Glancing back but moving forward.

After a week of searing heat and serious fun on the Holdsworth, thundery skies and gusty winds saw a return to the Ilpompino. In my haste to repair a flat, I remounted its Vittoria Voyager hyper in reverse direction, inducing some mild, though tangible skittishness through waterlogged corners. High time I reinstated that front mudguard too…

While out running some errands, my eye was immediately drawn to a long row of club bikes shackled to café’ railings while their owners tucked in to hearty lunches. A flat bar build with discs stood out on account of its full length SKS guards with neatly angled stays.

These stays look an excellent option should my stay bending prowess prove lacking, so I’ve dropped their UK importer a quick email. Elsewhere in this line up, some cut down drops had me fishing for my Samsung CSC (Compact Systems Camera) However, I was conscious that loitering with intent ran the risk of inducing suspicion, so took a single shot and turned on my heels.  

The popularity of complete bike builds has mushroomed in recent years thanks t the economies of scale-purchase power and falling prices (a full carbon build with Dura Ace groupset at £1300 is very hard to resist!!). However, that tradition of “recycling”; upgrading tired framesets and swapping the components over, or  building a machine that stops and goes in excellent proportion using “what you’ve got” remains in rude health.

Juniors are better catered for in this new wave of complete packages too, although choice still remains comparatively limited. Many long serving enthusiasts are raiding their overstocked spares bins, giving once forgotten wheels and part worn groupsets new leases of life on 14 inch 6061 framesets.

Joshua’s rekindled interest in two wheels has seen me pondering such a project, which would also bolster the father/son bond. Not that this has become particularly strained, although that quest for increased autonomy and evolving sense of values can induce friction.

At the other extreme, I’m fast assuming MAMIL status (Middle Aged Man in Lycra) and while confident it would, was pleased to discover this Motorola team replica Jersey (Bought for my eighteenth birthday in um, 1991) fitted perfectly-phew!

Despite leaving team jerseys and mass start racing pretentions behind in my twenties, I retain a soft spot for this one. Sentiment aside, the shallow zipper and waffle weave polyester mean climate and odour control lags behind contemporary designs with 3/4length zippers and faster wicking polyester blends.

Nonetheless, despite countless thrills and numerous spills it remains in remarkably rude health. Pockets are deep enough for trade bottles, tubes and longer mini pumps too.

After a few failed missions, I’ve managed to catch up with John and his fantastic Peugeot tandem trike. He’d been having some trouble with the rear hub, which offers an infinite range of gears-possibly the Holy Grail for slogging up a really long climb with proverbial kitchen sink en tow.

With three (sometimes, five when their trailer’s added to the equation) wheels on his wagon, John reckons he can drop the speed to two mph without any adverse effect. However, while handling is generally pretty civilised, there are some limitations to the build. Potholes being the most obvious and some would argue, daunting examples. As he puts it:

“Even at a very modest speed, say 15mph you become very aware of it tipping, which is extremely disconcerting-especially for the stoker and with trailer following behind!” Talking of which, there’s rather a lot going on up front too. Alongside the usual suspects, I spot a sizeable set of Winkku mirrors with integral indicators and dipped “daylight” beams.  

Aside from the obvious observations, these also allow him to keep a watchful eye on their trailer, which can slide out when tackling tighter turns given the wheelbase.

Then I spotted an old thumb shifter resides on Jane’s stoker bars.

This commands a Deore XT linear pull, allowing her to gently scrub off some speed without any risk of it locking the rear wheel. It also doubles as a very convenient parking brake. We weren’t the only admirers, one of John’s cats decided he fancied some worship, swiftly followed by their neighbour’s Akita! Thankfully, Mr Singh was close by and his dog is uncharacteristically indifferent to the feline community.

We’ve a full interview with John and the fascinating story behind his special build shortly in Seven Day Cyclist (www.sevendaycyclist.co.uk). He’s also talking in terms of buying a fully faired Mango recumbent with electric assist for long solo efforts-watch this space…    

Huzzah!

In swept the heat wave, so Holdsworth emerged from prolonged hibernation for some midsummer fun. Fresh gripper paste on its Tifosi carbon post, Specialized perch further forward, 125psi into the tyres and a quick beeswax furniture polish blow-over later, we hammering along the sweeping back doubles at 25mph plus.

Carbon fork, post, large flange hubs, CNC machined drive sprockets and stout KMC Onyx chain certainly help but despite being 60 years old, those plain gauge 531 tubes still deliver a responsive, rewarding ride.

This intoxicating serenity was rudely interrupted by the sudden and unexpected and almost comedic jettisoning of its newly fitted Altura wedge pack-straight into deep, roadside undergrowth. Closer inspection revealed the sprung Klick fix mechanism had gone the way of elderly underwear elastic and wouldn’t engage convincingly with the resin post mount.

This isn’t a reflection on the otherwise superb bag and said failure would be covered under warrantee. However, in my experience, sprung mechanisms per se (most notably smart heads on pumps and standalone pressure gauges) prove phenomenally reliable, serving us faithfully until they suffer sudden cataclysmic implosion.

Momentary, slightly indigent frustration was swept aside by risky pragmatism.

Resting my beloved fixer against a five bar gate, I slipped mini pump, 15mm wrench, tyre levers and glue-less patches into jersey pockets, hid the stricken tool caddy deeper within the undergrowth and thundered on.

Thankfully the puncture fairy smiled down upon me for the remaining twelve mile loop, though having re-entered the zone where physical exertion unleashes enhanced mental processing, the most convenient method of carrying it home still eluded me.

The light bulb moment struck while descending at 46mph. I decided simply to shove the stricken bag beneath my jersey for the remaining three miles. Admittedly, some folks (including a group of reservist fire fighters) stared in wide wonder at my newly acquired pectoral mass that could almost pass for backstreet breast implants.

Thankfully the shame was only fleeting given I was travelling at 18mph and quickly substituted with my own subversive sniggering...

Back in the bat cave, the most obvious solution appeared in the guise of this B’Twin 700 bottle caddy. Ride essentials ported across and mini pump riding shotgun on the bottle cage, it’s an unobtrusive, cheap as chips solution.    

Obviously, this means I either opt for another SKS cage mount adaptor, which might look a little Lego-like but seem superbly engineered, a hydration pack, or a less convenient Tri type-know there’s one in my bodge box doing nowt.

Talking of frames, the world of traditional frame building continues to contract. Yes, there will always be a market for bespoke steel framesets but small scale craftspeople are either working for specialist brands, designing and building higher end production bikes, or adopting a much broader retail model.

That’s not to say its romantic allure is waning the cycling publics’ consciousness-forums are wilting under the heat of people waxing lyrically about intricate lug work and impeccable brazing (although the former is also a clever way of hiding a multitude of flaws).

Shrewd builders with sufficient space (not to mention; patience) have tapped into this phenomenon, offering week long courses whereby keen enthusiasts can build their own frameset from one of the more user friendly Cro-molys-Reynolds 525 being a deservedly popular choice given the bewildering array of sizes and wall thicknesses.

Presented with such an opportunity, I would be delighted to enrol and hopefully come away, pleased as punch with the fruits of my labour but with no commercial pretensions whatsoever.

Then of course, interest in older frames has also mushroomed with a more generic retro revival encompassing “classic” cars, motorcycles, scooters, not forgetting clothing. During my teens, a classmate and self-appointed fashion guru made an unusually insightful remark. Chinos had just swept back in along with Flat tops and other styles with a 1950s flavour and he commented that fashion had reached the point where it couldn’t progress any further, so was and would continue borrowing from the past.

Frame fit pumps are also starting to gain a niche following too. Ultra efficient models capable of delivering 120psi are still very relevant. I still mourn a ¾ length resin Specialized model that was so cruelly nudged from its bracket and crushed beneath the wheels of an approaching double decker bus although I’ve gotta admit, Co2 cartridges are worth their weight in gold by the roadside.

Right, well you’ll excuse me while I do some forward planning for Seven Day Cyclist (www.sevendaycyclist.co.uk) and continue building my photographic website. Continuous development is crucial in a perpetually changing world, one that seemingly never sleeps.

Frisky, Flickable Fun & Formidable Futures?

This month I seem fixated by the letter F….

With the odd tweak or two from ones’ trusty T25 Torx driver the Ilpompino’s transformation is complete, pretty much as I’d envisaged.  Near as damn-it straight blades, those Kinesis forks and 28 spoke Shimano wheel have brought a much livelier, yet still predictable feel up front, while the Avid and Jagwire combination scrubs off the speed handsomely.

In retrospect I pruned the Jagwire’s housing on the shorter side of exacting but without impairing function There’s no binding while performing figure of eights, or similarly exaggerated turns and even with the relatively modest Campagnolo homage Tektro lever doing the pulling, modulation and feel are delightful. 

Some superficial grime on the rotors usually assists stopping prowess hence I’ll be cultivating a few weeks’ worth before any cleaner’s introduced. Another surprise has been how well 160mm rotors dissipate heat-even when they’ve been partially engaged for a mile or so at 25mph.

 Not that I’d be tempted (or frankly, stupid enough) to touch a hot rotor…

Talking of trimming, another foraging spree unearthed some, new and uncut mudguard stays. Stainless quality is yet unknown but they seem reasonably malleable and hopefully won’t breakout in a blizzard of corrosion several months’ down the line.

However, since summer is threatening to break through, the new front end has brought out a gravel bike persona, so I’m seriously tempted to remove the rear, pop on that 35mm Vittoria Randonneur hyper tyre and enjoy this aesthetic purity until September’s swansong.  

Previously I have explored the notion of obsolescence in relation to human capital and technological change. While there is a wealth of evidence suggesting that people with (desirable) transferable skillsets can leap frog into new industries and even experience upward social mobility; we are also facing a stark reality that many will literally become economic landfill as increasingly sophisticated robotic and cyborg technologies make the transition from military/defence to civilian/industrial contexts.

To that end and as an abstract, I have often pondered life with an android housekeeper/companion in preference to a dysfunctional marriage/relationship. Ah but what if said hybrid was able to override their programming; developed a more sinister consciousness and systematically launch a campaign of physical/emotional terror upon me…    

“Humans”; a drama presently being screened on channel4 explores this particular moral maze with remarkable depth and insight. Set in the present, large corporations are marketing “synths” (Synthetics) which are essentially complex androids as alternative nannies, housekeepers/personal assistants or semi-skilled labour to well- heeled domestic and commercial consumers.

There are some definite nods in the direction of Ridley Scott’s “Blade Runner” replicant narrative. Parallels are also apparent between “Black Mirror” (a series of chilling shorts); though this is to be expected given both are produced by the same company.  

Not all synths are created equal-a particularly high functioning group are on the run and trying to liberate their kin from this sort of servitude. Enter “Anita” a stunning mixed race Humanoid woman acquired by the husband of a loving, though clearly troubled professional family.

As time progresses she begins tapping into the lawyer mother’s deep, psychological anxieties, while systematically wooing their youngest daughter and slowly seducing her husband and teenage son. Thus far it’s highly compelling viewing, although I’m unable to watch the original showings, so am extremely grateful for the ability to watch it on demand.

Continuing with the letter H, I’ve finally found some time to focus on the Holdsworth, swapping its magnesium BBB Keo patterns for those recessed SPDR Wellgo R717 and installing the Altura Explore seat pack. With temperatures creeping towards the high 20s, it’s time to clip in and get some serious playtime in.   

Right now a different sort of scheduling demands I photograph some chains for a group test…

Front Ends & Fargo Revisited

After all the drama associated with procuring forks, callipers, wheels, rotors and hoops, I headed north to the midlands and to Coventry’s arty fargo district for some photographic inspiration. Plenty to see and further units are being built to accommodate its steady expansion. Back down south, I awoke early and decided it was time to prepare the Kinesis fork and gen up on Avid BB7’s.

The Kinesis steerer proved shorter than many I’ve come across given its racing credentials, so having double checked the measurements against the Ilpompino’s existing ITM Vista, I introduced my Cyclo cutting guide and pruned it to 23cm. Worst case scenario, I could always loose a spacer and adopt a slightly racier stance but there’s no excuse for sloppiness…

For this very reason and given my present workload, I wanted to complete this job in carefully executed stages, so tiredness didn’t lead to mistakes and/or frustration.  I was fairly confident the existing Tektro lever would pull sufficient cable, though a quick rummage through the spares draw unearthed its black, V brake cousin-which proved surplus to requirements.

On a roll, I introduced the crown race before putting the project to one-side, earmarking that evening for transplant surgery.

Everything came together without too much fuss and persuading the Avid’s to play nicely proved easier than I’d expected…After some initial cartwheeling, the state of euphoria bombed when the headset bearings proved baggier than MC Hammers’ trousers.

A new set of caged balls basted generously in white lightning crystal grease, musical spacers and a Gusset “headlock” clamping system dialled things in perfectly. For the time being I’m going to enjoy the new set up sans front mudguard, since the stays were a little short and fouling the calliper’s torque arm-causing pads to drag on the disc.

Axiom probably has a gizmo or two, which will solve this small but irritating puzzle. Failing that I’ll have to seek out something aesthetically compatible with a single stay…

Elsewhere, we’ve decided to offer Seven Day Cyclist as a free downloadable publication-starting with number 8. Back issues are also available simply by clicking on the appropriate tab: www.sevendaycyclist.co.uk

Forking Hell!!!

Having discovered (despite much fanfare on their part) the international supplier wouldn’t ship a carbon composite fork to these shores, a friendly chat with Upgrade bikes (www.upgradebikes.co.uk) secured this much nicer Kinesis model for the same money. No danger of it being obliterated by the baggage destroyers; confiscated by customs or yours truly getting clobbered for import tax and other hidden duties later along the line.

Those with a more traditional pattern are getting progressively rarer as integrated becomes virtually standard. I’m pleasantly indifferent to the humble star fangled nut, so have opted for a CNC machined expandable wedge, more commonly associated with carbon steerers instead.

With discs mainstream and increasingly ubiquitous in road circles, bolt through axles are following close behind. Rigidity is the main draw, although there’s a quiet hush (reminiscent of the dual between VHS and Betamax) as we wait to see which pattern/variant becomes industry standard. I certainly wouldn’t bet on which way the pendulum will swing but rumour suggests big S are working on something….

Rory and I also discussed the latest and extremely appealing Tripster ACE, which is a complete build. Traditionally, Kinesis have been a frameset brand marketed at experienced riders who like to brew their own a’la cart machines, whether this be upgrading a tired frameset on their commu/trainer/workhorse and using the existing components, or something more prosaic.  

Priced squarely at the Cycle to work scheme market, we’ll be putting one through its paces at Seven Day Cyclist, along with some tasty looking TRP products in the very near future. 

Talking of Big S, wheel choice has also deviated from the original script in favour of their imaginatively monikered WHFX05 hoops, which are a 28hole road/cross variant seemingly perfect for this application and bring the total cost to a reasonable £180.

However, this precludes the Avid disc, so I’ve acquired a 160mm SLX unit and hope the Avid calliper will prove compatible. Much of this will be recouped from the sale of the older ITM forks and some other unwanted components, freeing up space and capital for other, unrelated projects that are beginning, finally to take shape.

Cables are another consideration-generally speaking I’ve erred towards mid to upper end Teflon coated stainless steel fare and always keep several in stock for convenience. However, having decided on a cable operated disc, I want the very best I can get from it. I’ve always liked Jagwire cablesets, so jumped at the invitation from Moore Large (www.todayscyclist.co.uk) to test their compression-less, road elite set.

Compression-less has been around for donkey’s-well, three decades to be precise. However, the forces placed upon a gear cable are incomparable with those involved in stopping. Some brave souls experimenting with compression-less cabling soon discovered this fade free nirvana was shorter lived than Icarus’s wings.

Thankfully, manufacturers cottoned on and most seem really impressive-regardless whether disc, dual pivot, cantilever, or linear pull (V brake). Decent quality cutters are a must in any context but absolutely imperative on these relatively tough Kevlar housings.

Tempting though it is to use an existing cable as a quick reference template, compression-less housings are stiffer and require a more gradual bend, so offer up, leave some extra length-then, snip. Unless of course; you’ve money to burn.

Recent close-encounters on two wheels (and in four) have served only to intensify my already palpable contempt for poor road craft. Popular belief suggests the possession of a licence means competent to operate a vehicle with care and consideration.

However, this doesn’t take into account a pronounced culture of contempt and entitlement, which seems to remove any accountability. On the phone, texting, applying foundation, bit of blusher, reading magazines all seems perfectly reasonable activity when operating a ton plus of steel.

Perhaps there’s something particular about Thursday evenings but I’ve had two breathtakingly close encounters recently. Ironically, on both occasions, I’d left home without the Geonaute; otherwise the footage from both incidents would’ve been broadcast here, possibly via Youtube.

I’ve also acquired this resin camera mount for a quid. Build quality is vastly superior to a very similar looking big brand model costing considerably more. It’s actually designed for motorcycles, so I had hoped it would be offer a vice like, rock steady grip-no invasive vibration, slippage or camera shake. Indeed, it does and aside from the satisfaction, DIY versions almost become uneconomic.     

Poor spatial perception is no excuse for passing me, or anyone else within millimetres, regardless of the vehicle being operated. Back in the late 1990s, a heavily pregnant woman in charge of two small children strayed into my path without so much as glancing in my direction.

I happened to be riding an Indian built, single disc braked Enfield Bullet and travelling at 28mph-any faster and wouldn’t stood a cat’s chance in hell of stopping. Thankfully I did and its academic but it’s not difficult to imagine the anti-motorcyclist headlines emblazoned across the front pages of the local press, without once acknowledging the inconvenient truth.

I have another issue with the term “road rage”. Giving this set of uncontrolled and generally violent behaviours a label almost affords legitimacy-absolving people of responsibility for their own. Men in particular are encouraged to believe “losing it” is desirable and moreover, constructive…

Not Fade Away

We’ve experienced some technical difficulties, leading to delays, a few tense moments and bouts of hand-wringing but with concerted effort; issue 7 of Seven Day Cyclist has now hit the digital newsstands. 

There’s a review of Frog’s junior friendly R70, an everyday/touring tyre group test, interview with Col Velo’s founding fathers Rob Harwood and Will Morgan, tours and much more besides. This Brooks’ C17 Cambium women’s saddle, Topeak waterproof wedge pack and a Waltz cap have just landed on our test bench too.

Ka and I headed up to the midlands for the bank holiday weekend. Generally speaking I’m never without a camera-usually a CSC but I found myself heaping gratitude upon my Samsung WB710 super zoom “travel” compact (a faithful belt loop /nelson pocket companion for several years) when this yellow tandem trike suddenly slipped into view.

Having asked permission, the couple were only too delighted to indulge my fascination and advised it was originally a Peugeot production model they’d bought new in 1979. The Newton conversion isn’t cheap (approximately £1500) but is fashioned from fillet brazed Reynolds 531 and handles much better than cheaper kits, especially over inclement surfaces. Cable operated discs and rear hub brake appear a sufficiently powerful combination for two adults and fully laden touring trailer.

Lovely couple, fascinating build. Knowing their locale’ I’ve dropped a business card and covering note through their door in the hope we can have a more involved chat about their machine and its history. Naturally, there was also further opportunity to capture urban artwork/graffiti porn in sunny Digbeth.  

Once upon a time, I held dear the notion that machines reflect their owners. I recognise this is somewhat over-simplistic and cringe at the suggestion they are extensions of our personalities. However, with time come component upgrades, fresh liveries and modifications that reveals something of our psyche.

Professionally, its’ imperative I remain current where technology’s latest developments, monitoring trends etc. On a strictly personal level, I find people’s winter bikes/daily drivers/workhorses truly fascinating.

So then; to the Ilpompino’s front-end conversion and after careful consideration I’ve concluded the superb TRP hydraulics over-engineered for the purposes of stopping a fixer. Besides, this would push the overall cost of the project to around £300, which isn’t really justifiable on an in-house 4130 cro-moly chassis.

The revised line up consists of user-friendly cable operated Avid BB7 with 160mm disc, which theoretically disperse heat and counteract fade better than their 140mm counterparts.

The front hoop will be an M-part Mavic/ Alex rim and Shimano M525 hub. Despite some concerted efforts to find some suitable forks on these shores, I’ll be importing some ‘cross friendly oversized carbon from the states. Then again, I’m a contrary figure, so spec remains subject to change without notice! 

Workhorse Worship

Having reached some definite conclusions about Muc-Off hydrodynamic chain lube, I wasted no time in introducing the Univega to its new chain, cassette and Genetic flare silicone handlebar wrap. Shimano’s HG50 (Tiagra by another name) requires little introduction and might be a little workmanlike by some standards. However, there’s a good rationale’ for running cheaper consumables on everyday/winter bikes and besides, it shifts pretty sweetly.

More interesting is the KMC X9 chain’s “Eco ProTeQ” anti-rust coating. KMC give little away, other to say it passes the 650 hour salt spray test but cursory inspection suggests it’s a form of nickel plating. Galvanised designs work well-to a point but once it’s worn through, they’ll turn orange at the merest lick from a slushy puddle.

The Ilpompino wasn’t left out either, courtesy of this perfectly coordinated, injection moulded Tacx Deva bottle cage, which is a composite in the true sense, comprising of 40% carbon fibre blended with glass fibre and polyamide. That curvaceous stainless steel Axiom cage still adorns its seat tube bosses as I like to port heavier stuff, including the odd NiMH bottle battery now and then. 

My MK1 Ford Ka on the other hand, is considerably low-tech (although even this one gets plugged into a laptop from time to time). After several soggy weeks second guessing that tell-tale bubbling around its fuel-filler cap, a temperate Saturday morning spelt an end to procrastination and hand-wringing.

This is an endemic weak spot (along with sills and tailgates) that can prove expensive, uneconomic if ignored. Moisture gets trapped between the rubberised seal and the recessed section, whereupon it nibbles away unnoticed until those bubbles start brewing. Hardware is easily removed using a Phillips head screwdriver and by this stage; a quick shot of penetrant spray followed by deft taps from rubberised “engineers” mallet.

Fresh out of traditional freeing agents, Effetto Mariposa “Carbo Move”” proved an excellent stand-in and thankfully the damage was less extensive than first feared. Flaking paint and rust dismissed, a quick lick of filler followed by liberal basting of Kurust left curing for the full three hours ensured a sound, primer ready surface.

Three thin coats of high build primer seemed sufficient but wanting to minimise the likelihood of a more squeamish sequel, I slathered some White Lightning crystal grease to the rubberised flange, creating a protective barrier. This technique has proved very effective where rear wiper and tailgate entwine-three years and no recurrence. Reinstating everything prove the most fiddly job, requiring some dexterous juggling and positive energy before it would seat seamlessly within the panel-phew!