White Out

 120 miles or so hence, on the Schwalbe Billy Bonkers, the front succumbed to its first puncture. Two sharp flints embedded in mucky stuff buried inside the casing, nicking the tube. Tube swapped, sharps purged, and tyre reinstated, I couldn’t let the front brake lie. A quick, nuanced tweak of the straddle wire’s tension and boom! Both the Shimano BRCX50 and Genetic are now dialed-in, beautifully.   

I’d tired of fearsome weather front scaremongering, planning to leave the Billy Bonkers in situ and switch to the fixed, which still sported the 35mm Schwalbe Winter Plus-both bases covered. I love the Billy Bonkers’ quick, supple magic carpet ride and wet-weather cornering prowess is better than I’d expected, along wet, greasy lanes.  

However, more reputable sources were suggesting extensive ice and potentially heavy snowfall. Now was the time to switch Ursula back to spikes, before the week began. Washed, stripped the cassette of its slimy cocktail using the Weldtite Citrus Degreaser WELDTITE CITRUS DEGREASER | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com), then treated the frame to another light coat of Muc-Off Miracle Shine for some additional protection.  

Finally, some more Weldtite TF2 Ceramic Lube to the thirsty-looking chain. While an engaging ride that encourages me to go out is high on my list, a spill, or mechanical is the last thing I want, miles from home on a dark, bitterly cold/wet night.  

The Schwalbe Marathon 365 TESTED: SCHWALBE MARATHON GT 365 TYRES WINTER UPDATE (sevendaycyclist.com) were another, next-best-thing option and I’m confident the tread pattern would plough away the snow, but I prefer the reassurance afforded by spikes. They’re also a little lighter, but then the 365 are wider (2.0 inches). Sunday morning arrived and I found a modest amount of snow carpeting the landscape but nothing outlandish, so popped out on the fixed.  

Plenty of traction from the tyres, transmission and the suspension post also seem to help in this respect but biting crosswinds along exposed sections proved a little challenging. Three degrees, hence snow, not ice. However, the wind chill was dialing things down a degree, or two. The FLR Defender MTB Dry Boot FLR DEFENDER MTB DRY BOOT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) have great thermal properties, so no issues there.  

However, mid loop, I was wishing I’d gone the Balaclava and liner gloves route. Those seeking a bit of additional damping/control could be well-served by the Kinekt Suspension Stem KINEKT SUSPENSION STEM | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and their suspension post KINEKT 2.1 SUSPENSION SEAT POST | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  

However, subsequent outings have even taxed the Univega’s 26x1.75 Schwalbe Winter Plus. Though I never went “rubber up” (as I most certainly would, with a conventional tyre) they couldn’t bite into the deeply impacted stuff, thus gain traction. Some enforced (dare we say, prudent) leave saw that I turned my attention to its Stronglight Aheadset.  

 

Mudguards make a big difference, extending maintenance periods but I’d last stripped and re-greased back in the summer of 2019. Much as I expected, the bottom race still had a thin, though tangible layer of Muc-Off Bio-Grease TESTED : MUC-OFF BIO GREASE (sevendaycyclist.com) doing the job. However, replenishment was definitely due. Went for some Corrosion Block Grease.  

This is a super stiff, waterproof formula, which is supposedly highly resistant to corrosion, temperature, so should stay put a good while. I packed it thoroughly and added some to the Gusset Headlock, since opportunity presented. Corrosion Block say it will also play nicely with other greases (which isn’t always the case). Time will tell... 

Though very much in hibernation, I also decided to give the Teenage dream’s MA2/Campagnolo Athena wheelset a good polish and wax. Now almost thirty years old, they’re still tarnish-free and came up beautifully. I need to strip and re-grease the rear hub and both would benefit from a quick true.  

Nothing serious-they haven’t lived hard lives, or hit anything but after thirty years, some minor play is to be expected. I’m also researching a better-quality hoop for my Bob Yak homage trailer, primarily based on better tyre choice. The OEM bargain basement knobbly is functional enough but a high-quality slick option, would improve my experience of said cheerful beast of burden.