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