January 2011

This year's must-have accessory has got to be the home tool box. It doesn't have to be big or clever with more tools than you know what to do with; that's for tasks our workshop staff are trained in. I just need for my tool box to make life easier on a day-to-day basis.

I was in my garage the other day, digging through a smashed up plastic box to find a cable end, when I thought about all those times I've gone to a sportive, a race, or ride and wondered what I'd do if my chain broke or if I discovered that my cable has frayed to within a fraction of its life.

What better place to go than into the Condor workshop for a chat with head mechanic, Andrea, who pulled out his essentials for a home tool box.

With all that muck, grime and salt on the roads you need a mini cleaning and degreasing kit that will stave off the rust.

1. Degreaser - we like Muc-Off as it has unique formula containing no harmful acids, CFCs, or solvents, and is fully biodegradable.
2. Lube - keep rust away from the chain after a good clean.
3. Brushes - you can buy brush sets or accumulate them over time. Brush sets have hard nylon bristles for removing grime. Old toothbrushes are good for hard-to-reach places.
4. Spray lube - GT85 is a popular brand, though it is primarily a water dispersant. It also contains Teflon, and will leave a valuable protective coating. Get it into nooks and crannies. Ideal for a quick squirt if you get in from a ride and don't have time to clean the whole machine.

Worn chain? Need a new cassette? Need to replace the cables? These are the important tools you'll need. Go for good quality as they will do their tasks without a hitch.

1. Lock ring tool - for removing the cassette.
2. Cable ends and spare ferrules - grab a handful and stash them in those funny compartments you get on tool box lids.
3. Chain whip - holds the cassette still when undoing the lock ring.
4. Inner and outer brake and gear cable.
5. Chain tool - for breaking and re-joining your chain. We use a high quality tool from Park and, year after year, it's never let us down.
6. Cable cutters - in the workshop we cut a lot of cable and, again, Park is our preferred choice. Cold forged, heat treated steel for precision cutting - no messing!

Got home to discover you have a slow puncture? Need to take your pedals off, or make minor adjustments? These are the tools you need:

1. Spare inner tube.
2. 3-way allen key - home to the most used allen key sizes: 4mm, 5mm, 6mm.
3. Pedal spanner.
4. Zip ties - ever switched Garmin computer brackets and speed sensors? Zip ties can prevent some mechanical mishaps until you get your bike up to a full bicycle workshop.
5. Tyre levers - always good to have two sets; one for when you're on your bike and one for your tool box.
6. Electrical tape - a good way to keep worn bar tape on the bars, or protect your frame from rubbing cables.

You'll need a place to store your new found tools, bits and bobs. DIY shops have small budget-priced tool boxes, which will fit all of our suggested items. We were thinking something like this tool box from B&Q.

Brian Robinson, a British and European cycling legend, now in his eightieth year, was one of the first English speakers to try their luck at racing in continental Europe.

Robinson was the first to finish the Tour de France and the first to win a stage back in 1958. Brian also won the Dauphine-Libere in 1961.

Dear friend of Condor Cycles and top cycling writer, Graeme Fife, will also read extracts from his latest book about the cyclist, Brian Robinson: Pioneer.

As well as footage from from the 1953 Tour of Britain, previously unseen extracts from Ray Pascoe's movie will be shown, as will as archive film from Brian racing at a Herne Hill track meet.

The film screening afternoon will include:

Brian Robinson: A Gentleman Cyclist (Ray Pascoe, 2010, 40 minutes)
A Wheel in Britain: 1953 Tour of Britain (26 minutes)
Keep Going Lapebie! (Nicolas Philbert, 1988, 30 minutes)

For more information and to book tickets, visit the Riverside Studios website.

Sunday 30th January, 1.45pm
Riverside Studios
Crisp Road
Hammersmith
W6 9RL

Three fantastic charities - Norwood, the Cystic Fibrosis Trust and the Down's Syndrome Association have joined forces with Condor for another ride from London to Hove in the 2011 Capital to Coast Cycle Challenge for Charity on Sunday 10 July.
The scenic 60 mile charity ride has been heading to the coast for the past fifteen years, and Condor has been helping out and providing mechanical support.

Starting out from Esher College, the fully signposted and marshalled route proceeds through Boxhill, over Devil's Dyke, and down hill through to King's Lawn over-looking the sea. Along the way, free roadside refreshment stops will keep riders hydrated.

There is also a circular 60 mile route starting and finishing in Hove, and a shorter 30 mile jaunt from Handcross to the coast.

Registration fees for the 60 mile rides are £25 and for the 30 mile ride is £20 with a suggested minimum sponsorship to be raised for the partner charities of £200. Condor is offering a special competition prize to those riders who reach the minimum sponsorship target.

Stay tuned to our blog and the Capital to Coast website to find out what the prize is.
The ride provides coaches and lorries to transport riders and their bikes back to the start at Esher College, where ample parking is available too.

To register, simply visit the Captial to Coast 2011 sign up page.

You can read more about C2C on the event website.