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
