Grease, Cadence and Crisis Aversion

 Speed grease hmm, I thought, glancing at Ursula’s Hollowtech II drivetrain. I needed to inspect the crankset splines and bottom bracket region anyhow, given the relatively harsh and snowy winter/early spring. I wasn’t surprised to find everything came adrift easily, given the spline and bottom bracket shell had been given a sensible helping of Muc-Off Eco-Grease TWELVE MONTH TEST: GREEN OIL ECO GREASE (sevendaycyclist.com) which was still evident but beginning to recede a little. Out came some Motorex Power Cleaner and an old sock. A few blasts and a quick wipe later, I was ready to introduce some Peaty’s Speed Grease.  

This is a low viscosity formula, so is easily applied to the host and covers nicely. Ten minutes later, everything was reassembled and correctly torqued. Anecdotally, the cranks spun buttery smooth, and resistance feels lower. However, quantifying that in any meaningful way, without laboratory testing facilities is going to be a little tricky.  Durability will also be interesting. Not that there’s any indication it will need frequent replenishment, but traditionally lighter lubes and greases tend to.  

Racers traditionally brewed their own but would think nothing of stripping and repacking the machine after every event, which isn’t desirable for most riding contexts, particularly training, touring and commuting. Time will tell but for now, ten minutes well spent. Interestingly, a serviceable quantity of Green Oil Eco grease clung to the pinch bolt threads, so I simply reinstated them.   

I also took this opportunity to strip and treat my fixed gear winter trainer’s Cane Creek Thudbuster ST G4 seatpost, Wellgo WELLGO MO94B SPD PEDALS | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)pedal threads and smaller, oft neglected fasteners to a helping of the Peaty’s Assembly Grease.  Ditto Ursula’s since I was there, and daily drivers will say considerably more about its tenacity and any potential quirks.  

Very much in the zone, I gave said fixed a good wash, stripped the chain of Bat waxBAT CHAIN LUBE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com), in favour of the Weldtite Ceramic WELDTITE CERAMIC LUBE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com), and a quick rummage unearthed the cadence sensor, which I fitted, along with a fresh CR2032 cell. Interestingly, the magnet mount was still attached to the crank arm, so I gently turned the cranks and couldn’t figure why the sensor light wasn’t flickering to denote function.  

Closer inspection revealed the magnet had slipped from the housing. I didn’t want to buy a dedicated replacement magnet, so I had a look on an auction site for something suitable. I found a pack of five with a 3M self-adhesive backing, so cleaned the holder with solvent to ensure good adhesion and popped one in place-success!  Whether it will stay put longer-term, remains to be seen.  

Mudguard and other little tweaks have solved any teething issues with the Teenage Deam, so I’m enjoying its spirited charms, on fair weather days. Less endearing was the sudden and unexpected demise of my Yak Homage’s inner tube. A ruptured seam, which illustrates the point that get a blowout and sealant WILL require a major clean-up operation, not to mention a new tube (which I was sadly lacking, on this occasion).  

Otherwise, easily sorted. I acquired two replacements, more was tempting, given the potential disruptions induced by pandemic & Brexit. The latter is coming in installments and according to industry experts, supermarkets are likely to witness supply disruption and ultimately, empty shelves. Price increases are also somewhat probable, if not inevitable. 

There are several variables inducing this-a pronounced lack of qualified HGV drivers, especially since, given a dark underbelly of xenophobia European drivers and people per se have no incentive to return, or indeed, bring goods into the UK. 

There is an uneducated assumption/suggestion that the military will just “step in. However, this is unrealistic. While the armed forces are experts when it comes to logistics and service personnel are highly adept at responding to the unexpected, a military HGV driving qualification is not directly interchangeable with civilian. Therefore, some further training will be required, and this takes time, especially during a pandemic...   

Pressing Ahead

 The announcement that the UK’s final lockdown restrictions will be extended by a further few weeks comes as little surprise. Lockdowns (at least in the context of a pandemic) are not engaged in response to the number of fatalities but rather, the acceleration of cases. Left unchecked, these would induce chaos, overloading hospitals and ultimately, the health service.   

Staying with a slightly political theme, President Biden’s gift of a bicycle to Boris Johnson was very interesting.  Interesting specification, too. From what I gather, the frameset is apparently based on their Tourlite, when it comes to geometry and shape, made from a mix of Columbus and Dedacciai tubing, not surprising given their quality. Components by contrast follow a distinctly American theme. 

 

• Hubs: White Industries Mi5 QR 

• Spokes: Wheelsmith 

• Rims: Velocity Quill 36 h 

• Tires: Schwalbe Lugano 2 700 x 32 

• Brakes: Avid Shorty Ultimate cantis 

• Brake levers: Velo Orange 

• Handlebars: Ahearn MAP 

• Headset: White Industries 

• Seatpost/Stem: Thomson Elite seatpost and X4 stem 

• Saddle: Selle anatomical X1 

• Crank: White Industries with 1X ring 

• Cassette: SRAM NX 

• Derailleur/Shifter: SRAM GX AXS derailleur and thumb shifter 

• Chain: SRAM 12 speed 

• Pedals: Volume Demolition 

• Bell: Spurcycle 

• Grips: Vans x ODI 

• Headbadge: Friendship Flag – Jen Green Headbadges 

• Bern Helmet 

 

I’m continuing to be impressed by the K-lite low drag lamp, which seems to regulate output by calculating speed via the hub and this appears consistent, whether it’s been paired to the Shimano Ultegra or Shutter Precision PD8. Greatest gains are felt with my fixed gear winter trainer, although the lack of resistance is also very palpable and welcome on my tubby tourer.  

However, the slower speed output of its Bike Packer Ultra siblings is a better fit for the old girl, since we’re often tackling more technical terrain and so I’m often bimbling along at a slower pace. It will come as little surprise that the Shutter Precision SL9 hub and the K-Lite Low Drag are arguably the optimal pairing.  

Back to the tubby tourer, I had to nip the cable ties a little tighter, since the lamp was creeping upwards on the Velo Orange mount. Talking of mounts, I also took a closer look at the Geonaute base. The threaded sleeve lacks a metal insert but it’s union with the Minoura VC 100 seems reliable enough.  

Traffic levels and general road user etiquette is generally much higher in this region than others I’ve lived, and ridden in. However, there is always an exception. For the most part, I employ cameras to capture the ride/events. However, there has been a more general trend in the UK for riders employing to capture bad/dangerous behaviour and low-level bullying/aggression.  

Examples include following very closely behind and sounding the horn, “punishment passes” I.e., passing willfully close. Though hardly scientific, Richard Ballantine had a remarkably accurate index for driver conduct in his Bicycle Books. One that has served me very well, over the last 35 years. I also hold car and other entitlements, do a fair bit of driving and have noticed a general trend for a lack of skill, substituted for aggression.  

Far from the maddening crowd, I’m continuing to bed-in the Teenage Dream. Most things have settled- down nicely, although I’ve needed to adjust the BBB mudguards (fenders) since they have proven susceptible to movement, thus catching the tyres. I’ve realigned both and glued the front in situ to subvert issues further down the line. Otherwise, it’s the spirited, engaging machine that had me smitten all those years ago.  

Back to the Geonaute, while the weather remains dry and summery, it will stay and when it’s not, I’ll switch to the Campark. Staying with summer, Steve’s been pleasantly surprised by this Funkier Airflow Cycling Jersey FUNKIER AIRFLOW CYCLING JERSEY | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and the Funkier Men’s F-Pro Gel Cycling Shorts .FUNKIER MEN'S F-PRO GEL CYCLING SHORTS | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) I’ve now switched from 3/4lengths, to bib shorts, even on early morning (6am) rides.  

I will need to acquire some more chains shortly, I’m down to the last two, one for my fixed and another ten speed Sram for the Univega. I’ll use what I’ve got for now, although I’ve never been sold on the quick link concept, especially when it comes to track/fixed drivetrains.  

I’m still feeding the fixed Bat Wax-its reasonably temperature stable, so isn’t turning into a mushy melted mess and the temperature’s holding steady at 23-25 degrees. Durability is also better than I’ve come to expect from more traditional wax formulas, in comparable conditions.   

Univega is still running the Weldtite Ceramic, just a lighter helping, although some others are due to arrive, which I will feed both chains, in due course. Spray chain lubes aren’t generally that impressive, although Steve’s been pleasantly surprised by this Dirt Doc Chain Lube DIRT DOC CHAIN LUBE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)