Orange Clockwork

 The continued dry, balmy weather has meant there’s no excuse for not getting some serious miles in aboard the Holdsworth and give Denise a rest. I’ve even switched from full -finger “liner type” gloves to mitts and short-sleeve jerseys.  

I’ve also switched the 137mm wide SR Marnie GT for the titanium-railed 185x142mm Madison Flux Switch to see how the latter performs on a road build. Now, the Holdsworth doesn’t have a particularly long saddle to bar drop, especially compared to a semi-compact geometry frameset but the saddle is geared more toward a traditional road, rather than cross or gravel bike.  

Contexts where a shorter nose is best, given you’re more likely to dis/mount quickly. 200 miles down the line, I’m inclined to say the 137mm SR Marnie GT is the best width for the Holdsworth, although 142 or (or indeed, 143mm) is damn good- the Specialized Toupe’ had served for many years, after all. Miss the Toupe’ but nothing lasts forever and I’m developing a soft spot for the ti railed Flux. The unisex Perineum friendly channel is a case in point, relieving pressure unexpectedly well, despite being very shallow. 

WTB Chain lube is doing its thing, cleansing any grime from the chain and staying put. Reckon it’ll go way beyond the claimed 400-mile per application mark, given the present, arid conditions and I’ll probably stick with it, given the clean, durable characteristics.  

Though I was fond of the budget carbon Acor unit, the thin bladed period typical (I’m led to believe it’s not the original and don’t care) fork adds a bit more zip to proceedings and yes, I still like the contrasting blue.   

Talking of blue, I’m sticking with the Peaty’s Link Lube Dry with Denise- the hybrid quasi wax and oil blend is well suited to these conditions, sifting the contaminant, while the oil part keeps potential taint at bay. Though less tenacious than some blends, including the brands Link Lube Premium counterpart, I’m generally preferring it to waxes for general riding.  

I also took this opportunity to check Denise’s chain health .25, which is middling, given the generally stable conditions but there’s a reasonable amount of life left before I’ll consign it to the bin and replace with another.  

Some say to expect 1500-3,000 miles and I’d loosely agree. However, if you’re doing a lot of mixed terrain, mountain biking or winter road riding, expect a drop. Despite careful maintenance, though a vile, slimy winter I’ve scraped 800miles from a chain.        

I was in the area, so dropped by Maldon Shot Blasting & Powder Coating and saw the Dave Russel frameset had been treated to a RAL6027 atop chrome effect powder coat, replacing the electroplate which looked pin sharp. Blasting revealed the frameset was only chromed at the seat and chainstays suggesting the red was its original livery (some are chromed completely with acid etc primers and enamel atop.)

Personally, decals aren’t my thing-they simply advertise a bike, or frameset is worth nicking in my view. It wouldn’t do to be all the same and though I prefer an air of mystery, the RAL6027 and chrome effect looks really, sharp. The green could well be Ursula’s next livery… Steve’s reached his conclusions with the AS2 inflator Cycplus AS2 Pro Tiny E-Pump | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

They’d also restored this Orange Clockwork frameset (complete with rigid Cro-moly fork).  This looks to be a late 90s model, maybe as late as ‘98, a couple of years younger than Ursula. Its owner is apparently going to ride it across America. Aside from the obvious rush of retro delight (I was really taken by the Orange Clockwork in the early 90s), I also contemplated the shade of orange as an option for Ursula... 

Continuing the summer theme, I err towards full finger designs, even during late spring and summer. Simply on the grounds of greater protection when meandering beyond asphalt. Beyond 20 degrees or so, save for the Madison Roamer and Specialized (model), which are thin but rugged, I’m donning mitts. Aero mitts are second-skin snug, a little harder to pull on off/ but great for blasting along-say on the Holdsworth and Teenage Dream.  

Traditional leather palmed models are lovely from a retro perspective, and I’ve only just had to retire these PassportTEST & REVIEW: PASSPORT CROCHET BACK CYCLING MITTS (sevendaycyclist.com) after six years faithful service. Aside from their classic theme, their looser fit also enabled me to run liner gloves beneath for some additional warmth/comfort during late summer/early autumn, where the temperatures start to drop a little and often without notice.  

I’ll prefer not to reflect too deeply on that latter bit, since it’ll mean the darker months are approaching and I won’t’ve got all I wanted from the summer. I still enjoy the changing seasons and still associate the darker months with positive things-going to university, meeting a woman who would become the human love of my life and the simple things like being able to draw the curtains and protect myself from the world.  

 

Limited daylight, though perfect for testing lighting can present other challenges, and frustrations mind.  Right, I’ll end here with Steve’s review of the Cycplus AS2 inflator Cycplus AS2 Pro Tiny E-Pump | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

 

 

The Plating debate

 After an unpleasant, slightly de-humanising appointment, I decided to console myself with a trip to Maldon Shot Blasting & Powder Coating, since I was in the area. Chris was about to undertake some metallisation, but we chatted a couple of minutes before he suited up and I spotted this Dave Russell...  

Red with electroplated rear triangle and forks. Nothing particularly unusual there...Then I spotted the rear facing dropouts, derailleur hanger and the Reynolds 753 sticker adorning the seat tube...Now, there’s a lot of debate around electroplating and thin wall tube sets. I’ve seen countless Columbus tubed framesets dripping in chrome.  

Plenty of Reynolds frames from the 70’s, 80s and 90s sporting electroplated forks, chainstays and rear triangles for that matter.  Some builders even dressed 531c in the shiny stuff. Tony Oliver in his book “Touring Bikes” was particularly forthright in his disapproval and forbid chrome on his frames.  

Now, the book is around thirty-five years old- I bought a copy in 1990 “Chrome is forbidden by Reynolds on their 753 as it causes hydrogen embrittlement, a technical term for ‘it will eventually break”. Others suggest hydrogen embrittlement, like everything else in life is a matter of luck and everything will eventually break.  

I’ve seen frames disintegrate when they’ve emerged from a dunking in the methyl chloride tank. For me personally, I can appreciate the aesthetic of chrome but would opt for chrome effect powder coating, or with a new frame, stainless steel tubes in the desired areas.  

Continuing the retro theme, I happened upon this Marin Bear Valley that was earning its keep as a flat bar commuter cum tourer, while navigating a town centre. Looking at the spec and quill stem, I’m guessing mid 90s and superficially, seems in good order.  I was aways very taken with the industrial beauty of the Zolatone 2000, especially with the fluro contrasts.   

Durability was the main draw for me at the time- it reminded me of rendered brickwork and seemed to resist abrasion/impact damage incredibly well. I had wondered if the Zolotone might be a good move for Ursula. Acquiring the paint was possible, courtesy of the internet but finding a finisher who is both familiar and competent with the paint is another matter. I had approached a couple of local finishers and took their silence as either a mark of disinterest, inexperience or a combination of both.   

I was still chewing over whether I should opt for powder coating, a wet spray enamel, or 2K acrylic. Choice of colour was also under review. Dove (or similar) grey was still top of the list, but orange or indeed, another red were beginning to challenge its hegemony.  A zebra finish…. Well, if it weren’t for the additional prep and expense, perhaps…Talking Cycology Men’s Summit Lightweight Summer | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) .   I was similarly taken with the spatter effects of this era. Kona’s were allegedly designed, so riders could touch up and ultimately, create their own custom paint effects.    

Given the weather had become decidedly balmy, I prepped the Holdsworth and enjoyed some pared to the essentials tarmac fun and to mix things up a bit. I’d only regret it come October, if I didn’t. Wolf Tooth WT-1 All Conditions Chain Lube Wolf Tooth WT-1 All Conditions Chain Lub | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) doesn’t require reapplying and the detergents employed ensure it pretty much self-cleanses. Knowing this, I also switched Denise’s KMC from the Blub to Peaty’s Link Lube All Weather.  

Another hybrid design with grot shedding properties like a wax but with an oil component for lubrication and corrosion inhibition. Aside from being relatively clean and very low maintenance, though market for dry to damp conditions, its ideally suited to thew drier stuff. It's also best suited to derailleur transmissions, the Link Lube All Weather Premium is a better fit for fixed and single-speed chains and of course, geared bikes in harder service/more changeable contexts. Think audax, reliability trials, winter training and similar endurance contexts. 

This Ergon AllRoad SR Core Comp Men’s Saddle also arrived. Interestingly, it was the medium/large version, which I presumed would be a little too broad for comfort. Many of the features are shared with its baseline (but very well-made) Comp sibling. It employs the same BASF Infinergy (Thermoplastic polyurethane- E TPU, if you prefer) which, if you examine closely, is visible around the exterior. This comprises of tiny foam particles which work to filter out and displace vibrations before they start jarring the rider.  

The scooped channel is deep, but this time without the base model’s curious cutout. The base is also nylon composite and the rails 7mm hollow Cro-moly, which explains the relative (320g) heft. However, finish and detailing seem typically, dare I say Teutonic.  The pro employs carbon rails and a carbon composite base, which obviously brings the weight down and might be the way forward, if you were counting grams.  

Ergon also offers a leaf sprung design seat post, which promises to offer road bike feel with “superior suspension on rough surfaces. There are two versions, with and without layback.  On that note, I’ll close with my review of the SR All Road Ergon SR All Road Men’s Saddle | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)