I’d been pondering whether the Shimano Ultegra
dynohub’s grease had turned to watery gravy and needed to investigate. I’d always understood Shimano,
unlike Shutter Precision, were partially user serviceable. The right side could
be stripped and overhauled using a 15mm cone spanner and 17mm for the locknut. Trepidation cast aside, I rounded up spanners, greases, clean rags and solvent. The locknut was quite stubborn, which in some respects is a good sign, but submitted without recourse to penetrant spray.
Locknut and cone removed, the grease had
assumed an oily, but still functional state. The loose balls and bearing races
were also free of pitting and similar wear. I toyed with the idea of repacking
with Juice Lubes Slick Juice but reached for their Bearing Juice The
Juice Lubes Bearing Juice Long Term | cycling-not-racing on the grounds of outright
staying prowess. Even allowing for the recent heatwave, viscosity meant it was
a little messier to apply but no issues once I’d transferred the excess to the
cone.
This would also help seal the
elements out. Getting the bearing tension bang on took four attempts. Back in the forks, neurotic checking revealed zero play. Hub strips tend to be annual, or
thereabouts, so I can get away with some cheap but cheerful cone spanners. Unlike
some cheapies, Lifeline seem accurately machined and sturdy enough for
periodic use.
I’ve since invested in this 15mm
Park, replacing the Tacx someone borrowed and felt entitled to keep. I took the Slick Juice route with the
trailer’s hub, which, as expected has reduced friction. Will be interesting to
see how well it stands up to the elements, especially since it's right in the
firing line of puddles and other dodgy water. I’ve periodically had the idea of upgrading the
trailer’s wheel but talked myself out of it. A New Old Stock Deore unit was
waved under my nose for less than £8, so I indulged. I’ll seek out a suitable
rim, but only at the right price, since all this is want, not need.
Overhaul complete, I treated
Denise to a deep clean. Though not obviously dirty, given the prolonged, dry
spell, rear wheel, rack, rear triangle and fork crowns were coated in a
stubborn dusty layer. Buckets, Muc-Off Chain Wax Cleaner Muc-Off
Chain Wax Cleaner 500ml | cycling-not-racing, Juice Lubes Bike Cleaner, Muc-Off
MO94 Muc-Off
MO94 Multi Use Spray | cycling-not-racing and assorted brushes rounded up, twenty
minutes later, Denise was washed, dried and lightly re-lubed. Knowing when to
down tools and pack up-quitting while ahead is another important skill. Sometimes,
if it aint broke, don’t fix it.
The chain was still below .25 on the chain
wear indicator, and I was going to run the fleet on wax lubes for as long as
conditions permitted. Back to testing Ursula’s M Part Ridge Pannier rack and
some fixed gear frolicking aboard Muffin. Having discovered the Ride’s top
section broader than the Summit-confirmed when strapping my long serving Carradice
Super C atop.
This was filthy, so I decided to
take it for a thirty-degree Tour De Zanussi, adding some wash-in proofing. Now,
this isn’t strictly the way to treat cotton duck, so a gamble at my own risk.
However, it seems to have emerged in good health. I decided to take my 25-year-old
SQR Tour the same route since, while very solid, it was looking very jaded. The
sun and other elements had bleached the fabric in places and there’s no getting
that back, but it was at least, clean and re-proofed.
This also presented the ideal
opportunity to give the washing machine’s soap try a thorough cleaning to
remove accumulated soap scum and similar.
Ideally, we should follow manufacturer
instructions regarding care to the letter and have no recourse, should we
deviate. Those of you looking to reproof cotton duck luggage should give them a
good wash and then apply Carradice’s own reproofing wax. I even found a box of high-quality patches,
which was another pleasant surprise.
One thing led to another. I
decided it was high time I had a sort through of the work bench. I decanted a
myriad of small fasteners, mounts and similar into dedicated zip lock baggies
and found and appropriate storage box. I’d been slightly disappointed by the OEM
Coospo CS600 Coospo
CS600 GPS | cycling-not-racing Garmin pattern mount adorning Ursula’s bars
but hadn’t found a suitable contender.
Firmly in the zone, I discovered a
couple of Magicshine mounts- the type employed on the marque’s Allty and Ray
series. These employ a Garmin pattern head mount and a series of straps, so a
universal fit. One, already attached was in Goldilocks territory. Sixty seconds
later, a neater, sturdier host. A small but very satisfying upgrade.
Next, I decided to road test my hypothesis that wrapping some scrap inner tube around the quick-release trailer hitches would act as a damper. One producing a tighter union, silencing a slight rattle. Formative impressions are favourable, although trailer release is less convenient than ideal. Maybe thinner tube, or even electrical tape is the solution...
