To my delight, Madison sent me a set of Maxxis Re fuse TR 700x32c. TR denotes Tubeless Ready, but I’ve gone the tube route since it’s the best fit for me. However, it's nice to know that I can convert, later down the line, if fancy takes me. Talking of fits, they were surprisingly easy to slip aboard the rims- just a little help from the Topeak Shuttle 2.1 News about Seven Day Cyclist levers getting the last quarter home.
Maximum pressure is a modest 75psi and out of curiosity (rather than reaching for the track pump), I grabbed the Topeak Road Master Blaster frame fit to see how efficiently it could perform roadside rescues. 200 strokes and 3 minutes had it to the maximum- a steady rhythm but minimal effort.
Reassuring- our large is also the perfect fit for the top tube. The Maxxis Re Fuse have already inspired confidence-speed and rolling resistance are also good-although what I’ve come to expect from 60 tpi casings- a less supple ride than models like the CST CzarCST Czar Tyres | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) but I’m hoping the bead-to-bead puncture repelling belt prove ultra reliable, more so than the otherwise likeable Silk Shield employed in the Maxxis Overdrive Excel.
I returned from a longer ride on Sunday morning and decided the fixed’s aheadset bearings needed tweaking slightly. This struck toward the end and upon returning home I concluded a spacer revision was needed. I removed a black 10mm and replaced it with 3x5mm blue, which sorted minor, but impactful tension issues.
Potholes have been breeding faster than corrupt politicians, sending the senses screaming with alarm and testing my bike handling skills. In common with tubes, certain sections of road really need resurfacing, rather than sporadic patching. However, cash-strapped local authorities just can’t afford to entertain this. Not something the public understands but then, to be expected.
Tendering sounds the way forward when it comes to getting best value but in practice, it’s a race to the bottom and a lot of work and on a wider level, services are inadequate. Want decent quality services and infrastructure then there’s a cost but managed properly, this will repay the investment many times over.
I digress...Morning rides have still been unexpectedly chill, so I’ve been alternating between these Madison Bib Tights Madison Freewheel Thermal Bib Tights | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and ¾ lengths. When it's milder, these Funkier Ride Flo Men’s ¾ Bib Tights FUNKIER RIDE FLO MEN'S 3/4 BIB TIGHTS | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) when it's cooler, these Triban Men's Road Cycling Bib Tights RC500.
Great pads, extremely comfortable and generally rugged, given their price points.
¾ lengths have long been my go-tos for general road-biased riding. In the height of summer, bib shorts all the way, depths of winter, thermal tights but ¾ lengths cover all the other bases-nicely.
Long sleeve jerseys and vest-type base layers, regular caps- the Showers Pass Elite Cycling Cap SHOWERS PASS ELITE CYCLING CAP | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and its Atlas stablemate being my favourites.
Gloves-wise, I’ve alternated between some Specialized full finger liner types and these long-serving Passport Crochet back Cycling Mitts TEST & REVIEW: PASSPORT CROCHET BACK CYCLING MITTS (sevendaycyclist.com). I’ve needed to feed the palms more regularly to keep them supple but again, they’re comfortable, and very rugged-with lots of retro charm. Obviously, being leather they also mould to the wearer’s contours.
200 miles hence and the FLR F70 are beginning to mould to my feet and relax a little at key points. Not in the sense of becoming saggy, or anything similarly unwelcome, rather it means they’re easier to slip on and I’ve switched to some aftermarket insoles. More because I could, rather than a reflection on the FLR footbeds.
Will be interesting (read I hope) they’ll relax sufficiently to allow comfortable pairing with waterproof socks... Yes, I know we’re heading toward summer, and it doesn’t rain that frequently (or heavily) in the UK but. Things can get boggy under tyre, especially along the trails, dab a foot down and yes, wet, gooey stuff can make itself known through the cleats first-assuming full immersion doesn’t catch you first.
That said; the British justify their preoccupation with weather on the defence it is so changeable. I’m not a subscriber to this. I’ve found Belgium and the Netherlands more changeable, especially during spring. Maybe it’s another example of that infamous British Exceptionalism...In my book, there’s no such thing as the wrong weather, just the wrong kit for it.
