Mods n' Ends aka beating the shot bolt & temp job blues

So there I was belting along the dusky back roads, putting another days’ temp job frustration into perspective and seeing the bigger picture. This heady mix of serenity and pragmatism was rudely interrupted by the sound of metal bouncing across asphalt… Thankfully not the handlebar cam mount, rather this largely likeable Lucas king of the road front light.

Aesthetically pleasing, I’ve never really been convinced by the ornate clasp’s durability and found the knurled bolt uniting its resin bracket unnecessarily fiddly. The lamp itself is another commuter plus model that produces 565lumens in top, with navigational clout through sticksville to around 25mph and 2.5 hours from a full charge.

An easily accessible li-on cell and inexpensive replacements allow extended playtimes with minimal bulk. However, just entering dusk, mine was sipping reserves in flashing…

Meanwhile back at the roadside, I’d leant the Ilpompino against a gate and began foraging through overgrown verges, hoping to find said fastener gleaming in the fading sun. Several minutes hence, I resigned myself to its loss, popped lamp ensemble in my wedge pack and resumed a brisk cadence-mentally scouring Perspex boxes for suitable substitute.    

This materialised as a stray stainless fender eyelet bolt, which aside from improving tenure, makes the bracket harder to swipe. I also discovered another (!) helmet strap complete with Go-Pro mount, so have bolted the Knog pattern atop. These will be tethered to a lid and trialled over the coming weeks.

I’d deliberately allowed the Ilpompino to cultivate a grimy patina during this time to test the effectiveness of some eagerly awaited bike washes, foaming chain cleaners and lubricants of varying viscosity. Air temperatures are still holding around the 20c mark, thus sludgy black frame preserve continues to leach stubbornly from my fleet’s breathe holes and bottom bracket shells.

Ideal conditions for basting the KA’s underside and chassis with my medieval medicine…Previous coats have remained firmly ensconced; albeit slightly weathered, thus bi-annual top-ups stop anything nasty getting a foothold.   

Most cleaners are now designed with composites in mind, eliminating risk of solvent damage. Genuinely effective on light to middleweight summer lubes, filmy residual road spatter and organic stuff; heavy duty wet potions demand three, sometimes four helpings and concerted coaxing from medium firm bristle plots.

Freelancing is synonymous with competence-if you’re not, you don’t last. Very occasionally, we might receive a stiff, though constructive editorial rebuke. Critically evaluate, raise your game and avoid repeat offences.

By contrast, incompetence is one of my biggest bugbears. Present temp role mirrors that this time two years ago, though I’m channelling frustrations into creative endeavours, while assuming an economically pragmatic, means-to-end focus. Stressing the positive, I’m off to play with some rather exciting chain lubes, check progress with my collaborators and work on some drafts before Monday’s 5.30 awakening.

  

Reportage!

The 32gb Micro SD card’s arrival coincided with my own, somewhat reluctant return from the marvellous midlands…

K-Edge and modified Delkin Brackets seem to be doing their thing handsomely, although given the levels of distortion, I’m now convinced resin handlebar tidies/extension beams aren’t ideal platforms. Thankfully the padded leather bar wrap proves a better host. In any case, I picked up a model specific helmet kit while mooching around Decathlon on Friday evening.

This present spec would bring the total cost to around £150, though includes the biggest card possible, some lateral thought and experimentation. Like the idea of a plug in LCD screen but this is a luxury for another time-if at all.

I

mage and build quality continue to impress and functions are intuitive, allowing easy operation, even when hurtling into hairpin descents. However, I need to resolve low-level vibration before its true potential is realised, or anything serious committed to you tube.

Talking of tubes, the resin end of my uber long workshop tyre fitting wand mysteriously fractured, so I contacted Cyclo’s distributors, seeking to purchase a replacement directly.

Despite being a couple of months outside of warrantee, Weldtite kindly sent me another free of charge along with some other “taster” products. A lovely gesture and means I can resume effortless tyre (or indeed, tire) swapping.  www.weldtite.co.uk

Elsewhere, we’re reaching the penultimate stages in our collaboration, so hopefully herculean effort will translate into tangible reward very, very shortly.   

       

Back to the Bodge Box

Well, after all that fuss n’ fanfare, the K-Edge & Geonaute polycarbonate shell combo proved decidedly disappointing. Specifically, persistent low-level road vibrations induced perpetual and distinctly infuriating slippage. Clearly struck by a Eureka moment, I returned from an early evening’s backwater blast and began rifling through a series of clear Perspex boxes.

By this point, frustration was such that I was thinking of helmet mounting when ten minutes later-Bingo! The Wingman’s resin bar bracket materialised, proving fully compatible with case and oversized bulge diameters, though I had to forgo the standard bolt in favour of a super stocky UV resistant zip-tie.

Successive dry runs along the lane confirmed rock solid, blur-free tenure, inducing a tremendous sense of achievement (not to mention uncharacteristically large grin).

Knog’s Qudos action video light materialised at the tail end of last week, which is similarly pleasing. Coming from a design company, I wasn’t surprised (though suitably impressed) by the sleek metal box and foam packaging which keeps everything safe and secure in storage/transit. Foraging inside revealed a beautifully executed light, slightly reminiscent of their Blinder Road2 lamp fed a steroid diet.

Ours was anodised black, though silver is no less alluring and will arguably age more gracefully. Now, somewhat sensibly, the mounting bracket is a Go-Pro pattern, so I’d anticipated some compatibility challenges with the G-Eye.

First and foremost insufficient spacing meant the two were literally butting heads, especially with the cameras’ polycarbonate housing in situ. After much head scratching/trial n’ error, I overcame this obstacle by resurrecting the Wingman and K-Edge brackets before reintroducing said gizmos as separates.

Knog also include a cold shoe tripod mount designed compatible with DSLR convergence work (another area of image making that has slowly but surely pricked my consciousness) in mind. Indeed, the Qudos is another example of the Australian marque’s consistently improving build quality.

Aluminium is an obvious choice for headlamp housings-rugged and lightweight it also displaces heat more efficiently than cheaper resins, so those three Cree diodes and circuitry stand a sporting chance of enjoying old age. Its’ also water resistant to 40 metres-130ft or so, giving potential for scuba and other submergible action. 

Now, 400lumens sounds impressive and in bike lighting terms is good enough for sprightly canters in semi-rural contexts.However, despite the Sports Action tag; I have suspicions this will require support from an uber lumen handlebar amp for capturing moonlit blasts, let alone trail antics. 

Those looking for more subtle illumination will be pleased to note its 70 lumen setting is claimed to sip the fully loaded 1,000 m AH lithium polymer cell for four hours, whereas the former is reckoned good for 40odd minutes.

That said; batteries are available separately and I’m thinking there’s some scope for emergency bike lighting, should your mains system flake out in sticksville.  Well, I’ll leave it here for now and will report back once a bigger micro SD card arrives…

The staying prowess of Btwin Teflon lube continues to astound me. We cruised through the 1100mile barrier on a single application and though about due replenishment, my fixer’s stainless steel chain still sported a protective film and minimal contaminant. 

Let’s see what the season of falling leaves, rich colours and damper roads reveals. Talking of which; I must crawl beneath the KA and give its underside and sills a routine basting of home brewed corrosion inhibitor before too long.

Candid Camera

Helmet cams have always stirred mixed emotions in me. For the most part positive-the quest to document rides in their full 1080HD glory. GO PRO’s various generations have become pretty much the standard by which all are judged and I was really impressed by the Hero2 a couple of years back. 

However, choppy financial waters precluded purchase and last year’s end of line Delkin Wingman indulgence proved false economy.

Thirteen months hence and I’m eager to avoid throwing good money after bad, yet enticed by a sub £100 Geonaute boasting 1080HD, 5mpxl stills and user-friendly design... 

Now, direct comparisons with GO-Pro’s Hero series are perhaps inevitable, although misleading-rather akin to comparing entry level and enthusiast CSC cameras. Image quality is very good, though not in giant killing territory, colours aren’t quite so accurate and vignetting’s apparent in certain lights. Build seems reassuringly sturdy- I’d rather pay extra for a bolt-on LCD playback screen and protective casing than see corners cut structurally.  

Minoura Le Korde proved a delightful handlebar host for dry weather reportage but the G-Eye escape’s centre mounted lens is incompatible with Hero and Wingman polycarbonate shells alike, so you’ll need to invest in a model specific unit.

Supposedly water resistant to 60metres, it seals completely tight, precluding attachment to mini bar pods…Experimenting with some redundant (though complete) blinky brackets came close, yet ultimately unsatisfactory thus I resigned myself to shelling out a further (and final!) £20 on this nicely machined K-edge “Go big” aluminium unit.

Much better than watching my new companion expire in a series of R2D2 esque bleeps come the first hint of drizzle or exploding on contact with terra firma. Alas, I must confess these optical investments were borne from a series of near misses and “Punishment Passes” yet I’m hopeful engaging reportage stuff will prove its staple diet. Knog are due to launch an LED lighting companion for nocturnal filmmaking this autumn-something I was quick to register interest in-hopefully I’ll get chance to put one through its paces very soon.  

To the uninitiated, “punishment passing” is an act of intimidation used by some drivers to communicate their contempt for cyclists. This takes several forms, though usually involves overtaking with, or swinging back prematurely, leaving inches, sometimes less to spare.

The latest encounter involved a long wheelbase Mercedes Sprinter van emblazoned with tarmac supplier’s livery passing a hairs’ breadth from my handlebars (along a series of tight bends no less). Happy to give them and others some free publicity here; or via you-tube.  

Staying with commercial vehicles a moment, I found myself equally confounded by a communication informing me that a “global logistics company” who regularly drive by and occasionally deliver to my house, cannot find me and need directions! Hmm, no-one else, let alone the larger, established firms have any trouble whatsoever. While generally a constructive, pragmatic soul, I won’t entertain incompetence-especially on a professional level. 

Summer doesn’t officially end until October 31^st, yet it’s beginning to feel peri autumnal here; temperatures and daylight dip quite suddenly past 20.00, turning one’s mind to lighting. I recently completed a long term test of this One23 Extreme bright 1000 for a new publication and it’s yet another illustration of how competent, yet affordable contemporary high power systems are.

Once burdened with hefty, temperature sensitive lead acid cells that returned 2, maybe 3hrs from a full eight hour mains charge. These days £80 buys bijous li-ons capable of fuelling 1000 lumen lamps for nigh on four hours and 15 in the lower, which is capable enough for speedy semi-rural navigation, let alone cross town commuting.

Cheaper lens and reflector components mean some compromises where beam purity’s concerned and a few £150 plus 650 lumen models produce higher quality light, thus it wouldn’t be my first choice off-road. However, there’s ample clout for spooky unlit lanes to around 28mph.

Some will argue this is relatively expensive in the global age. Yes, you can get lucky, acquiring outwardly identical designs for considerably less. However, quality of output varies and electricals/charging equipment won’t necessarily meet domestic standards either. Official imports are easily replaced or repaired under warrantee and provided you’ve proof of purchase, competent local bike shops/distributors will handle any warrantee woes.

Attending the capital to watch one of Kate Bush’s live theatrical masterpieces persuaded me to bring my less desirable travel compact along. This was remarkably liberating since it still takes decent images yet is old and (relatively) inexpensive not to instil the same theft anxiety associated with CSCs. 

Alas, the enigmatic performer stipulated no unofficial image-taking (stills or otherwise) I was still able to sneak eighty odd photographs of well and poorly laden/ secured machines within an hour to illustrate further, forthcoming features. 

Good Vibrations

Two weeks’ continuous service cemented my suspicions, namely that adopting a shorter stem and moustache bars would transform comfort and handling in most contexts. Sharper steering keeps things the right sort of interesting, without becoming a handful when haring along hairpin descents with beloved Revolution Cargo full to its thirty five kilo brim.

Spotted another one tethered to an equally hard working GT (note Magura HS33 raceline brakeset) while on a quick supermarket mission this week. Thought the shot would come in handy for book and related projects that are on the cusp of fruition.

Back to those Mungo then…Loftier backswept contours improve one’s view of conditions ahead, yet still affording commendable relief from headwinds and other biblical stuff.

Conversely, they do place more weight on the ulnar region, low-level vibration becoming intrusive after two hours or so, provoking me to explore some additional insulation. 

I’ve reviewed countless commercial “underlays” in recent years and in fairness, most seem to work, though some are definitely better than others.Binding redundant butyl inner tube around the bars before dressing them is another useful (not to mention, thrifty) homely remedy. Ah, but disturbing the several times repatriated Cinelli and asking it’s weathered adhesive to bond convincingly with butyl was pushing our luck somewhat. 

Hence I’ve adopted a popular Audax trick, leaving it in situ and weaving that crisp, white Lizard Skins DSP strategically atop. Thrice mummified around the curves, it appears to optimise protection with a slightly funky, as distinct from frumpy aesthetic.

Contact points are by definition exceedingly personal and something I’m predisposed to tinkering with. Superficially I wasn’t remotely “taken” by this SR Becoz moderate men’s saddle-183mm at its widest point-forty millimetres wider than “ideal” for my sit bones. However, such dogma breeds its own kinds of myopia. Less aggressive configurations influence rider spine angle, in turn placing proportionately greater weight upon the saddle.

This would explain why Spa cycle’s buxom (168mm) B17 homage proved so compatible.  The Becoz is literally bursting with cutting edge, recycled/organic technologies. Steep, relatively tall steel rails won’t set anyone’s Lycra ablaze but are extremely well finished and those additional millimetres seem to have corrected a minor imperfection height-wise.

These are coupled to a clever set of supple, yet progressive elastomers absorbing minor road/trail buzz while the internal blend of polyurethane gel combine ample support without hindering tour-typical 85-100rpm cadences. Covers used to be a weak spot, particularly on the goo-filled breed where they could rupture during a spill (especially off road) leaving sticky, oozy remnants spattered across one’s finest Lycra.

Selle Royal has continued the unusual, ecologically friendly theme here too, fortifying the slightly rubberised texture with sustainably cultivated conifer wood flour. This latter ingredient seems to counteract irksome surfing, though has caused some thinner, super shiny Lycra to gather uncomfortably during the course of a ride and demands physically lifting (rather than shuffling) one’s derriere fore/aft.

On the flip side, it’s a boon when leaning back against the saddle, maintaining traction when negotiating long descents/looser surfaces. Curiously, the (164mm) athletic version only comes in male centric dimensions and on balance might’ve been optimal for said build. However, this experience serves to illustrate that not everything can be reduced to a series of formulas/calculations.

A recent spate of burglaries in this otherwise peaceful locale’ is a poignant reminder to review and bolster security. This needn’t involve colonies of CCTV but assessing things as a professional or opportunist thief might enables one to close certain avenues of potential attack.  

On some levels it’s ironic (given the prevalence of “community spirited curtain twitching”) that people’s behaviours are scrutinised with such intensity, yet these voyeurs mysteriously see and hear nothing during attempted/burglaries. (Don’t get me started on the omnipresent crescendo of barking dogs).

Naturally, these violations are met with eloquent choruses to the effect of “aint it awful”. Fear not, a neighbourhood watch group is coming into force, though again, I fear this says more about certain folks’ love of spearheading committees rather than pragmatic purpose.

Since time in memorial bikes have been thief magnets. I regularly introduce layers of complication be it a gamekeeper or upgraded/additional locking that will certainly slow their progress and hopefully deter. Simple measures like closing gates increases risks of thieves being seen/ heard/ disturbed, ditto laying pea-gravel/shingle or planting prickly foliage/trellis at strategic points.

Gates with solid centre panels might keep prying eyes out; though also provide those with low morals to "work" uninterrupted on the other side...

Datatag and similar hi-tech systems are another useful tool, though more in a stolen/recovered context. Slipping a piece of laminated card with name, date of birth, blood type and address inside handlebars and other contact points costs nothing-can be invaluable in this and accident contexts.

Cockpit Swaps & Brave New Worlds

Having acquired the necessary contact points, I returned from a much needed week of temping, determined to commence transplant surgery. Tubby tourer plucked from its slumber, I harvested fresh control cables, snips, tune-up stand, Allen keys and grease gun.

While hardly mechanically challenging, it’s time consuming nonetheless- unless you’ve gone the old school “Benotto” route, since even the best handlebar coverings become seemingly inseparable from their hosts given a few seasons. This two year old Cinelli EVA being no exception. However, firmly endeared to its combination of rugged materials and damping prowess, salvage was my preferred option. Twenty minutes hence, nimble fingers and perseverance saw both rolls free and intact.

Wholesale cable replacements were another hassle I sought to swerve. Previous estimation suggested a shorter stem would offset the Mungo’s more voluptuous curves, rendering this process unnecessary, so, brimming with optimism I slackened and slid the Microshift brifters free.

Unexpected complication awaited me elsewhere, courtesy of a headlock preload bolt system displaying early signs of galvanic corrosion. Full length mudguards and stout Teflon/ceramic greases give most things a sporting chance on daily drivers but the latter had vanished without trace.

Demon purged with assistance from Long T handled Allen key and maintenance spray; the Salsa/WTB combo was swiftly substituted for One23 and Mungos. Firmly focused, I introduced the Microshift Brifter, allowing sufficient slack for some minor, tool free manoeuvrings.

Cable length seemed operationally bang on (though may be trimmed in due course), confirmed by pumping the brakes and cruising fore and aft along the cassette a few times, while provocatively turning the bars. 

Alignment was pretty near too, verified with a spirit level and some tentative tweaking. Dynamo headlamp and other creature comforts, repatriated, narrow swift pattern saddle substituted in favour of Spa cycles broader Nidd (essentially a heavier duty B17 homage) transformation was almost complete.

I had some white Lizard skins DSP wrap doing something close to nothing but while extremely crisp and delightfully tactile, the black speckled Cinelli is infinitely more practical. Experience suggests better quality wraps tolerate several removal/fitments and Cinelli was no exception-I was even able to reuse the pre-existing electrical tape!

Formative impressions are extremely favourable, though care’s needed to avoid more pronounced brifters fouling brickwork, render and other abrasives when slipping through alleys and side entrances. Hence the Sugru end caps.  There’s also an element of “Hawthorne Effect”- any alteration either feels euphoric or alien for the first hundred miles or so…

Much has been made of Google’s new “driverless” vehicle, with business, innovation and skills secretary, Vince Cable and indeed many cycling forum participants calling for their widespread adoption. Superficially, removing driver error theoretically makes the roads safer but is this (or indeed, any technology) truly fool or tamper-proof and what of the wider, unspoken implications.

The early 1980s saw widespread embrace of robot spot welders in car factories, lowering labour requirements/costs, optimising efficiency and quality. Ah, but spot welding is a very simple, semi-skilled process and therefore easily programmed. Peugeot cycles adopted similar automated technologies on their mass produced HLE tubed framesets and OEM/factory built wheels are generally by machine too.

However, these automatons work to set tolerances. Artificial intelligence will doubtless render my comments (and workforces) redundant in the fullness of time but a good wheel builder or skilled welder will recognise optimum tension or weld penetration by feel/sight.  The same applies to vehicles-many driving instructors taught parking/manoeuvres by wrote-three turns to the right, one back etc. Once again, these have very limited horizons.

There is no doubt, this and other technology has been readily available in various forms for some time now, often transitioning from military applications (Collimator lenses used to guide lasers readily employed in modern lighting systems are prime examples). So therefore, vehicles could recognise motor/cyclists, pedestrians/other traffic and theoretically know (calculate) at what speed/distances to brake or pass from.

Longer term, this could literally change our economic landscape. Logistics firms would no longer need to recruit and retain skilled train, HGV and LGV drivers, couriers etc. Taxis could be similarly automated. Traditionally, there have been two voices to the argument around technological change. One suggests that people are liberated from hard, laborious and potentially dangerous jobs and will move into other spheres. Counter proposition points towards “dead trades”, wholesale redundancies with little opportunities for retraining.

Taking the car industry as an example, it was relatively easy for those from a craft/engineering grade to move sideways with relatively little retraining. A coachbuilder once said transition to CAD/CAM, programming roles, technical management fields was straightforward. Semi/unskilled track operatives faced a decidedly uncertain future. Traditionally a blue collar phenomenon, it has begun to impact upon the “professional” classes, who have found it harder to recover from this and previous economic downturns.

Talking of global economies is perhaps slightly contentious in an absolute sense, though politicians influence upon public life is dwindling and their tenure is likely to change from a full to part-time vocation. The 1990s witnessed many losses from the financial sector, some were quickly reabsorbed, others emigrated and retrained in completely different industries. This was something of a culture shock to many who viewed themselves recession and perhaps, future proof and may well prove a trend.

Stems n' Scorched Grass

Sometimes it seems, doing less actually achieves more and I’ve had a few days recently where fruit has materialised with little; or no tree shaking on my part. 

More detailed measurement/calculations confirmed the Salsa stem would’ve been fractionally too long n’ low for comfort-hence attempting transplant surgery would’ve been a frustrating fools’ mission. Salvation materialised in the guise of this 35degree, 70mm long 6061 One23 unit. Standards of finish and machining seem pretty good throughout and four bolt face designs offer a vice like grip, although it’s imperative that all fasteners are tightened to identical tolerances to prevent bars succumbing to potential stress fracture over time.

Wider bars offer excellent control on or indeed sans asphalt and increased leverage should prove a boon when hauling trailers along wintery roads, enhanced further by a more upright stance. On the flip side, this will mute traffic jamming prowess but hardly a concern since said four seasons’ workhorse earns its keep on open roads, rural backwaters and green lanes.

I had toyed with the idea of passing these 25.4 On-One Midge and corresponding stem on via ebay but decided they’d prove handy revisions for my cross inspired mtb hybrid. This might also present a few challenges shifter wise.

Top mounting seems like a good idea, yet demands splaying the clamp to accommodate road bars larger overall (not just bulge) diameter and precludes shifting when hunkered low on the drops; hence I will opt for mounting another STX 8spd pod inboard of the end. Shorter cable runs are also conduits for crisp, snappy changes. An 11-19 straight through block sounds an odd choice too but adequate (when paired to a 32 tooth ring) for tackling moderate woodland/green lanes to around 17mph without spinning out on the road.

Joshua has been testing boundaries in a positive sense, expressing renewed interest in longer road outings with yours truly-something I’m obviously keen to encourage. Rides of this duration are best tackled on his 14/24 mountain bike, shod with slick, or higher end dual purpose rubber-a machine he’s fought shy of thus far and should fit him nicely by now.

Talking of gearing, resistance seems attributable to derailleurs-while competent with the Frog 62’s 7 speed revoshift, he’s never completely embraced them and a triple served only to accentuate this. Maybe this wanderlust will nurture acceptance by stealth…

Now, pretty much all bike washes/degreasers are touted as being biodegradable, bunny loving etc. these days. However, I recall mechanics saying some eat seals in their parts washers and despite liberal rinsing with garden hose, a very effective, highly tuneable concentrate that really impressed me recently hasn’t shown my lawn much compassion. Thankfully frame and component finishes remain in rude health but illustrates why standing times shouldn’t be exceeded.

Elsewhere, invitation to an Indian wedding in the midlands presented ideal opportunity to extend my photographic horizons-I’ve been particularly keen to find a foothold and built positive repute within this genre for several years now.

Everyone is a wedding photographer these days; some are extremely capable, imaginative professionals, others anything but. Look through any trade journal/website and you’ll find copious lament about “weekend warriors” damaging the trade’s repute and there’s much to agree with.

Urban myth suggests photographic skill only existed in the days of darkrooms. The advent of digital removed any skill-point, shoot and hey presto (and acquiring a mortgage means owning a house outright!!!). Counter argument suggests knowing one’s market, carving a niche and leaving others to theirs. Street corners are littered with folks offering to perform oil changes for a fiver, of course they’ll have public liability cover and decades of workshop experience under their belts should something go wrong…