Saturday 24 October 2020

Shed Sitter








 

House sold and just post completion; I gave the fleet a thorough waxing and pre-storage once over. A quick squirt of maintenance spray on the cables, tyres inflated to optimum pressures, a quick drop of lube on the chains to keep them happy, while they are in secure storage. I am waiting to complete on a new property and while the COVID pandemic is raging,

Univega and I have sought solace in temporary, bedsit accommodation. Parred to the workshop essentials- a few tools, spare tubes, lubes, chain, cables, bike washes and degreasers. All do-able and enough to keep me and the old girl going through the increasingly dark, wetter, between houses thing. Crucially, we have a roof over our heads.

Having transported most essentials over previously, I loaded Ursula up, bike packing fashion (if you turn a blind eye to the Oxford Aqua Evo 12 litre backpack) and made the final, twelve-mile trip. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/topeak-midloader-frame-bag

https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/passport-cycles-bikepacking-seat-pa

https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/oxford-aqua-evo-12-litre-backpack

Not a soul and in the dark, some long climbs were much flatter. However, farmers had decided to resurface the roads in lumpy mud, which has turned decidedly slippery with the subsequent rains.

Thankfully, the 2.0-inch Continental Speed Reflex and Control Tech bar wrap smoothed things out and held their line. I could feel the slide strike, corrected this and the subsequent squirms. Not wanting to push my luck, I resorted to riding on the opposite side of the road, since nothing was coming and thankfully, nothing did.

Mud and torrential rain have also licked the lion’s share of Tru Tension wet lube from the Univega’s chain, leaving it decidedly parched. I'm still impressed with its balance of cleanliness and relative durability, so will top up and plod on for the time-being.

Bedsits are also a challenge when it comes to bike cleaning and if you find yourself in this situation, a big piece of lino to protect flooring, furniture polishes, waterless cleaners are an absolute godsend, meaning bikes can be kept relatively clean, without involving buckets of water, mess, lost deposits, or drawing unwanted attention.

Schwalbe were also kind enough to send me a 26x2.0 set of their long-serving Kojak slicks and some Air Plus tubes. These are much thicker than bog standard butyl, though not the proverbial builders’ hose so should retain pressure and resist puncture better.

I love a big slick tyre. 

67 EPI (Ends Per Inch) the Kojak are marketed as lightweight touring rubber and there’s certainly scope for this, especially since commuting lends itself to more comprehensive puncture repelling belt. Interestingly, Schwalbe cite their Race Guard as 4 on a scale of 7 (Continental Contact Speed Reflex are also 4out of 7 on their scale, so comparisons will be interesting). A more obvious difference is the Continental say their sidewalls are bottle dynamo compatible- a bit old school but welcome. The Schwalbe are not but employ retro-reflective detailing.  

Quick, compliant, and tenacious all-weather grip. However, there is usually some trade off in terms of durability/puncture resistance. I’d run the 700x35 section Kojak some years back and found they had tremendous charm, although mine seemed susceptible to cuts-thorns and shards of glass being the main offenders.  The most notable exception being the Freedom Thick Slicks, which I have run on the Holdsworth for some time.

Talking of Holdsworth, while mooching through Colchester, camera close to hand, I spotted this Holdsworthy made example. Aside from the lovely red livery, I was initially drawn to the classic leather saddle and Carradice luggage and a lovely blending of classic and modern components. I’m still putting the Pro-Viz Reflect 360 through their paces and they continue to meet my expectations of a commuter glove. Those seeking something closer fitting might find Chiba Second Skin Windproof and Waterproof Gloves a better bet  https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/chiba-second-skin-gloves    

 



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