Another week, another great
studio shoot with an experienced and extremely professional model. Thankfully, I am yet to work with someone,
who is anything other than consummately professional and conscientious.
Mind you, I scrutinise people’s
pre-shoot communication very carefully. I’ve graciously declined anyone, who
presents as unprofessional, or makes me feel uncomfortable. This goes for
studios and photographers too. I have a very open mind, when it comes to
projects but am very discerning, about those I put my name to.
Thursday’s studio was an old
converted mill, with large windows- copious amounts of natural light. Perfect,
given Karen is 6ft2 and I wanted a softer feel to our images.
Back in the saddle and the
wintry conditions are ideal testing ground, specifically
chain/lubes/protectants, lighting and of course, tyres.
The Soma Shikoro continue to
deliver leach-like contact, even across increasingly icy roads, although if
things turn harsher still, I am likely to switch exclusively to the Univega.
I’ve been toying with the idea
of switching back, from the fixed’s HT Leopard 878 https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/ht-leopard-878-clipless-pedals
to SPDs, if only so I can use my Lake
booties.
Some riders like overshoes and
there’s a lot to be said in their favour, particularly if you’re riding in race
slippers with acres of mesh ventilation. However, I find them a faff, whereas
winter booties are plug n’ play simple.
Exposed to a diet of
waterlogged, gritty lanes, the Smoove universal chain lube is proving
surprisingly resilient. Not on par with traditional wet formulas, such as Nasty
lube Siberian https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/nasty-lube-siberian-chain-lube
or Weldtite TF2 extreme wet https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/weldtite-tf2-extreme-wet-chain-lubr
. Nonetheless, even with the minimum 1hour curing period, the Smoove racked up
118 mixed terrain miles from a single application.
Putting this into context,
other emulsion types have managed 60-80 in similar conditions. That’s allowing
them a full 8 hours curing, at room temperature. Smoove doesn’t flake, at least
not in the same manner as more traditional emulsions/waxes. However, there are
traces of spent goo, around the rings and outer links.
Cleanliness and low friction
are their main draws for me. On the flip side, these lack the “jack of all
trades” versatility of more traditional formulas. Aside from some
ultra-sophisticated blends, wet lubes also serve as very effective grease
substitutes. Think fasteners, not bottom bracket shells, derailleur hangers and
other threaded sections.
Talking of which, leaving
bikes filthy tends to go against my little n’ often cleaning philosophy but
essential when evaluating the staying prowess of waxes and other protectant
formulas.
Despite being water-based, the
Crankalicious Enduro frame sealant is also doing an excellent job of preventing
more tenacious muck from adhering to my fixed gear winter/trainer’s tubes.
It’s a protectant product,
designed to provide a lasting, lacquer-like barrier. It differs from polymer
type waxes in that it won’t beautify glossy finishes, or mask minor swirls.
However, there are no solvents to break down, or otherwise impair these
products when the enduro is applied atop.
The sharp eyed among you will
have noted my working fixed has shed its dynamo lamp. Partly because another
publication sent me an 800lumen rechargeable unit to test but also because of a
sudden and inexplicable front light failure. I am hoping this is something
simple, such as wounded wiring, rather than the switch, or more complex problem.
Strange though...
With the exception of an old
halogen setup run on an old Gitane tandem 25 years back, my systems, hub or
tyre driven have never missed a beat. My working fixed serves year-round, hell
n’ high water, I never use anything more invasive than a jumbo car sponge and
bucket of warm, sudsy water to purge the grot, So I’d be very surprised if
anything has breached the seals/seeped inside. Watch this space….
