Honey I shrunk the Tri Bars

On a mission to procure some of my favourite (and harder to find) organic cola, I happened upon this Holdsworth, which shows all the hallmarks of being from the same era as mine. Unable to contain my excitement I began taking a few select shots-albeit rather quickly so as not to attract unwelcome attention. It looks to be another Zephyr frameset complete with original, lived in livery and a hotchpotch of classic and modern parts suggesting it’s a much loved working bike and all the more beautiful for it. “Ninja Blue” is back in business courtesy of a new tube and compatible lock ring so we’ve been taking to the balmy spring roads-typically very early in the morning when the world and his wife are firmly tucked up in bed. Too stretched on the otherwise lovely aero bars, I’ve taken the decision to dial the reach in a bit. Cutting the protruding sections gives a sharper look to the cockpit while shaving a few grams into the bargain.
There’s a quaint English saying regarding busses-none for ages and then two come along at once. The same seems true of aero bars. Enter these Cinelli Sub 8 minis. As the name suggests they’re scaled down tri bars that look for all the world as if they’ve been shrunk in some 50’s mad scientist’s cartoon toy. However, for smaller riders and those like myself with proportionally shorter torsos they’re surprisingly comfortable. Objectively it’s disappointing to find an otherwise high end component is only compatible with standard diameter road bars (and fairly conservative designs at that) given oversized is increasingly the norm. Positioning them the optimum 150mm apart proved nigh on impossible thanks partially to the contours of the Salsa Bell-Lap that command the Teenage Dream and my own deceptively broad shoulder width. These factors demanded 180mm spacing, abandoning the polymer bridge in favour of traditional end plugs. As you’d expect at this end of the market, with comparable bars they contribute to a phenomenally rigid, dependable cockpit and the sandblasted finish provides adequate grip without recourse to tape-although this might be an option should the race day battle scars become too apparent. Another dandy piece of kit is this Altura bag. It affixes to the seat post courtesy of the legendary Rixen Kaul quick release bracket and swallows up to six litres and three kilos of stuff without flinching. The clever powder coated aluminium base keeps things rigid and means your minimalist road/track mount still handles as cleanly as it looks. Spare brackets mean it swaps between bikes in seconds but those of us nearer ninety kilos would be well advised to think twice about hauling anything close to the maximum payload. Although the stainless steel band is very nicely finished, put a slither of inner tube between bracket and post regardless-especially on carbon models.
Some of us run a fixed, often conversions as beasts of burden/hacks/working bikes whichever parlance you prefer and most of us will have encountered the anti bike contingent-they’re lurking around most office buildings and in my experience, there’s at least one in every firm. Regular readers will know I’ve no shame in looking like a refugee from the tour de France but my cycling wardrobe reflects a wider spectrum from the retro to the restrained and cycling kit that’s also wearable around town, for meeting clients, the bank manager or indeed friends after work without raising eyebrows or encouraging suspicious stares is worth it’s weight in gold.

The same applies to luggage. Most of the time, my waterproof expedition or smaller commuting panniers do just fine. However, sometimes you need something incognito for just the scenarios I’ve set here and in the main, this handy bike briefcase does just that. Again, those clever folk at Riken Kaul provide the fittings, angled in such a way as to give ample heel clearance. There’s a clever zip-flap concealing these off the bike too, which is a real bonus but I had some initial reservations fearing it might interfere with the spokes given it doesn’t completely detach. In practice this isn’t a problem and adds to the appeal. Elsewhere we've a removable padded 17 inch laptop insert, internal drawstring to keep everything bone dry in a downpour (although nothing’s 100% waterproof and I’m still of the opinion that laptops are better carried in messenger bags simply because they’re unaffected by vibration, poor roads and the general hurdy gurdy of urban riding). We’re nearing election time here in the UK and politicians of various ideological colours are trying to capture our imaginations and ultimately our votes. None particularly inspire me it has to be said but raised with a very strong belief that voting is something of a right and equally an obligation, I will exercise this democratic right come May 8th. None of the main parties have any particularly constructive or inspirational cycling policies and some of the more lunatic fringe make my blood collegiate. One such group (who shall remain nameless) are insisting cyclists would have to dismount at roundabouts and junctions by law.

Demonstrating an elephantine ignorance of the taxation system, they’ve made the assertion that cars have greater rights to the highway as their drivers pay for the upkeep through “road tax”. Hmmm. Winston Churchill abolished road tax in 1936 with expansion, repair and moreover upkeep of our highways and byways through direct taxation so car ownership is a red herring, an urban myth. Car excise duty is a completely separate tax and does not (much as some are happy to retain this confusion) contribute to the infrastructures' well-being. Now what better thing to be seen on than this 15lb titanium Burls? (Aside from a sub 15lb titanium Burls fixed of course.) The eagle eyed amongst you will not a semi sloping Colnago esque top-tube, aero down tube and the prevalence of KCNC components but being bespoke, you can have pretty much anything your little heart desires. Smitten? Get in touch with Justin (Justin@burls.com)

Imperfect Match

The long Easter weekend presented the ideal opportunity to do a little snagging, some of those irksome little jobs around the fleet that were relatively straightforward but required what might be termed "quiet time" to perfect and the Holdsworth was a case in point. Being a summer build with regular component revisions, the inevitable nicks had cropped up around the otherwise flawless "old boots tough" finish. Capable of resiting a hammer blow, powder coating forms a supple, protective skin around the metal. However, in high stress areas such as the seat tube, compression of the ears caused by tightening and tweaking of the binder bolt can result in flaking, betraying the protective silver chromate beneath.

5012 is not an uncommon colour but getting the exact shade proved tricky so I laboriously mixed a perfect match from these tins and applied it lovingly to the affected areas in the gentle April sunlight. While the first coat cured, the post arrived bang on cue with these fixed lock rings. However, my sunshine turned shady upon discovering neither would come close to breezing aboard the corresponding hubs. This was frustrating as I’d timed these little jobs to coordinate-especially since the house and time were unusually very much my own. Research confirmed encroaching suspicions that Miche require a dedicated type so I dropped Company Z, their UK importer a quick email to see if they could recommend, or better still, supply me with a compatible unit. No sooner had I powered up the PC and sent the email, the touch up enamel had dried sufficiently for a second application. Pedants will note the brush just caught the binder bolt but being chrome, any excess will lift clean off courtesy of a quick scratch from my fingernail. Half an hour in the temperate spring sun and the second coat was two parts cured so I hung the Holdsworth safely on its rightful hook in the workshop. Easter Sunday’s twenty mile morning blast certainly made best use of our seasonably changeable climate and saw me questioning not only my very brave colour scheme but more importantly, handlebar positioning. Upon returning home and reflecting in the kitchen with a cup of diesel strength coffee, I slackened the stem clamp and rotated the pursuit bars downward, in a more aggressive stance which also falls more naturally to hand. A fair bit of scouring (virtually and in person) suggests the ITM Olympus aero bars are obsolete to the point where spares are literally non-existent so I’ve pandered to my urges and secured these from the helpful folk at Greyville. Elementary and moreover, secure fitting coupled with easy adjustability wins them brownie points and even the computer still works perfectly, despite being moved and now somewhat askew of the sensor. I may well bind inner tube around the arms for greater comfort and further refine positioning but they could prove the fastest 500g I’ve added to said beast. The package arrved complete with reducing rubber shims meaning they can be migrated to the Teenage Dream or indeed any other machine with standard road bars should need arise.
Some would argue there are plenty of broadly similar and therefore, ITM compatible brackets lolling about thanks to badge engineering where two, or indeed more brands are identical, save for the decals. Now, I’m a real lover of experimentation and rummaging through the spares bin can reap great reward but as the lock-ring saga demonstrates, this can be rather akin to looking for a ruby in the proverbial mountain of rocks. Reverting to the arguably beautiful Nitto combo would make good use of the Race-Stick Spinacci copies but I upgraded the cockpit in the interests of shorter reach and improved rigidity for no-compromise hammering.
Spring snagging also tackled the Teenage Dream’s rear brake housing which has always been a fraction to short, resulting in the rear calliper binding when turning the bars sharply, carving into swooping descents etc. This also presented an ideal opportunity to upgrade the bar wrap. In fairness, there wasn’t much wrong with the entry level stuff that coincided with the New Year rebirth but the measure of good quality tape, aside from the obvious comfort, abrasion resistance and style is how often it can be peeled back and reaffixed. You get what you pay for and sadly, said budget brand tore despite being very gently peeled from the bars. It now sports some curious, if strangely tactile rubberised Lizard Skins wrap. This requires slightly higher levels of concentration to apply but promises unparalleled grip-even in torrential rain and I’m really looking forward to putting it to the test. Proof of the pudding is in the next few hundred miles…

Oh For The Want Of Taste, Lock-rings and Traditional Clubman’s Braces

Spring has indeed sprung and with it, much fettling of the fleet- new saddle for The Teenage Dream, lightweight aluminium sprocket and matching Pink Halo courier tyre aboard the Holdsworth's enviably smooth Miche rear wheel. Alas, we’re missing a lock ring so the full transformation (and a colour scheme guaranteed to question my masculinity) is on hold until I can acquire some cheap but very cheerfuls. However, we’ve reverted to the super smooth and aptly monikered EAI Superstar 16tooth sprocket seeing as the opportunity presented itself.

Joshua is steadily gaining confidence with his solo but it's just fractionally on the large side and I'm now certain, with a weekend's practice on a balance bike he'd have the basics well and truly licked. Seen a few nice ones but I'm reticent to purchase given the relatively short use-span so I'd be delighted to hear from any UK based readers willing to pass or loan one to me for a modest but fair price. One incident that certainly left little to the imagination occurred while testing these courier knickers-plusses by their more traditional, English name. They’re made from a fairly substantial cotton/nylon mix complete with double seat, soft elasticated leg-grippers with world champion detailing, rear pocket and elasticated waist. Fit is snug, not quite as chic say as the latest generation of ¾ lengths but completes the period look aboard a classic track/road bike, especially worn with the full retro ensemble- Merino wool jersey, shoes and of course, cap. They’re a little warm say for the height of summer-well, eighteen degrees plus at any rate and decent under shorts are a must for longer rides. However, the material repels water better than you’d expect, fleece lining keeps early season chill firmly at bay but whatever you do, invest in a set of braces. These have become as rare as the proverbial hens teeth with the dominance of Lycra bib tights/shorts and my last pair finally succumbed to both the dreaded sag and pitted chrome disease after eighteen years service.

Out for a blast along the lanes, periodically watching the asphalt as it blurred beneath me, I eased out of the saddle ready to conquer the climb (or so I’d have folk believe) when the elastic lost its embrace around my waist, leaving me flashing a lot more than a California smile. Mercifully the woman following in her Mondeo had a sense of humour! A pair of braces was purchased online before the close of business that afternoon. Saddles are another deeply personal matter and in my experience the distinction between road and mtb is often simply down to marketing. Selle Italia’s Flite is one such design classic transcending both genres and arguably a pioneer in the popularity of titanium as a mainstream saddle rail material. The Shiver is wider than my ideal and surprisingly that of the Rolls it replaces-at least on paper (300g does not set pulses racing in 2010) but low-weight and formula’s do not maketh the perfect perch (Sliding from the nose of a classic concor model and catching my fun-sacks squarely on the top tube of my converted Raleigh fixed back in the Summer of 1990 still induces watery eyes). Faux leather covers will appeal to strict vegetarians on an ethical level and being impervious to sweat/water won’t require periodic proofing to keep the hide supple. Manganese rails are worthy enough, siblings of the Cro-moly family oft confused with more exotic magnesium. Some commentators argue this is a deliberate ploy on the part of manufacturers but first impressions seem favourable. Making no secret of my relative disquiet when it comes to the long term health consequences of regular/prolonged exposure chemically brewed miracle cleaners, let alone their effect upon seals and other, more delicate finishes I am presently putting some of this Pedros “Green Fizz” through it’s paces. The foaming formula is claimed to clean all areas of the bike safely and on any surface or material-including carbon fibre. Early indicators are positive, gently removing a healthy layer of congealed marine grease and other light road spray from the Holdsworth’s rear hub and track sprockets. To date it seems gentle to most finishes, yet not quite as potent as some made from natural, citrus based ingredients. However, the next few weeks intensive testing will provide a more accurate measure of its capabilities, or indeed limitations.

Speaking of capability, a chance conversation with a friend has introduced another engineering firm who might be willing to undertake machining of seatposts- I've found a straight-cut, polished Campagnolo Victory which, in theory at least is easier to work on. Assuming said firm is happy to perform the surgery, I'll sell the Thomson and plough monies into another project. Watch this space.....

Missed Opportunities

Sunday morning brought with it a warm and temperate start-the sort I’d been clamouring for. Folding Vittoria freshly aboard the Ma2 wheelset, this was the ideal opportunity for enjoying the Teenage Dream. Setting off along the lane it became immediately obvious the computer’s head mount battery had died-a minor irritation given the sun's warm caress but with each passing mile, I longed to know some indication of speed as I churned along on the 53x12. Traffic was surprisingly busy for mother’s day but mercifully free flowing and relatively placid with ready precession of horse riders, runners and cyclists of various orientations. Mine was a brisk twenty-mile loop narrowly missing some grass roots local racing. Even more frustrating when my little compact Fuji accompanies me wherever I go, safely zipped away in a jersey pocket ready for precisely these occasions. Still, doubtless it'll be one of many as the spring calender gathers momentum. As a ready reckoner, hunkered down on the Spinacci, I had to be averaging a steady twenty, maybe more at a cadence around 90 but had no way of validating this. Life’s full of little disappointments and these quickly evaporated hammering toward home my mind focused on the ride, the machine’s sprightly nature willing me faster in the spirit of ’91-even if tractors were conspicuous by their absence. The shorter Woodman stem was a shrewd move, placing me just the right side of stretched sheltering on the Spinacci. Having witnessed some of the racing action with his grandmother, Joshua was hoping to hear tales of my own racing glory- he has a vague construct of my profession but then children often place their parents on lofty pedestals Ego firmly in check, I speak with some candour of my not-so-glorious racing career concentrating on the fun, the thrills and the odd spill. Tall tales can be riveting, told with a sense of timing, pace and context but gilding the lily isn’t big and it’s certainly not clever. Neither is losing an expensive and moreover, very nice aluminium pump- in this case a Zefal HPX light which bridges the gap between the traditional frame fit and mini type perfectly. Knowing it delivers a very respectable 115psi makes the loss-or hopefully, misplacement all the more frustrating since I’d spent Saturday morning tidying the workshop, purging it of old cardboard boxes and other useless clutter. Rifling through my bedside drawer produced a compatible three- volt replacement battery for the wireless unit. Alas, I had mislaid the wheel circumference in order to calibrate the unit properly with a 24mm tyre. Generic listings on websites are useful rules of thumb but where possible, a precision measurement is always nicer...just remember to note it down in a safe place for next time.
On the subject of measurement, I fear said machines Ti railed perch may be too broad for me across the base. Design classic or otherwise 150m is 7mm wider than my ideal and over longer periods, turning higher cadences is causing some uncomfortable chafing on my inner right thigh. However, this may have more in keeping with a missing insole, which corrects a slight inequality in leg length.

Selling some unwanted kit through various websites has brought out Ebay chancers in their droves. These are easily spotted going for keenly priced stuff, haggling over the price-even postage while insisting they’ll only trade through pay pal or by direct credit transfer- neither of which I am prepared to entertain.

Cheque or postal orders mean it’s harder for monies to go missing and protects the purchaser-it’s also my way of teasing out true intentions. I’ve nothing against people earning a living /additional income through Ebay but when I put goods up for sale, they’re intended for folk who genuinely want and will enjoy them not persons looking to make a quick buck.
Last week I mentioned Paul (Vincent) s latest creation and here’s a photo showing off the twin tube design in all its glory. Fashioned from fillet-brazed Cro-moly, the down and seat tubes are from ¾” T45 while the remainder is dependable 1” Dedaciai. Interested? Paul is based in the south west of England and can be contacted through me in the first instance.

The Ides of March

Beware the ides of March certainly seems apt seeing as both gritting trucks and potholes sizeable enough to cause serious rim and rider damage are constant features of the local landscape. The latter are so deep that even the Univega with its beefy 1.75-inch rough stuff touring rubber is reminding me to skirt round them.

This is rather disappointing, as I’d hoped to start clocking up some sunny day miles aboard the ever evolving Teenage Dream which now sports Shield guards (Zefal’s answer to SKS Race Blades), genuine Cinelli Spinacci-outlawed by the UCI in 2000 but alive, well and subtly modified to incorporate Torch LED end plugs for making best use of those spring and summer evenings. Tempted by tape, I chose to wrap the extensions in redundant inner tube, giving better purchase in full finger gloves and coordinates with the existing cockpit surprisingly well.
Less casual observers will recall plans to machine the Thomson post by point two of a millimetre. The initially sympathetic local engineering firm turned the work down having seen it in the flesh, although this doesn’t come as a complete surprise. Declining work is their right but the time to do so is at the point of initial approach. This inconsistent attitude means I wish them well but shall refrain from passing any future business their way. Never one to wish my life away (afterall, time’s the most precious resource we have and there’s so much to do) I’m looking forward to more temperate conditions and reliving the summer of ’91, tractor racing, enjoying the six am starts, swooping into sun-kissed descents before the ever maddening crowd have chance to rouse from their slumber and command the highways from their Mondeos, Modus and MPVs. Colour coordinated twenty-four millimetre Vittoria tyres add the perfect finishing touch too but to date there’s been insufficient opportunity to put them through their paces, although they take the crown for most difficult tyres to mount, snapping two tyre levers and dealing the fatal blow to my beloved Speed Lever (Thankfully 2pure have taken pity on me, agreeing to supply a replacement as a goodwill gesture). While generally conscious of others’ sensibilities, coarse and agricultural language flowed freely as blood seeped from beneath my thumbnails and tempered frustration bit deep. Rummaging for replacement tyre levers saw these ITM Olympus Tri Bars emerge from the spares box albeit sans fitting kit and tracking down an original is leading me along some very dead ends. Deathly silence from distributors and retailers alike is encouraging some lateral thought and there’s a good chance another brand will operate to similar specification and have a compatible/pattern bracket. These are intended for the Holdsworth seeing as the Spinacci are standard road diameter whereas the Holdsworth’s pursuit types are totally incompatible, oversized, flat sections. Assuming a suitable donor can be found, some trimming of the tri bars will shave a few grams and keep cockpit clutter to a minimum.
I recently acquired a very unusual (and not altogether welcomed) training aid… a didgeridoo no less which isn’t the easiest instruments to play but in keeping with most things it’s about technique rather than brute power. Cycling and wind instruments seem to hold a good symbiosis. Long steady miles and plenty of hill climbing seems to improve my ability to produce something tuneful while half an hours’ daily practice seems to improve lung capacity and my ability to enjoy rather than simply tolerate the climbs. The rider who thundered past me on Sunday morning on his Rosso red crosser complete with a cheery greeting might well sport a very broad inner smile at this suggestion. I could pontificate defensively about taking in the scenery, portly 1.75 tyres adding 800g a piece, not to mention immeasurable rolling resistance but that’s not me-he was simply a faster rider over the lanes seemingly fashioned from treacle. On the subject of fashion, nostalgia, or retro as the marketing folk brand it looks very much here to stay whether in reaction to huge technological change, or the psychological comfort sought in a bygone era perceived as less economically challenging and more socially cohesive. I love and loathe “retro” in equal measure. I love that I can readily acquire production road fixer framesets and components without necessarily paying bespoke prices. I love the availability of stylish, yet practical alternatives to Lycra- continental style plusses, jerseys, caps etc. However, there comes a point where the balance tips and the economics of supply turn bandit on the humble consumer and prices go through the roof.

Non aero brake levers are a case in point, time was when bike shop bargain bins were bulging with cheap but often extremely worthy levers that didn’t demand a change of bar wrap come cable changes, providing better braking thanks to free flowing cables. Slowly but surely supplies are dwindling thanks to the craze for older components, firms such as Dia Tech producing extensive lines of reproduction parts with the obvious cost implications, although in fairness these are typically of superb calibre.

Three speed fixed hubs that weren’t overly popular fifty odd years ago have made a return, albeit given a modern twist but looking into my crystal ball, there’s every chance these will vanish into obscurity just as fast second time round. However, lets not pour too much scorn on these things, fashion is also fun, take what you like, leave what you don’t.

Take Paul Vincent’s second frame building project. Another fixer, made again from fillet brazed Columbus; it sports the visually stunning and technically divisive twin lateral design, which he says handles remarkably given such frames are regularly criticised for their inherent lack of lateral stiffness. But more on that later.....

Zen and the art of remaining conspicuous

Just when we thought it was safe to venture out for a bit of playtime aboard the best bikes, the weather turns bandit once more. The Univega is not only my four seasons go anywhere, ultra dependable machine that laughs at greasy, poorly maintained lanes, the howling wind, the pouring rain it is my Zen bike.
I mentally compose complete features, test copy, these columns and even tales of the macabre/fantastic perched atop the beautifully moulded Gran Compe saddle and piloting our course via the super size WTB drops. Turning eighty odd revolutions per minute and at around 17mph we’re swift enough to get somewhere but sociable should I choose and the moments present themselves.Freezing temperatures, snow showers, sleet and iced tarmac seem perpetual features and so the Univega remains my default option which is a shame seeing the second Knog sensor arrived in the post courtesy of Moore Large- the brands UK importer. However, optimistically, I fitted it to the Holdsworth’s fork and checked our earlier success wasn't simply a fluke.
The Univega runs a Knog Gator 305 Ni-MH rechargeable lamp as the main source of front illumination. This has developed an uncharacteristic susceptibility at very low temperatures-the battery critical after only seventy odd minutes use. Despite having donned Respro HI-Viz gillet, being festooned in acres of Scotchlite and blinking LEDs I felt acutely vulnerable-reinforced by the refusal/inability of many oncoming drivers to dip their headlamps. The little three-watt nuke light would’ve made my passage home so much safer and this crucial omission was beginning to mar the starry sky's serenity.

The rhythmic flickering of my rear LEDs drew me to reflect upon their burn times- both the imaginatively named Cherry bomb nestled in the rack bag’s woven tab and the fibre flare flexible wand riding shot-gun on the Topeak carrier have exceeded their manufacturer quoted run times- the former in its fifty-fifth hour, fifteen past the optimum quoted. Given that I have tested Night Rider’s assertions, literally-freezing it in a block of ice and generally subjecting it to filthy conditions without impairing performance; there’s little doubt the Cherry Bomb is one of the best available.

Other models, including Cat-Eye’s LD 600 have enjoyed ridiculously long production lives, spawning seemingly identical, badge-engineered and slightly cheaper copies which is evidence not only of proven design but good news for consumers. Some raise concerns over suspect seals (not my experience of the breed) but it's best mounted vertically to the seatpost so not to spoil a bike’s clean lines.
The pro helmet lobby have returned with a vengeance on both sides of the Atlantic, pressuring for compulsion despite their own successive studies indicating other factors are more significant than helmet use and helmets themselves make little difference beyond certain speeds. Fiercely anti-compulsion-whether this be directed at adults, children or universally, I choose to wear mine most rides and lead by example where Joshua’s concerned. However, I’m willingly seduced by the tantalising caress of the breeze through my hair-especially on temperate spring and summer days and sometimes, I just prefer a close fitting clubman’s cap.Intrigued by folklore since early childhood, the Russian made flax linen socks kindly supplied by Mila Ptashenko (http://www.burls.co.uk/) have certainly impressed with their soft tactile feel and the natural, chemical free manufacturing process contributes to good foot health/hygiene. Given the price of basic nylon cycling socks at a shade under £6, these represent excellent value for money and enjoy longevity on par with expensive Merino offerings. Continuous washing and wearing hasn’t revealed any telltale weaknesses (due to a deformed big toe, I am notoriously hard on socks) so I will invest in a good few pairs for both cycling and civilian wardrobes when the next opportunity presents itself. So from chic to geek…I’ve been playing with mirrors- helmet mirrors no less. Yes, these are more “paranoid dentist” than fixer fashionable but they do have some merits for riders with compromised neck mobility. With the notable exception of Bike Eye- a lightweight racing mirror mounting between the frame's head and down tubes, helmet mirrors are less prone to vibration and so long as the optical components are good quality can prove useful for trailer/ tag-along tugging. However, there’s never a substitute for periodic checking over the shoulder. Helmets also make useful mounting points for lighting and cameras. Experimentation using my compact Fuji aboard the Univega’s beefy drops I achieved some very passable still shots but road vibration induced the inevitable camera shake. Helmet cams are falling in price to the point where £70 odd buys a very cheerful, lightweight example. Watch this space….