Lighting, Camera Action

 

A week down the line and I’m getting better acquainted with the CamPark V40 Action Camera and find it generally intuitive. Forgoing the waterproof housing has addressed the issues with microphone buzz. Video capture is also reasonably good, especially when mounted directly to an aftermarket mount.  

This Minoura VC100 S has been a consistent feature of Ursula’s bars for 8 years. The shock-absorbing cork platform expired last year, substituted with a rubber shim doing something close to nothing in my spares box.  

This overcomes any minor blurring that could strike along washboard tarmac, even with the in-camera stabilisation engaged. Action cameras have relatively small sensors, hence while the image quality is favourable in bright conditions (sun and snow for example) low light performance is less consistent. 

I’ve switched the gasket-sealed weatherproof housing to my fixed gear winter/trainer. Not that I’m pensioning off the Geonaute G-Eye 2 Escape. Though quite elderly and with fewer bells and whistles than we’d expect from a more contemporary model, it’s still reliable and delivering decent footage. I suspect it will become bin fodder once the integrated battery expires, mind.   

Some bar tidying followed, since time allowed. The K-lite Bike packer Pro V2’s switch now nestles beside the lamp and the ORP Smart HornTESTED: ORP SMART HORN (sevendaycyclist.com) in its place. Neater and presented the opportunity to snug down some otherwise easily overlooked fasteners.   

Another batch of DIY corrosion inhibitor has also been brewed. I’d usually make more but this was plentiful for topping up the KA and Micra’s protection. Applying during any damp period will simply seal the moisture IN, which defeats the object. This formula is made using candlewax, solvent and whatever cheap as chips motor oil I have laying around. 

While tending to Ursula’s mudguard hardware, I noticed the Lezyne pump had been “wood peckering” the tubby tourer’s down tube, marking the cream powder coat. After The Gritters Went Home | Seven Day Cyclist, so, I polished the blemish out, placed a sticker and a piece of Zefal Skin armor ZEFAL SKIN ARMOR ROLL | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) atop for peace of mind/additional insurance.  While Ursula’s chain might be sporting a slightly scuzzy beard, the SKS Lube Your Chain TESTED: SKS LUBE YOUR CHAIN (sevendaycyclist.com) is a waxy formula that seems to lock contaminant in the outer layer, so it can’t become a ruthlessly effective grinding paste. 

A little goes a very long way, stays put and friction is also comparatively low. If forecasts are accurate, a spell of higher pressure is to hit the UK in the next week, which might present the opportunity for lighter lubes and some serious miles on the Teenage Dream.  Meantime, I’m allowing the Univega to become uncharacteristically filthy in preparation for this bike wash.  

Some people will argue (and I can understand their angle) that these are unnecessary. 

Car wash formulas are cheap as chips, will strip the grot, and leave a protectant barrier behind. I freely admit to being a fan, especially during winter when time is dictated by temperature and available daylight. My preference leans towards concentrates, which I can brew to taste i.e. a degreaser for a deep component clean, a winter weight grot softener, and one for lighter, generic blow-overs.  

Much the same principle when it comes to lubes, maintenance sprays, and freeing agents. A very thin spray, like GT85GT85 ALL PURPOSE LUBRICANT (sevendaycyclist.com) is great for displacing moisture post wash freeing sticky cables and will even ease a reluctant seatpost. However, immobile, or semi seized stuff requires a penetrant spray. In a pinch, strong solvent-based degreasers/disc brake cleaners can also save the day.  

Technique also plays a part on the efficiency front. Taking stuck seatposts as an example, wrapping an old bubble wrap envelope (cut down) into a cone shape and secure it around the seat tube with a zip tie (having removed the seat bolt).  

Deliver a quick shot directly at the post and tap the saddle with a rubber “engineer’s” mallet. Now deliver subsequent blasts into the envelope, in a circular motion, this will see it travel inside the post steadily. Give the saddle regular firm taps, every few minutes to encourage penetration, break the seal of corrosion and ultimately, free the post. Similar technique for old-fashioned quill stems, too.     

I also keep a stockier maintenance spray for protecting fasteners from corrosion, longer-term lubrication to brake/gear cables, masking electroplated frame/fork ends, keeping locking/mechanisms mobile. Horses for courses, is my point. Talking of which, those seeking a small-wheeled magnesium e-folder might be interested in this MIRider MIRIDER 2021 | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  

 

 

Something for The Weekend Sir... Welcome Surprises & Dynamo Delights

No sign of these sunlit uplands and the unicorns promised, are little more than donkeys with dildos strapped to their foreheads... 

The weather here is more aligned with early April than late May, so for time being, the Teenage Dream remains safely tucked away, cosseted from the elements. While rooting around the garage a week or so back, I was delighted to resurrect these Gore Tex over mitts (yes, heavy, sporadic showers remain the narrative). I’ve switched from Zefal Extra Dry Premium Quality Chain Wax.ZEFAL EXTRA DRY CHAIN WAX | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) for SKS Lube Your Chain TESTED: SKS LUBE YOUR CHAIN (sevendaycyclist.com) (Another waxy type formula) since the weather errs on the wet. 

When it comes to traditional waxes, the absence of an oily component (one that leaves a filmy protectant layer on the chain) means superficial taint following exposure to wetter rides/roads. This coincided with a generic deep clean, inspection and other light maintenance.  

 A welder’s grandson, I take a keen interest in welding, so after fifteen miles of headwind, decided to stop and scrutinise this gate. A little workmanlike by my grandfather’s standards but neat enough, ditto the “red lead” finish. 

After some explorative/diagnostic efforts, I have been unable to coax the Apeman A80APEMAN A80 ACTION CAMERA | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) back to life. 

The sudden and unexpected demise (I hadn’t exposed it to wet, wintry weather, or anything else that might induce catastrophic failure). I’ve concluded fault lies with the power switch since the battery and charge life indicator are communicating good health. A pity since I’ve found this model intuitive to use and image quality adequate for my needs.  

I’ve missed being able to capture hares and deer leaping across my path these past few weeks. I am optimistic for this Campark unit, which promises a higher overall spec and a “waterproof” body.  

Now, waterproof is a tricky term on many levels. Watches for example are not permitted to be described as waterproof, only water-resistant. This is because there is always the potential, given the right circumstances for water to infiltrate. The Apeman and Geonaute cameras had never been exposed to damp, let alone wet weather, without wearing their protective housings.  

Budget action cameras offer a lot of bang for very modest buck these days but the mounts/accessories tend to be a weak spot. More cheap than cheerful. The Geonaute’s weather-proof housing needed sanding around the lugs to fit a Go-Pro mount, whereas the Apeman’s case was compatible but fractured at the lugs. The Campark uses similar housing and accessories, although time will tell how durable they are. Housings are good ideas in any case since they protect the lens, screen, and other components from nasty, abrasive grit.  

Now to the dynamo lamps. Kery Staite has sent me a replacement for the Bikepacker Pro V2 that unexpectedly developed a gremlin. He’s also sent me the K-Lite Ultra Road LD (Low drag). The latter is “only” 750 lumens, which is a little over half that of the Bike Packer Pro V2K LITE BIKEPACKER PRO V2 FRONT LIGHT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and the Bike Packer UltraK LITE BIKEPACKER ULTRA DYNAMO LIGHT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com), so has me eager to assess performance along the unlit lanes and backroads, given I’ve been spoilt by the 1300lumen siblings. 

 

I’m also curious as to how it ranks against the Exposure Revo Dynamo, which pumped out 800lumens and adorned Ursula’s bars for several years and many thousand winter miles. Initial impressions are favourable and the drag is palpably lower than its more powerful Bike Packer cousins. In some respects, Ursula isn’t the most obvious host but as my daily driver, I’m going to notice any subtle tweaks/changes.    

These also arrived with nice new composite mounts, moving the lamps proud of the bars. I’ve mounted the Bike Packer Pro beneath the fixed’s Soma Condor 2 Shallow Drop barsSOMA CONDOR 2 SHALLOW DROP BARS | (sevendaycyclist.com) for a neater aesthetic, and to avoid potentially dazzling anyone. Not that this has been an issue to date, although I have needed to tilt the Ultra siblings very slightly.  Right, I’m off to brew some more wax-based corrosion inhibitor-seems we’ve run out.