Stripped, Cleaned & Sorted

What began as a wheel swap (to confirm some hypothesis regarding optimal hub dynamo and K-Lite performance) turned into a full-blown strip, clean and cable replacement. While switching the Shutter Precision PD8 wheelHALO CLASSIC RIM & SHUTTER PRECISION DYNOHUB DISC WHEEL BUILD (sevendaycyclist.com) for the SL9, I noted the stainless-steel inner wire was showing similar levels of deterioration as Ursula’s gear cable and was also bound together by a PTFE “fat berg”.  

Thankfully I had several stainless inners wires in stock, and I flushed the Tektro Spyre through with some Motorex Pow Cleaner (which is essentially a potent degreaser of the same genre as Weldtite Jet Blast Degreaser WELDTITE JET BLAST DEGREASER | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and Muc Off High Power Quick Drying Degreaser Chain & Cassette MUC-OFF HIGH PRESSURE DEGREASER | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) (links).  

Not a moment too soon, and time well spent. Subsequent blasts along the backroads confirmed my long-held suspicion that the K-lite Ultra Road LD (low drag) lamp and Shutter Precision SL9HALO EVURA & SHUTTER PRECISION SL9 DYNOHUB BUILD (sevendaycyclist.com) were the ultimate pairing for a pared to the essentials’ road/Audax bike.  

The SL9 can result in less slow speed output, but this is a moot point with the K-Lite family per se, although a consideration with some more traditional dynamo lamp, such as this otherwise likeable 80lux TrelokHALO EVURA & SHUTTER PRECISION SL9 DYNOHUB BUILD (sevendaycyclist.com)  I was slightly (although not completely) surprised to discover the VDO head unit battery was virtually spent, putting the computer into hibernation, after six weeks. Easily, and cheaply addressed but a reminder that in real terms, premium-grade cells represent much better value.  

However, in this instance I’ll use what I have and upgrade to premium cells when present stocks are exhausted. I dread to think how fast the addition of the cadence sensor would exhaust them-I'll exhume those from the spares box, when I order a new set of CR2032 cells. . Meanwhile, the Teenage Dream’s Decathlon/Knog frankenpute is behaving impeccably and a few hundred miles down the line, I’ve reached my conclusions re the Kranx bar tapeKRANX STRETTA PRIMO ANTI SHOCK BAR TAPE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com).   

Since the weather has reverted to that more commonly associated with early April- wet and 15 degrees, Fixed and Ursula have been receiving more frequent sudsy bucket washes and I've also decided to revisit Ursula’s trailer. Wheels tend to be something of an afterthought on trailers and this one is no exception. In fairness, though basic, the rim and hub and very serviceable, it’s the knobbly tyre that merits upgrading. I was very sceptical when it came to sizing.   

The arrival of these Peaty’s Greases presented the ideal opportunity for a strip and repack using their speed grease. The speed grease is designed for bearings/moving components, whereas the assembly grease is designed for metal seatposts, contact points, fasteners etc.  However, that’s not to say the latter couldn’t be employed in hubs. Bottom brackets and other moving parts, where durability is paramount.  

 Teenage Dream’s Thompson seatpost was treated to a fairly liberal helping, while I was about it. This had become a little arthritic, requiring a quick shot of release spray, so not a moment too soon.  

One thing usually leads to another and while rummaging for something completely unrelated, I happened upon these Topeak Versamount. Next came some Axiom Ti cages, so I introduced them, using some excess post grease to coat the screw threads.     

I digress, back to the trailer. The OEM unit is reckoned to be 16x1.75 (47-305 ERTO) but looked closer to 14x1.75. However, with nothing in 14inch to offer, I took a gamble and acquired this 16x1.75 Schwalbe, which thankfully, proved a winner.   

The other issue with the OEM type, is they tend to be anything but compliant.  

Wrestling them on/off the rim can induce a lend of primal grunting and agricultural language more commonly associated with a labour ward.  I may well upgrade the trailer’s carry sack, should something suitable present. The existing bag is made from a waterproof fabric, but the seams aren’t, thus water and ingress will work their way inside, relatively quickly.  

 

Pressing Ahead

 The announcement that the UK’s final lockdown restrictions will be extended by a further few weeks comes as little surprise. Lockdowns (at least in the context of a pandemic) are not engaged in response to the number of fatalities but rather, the acceleration of cases. Left unchecked, these would induce chaos, overloading hospitals and ultimately, the health service.   

Staying with a slightly political theme, President Biden’s gift of a bicycle to Boris Johnson was very interesting.  Interesting specification, too. From what I gather, the frameset is apparently based on their Tourlite, when it comes to geometry and shape, made from a mix of Columbus and Dedacciai tubing, not surprising given their quality. Components by contrast follow a distinctly American theme. 

 

• Hubs: White Industries Mi5 QR 

• Spokes: Wheelsmith 

• Rims: Velocity Quill 36 h 

• Tires: Schwalbe Lugano 2 700 x 32 

• Brakes: Avid Shorty Ultimate cantis 

• Brake levers: Velo Orange 

• Handlebars: Ahearn MAP 

• Headset: White Industries 

• Seatpost/Stem: Thomson Elite seatpost and X4 stem 

• Saddle: Selle anatomical X1 

• Crank: White Industries with 1X ring 

• Cassette: SRAM NX 

• Derailleur/Shifter: SRAM GX AXS derailleur and thumb shifter 

• Chain: SRAM 12 speed 

• Pedals: Volume Demolition 

• Bell: Spurcycle 

• Grips: Vans x ODI 

• Headbadge: Friendship Flag – Jen Green Headbadges 

• Bern Helmet 

 

I’m continuing to be impressed by the K-lite low drag lamp, which seems to regulate output by calculating speed via the hub and this appears consistent, whether it’s been paired to the Shimano Ultegra or Shutter Precision PD8. Greatest gains are felt with my fixed gear winter trainer, although the lack of resistance is also very palpable and welcome on my tubby tourer.  

However, the slower speed output of its Bike Packer Ultra siblings is a better fit for the old girl, since we’re often tackling more technical terrain and so I’m often bimbling along at a slower pace. It will come as little surprise that the Shutter Precision SL9 hub and the K-Lite Low Drag are arguably the optimal pairing.  

Back to the tubby tourer, I had to nip the cable ties a little tighter, since the lamp was creeping upwards on the Velo Orange mount. Talking of mounts, I also took a closer look at the Geonaute base. The threaded sleeve lacks a metal insert but it’s union with the Minoura VC 100 seems reliable enough.  

Traffic levels and general road user etiquette is generally much higher in this region than others I’ve lived, and ridden in. However, there is always an exception. For the most part, I employ cameras to capture the ride/events. However, there has been a more general trend in the UK for riders employing to capture bad/dangerous behaviour and low-level bullying/aggression.  

Examples include following very closely behind and sounding the horn, “punishment passes” I.e., passing willfully close. Though hardly scientific, Richard Ballantine had a remarkably accurate index for driver conduct in his Bicycle Books. One that has served me very well, over the last 35 years. I also hold car and other entitlements, do a fair bit of driving and have noticed a general trend for a lack of skill, substituted for aggression.  

Far from the maddening crowd, I’m continuing to bed-in the Teenage Dream. Most things have settled- down nicely, although I’ve needed to adjust the BBB mudguards (fenders) since they have proven susceptible to movement, thus catching the tyres. I’ve realigned both and glued the front in situ to subvert issues further down the line. Otherwise, it’s the spirited, engaging machine that had me smitten all those years ago.  

Back to the Geonaute, while the weather remains dry and summery, it will stay and when it’s not, I’ll switch to the Campark. Staying with summer, Steve’s been pleasantly surprised by this Funkier Airflow Cycling Jersey FUNKIER AIRFLOW CYCLING JERSEY | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and the Funkier Men’s F-Pro Gel Cycling Shorts .FUNKIER MEN'S F-PRO GEL CYCLING SHORTS | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) I’ve now switched from 3/4lengths, to bib shorts, even on early morning (6am) rides.  

I will need to acquire some more chains shortly, I’m down to the last two, one for my fixed and another ten speed Sram for the Univega. I’ll use what I’ve got for now, although I’ve never been sold on the quick link concept, especially when it comes to track/fixed drivetrains.  

I’m still feeding the fixed Bat Wax-its reasonably temperature stable, so isn’t turning into a mushy melted mess and the temperature’s holding steady at 23-25 degrees. Durability is also better than I’ve come to expect from more traditional wax formulas, in comparable conditions.   

Univega is still running the Weldtite Ceramic, just a lighter helping, although some others are due to arrive, which I will feed both chains, in due course. Spray chain lubes aren’t generally that impressive, although Steve’s been pleasantly surprised by this Dirt Doc Chain Lube DIRT DOC CHAIN LUBE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)