Bum Steer AKA Its Too Tight, Or Its Too Slack..

 I had a model cancel a shoot, which is annoying but comes with the territory. This presented an ideal opportunity to investigate some issues with my fixed gear winter/trainer’s recently replaced Aheadset.  

I’d pensioned off the long serving FSA, which had served faithfully for five fairly hard years. The lower race employed a cartridge bearing, the upper traditional balls, which keeps costs down, but I fancied something a little more refined, hence the Stronglight.  

However, despite having everything correctly aligned, it wouldn’t adjust properly. Removing slop meant tightening bearings to the point the bars would barely turn. Something was clearly very wrong, and I wondered if this was indicative of a more serious fork steerer issue.   

A full strip and diagnostic session followed. I dismissed the Gusset Uni-Lock Headlock, inspected the fork steerer, paying particular attention to the crown area and went the SFN (Star Fangled Nut) route.  

I then dismantled the headset and found while new, it was a “Franksenset”. One cobbled together from two superficially identical but ultimately, incompatible models (which in retrospect, explains the issues and why it was so cheap). The compression ring being a case in point. Given it was boxed and sealed, I had no reason to think anything was "off".  

Decision made. No sense attempting silk purse from sow’s ear. Might as well start again...The cartridge bearings would be useful but otherwise, I put it down to experience. Thankfully, I found a complete, sealed Olite I’d bought a while back. This also proved an ideal opportunity to use a tube of Park PPL grease that was splitting along the seams.  

Lashings of the tenacious green goo delivered to the cups and races-buttery smooth. New stem bolts, (since the Redshift Sports Shockstop Suspension Stem TEST & REVIEW REDSHIFT SPORTS SHOCKSTOP SUSPENSION STEM (sevendaycyclist.com)’s  were getting a little chewed) some fresh thread lock on the disc caliper mount hardware, some spacer-switching... 

Time consuming but formative checks confirmed things were broadly right, so I fine-tuned the preload and snugged the stem bolts to 5nms. Cane Creek SC5 CANE CREEK V BRAKE DROP BAR LEVERS | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)lever engaged and several, neurotic rockings later, I couldn’t trace any slop, so tethered the K-Lite dynamo K LITE BIKEPACKER ULTRA DYNAMO LIGHT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) cable to the Kinesis fork leg.  

Of course, I wasn't done there!  

Tyres inflated; pedals switched in favour of the Shimano XT, chain tension tweaked and finally, Motoverde PTFE Chain LubeMotoverde PTFE Chain Lube | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) stripped in favour of this Momum Mic Dry Lube. I finished by giving the frameset a light waxing, buffing with a micro fibre cloth, then popped it away.  

There’s a fine line between staying with something until you’ve got it sussed (and sorted) and quitting while ahead.  Sure enough, the following morning’s shakedown ride confirmed the bearings were a little too snug.  

 

Slackening the stem bolts, I loosened the pre-load by 16th turn, did the rocking back and forth test, then tightened the stem bolts to 5nms.  Cue loud (internal) cheer-it was 5.50am and I didn’t think my neighbours would be so appreciative, dare I say empathetic.  When it comes to bearings, headset and bottom brackets, I preside durability and weather sealing above weight and indeed price. Needle bearing models that displace loads were particular favourites.  

The Teenage Dream was originally built, (back in ‘91) with a Primax unit featuring these, which might seem strange given needle roller bearing models were a tourists’ choice and said machine was a sunny days, pared to the essential's plaything...I’ve run them up to very high mileages on traditional touring lorries but they’re also a good bet for bikes that regularly lug trailers and indeed, tag-alongs.  

Decent waterproof greases, including the Park, or White Lightning Crystal TESTED : WHITE LIGHTNING CRYSTAL GREASE (sevendaycyclist.com) certainly help extend service intervals, without shortening component life. Mudguards (Fenders) also make a big difference but if this isn’t an option for you, make a boot from old inner tube to protect the lower race.  

Obviously, being butyl go for a synthetic grease, rather than the old school lithium, or PTFE infused blends, since these will rot rubber-another consideration if headsets employ rubber seals.  Green Oil Eco Grease TWELVE MONTH TEST: GREEN OIL ECO GREASE (sevendaycyclist.com) is a surprisingly stoical alternative, albeit not rivalling the Park, or White Lightning blends discussed.  

Busted Zippers, Beggared Bearings & Back Road Blasting

 

While performing tyre switches and similar preparation, I discovered the See Sense Handlebar Bag’s zipper had expired. Further, generic inspection revealed the fixed gear winter/trainer’s FSA headset was similarly shot, prompting immediate replacement.  

I had a Stronglight O’ Lite in stock but the biggest challenge was finding my crown race removal tool. I’ve had this one for some years and replacements are now much dearer. With some methodical searching (the sort reminiscent of childhood and painstakingly searching through the toy box for a favourite action figure)it was discovered in the bottom of my transmission parts box.  

Given the relatively early hour and it being Sunday, I unleashed a silent, internal whoop of joy. This also presented an opportunity to inspect the Kinesis carbon fork for any sign of deterioration that might lead to failure.  

Thankfully, nothing to see. I also topped up the internal frame preserve, since I was there.  Everything back together with lashings of Peaty’s Bicycle Assembly Grease, I had a quick play with spacers and tweaked the TRP SPYRE SLC calliper- Ursula's too. Just a matter of pulling the inner wires through a little. I also replaced Ursula’s Sigma BC9.16 ATS Wireless Computer SIGMA BC9.16 ATS WIRELESS CYCLE COMPUTER | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) sensor battery, since I’d been getting some very strange and erratic readouts, during our last ride.  

While foraging for the crown race remover, I uncovered this tool bottle and of course, the Crank Brothers Speedier leaver, which is another firm favourite of mine. Tool bottles will typically swallow a tube, maybe two, a small multi tool and other little essentials you don’t want to be rummaging for.  

They’re generally very cheap-£2, or so but there’s a long tradition of riders upcycling old water bottles. Apparently, empty Horlicks tins are similarly effective alternatives. The only slight downside of course (especially during summer) is they mean sacrificing a bottle cage. However, this might be a non-issue if you’ve three and lugging two full 750/800ml bottles.   

Ursula had also received new bar tape- Ergon BT Gravel Bar Tape, to be precise. It's 3.5mm (about 0.14 in) thick but much easier to apply than that density might imply. Seems to isolate road shock and trail buzz very convincingly too, thus far. The Vittoria Evolution are a little lighter than the otherwise very likeable Schwalbe Land Cruiser, which translates in a zippier ride.  

However, the next 500miles or so, will reveal more about their persona, temperament and reliability.  

Consistently dry conditions and a bank holiday weekend prompted me to polish and prep the Holdsworth for a few early morning blasts. I also decided to switch headsets spacers a bit, tweak the Miche stopper a little. Ironically enough, the Knog Nerd computer battery had expired but sometimes it’s about enjoying the ride and the moments. Road Path framesets were designed to be competent weekend racers, yet dependable daily drivers.  

Sufficient clearance for full-length mudguards (fenders) and road appropriate geometry, meaning handling is exciting but predictable and practical. They’re a concept I’d love to see return. However, I also recognise, from a commercial perspective, they were very much of their time. The 1950s were a time of post-war austerity when car ownership wasn’t the norm-indeed the British cycle industry took a big hit when petrol rationing was abolished in 1957.  

Though a slightly different machine, On-One Lincolnshire poacher was an interesting frameset harking back to these times, although reviews from the time suggest it had less zing than a “true” road path build from the 50s.