Ice Bike 2018 & Other Developments

Took a midweek meander to Milton Keynes and the 12^th Ice Bike (trade) show. All told, worth the 200 mile round trip. Gravel is a very big deal and, justly so in my opinion. Uber wide tyres, cassettes 1x11 transmissions…

I was particularly taken with Ridgeback’s Ramble and M part bike packing luggage. Had a nice chat with Ridgeback’s brand manager, so hoping to swing a leg over a medium ramble, very soon… 

Shimano’s mixed terrain shoes look another tasty treat and I’ve also been impressed with Madison’s in house clothing range. Working bikes are another “fetish” of mine. I’m talking 4130 framesets for a solid, yet engaging ride and fully dressed for the foulest weather. Cyclo cross, or mountain biking aside, rider and machines plastered in wet, gritty, corrosive slime isn’t desirable.

Full length guards (fenders) four point rack, hub dynamo, cable operated disc brakes...

Though fixed/single speeds are close to my heart, I’m fond of modern hub gearing too. Little surprise that I was equally taken with the Genesis day one series. 

Superficially, I’m not sold on the CST tyres and some folks won’t warm to the old school, square taper cranks. At 70 kilos, I’m unlikely to find flex an issue. Decent, fit n’ forget cartridge bottom brackets such as the UN53 are still plentiful and easily upgraded, as and when the OEM unit gets the grumbles.  

Remaining the rightful owner, of any bicycle, is a blend of savvy, luck and solid locks. Thankfully, Kryptonite and Finish line were similarly receptive to Seven day Cyclist’s testing MO.  

Back with the fleet, I’d just run a certain wax lube bare in 100 miles, which was longer than I’d expect from a dry waxy type through February. It’s worth noting these tend to last longer on a derailleur geared transmission.

Something I’ve attributed to residual wax being deposited across the cassette and subsequently reclaimed by the chain. Contrast that with a more moderate 76 miles with fixed and single-speed builds.

That’s a standard helping, left curing overnight.  Waxy stuff more or less dismissed, this was an optimal time to wash the tubby tourer of a week or so’s accumulated grot. I’d treated it to Crankalicious enduro frame sealant, which acts as protective barrier.

The Univega’s frameset, unlike the others, doesn’t have a clear acrylic top-coat, for reasons explained, here https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/after-the-gritters-went-home . While the chainstays and forks were sporting a thin, watery layer of grime, mud and similarly substantial organic stuff failed to stick. A quick, cool water rinse, everything slithered away. Stroking the tubes, plenty of enduro remained, so no need to replenish.

Some SKS lube your chain, arrived. It’s a waxy looking PTFE infused blend, which is reckoned good for up to 75 applications. The bottle incorporates an integral dropper head. Pressed against the chain rollers, the orange dropper releases lubricant, supposedly optimising delivery and eliminating waste.

Keep applying for fifteen revolutions of the cranks. No wastage, no hanging around waiting for it to cure either, which is another definite draw. Just a matter of seeing how durable it is, especially since the UK is “bracing itself” for another weather front in the coming days.  

Finish line no drip chain luber kit works to the same principle.

Finish line’s employs a gauze type filter and claims you’ll recoup time and 50% less product per application. Not the most exotic of test goodies perhaps but anything that saves time and waste has to be a winner.

Pour 60ml of your chosen tipple (roughly half a typical bottle) into the reservoir. Press against the chains rollers, while turning the cranks-voila!  

Speaking of winners, Seven day Cyclist has joined forces with the caravan club. We’re offering two-free entries to Cycle fest 2018 https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/win-sportive-tickets-with-cyclefest  

Reverting to those Ritchey pattern SPDs, so I could ride the fixed in my Lake booties is paying off. Warm, dry feet. Well, save for the neoprene cuffs but at least these remain warm, even when saturated. Personally, rinsing and treating the uppers, with a decent quality leather food beats overshoes, hands down.