Rubber Up. The Man Who Fell to Earth

 

No sooner had the snow fallen, temperatures rocketed, inducing a rapid thaw. Howling winds and torrential rain followed. Perfect conditions for switching from Ursula to Denise for some more, foul weather testing of the Wolf Tooth Supple Bar Tape and Lomo 13 litre Bikepacking Seat pack. Or so I thought. However, this is a cautionary tale regarding thermometers and internet weather forecasts. According to my devices, it hadn’t hit zero overnight. A few miles into the ride, I entered a bend and hit a stretch of sheet ice, taking us “rubber up”.  

Mercifully, nothing more serious than damaged Lycra and a trashed right hand RL520 lever. Having returned from the 15-mile loop, I wasted no time ordering a replacement pair, since I only had a couple of left-handed Tektro in the spares box. £20 all told but I could’ve done without it, especially given the time of year.  I’d also toyed with going the retro, non-aero route.  

On the one hand, this would make for easier cable replacement but would also mean unnecessary outlay. I’m not paying retro prices either (although suspect I may have a set of Campagnolo Athena that are reversible-new hoods are all I’d need). I’d also seen some Dia Compe 204 with integral quick release for £28.   

These good ideas cum rabbit holes can prove time consuming and ultimately, uneconomic.  Besides, effective repair was simply a question of undoing the inner wire, peeling back the bar tape and removing the broken lever, salvaging hoods and other parts as spares.    

I’d been on plenty of soggy outings with the Lomo and found it highly weather resistant but while the 5mm Wolf Tooth Supple Bar Tape has proven incredibly effective at isolating against road and trail buzz, I hadn’t been able to assess its wet weather prowess.  

I wasn’t surprised to discover, like most silicones grip and tenure are superb. Leach-like, but without the “gripping flypaper” sensation. Obviously, gloves with silicone imprinted palms are the ideal marriage, but traditional palms-synthetic, or leather come a close second.  

I’m also forming the conclusion that while offering excellent damping properties, without unduly muting connection, being 5mm thick, it could prove too bulky for smaller hands. As the photo illustrates, it also survived our tumble with terra firma completely unscathed.   

The wet, wintry conditions had finally licked Denise’s chain clean, so I went the full blown, bars to tyres deep clean route, stripping the residual WTB, degreasing and drying before reaching for the Peaty’s Link Lube Premium All Weather PEATY'S LINK LUBE PREMIUM ALL WEATHER | cycling-not-racing   

Staying with contact points, I read a comment recently regarding quill to Ahead converters and specifically, why people still use them. Sure, they can seize if not greased properly and the guest stem needs to be snugged very tight but they’re also a very inexpensive way of running a modern stem on an older bike.   

Denise Gravel on A Dustbowl Budget PT V Lesson | cycling-not-racing sports one and thus far, its proving dependable. Admittedly, I have used a suitably stiff grease- Oxford Mint Assembly Grease Oxford Mint Assembly Grease | cycling-not-racing and check it periodically to ensure nothing’s turning arthritic. Judging by the pedal threads and fasteners, it’s both highly water and wash-off resistant.   

Having the steerer tube cut and replaced a ’la the Holdsworth Oldie But Goodie: Fork Repair & Revision | cycling-not-racing is arguably a more reliable method but will require a compatible Aheadset, which are getting trickier to find. Unlike replacing the fork steerer, there’s no risk of cracking the fork crown and paint stands a sporting chance of remaining intact too. Other folks will cite period authenticity, and I can also empathise with this school. However, in the latter context, it's easily reversed.  

Talking of bulk, while I’m fond of the Lomo, for everyday duties, I’m drawn to something smaller. A quick rummage in the rafters unearthed this Zefal Adventure R11 Waterproof Saddlebag ZEFAL ADVENTURE R11 WATERPROOF SADDLEBAG | cycling-not-racing, which is surprisingly rigid and sway-free, despite employing a single Velcro post strap. No issues with fouling the seat post since the USE SX’s bouncy bits are neatly tucked away inside.  

The Passport Bike Packing Seat Pack PASSPORT CYCLES BIKEPACKING SEAT PACK | cycling-not-racing is likely to make a return, and it should also play nicely with the USE SX seat post, but Topeak’s UK importer has sent me the brand’s  Backloader Wishbone.  

It has a maximum payload of 2kilos, so not quite a panacea, but looks much better engineered than the auction site special (although arguably it should be, being three times the homage’s ticket price). Will be interesting to see how much well it tames sway with the 6litre back loader Topeak Back Loader Seat Pack | cycling-not-racing and indeed, some bigger models.  

Fine Tuning, Neurosis & Touch Ups

 November nearing its swansong and its remaining unexpectedly mild (save for a few, very cold starts). Strange then, that I should switch to the FLR Defender Winter Booties. However, UK winters err on the wet, rather than bitterly cold and I also want to see how they regulate temperature in milder weather. Before I went into temporary exile, I collected some packet fresh consumables, including these Look Cleats.

Marked “Easy Release”; these follow the Shimano SPD pattern and came with the Look Geo Trekking Pedals I was testing this time in 2019. Since the Shimano and Wellgo bolted to my shoes were fully compatible, I had put the Look on ice. In my experience, even the more basic patterns return a decent mileage. However, they tend to expire at the least convenient moments, especially in winter.

I introduced these with the Zefal Extra Wet Nano Ceramic Chain Lube. Grease is more stoical but heavier duty wet lubes make convenient and passable substitutes. Just remember to strip and re-lubricate more frequently-at least every three months. Otherwise, you’ll be reaching for penetrant sprays, or resorting to more extreme measures, such as drilling them out…

The thicker soles common to this genre of boot may mean raising the saddle a few millimetres to compensate. I chose to perform this move post-ride and the binder bolt chose that precise moment to expire. Being specific, it seems the collar’s aluminium thread had stripped its threads at a crucial point.

The balance of blame lies solely at my door-overtightened due to neurosis and forgoing a torque wrench. Thank heavens for the internet and next day delivery.

Given this incurred a £4 charge, I decided to buy two of these Brand X (one as a spare, just in case. I also have a blue Salsa lip-lock in storage). Muc Off Mechanics Gloves MUC-OFF MECHANICS GLOVES | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) donned, I gave the frame’s seat tube a quick blast of maintenance spray, gently splayed the clamp and eased it in situ.

The former added some slip, thus reducing the risk of scratched paintwork. Treated the post to a quick lick of Muc-Off Bio Grease TESTED : MUC-OFF BIO GREASE (sevendaycyclist.com)  since I was there, reinstated everything and snugged the collar bolt tight, resisting any neurotic urges.

Though the Univega’s Interpon 601 powder coat cream finish After The Gritters Went Home | Seven Day Cyclist is incredibly tough and well applied, it’s not completely bullet-proof (no finish is) and there are a couple of small chips.

One along the chainstay and another on the right-hand seat stay. My initial drift was towards Revel/Humbrol type hobby enamels but these looked to be a shade or two out, which is no use. I’d be better off applying a primer coat to protect the metal and waiting for the right match. As I was wandering around the web for something else, a 30ml RAL9001 cream bottle turned up at a very keen price, so I wasted no time in buying.  

Curing times are cited as being 2hours between coats. Two or three thin coats are always better than a single, thick one. Wherever possibly, leave these overnight and then add subsequent coats the next day. Ideally, leave a further 24hours. In short, best done during a time when that bike is enjoying some well-deserved rest.

Elsewhere, the Zefal Z Adventure Z5 continues to impress with its blend of rugged, motion free tenure and simple, sturdy mounting. Steve’s also been impressed with the BTR Water Resistant Handlebar Bag BTR WATER RESISTANT HANDLEBAR BAG | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  

I’ll close this entry with some photos of my thankfully, temporary exile…Better organise some bike storage for my new permanent home, before demand spikes and delivery times extend, given the seasonal rush.    

November nearing its swansong and its remaining unexpectedly mild (save for a few, very cold starts). Strange then, that I should switch to the FLR Defender Winter Booties. However, UK winters err on the wet, rather than bitterly cold and I also want to see how they regulate temperature in milder weather. Before I went into temporary exile, I collected some packet fresh consumables, including these Look Cleats.

Marked “Easy Release”; these follow the Shimano SPD pattern and came with the Look Geo Trekking Pedals I was testing this time in 2019. Since the Shimano and Wellgo bolted to my shoes were fully compatible, I had put the Look on ice. In my experience, even the more basic patterns return a decent mileage. However, they tend to expire at the least convenient moments, especially in winter.

I introduced these with the Zefal Extra Wet Nano Ceramic Chain Lube. Grease is more stoical but heavier duty wet lubes make convenient and passable substitutes. Just remember to strip and re-lubricate more frequently-at least every three months. Otherwise, you’ll be reaching for penetrant sprays, or resorting to more extreme measures, such as drilling them out…

The thicker soles common to this genre of boot may mean raising the saddle a few millimetres to compensate. I chose to perform this move post-ride and the binder bolt chose that precise moment to expire. Being specific, it seems the collar’s aluminium thread had stripped its threads at a crucial point.

The balance of blame lies solely at my door-overtightened due to neurosis and forgoing a torque wrench. Thank heavens for the internet and next day delivery.

Given this incurred a £4 charge, I decided to buy two of these Brand X (one as a spare, just in case. I also have a blue Salsa lip-lock in storage). Muc Off Mechanics Gloves MUC-OFF MECHANICS GLOVES | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) donned, I gave the frame’s seat tube a quick blast of maintenance spray, gently splayed the clamp and eased it in situ.

The former added some slip, thus reducing the risk of scratched paintwork. Treated the post to a quick lick of Muc-Off Bio Grease TESTED : MUC-OFF BIO GREASE (sevendaycyclist.com)  since I was there, reinstated everything and snugged the collar bolt tight, resisting any neurotic urges.

Though the Univega’s Interpon 601 powder coat cream finish After The Gritters Went Home | Seven Day Cyclist is incredibly tough and well applied, it’s not completely bullet-proof (no finish is) and there are a couple of small chips.

One along the chainstay and another on the right-hand seat stay. My initial drift was towards Revel/Humbrol type hobby enamels but these looked to be a shade or two out, which is no use. I’d be better off applying a primer coat to protect the metal and waiting for the right match. As I was wandering around the web for something else, a 30ml RAL9001 cream bottle turned up at a very keen price, so I wasted no time in buying.  

Curing times are cited as being 2hours between coats. Two or three thin coats are always better than a single, thick one. Wherever possibly, leave these overnight and then add subsequent coats the next day. Ideally, leave a further 24hours. In short, best done during a time when that bike is enjoying some well-deserved rest.

Elsewhere, the Zefal Z Adventure Z5 continues to impress with its blend of rugged, motion free tenure and simple, sturdy mounting. Steve’s also been impressed with the BTR Water Resistant Handlebar Bag BTR WATER RESISTANT HANDLEBAR BAG | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  

I’ll close this entry with some photos of my thankfully, temporary exile…Better organise some bike storage for my new permanent home, before demand spikes and delivery times extend, given the seasonal rush.