Challenge Tyres: sealing side walls Seamgrip v. Copydex

These Challenge Grifo are beautiful clinchers. Note that Challenge call them Open Tubulars meaning they're made like their tubulars before fitting a clincher style bead. Extremely high TPI, so very supple. Since they're made of cotton, it is advisable to seal the tyre walls. I've done an experiment here, top one is sealed in Pritt Copydex (latex base solvent free glue). It had nil effect to the feel of the tyre. 

The one below is sealed with McNett Seamgrip, a tent and camping equipment sealant. Of the two, I found that Copydex is much less messy to apply, but no where near as robust as the Seamgrip. In the photo above, you can see the edges peeling. However, after a number of cross races, the Copydex had not come off. So, it's worth doing, even though the Seamgrip is better. The Seamgripped carcass was perhaps a tad less flexible, but the main drawback was it's gloopy consistency and difficulty in application. Ideally, if the Seamgrip could be diluted down a bit before application it may be easier, but I fear that can only be done with pretty nasty benzene based solvents. If anyone knows of a harmless solvent for Seamgrip, please do comment below!

Argon 18 E-80 Build Log: Part 1

New project a real TT bike. Here are the first photos:

It's a 2009 frame, interesting because the central trapezium is alloy tubing, but the rear triangle is carbon. So there is a carbon-alloy bond all down the seat tube (like the old Mercury) although it's been tastefully painted over:

Here is a piccie of the old Argon 18 Mercury, showing the carbon-alloy join, for comparison:

The headset is a FSA IS-2 (a standard integrated type). No major news there, except that I'm now wondering whether I've cut the steerer too short. Now that'd be a schoolboy error, if ever I saw one!

Let's see. More to come soon.

British Cyclocross Championships 2014, Derby

The best of UK cyclocross talent were at Moorways Leisure centre today. Here are some photos from the elite mens race. The pit is always a busy place:

Power washers at work. I wonder what's in the yellow wheelie bin...

 Ian Bibby getting down. Now that's not a Genesis bike, is it? It be a Ridley.

Salsa in the mud. Look at those feet go! 

Balletic movement by Ian Field. Total concentration he was, all day, on the way to what I think is a threepeat national title. 

Mucky sticky mud everywhere, causing errors. But he was probably thinking "this is not as nasty as Namur!"

Take a look at Ian Field's Focus (yes, that's a Specialized, but I was referring to his eyes, not the bike brand!).

 He made it look so easy... He dealt with the pressure really well. It's tough at the top!!

 Nick Craig, proper punchy power.

 I love this picture. This is what Cyclocross is about!

 Hargroves lead out on to the "dancefloor".

 Stu Bowers getting shouted at:

Vicious Velo, looking well vicious. 

Yep, an interesting day out (remember to take a spare pair of shoes though!)  Plus there was the womens event (won by Helen Wyman, her 8th title), Juniors and U23 (which we missed). All this for the price of a small donation to the local Scout organisation - you've gotta go watch some cyclocross. 

Neat Exustar CK2 Covers for SPD Cleats

These are fantastic, and great value for money too. I bought two pairs. No more Bambi-on-Ice moments in the Cafe!

Here you can see the other side of the little rubber cap. They slot very easily over the cleat and when you're about to get on the bike, they remove easily and occupy a tiny amount of space in your jersey pocket. 

The packaging. Sorry, I couldn't rotate these photos, so you'll have to rubber neck a little. Click them to enlarge. 

Exustar do various versions for different cleat types, as per the table below (click to enlarge).

And a little bird on a fencepost, just for the sake of it!

Genesis Equilibrium Build Log Part 3: "Pretty Weirdo"

As a build log, this will be rubbish! I say this because the bike is finished, but I didn't take any pictures along the way. So, I present to you: Pretty Weirdo!

Why that name? If you remember, the build criterion was use whatever stuff I have lying around. Because of that, I ended up with a good looking 6 speed road bike, running cross tyres!

Rear derailleur: Shimano Tourney RD-TX35

Cassette: Shimano 6 speed 14-28T (screw on freewheel type)

Chainset: Mighty 170 alloy cranks 44T steel teeth

Bottom bracket: Neco Shimano compatible square taper cartridge

Chain: KMC with quick link

Front chain-keeper: Deda dog-fang

Shifters: Sunrace 6 speed bar mounted lever

Headset: Ritchey Logic V2

Handlebars: ITM Vitus alloy 46cm (I think this is the o-o measurement, but haven't checked) 

Bar tape: Deda, champagne

Stem: Ritchey Comp 120mm

Brakes: Miche Performance dual-pivot caliper, long drop 57mm

Brake levers: Tektro

Frame: 56cm Genesis Reynolds 725 heat treated chro-moly steel alloy butted (rear dropouts standard road ~130mm), two bottle cage mounts, mudguard eyelets.

Rims: Weinmann AS23X alloy, nutted axles

Hubs: Quando alloy

Tyres: Maxxis Raze 700x33 folding

Basic pedals. Below, grab your steed and jump on! 

Seatpost: Alpina alloy 27.2mm

Saddle: Charge Bucket

Forks: Genesis carbon, alloy steerer 1 1/8", (standard road width ~100mm)

The frame looks beautiful and feels great to ride. Comfortable, yet lively. However, it is too small for me and I can't get over that fact. Therefore, she's on sale now (please see the CTC forum, and later next week, on eBay.co.uk).

Snow!

Time to have some fun on the cyclocross bike. There's nothing like it! The tyres are Challenge Grifo  700x33 clinchers (what they call "open tubulars", but they are not tubulars!). 

How to change brake pads: Clarks V inserts, Tektro CR720 cantilevers (cartridge)

In muddy, wet conditions, brake pads wear out very fast. Replacing cartridge type pads is quick and somehow satisfying. I'm a fan of Clarks brake stuff, because quite simply, I've never been disappointed after buying any of their products. I also like Kool Stop, but they are pricier. So, step one, dismantle your brake assemblies, and clean up the alloy holders (soapy water and an old toothbrush - rinse well in clean water, and dry off with a paper towel). 

These CP501 70mm insert cartridge pads are very cheap (less than £4 a pair), but in my experience, feel good and work well. They would fit V, Hybrid, Touring, MTB - basically Shimano pattern cartridge holders. The pads come with new retaining pins (you can see them taped to the cardboard pack above). Below, you can see the "forward" arrow markings on both pad and holder, and the cutout for the pin on the pad.

Simply slide them in, but at the point shown in the photo below, remember to put the bolt back in position before fully pushing the pads home. I hold the pads with my fingers and press the holder down on a flat surface. 

Here the pad is pushed home (you should be able to see daylight through the little hole). Then simply push the retaining pins in. 

Put the bits and bobs back on the bolt in the original order, finishing with the washer and nut. Below they are all ready to be fitted back on the bike.  

I have to say that I find the Clarks pads to be an improvement on the Tektro pads that came with the original brakes. The great thing about cartridge type brake pads is that you can try out a few different brands and types - e.g. dual or triple compound varieties - in order to find the ones that you most prefer. There's a huge choice out there, and a wide spectrum of prices!