Well, after several months of
build-up, the slippery stuff has finally arrived and with it, Schwalbe Marathon
Winter Plus tyres. These are a spiked/studded tyre, designed to offer traction on
snowy/icy surfaces, hence the term winter, as distinct from “snow”.
I’ve run the more basic winter
versions for some years, with excellent results. They’ve allowed me to escape
indoor trainer slavery, get out when roads would be otherwise hazardous, or
dangerous).
However, while I’ve never
succumbed to a slide, or more serious spill, last year’s deeper, impacted snow,
taxed the 120 spikes. The Winter plus have these organised along a wider
surface area, theoretically providing better bite, especially when cornering.
In common with their siblings,
the tread pattern is designed to sweep away the snow, while spikes bite into
the ice beneath, delivering traction. However, bed the spikes in, on snow free
roads for at least 25miles.
Otherwise, if you skip
straight to snow, you run the very real risk of those tungsten spikes being plucked
out. 500 or so, winter miles will reveal just how superior these are, compared
with their more basic, yet dependable siblings. I’m looking forward to this
supposedly savage and persistent cold snap. Steve’s been impressed by these
Good Year Transit speed tyres https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/oodyear-transit-speed-wired-tyre
I like the changing seasons
and I have always enjoyed riding in the cold, provided I’ve donned the right
kit. I favour ¾ lengths, over tights unless the mercury/windchill tumbles to
minus figures.
However, paired with longer
socks and my long serving Lake winter booties, these Primal Dawn Men’s Bib
Tights https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/primal-dawn-men-s-bib-knickers have delivered.
I’m also pleased that the
liners have solved my problem of numb, tingly digits on longer, faster
outings. As luck, some might say irony
would have it, these slightly thicker, Madison liners also rematerialized.
Staying with temperate, my
sibling gifted me this rather nice Thermos flask at Christmas. A very welcome
gift, especially when shooting on location, with models. Studying its’ profile,
my brains circuits started whirring…
Would this fit into my
Univega’s BBB fuel tank?
No; was the short answer but
it proved fully compatible with this composite Topeak. Five minutes (and a dab
of grease, on the fasteners) later, I’d switched them. Little, flashes of
inspiration that can bring on a contented smile.
I’ve also gone retro and
refitted these original Shimano SPD. Hailing from 1990, they belonged to
Lottie, a much-loved Kona Lavadome. The Kona was gifted to me, by its original
owner, in October 1994. He couldn’t ride anymore, knew I’d always coveted it and
that I’d love it dearly, which I did.
The pedals were then passed to
my Univega, at its conception, in 1999.
Mysteriously the boa dial on
my beloved Lake winter booties broke sometime during Wednesday’s blast.
Tired of losing essential
fasteners beneath the tumble drier, or within the lawn, I’ve finally invested
in a magnetic tool bowl/tray. Not sure what took me so long, but it’ll save
time and stress, trying to locate tiny but crucial screws/Allen screws, cir
clips etc.
John Moss has graciously agreed
to build the Halo hub into a wheel, so I dropped Mavic Open Pro hoop, hub and
halo spokes, with him. Looking forward to seeing, not to mention, testing the
complete wheel.
Lots has been said about lubes
https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/blank-ao363
and I’ve finally reached the end of my
(alternative) wet lube challenge, which pitted basic 5w/40 motor oil against chainsaw
oil.
Spoiler alert. If extreme
cheapness, is your bottom-line definition of value, then the 5w40 will get your
vote. However, the chainsaw oil is closest to a bike-specific wet lube, in
terms of characteristics. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/cheap-as-chips-chain-lubes
Conclusions reached; I’ve
stripped my Univega’s chain and cassette of existing gunk, then gone over to
Fenwick’s Stealth Road Lubricant. Primarily as there was a nearly empty bottle
adorning the shelves. It’s also very clean, durable and has short curing times.
I’ve also added some to its
steel derailleur cage, which had also turned a little orange in places, thanks
to the salt monster. Maybe a light, filmy coating of this Muc Off Sweat Protect
will prove a better solution. It seems very effective on electroplated
brightwork and those lightly (read annoyingly) tarnished fasteners.
Last but not least,
we’ve also reached our conclusions concerning the Passport Elements anti-rust
single speed chain https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/passport-elements-single-speed-chai
