The lockdown is showing obvious signs of recession, although outside of certain hours, the roads remain refreshingly silent. Another week, a further 150 miles drumming my shape into the Univega’s saddle, while enjoying the more willing persona and supple ride quality, provided by those aptly named Continental Speed Reflex tyres.
I’d also set aside some time to dial in the shifting (which wasn’t quite so precise at the lower half the cassette), then craft some custom paint protection using the Zefal Frame Armor. Rubberised cable buffers have greatly reduced the dreaded cable rub and my fleet has very thick, powder-coated finishes.
However, grit and oily contaminant can get lodged between the frame and soft polymer cuff, gnawing away at the lacquer and colour coats, albeit at a comparatively pedestrian rate.
Pre-cut sticker sets have been around for donkeys and the more expensive versions are not only thick but employ strong adhesives. The sort highly resistant to solvents, oils, UV light and frequent washing. High-quality workshop type rolls are the most cost-effective options. They also permit custom shapes. The trade-off being achieving this demands a methodical, unhurried approach.
Whether you’re applying these, or pre-cut types, give the frameset a sudsy bucket wash, then designated areas a quick rub with an alcohol-based wipe. This will remove anything dirty oily/waxy that would otherwise impair adhesion.
I’ve also applied a strip to the underside of my fixed gear winter/trainer’s downtube since opportunity presented. Placing a strip here is a good move, even on a mountain bike using a crud catcher style guard, since the zip ties securing them can slip/move gnawing into the frame finish, over time. Especially when wet, gritty mud’s thrown into the equation
Staying with the fixed, I’ve switched to the 32mm Kenda Kwick Journey KS Plus-wholesale. Much roomier around the rear triangle (Not that 35mm was problematic, per se) and true to their moniker, noticeably livelier, than the otherwise likable and very dependable VEE Tire Co Zilent https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/vee-tire-co-zilent-mark-2-tyres.
This also brings the gearing down a fraction, to 75.6 inches, which is also more manageable in less fluid traffic and when climbing. The 5mm thick puncture repelling strip doesn’t run bead to bead, which hasn’t proved problematic thus far and may also account for the friskier persona.
However, we’ve passed hedge clipping season and wet, slimy winter roads might reveal some vulnerabilities. Those looking for a budget digital pressure gauge might find this Lifeline Digital Pressure gauge fits the bill https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/lifeline-digital-pressure-gauge
32mm was once the preserve of traditional touring and off duty ‘cross bikes but allowing for the trend towards bigger sections (I’m more inclined toward a 700x38c for road-biased touring) it still strikes a good balance between speed and comfort, especially given the UK’s patchwork infrastructure. Talking of which, I’ve just received this latest incarnation of the Cane Creek Thudbuster.
Specifically, the Cane Creek Thudbuster ST G4. The latter denoting 4th generation. The Thudbuster ST https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/cane-creek-thudbuster-suspensuin-se had a phenomenally long run and still has a lot of merit, especially on older, higher-end cross country mountain bikes. Not least since it's available in more sizes, with shims to bridge the gaps.
This time around, it's only available in 27.2 or 30.9 and 31.6mm. (There are also two lengths-345mm for 27.2 and 375mm for 30.9 and 31.6mm). However, they’ve updated the linkage design. Elastomers are more easily swapped around, and it theoretically caters for riders up to 350lb.
I say theoretically since the saddle clamp is a single bolt affair. A moot pint for a 70 old kilo “whippet” but experience suggests riders teetering around the 110-kilo mark might notice some saddle-rail creep. In terms of travel, the G4 has 50mm. 17mm more than the long-serving ST and 15mm more than the Redshift Shock stop Suspension post, presently pride of place on my Holdsworth. I’ve had to forgo the Carradice Carradry SQR bag https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/carradice-carradry
But thankfully, this Altura Aero Post Pack was doing something close to nothing and capacity aside, the powder-coated aluminium alloy frame keeps it away from the post, thus solving potential compatibility hassles. Of course, you could always go the rider mounted route, for commuting and light trail duties. Oxford Aqua Evo 12 Litre Backpack is a lightweight and genuinely waterproof option. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/oxford-aqua-evo-12-litre-backpack
