The Handlebar Club Forum

Esteemed comrades. I am a keen cyclist (7,000 miles last year) particularly when there is tea and cake on offer mid-ride. However, I am wondering how my new 'bar will cope once the cycling year gets into full swing. I especially need to have this problem solved before I ride L'Eroica, an Italian ride on vintage bikes which positively cries out for majestic facial hair.

What is a chap to do, glue the beast down with as much wax as it can bear or opt for the soggy walrus look and try not to chew the ends when going up hill? Is there such a thing as a rain and sweat resistant wax? Should I develop a cycling snood? Does malt loaf stain?

All advice gratefully recieved.

Chuffy

I think the question of what style, what wax is always very tricky. It depends on so many things to do with hair type and growth etc it is probably best to do some trial and error to find what suits you best. I do a lot of sport and also work fairly vigorously (when forced into it!). I find that Brothers Love and Bounder generally do the job, but Mr Natty gave me some of his wax the other day and I am keen to try that as being stiffer it may hold better.

I know there is also a triathlete in US who is sponsored (or at least used to be) by Firehouse Moustache Wax. He was happy it would hold through all 3 sports, but I would imagine he needed to reapply after the swim, but purely my guess.

The ride in classic costume sounds great and if I had the time I would love to give it a go. I know that there is a guy in Leicester who is in the club and has done some cycling in classic regalia.

In short, I don't find my tache is too bothered by being outdoor or active as long as use my normal wax and don't fiddle too much. If I do it generally dies quite quickly no matter what I have put on, but I have to be honest, wearing a hammock on your head whilst cycling just sounds plain dangerous!

I hope you get it sorted and please let me know what you come up with.

Thanks for the reply, most kind.

I've always thought that someone, somewhere (is there anyone here from The Chap?) should run a Victorian Gentleman's Triathlon, with proper bathing machines, stripy full length costumes, penny farthings for the ride and a promenade to replace the run. Transition would, of course, include touching up one's moustache.

I'm currently using FOAD wax but Mr Amazon has very kindly arranged to send me some beeswax, so I'll be having a bash at making my own in varying degrees of strength. I suspect that longer rides may require a wax with the grip of an Eastern German lady shot-putter.

The Chap do run an annual Chap Olympiad but it's not exactly "sport as we know it, Jim." see the reports on the main Club Web site (search box at foot of front page).
David

Most waxes should hold up well exposed to sweat and water, but greater heat may cause splitting and loss of shape. Pomades that include water as an ingredient will not hold up well exposed to moisture, generally. Using too much wax will just give you a greasy looking lip leech. Experiment for yourself. Enjoy the ride.

I'm a keen cyclist (used to ride to work everday until I got hospitalised when hit by a bus)and do experience moisture related droop when riding in the cold. The wacky tacky seems to be the best at combating this. As I've only been sporting my hirsute appendage for a relatively short period of time, I'm not sure if this will be the case in summer but would think this wouldn't be a problem.
Am currently restoring/customising an old Pashley Mail/Butchers/Trade bike(in other words not really sure which one it is!)for the wife. After i've finished this one, i'm going to build myself a 'tweed run' special to take part in this years event.
The bike will be going into the powdercoaters this week for a lick 'o' paint.
I'd be interested in seeing what everyone else rides.
Regards
7VEN

Very nice 7VEN! I'm well into my bikes, especially custom bikes!
I ride a custom lowrider that took me about a year to do. Parts are pretty expensive for my bike and I would buy a different part every month or save up to buy a more expensive part.
Anyway here she is


I still want to do a few things to her yet, but are more minor bits.
I would like to get custom mud guards but they are very expensive and shipping from the States is a lot!

That's an awesome looking steed there Johnny.
Love the springer front end. I take it you're using a coaster brake? I'm using a Sturmey Archer S2C duomatic hub with a coaster brake for the Pashley Build. A sweet piece of kit.

I know what you mean about importing stuff. I recently ordered some parts from Norway (quite forgetting that they're outside of the EU) and got stung with a massive customs fee not to mention the stupidly high amount of postage....
I've recently invested in some decent tools and am doing all of the work myself - a headset cup press being my latest indulgence. No more trips to the bikeshop for me. Can't wait for the weather to warm up a bit then I'll be out every weekend. One benefit of the Pashley is that the front carrier means vast amounts of tasty beverages can be carried.

Yes it's a coaster brake, took a little while to get used to! But once you are, then it's amazing! Haha gives the bike a clean look by not having all the cables and levers.

I would say they are not as a sharp stop like a lot of modern disc or V brakes but I'm not going fast enough to need to stop that quick. I have done a few little skids (lol) so I can stop quick if really needed. I don't have a front brake, just rear coaster.

I plan to build another lowrider this year, but with an old 80's BMX frame and mag wheels.
It will be of a minimal style, all stripped down, so no wheel arches etc.

7VEN, your bike looks amazing and I would love to have a beach cruiser style bike! Was thinking of selling mine to get one, but I just can't bring myself to part with her!

So far, so good on the mo' front. I'm a little concerned that harder rides in hot conditions will be difficult, on account of the airflow over the upper lip being slowed and hence warmed to uncomfortable levels but we'll see...

Mr 7ven - I'm enjoying your post bike project and suffering from severe Pashley envy. I used to be a postie (9 years behind the mail bag, through rain and shine) and rode Pashley bikes for most of it. When I left I *ahem* 'rescued' one that was due to be scrapped. Sadly it was stolen some years ago. Pity, because it was the very best pub/shopping bike imaginable.

Mr Mrdjthc - Your bike is very shiny. Yes. Very shiny indeed.

I can't claim anything quite as splendid as a restored Pashley or a pimped out gin-palace but my 1974 Carlton Corsa is almost as old as me.

Off to search e-bay for old post bikes now...

Chuffy,
I think this would have you feeling like you were doing the rounds again and could carry copious ammounts of beer for summer rides.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Retro-Vintage ... 2ebbd74542

Although I'd imagine it would probably skyrocket in terms of price between now and the end of the auction.
For some reason, the ladies ones seem to go much cheaper.
I just picked up another ladies Pashley post bike frame and forks for £16.00. I think I harbour a secret desire to become a postman/postperson.......
They are a bastard to find parts for as Pashley made all of the fittings unusual sizes to stop people nicking them.

Regards

7VEN

Bless my whiskers! So very, very tempted..... That said, it's one of the single speed bikes that got phased out in the mid-late 90s. The rod brakes were utterly terrifying, they used to put the fear in me, especially in the wet.

DO IT....... you know you shouldn't but it just feels right....

Gotta love peer pressure!

Still two days to go and only £84...if it stays under £100 I might be tempted, but I don't have spare cash, or space or the inclination to take on a project.

...apart from that, I WANTS IT MY PRECIOUS!!!