Curiosity...

Left to my own devices, I became curious regarding the new Deore crankset’s suitability and wanted to check chain length, before introducing front mech, bar end shifter and cables.

 

Off came the 1x10 deore (switched to the Dawes Edge frameset for safe keeping GRAVEL ON A DUSTBOWL BUDGET: HARVESTING COMPONENTS (sevendaycyclist.com)). Plenty of Peaty’s Bicycle Assembly Grease PEATY'S BICYCLE ASSEMBLY GREASE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) graced the Shimano XT Shimano Deore XT PD-M8100 Pedals | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) pedal threads.  

The Juice Lubes Bearing Juice was still clinging to the Hollowtech II axle. Pleasing, given its primarily designed for bearings SIMPLE SERVICE: CUP 'N' CONE HUBS | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com). . With the new, 2x10 Deore , I opted in favour of the Peaty’s Speed Grease PEATY'S SPEED GREASE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com). Everything back together and buttery smooth, 110 link chains seemed correct- no hint of straining at the lowest gears.  

Confirmed beyond reasonable doubt on the following morning’s twenty-mile test run. Nonetheless, I had plenty on, so the front mech and shifter could be fitted at my leisure. Sometimes things need to be works in progress, rather than rushed.  

Quitting while ahead some might say. Besides, the Crane Cousins sacrificed a front mech and shifter to save precious grams on their Special Products Raleigh Bikes for their epic tour...Journey to the Centre of the Earth - Richard Crane, Nicholas Crane - Google Books Ok, let’s not get too carried away...Who was I kidding???  

Saturday morning, I returned from a 430am ride and decided I’d get busy in the methodical, offer stuff up and check sense. I managed to retain the “child at Christmas” sense of urgency until 7am. Yup, that I’ll just do some preliminaries went out the window too. In for a penny... 

 

Chain split, the biggest challenge was the front mech.  

The Deore was proving a non-starter with the MPart Mount, so I decided to save time, cut my losses and reach for the STX. My hunch that the 24-year-old mech would save the day proved so. I also needed to remove the serrated panel from the rear Blumels Shiny Mudguards SKS BLUEMELS SHINY MUDGUARDS | cycling, but not ususally racing (sevendaycyclist.com) to allow unhindered cage travel. 

Cable outers cut, everything connected, I needed to adjust the travel but despite being designed for a 3x7, it slipped back and forth very snappily-without any cage manipulation. Although being a triple, I was meticulous, borderline neurotic when adjusting the limit screws.  

Having ensured it wouldn’t drop off either side, I reintroduced the Souma Leather Handlebar Tape Souma Leather Handlebar Tape | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com), checked everything shifted reliably and popped the old girl away.

4.40am on Sunday morning, the acid test. Better quality inner wires tend not to require intervention but either way, I leave inner wires eight hours (or overnight) and then pull through once, if needed. I’d toyed with leaving things another day or so and switching to the fixed meantime but 440am came around and a shakedown ride called.  

No nasty surprises, the old STX shifted impeccably in both directions with no hint of cage rub, or similar teething troubles. That said; the Merida cage gracing the seat tube bottle boss chose this opportunity to expire- without warning. The tool caddy was ejected onto the front rings, causing a moment’s anxiety.  

In the darkness, I thought the worst-broken derailleur cage, popped chain... I had spare links and replacement magic links in the tool caddy in any case. I packed the cage into Ursula’s Axiom Ocean Wave City+ Seat Pack AXIOM OCEANWAVE CITY+ SEAT BAG | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and rode home. I’d considered this Zefal Pulse Z2 Zefal Pulse Z2 Bottle Cage | cycling, not usually racing (sevendaycyclist.com) before settling on the winged carbon fibre Boardman.  

While I understand and appreciate magic links, I’m not completely at ease with them. I much prefer a pin of some description and that’s on a derailleur transmission, let alone single speed, or fixed setup.  

A 2x10 transmission has given me a range between 26.9 and 84.3 inches some added power on the road with greater torque offroad, or when a trailer’s trundling behind.  

Staying with chains, the Muc-Off Wet lube seems to be holding its own, despite rains of biblical proportions. The sort that creates deep, lingering puddles, which can conceal a multitude of nasties-potholes are extremely fertile right now.  

John Moss has been developing a mount for the TRP HYRD calliper. Although I’m not in a rush for it (am planning to fit to coincide with cable and/or pad replacement), I'm getting quite excited...