It may come as little surprise
that I am fighting every urge to perform another bar switch... Swapping the Soma
Condor for its successor, the Condor 2 https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/soma-condor-2-shallow-drop-bars .
Rationally, I know the Univega’s setup is bang on, yet still I feel compelled. I’ve
swapped back to these long serving, dual sided XLC pedals though.
Build quality seems better
than many SPD homages I’ve owned; or tested over the past twenty-five years.
The white powder coated finish is particularly hardy, showing surprisingly few
battle scars, several years down the line.
Flipping and clipping with the
otherwise likeable single-sided Wellgo (say at Junctions) had become uncharacteristically
faffy. It also proved an ideal opportunity, to test the Soma Woodie 20 function
multi tool’s 8mm cap.
I’ve never been a fan of the
cap type that fit atop the 5 or 6mm key. Most fit fine and do the job. On the
flip side, they are easily lost to the lawn, or undergrowth. Torque was better
than I was expecting, given the relatively stubby 6mm host. liberally greased
threads certainly help.
Decided to clean and strip the
Univega’s drivetrain. Nothing exotic this time, a rag dipped in white spirit remains
a very efficient exorcist. I reached for Zefal Wet Pro Lube, primarily, because
I wanted a ride that evening, so needed something “drizzle n’ go”. Pro wet is
best described as a middleweight blend.
In terms of tenacity, I
strongly suspect it won’t rival the hell n’ high water favourites (including
Weldtite TF2 Extreme Wet, or Finish Line Cross Country Wet lubes). That said;
its less syrupy than the former, yet stocky enough for protecting electroplated
fasteners from taint and tarnish.
Staying with Zefal, a moment,
the French brand has also sent us their Pulse Z2 side-entry cage. A composite
side entry model, its designed to be switched round, to suit the rider’s
dominant hand.
Side entry cages are also
intended to overcome the problem of carrying two trade size bottles in a small
main triangle. On this occasion, ours has replaced the Vel, which succumbed to
sudden and unexpected fatigue. A lost cause. Even Theromoworx Whitemorph
couldn’t fix, or modify satisfactorily https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/thermoworx-whiemorph The Zefal Pulse Z2 composites do feel much
sturdier, so we’ll see how it fares, in the coming weeks and months.
According to the tabloid
press, the UK is due to get another bitterly cold winter. The coldest for 30
years, according to some sources. These lubes and the Schwalbe Winter Spike
tyres are on standby, just in case. Meantime, the Univega will sport its
Schwalbe Marathon Mondial Double Defense tyres https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/schwalbe-marathon-mondial-tyres . Unless other testing options present, or
disaster strikes, my fixed gear winter/trainer will retain its Tioga City
Slicker and Schwalbe Marathon GT pairing https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/schwalbe-marathon-gt-tyres . Both
are very dependable and handle very nicely, even when the roads are paved with a
slimy cocktail of derv and bovine dung.
Dusk officially starts at
1900hrs and Sun rise 7.15, so lighting is also becoming a major focus. K-Lite Bikepacker
Ultra systems aside, I’ve just received Knog Cobber Mid Rear light. Middle
child of the Cobber family, it’s reckoned to produce a 330degree arc, and 170
lumens, top whack. I’ve mounted ours to seat-stays by using the Cobber’s aero
seat post bracket.
120 miles, and four rides in,
its too early to reflect on run times but in terms of output, the mid should
suit most people’s needs, even tag-alongs. Would be tempted to plump for the big
Cobber, on a low-slung touring trailer, like my Yak homage. Maybe I’m just
being over cautious…Let’s see what the following weeks bring.
I’m also switching over to
heavier duty threads. Now conditions are recognisably autumnal, I’ve defaulted
to middleweight layers, jerseys
(including this Prendas Cyclismo Paris Bordeaux https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/prendas-ciclismo-long-sleeve-jersey . ¾
length bib longs strike the best balance still.
Ample protection to the knees
and vital organs, yet still temperate around 15 degrees. Primal Dawn Bib
Knickers remain firm favourites https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/primal-dawn-men-s-bib-knickers
Oxford Bright 4.0 Waterproof
Cycle gloves have also been resurrected. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/oxford-1 These
are another bridge garment. Not waterproof, in the impervious sense but they
offer decent defence against moderate rain and chill. Last but certainly not
least, I’ve been putting these Follow Hollow Performance Alpaca Socks.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/briandavis/performance-alpaca-socks
80% baby alpaca yarn, 15%
nylon and 5% spandex, they’re made in the USA and I’ve been suitably impressed
by their performance. Several weeks and hundreds of miles later, I’m forming
the opinion they have an edge on Merino when it comes to temperature control
and moisture management. Stay tuned for the full review.
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