Frozen Frolics

Forecasters have been promising wild and wintry conditions here in the UK.  Gritters were certainly out in force. Add indecisive models to the mix and it’ll be no surprise that I’ve swung a leg over my Univega and busied myself with some intensive kit testing.

I should point out, most models I liaise with (such as Karen, photographed here) are consistent, reliable, professional and ultimately delightful. There are always exceptions, as per any trade/profession. I am very adept at reading people and anyone presenting “red flags” of any description, is swerved, like a pothole.

Dry/wax lubes might sound like an odd choice for chains and other moving parts and though not perfect, the Smoove Universal chain lube is certainly among the most stoical I’ve come across in grotty weather https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/smoove-universal-chain-lube . I’ve swapped over to the lighter weight TF2 Ultra dry chain wax https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/weldtite-tf2-ultra-dry-chain-wax to see how that copes with mid-winter. 

An intermittent phantom squeak, prompted some more stripping and component swapping. The phantom in this instance, turned out to be loose cranks. I stripped the 8mm bolts and re-lubed using Finish line wet. Decent quality wet lubes, also double as excellent grease substitutes, on threaded fasteners.

Chain-ring bolts received the same treatment, since I was there. Shimano A530 pedals were substituted, for these Ritchey lookalike XTC, which have proven tough n’ dependable. Being able to clip in and power away pretty much instantly is another definite draw, over the otherwise agreeable platform/SPD patterns.   

There are several things that take the struggle out of winter riding. First and foremost reliability. Being plagued by punctures miles from home on cold, dark, rainy nights isn’t my idea of fun. Let alone if I’m hauling a week’s worth of shopping back from the supermarket. 

I’ve a soft spot for Kenda’s relatively frisky, uni-directional small block 8. However, the lack of aramid/similar belting means it’s more susceptible to thorns, flints and similarly invasive sharps.

I was going to switch to the Schwalbe Marathon GT 365 https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/schwalbe-marathon-gt365-tyre  last puncture but held fire. (Vee Rubber are due to send us some interesting models for testing).

Chickens and roosting sprung to mind, while riding the crest of a slow-puncture wave. This struck along a deserted lane, exactly fourteen days and almost to the hour, hence.  

No rain but a very strong, blustery crosswind, depleting my reserves and bringing the temperature closer to -2. Another shrewd move during the colder months/early Spring-packing additional layers, in case the mercury should slide, or delays/detours present. 

Ten minutes and some cursing later, tube swapped, wheel reinstated with 50psi and we were homeward bound. Three miles or so later, I was flagged down by a long wheelbase Mercedes Sprinter van…

Transpired the driver, a young Polish man was lost on his multi-drop round. Having experienced the misery of multi-drop myself, I took pity on him but didn’t recognise the address on his job sheet. The irony was, he seemed colder than me! No such thing as the wrong weather, just inappropriate kit... 

Elsewhere, John Moss wants his Sinner Mango’s body refinished in a retro-reflective signal yellow. Wet spray 2pac is the obvious choice, given its carbon fibre.

However, preparation is the tricky part. I reached out to Carbon Bike repair in Leatherhead https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/a-visit-to-carbon-fibre-bike-repair  and another in the midlands, to see if they’d help. John’s after a retro-reflective effect, the sort used on vehicle licence plates. Signal yellow with a sparkle lacquer top coat is our starting point, prior to professional guidance.

Talking more generally about these things, while the body provides fantastic protection from the elements per se, akin to glass fibre cars, the occupant can get a full “cauldron” experience i.e. freezing cold in winter, roasting hot in spring/summer. Going off tangent, I’ve long had a yearning for a Lomax; the 2CV based kit car/trike. Incredibly simple, robust and inexpensive to run/maintain. However, sporting glass fibre bodies, air conditioning would be a must.