Wild Horses

Several weeks and a few hundred mixed terrain miles later, I’ve reached some definite conclusions about the Revolution Cross 2 http://www.sevendaycyclist.com/revolution-cross-2.

It’s been a very welcome guest and we’re inviting other brands to send us their ‘genre blurring models to see how they compare in similar contexts. Raleigh has said they will be putting their £650 Maverick forward. http://www.raleigh.co.uk/ProductType/ProductRange/Product/Default.aspx?pc=1&pt=14&pg=15774

Sharing the Claris drivetrain (albeit 2x8) and Tektro Spyre brakes, its’ based around a 6061 aluminium frame and carbon fork and reckoned to weigh 2 kilos less-looking forward to swinging my leg over the 56cm’s top tube. 

Back on my blue/grey ‘cross inspired fixer, it’s been reminding me of what I've been missing, especially on the climbs.

For now the Avid BB7 and Cane Creek lever combo are delivering decent modulation and feel, although I’m still very tempted by the Spyre...Elsewhere, I’ve swapped its Time pedals over to the Holdsworth in exchange for the blue Issi and replaced the Ilpompino’s KMC Z1X chain, like for like, which also succeeded in killing three long serving chain tools!

Over three years hell n’ high water service hence; my Shimano R82 sports touring/Audax shoes are beginning to look decidedly peaky in places, so I’ve resurrected these very impressive Quoc Pham. A contemporary take on the classic touring shoe, the upper is made from high quality cowhide with lace lock lace system and 3M reflective heel strip.

This takes a while to break in but aided by a periodic lick of hide food, moulds beautifully to the foot. The outer sole is moulded rubber and features a hardened mid section and an unusually aggressive, SPD sole for improved grip. Power transfer isn’t quite on par with super stiff race slippers perhaps but it’s still very good. Craftsmanship and more importantly, long distance riding comfort is superb.

       

I went clipless back in 1992 with some Look ARC and patent leather Diavolo shoes (£50 all in from a local bike shop) but testing aside, my preference lies with the recessed SPD/R types. Discovered during my mud biased mid 90s, their sheer convenience is hard to beat.

Fixed, I can click in without needing to coax the pedal body into position, wet slimy decking aside, there’s little chance of me going down like the proverbial sack of spuds when its a bit slippery, or gouging holes in expensive lino.    

With autumn just around the corner, we’re beginning our lighting group tests. There’s the odd master blaster involved but otherwise, rather like megapixels, its more about the quality of lens and diodes, rather than firepower per se.

Models with several settings ranging from 800 down to 100/flashing modes cater for pretty much everything you’d need for the darkest rural roads through to well-lit city centres.

In the past I’ve been curious and even indulged in the 1,000 plus models offered on auction sites but while bright, they’re just too aggressive and beam quality/useable light doesn’t match that of those boasting 600 or so. In top mode, they can simply dazzle other road users-potentially dangerous, not to mention, extremely aggravating.

That said; I’ve used some budget (sub £100 CE compliant) official imports to excellent effect and the lower, steady settings can return 3-4 hours before kicking into flashing/SOS to conserve juice. Battery packs have become increasingly compact, riding unobtrusively beneath the top tube, rather than consuming a bottle cage.    

For those who don’t want, or need this additional clutter, tuneable torch types can be ideal for middle distance commuting and training but consider run-times carefully, if you’re tackling long stretches of unlit road. Several offer 600-800 lumens but there’s usually a serious trade off where run times are concerned-expect an hour or so, tops. However, they can strike just the right balance for those who generally ride in sub/urban contexts but want to indulge in some back road scratching after work.

Those with 300-400 lumens and several settings are surprisingly useful too, my choice for late summer evenings, where time can slip away and dusk set in unexpectedly. Blinkies are arguably all that’s required for getting home with in these contexts but I still prefer a proper light up front, blinkies acting as backing singers-especially given the all too prevalent culture of victim blaming-litigious, or otherwise.   

There is an increasingly popular trend for combining products-Cycliq fly 6 LED with integral camera being an excellent example. Along with Moon’s surprisingly potent Gemini, Raleigh has sent us this Icon + unit, which tailors light automatically to suit conditions.

http://www.raleigh.co.uk/ProductType/ProductRange/Product/Default.aspx?pc=2&pt=117&pg=18570

It’s capable of producing 190 lumens and even features a movement sensor, triggering an alert to your smart phone, indicating that your bike is being moved and potentially vandalised/stolen. Useful additional security when supping coffee and sharing ideas at a cafe’ stop; on that note, I’m going to see if this stuff is a creative kick start or belongs behind the creosote...

Festival fun & (Yet more) Flats...

Well, the adventure travel film festival came round just at the right time; giving digits and keyboard a welcome break from each other. Having loaded up the KA and headed along the M1 to Mill Hill, we went the hotel, rather than tent route, although the weather was perfect for the late evening outdoor cinema showings.

Austin Vince was an extremely welcoming host, making time to speak with people on a personal level, adding to the collective ambience. Now in its fourth year, the event still attracts more motorcyclists that cyclists but that is changing.

Slowly cultivating a strange and irrational interest in contemporary Ural and sidecar combos, I was slightly disappointed not to catch a couple in the flesh. Nonetheless, I found myself babbling excitedly to Sharon about two pre Aprillia Moto Guzzi and we met Miles from Cycle Miles (www.cyclemiles.co.uk) at his stall.

Sharon loved the creative gifts and kit, while I found myself ogling his fetching grey polo bike, which was in trailer tug mode (!) Having made my excuses for not bringing his T2 touring trailer along (Won’t fit in the KA, even with seats down) we then discussed his fixer’s spec in greater details while our better halves compared notes on how many bikes constitute too many... Most notable features of his polo steed are this two ring FSA crankset and the single Tektro lever that commands front and rear V brakes.

Elsewhere, Michael Murphy has devised the latest characters for our series of children’s stories and I have been struck by the most aggressive puncture plague in 25 years-literally depleting my stock of 700x25 and 35-43 tubes in the space of a month!

Thankfully, I’d had the foresight to put an order in last week, so despite receding rim tapes, embedded sharps and the odd faulty sidewall, we’ve kept rolling.

Some of us flat more than others, I fall into the thousands of trouble free miles, then six in a row. We’ve all got used to cheap tube bundles now and for the most part, they work just fine, although tend to be bin fodder- premium brands lend themselves better to patching.

Tubeless is certainly here to stay and I suspect, will become the dominant system over the next few years, though I'm fairly confident tubular and butyl will still enjoy a relatively strong following.

Most of us carry a couple of spare tubes; whip in the spare and where possible, patch the injured party at the next rest stop, or comfort of home. In common with exhausts, two patches are my limit. Afterwards, I’ll recycle them as top tube/chain stay protectors, boots for headsets and seat collars.

CO2 inflators have become the go-to’s for roadside resuscitation- not just for racing/catching up with riding companions. They certainly take the insult out of injury on those cold, rainy winter evenings, when you’re weary and want to be home, thawing out under a hot shower and supping a brew.

Nonetheless, being single use products, they still work out quite pricey and mini pumps should always be on standby, should the worst happen.

These have also improved greatly since the days of high volume mtb types that would leave you light headed once you’d eventually hit 40psi. Around the £25 mark buys a CNC machined aluminium unit capable of delivering a genuine 100psi plus into a 700x25 in around 440 strokes and 5 minutes.

Infinitely preferable to the long walk home (or being stranded) this is well within the operating range of most high pressure road tyres. Small enough to hide unobtrusively on the bottle bosses, or slip into a jersey pocket, mini track pump or high pressure frame fits are my preferred options when it comes to bigger section tyres and/or touring contexts.

Talking of which, those Maxxis Roamer are continuing to delight with their blend of low rolling resistance and plush ride quality. True, the Kevlar belt is less comprehensive than some, hence some vulnerability at the shoulders, although so long as these channels are purged of mud and similar detritus, sharps don’t get chance to work inside the tyre casing.

The 42mm section are non starters for my MK2 Ilpompino’s rear triangle, 32mm with full length guards and 35 without, is tops. Nonetheless, their bigger 26x1.65 siblings look perfect for the Univega. I’ve been suitably impressed by the Guee wrap, which has a lower density and less rubbery texture than the Genetic flare, although lends itself better to road biased, rather than mixed terrain riding.    http://www.sevendaycyclist.com/genetic-silicone-bar-wrap

Where There's A Will...

This week we’ve been looking at trailers for touring and commuting http://www.sevendaycyclist.com/tug-jobs.  Hopefully we’ll have some samples of Dani Foffa’s new urban clothing range in for testing very shortly. In the meantime, these 42mm Maxxis Roamer tyres arrived from another title and our Revolution ‘Cross test bike seemed the ideal candidate.

The Roamer is a wallet-friendly family of e-bike rated urban rubber, supposedly designed to cope with everything from commuting to touring. 60tpi semi slick casings, maximum 75psi operating pressure and a Kevlar breaker strip certainly indicate so.

Giving the ‘cross a visual once-over, I reckoned the roamer wouldn’t present any concerns clearance-wise and those portly, supple casings also implied a compliant, easy-to mount set...  welcome antidotes to the Bontrager several weeks’ back.

Well, I was nearly caught out on both fronts.

The first 65% slipped aboard the rims effortlessly and sans tools but it wasn’t long before I was close to agricultural language and guttural groaning more commonly associated with hospital labour wards. “Oooooh! Go-on, go-on!!!! You will! You will, you will!” probably wasn’t the sort of tea-time entertainment my neighbours hard bargained for either.

Order was restored with the retrieval of my magic tyre wand that had mysteriously escaped its hook and was hiding behind the chest freezer. Having dialed the Spyre’s barrel adjusters in to provide some slack, wheels were repatriated.

Clearance up front was good-pretty much what you’d expect on a modern disc braked ‘cross/adventure biased build but at the rear, you’d be lucky to slip the proverbial fag paper between casing and chain-stay bridge.

To my amazement, it didn’t clog following a ride or two on the wild side but something to check, especially on frames with vertical ends where there’s no leeway. Lighter than the OEM kenda, these have been delivering a magic carpet ride over the lumpy lanes and increasingly battle scarred main roads.

They’ve given the ‘Cross2 a perkier persona and rolling resistance is much les than I was expecting from rubber weighing over 700g apiece, although thanks in part to the widely spaced gearing, ride/handling still feels closer to that of a middleweight tourer than ‘crosser per se.

The other objective that evening was to continue getting it as filthy as possible since this fetching blue Zefal bike wash had also been sent my way…Bike washes provoke quite a bit of debate and most work to broadly similar science with comparable results.

Most solutions (aside from citrus based versions) are alkaline and employ non-ionic surfactants. These basically break down the grime on a molecular level; ensuring non/organic grot is easily flushed away and does not reattach itself during the washing/rinsing phases.  Aside from distinctive blue colouring, Zefal reckon theirs imparts a protective, dirt and dust repelling glossy film...Time and testing will reveal whether there’s any substance to these claims.

Working on the basis most knobblies become slicks when feed sufficient gloop, I decided it was time to revisit the bridle path featured on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Sevendaycyclistmagazine/videos to see how they’d behave.

Despite some initial skepticism, the Roamer’s comparatively supple casings literally glided through the gloop, taking thorns, flints in its stride. However, while the strip is comprehensive, its thinner at the shoulders... Given another seven miles or so, a sharp hard infiltrated the recessed, traction boosting, water channelling grooves. Just as I’d pulled up outside the house, its rear tyre let rip with a hearty hiss. Ruptured tube seam, so new tube and back to testing…

Elsewhere, the Univega now sports this Guee silicone bar wrap. Despite materials in common it’s proving quite different from the venerable Genetic flare http://www.sevendaycyclist.com/genetic-silicone-bar-wrap   in many respects, though most obviously, texture.

Price is a stumbling block for some people but compared with space age polymers commanding similar cash, the rubber’s natural tenacity means these don’t require backing adhesives, so aside from introducing fresh UPVC (electrical tape) they can be repeatedly rewound.

The Guee benefits from a little extra pre-stretch (especially when feeding the first few centimetres inside the bar end). Thankfully, it’s less susceptible to stretch marks/discoloration under tension, which is helpful since it’s less generous than the flare. (I had sufficient left over for the Holdsworth’s pursuit bars) Only time and miles will tell whether performance justifies the £7 price differential...

Candid Cameras & Premature Celebrations

After three months testing Cycliq fly 6 camera and rear light, we’ve reached our conclusions. http://www.sevendaycyclist.com/cycliq-fly-6-camera-and-rear-light  “I’ve got your back” is the tag-line and while there’s something disappointing about living in a world where we have to record our rides for defensive, litigious reasons, its two genuinely excellent products in one.

There are better choices for adrenalin junkies looking to capture breathtaking footage with short pieces of commentary. The fly 6 is closer to a car dash cam, recording in ten minute segments and will ultimately wipe the footage once the card is full.

8gb micro SD comes as standard, though it will accept 32gb versions if you must. Speaking of size, generally unobtrusive, it still requires a decent helping of seatpost, a moot point with most semi/compact geometry framesets but something to consider if jockeying for space with saddle bags or monster wedgies. 

Image and sound quality aren’t quite on par with Go Pro and similar 1080Hd fare, its susceptible to wind and road. Nonetheless, footage is more than adequate enough to provide irrefutable evidence in the event of an incident, or on a happier note, reviewing rides from an alternative perspective. Talking of which, I’ve just taken delivery of the Revolution Cross 2.

Formative impressions suggest it lacks the pizzazz of a purebred cross bike with carbon fork- closer in persona to a tourer over metalled roads. However, as our facebook footage illustrates, I was pleasantly surprised by how surprisingly nimble its’ proving sans asphalt... https://www.facebook.com/Sevendaycyclistmagazine/publishing_tools/?section=VIDEOS&refSource=video_upload_notif&notif_t=video_processed&notif_id=1469654473701212

Suggestion that I’d exorcised the Holdsworth’s puncture curse was, well a bit premature... Having returned from a 15mile blast, I popped it back on its hook in the workshop, reintroduced F**k off lock, following the immovable object rule and bid it good night.

Eagerly anticipating another fast paced escape the following evening...Front tyre pancake flat. Thankfully I had the Ilpompino prepped and ready to go. Change of shoes and we away-pretty much had the lanes to myself and a steady 23-25mph tempo, quick enough to banish mental cobwebs and low mood for another day.

Back at the house, I discovered the Holdsworth’s puncture was attributable to duff rim tape. Think I might retire said fixer’s carbon composite post next. Composites seem structurally fine; alas the alloy cradle’s threads seem to be receding.

I’ve tightened the 6mm Allen bolt to manufacturer recommended torque settings and will monitor for the time being. Could be a rogue model, maybe after six years, it’s reached the end of its intended design life. However, at 70 odd kilos, I’m fairly compassionate to components.      

Fixed isn’t everyone’s thing and while I’ve met a few frame builders who enjoy touring on their Audax inspired, single brake builds, in this context, I’d sooner go for variable gears, whether hub or derailleur.

Fixed came under my radar in my early teens; many club riders had one within their fleet-sometimes these followed the continental narrative of old race framesets reincarnated as winter/workhorses, others pared to the essentials TT missiles.

It wasn’t particularly mainstream but widely accepted as having merits “Good thing; teaches you to pedal properly”; as one rider in his early forties put it. Then of course, there was a sub editor’s 1948 Freddy Grubb…

A small minority of chain-gangers seem to enjoy carving in a hairs breadth from my bars, then lingering, seemingly trying to make a point. If my 18mph on an incline is too pedestrian, why aren’t you powering ahead.

Oh, sorry, you wanted to deliver the hipster jibe…The same riders mysteriously find a voice; or some form of visual acknowledgement when I’m dressed in similar road biased kit but astride a more tribe acceptable road build. Difficult to measure scientifically but anecdotally, I find this myopic “One way to ride” tribalism very disappointing.

Talking trends, silicone is growing in popularity as a handlebar covering. Having graced the Univega’s moustache bars for a good fourteen months, the otherwise dependable Genetic (flare) is starting to look a little dog-eared in places.

Grimy patinas cultivated during puncture purging and other roadside mechanicals are easily dismissed using some bike wash concentrate, lathered up with a medium stiff brush. However, fatigue is apparent wit successive re/winding to facilitate cable replacements-especially where it enters the ends. Timely then, that I’m due to receive some Guee in ultra serviceable black. 

The Joy of Workhorses

Stripping and thoroughly re-greasing the Univega’s M475 hub cured the grumbles and confirmed freehub and other components had many miles left in them. 

Edinburgh Bicycle Co-operative is sending Seven Day Cyclistwww.sevendaycyclist.com  the latest incarnation of their wallet friendly ‘Cross 2 for testinghttp://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/revolution-cross-2-16?bct=browse%2fbicycles%2fcyclocross-bikes.

I have always been impressed by their range and was particularly taken by their Cross 0. http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/revolution-cross-0-16?bct=browse%2fbicycles%2fcyclocross-bikes  

On paper at least, this seems very befitting to the 0. Working bikes certainly aren’t the ceiling of our horizons at SDC but we’re firmly of the opinion that decent workhorses are vital members of any enthusiasts’ fleet.

Well maintained but rugged,  you’re not afraid to face the salt monster’s caustic tongue, or leave them shacked to street furniture, yet said swinging a leg over their top tubes and powering off, induces those ear-to-ear grins.

Essentially, the 0 is a single speed ‘cross inspired package featuring their in house “Strongman” 7005 series aluminium frame with mudguard and carrier fixings for four seasons’ practicality.Hi-tensile steel forks add some additional girth and personally, for the sake of a few pennies, I’d prefer to see basic Cro-moly blades. 

“Cross inspired” geometry is a refreshingly honest phrase, which refers to generous clearances, rather than off-road pretentions per se. Taking of which, there's room for 35mm tyres for a compliant, magic carpet ride over pock marked asphalt.

Reducing things to a balance sheet decision, this member of their cross family would easily pay for itself within three months of short-middle distance commuting. Monies saved on train or bus fare could be ploughed back into the household coffers, or other two-wheeled projects...  

Given this backdrop, I didn’t need much persuading to take a closer look at its more refined sibling. Sharing the same non ferrous tubes, this one follows the adventure/gravel bike narrative. 

Tektro Spyre mechanical discs caused quite a stir when they first came out about three years back and for very good reason. In retrospect, I’m wishing I took that route, rather than the otherwise extremely agreeable Avid BB7 presently gracing my own ‘cross inspired fixer’s fork blade.

Twin pistons sound more complex but having played with them (albeit briefly) modulation and feel with lower-mid range levers and compression cables is reassuringly good. Lower profiles are another definite plus, improving heel clearance, while taking the faff from rack fitting. Shimano’s 8x3 Claris groupset also fits the design brief handsomely.

There’s enough range for bombing, cruising and winching, whether lugging a trailer’s worth of kit on a weekend tour, or just doing the weekly shop. Yes, there’s some scope for less challenging rides on the wild side too. 

Shifts are crisp but everything’s cheap enough to replace in the event of a nasty spill. Shunning full-length guards, clearance looks generous enough to accept a narrower (35mm) section spiked tyre for dependable bite through winter’s worst.

Anyhow, I’m really looking forward to swinging my leg over its 55cm top tube and seeing how the whole package behaves over the course of a few hundred, real world miles…Talking of the Ilpompino, nipping the Aheadset bearings quarter of a turn tighter ironed out some trace wibble that set in after 150 miles.

After rummaging in the bodge box for a spare spoke mount (think my malevolent farm cat scattered the old one irretrievably beneath the freezer/drier) I bought a “Blackburn” replacement for the princely sum of £2. Fuchsia Knog Nerd now pride of place and fully functional.

Found some time to review the Tom Tom bandit’s footage. By my reckoning, image quality is level pegging with Go-Pro’s 3; although the microphone is proving surprisingly susceptible to wind blast.

Think I’ll invest in the remote trigger upgrade when circumstance permits…KA decided to chomp through its rear brake shoes last week, with audible protest on the M1. Thankfully, no other component damage done and friendly local garage sorted it for £75 including VAT.  Hmm, hopefully that signals the end of this most recent spate of implosions...