Pump Friction...

 

Univega’s drivetrain crisp and dependable again, after a brief switch around, I’m back to hustling along the lanes at 5am and enjoying the serenity. The temperature has suddenly spiked from a seasonally typical high teens to high twenties, meaning the morning mists are in fact, warm. Days are becoming shorter too, sunrise at 6.30 and sunset 1900.  

A moot point for me, since I’m running the K-lite Dynamos and the Ravemen TR30 https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/ravemen-tr30m-rear-light  and TR50 https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/ravemen-tr50-rear-light  lights, often in conjunction with these older Lezyne Strip Drive and Lezyne KTV2 Drive. The latter has 9 modes (6 flashing) and seems much brighter than 25lumens might imply and the 2.5-hour charge time is very convenient. Run times of all three lights are generally good but disciplined charging is always sensible practice. 

Now, some of you will note the Sun Race NRX and the Univega’s Microshift Centos predecessor are road mechs, so not an obvious choice. I would also agree and there was an ill-fated trend for people running rear road mechs on mountain bikes, back in the 90s. Aside from rocks and similar knocks, mechs were unable to cope with the wider ratios and crucially capacities.  

Over the years, touring biased bikes have essentially run mtb groups, which makes obvious sense, but road bike ratios have also become wider, dare we say more knee-friendly and less prescriptive. I don’t turn particularly tall gears and never have, for that matter.  

Holdsworth and Fixed Gear winter trainer have gearing in the high 70s-taller than traditionally considered optimal-we're talking 79 and 76 inches respectively. However, good for cruising on the flat, without assuming cartoonish spin-out when descending, or grunting like a porn star on the climbs.  

I’m sticking with the Muc-Off E-Bike Ceramic wet Lube on the latter and its delivering. Those of you wanting something with a bio base should consider their Wet Lube, which has impressed Steve with its blend of lubrication and staying prowess https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/muc-off-wet-lube        

   

I was pleasantly surprised to find this Crank Brothers F15 Multi tool and Birzman E-Grip 16g CO2 inflator. As its name suggests, the F15 is a fifteen function multi-tool. It hides within the brushed aluminium casing and secures by reassuringly powerful magnets. The side plates are made from aluminium alloy, the tooling SCM 435 stainless steel.  

Aside from a chain tool with integral spoke keys, we have 2, 2.5,3,4,5, 6 and 8mm Allen bits, Phillips and flat screwdriver and a T25 Torx. Caters for most mid-ride eventualities. That said; they’ve packed a lot of tools in, so I’m wondering if there’s a trade-off between form and function.  

CO2 inflators aren’t likely to bring on a rush of heady excitement-unless of course, you’ve succumbed to a flat on a really cold day. Situations where you want to get going again-pronto. (Or, like me, had one jettison in the pocket of my messenger knickers while taking a sharp right turn. Certainly refreshed my maracas...)  

In common with other Birzman products I’ve used in the past, the valve head is beautifully made from CNC machined aluminium. There’s a neoprene grip too, which is one of those small but significant features since otherwise, CO2 cartridges can get painfully cold to touch, during discharge. I’m hoping not to call on it too often, although in some quarters, seems hedge clipping season is in full swing.  

Now, for those new to CO2 inflators, the gas will leach out of the tyre/tube (depending on what system you are using) so remember to deflate and reinflate using your floor pump. Otherwise, next morning you’ll find yourself thinking you’ve succumbed to another flat.  They’re no substitute for a decent mini/midi (or indeed, full sized) pump either. Here’s a couple..  https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/zefal-profil-mini-rg01-pump    https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/specialized-air-tool-pump 

Reflections at 62mph

 

Well, first things first. The unintended upgrade to “New” Sun Race NRX mech coupled with brand new chain and of course, a new block has made meteoric improvements to shifting. Light, crisp, dependable and silent. 

I should also point out that I have a mechanically sensitive riding and shifting style. I’d returned 30,000 miles from the 9speed Microshift, prior to the Centos.  The Centos was always crisp and aside from taking my eye off the gauge during the early season, chains have been replaced at .75, or just before.  

Rule of thumb (two replacements, hence) suggests 1250miles is pretty much all I can expect from a 10spd chain, almost regardless of the riding conditions and chosen lubes. Dry/Wax types attract less contaminant and theoretically, reducing wear. I’m sticking with the True Tension All Conditions blend for the time-being and while conditions are decidedly fair-weather.  

Interplanetary (hub) gears, rather like hub dynamos have come along leaps and bounds in the past twenty years.  

Shimano Alfine (11speed) would be an obvious transition, once I’d worn the existing setup out, although I have a quiet resistance when it comes to enclosed systems and there’s also a weight penalty. Serendipity may shift this stance.   

I’ll buy another chain in shortly, given I’m racking up the miles even more intensely since lockdown. So much so, I’ve done over 2,500 miles with the Continental Contact Speed Reflex tyres. Their speed is well, impressive and brings an extra element of sparkle to my Univega’s persona- on tarmac.  

Seems I managed 62mph along a local 1in7, which certainly focused the mind, especially given the potentially life-changing ramifications, had a blowout struck... Despite their considerable charms, the sidewalls seem relatively vulnerable to flints, glass and similar sharps. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/continental-contact-speed-reflex-ty  

There’s a small but growing community of riders repurposing older mountain bikes as gravel bikes-fitting them with drop bars and brifters. For the time, though they’ve lost their dominance, good quality 26inch tyres remain plentiful.  No prizes for guessing it’s a movement I am closely aligned with.  

Afterall, it's what I envisaged an “All-Terrain Bike” was, while mentally detaching myself from the school curriculum, still attending “in body”. It shouldn’t be inferred that I was ambivalent about my education. I just couldn’t relate to the school curriculum (and indeed, what is termed the “hidden curriculum”) but adopted an instrumental approach to get the grades and move on.  

Since we’re on the subject, if you’re curious about bike packing luggage (especially compatibility with smaller framesets/mtb conversions) we’ve put together a beginner’s guide https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/a-beginners-guide-to-bikepacking-ba   

As the days get progressively cooler and darker, I’ve been doing some seasonal bike prep-cleaning, waxing not only protects but is the ideal opportunity to inspect component and consumable health. 

Soft brushes, such as this Zefal ZB Wash https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/zefal-zb-wash-brush are what’s needed for broad surface work-frame and wheels being the obvious candidates (although I find stiffer models, such as Green Oil Bicycle Brush https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/green-oil-bicycle-brush  are better bets for dirty rims and knobby/deeper touring tread patterns).  

That said, I still have a soft spot for this Oxford Tyre Scrub https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/oxford-products-tyre-scrub  (which also works well on bar wrap) Chains and tyre casings aside, cables, pads, disc rotor condition are areas to check and replace, as required. Prevention is always cheaper and more convenient than cure. I’m also drifting towards more autumnal attire-back to ¾ lengths, base mid and this 7mesh Cypress Hybrid jacket https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/7mesh-cypress-hybrid . 

I’ve also whipped out the Buff Cap https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/buff-pack-bike-cap  and am putting some Dexshell Ultra flex gloves through their paces. These are supposedly winding, waterproof and breathable.  

They’re marketed as an outdoor glove, not cycling-specific but formative impressions (three rides and one hundred miles) suggest they offer decent amounts of support, grip and dexterity. It’s the damping that presents a question mark. Miles are the only proof. 

Black also stirs mixed emotions-great for multi-use, especially walking and general street duties but I have felt my signals were perhaps a little too stealthily at certain points.    

I had reason to be in Colchester recently. Rare these days, given I don’t have much business there. While the borough has expanded exponentially in the last decade or so, the infrastructure cannot cope and town centre looks and feels decidedly jaded. I was, however, pleased to find Colchester Cycle Stores still trading. Spent a lot of time and money there during my teens.