Suited and Booted

 

Perhaps I should be imagining lottery numbers and other things of significance…. How so, Michael. Well, I’d been contemplating bar tape replacement. I would be keeping Denise and Ursula’s silicones (for another time) but pension off the fixed gear winter/trainer’s ENVE Enve Handlebar Tape | cycling-not-racing.  

 

A week or so down the line, an editor sent me this Deda Loop and Josh from Saddleback this Wolf Tooth Supple Bar Tape (both the 5mm and 2.5mm versions). The former is a natural silicone, no adhesive backing needed and easily rewound, should you need to replace a cable, swap bars etc.   

 

Denise is sporting the 5mm version, which proved surprisingly straightforward to apply, allowing for the fact its 40mm wide and 5mm thick. Wolf Tooth recommends maintaining a consistent 2.5mm overlap for best overall effect. Oh, (and this goes for silicones per se) do not pull too taught while fitting, or run the risk of tearing, or unsightly tan line type fading. Uncut, and including plugs, it tips the scales at 187g.   

 

After some resistance and initial reluctance (I really like the Acros Silicone Wrap Handlebar Tape’s LONG-TERM TEST: ACROS SILICONE BAR WRAP | cycling-not-racing orange contrast- with both bikes, though Ursula in particular) at the close of a filthy, drivetrain chewing ride, coinciding with a deep, sudsy bucket clean, I switched the Acros for the 2.5mm Wolf Tooth, which was also lighter-107g uncut, including plugs, the Acros 163g.        

 

Josh also sent me this WTB Rocket, a cro-moly railed model 142mm wide and with medium density padding, comfort zone pressure relieving channel. Reminiscent of a Specialized saddle I had some years back, albeit a diet version.  

 

I’ve popped this on Ursula, switched the Ergon SR All Road Ergon SR All Road Men’s Saddle | cycling-not-racing to the fixed and left the Ergon Core Comp adorning Denise’s cradles.  75 mixed terrain miles in, I’ve slid it very slightly further back and found the padding and pressure relieving channel incredibly effective. I’ll plonk myself on it for another 500 or so miles before casting more concrete opinion.  Other unexpected revisions come in the guise  

 

 

of these 700x40 Continental Pure Contact which are reckoned to be highly dependable commuter rubber but at 587g apiece without the heft of some favourites. These have been slipped aboard Denise, given the clearances and to evaluate how well they’ll cope along the mucky lanes and battle-scarred tarmac.

80 miles down the lanes later, I’m warming to them. The compound seems very grippy, the water channeling grooves have been shifting water and slimy stuff surprisingly well and even at 65psi, they seem very compliant... The Continental Pure Contact are also reckoned capable of handling some light dirt and meet 8 on their scale for puncture prevention-I’ll be happy to test these characteristics and claims.  

 

That said; the Continental Contact PlusTESTED: CONTINENTAL CONTACT PLUS TYRES had similar characteristics and perform surprisingly well along unmade roads, too. However, at 978g apiece for the 35mm sections, they are considerably heavier than the Pure Contact and while I’ve appreciated the Contact Plus’s dependability, their heft is also quite palpable. 

 

Given the milder temperatures, I’d switched Ursula back to the Continental Cross Kings since the icy/snowy conditions went as quick as they arrived. I’ve gone back to a rack with the fixed gear winter/trainer.  

 

In this instance, the Topeak Uni Super Tourist 2.0, which is a smidge lighter (879g against 917g) on account of the traditional non-disc design and single tier pannier rail. It’s reckoned capable of 26kilo payloads, which should be enough for most people’s needs. I’ll not be going anywhere near that in the everyday sense, not least as I wouldn’t want to be hauling more than 5-10 kilos on the fixed.  

 

Rule of thumb, 15 kilos upwards and I’m reaching for the trailer. There’s a reason touring bikes have a wide spread of gears, erring on the lower side after all... However, I like the versatility and options that a decent rack affords, especially on a winter/trainer where temperatures can vary and you might want to remove, or add another layer, change of gloves, additional food/similar goodies on longer rides.  

 

There’s also the option of dropping by the supermarket and picking up some essentials. Elsewhere, I remain pleasantly surprised by the Lomo Bike Packing bag, which is not only very waterproof and surprisingly easy to port between bikes, but surprisingly stable-something I attribute in part to the internal stiffeners. It’s worth noting I’m still running the saddle rail frame, and I’ve not filled it to full, thirteen litre capacity yet Ending on a Grave note, here's my review of the WTB Nano SG2WTB Nano SG2 Gravel Tyre | cycling-not-racing

Stormy, Turbulent Times

 

I’m not just talking weather, or global politics (although it certainly applies). The icy weather proved a brief interlude, a five-minute wonder and we’ve returned to the warmer, wetter narrative that has been typical of UK winters the past fifteen years or so. Having set the scene, I received some interesting luggage from Oxford Products and Lomo. The former is a single, 20 litre design made from 500denier PVC, employs a roll top closure and welded seams.  

The latter is a 13litre bike packing model, twice the Topeak Back loader 6L’s size, promises not only excellent weatherproof carrying capacity but reduced sway, courtesy of reinforced panels and double straps. At £36.00, it’s markedly cheaper than the Topeak Back loader family. I’m keeping the Topeak homage saddle support in situ, if only to assess its taming credentials with bigger models.  

Shimano MW7 remain my defaults during this spell, thanks to their temperate weather cheating charms, not to mention the relatively stiff soles and Boa closures. Shimano MW7 (MW702) Gore Tex MTB Shoes | cycling-not-racing I was somewhat disappointed to find the Oxford Venture Windproof GiletOXFORD VENTURE WINDPROOF GILET | cycling-not-racing had become bin fodder, courtesy of a knackered zip and shagged pocket stitching (love this technical terms).  

I recall having a black version somewhere...Will have to dig it out... Meantime, I’ve resurrected a very cheerful Van Rysel High Viz Cycling Jacket- gilet by another name. Day glow yellow body, two rear and one breast pocket, reflective detailing, two-year warrantee and £24.99 are hard to beat.  Cycling’s clothing manufacturers seem to be experiencing something of a slump at present.  

I’m a huge fan of Endura, the Humvee shorts were a bombproof classic that I would argue have stood the test of time and managed to bridge the gap between messenger knickers and trail shorts. Great for touring and general riding where you might want to drop by someone’s for Sunday lunch etc. I’ve also some Xtract bib tights serving me very well, especially given the asking price (£54.99) and they’re made in Scotland, not the Far East.  

Lusso are another UK brand (Manchester based) I’ve had positive experiences with their summer weight jerseys and adventure bib shorts. These, in common with others, including Madison Roam Cargo Bib Shorts Madison Roam Men's Cargo Bib Shorts | cycling-not-racing feature pockets for longer rides and though different takes on the narrative, both are effective and practical.  

However, they’re summer designs, so I’ll be sticking with mid- winter bib tights, maybe ¾ lengths when temperatures climb slightly.  Winter, as any cyclist knows, can be similarly cruel to components- chomping through chains, cassettes- derailleurs and rings too, if you’re lazy, or haphazard. Cables can also fray and gunk up. I spotted Denise’s inner wire virtually disintegrating, so wasted no time in Tackling. However, what should’ve been a twenty-minute job took on a life of its own. I found a problem with the RL200 lever- the plastic cable entry had become misshapen, necessitating lever replacement. I found another what I believed to be like for like lever, fitted a fresh stainless inner wire and dialled in the front brake.  

However, stopping prowess was markedly superior...Closer inspection confirmed I’d picked up an RL520 by mistake. These are designed for V brake and cable- operated discs, not cantilevers. However, while powerful, it’s not throwing me over the bars, so stays for now. Mechanics is not a means to an end. Aside from bonding with my machines, it’s also a conduit for processing and working through other things. This can be personalised and localised to me, or more abstract/generic.    

There’s a lot to be said for winter specific bikes and simple ones at that. Fixed, or single speed cross bikes with mudguards are in some respects ideal-bigger clearances allow stouter tyres. Tyres are our first point of contact, so it pays not to skimp here. Cheap mudguards can also prove false economy, warping and failing at the least convenient moment, so worth spending a bit more.  

Of the traditional types, I’ve had positive experiences with Tortec and SKS SKS BLUEMELS SHINY MUDGUARDS | cycling, but not ususally racing If you’re looking at escaping asphalt, the Mud Hugger Gravel Hugger MUD HUGGER GRAVEL HUGGER MUDGURADS | cycling-not-racing   have impressed me with their solid build quality and levels of protection. Sure, the bike will get a liberal helping of gloopy spatter around the rear triangle but you, luggage and other kit remain broadly dry.   Gravel hybrid more your kind of hack? Take a look at Robert Adair’s Fuji  Enjoy a unique moment in every cup of L’OR coffee. On a strictly personal note, I would’ve applied some marine/high build primer to the bare frame ends/similar before but otherwise, like his resourceful, solid ressurection.