Shakedown Ride

 

Sunday morning at 6am, I snuck out to the garage, emerging stealthily with the Teenage Dream, just as I did during the summer of ‘91. Minutes later, I was enjoying the responsive zing of the thin-walled steel tubeset. The Knog/Decathlon Frankenputer was clocking a steady 19.6mph and braking, though progressive was refreshingly sharp.  

A big, fly-catching grin followed for the 20-mile loop. Only the BBB mudguards and PDW pump bracket required adjustment, although I noted the Lezyne pump’s tendency to slither downwards, perilously close to the chainring, so the PDW mount had to go-substituted for a Syncros unit holidaying in my Bodge box. This also features a rubber strap for belt n’ braces, vibration cheating security. I also needed to pull the Moon Meteor strap a little tighter around the Salsa Bell lap bars, to prevent its incremental rotation.   

Switch and minor tweaks complete, bike safely away. I turned my attention to Ursula’s drivetrain. Shifting had gone “off”- phantom shifts and hesitancy being the main symptoms. Chain was still in good shape but the derailleur’s inner wire was showing some external signs of fraying, so I replaced this, and the housing, which had developed a very slight kink. 

 

Stripping these, I discovered the inner was a few shifts from expiry and was essentially held together by a PTFE “fatball” or clot, which can develop over time, using the heavier duty maintenance sprays. 

The Rear mech was also sporting impacted waxy colic, which took several helpings of solvent and enthused scrubbing to shift. Note to self... treat the spring, pivots and cables to GT85 and leave the heavier duty PTFE sprays for recessed Allen heads, cleat and locking mechanisms. The chain has been fed a light helping of Weldtite Ceramic Lube WELDTITE CERAMIC LUBE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com), which is defined as an “all weather” formula and in my experience, a decent staple.        

Shifting back on song, I turned my attention to my fixed gear winter trainer. I’d left the Kinekt 2.1 Aluminium suspension seatpostKINEKT 2.1 SUSPENSION SEAT POST | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) in situ since November and thought it was time to remove and re-grease. One thing led to another, and I reverted to Cane Creek’s excellent Thudbuster ST, the G4 in this instance, which features 50mm of travel, easily switched elastomers (press-fit, tool-free). This also cured a slightly annoying creak- the Kinekt seems to require the periodic helping of composite/rubber-friendly grease.  

Not that the Kinekt could ever be described as a pogo stick, the G4’s bob is less obvious but equally effective. It’s also saved 92g, although this wasn’t on my agenda. I’m also pleased to note that ACF50 used in place of grease has done an excellent job of protecting against corrosion.  

Slackening the seat collar bolt, the Kinekt slid out with buttery finesse. Impressive, given the months exposure to wet roads, snow, ice, and frequent sudsy bucket washes. I’ve been defaulting to Green Oil Eco Grease TWELVE MONTH TEST: GREEN OIL ECO GREASE (sevendaycyclist.com), primarily since it’s compatible with all surfaces and loosely on par with the bog-standard PTFE types in the durability stakes.  

Little surprise that the Kinekt Waterproof Saddle Bag KINEKT WATERPROOF SADDLE BAG | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) is an equally good fit. I just needed to pull the straps a little tighter, which is no hardship.     

I’ve been watching the steady implosion of UK industries and it is very clear that stable and skilled jobs are continuing to decline. Honda is leaving Swindon in a matter of weeks and being replaced by a warehouse. Now, work in car plants, at least on the lines is at best semi-skilled. However, its comparatively well paid, warehouse jobs are not.  

Having watched various cornerstones of the British economy disappear (mining, shipbuilding and manufacturing being three that immediately spring to mind). 

Highly skilled people tended to fare much better and could port their skillset to other industries. In the late 90s, Lifelong learning became a buzzword and lifelong learning accounts were a means by which those who had been “left behind” could secure academic and vocational skills/qualifications. It didn’t quite pan out that way.  

However, the concept of lifelong skills development has always been ingrained within me. The pandemic has also turned this up a notch. There are lots of free resources around. 

 

Even if these don’t have an obvious economic benefit, the more skills we can cultivate, the greater our autonomy. Predictably, frame-building courses have often captured my imagination but more recently, a less prescriptive machinists/ paint spraying/similar course has superseded this.      

 

Sundries & Finishing Touches

Bob Elliot & Co Bob Elliot Co Ltd - Suppliers of high quality bicycle supplies to registered traders (bob-elliot.co.uk) have kindly supplied me with some of their KranX Stretta Primo-High Grip Anti-Shock Handlebar Tape, which was the other stimulus for change. The KranX employs an adhesive backing, which may be a deal-breaker for some. Double-layer construction promises excellent grip and damping. Any colour you like so long as it’s black.  

Black is great for hiding grime and patina but there are four subtle undertones. In this instance and offered the choice, I’ve gone for the fluro green. Brighter than might be expected but complementary contrast to the bike’s green/black narrative. Depending on the light, it looks yellow, which is complimentary. On the subject of yellow, its certainly been gilet weather these past few weeks, and I’ve certainly warmed to this Oxford Venture Windproof Gilet OXFORD VENTURE WINDPROOF GILET | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) which has a nice blend of features. Decent-sized breast pocket for valuables (Superzoom compact camera being my stowaway of choice) and, at the back, the classic triple terrace.  The cobalt grey detailing is a very potent stealth retro-reflective. Grey by day but turns a very bright, silvery-white when graced by vehicle, or street lighting.   

I also needed a suitable wedge pack.  

A quick rummage through my containers unearthed a filth spattered Axiom Grand Fondo and a similarly silty Dill Pickle Store model, which I have a soft spot for.  

Since I was doing a kit wash in any case, I tossed both in. The Axiom shows some minor signs of wear, where it made contact with the Kinekt 2.1 Suspension Seatpost KINEKT 2.1 SUSPENSION SEAT POST | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com). This won’t affect its structural integrity, nor will it permit water/similar ingress inside. Capacity is the main draw here for both models, although I tend to pop multi-tools, tyre levers and Co2 cartridges, spare chain links, fasteners etc inside a smaller, water-resistant sack.  

After some deliberation, I went for the Grand Fondo and strapped it in situ. I put the main tools in this Passport Frequent Flyer TESTED: PASSPORT FREQUENT FLYER WEDGE PACK (sevendaycyclist.com) wedge pack and slipped it inside the Axiom, Russian doll fashion, then added 2 spare tubes. I’d found a fresh stash in a big cardboard box that hadn’t been scrutinised since relocating. 

 I often carry two multi-tools. My main one and a second, easily to hand, should someone need to nip something tight. Old but serviceable, so not insurmountable if its damaged, or lost. Good maintenance and self-reliance are key riding skills that cyclists and motorcyclists must practice and cultivate.  I will always help another rider but unless they are in distress, or particularly vulnerable, won’t get overly involved.  

     

Being as it was holiday Monday and though skies were cobalt, a stiff breeze was holding the rains back. One thing led to another. I noticed the front mech wasn’t as smooth and snappy as it might be. Slackening the mount and judiciously angling the cage slightly brought this back into focus, as did adjusting cable tension/friction at the shifters.  

The rear Victory mech had also become slightly gummed up-residual wax lube. Noting a quick blast of Muc-Off Fast Drying Degreaser and clean rag couldn’t blitz. Chain length was then called into question. Not far out but removing three links proved the cure. Borderline neurotic gear changing confirmed it would skip up and down the freewheel and no problems clambering up and down from big to small rings either.  

Predictably, the rear brake’s new inner wire had stretched slightly, so I pulled that through, snugged it down and pruned the excess with these Jagwire Pro Cable Cutters And Crimpers JAGWIRE PRO CABLE-CUTTERS AND CRIMPERS (sevendaycyclist.com). By this point, the weather was looking particularly bandit, so I repatriated everything to the garage and quit while I was still tangibly ahead. Satisfied all was well, I glued the end and dressed the Salsa Bell Lap with the KranX handlebar tape. In common with Ursula’s (Univega) Control Tech, it’s a surprisingly thick wrap, and getting it started, at the ends took several attempts.  

However, once flowing, it responds well to being stretched and bound firmly. Particularly on a curvy drop, such as the Teenage Dream’s Salsa Bell-lap, or the Soma Condor TEST: SOMA CONDOR HANDLEBAR (sevendaycyclist.com)    or the Genetic D-Riser 16 GENETIC D RISER 16 BARS | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

 

Talking of the Soma Condor, glancing down at my Fixed Gear Winter Trainer’s VDO computer, mid-ride, I was greeted by strike action. Well, more accurately, it was insistent I change the battery before all data was lost, which is a welcome safety buffer. Slipped in another CR2032 cell and then, while coursing through the settings, found a backlight option (which had been turned off). I've set it to engage around dusk. Wish I'd turned the cadence function on, while I was there but can't recall what I've done with the sensor unit.