The Fixed Gear Winter Trainer is sticking with the Peaty’s Link Lube All Weather Premium lube since it’s an exceptionally clean, stoical formula ideally suited to a wealth of riding contexts thanks to its durability and cleanliness. Qualities that are seemingly ideal for high-milage bikes generally and daily drivers specifically.
Improving weather has meant the Holdsworth has also seen more regular action. I’ve treated the Holdsworth and Ursula to Blub Wax and The Teenage Dream the Peaty’s Link Lube All Weather. Both need surgically clean drivetrains but are otherwise self-cleaning, easily topped up and generally low maintenance.
The Blub Wax contains wax and water in an emulsion. Traditionally (although this is changing) waxes took a long time to cure. Blub reckons 5 minutes (at least in temperatures between 15 and 25 degrees, which many would consider ideal conditions). In my experience, at the lower end of this scale, its closer to 90-minutes, the wax turning from a creamy, candlewax white to a glaze. Blub say it also employs a petrochemical part that improves adhesion, or to use their words “fixation” to the transmission.
In common with the Ceramic stablemate, the Wax seems relatively durable, at least so long as you’re riding at least every other day. Not an issue on a daily driver, or training rig but not for a best/weekend pet. Suggests the lubricant almost regenerates with use, in the same fashion a highly sophisticated synthetic motor oil that gets regenerated under the oil pump’s pressure (and explaining why this breed of motor oil is not suitable for bicycle chains).
Looks like I may be topping up the Holdsworth’s quite regularly, maybe something like the Wolf Tooth WT-1 Chain Lube for All Conditions is a better bet… Staying with the Holdsworth, switching its BBB Razor for the 137mm Smanie GT was an inspired choice, proving more supportive at key points.
I’ve also decided to switch the Hutchinson Hutchinson Challenger Tyre | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) in favour of the Schwalbe One 365. AS budget tyres go, there’s a lot to like about the Hutchinson, but in my experience, they are quite vulnerable to sharps. The Schwalbe One 365 are a little lighter, too, despite being 28mm (the Hutchinson are 25) and the “original” fork blades permit much bigger rubber than the Carbon Acor. Not that I’d want to go bigger than 30c, given the bike’s a sunny day’s plaything but nice to have the choice. Otherwise, I have no plans to change the spec…Famous last words.
I’ve had some unexpected problems with the Ravemen XR6000 battery Ravemen XR6000 Front Light | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com). I initially thought it had succumbed to some ingress, since it wouldn’t power up and the battery charge indicator window was disturbingly dark, even when plugged into the mains for a couple of hours. Following my hung around possible water ingress.
I treated the charge port and plugs to a short blast of MO94 Muc-Off MO94 Multi Use Spray | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com). WD40 or Joker 440 Motorex Joker 440 | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) were the other options. Any synthetic water displacer would suffice, provided it didn’t contain PTFE since PTFE (Teflon) impairs electrical connectivity. Still nothing, despite leaving it overnight. Bob Elliot & Co (Ravemen’s UK importer) were really supportive, liaising with Ravemen’s engineers and feeding back.
Ultimately, we’d reached the point where a new battery was offered. For some reason I asked to hold fire, some force urging me to place it in the airing cupboard and revisiting the next morning. If this didn’t result in the battery springing to life and charging, I would’ve admitted defeat and gratefully accepted a replacement.
Seems the gods of high-power lighting systems looked kindly upon me. Plugging it into the mains, the charge indicator came alive and suggested it was receiving charge. This was a little slower than I’d expected, requiring 7.5 hours but the display denoted fully juiced. I unplugged and decided an evening ride would be the acid test. Relieved, everything came together and a sustained two- second press of the XR6000’s remote brought the lamp to life.
I toggled down to 500 lumens, threw a leg over the top tube and scooted off, battling a headwind but pleased all seemed well with the battery once more. I concluded the ride by treating the port and connectors to another light, precautionary squirt of MO94 before popping Ursula away and putting the bins out. So far, its operating normally and I hope this continues. I’ll leave here with my review of the Cycology 8 Days Handlebar Tape Cycology 8 days Handlebar Tape | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)
