Letting Off Steam

Chain length sorted, I’m back to enjoying Ursula’s, drop bar charms along the dirt roads and trails. Changing the rear shifter’s inner wire was another inspired decision, improving shifting performance for literal pennies. I’ve been running the Schwalbe Smart Sam up front and the Maxxis Ikon Maxxis Ikon Tyres | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) behind to compare the two in various contexts. While both tyres seem very competent off-road, the Schwalbe have an edge when cornering on wet asphalt and appear to roll a little quicker on hardpack too.  

On this basis I’ve decided to switch the Ikon back to the Sputnik/XT wheel and pop the Smart Sam on the Ryde/Halo Spin Doctor. Famous last words, the existing KMC chain is faring well. Plan is to run it for another 800miles (c. November) and then, assuming it's worn significantly, switch to one of the pe-cut 106 link replacements. For the meantime, lube-wise I’m staying with the Momum MIC Wax Momum MIC Wax Lube | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) since its clean and easy to top up, as necessary. Aside from being lighter, rigid forks have some definite benefits in winter.  Zero maintenance, save for washing and periodic inspection.  

Then of course, here in the UK, ground tends to be softer, so boing is less crucial, and I personally prefer the handling in these contexts. I went for the cantilever and disc mount version of the Carbon Cycles eXotic Fork with Disc and V Brake mounts Carbon Cycles Exotic Fork | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) on the grounds of versatility- I could switch to a cantilever stopper, if necessary but admit its disc only sibling is a sleeker choice. It also has other advantages when it comes to front mudguards.  

I had to modify the Mud Hugger Evo slightly to achieve a good fit. Cracking front guard (fender) incidentally. I also recognise that suspension technology has come along leaps and bounds since a set of Rock Shox Indy SL. Another lightweight and uncomplicated design that I raced with some twenty-three years back.  

Mine used the Eglund air cartridges which were a marked improvement on the OEM elastomers. They couldn’t be locked out, in the literal sense but near as damnit with the shock pump. Lock-out functions mean a bouncy fork can behave like a rigid fork without needing to switch and they’re a serious boon for more technical trails. Horses for courses.  

Lighting has also evolved and arguably more dramatically. However, when it comes to longer trail outings, I’ll still reach for a more traditional master blaster. The Sigma Buster HL2000 SIGMA SPORT BUSTER HL 2000 | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) has been around for some time now but in my book, still is truly relevant, especially given the 1300lumen mode is good for 5 hours riding. I’ve switched mine to the Lazer Chameleon Helmet in preparation but for the time being, am putting the Ravemen PR2000 through its paces. 

Thankfully, the weather’s still very balmy, so the Holdsworth and I have been enjoying some early morning blasts- I'd regret not taking this opportunity come November. Interestingly, the LR and PR series use the same mount, meaning it's easily ported between bikes- the Holdsworth and fixed gear winter trainer to suit. As a rough and ready guide, the LR series is optimal for road-biased duties, the PR for those who lean more toward the trail.  

  

The Holdsworth’s seat stay is also sporting the Infini Sword, which has impressed me with its frugality. The pulsing and flashing modes are surprisingly bright and peripheral presence is better than I was expecting and when compared with otherwise likeable Oxford Ultratorch  R50 Slimline Rear Light TEST & REVIEW: OXFORD ULTRATORCH R50 SLIMLINE REAR LIGHT (sevendaycyclist.com)    

Funny how things turn up when you’re not hunting them. My Park SPA2-C pin tool rematerialized, so I switched the Fixed Gear Winter/Trainer’s bog-standard crank bolts over to self-extractors. I also checked I still had a couple of 68x107 cartridge bottom brackets in stock, which I did. I tend to get around 8-9,000 miles from the UN55, 6,000 from patterns.

The Holdsworth is still running an ACOR unit and doesn’t do big miles, so I’m not expecting that to get the grumbles. However, they’re another part that trundles on faithfully and without complaint, then expires without notice. That said; I’d probably treat the Holdsworth to something more exotic, dare I say slightly lighter. On that note, I'll leave you with my review of the Carbon Cycles eXotic Carbon Titanium Seatpost Carbon Cycles eXotic Carbon Ti Sea | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)      

Ringing the Changes

  

Having swapped the Mirage for the carbon with Middleburn and Campagnolo Record, I have saved 83g, which was less than I’d expected but saving grams wasn’t the primary, or indeed, original mission.  

Having bolted the rings together and snugging them down “blind” the first sticking point was discovering the Xenon did not employ self-extracting crank bolts, necessitating a quick root around for the crank puller. Not a hardship, but it was not where I’d expected to find it.  

I toyed with treating myself to a Park CCP-22 complete with integrated handle, since Holdsworth, Fixed Gear Winter/Trainer also use square taper cranks (although the Holdswoth’s Stronglight employ self-extracting bolts). However, by and large crank removal is rare and usually coincides with bottom bracket replacement (between 6,000 and 10,000 miles, depending on what fit n’ forget-sealed model I’d gone for).

  

Extractor found; the Xenon literally popped off their tapers-hardly surprising but welcome. A quick tug of the ACOR cartridge bottom bracket also ruled out any slop or grumbling. I might go for something lighter when these strike. Something with a carbon fibre spacer, alloy cups would save a few grams... Back to the crankset.   

Slid on the tapers, I found myself needing to raise the front Victory mech up a few millimetres and for some reason, it got the sulks. Nice new cranks, lovely new rings, what’s going on here???? I mused... 

Hmm, a new cable might sort things- costs pennies and I had a few in. Yup...the new cable sorted matters and the cage was swinging the Sachs chain snappily to and fro. I pruned the cable, leaving a little to subvert potential stretch overnight. Checking the Sachs chain while I was there confirmed it was in good health (although I had a KMC in stock, since these things usually expire at the least convenient moment).  

Continuing the weight saving, knee-friendly theme, I slipped some Peaty’s Bicycle Assembly Grease on the threads and whizzed Time ATAC in- the resin, rather than aluminium bodied versions. A quick once-over of the crank bolts and chain rings the following morning, shifting checked, I topped up the CST Cito CST Cito Folding Tyre | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) with the SKS Air-X-Plorer Digi Floor Pump 10.0 SKS Air-X-Plorer Digi Floor Pump | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and popped it away ready for a shakedown ride the following morning.    

Wetter weather and the urge to explore green lanes and bridleways has meant Ursula and I have been out to play a fair bit, too. I’m warming to the Maxxis Ikon in these contexts. As I’d expect from a small block model, they’re less ponderous than a more aggressive trail tyre on metalled roads and come into their own along dry singletrack-plenty of smiles per mile. 

 

Despite being the baseline version, the ride is compliant and I’m yet to flat. Kenda Small Block 8 were quicker off the mark and a bit livelier but also more prone to flats. Elsewhere, I’ve gone for Muc Off Dry lube, which is keeping the chain clean and returning reasonable miles per application. It’s also been the ideal opportunity to see how the Madison Roam perform off road proper.  

Time also allowed me to replace the fixed’s Stronglight in favour of the FSA Orbit MX. The latter’s stack height is a little taller-only by 5mm and easily solved by dropping a spacer. When it comes to headsets, stoicism is my default grease-wise. I want the stuff to say put, keep the bearings slick and corrosion-free. Now, the MX is also blessed with seals, which is nice. It’s another reason to avoid lithium or PTFE-based greases since these could cause perishing.  

Some lighter middleweight preps, including Muc-Off Bio Grease and Green Oil Eco grease hold their own surprisingly well, too TWELVE MONTH TEST: GREEN OIL ECO GREASE (sevendaycyclist.com) Flying in the face of this, I found myself pondering Peaty’s Speed Grease PEATY'S SPEED GREASE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com), for the last word in buttery smooth, friction busting lubrication. Ultimately, I’ve decided treating the bottom race with Juice Lubes Bearing Juice and the upper race with Peaty’s Speed Grease was the best compromise.