Plenty of sky: 2023

Saturday, November 11, 2023

Legacy

https://www.pinkbike.com/news/the-20-year-history-of-the-shimano-pd-m520.html

Saturday, August 26, 2023

When I started writing the Campagnolo Delta blog there weren’t that many people on the internet talking, writing or commenting about old bicycles and bicycle components. The internet didn’t have a wealth of reliable information to reference so the language was as loose as the suppositions when nattering about the history (specifically the provenance and evolution) of various bicycle components. Campagnolo and its C Record (Record Corsa) groupset was a big deal back then and even those of us who could not read Italian nor marshal the resources to access old catalogs/books had something to say about it. The first generation was - and still remains - the most coveted by collectors.

The first generation C Record groupset had Campagnolo’s winged wheel logo impressed into the aluminium crank arms, rear derailleur, seat post, and delta brakes. The gossip going around ranged through topics like whether the first production run of delta brakes (subsequently recalled) were being misrepresented as rare “prototypes” or whether you could call a rear derailleur with an open pulley cage “first” generation. It was never about Campagnolo’s stamped winged wheel logo which was often loosely referred to as “engraved” or “etched in”: and, even then, only for the edification of newbies. Loose adjectives and smugness didn’t matter when old bicycle stuff didn’t cost much and few people gave a damn about it.

Well, things have changed.

For clarification: the fine, shallow stamping of Campagnolo’s logo that typified the first production run of the Record Corsa group left the impression of a shallow “v” (or, more accurately, a subtle “gull wing”). Like the stampings of previous Campagnolo components it was applied by a die during the forging process. By contrast, mechanical engraving (pantographing) is a detail that is added after the item has been manufactured and has a more pronounced “U” shape with vertical sides. Close inspection of a mechanical engraving will reveal the tell-tale marks of the engraving bit. Electrochemical etching is another detailing technique and can provide a more refined, shallower relief but still leaves a gutter that is typically left with a rough finish. The rough finish left by pantographing and etching reflects less light which heightens the contrast when the rest of the aluminium surface is buffed to a mirror finish. Polishing the groove and re-anodising the component can soften that appearance. Nevertheless the transition remains sharp when compared to a stamped impression.

Ironically, it is harder to photograph an original, stamped-in winged wheel logo than papping those that have been refinished using a pantograph or those that have been inscribed (using mechanical bits or chemical etchants) to imitate its appearance.

Pre-owned but this is the real deal.

Note the logo position.

The way the light and shadows curve along the edges of the impressed logo is another defining feature of a stamping.

This can be obvious even in a blurred image.

This crank works exactly the same but is posing as something it is not.

Note the lower logo position as seen in the later, laser printed versions (commonly and incorrectly referred to as "laser etched") except this one is engraved..

.. and masterfully rendered.

Yes is it is anodised but the straight reflections and deep impression reveal that the logo is engraved, not stamped.

Such a lovely profile.

I would argue that both items are equally as alluring as far as bicycle components go. And, if you want that look but are not fussed about owning some historical artefact then you can engage the services of an expert like cycloretro.com.

However, I also understand that authenticity matters because an accurate history matters.

Apologies George.

Resurrection of a 1990’s Flying Purple People Eater here:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5tSc3poHZc

On Sense and Reference here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDlFaOn71n8

Saturday, June 24, 2023

How to speak Ostralyan

" Bugger "

Saturday, June 10, 2023

Stanton Slackline (gen 3)

What I am reading.

What I am riding.

2011

2017

2023

What are we before our memories?

https://www.stantonbikes.com/

Riding the front triangle

2014 Scott Scale (and some modern XC bikes)

"heavy feet, light hands"

Forward-biased geometry..

2021 Stanton Slackline (and the vast majority of modern trail bikes)

Forward-biased geometry (longer reach, slacker head angle, steeper seat angle - combined with shorter stems + wider bars) repositions the optimal riding position towards the front of the bicycle while keeping the rider well behind the front axle. This encourages a forward weight distribution allowing the elbows, shoulders and trunk to play a bigger role in how the bike handles. The combination of factors that give a bicycle forward-bias do not actually increase the front-to-back “working space” of the rider as the longer reach is negated by the convergence of head angle and seat angle. What it does is make the available space more useable.

Despite the Slackline having a 4cm longer reach (and 4cm wider bars) than the Scale the distance between the bum position on the saddle and the hand position on the bars is actually 3cm longer on the Scott Scale. This is partly because the Slackline has a 3cm taller stack but mostly because the riding style for this bike requires a relatively short horizontal span between the bars and bottom bracket in order to unleash the rider’s ability to huck his torso all over the front triangle. Better control sometimes means the rider’s shoulders and chest sit way forward over the bars rather than behind it. In other words, modern geo in the form of a Gen 3 Slackline takes the idiomatic “heavy feet, light hands”, messes it up, and adds a healthy dose of sideways movement for good measure. There are more progressive geometries out there (longer, slacker, lower BB) but for the terrain I ride the Slackline has just the right mix of playfulness, stability and capability. I guess I could fit a dropper post and gain some useable rearward space and the ability to lower my centre of gravity. But that would add complexity, weight and the hassle of doing squats for saddle management.

If you are looking to simplify your ride then a longer (but not too long) travel fork provides a good compromise when moving across from a full suspension rig to a hardtail. The forward body position allows the rider to more or less “ride the fork”. Fatter (but not too fat) tires also help.

It works. I really like it.