Bike Locks

My theory about locking a bike is to make it as time consuming as possible for anyone to cycle away with my bike. That means lots of deterrents with everything I have with me at the time, be it velcro or helmets, ankle clips, you name it.

But the basics remain the same: two bike locks. The lightest and strongest I can afford to carry. The more and stronger the better (I naively had to return the 1.7 kg Abus Granit 540 that almost broke my rucksack!).  The theory is that it requires different tools to break it and two would offer twice the resistance. 

Here's the two I have chosen for my best bike for my journeys across France/Belgium/Holland and in London/Cambridge: it consists of a D-Lock for the frame/rear wheel and a cable lock for the front wheel.

And oh, park somewhere crowded because no lock survives 10 seconds against an angle grinder....

 

Lock Spec 1:

First up is the D-Lock.

Name: Abus Futura Mini
Weight: 692 gr.
Claim: 11 mm round shackle + Very intensive use of special weight-optimized alloy and light material

To put this in perspective, my daily Abus Sinus Plus 23cm is 1.1kg whereas this mini is only 67mm wide, and about 12cm long, so isn't very versatile around street objects. It came without brackets unlike it's longer brother. The mechanism is very smooth to operate.

The main appeal is that it fits in my jacket chest pocket (whole) and the short lock body in my medium saddle bag. This allows different carrying options to distribute the weight. 

Lock Spec 2:

The supporting back up is a simple but chunky cable lock. The combo comes to 1364 gr.

Name: Abus Catama 870 + QuickSnap 
Weight: 672 gr
Claim: 19mm but actual steel cable is merely 12-13mm in diameter.

This is about twice the bulk of a standard so-called 12mm cable lock but I feel safer knowing this has 12mm of actual steel wires. 

In my opinion this is better than using the usual cable loop back onto the D-Lock, not only because this cable is thicker but also because it is independent and requires a separate attack. 

To be honest, I have left my lock keys inside the lock in central London and survived, so take my reasoning with a pinch of salt.....

Ideal Locking

The one I've never done is to include the saddle. And that's the risk I'm willing to take.

The general advice is to lock up the frame plus both wheels esp if they are on quick release.

There's a way to do this with two small locks. The main trick is to lock the rear wheel inside the triangle with the most secure lock as that secures the frame. See illustration pic above. Once you accept this, you realise that you don't need such a big D-Lock.

D-lock stays hidden (below) inside the saddle bag with the tools and the U-lock/shackle hangs on the saddle rails. The cable QuickSnap is bolted to the saddle clamp which is fortunately only possible on this post.

Cycling with Kids 

When I go out with the boys, I simply replace the Mini with a normal D-Lock that can go over two rear wheels and the third bike simply sandwiched in the middle with just cable loops. To me it's a sensible compromise. It doesn't really need a static object because I can't imagine anyone would walk away or around with three bikes on their shoulder.

Ironically this is when I left the keys in for over 7 hours in central London!

Really?

Maybe outside a police station

Link to Lock Test

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxIbAFnmsIQ

Islabike Cnoc 16, Beinn 20 and Beinn 24 Review

The first bikes for my eldest was a Cuda 12 which was almost 10kg and the shock of its weight kinda started this obsession with lightweight kids bike. Prior to that both kids learn on their balance bike which was light and easily maneuverable.

Every little helps - Cnoc 16

The Cuda 12 wasn't bad. Both kids used it for hundreds of miles and even rode it in Rotterdam, Amsterdam and central London. I still don't understand why a bike holding a 10-20kg kid needs to be so strong and chunky. Enter Cnoc 16 from Islabike who specialised in proportional bike to fit the little ones.

I bought it new direct from Islabike with free delivery. It weighs 6.0kg so that great for the kids riding up hill as well as for the parents carrying it. Incredible investment if you ask me - the price went up from £199 in 2014 to £289 today (2017).

More importantly the short brakes is powerful and give the kids more confidence and me peace of mind knowing that they have the stopping power as well as the stopping capability.

Beinn 20L

I'm sure some parents have the same headache debating whether their children fit a 20S or a 20L. The small has a 10 inch frame as well as a shorter 114mm crank; the large has a 11 inch frame and a 127mm crank. There's no right or wrong answer. Either way there'll be a big jump from 16 to 20L or from a 20S to a 24.

Unfortunately I was so confident in Islabike that I unknowingly bought an older generation Beinn 20L (notice the double stem bolt, wider silver lined saddle and 24 spoke wheel) that weigh 1 kg more than the one on sale at the time. So I tinkered with it endlessly. First swapping out the seat post and saddle from the Cnoc 16 and then replaced the tires with Continental Contact II with reflective sidewalls required by Dutch law for cycling in the dark. By the time of sale it came in at 8.7kg. Still a wonderful bike without doubt.

The grip shift is wonderful and both kids were so excited about having gears that everything else was accepted.

Beinn 24 

Beinn 24 was a different experience. The bike weigh in at 9kg which is amazing. That's only 100g more than his previous Beinn 20L so the transition was more than welcomed esp now that he's gain an extra gear!

Except that the increase in speed in making the little brother mad pedaling his Cnoc 16! And the Beinn 20L is a bit stretched out for his size.

The little one is confident and likes to cycle fast. So his time on Cnoc 16 lasted barely a year and he's gone to the Beinn 20L for the past month, aged 6+ - surprising both for his build and way below the recommended inside leg of 52cm and min height of 120cm.  Though he goes faster and I feel he struggles a bit uphill and I want to reduce the weight to help him. One thing about the Continental Contact II is that it's probably bomb proof but no lighter than the Kenda Small Block 8 that Islabike use at almost 420g and not very low rolling resistance either. So I got a pair of Schwalbe SV 6A light weight tube and 28-406 Speed Contact.

I have also ordered a short stem with a shim for converting 1-1/8 steerer to the 25.4mm 1 inch used by Islabike.

New Beinn 20 from Stamford Bridge

No not in Chelsea, London as I originally thought but a village in Yorkshire:) After a few unsucccessful attempt at procuring a later-gen-Beinn 20 and noticing that this is still unsold after a few weeks, I made an offer to the owner the night before we were to visit the National Railway Museum in York. Delighted to make a small detour and now in possession of the red Islabike after 3 blue ones.

The bike weigh in at only 7.9kg and the new Kenda tire is really light but doesn't feel very tough or grippy - the owners comment that he has had a few punctures didn't help of course. Replacing the tyres and removing the wheel reflector (as the Speed Contact already has the reflective strip) brings it down to 7.7kg! Of course it looks incredibly skinny and also has the effect of lowering the standover height at the expense of pedal-to-floor clearance.

The tyres difference was only 325g vs 280g and the tube difference was only 105g vs 80g. Total saving per pair (~150g) was not as pronounced - in fact only about half of the weight saving as it would have been with the older bike.

But this one came in very good condition and after some cleaning, it has the bling factor. Even the little one commented on how shiny it is.

Selling Islabikes

Num Islabikes purchased = 4.
Num Islabikes sold = 2.

Shall try to avoid eBay for its 10% (plus 5% Paypal) fees.

The Beinn 20 generated all the interests whereas the Cnoc 16 so far generated none:(

Since I bought the Cnoc 16 and the first Beinn 20, Brexit has crashed the pound and Islabike has appreciated greatly. That helps to minimise any losses.

Time passed: 1.5 weeks and both are now sold for the combined sum exactly as I bought them for. Very pleased with the outcome.

Osprey Synchro 20 Backpack/Rucksack Review

Tried their PackSizer app and bought the size S/M. Not sure why they can't just call it Synchro 18?

I was frustrated by the lack of accurate information on the web (and I include Osprey's own website!) when trying to compare that I hope to provide a simple review and as least to my best to list the spec of the one I bought.

Osprey's own item card list all the weight and volume of all their "packs" but not so on their website where they only specifies the M/L version.

The Synchro 20 S/M is listed as 1lb4oz/0.59kg and 1098cu. in./18L. The weight is pretty spot on on my kitchen scale at 592g and the dimension I measured is 41x26x26cm.

The difference with the M/L is that this one measures 41cm in height vs 46cm and 2L. 

Now that's out of the way. How does it perform?

This is a dedicated bike pack with curve back that not only keeps cool but softly molds for excellent support and comfort. Lidlock and built-in raincover and two side mesh pockets are ideal for riding. Three compartment: a small front scratch-free pocket; the middle has mesh for spare tubes and tools plus straps for hand pump; and the main with a divider for hydration pack.

I chose it because it's not 900+g like most others. I have an Osprey Reverb 10 ski pack and I like the build quality and smooth zippers with convenient hoops which is also found here. I chose Synchro because of two other ventilation design: padded mesh shoulder straps and what Osprey calls BioStretch hip belt which is another thin mesh.

I did two bike trips with this bag now totaling 1000km over two weeks. I have not encountered any rain in that time so have not open the rain cover yet! I managed to pack a week's worth of clothing and travel needs without a squeeze during each trip, weighing in at 3.2kg.

Apart from over-stretched side pocket elastics due to one silly action of trying to pack two wine bottles in the side pockets, everything else is still perfect. Shoulder pain isn't an issue because I tried to tighten the waist strap to support the weight there.

Overall a fantastic bag and extremely pleased with it.

Shimano C24 Dura Ace and RS80 Wheelset Review

Look and feel similar

I now have WH-6700 Ultegra, RS80 and WH-7850 Dura Ace and most recently WH-7900 wheelsets. All three C24 sport identically shaped rear hubs with straight pulled spokes. RS80 is stated as 1521g per pair (goto bottom for my measurements). It’s a hybrid of the other two: taking the Dura Ace carbon rim and laced it to the Ultegra hub. Nice idea! Each upgrade offers about 100g saving but you can get the other two for the price of one Dura Ace, which carries a hefty premium meant for the elites and some eBay-ers. That’s how they all came to me - used and discontinued and via auction. So if you are reading this now probably means one of them has been listed and caught your imagination.

There appears to be two versions of RS80. The initial 2008 release sports the RS-EiGHTY decal with distinctive red nipples and stainless spokes. The post 2011 version sports RS80 decal with less flashy black spoke and nipple. The latest RS81/WH-9000 upgrades adds the 11-speed option and improved black hub.

The RS80 front and rear hub looks identical to the WH-6700 Ultegra. The WH-7900 upgrade over the WH-7850 sports beefier front hub (see below) and weighs a hair more. 

WH-7900 sports a larger hub over WH-7850 (left) 

The current 11-spd RS81 is priced around £350 and the last sale stock of RS80 went for around £280. Is it worth the extra £50 over the Ultegra?

Most definitely!

I started with the WH-6700 and moved to RS80 for extra comfort and style and to save about 130g. I find the WH-6700 styling rather boring and squarish. My other wheels are bombproof Campagnolo Khamsin and super lightweight Pro Lite Bracciano A27. Performance wise Ultegra is laterally stiffer yet comfier than Bracciano but pick up feels relatively sluggish (weighs somewhere between the other two). The RS80 solves this with even better acceleration and comfort - no less than you would expect for the extra outlay. Rewarding feeling for the pedal effort backed up by higher clocked speed.

Very boxy construction

Just perception perhaps as the Dura Ace (below) has the same angles on close inspection

Offest rim may have given it rounder profile

However, this RS80 used rear hub is not as smooth as I expected. Nonetheless this wheel just roll and rolls in use and I just accepts that it is all wear and tear and ultimately will need replacing. To add to the negatives, I noticed the freehub has developed a tiny play in it which is improved slightly when I took off the cones and tighten the H10 HEX bolt. The bearings are clean though which vindicate the quality of Shimano seals.

Regarding road.cc review "Shimano use a thinner Aluminium extrusion (0.6mm instead of the more usual 1–1.3mm) for the basic structure of the rim, and then bond on a Carbon outer layer".

I believe this thinner wall refers to the rim outer, not the braking surface which is standard thickness and height. Some have reported potential failure here where the nipple seats. Something to watch out for by regular inspection I suppose (what else can you realistically do?).

Value for money, RS80 is really hard to beat.


Measured Weight
WH-6700: 680g front 970g rear 1650g pair

RS80: 638g front 890g rear 1528 pair

WH-7850: 610g front 835 rear 1445g pair

WH-7900: 625g front 806g rear 1431g pair

Pro-Lite Bracciano A27: 625g front 884g rear 1509g pair

Review of Campagnolo Record 10 Shifters

This thing was going for around £100 (plus P&P) on eBay and considering that I would need to dish out another £25-30 for the Campag cable pack, I just decided to get it new for a cool discounted price  of £183 from CRC. It arrived in 48 hours as usual for the excellent CRC delivery service.

Of the big three: SRAM and Campag use dedicated brake lever and only Campag allows multiple upshifts and downshifts with the QS quickshift. (The new Powershift has single downshifts). The Record shifter is pre-Ergo update so has a straight and smaller front tip rise. My Veloce Ergopower shifters sport the new ergo design and it never really felt right with the big curvy dip and tall inward tip.  The little bump creates a pressure point that bothers me. So I do like the flatter hood of the Record.

Actually the whole thing is quite petite and I cannot imagine anyone with big hands finding it a good fit.In some ways this is the only place were the gamble has not quite paid off completely. The hood in even shorter than the Veloce, somewhat limiting hand positions. 

On the other hand, shorter hood means I am not too stretched out and allows me to use a slightly longer stem. In my case, I use 100mm stem on a 52cm c-c top tube and SL70 bar.

The thing I miss about Shimano STI is hood grip - it is long, fat and wide, offering different grip options. But I feel the brake lever leaking power from the hood position and running away from me due to the heavy dual-axis pivot and long levers. For that I prefer the single plane single pivot brake lever of SRAM or Campagnolo. The brake lever is also shorter but it is not a problem since the shallow bar allows my forefinger to actuate the really smooth brake. Carbon lever is a real bonus without gloves of course as it does not get slippery or cold.

Upshifts gives a reassuring "click" but I still accidentally shifts by two some times. Downshifts button could be smoother though as it requires more effort and positioned a bit too far back. Together with the Chorus RD, the overall downshift still feels slicker than the Veloce.

Note this release of Record 10 shifters includes cables and casings, albeit only 4 gear casings and no (!) brake casings.

The actual weight is 336g on my scale vs claimed 324g.

Build a sub 8kg CX bike

CX is cyclocross for short though some use CC as abbreviation.

8.0kg exactly with Tracer Pro 33mm and pedals

Mixing Shimano and Campagnolo 10 speed

In short it works! And that's how the project is conceived. I love the versatility of my Tifosi CK1 cyclocross but its 54cm frame felt a bit too big (for me) and could do with some weight loss. I was pleasantly surprised that Campagnolo drivetrain just accepted the Shimano cassette and allowed me to use the Pro-lite Bracciano wheels. Together with better handlebar-stem and saddle-seatpost, I did managed to bring it down to 9.9kg with full length mudguard that really works when tested on a wet Thetford Forest trail!

Enter eBay and Trigon XQC01

A weird project in a way that break all the rules.  This Trigon XQC01 looks cool and a pure race machine (as if I need it) so isn’t mudguard-ready like the CK1. But the frame and fork weights 1720g - about the same as the CK1 frame alone without it’s 720g carbon fork. 

Here’s the plan – take everything from the CK1 and simply end up with a smaller + lighter frame. However problems start to mount: the crank isn’t going to fit a BB30 hole and the 34.9mm seat tube isn’t going to take the Veloce front derailleur plus I never felt the wide Tifosi cantis were giving enough stopping power. So much for “de plan”.

Crank Revolution 46-34T

A cheap solution to the BB30 and crank was possible because I was given a well-used stock 105-5750 compact chainset (from Cube Peloton Race I bought) and this frame seller had kindly installed a KCNC BB30/BB86 bottom bracket, ready for the Shimano 1.37x24 crankset. The outer chainring looks well worn but the inner teeth look decently square and it only weighs 725g. 

I'm a casual cyclist at best and appreciate the 34T even on gentle slope cycling in the saddle, as opposed to doing a "Contador". Most of the time I'm on inner-out (of the 12-28T) so dropping to 11-28T makes sense.

• Smallest inner chainring for 110 BCD I believe is 33T.
• The cost and weight of taking the cassette beyond 28T (new RD) means 34T is a must and a CX 46-36T is out. 
• I find the big jump to 50T too abrupt and only ever useful going downhill and clunky in both upshifts and downshifts.
• 46/11 is about the same ratio as (tiny bit higher than) a 50/12 for less weight.

I went searching for a replacement 110 BCD outer chainring alone and found a 46T CX70 one for €30. Result! It fitted without a fuss and it shifts smoother as one would expect. 

Front Derailleur Evolution - Top Pulled

First problem kind of solved. Next, the 31.8mm Trigon seatpost (unusual for CX?) means that the Veloce FD would require a new 34.9mm clamp adapter. Luckily FD isn’t very complicated or expensive. Or fussy about shifeter more importantly because it's another step to mixing in Shimano kit.

As most road frames route the gear cables in the downtube, most FD are bottom pulled and a cross frame paradoxically routes cables along its toptube to avoid mud and yet uses a pulley. Top pull FD is a relatively new phenomenon since most STI doesn’t have long enough cable pull to actuate an MTB FD. Step forward Shimano CX70 (a.k.a. CX-Ultegra) which comes in all the combination you can think of: top/bottom pull, band/brace-on, 31.8mm/34.9mm clamp. I looked at my top-pulled MTB and decided I could bypass the pulley altogether so I ordered one for £23 - costing only a bit more than a simple Campagnolo branded band. Very nice finish with now matching matt grey Ultegra band (to the outer chainring). On it went by hand feel, without a torque wrench. I even had to reposition the clamp when replacing the 50T with the 46T and so far it is holding on fine without killing the carbon frame.

Campagnolo Carbon Rear Derailleur and Shifters

...plus a Shimano Ultegra 11-28T cassette which has a good price-to-weight and gearing ratios. Replacing the Tiagra 4600 12-28T (310g to 235g) saves 75g. Pound for pound this has to be the best £/g saving as far as bike upgrade goes at a mere 15 pence/gram!

Although people reported that Campag STI can pull a Shimano RD, I prefer the classier look of Chorus or Record RD. The non-Ti Chorus came in at 203g (vs Veloce 257g) - good but not impressive by today's standard as Ultegra costs and weighs less. The shiny chrome cage feels solid and the carbon weave matches well with carbon frame stays. 

The (only) thing I like about Shimano STI is its hood grip - it is long, fat and wide, offering different grip options, albeit ugly. But I feel the brake lever leaking power from the hood position and running away from me due to the heavy dual-axis pivot and long levers. For that I prefer the single plane single pivot brake lever of SRAM or Campagnolo even though the latter might be too short for some. After long and hard consideration, I went for a new pair of Record 10 speed shifters to go on a new Zipp SL70 Ergo handlebar. Both were good but was not quite enough to impress, for the combined cost of the Trigon frame and fork no less.

The Record shifter is pre-Ergo update and has a straight and smaller front tip rise. The whole thing is quite petite and I find it really nice to use without gloves. I cannot imagine anyone with big hands finding it a good fit. Disappointingly the shifters weigh in at 336g vs claimed 324g and the cables included didn't include any brake ferrules and only 4 gear ferrules! [SRAM double tap is very appealing especially the impressive low weight (280g STI and 160g RD). But it does cost a lot of money for another 80g saving.] Partly because my Veloce shifters sport the new ergo design and it never really felt right that I was gambling on the older hood design. In some ways this is the only place were the gamble has not quite paid off completely even though it is brilliant shifter.

The short reach of SL70 and shifter means I can afford longer stem. The 100mm Specialized sL stem also came overweight at 129g (vs 115g claimed) and after reusing one titanium bolts, it went on at 121g. 

Wide or Narrow Canti

As far as I know wide canti has weaker grip but necessarily for mud clearing. Since I'm not racing cyclocross and never keen on the look of the arms jutting out, I'm more than happy to replace the Tifosi wide canti with something more confidence inspiring. 

The best canti brake money can buy would be the Avid Shorty Ultimate for £106 a pair! At 110g they weight the same as the my wide Tifosi one (which looks and weighs similar to CR720) but cost 4X more. For the budget, Tektro CR710 for €40 a pair is worth the 70g/pair weigh penalty, at least for now. And the stopping prowess is impressive - compared to Ultegra caliper brake. 

Unlike some, Tektro has a universal front/rear design which for this fork has the block screws hitting the legs, restricting the opening just enough to stop my Specialized Tracer Pro 33mm getting in and out without deflating it first. Bummer! 

The solution is the thinline Koolstop pads. Squeels all the same but 6mm thinner makes a big difference. And it doesn't (have a screw that) punch a hole in the carbon fork:)

vs

Here's with the road tires weighing 7.8kg with Pro-lite Bracciano A27 wheels, Conti Grand Prix GT 25mm tires and MKS EZY pedals. 

Last but not least...Wheels

In fact commonly accepted as the most important update. The top picture has the 33mm Specialized Tracer Pro mounted on 15C Ultegra WH-6700 and the above shows the 25mm GT mounted on the narrow 13C Bracciano.

I recently procured a Shimano WH-7850 C24 rear wheel on eBay. That's right, "solo uno" rear wheel  as I realised after I won the auction! Nonetheless I am over the moon. The quality and stiffness and weight of this thing is incredible and looks awesome too. 1515g with an Ultegra 12-25 and Vittoria Open Pave 27mm tires.  

Mixing Campagnolo and Shimano Drivetrain

Mixing 10 speed Campagnolo and Shimano Drivetrain started with the wheel upgrade from heavyweight bombproof Campagnolo Khamsin CX. I got a good bargain in a pair of Pro-lite Bracciano but it came with a Shimano freehub. The deal was too good to pass up and I had a spare 12-28T cassette anyway so on it went to the Tifosi CK1 with Campagnolo Veloce groupset.

It shifts beautifully without much adjustment. And 6 months later, here I am researching and experimenting, taking it a step further and mixing it up at the front as well. I decided to leave the chainset on the CK1 frame and use a spare Shimano 105 instead. 

Advantages of Mixing Groupset 

A combination of weight, cost and ergonomics (a.k.a. personal preference). Generally Campag has lighter and serviceable shifters whereas Shimano has more readily available and lighter mechs, e.g. 190g 6700 Ultegra rear mech.

SRAM double tap however is very appealing especially the impressive low weight (280g Red STI vs 378g Dura Ace and 445g Ultegra and 160g RD). But it doesn't mix with Campag-Shimano and does cost a lot of money for another 80g saving.

Weighing It All Up

Campagnolo Record 10 speed shifters pair 324g (claimed) 336g (measured)

Campagnolo Chorus 10 speed RD 203g (measured)
Shimano 11-28T cassette 235g (measured)
Shimano 105-5750 Custom 46-34T Chainset 718g (measured)
Shiamno CX70 Top Pull 34.9mm Band-on FD 105g (measured)
KMC X10-EL chain cut to 101 link (244g measured)  

Legendary Record Shifter

I have read many reviews singing praises of this carbon titanium shifters but while it is an upgrade in every way to the Veloce, it did not blow me away. Yes shifting is precise and downshift is more accessible from the drop but Shimano buttery smoothness it is not. 

Braking with Campag levers is more assuring and the short hood means I am not stretched too far out front. This older generation hood has less pronounced upward pointy horn and is also straight rather then curving inwards. As well as being shorter the hood is also thinner and great to hold without gloves. What is nice is the flatter hood and not the big curvy dip of the new ergo design. 

Campag Shifter - Shimano CX70 Front 

Not only is the crank now Shimano 105-5750 customised with 46T outer chainring, I had also upgraded the front derailleur to a CX70 top pull with a Record 10 speed QS shifters. And it shifts as quick and as smooth as I have ever experienced with lighter touch. Downshift with this combination is particularly notable and amazingly seamless.

Campagnolo Chorus - Shimano Ultegra Rear 

Paired with a 10 speed Chorus rear mech and Ultegra 6700 11-28T cassette, linked with KMC X10EL chain, the whole drivetrain is quiet and the downshift especially feels less clunky. Record right shifter has the noteable "click" that feels precise.

Everything works as I hoped and I am very pleased with the result.