting plate securely to even these WTB and are so vastly superior to low-rent cable-tie affairs, it’s difficult to grasp why this method of attachment hasn’t become universally popular. Mode and set buttons are well conceived too, easily operated in gloved hands without being overly sensitive to accidental knocks. Night owls such as myself will mourn the omission of a backlight and on a wider note; I’m disappointed by the distinct lack of models without a cadence function…wired or otherwise. Debatable around town and on short haul time trails, maintaining a steady cadence is remains pivotal to efficient cycling. Seem to recall managing 188rpm turning an eighty-one inched fixed on a mile long descent several years back.

Maybe I’m showing my age but once upon a time there was a game for the Commodore 64 called “BC’s quest for tires”. The central character was a uni-cycling caveman who had to ride his way through various canyons collecting tyres and avoiding hazards en route. I’m thinking of producing a sequel for the modern age, imaginatively entitled “ Michael’s quest for (big) tyres. Why? Because I’m relentlessly searching for the ultimate go-anywhere, minimum compromise semi slick capable of bombing along asphalt and through forest alike. 1.75 inches wide, 85psi maximum pressures for asphalt duties with a stout puncture preventative belt being my design brief.

To date, Vittoria Randonneur trail are the closest I’ve come to this particular Nirvana. Several thousand miles later, ours still look as fresh as the proverbial daisy, which is all the more impressive at £20 a pair. Rolling resistance is noticeable alongside a slick on smoothly paved roads but the tread doesn’t turn skittish through bridle path and forest trails at moderate speeds. Really sharp flints can cause mischief, although three flats hardly constitute a blot on their copybook. More than can be said for a small-scale publisher doing everything they possibly can to avoid paying me…Then we have the problem of undercutters, those so desperate to enter the creative professions, they will literally work for free (or nigh on) without a thought as to the consequences for these extremely skilled vocations or their sustainability. This certainly isn’t limited to photography or to a lesser extent, journalism. Some fifteen years ago, Universities were able to draw upon a wealth of students who “Loved to teach” sans recognised professional qualification or tangible experience. This reserve army of labour was happy to accept short-term contracts for £10,000 less per annum, pro rata with the obvious decline in standards.

During last weeks’ production line laundering of technical garments, I resurrected these Scott sport-touring shoes. Classic road looks met with old school sneaker pattern sole and SPD drillings for an unusually practical hybrid on and off the bike. Acres of mesh aren’t ideal for the darker and undoubtedly wetter months but from memory they’ll entertain overshoes so I’ll let serendipity and pedal choice guide me. This might only be a week or so away given the relatively rapid wear rate of these otherwise amiable Keo copy cleats. Speaking of weather, the fall is a busy time for winter hacks, prepped and preened with new bar wrap, cables and other precautionary upgrades. Having completely exhausted my supply of clean lube, select and coordinated rummaging in the garage unearthed a 75%full bottle of nytralube slick caramel- a thin lightweight PTFE derived racing blend. Other options included White Lightning’s epic ride and finish line’s one-stop degreaser and chain prep aerosol but the nytralube will remain my weapon of choice until I get the opportunity to play with the amusingly monikered but widely revered Squirt brand.

Peugeot framesets managed to market themselves on a successful pro pedigree during the 1980s but the production bikes were never particularly special. Some sported nice Reynolds and Columbus tubesets (I always had a secret yearning for the Perthus Pro) but were plagued by poor quality control-fork steerer failures and badly scored seatposts weren’t uncommon during this era. At the other end of the market is this old HLE/Carbolite 103 model. Basically a high tensile steel tolerant of the marques distinctive welding technique, it’s the stuff of winter hacks and a popular choice for first fixer conversions too. Arriving in a very sorry state, a gloss black powder coat not only gives this one a new lease of life but an intriguing air. Right then, I’ll totter off, figure out how to lash a Mont Blanc carrier to my much loved, mile munching Ka and brew some more corrosion inhibitor from the garage.

Tales of The Unexpected

As promised I have swapped to the magnesium bodied keo type Genetic courtesy of pattern cleats with a whopping nine degrees of knee-friendly float. Not the most obvious companions for a tubby tourer perhaps but they're something different for the summer months. On our first late evening saunter I stood mesmerised by this majestic sunset when the screech of brakes and splintering of wood tore through our serenity. A group of kids had over cooked the bend in their ageing Peugeot with the obvious consequences.Given the occupants' hasty exit and camouflaging of said vehicle(lack of insurance or similar documents being the obvious motivations) calling for assistance was pointless and frankly, I was just glad to be observing from a safe seventy yards. Darkness is now arriving with little warning, so I've been taking this opportunity to put some LED systems through their paces. Arguably a steady evolution but USB rechargeable models pretty much dominate the market, boasting commendable outputs and run times. Ideally suited to desk bound commuters and freelancers like me, dry cell models boasting thirty plus hour run times from single Cr2032 or AA batteries retain the trump card when touring and/or on long haul audax duties but with prices tumbling and technology improving at a comparable rate, who knows what we'll see in the coming twelve months.

Competition, most notably from China has driven quality to the point it's genuinely difficult to find bad models and these Revolution flash silicone LED lights are prime examples. Commanding £9.99 a piece and boasting a prodigious ten lumens (max) at the front; six the rear, build quality rivals, if not shames designer brands. Monocoque construction offers a genuinely superior grasp of oversized bars and seatposts with visibility nearing three hundred and fifty yards on a clear night without being lost in the neon confusion that characterises our urban landscape. Ultimately, finite five hundred charge life cycles might deter some but with run times close to eleven hours in economy settings, they'll still return two years faithful, service.
However, the charge cables are hopelessly short, especially for those of us refuelling at towers, (as opposed to laptop/notebook) but otherwise I'm genuinely smitten.
Some equally fetching computers from Raleigh's RSP brand have fallen into my eager mitts recently, the most notable being this wireless computer/HRM combo complete with crystal clear display and pretty much every function aside from cadence and tea making. Accuracy seems bang on, buttons are user friendly in gloved hands. My one minor gripe concerns the Heath Robinson handlebar mount. Arguably very secure in situ, installation proved fiddly in the first instance and a few spare cable ties would've been welcome too. Mother Nature's effortless transition toward autumn sees me washing Gore Tex and similar technical apparel in preparation for the cooler, changeable yet deeply enticing sepia season. Riders seeking to beat the early morning chill without resorting to winter weights training gloves should look no further than these BBB Race shield. Polyamide/Polyurethane mixes are hardly exotic but wash well and keep windchill firmly at bay. Extensive reflectives make all the difference when signalling while the rubberised palm and digits ensure excellent all weather control. Dexterity is sufficient to allow roadside adjustments, pannier rummaging and even unhindered photography.

Speaking of fettling, the Feedback sports chain gauge has presented the Univega's hard working Gusset chain with a clean bill of health. A mere .2mm wear in twelve hundred unforgiving miles is testament to their build quality, although good transmission hygiene shouldn't be overlooked. Predominantly fed on a diet of wax lubes, I'm confident of reaching 2,500 before .8mm signals retirement, although 0.06 will hail the ordering of a successor to keep the drivetrain healthy.
So then to our fetching Klein road frameset. I had hoped to bring you a full photo love-story makeover but alas, the edited highlights will have to suffice. Given a thorough vapour blasting, the owner elected an equally enticing blue, complete with sparkle lacquer topcoat. Since the star fangled nut remained lodged in the steerer, it was feared the intense curing temperatures would cause havoc, thus calling for two-pac. However, closer inspection revealed it was metal and so a false alarm. Aluminium isn't the easiest of materials to re/paint since the non ferrous tubes can generate imperfections in the final curing stage but this jewel-like effect is genuinely flawless.

Another customer opted for "Kawasaki" green with sparkle topcoat, both finishes illustrating the quantum leaps in powder coating since the early days of basic primary colours.

Riot & Revolution

Unless you've been living in some muddy backwater, starved of Internet or similar modern communications, most will be aware of the "rioting" which spread like wildfire across the UK's major cities. Debate rages along two overtly simplistic models-"system" (instigated by poverty and neglect) or mindless criminality induced by morally bankrupt "youth". In reality, academic/moral arguments are overridden by devastation on unprecedented levels for many people. Cyclists and cycle retailers were sadly, if perhaps predictably targeted because of high and easy resale values. Participants in the frenzied chaos could simply hop aboard and sprint away into the night with no thought to the feelings of their rightful owners but then thieves lack the basic values of mercy, empathy and compassion. Rioting in response to colossal injustice(s) is one thing, wanton aggression and consumerist looting are quite another. The loss of stock, spiraling insurance premiums and cost of re-fitting can be ruinous-especially for already squeezed small businesses. While left and right of the political spectrum spout rhetoric, supporting your local bike shop and refusing to buy those suspiciously cheap Cannondale touted on eBay/street corner lock ups are small, simple but positive steps we can all take.

Gone are the days when budget shoes meant patent leather uppers that roasted feet within an inch of their lives and parted company with the sole at the first enthusiastic yank on the upstroke. Memories of mid-ride rest stops, being ushered through to the beer garden with our bikes by landladies only too happy to fetch washing up bowels of cold, refreshing water in which to soak our feet once we'd ordered a hearty meal and promised not to interact with families and similarly respectable patrons... Time RXT might retain the faux hides but sport plentiful mesh for consistent, cooling airflow while acres of Scotchlite detailing are perfect for extended summer playtimes or soldiering on through a dry December's gloom. Thermoformed footbeds are marketing speak for insoles that mould to the rider's feet but in fairness do so in a matter of rides and while hardly exotic, reinforced nylon soles promote excellent power transfer without painful hot spots and seem genuinely hospitable to most standard Look/SPDR pattern road cleats. Mesh is a double edged sword though and overshoes are a must in anything heavier than a passing shower. Twenty minutes and they're saturated, demanding eight hours at room temperature to resume an arid and wearable state.Continuing this theme of misty-eyed nostalgia come these rather fetching handlebar and stem from Genetic. Beautifully finished and modestly priced, they're supplied here in the UK by ison distribution and perfect for older road and touring bikes. Common to most contemporary quill types length is limited to either 80 or 100mm but meets the needs of most riders sitting either side of average. Standard (26.0) clamp diameters make sense but riders unable to part with their favourite 25.4s can use one of Nitto's high quality shims. Will Meister has some (http://www.hubjub.co.uk/)

So to something home grown-but definitely not herbal. This here's a titanium brake bolt designed so older framesets can enjoy the pleasures of dual pivot braking without the pain of drilling fork crowns and seat stay bridges. Made in Bristol from 6A14V (an alloy of titanium, aluminium and vanadium) it measures 73mm long and is cut to Shimano RX100, R450 &R650 patterns but also entertains some Tektro and Miche. Fitting is simply a matter of removing the OEM bolt and slotting the aftermarket model in place, remembering liberal licks of Ti paste to prevent galvanic corrosion-especially on daily drivers. Contrary to claims from clubroom oracles, excessive "whip" has been a moot point and I've not so much as lain tools to it in three weeks and 280 miles.

Elsewhere, the otherwise dependable Veloset computer seemed unduly affected by electrical interference.Replacing both head and sensor batteries restored reliable and consistent readings. The eagle eyed will note the return of my once grey Look pedals from 1991. This was in the interests of putting those Time RXT through their paces and rewarded with higher cadences, more efficient power transfer not to mention red faces as we hurtled past some dyed in the wool types despite hauling several kilos of kit in the mighty Knog Dry Dog pannier. However, just as soon as some Keo pattern cleats arrive, I'll opt for these Magnesium bodied Genetic, shaving a few grams and improving ground clearance into the bargain. Much as I like the cleanliness of wax type lubes, I'm running perilously low on White Lightning's Clean Ride but remain convinced there's a few similar types languishing somewhere in the garage. What they lose to wet types in staying power, self cleansing types won't turn to a cannibalistic grinding paste when things turn gloopy.

In amongst a wealth of tatty exotica arriving at Maldon Shotblasting and Powder Coating came this surprisingly sound Klein road frameset. Aside from some unavoidable little scrapes its original "Angry Custard" yellow livery seems remarkably well preserved. Not sure what the Klein's new clothes will be just yet but hopefully I'll return with a photo love story in the coming weeks...

Flight of the Condor

This week Graham at Maldon Shotblasting & Powder coating brings the 80's Condor back to life in French blue.

Three minutes in the blast cabinet and it's bare, ready to receive the chromate...
Chromate applied, ready for the first oven baking.

Curing alongside a Fuji Mtb frame and swing arm

Here comes the French blue, on with the show- good health to you!

The final bake....

Baggy Trousers & Blasting Frames

No, nothing to do with Madness, the 80's Ska inspired pop band-we're talking messenger knickers/three quarter lengths (delete as your road/mtb heritage dictates). Lycra remains a firm favourite for fast blasts on the Holdsworth and Teenage Dream but there's much to be said in favour of stylish modesty as my thirties thunder by. The one downside to this genre of respectable leg-wear is the attention it draws to furry pins-hence my endearing love affair with Veet!

Missing teeth aren't particularly fetching either...Despite a varied and reasonably balanced diet, my cola consumption was on par with Dennis Hopper's appetite for liquor during the 1970s. The loss of a prominent and very expensive dental crown has ended a twenty year dependency upon this evil mistress.

Polaris Transition bear remarkable similarity to Protective Washingtons, although they're fashioned from water repellent rip-stop polyester which has a distinctly "technical" feel compared with the German marque's brushed fabric. Pockets are the bog standard hip for change, keys and stuffing the hands when mooching around town while the positively cavernous cargo type gobble everything from larger compact cameras, wallets and smart phones through to road maps- er, that's retro GPS for the uninitiated. Stretch panels minimise bunching even-fully laden and hammering along at ninety-plus rpm while the rip-stop lives up to it's reputation, shrugging at brambles and other feisty foliage. They're as chic, civilian and water resistant as you'll need in the urban jungle, although the Protective have the edge for more formal meets. Sizing is a major consideration though and in their infinite wisdom, Polaris have done something very strange for the men-folk. My thirty-two inch waist, thirty-three leg isn't particularly outlandish and I've always managed a medium...I squeezed into our sample sans unsightly muffin top and given a few longish outings, the fabric relaxes. Measurements seem more consistent for the ladies but nonetheless try before parting with your hard-earned.

Diesel strength coffee and regular visits to Maldon Shotblasting & Powder Coating have been keeping the soda scourge firmly in check. In amongst a flurry of rusty motorcycle frames, panels and tanks sat this weary looking '80s Condor road frameset ready for a "French Blue" rebirth.Construction and attention to detail are to a standard "Johnny come artisan" can only dream of. Note the accuracy of brazing- no runs or drips here (more than can be said for the Teenage Deam-at least around the original fork crown). My inclination would be to reconfigure the top-tube cable routing but then perhaps the owner wants to retain its originality and besides, identikit machines/increasingly identikit people are equally undesirable.

The same is true of dirty/squeaky transmissions and I'm pleased to report we've been returning around two hundred miles from White Lightning's "Clean Ride" through the drier months. Maintenance has been little more than a light drizzle on every link and periodically wiping any sludge from the outer plates. However, I'm edging closer to the bottle's end and must make a decision whether to continue, or substitute for a more tenacious gloopy offering for the darker months that creep nearer.

Elsewhere, Knog's mighty dry dog remains a near permanent feature aboard the Univega's beefy cro-moly rack. Summer cloudburst, river crossings and the general hurdy gurdy of rough-stuff touring have made no impression on the fabric or moreover, contents. Its thirteen inch sibling has the edge when it comes to the cut and thrust of commuting since it slips through gaps that bit easier and doesn't foul the floor when wheeling the bike through tight apartment corridors but bigger brother is bang on for weekend touring.

Right, well a kindly editor has bestowed a lovely box of goodies for testing and the wide blue yonder is calling me.