Schools Of Thought: Crossroads & Sub Genres

 

 

After some deliberation and allowing my mind to run free, nostalgia catapulted me to Specialized Crossroads Armadillo. These were a little heavier than a pure bred, wire bead XC tyre of the time but were still relatively quick on tarmac, capable on the trail, unmade roads and highly puncture resistant. I don’t actually recall succumbing to a flat, which is impressive given I was tackling the capital’s litter strewn, pock marked streets and letting loose on the trails come the weekend.    

Still relevant for off road touring, gravel and similar duties. I hummed and erred about a pair but reasoned, I’d go this route at the rear and leave the Cross King up front, or possibly a 1.95 Schwalbe Land Cruiser with the K guard puncture protection.  

I was also conscious of the old mantra...Use what you've got, acquire what you need.  The Schwalbe Land Cruiser with K guard weren't quite as dependable when it comes to puncture resistance- I'd succumbed to a couple of flints during some very wet, mucky rides during the winter of 2022.  

 

However, the Land Cruiser would be leading up front, the Specialized behind. I'd traditionally been of the belief that rear punctures were more common due to the increased weight and ultimately, wear. A rationale I still subscribe to. Then of course, wet conditions provide much easier passage for sharps. However, there's a school of thought suggesting that sharps lie flat, get flicked upright by the front tyre and then cut through the rear casing as we ride over it.  

 

Factors such as tyre pressure and tube health obviously play their part but it's an interesting hypothesis and supports the argument for shodding the rear wheel with a more robust, puncture repelling tyre.  Some suggest there is a tangible performance benefit from running a slightly narrower tyre on the rear, on the grounds of improved rolling resistance, improved traction in wetter, muddier conditions.  

 

Ursula’s rear triangle will manage 2.3 without tickling the chainstays, but something slightly narrower improves clearance.   As the photo illustrates, the 1.9-inch Specialized offers oodles more. Back in the early 90s, 1.95 and 2.1 inches were pretty much standard, with 1.75 still doing the rounds.   

 

Then of course, these CST Patrol rolled into view...These feature a tread pattern they say is designed to cope with a broad range of conditions. This might lack the absolute precision of condition specific designs, but also covers most bases, especially in changeable weathers/terrain.  Raised central knobs are designed to reduce rolling resistance, while the aggressive shoulders are designed to bite into soft surfaces when cornering. Ours were the 26x2.25 folding dual compound, 60ti versions with EPS puncture protection.   

26-inch tyres aren't in short supply, but manufacturers are prioritising 27.5, 650b and 29 inches. While there were several reasons influencing Ursula's makeover and disc rear end, futureproofing and the option of switching to 650b, without too much hassle. I'm in no hurry to dive down this rabbit hole and the slightly larger size might influence trail (and therefore handling), but viable options are always nice. 

 

Hardly surprising, given the internet but there are several schools of thought when it comes to gravel bikes.  

 

Some folks argue that mid 90s cross country mountain bikes were essentially gravel bikes. I can certainly see their point and Specialized’s Rock Combo, though slightly earlier is arguably the nearest production comparator, although I lean closer to the ‘cross bike with bigger clearances church, having witnessed a renewed interest in cross twenty-five years ago. This in turn led a steady evolution of cross bikes with mudguard (fender) and rack eyelets, 2-3 bottle cage mounts and increasingly larger tyre clearances. Specialized’s Tri Cross from 2008 being a prime example of this first generation. Again, at the time some folks suggested these were little more than subtly tweaked touring lorries.      

 

Back to 2025, and on a rack related note, here's Steve’s review of the Brae Yonder Brae Cycling Yonder Pannier | cycling-not-racing . Several wet rides along mucky lanes, hedge cuttings and similar nasties hiding in the soft gloop as I sped through, the Pirelli Cinturato haven't missed a beat. Not surprising at this stage, but welcome, nonetheless.  

All Terrain

 

 

Tyres switched to trail specific, I’ve been getting some decent mileage on Ursula, exploring some fresh bridleways and unmade roads, far from the maddening crowd. A great opportunity to drop a few gears and assess the Lomo Zephyr Waterproof pannier’s mounting hardware...is it more, or less secure compared with Rixen Kaul Klick Fix along lumpy, bumpy sections...  

It’s a design seemingly identical to that employed by Brae. They seem very compatible with 10mm rack tubing, but I was interested to note they’ve been marginally more secure on the Topeak Uni Super Tourist DX Disc, compared with its standard sibling. Topeak Uni SuperTourist 2.0 NonDisc Rack | cycling-not-racing       

Lomo don’t cite a weight limit, but I’ve added this beefy Masterlock, bringing the present cargo to 5 kilos. Raising the saddle height by a few millimetres was another inspired move. The Peaty’s Link Lube All Weather continued to prove compatible with its Link Lube Dry stablemate, although it’s important to note I’d applied the All Weather once only trace amounts of Link Lube Dry clung to the links, rollers and cassette.  

Then of course, I found one of the KMC chain’s side plates beginning to splay, which was communicated via an intermittent clicking which initially suggested my right foot wasn’t fully engaged with the Shimano XT Shimano Deore XT PD-M8100 Pedals | cycling-not-racing cleat mechanism, thankfully, this struck at the close of, rather than mid-ride.  

I’m forming the conclusion that it's best to buy budget to mid-range chains pre-cut.  Again, an easy fix, pop the old link out and slip in another- a five-minute job, ten taking into account checking the other links for any potential damage, or obvious weakness.   

I’m still toying with purchasing a set of chain link pliers, which make cutting and joining chains that bit faster but only at the right price. Funnily enough, I’ve found the chain breaker on this Pedro's multi tool unusually accurate and ultimately pleasant to use.   

I decided to thoroughly degrease the drivetrain before applying some Motorex Chain Wax to the chain, since I fancied something lighter and cleaner. It's closer to a dry lube than a traditional wax but still requires several hours to cure-overnight is my default, though the visual clue is when it becomes a clear glaze.  

Temperatures were too low for the Blub Wax Lube Blub Wax Lube | cycling-not-racing  to cure effectively and as I’ve said before, it will require reapplication if the bike’s been resting up longer than 48 hours or so.  

My love for Shimano’s MW7Shimano MW7 (MW702) Gore Tex MTB Shoes | cycling-not-racing booties is well versed but generally drier conditions have seen me return to gravel shoes, specifically these Shimano RX6 Shimano SH RX600 Gravel Cycling Shoes | cycling-not-racing  . These have a similarly stiff sole, which is great for efficiency but without impairing walking, or running prowess.  Hedge clipping season signalled another flat-Ursula's rear Continental Cross King succumbing a mile or so from home.

That annoying, demoralising hiss and wet “futting” as I whizzed through the wet, muddied lane...No biggie- spare tube, check tyre casing, replace tube and reinflate. I always carry a pump of some kind but have been increasingly smitten with mini compressors. My favourite to date being this CycPlus AS2 Pro Max E. Pump CycPlus AS2 Pro Max E.Pump | cycling-not-racing which lives in Denise’s  luggage along with the Muc-Off Air Mach Carbon Pump Muc Off Airmach Carbon Pump | cycling-not-racing 

However, a decent hand pump is a lifeline, should the battery tank, or maybe you’ve had a couple of flats during a ride and before opportunity to recharge the mini compressor, or you’re out of CO2 cartridges. I’ve reached the conclusion that a frame fit model, such as this Topeak  Road Master Blaster Topeak Road Master Blaster Frame Pump | cycling-not-racing, or Zefal HPX (which is rumoured to be discontinued). Both will comfortably manage 100psi.  I’ve resurrected this Specialized Air Tool Switch, which at 25cm is compact enough to slip into a rack top bag, away from spatter and other destructive, wet gritty stuff.  

The Cross Kings do seem a little vulnerable to sharps, so I am contemplating a more resilient option at the rear- a look through my tyre stash will doubtless turn up something suitable-use what you got, after all. On the flip side, this new phase of hedge cutting provides ideal opportunity to evaluate the Pirelli Cinturato's puncture resistance...