Progress & Priorities

 

On some levels and to some extent, everything in life is a work in progress. That out of the way, I was still being taunted by the intermittent brake tickling and concluded everything was otherwise correctly aligned...Perhaps the outer housing from lever to first cable stop was fractionally too short... 

I'd had plenty of compression-less outer and had earmarked inner cable replacement, so an obvious thing to rule out and a simple fix. Something that came to mind during that meditative mid- ride phase.  

I've also been contemplating the rack and trailer compatibility conundrum.

One potential solution was to fit an adaptor that would raise the racks' legs, providing the necessary clearance without compromising the rack's payload. Now, I'm talking a high quality, properly machined stainless/6061 aluminium alloy, not the sort made from cheese. However, closer inspection of the Topeak’s “foot” revealed this a non-starter. Some folks recounted shaving metal from the foot with their trusty Dremel…Nope, not for me. Besides, braking was my primary focus-this needed to be right before we're tethering trailers.

The solution came courtesy of Madison cycles and a M Part Ridge rack. Weighing 624g, it's a single tier design loosely reminiscent of Blackburn's MTN. One that served me well until its demise while riding through Forest Gate (E7) late summer 1999. Credit to Blackburn, they honoured their lifetime warrantee and I received a replacement. The Ridge is made from 10mm 6061 aluminium rod, comes complete with a no quibble 5-year warrantee and a respectable 25kilo maximum payload.

Designed for disc brakes, it employs adjustable legs and oodles of calliper clearance without the "feet" which preclude trailer fitment. There's a solid top plate doubling as a mudguard for easy porting of rack bags and loose stuff captured by a cargo net. Stainless steel fasteners are another nice, corrosion-resistant touch. However, I found the arms too short for Ursula, preventing it sitting level, so switched them for the  Topeak's. 

Single tier models can make pairing of panniers and trunk bags less convenient than their two-tier counterparts and means weight is also positioned a little higher. All things being equal and in the everyday sense, I've never had any major issues lugging 20-litre panniers with Blackburn and homages.     

One of the most faithful homages to the Blackburn MTN was produced by Bor Yeuh. I bought one over thirty years ago for £15 and it was very much bombproof and surprisingly well-finished. There’s an argument for using threadlock on fasteners, rather than grease-especially ahead of a tour. In these contexts, I’ve always carried a few spare nuts and bolts, should one make a bid for freedom. However, I didn’t have any medium strength threadlock to hand, so added a coating of Zefal Pro ii Zefal Pro II Grease | cycling-not-racing, which should keep the elements out.

 These and other little fasteners are easily overlooked until you want to remove or adjust something. In a pinch, heavyweight wet lubes, or 10w/40 motor oil make passable grease substitutes, and I’ve found fasteners mobile a few months down the line. Nonetheless, for daily drivers and other mile munchers, re-greasing every six months or so remains best practice.  If in doubt, apply a quick squirt of MO94 Muc-Off MO94 Multi Use Spray | cycling-not-racing, GT85 GT85 ALL PURPOSE LUBRICANT, or similar maintenance spray (allowing it thirty seconds or so to penetrate) before introducing an Allen key-your frame threads will thank you.

 While rooting around in the spares boxes, I uncovered a set of solid axle mounts for the trailer. I’d acquired some along with the sprung hitch spares some years back. At that time, I’d been toying with Alfine and similar interplanetary (hub) transmissions. This never came to fruition. On a few occasions, I’ve tethered trailer and V2 fixed, primarily as part of wider product testing. Otherwise, gearing in the mid to high 70s isn’t synonymous with trailer tugging. However, 63inches might prove a better fit, should need arise.  

Using the Specialized Crossroads EX as a "control", I've done 250 miles with the Nutrak and found them grippy and relatively responsive, especially coming from 2.2-2.3-inch cross country rubber. Average speed across metalled road is 17mph against 14.5 with the Continental and CST Patrol in comparable conditions.  Even inflated to their maximum (65psi) they've felt supple and compliant without any trace of skittishness.

I'm experimenting with pressures and am forming the opinion that 50-55psi is the sweet spot for my tastes, but time, mileage and testing may say different. I'll be interested to see how they cope in gloopy mud, which may be a while off yet, given the long, hot and distinctly dry summer. My supposition is their narrower profiles, and tread pattern will crave through without clogging or causing mischief around the chainstays. 

From a personal perspective, I was delighted to find a 26x1.9 gravel tyre, alongside 700c and 650b, although I was curious as to whether Nutrak were seeking to tap into the quiet trend for mountain bike to gravel conversions. Something I raised with Madison when discussing the specifications.

 Now, they are intended as a tubeless setup, which is another nice touch for those running a conversion. They also proved a very tight fit, which is very welcome on a tubeless system, but calls for a decent tyre lever. This was particularly so when running them with a butyl tube- even aboard a very conventional cross-country rim. I was relieved to find my trusty Cyclo Advanced Tyre Removal and Fitting Tool worked its magic, saving considerable time, effort, blisters and agricultural language.  I am very particular about lending tools and there are some I will flat out refuse to let out of my sight. Said tyre wand falls firmly into this category, along with a Czech made headset press.     

Mid-range Power & Medium Cage Musings

 

After some deliberation, I happened upon a medium cage 10 speed Tiagra rear mech at a very favourable price, so indulged on the basis it would come in handy. Whether Ursula’s existing and long serving Tiagra turned sloppy, or I fancied running a 32 tooth rea sprocket for some additional winching prowess, when towing a trailer, or heavily laden panniers. Of course, it arrived and needing a break from the screen, I elected to switch things around. A simple job. I’d not touched the short cage mech save for minor adjustments, cable replacement and cleaning since Ursua’s refurbishment two years ago. The frame mounting bolt proved a little arthritic, so I squirted some MO94 and allowed it to seep in a few seconds.

 The last thig I wanted was to risk the frame thread’s integrity. The bolt released easily and I was pleasantly surprised to find some Oxford Mint Assembly Grease Oxford Mint Assembly Grease | cycling-not-racing clinging to the threads, but another reminder about regreasing at least annually. I reached for the Zefal Pro ii Zefal Pro II Grease | cycling-not-racing this time round, which I’ve found a very durable, corrosion resistant default.  

Cable connected, chain fitted, everything seemed to be moving up and down the block snappily enough while Ursula was held by the Topeak Flashstand e Up  Topeak Flashstand eUp | cycling-not-racing . Proof of the pudding is in the riding, so I hopped indoors for some food and headed out an hour later. Much the same story for 10 miles and then some clicky hesitation. I initially thought this might be a b screw tweak, something I’d tackle upon my return…

Upon powering away from a concealed junction, I was serenaded by a loud ping and loss of power transfer. Inconvenient, but an easy fix, provided you’ve some spare links and a magic link connecting pin. Oh, and a chain tool. In this instance that belonging to my beloved Topeak Alien ii. Five minutes later and we were homeward bound, harmony restored.

Another mixed terrain ride the following morning confirmed this. Rains- heavy showery interludes struck and though I’d left out sans micro jacket, the cooling precipitation felt delightful after several weeks of sustained intense heat and drought. It also presented the perfect opportunity to see how hydrophobic the Leatt glasses and shoes were.   I also treated the long-serving short cage Tiagra mech to a seriously deep clean. It wasn’t obviously mucky.

A liberal blast of Muc-Off Chain Wax Cleaner Muc-Off Chain Wax Cleaner 500ml | cycling-not-racing quickly flushed out embedded wax from the derailleur's inner sanctum and jockey wheels, resulting in a shallow, oily pool, which was strangely satisfying. I'd treated the mech’s inner sanctum to a further stiff brush tickling for optimal effect. Rinsed, dried and a shot of MO94 Muc-Off MO94 Multi Use Spray | cycling-not-racing later, inspection revealed the mech was mobile and slop free, so was popped in the drivetrain spares box.

I'd been experiencing some intermittent disc tickling (as distinct from rub) at the rear and had reached the conclusion it was down to friction, specifically attributable to the galvanised steel cable that was used since it was "in stock". Some further wandering around the web suggests the 287's design is another contributory factor. I've had no problems up front, although the cable run is much cleaner and I'm running a pre-lubed premium grade stainless inner wire.

I noted a little additional stretch at the cable, so pulled it through, and dialled the lever's 2mm nipple screw down to ensure complete release, theoretically eliminating drag. I'd also ordered some replacement stainless inner wires, since they're a workshop staple. Chances are, I'd be wanting to upgrade the galvanised stand-in due course, certainly before winter.

An easy fix and a metaphor for wider life. Sometimes things are a work in progress. Take a break but persevere until you're speaking their language and have them sussed. Little breakthroughs can be incredibly satisfying. 

Continuing the sticky theme, the sprung mount assembly on the Yak homage had gummed up, meaning they weren't closing on the skewer hitch. Something that caught me by surprise on our second laden outing. Just a question of easing them closed, then giving the sprung components a liberal blast of MO94 upon returning home.

Snappier engagement and secure tenure sorted, I could let rip and cruise in confidence, although I was considering making a shim from old butyl for the skewer hitch to provide a more tenacious, vibration- busting connection. With Denise's KMC chain registering north of.5, I decided to replace and fit the medium cage Tiagra mech- another straightforward twenty-minute job.

I'd acquired a replacement spring kit with the trailer, just in case the original failed and replacements proved hard to come by. The only minor niggle I've got with the mighty Topeak Uni Super Tourist DX Topeak Uni Super Tourist DX Rack Disc | cycling-not-racing concerns their pronounced feet. These prevent me from tethering the Yak homage.

Now arguably most tourists would run either panniers, or trailer, but there are times, say when running errands, or collecting stuff when you'd want to pair the two. Since the frame only features a single eyelet, I can’t position the rack higher, thus providing suitable clearance. Hmm, I’ll reflect and consider my options.

I've also been putting in some decent miles with the Leatt ProClip 6.0 Trail Boa MTB Shoes. Soles strike a good balance of efficient power transfer and walkability- stiffer than the Shimano GTX. For the most part, I've paired them with a traditional cross-country spud, but wasn'’t surprised to find models with bigger surface areas the ideal marriage. I've gone for the dual side Shimano M530 and ED500, the latter being a road-biased touring design- very solid and supportive, albeit with a slight weight penalty. 

Mud clearance won't match that of a true cross country, or trail model, but still better than I'd expect. I've had no issues clipping in/out, provided things aren't too boggy. They're also a doddle to strip and service Simple Pedal Overhaul | cycling-not-racing 

Given twenty minutes along wet roads, I wasn't surprised to find some water had crept in through the Leatt's cleat drillings. Slightly damp soles with traditional merino blend socks, but there's scope for waterproof designs, including these Muc-Off, which have been firm favourites of mine and served me well through some decidedly wet, winter rides.  Staying with Leatt, I’ll close here with my review of their Ride Viz Pro Small Clear PhotochromicSunglasses The Leatt Ride Viz Pro Small Clear Photo | cycling-not-racing