Changing Rubber, Switching Routes

 

My recent reversion to the dependable and moreover, likeable 700x38 Vittoria Adventure Tech and 700x32 Kenda Kwick Journey KS plus KENDA KWICK JOURNEY TYRES | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  has proved a wise move, on the reliability front without sacrificing smiles.  Then along came some CST Pika Gravel and Xpedium Tyres. Ours is the skinny, old school cyclo cross 700x32c but there’s a 42mm (about 1.65 in) for bigger, gravel and adventure bike typical clearances.  

They’re a 60tpi dual compound with EPS (Extra Puncture Protection) puncture repelling belt, sturdy looking sidewalls and run between (35 and 75psi). At £31, they fall into the budget boat, so it’ll be interesting to see how they perform. Bickers LTD www.bickersltd.co.uk , the UK importer also sent me CST Xpedium. A 700x35c commuter biased tyre with a tread pattern superficially like Ursula’s Schwalbe Land Cruiser (no sign of the snow threatened by tabloid press outlets, yet.)  

The Xpedium feature a very comprehensive Aramid belt, which follow a narrative closer to some commuter/touring favourites from Schwalbe and indeed Vee Tire Co Zilent TESTED: VEE TIRE CO ZILENT MARK 2 TYRES (sevendaycyclist.com) although at 715g a bit lighter than both. This season, roads and lanes are paved in dung and similar gooey stuff, add hedge clippings to the mix and yes, the odds of flatting increase quite considerably.  

Blow-outs are relatively rare, although I’ve had a few over the years. Arguably the most hilarious was while riding my hack mtb (based around a Raleigh Maverick frameset and whatever I had, back in 1990/91).  

Hammering through a winding section of singletrack, something pierced the rear tyre’s sidewall and 50psi roared out, inducing a rear wheel slide and a mange et trois...Such weas the force, I was swept into a hedge where a couple were in a passionate tryst. Not sure who was more surprised to see who.  

Replaced that tyre with a 1.75 CST funnily enough- had a beefy 2.1-inch Hutchinson up front. MKS sealed bearing pedals, Zefal clips n’ straps, Weinmann cantilevers, Le Chi levers, thumb-shifters, Exage bio-pace crankset, SR seat post, Turbo homage saddle, 6spd block...A summer distraction while I awaited my GCSE exam results and sold on a year later to fund “The Teenage Dream”, my 531 Competition tubed road frameset.

I digress... A new set of brushes arrived for review, so I wasted no time in getting my filthy fixed lathered up and spruced. Looking in the cleaning bucket, I noted I had a few bottles of cleaner that were basically empty but had enough concentrated surfactant to do one last deep clean. Now, generic car wash n’ wax formulas are a default for me, (when I’m not putting products through their paces).  

 

These cut through the grime and when rinsed, leave a thin protective wax barrier behind. However, after five years regular use, the dregs of Crankalicious Mud Honey Foaming Bucket Wash TESTED: CRANKALICIOUS MUD HONEY FOAMING BUCKET WASH (sevendaycyclist.com) deserved a send-off. The rich later made short work of a week’s slimy spatter and caked on gunge (including some stubborn chain lube).  

The other reason I didn’t reach for wax was that I wanted to lay some helicopter tape atop the fixed’s top and head tube, where the Oxford Evo Top Tube bag was resting. This would prevent any potential swirling, or similar, should the bag move around, or wet gritty stuff get swept between bag and paintwork.  

I also decided the fixed’s KMC Z1 chain was too long, so pruned that by a few links (Claiming a multi tool’s chain function into the bargain. Luckily, I had this Topeak All Speeds Chain Tool TOPEAK ALL SPEEDS CHAIN TOOL | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) so, crisis averted).  

As a side note, I’m fond of multi-tools and especially those with a chain breaker. However, these tend to be weak spots. Even my Gerber Cool Tool’s pin has failed. Final job was a pedal switch.  

Again, I’m attached to the Shimano PD ED 500 Shimano PD ED 500 Pedals | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and though not desperate to save 160g from the build, I was keen to see if the PD M-540 would have any bearing upon my experience with the Shimano RX6 shoes.

I also noted the Sigma Infinity Rear LED Light SIGMA INFINITY REAR LED LIGHT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) had mysteriously powered down. So frugal, it gets forgotten, not a fault, or victim of water ingress. Since I’m talking rear lights, here’s my review of the Infini Metis Infini Metis 1-465R Rear Light | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

Fixed beautified, I decided it was time to hop back aboard Ursula and to judge whether another pair of long-serving bib tights had become bin fodder, courtesy of a knackered insert. Chafing around my inner buttock was the clue and confirmed during the next ride. This also coincided with an early morning road closure.  

Inconvenient, especially on a Monday morning, when I needed to be home by c. 545. That said; I followed the diversion, upped my tempo and was seemingly guided by some benevolent force along the even darker, narrower lanes. Having pulled up outside my house, with time to spare I considered it a blessing in disguise and looked forward to indulging in its charms, while works continued.  

Reflections at 62mph

 

Well, first things first. The unintended upgrade to “New” Sun Race NRX mech coupled with brand new chain and of course, a new block has made meteoric improvements to shifting. Light, crisp, dependable and silent. 

I should also point out that I have a mechanically sensitive riding and shifting style. I’d returned 30,000 miles from the 9speed Microshift, prior to the Centos.  The Centos was always crisp and aside from taking my eye off the gauge during the early season, chains have been replaced at .75, or just before.  

Rule of thumb (two replacements, hence) suggests 1250miles is pretty much all I can expect from a 10spd chain, almost regardless of the riding conditions and chosen lubes. Dry/Wax types attract less contaminant and theoretically, reducing wear. I’m sticking with the True Tension All Conditions blend for the time-being and while conditions are decidedly fair-weather.  

Interplanetary (hub) gears, rather like hub dynamos have come along leaps and bounds in the past twenty years.  

Shimano Alfine (11speed) would be an obvious transition, once I’d worn the existing setup out, although I have a quiet resistance when it comes to enclosed systems and there’s also a weight penalty. Serendipity may shift this stance.   

I’ll buy another chain in shortly, given I’m racking up the miles even more intensely since lockdown. So much so, I’ve done over 2,500 miles with the Continental Contact Speed Reflex tyres. Their speed is well, impressive and brings an extra element of sparkle to my Univega’s persona- on tarmac.  

Seems I managed 62mph along a local 1in7, which certainly focused the mind, especially given the potentially life-changing ramifications, had a blowout struck... Despite their considerable charms, the sidewalls seem relatively vulnerable to flints, glass and similar sharps. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/continental-contact-speed-reflex-ty  

There’s a small but growing community of riders repurposing older mountain bikes as gravel bikes-fitting them with drop bars and brifters. For the time, though they’ve lost their dominance, good quality 26inch tyres remain plentiful.  No prizes for guessing it’s a movement I am closely aligned with.  

Afterall, it's what I envisaged an “All-Terrain Bike” was, while mentally detaching myself from the school curriculum, still attending “in body”. It shouldn’t be inferred that I was ambivalent about my education. I just couldn’t relate to the school curriculum (and indeed, what is termed the “hidden curriculum”) but adopted an instrumental approach to get the grades and move on.  

Since we’re on the subject, if you’re curious about bike packing luggage (especially compatibility with smaller framesets/mtb conversions) we’ve put together a beginner’s guide https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/a-beginners-guide-to-bikepacking-ba   

As the days get progressively cooler and darker, I’ve been doing some seasonal bike prep-cleaning, waxing not only protects but is the ideal opportunity to inspect component and consumable health. 

Soft brushes, such as this Zefal ZB Wash https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/zefal-zb-wash-brush are what’s needed for broad surface work-frame and wheels being the obvious candidates (although I find stiffer models, such as Green Oil Bicycle Brush https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/green-oil-bicycle-brush  are better bets for dirty rims and knobby/deeper touring tread patterns).  

That said, I still have a soft spot for this Oxford Tyre Scrub https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/oxford-products-tyre-scrub  (which also works well on bar wrap) Chains and tyre casings aside, cables, pads, disc rotor condition are areas to check and replace, as required. Prevention is always cheaper and more convenient than cure. I’m also drifting towards more autumnal attire-back to ¾ lengths, base mid and this 7mesh Cypress Hybrid jacket https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/7mesh-cypress-hybrid . 

I’ve also whipped out the Buff Cap https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/buff-pack-bike-cap  and am putting some Dexshell Ultra flex gloves through their paces. These are supposedly winding, waterproof and breathable.  

They’re marketed as an outdoor glove, not cycling-specific but formative impressions (three rides and one hundred miles) suggest they offer decent amounts of support, grip and dexterity. It’s the damping that presents a question mark. Miles are the only proof. 

Black also stirs mixed emotions-great for multi-use, especially walking and general street duties but I have felt my signals were perhaps a little too stealthily at certain points.    

I had reason to be in Colchester recently. Rare these days, given I don’t have much business there. While the borough has expanded exponentially in the last decade or so, the infrastructure cannot cope and town centre looks and feels decidedly jaded. I was, however, pleased to find Colchester Cycle Stores still trading. Spent a lot of time and money there during my teens.