Knowing The Drill

 After the frenzied pre-Christmas preparations, the corridor linking Christmas and New Year can be perfect for catching up with friends and small jobs. Aside from ignition tumbler woes striking my KA, my fixed gear winter/trainer's seat post binder bolt needed replacing. 

Since it was secure and I didn't need to adjust the post height, I left it a couple of months. All the same, I wanted to avoid the expensive, titanium post/Cro-moly frame galvanic union.  One last try, with Torx bits confirmed drilling-out was the only option. 

Cordless drill charged, and bits found... 

I also harvested a compatible replacement bolt and collar, in case the 14 year old On-One also decided to give up the ghost. Knew they'd come in handy... Bike in the workstand, It took a few minutes cautious drilling before the once 5mm Allen head disintegrated. Thankfully the threaded section also required little coaxing. 

Much as I suspected, the On-One collar had succumbed to fatigue, so that was substituted for an Atomic22. Though not unexpected, it was still a relief to discover the post was also very mobile. I eased that free, removed the remaining greasy film and introduced a liberal helping of ceramic prep. 

While harvesting bolts, I also discovered two packet fresh 26x1.75 inner tubes. Timely, since my Univega's supplies were dwindling and I'd patched a few to their limit recently. I took this opportunity to carve another section from a dead 26x2.0 and make a seat collar boot for my fixed. 

Post reinstated, fasteners greased and snugged tight, I slid the boot so it obscured the frame's collar slot. 

In some respects I could've cut it longer, overlapping the post for optimal protection. 

However, this would've been as pain, should I need to re-tighten the collar bolt mid-ride. I also replaced the VDO computer head unit's battery.Mercifully, it has a memory function, which saves time and minor hassle. 

Those Raw flaps have made a huge difference to the amount of spray thrown over the bike, shoes and other riders. I've swapped the Topeak Shuttle for the Zefal Pulse Z2 to see how it performs on a small, compact geometry frameset. Oh, another opportunity to re-grease some small, easily overlooked fasteners too. 

Little jobs off the list, I've dedicated time to reflection, testing, day riding and a few projects I want finished, before 2020.  The holidays should always involve doing something different. Otherwise, life can feel like the stripped thread. Turning monotonously, without achievement. 

Gave myself a New Year deadline, for finishing a short story (at least in draft form) and have some other irons in the fire. Sleep-walking into a new year (let alone decade) invariably leads to disappointment, and is likely to accentuate any hint of the mid-winter blues.

Dark Days &Filthy Lanes

I've managed to evade anything resembling a seasonal Lurgi, despite several doing the rounds. Part of this is down to the old adage that there is no such thing as the wrong weather, only the wrong kit for those conditions. 

Full length mudguards make a considerable difference, in terms of comfort and cleanliness. Rains have shown little sign of easing, so roads and lanes resemble muddy streams and surprise, surprise, I've favoured waterproof/repellent outer layers. 

Temperatures have held at around 6/7 degrees, so jackets with a breath ability rating of 10,000 are fine, atop a winter weight base and mid-layer. I generally prefer those with a rating of 15,000, which are that bit more temperate for faster-paced general riding. 

The Funkier Aqua water repellent tights and Prendas Ciclismo Lisboa Waterproof Cap https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/prendas-ciclismo-lisboa-waterproof- have also come in to their own, in these contexts. I prefer water-repellent to completely impervious fabrics, when it comes to socks and gloves. 

Those with a TPU lining may be waterproof in the submersible sense. However, they tend to become very hot, and turn uncomfortably clammy.  I've been cruising along quite happily with these Altura Night Vision, which are waterproof, in the submersible sense. 

They are also a three-layer design. however, this consists of a polyester laminate, a windproof, breathable membrane and a thermal liner. Little surprise then that my hands have remained temperate and completely dry in these very soggy scenarios. 

Day glow yellow doesn't appeal to everyone but its useful in dull, murky conditions and the retro-reflective detailing helps keep signals acutely visible.  No danger of falling off the radar with the See Sense Icon 2, thanks in part to the clever diode pattern and poly carbonate lens. The idea is that these spread an arc and tempo of lighting that humans find difficult to tune out from. 

I am also guessing there's an element of future-proofing at hand i.e. It may also be a tempo that autonomous vehicles may register and process.  I've also found time to fit their little bar bag. 

Designed for those essentials you need ready access to, I've decided its the ideal parking spot for the K-lite twin port USB charger and whatever I fancy refuelling, during the day, when I can opt for a blinky in day-flash and the dynamo, off. 

Talking of which, I am often asked why I could possibly want to carry a compact light, with a 1300lumen headlamp. A valid point, at face value. However, even the most reliable system can develop a fault. 

Even with the K Lite Bikepacker Ultra's prodigious standlight https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/k-lite-bikepacker-ultra-dynamo-ligh, a portable (ideally helmet mounted) light comes in really handy. Something I was reminded of, last Tuesday night. 

This ETC Sirrah came to my rescue when I felt the familiar, mood torpedoing  "bob" of a rear flat, several miles from home. I was also stunned to find a large Audi slowing to a halt, the driver genuinely concerned for my welfare. 

I  confirmed all was basically OK and thanked him for stopping. Mind you, I'm a very independent (some would say proud/stubborn) soul. Someone who asks for help, only as a last resort. That goes for life generally. Arrogant? No I just feel I should be able to manage. 

Being helmet mounted meant both hands were free to whip out the rear wheel, remove the tube and check the Schwalbe Marathon Mondial's casing for sharps. I initially replaced it with a bog standard multi-buy butyl. 

Wanting to minimise the likelihood of this happening again, I subsequently exchanged that for a Kenda Thorn Resistant tube. I'd also introduced some latex sealant, so the dreaded hiss should be a moot point. 

Now, the Marathon Mondial https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/schwalbe-marathon-mondial-tyres are a very hardy tyre, which employ an equally robust puncture repelling system. Something embedded in the mud clearly worked its way into the casing, and grazed the thin butyl tube. 

The Sirrah full 500 made said roadside repair that bit easier but it would seem my Lezyne pump's valve plug has been claimed by the verge monster. Even if you default to the CO2 inflator, a decent pump should always be carried in reserve. Steve's been quite taken with this Zefal https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/zefal-air-profil-micro-pump . At the other extreme, and for home/workshop use, there's the Fumpa Pump https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/fumpa-pump

I've since patched the wounded butyl and returned it, along with a sibling to my Univega's Carradice Carradry https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/carradice-carradry. Another godsend, keeping everything dry and secure.  

Conditions like these are perfect for testing lubes, cleaners and similar potions. I'm, pleased to report the Juice Lubes Viking Juice is still holding out, 130 waterlogged miles in. 

No less than I'd expect. Weldtite TF2 All Weather Lubricant https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/weldtite-tf2-performance-all-weathe has returned 400 from a single helping in comparable circumstances, after all.  the SKS Bluemells mudguards have also been proving their worth. 

However, my DIY "Bodge Flap" was another casualty of the verge. Something I attribute to the chosen adhesive. I've found Gorilla glue very useful for a wealth of things. However, it cures to a relatively inflexible state, thus doesn't handle pulling/twisting forces so well. Thankfully, Richard at RAW has sent me these to test https://rawmudflap.uk/about-mudflaps/

  

Happy Christmas!

New Guards & Big Flaps

Ended up stripping the Univega of the mighty Tortec chrome plastics, while I waited for these superbly solid SKS BLUEMELS SHINY 26″ 60 BLACK SET to arrive. Good thing I did too, since the front was one rattle away from falling atop the tyre, and launching me over the bars.

Sans guards it has a very rugged, raw simplicity. Arguably closest to the original 80's concept that fired my teenage imagination, its trail potential was fully realised, along with some seriously big grins for a few evenings. 

The first was quite cold, frosty, although rains returned the following two nights. Thankfully I've been testing these Funkier Aqua Water Repellent Tights. Very welcome (Competent too, especially considering the asking price (£74). 

Talking of the 80's, though frame fit pumps have largely disappeared (thanks in no small part to compact geometry framesets, and mountain biking's other influences) Zefal HPX High Pressure Frame Pump remains quite relevant. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/zefal-hpx-frame-pump 

I returned from Tuesday night's mud spattered meander to find the SKS guards waiting. 

Not the sort of job I wanted to embark on, then. Wednesday morning came and I wasted no time in un-boxing and weighing the guards, which are 50g lighter than the Tortec. 

Next my beloved tubby tourer was popped in the workstand, stripped of wheels and given a rich, sudsy bucket wash. 

Rinsed and dried, I turned my attentions to the front guard. Fitting mudguards can prove fiddly, rather than difficult. In this instance, it's complicated by my preference- a Gusset Uni Head system, rather than the Star Frangled Nut (SFN). 

Now, these might carry a weight penalty over the humble SFN, or expandable wedge type systems. However, they offer improved security. I've never had one work loose and they're also reckoned to keep things together, in the event of a steerer crisis. One of many experiences I would like to keep academic. 

However, it does preclude attaching mudguards via the fork drilling. I judiciously cut out the riveted stainless steel mount, using a hot blade. Given the quality of chrome plastics, and valuing my own digits, this had to be done in three stages. 

Having established the uni-head's bottom nut would slide snugly through the hole, I began bolting the guards in situ. Measure twice cut once when tackling the stays but otherwise everything bolted together smoothly, sans faff.

Achieving graceful, flowing lines is very simple with this calibre of mudguard too. 90, rattle free miles in, and despite the absence of mudflaps coverage is surprisingly good. Nonetheless, presented with a scrap Panaracer tyre, I decided to cut and fashion a set. 

Arguably pop-riveting would've been the neatest method but I settled on a high-strength glue, left clamped and curing for 24 hours. Though not a precision cut, they're neat enough and I've been refining things, gently sanding excess glue-at least where it can be seen. Besides, blasted with dodgy looking water, diarrhoea like mud and other greasy midwinter muck, they'll blend in nicely!  

Talking of which, the Weldtite TF2 Performance all weather lubricant https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/weldtite-tf2-performance-all-weather has fared much better than the Juice Lube Ceramic Juice Chain Lube in comparable conditions. 

The Ceramic Juice hit 185 before the dreaded squeak struck but I should point out, its actually blended for dry to moist, rather than wet weather. 

Therefore, I will reserve judgement and resume testing once (some might say, if) we get a decent dry spell. Meantime, I've switched to their Viking Juice, which they say, is the most durable of their range. 

Application is reminiscent of early ceramic blends in the sense its applied in stages. Whereas some required you to ride around, before adding a final layer, Viking Juice takes but a few minutes. 

Between 2 and 4 coats are recommended, so having established we're in the depths of winter, I've gone the whole hog. 

Its a really runny formula too, designed to seep deep within the chain, so keep some clean rag handy and resist any urges to apply indoors. My Univega's drive train feels suitably frisky but staying prowess is another thing entirely. 

Been rather impressed by their JL69 Bike Maintenance Spray, which seems versatile, durable and very competitively priced. Cleat/mechanisms, locks, cables and jockey wheels have all cheered up with a squirt. Electroplated Allen bolts and similar fasteners have also remained taint free.  

Been rather impressed by this Naked Bikes Pro Wax Special Edition, too. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/naked-bikes-pro-wax-special-edition  . Though hardly cheap, the quality and durability of finish is very impressive. A Christmas gift idea, for the rider who is tricky to buy for.

Mudguard The Mighty

Having repacked my fixed gear winter trainer’s headset with fresh Park PPL-1 Grease, then adding a DIY boot to protect it from winter’s worst, I turned to my Univega’s Stronglight unit. Full length mudguards (fenders) extend service intervals but I’d recommend stripping, inspecting and re-greasing headsets annually. Especially on working bikes.

I’d re-greased the Univega’s bottom race, using Muc-Off Bio Grease https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/muc-off-bio-grease-long-term-test  when I’d switched to the bike’s freshly refinished, original forks. However, I hadn’t inspected the top race in a good while. Since it’s cream makeover, in fact. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/after-the-gritters-went-home .

I wasn’t surprised to find everything came apart effortlessly. However, the top race’s grease was fast reduced to a filmy gunk. Dismissed with a rag dipped in solvent, I replaced it with the Park PPL-1 and was reassembling everything, when realisation dawned- I’d forgotten the butyl boot! Big MTB sections (26x1.95 or wider) make ideal candidates.   

Fork out, another section of scrap Schwalbe was peeled into place, aided by some greasy overspill. Theoretically PPL-1 is safe on rubberised components, so shouldn’t eat it. 

Fasteners reinstated, fresh front brake cable nipped tight…I swung the Soma Condor bars back and forth, rejoicing in the steering’s buttery smoothness.

Then I noticed the mighty Tortec Reflector mudguard had succumbed to a fatal fracture. 

Thankfully this didn’t strike when I was riding along. Seriously solid chrome plastics. Ones that have survived ten years’ four seasons, hell n’ high water riding. Not a hint of tarnish on the stainless stays, and other hardware, for that matter.

Still, this provided an ideal opportunity to research my Univega’s pedigree a little further. Having found the frame number (and wished I’d noted it down properly, while the frame was at the blast stage of refinishing, back in 2017 https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/after-the-gritters-went-home  I discovered it was built in 1997, not 1996-as long believed.  

My Univega is a joy to ride and has evolved into a (relatively) lightweight go anywhere machine. One that responds and handles in excellent proportion, on and off road. laden and otherwise. I’m also drawn to the slightly unusual/esoteric. I always liked Axiom stuff and Axiom Road Runner A2 MTB 26 seem a very good fit.

While I research and acquire a replacement set of guards, I’ve switched over to my fixed gear winter/trainer. An ideal opportunity to see how the Juice Lubes Ceramic Chain Juice performs on a fixed transmission, and in slightly drier, colder contexts.  

So far, it’s holding out rather well, with a nice blend of lubrication and staying prowess. 100 miles in, and I’m really warming to the 32mm Schwalbe Road Cruiser, which are providing a surprisingly swift, yet compliant and grippy ride. Not bad for £19.99  

Long, dark nights bring about a very different focus and helps me reflect. Not just on products being tested but other projects and ventures. There are some things, some experiences that I have found very difficult to process. Not the sort understood by the civilian world.

Those revelling in melodrama would refer to them as demons but I wouldn’t give them that sort of credence, that power. Exploration through fiction and third-party characterisation is the most constructive outlet. 

Not that it’s a philosophy I subscribe to, but observation suggests people are disinterested in the struggles of others. Unless of course, they follow a “rags to riches” narrative. Those looking for a good midwinter read for themselves, or a cycling friend might be interested in Emily Chappell’s book “Where There’s A Will”.. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/where-there-s-a-will

Waiting for The Sun

December is dawning and daylight (not to mention dry weather) is at a premium. Perfect conditions for the indoor trainer then. In some senses, yes. However, these contexts are ideal for evaluating product performance. Lights, lubes and waterproof fabrics being the most obvious. A good measure of waxes/polishes, too. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/naked-bikes-bike-bling

The Pro Viz Men’s Reflect 360+ Cycling Jacket has certainly cut it in the visible and waterproof respects. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/proviz-mens-reflect-360-jacket

Save for the odd cold night, no sign of the “big freeze” prophesised by the digital tabloid press, so tyre choice remains unchanged.

Having consumed my stash of patches last time round, I wasted no time in putting fingers to keyboard and ordering some more Rema tip top patches. There are cheaper, and I’ve found some store brands refreshingly reliable.

However, I find the Rema that notch higher. Since the Kenda thorn resistant tube was a Schrader valve, I seized the moment, removed the valve core and pumped a liberal helping of latex sealant inside.

Three serviceable spares apiece for my fixed gear winter/trainer and Univega now. Two patches are my cut off point before I consign them to the bin; or repurpose (Protective “boots” for headsets and seat posts, or top tubes being three obvious, bike-specific uses). I have striped and re-greased my fixed gear winter trainer’s headset and added a butyl bottom race boot, for additional protection. Replaced the front brake cable, while I was there.

However, I will often carry one tube with more patches, for dire emergencies, or passing to a stricken rider.

Yes, we should regularly give machines and spares stash a once over. Yes, we should be independent. However, things happen, to the best prepared machines and riders. I have been stuck by the roadside, miles from home. There’s nothing warmer than a helping hand.

Roadcraft seems increasingly patchy and intolerance at an all-time high. Discretion is often the better part of valour. One driver, refusing to recognise my right of way, pulled by and announced, “Roads are for cars bruv!”

Tempting though it was to point out, that roads are for everyone- cars, motorcycles, bicycles, horses, HGV etc…No sense arguing with an ignorant hot head, encased in two ton of steel. Better to ride on, rather than let rip and be rendered paraplegic.

I spent three years battling a Portuguese haulier. One of their drivers crossed into my lane, along the M25 motorway, sweeping my KA onto the front of his 30ton Mercedes. Thankfully I was able to walk away. Death is an inevitability; the phrase “life changing injuries” turns my blood cold. His insurers finally admitted liability, when court papers were served.

I’ve defaulted to the Univega these past few weeks. Primarily, since its dressed for the deluge, not to mention, an increasingly battle-scarred infrastructure. 

Having crossed the 400mile mark with the Weldtite TF2 All Weather Lube, the Univega’s chain was on the cusp of thirsty. I saw this as the first opportunity to evaluate the Juice Lubes Chain Cleaner’s prowess, pitted against a middleweight petrochemical lube, and its modest accumulated contaminant.

Lubes-wise, I’ve switched to the Juice Lubes Ceramic Juice and will see how many miles I can amass, from a single application. It comprises of “blended base oils” and hexagonal boron-nitride.

Lubricant qualities supposedly comparable with graphite. Thus far, it seems slick, refined and tenacious. Its apparently thicker than previous incarnations and feels so. Still light enough for cables and cleat mechanisms.

Talking of which, I’m increasingly endeared to the quirky Look Geo Trekking pedals. These are the baseline models, yet the composites offer excellent support and don’t feel whippy under-load. I’ve also been pleasantly surprised by the ease of intentional release, even using VP and similar pattern cleats.

Critics will suggest there are a wealth of dual sided designs commanding £20 odd, which will do commuting and similar duties perfectly well. In some respects, I’d have to agree. Thinking out loud, I still love Time’s All Road Gripper Pedals. I still have mine and liked the concept. However, their short production run suggests they weren’t overly popular.

North of November

November is literally vanishing before they eyes. Darker, wetter days have been the norm. Trees have shed their leaves almost unnoticed, and these have interwoven with dung, coating rural roads in interesting, impacted mulch. One that harbours hedge clippings, flints and other sharps, that infiltrate tyre casings as we ride.

Even the Univega's front Schwalbe Marathon Mondial Double Defence tyre     had succumbed.  https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/schwalbe-marathon-mondial-tyres

Another spare tube retrieved and the injured party ear-marked for patching, this presented an ideal opportunity to give the bike, a good wash. 

Juice Lubes Dirt Juice Bike Cleaner, complete with a new, foaming trigger spray was an obvious candidate. Now, there's an argument that says foaming solutions give a very visual impression of dissolving gunk and grime. Whereas, less visually active solutions are more effective, since they sit on the hosts, breaking it down on a molecular level.  Juice Lubes advise the dirt juice is designed to foam up, though cling to the hosts.

Credit where due, left for the full two minutes, the dirt juice did a decent job of dismissing some ingrained organic and petrochemical grot. Nocturnal temperatures have been tumbling close to freezing, which in turn has coaxed the gritting lorries out. 

I may switch to the Schwalbe Marathon Winter, should slippery roads become a prevailing feature. Lanes carpeted in iced bovine dung and compacted leaves, can induce the wrong sort of excitement.

Next, I dialled in the Univega's front brake. Not that the Genetic Cantilevers were anything but crisp. I just wanted fractionally more bite. This also presented opportunity to use the Juice Lubes JL69 maintenance spray to work. Most maintenance sprays promise to be all things, to all folks. 

Perfect for post wash lubing of cables, pivot points, displacing water, while leaving a protective slippery barrier behind. Many claim to loosen rusted parts. Some are better than others. 

Royally stuck stems, seat posts and bottom brackets, call for oceans of Plus Gas/similar high strength freeing oil. Often some liberal deployment of judicious force, too. 

Maintenance sprays tend to fall into two basic camps. Insipid brews, which are fine for post wash duties, or super stocky stuff with lashings of PTFE. The latter tend to be quite effective, in terms of protection and reducing friction. They're also relatively cheap. However, they're not particularly kind to seals and other rubberised components.   

Juice tell me the JL69  contains no PTFE, so nicer all round.  Constant use and exposure to warm sudsy bucket loads tends to strip lubricant from my long serving work stand, making erection and collapse feel slightly arthritic. 

A localised squirt has freed things nicely. I'd be inclined to strip and re grease a binding rear brake, regardless of genre, but a quick shot on the inner wires and pivot points also seems to keep things slick and glitch free. Talking of glitches, logistics firms are recruiting their seasonal army of couriers, primed for Black Friday and pre Christmas blow-outs. 

I've worn that particular hat. 

Bustling back and forth with a Mercedes Sprinter laden to its limit. Sullen and miserable as the day's targets, tracking devices, stressed out, chain-smoking controllers and ignorant members of the public consume reserves at alarming pace. 

Never has " Stop The Cavalry" been more appropriate...Save perhaps, for the school nativity back, in 1981. I'm also confident that £185 per day* is achievable (assuming of course, you can operate three vehicles, headed in wildly different areas, simultaneously).

Empathy waned a bit upon discovering dick heads Ltd couldn't be arsed to deliver some test products, on Monday afternoon. Yes, I was destined to receive them between 16.51 and 1751... Only to discover a cancellation email in my inbox...Thankfully, a regular face turned up, bang on cue the next day. 

Be kind to your courier, make their life easier and generally treat them as you would hope to be.   In this particular stash, I found  Some interesting lights and these Look Geo Trekking pedals. Dual purpose designs employing a resin body and SPD centre-piece. A bit of a deviation for the French marque and seemingly aimed at the E-bike/trekking market. 

In common with their rival, Time, they've devised some quirky models. I'm still have a soft spot for these now discontinued Time All Road Gripper Pedals and of course, these "Lego-Like" Look. The latter I bought for £10, including cleats some 25 years, or so back.Time I was going out to play with these lights. 

Oh but before I go, here's my review of the K-lite Bike Packer Pro V2

https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/k-lite