Levelling Out

I’ve been trying (and largely succeeding) to avoid the increasingly maddening crowds who have increasingly flooded the roads since a relaxed lockdown was engaged here in the UK. The swing to much warmer weather has certainly encouraged this. Several coastal towns have found themselves inundated with visitors who clearly felt, that social distancing is no longer relevant.  

Thankfully, I’ve been getting the miles in, while most folks were fast asleep in bed. 1150 miles in and the Cycles Berthoud Leather Saddle is much closer to my ideal but there’s a very discernable difference when I hop back on my fixed gear winter/trainer’s Swift pattern.   

The eagle-eyed of you will also notice I’ve lost the mighty SQR Tour and gone back to this Dill Pickle Store Custom wedge pack. Opportunity presented and it saves a whole heap of grams, but I do love the SQR Tour and will doubtless revert, in due course. The Dill Pickle will swallow two tubes, assorted tyre levers, Passport CDW20 multi-tool https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/passport-cdw-multitool and other essentials.  

There’s ample room in the external mesh pockets for any overspill. Staying with multi-tools a moment, these can feel a little generic sometimes but every so often someone comes along with something a bit different. I was sent this 20 function Merida recently. 20 functions conjure up pocket workshops. No bad thing, especially if you’re looking for something that will cover most bases.  

However, they can feel overburdened, dare I say generic. The Merida is very different. Yes, there are the usual collection of Allen and Torx keys, pad spreader, Philips driver and tyre lever. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the inclusion of a valve adaptor.  

Arguably not something you’d use too frequently but a godsend, should you need to inflate a Presta valve, from a garage airline. Measuring 7.4x5.2cm, its compact but also refreshingly nimble in confined spaces- bottle cage hardware on smaller semi/compact geometry framesets being prime examples.              

Not surprised to have exceeded 300 miles on a single helping of the Weldtite TF2 Ultra Dry Chain Wax https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/weldtite-tf2-ultra-dry-chain-wax, despite some occasionally damp outings. Reckon I’ll get 400 before it’ll need replenishment. Chain is still in good health, with nominal wear, several weeks and 700 miles in.   

I’m also forming a very firm bond with the Cane Creek Thudbuster STG4 Seatpost, although this should come as little surprise, given I’m a big fan of the design. For the uninitiated, this employs parallel linkages and keeps the post in the direct path of the rear wheel.  

I.e. As a bump shoves the bike’s rear wheel, the post reacts downward and rearward, theoretically absorbing force at the same rate, thus progressive and without saddle movement. No issues with maintaining a swift and efficient cadence. The stock medium elastomer also seems absolutely bang-on for my 70 kilos, although these are very easily swapped, sans tools.

  

Simply press the centre until it pops out, then pop in the firmer or softer counterparts. In my experience, elastomers like a quick lick of rubber-friendly grease-silicone based products, including Muc-Off Silicon Shine https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/muc-off-silicone-shine-polish will also keep them happy. In terms of grease, those designed for elastomer forks are an obvious choice, although Green Oil Eco Grease  https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/green-oil-ecogrease-long-ter-test or Pure Bike Grease https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/pure-bike-grease are good alternatives.  

The pure is also has a very nice (low viscosity) flow rate, meaning it’s easier to apply. Avoid old fashioned petrochemical greases, since these will eat, or otherwise ruin rubberised components. 

The same goes for automotive products, such as Castrol Red Rubber Grease, which was touted in some circles as being a cheaper alternative, rivalling Judy Butter and other bike-specific blends... 

Hmm, it may well have been adequate for a BSA Bantam but caused the Kebab type fork elastomers to swell and distort like an over-cooked, tinned hot dog.