Yikes! On Go The Spikes

Tanking temperatures forced the issue late on Wednesday night (30th) Time to fit the Schwalbe Winter to Ursula and my fixed gear winter trainer, especially since I would be resuming night rides come the first week in January. Thursday morning came and by 9am, it was struggling to reach minus 3 degrees, so my initiative paid off.  

Now, it's worth noting that my fixed gear winter trainer only has enough room for a 35mm slick in the rear triangle, hence, I stick with the standard 32/35mm road rubber, especially since of the two, it’ better to have spikes up front (assuming you can’t fit a pair, obviously). The Winter plus differ from their winter siblings in terms of spikes-number and location.  

I can usually bowl along quite nicely, to around 17mph on icy stretches, running the budget winter, but the winter plus have palpably more bite when things turn mean and snowy. Since we’re on the subject, look closely at Ursula (my Univega) and you’ll note I’m running a Marathon Winter Plus up front and the base Winter TESTED: SCHWALBE WINTER SPIKED TYRES (sevendaycyclist.com) behind.  

This boiled down to being unable to locate both Winter Plus, so the next best thing. Here in the UK, it’s rare that we get long spells of snowy/icy conditions, so the Winter’s slightly worn Tungsten Carbide studs shouldn’t present any problems. 1.75 width also frees up a bit of clearance, so mudguards are also less likely to get fouled, or clogged with snow, should that materialise here. Main thing is, I can relax, enjoy the ride and stand a sporting chance of remaining rubber up. Reliability trumps speed.  

Well-prepped winter bikes greatly reduce mechanicals-the last thing you want when it's bitterly cold and you’re miles from home.After The Gritters Went Home | Seven Day Cyclist Especially if you’re introducing children or a significant other, to the joys of winter on two wheels.  

Pack hubs, headsets, and fit bottom brackets /seat posts etc with stiff stay put greases. Keep the bike clean and periodically apply a good quality paste wax to make this process easier, while also repelling UV light, road salt, and other caustic nasties.  

I’d been toying with the idea of fitting some SKS Speed Rocker to the fixed since these would subvert clearance issues with 35mm tyres, and of course, the Gusset Headlock system.  

However, if you are going the clip-on route, apply some helicopter tape around the fork blades and stays, where the guards attach (even the high-end models), to prevent gritty stuff from getting behind and potentially marking the bike’s finish. Prevention is always easier and usually cheaper than cure-especially on a carbon composite frameset.  

Thankfully, the cold snap dried things up a little but I was surprised by the effect freezing temperatures have had upon the Apeman A80APEMAN A80 ACTION CAMERA | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com), which has been powering down after 40 seconds of footage, whereas the now seemingly obsolete Geonaute G-Eye-2 Escape will keep rolling, even when it’s -3.   

The Kinekt 2.1 Suspension Seat postKINEKT 2.1 SUSPENSION SEAT POST | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) finally succumbed to the same squeak as their stem. Once again, I applied a little Green Oil SlipGREEN OIL SLIP ECO LUBRICANT (sevendaycyclist.com) to the moving parts, and it became progressively silent over the course of 15miles. It remains pleasingly so. A silicone-based spray, such as Muc-Off Silicon Shine MUC OFF SILICON SHINE POLISH | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) might’ve been the fastest cure, but I have a suspicion these might not be so durable, at least during a very cold, wet spell.   

Holiday Fixes

 

 

Having spent the last few weeks riding, fettling and perpetually washing my beloved fixed gear winter trainer, I’d organised the garage to an operational state, so reclaimed Ursula from temporary storage. Though generally in great shape, I discovered the rear mudguard stays required thread lock and front brake needing some TLC. Nothing more serious than a new inner and outer cable.  

I had a solitary Jagwire  Pro road cable TEST: JAGWIRE PRO ROAD BRAKE KIT (sevendaycyclist.com) the outer’s celeste livery screaming to me from the translucent storage container. Thankfully, these Jagwire snips JAGWIRE PRO CABLE-CUTTERS AND CRIMPERS (sevendaycyclist.com) were also holidaying there.   

 

Having cleaned the pads and performed similar “might as well” housekeeping, I fitted the fresh cable, pumped the brake to induce any potential slack before pulling through and ensuring the pads struck the rim uniformly and evenly.  

Control tech Bar wrap reinstated, I thought better of pruning the cable until the following morning. End super-glued and left to cure. These aren’t a completely sealed system but minimal maintenance.  

Some of the truly sealed models, including Transfil Flying Snake are as fit n’ forget as you’ll find but tend to be quite venomous during the fitting stage. The housings were also on the coarse side, too, gnawing through paintwork. So, if you’re going this route, slip a silicone cuff or two on the cable and some “helicopter” tape on the frame to avoid abrasion damage. 

Despite the inner wires being factory treated, I find the occasional shot of maintenance spray keeps them slick and happy. Electrical tape, or stickers are another useful “home” remedy, but I’m still pleased with Zefal Skin Armor Roll ZEFAL SKIN ARMOR ROLL | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

Little jobs completed, I ordered some more cables (since these things always strike when the shop’s shut and you’re clean out of cable) and some GT85 All Purpose Lubricant GT85 ALL PURPOSE LUBRICANT (sevendaycyclist.com). Frankly, I like to have routine/preventative stuff done BEFORE Christmas, for precisely this reason.  

I’d re-greased the seat post when I’d replaced the collar and there was oodles of Muc-Off Bio Grease TESTED : MUC-OFF BIO GREASE (sevendaycyclist.com) still keeping things slick and happy on the steering front, although as I’ve said on several occasions, full-length mudguards offer a surprising amount of protection to machine and rider alike. Comfort and dignity aside, they also extend service intervals.   

I’d noted the Univega’s cassette and chain side plates looking slightly scuzzy, so got busy with Weldtite Jet Blast Degreaser. Testament to the lube’s tenacity, it required a more generous helping of the potent solvent spray, and subsequent agitation with a brush, dipped in a citrus-based degreaser.  

 

I’m sticking with the Zefal Extreme Wet Nano Ceramic Chain lube and unless the weather turns as wintry as the tabloid press are whipping themselves to an orgasmic state about, I’ll keep “Ursula” shod with the Schwalbe Kojak. If it does, I’ll reach for the Schwalbe Winter Plus, which are more tenacious versions of the Marathon Winter, characterised by more spikes for superior traction and cornering. TESTED: SCHWALBE WINTER SPIKED TYRES (sevendaycyclist.com)         

Talking of which, the KMC Z1 EPT chain’s coating also seems reassuringly corrosion resistant. However, I’ve found some limitations with the Muc Off E-Bike Wet Weather Ceramic Lube, so have fed the fixed’s chain some of the Zefal too, which is holding its own, despite some patches of hub deep flooding. Bracing winds have left my fingertips slightly chill, despite decent full finger gloves, so I’ll have a rummage through my gloves drawer for some liners. Those needing more warmth might find these Raval drop bar gloves an ideal fix RAVAL DROP BAR GLOVES | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)