After some deliberation and in
some instances, a few years too many, I decided it was time to strip some of
the Shimano pedals, specifically the M737 hailing from 1990. Cue Shimano
TL-PD40SPD Axle removal tool, a 36mm headset spanner, some Juice Lubes Bearing
Juice and WTB Grease. Though very effective, I’ve since gone for a metal tool
with integrated handle, simply as its likely to be more durable, dare I say,
more convenient.
I started with these Shimano
ED500, which have served well but were only a few years old. The lockring came
free with reassuring ease and out with the axle. A quick wipe with a rag dipped
in solvent rids any residual gunk or lube that might react unfavourably with
the bearing juice or otherwise create mischief.
Mercury in the high twenties had
softened the green synthetic putty nicely. A liberal dollop from my index
finger into the pedal body and from there simply a question of threading the
axle home-noting right and left-hand threads. Snugged down to 10nm the
nasty soiled grease is forced out (in the same principle as pumping grease into
a dedicated grease port).
Wipe this and excess fresh
grease. Now give the pedals a spin and check for any signs of play. Ten
minutes apiece, done twice yearly this will extend the life of bearings and
other internals considerably. Any decent waterproof grease will do,
although I prefer stocky synthetics since they won't do anything nasty to seals
and other rubberised components.
A blend such as Peaty’s Speed
Grease PEATY'S
SPEED GREASE | cycling-not-racing is arguably better for hubs and Hollowtech
II cranksets and possibly headsets but work just fine on pedals, if you’re a
time triallist, or just really keen to keep friction lower than a snake’s
testicles. I repeated this proves with the single sided A520 and its 530mountain
bike counterpart. WTB WT-G Precision Bike Grease Wolf
Tooth WT-G Precision Bike Grease | cycling-not-racing in the former,
bearing juice the latter.
Back together and buttery smooth.
25 minutes all told, start to finish and strangely therapeutic. I switched
Denise’s Leatt Endurance 6.0 in their favour, since I’d a hunch these patterns
are the natural companion for the FLR MXT. Spoiler alert, this would seem so,
although there’s a definite honeymoon period when it comes to contact points,
any change.
I’ve always been a gang of one, my
father perhaps unkindly referred to as a “non-joiner” hence I don’t belong to
clubs, or similar social riding groups. I’ll chat, maybe share a joke mid ride,
or at rest stops and I’m socially adept in commercial contexts. However, I’m
very self-aware, can tell who is/not a good fit for me, like my own space and
solitude to reflect and re-charge.
The point of this lead up is the
sudden preoccupation with a “male loneliness epidemic”. I’m not sure this is a contemporary
phenomenon, rather getting a lot of attention in the context of romantic
relationships. It has long been evidenced that men experience isolation due to
their shrinking networks and relationships linked to formal work, whereas women
forge cooperative relationships and identities beyond work and their immediate
household.
This also means that many male
relationships are centred around t economic sphere, and should there be a
break- a loss in employment and the structures around this.
While this may have tapered off a
little, thanks to the increasing number of people working remotely, there are a
wealth of interactions engaged in and related with work. Similarly, there is
the question of whether workplace relationships have any tangible depth or
relevance outside of that environment. Some people also persist or tolerate unhealthy
relationships on the basis they fill a void and distract from tackling the
real, underlying issues.
I would also take some issue with
the idea that gender roles have become more fluid. I'm not sure whether this is
influencing a shift toward popularist right wing support, or whether such
popularism seeks to entice people who are feeling more isolated, taking them
along the classic fascist rabbit holes. Blaming women and other groups- trans
people in particular for the perceived shortcomings-lack of status, access to
opportunities etc. Classic themes in the fascist playbook.
Then of course, there is the
stoking of fear. At present there is arguably a status anxiety, a sense of
cultural de-throning. At its most basic, this is about people feeling
threatened, resentful towards others and a desire not for improved opportunities,
quality of life, or economic prosperity but pushing other groups down. This
leads to a sense of restored dominance, dare I say superiority over others. Right, I must whip out the patch kit and
assert dominance over some wounded butyl.
