Daybreak Escapes & Other Deviations from The Script

 No matter how well you look after things, components, accessories and clothing eventually wears out. No sooner had I said so, the Cat-Eye Quick Computer’s head unit battery expired! Over to a well-known auction site for a pack of replacement cells. The Tubby tourer’s Minoura camera mount came out in protest jettisoning the cork base, while I was hustling along a backroad at 5am. Since the pandemic, I’ve erred towards early morning escapes since it’s cool and roads are relatively deserted.  

I won’t buy a replacement (assuming they’re available). A quick scrabble around the spares’ tins unearthed a rubber washer, of comparable dimensions., which will do the job for the time being. I may find something more refined. I saw a Joby unit offered at a considerable discount, but unlike their Gorilla pods, this looked decidedly low rent, particularly alongside the Minoura.  

Technically, summer runs until the close of October. However, circumstances have led me to revisit the Juice Lubes Ceramic Juice, arguably giving it a fairer crack of the whip. I'd run it several weeks during a rather damp winter and performance was still very reasonable, given its blended for dry to damp conditions. Talking of which, its closer to a wet in terms of consistency but seems stable in temperatures between +25 and –2.  

Three-minute curing times are another definite plus, making it a more practical choice for roadside reapplication-touring and indeed commuting-on those mornings where you’ve hit snooze and are playing catch up. Based upon the 225 miles per application during a wet and dreary December, I’m leaning towards 400 through a primarily arid August.  

There are drier ceramic blends, there’s also some evidence of it congealing around the jockey wheels and side plates but much less than some traditional wax types and it will be interesting to see whether this falls away or lingers with use. 

Thankfully, there have been some periodic, heavy downpours, which have given me the opportunity to assess the water-resistance of the FLR Rexston shoes, which I am really warming too, for general riding, not just gravel flavoured outings. 

Talking of which, Steve has been suitably impressed by these Showers Pass Gravel Shorts https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/showers-pass-gravel-shorts 

Gravel shorts take various forms. From evolutions from the messenger/mtb long hybrid type, designed to be worn atop regular Lycra, to those, such as these Polaris Challenge Nexus Ride Shorts https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/polaris-challenge-nexus-ride-shorts . 

A rear zippered pocket and an elasticated one on the thigh are the obvious deviations from traditional road-biased Lycra. However, these and other models I’ve been testing recently also seem to be made from a heavier weave. Yes, a no-brainer in some respects, given the increased likelihood of a spill.  

 

 

Save for an undignified incident, racing at the old Eastway Cycle Circuit, I’ve never torn a pair of shorts off road but there’s a lot to be said for a heavier yarn in these and indeed, touring contexts. “Gravel” models are also intended for touring and other forms of endurance riding too, if the former seemed like marketing hype. 

Need some ride inspiration? Why not have a look at Steve’s three counties day escape  https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/a-day-cycling-in-three-counties  > Thinking of investing in an E-Bike? here’s Richard’s test of the Kalkhoff Entice 3B https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/kalkhoff-entice-3b-e-bike  

 

I digress, back to the Juice Lubes Ceramic Chain Juice...    

Friction is refreshingly low, and this is very apparent when snatching away at the lights, or when the transmission is otherwise underload-dropping three gears on a sharp climb, for example.   

It can also be used on cables and cleat mechanisms, which is handy by the roadside, although otherwise, I’m always inclined toward maintenance sprays such as their JL69https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/juice-lubes-jl when it comes to keeping cables and mechanisms slick. Elsewhere, See Sense have sent me their Multi Tube and Sun God, their   Velans sunglasses-modelled by Miriam.  

 

The Chain Again

 

As I predicted, two weeks hence, the chain tool tolled judgement day for my Univega’s chain. The blend of flooded, silty roads, wet lube and long, steady miles had done the deed. I was rather hoping this would coincide with the arrival of a 38 tooth CNC machined ring, but hey-ho.  

No sense shortening cassette, derailleur and ring-life. Since I’m running a 1X setup, ring wear is less of an issue compared of a double, or triple. A few minutes rummaging in my freshly reconfigured transmission spares bin and I emerged triumphant, with a nice shiny KMC.  

I know a lot of folks like the “magic links” and they can be super-convenient. I just prefer the security of a traditional pin, so pruned and joined accordingly. This served to highlight a very palpable, matted layer of wet lube and accumulated contaminant engulfing the cassette.  

Out came the Juice Lubes Dirt Juice Chain Cleaner https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/juice-lubes-dirt-juice-chain-cleane. 

Transmission stripped bare; I’ve decided in favour of a more basic middleweight ISO/PTFE lube. Less stoical than a wet lube but much cleaner, and March is looking less challenging weather-wise.  In any case, I will be switching to this Pro Gold Pro Link Chain Lube, which should be a good fit, season-wise. 

According to their blurb its  

“A thin-bodied lubricant which utilizes metal friction reducer technology for smooth shifting and a quiet drive train. Does not build up or become tacky; sheds dirt, mud, and abrasives. Also repels moisture and prevents corrosion”. Will be interesting to see how it performs in the real world. 

Surprising just how much difference a new chain can make to the transmission. On many levels this is obvious, but the existing chain had only just reached pensionable, rather than being completely shot. Shifts were immediately snappier and more reliable. More remarkable was just how quickly weather and contaminant euthanised it.    

I’m still looking around for a 38 tooth 94BCD ring, which will afford a more seamless choice of gears. For years, Chris Bell produced precision-engineered bespoke elliptical and round rings but sadly, succumbed to prostate cancer in 2016. 

By the same token, while I’m keen to keep solid components going, a new, external bearing crankset, might prove the most cost-effective solution. Assuming of course, I can’t acquire a 5-arm Stronglight/similar at a favourable price.  

The other option is to plump for a smaller ring and road-biased cassette. I’ve run this configuration in the past. However, unless the former was seriously cheap, it would also mean replacing the cassette.  

A moot point, if both were edging close to retirement, but they’re not. While I love a well-stocked spares bin and the economics/horizons this presents, I don’t want to be hoarding heaps of stuff that are too much of a compromise (and thus won’t get used, let alone worn out).  

Rounding up the drivetrain theme, this Topeak All Speeds Chain Tool also arrived for testing. Aside from the industrial good looks, it includes a chain hook to hold the chain together while you drive the pin home.  

I was also pleased to note there’s a spare drive pin that’s threaded into the base. Not only does the design promise to tackle chains from single, through to 12 speeds, this includes Campagnolo 11speed hollow types.

  

This purging also prompted me to polish and wax the frameset.  

Grit can slip behind cables, leading to paint-chew. Protective cable rubbers and clear stickers/ “helicopter” tape are the simplest, most effective preventions. In my experience, thicker ready-cut frame protection patches are quite durable.  

Eventually, PTFE rich maintenance (and other solvent-based aerosol products, for that matter) will dissolve their adhesives-especially those around the head, seat tube and chainstays, inducing lift and peel. This time round, I plumped for a supermarket wax, primarily because it was within easy reach. Bargain basement but easy to apply, and supposedly suitable for all surfaces.   

Staying with cleaning a moment, Steve and I have been very impressed with Rock N’ Roll Miracle Red Concentrate Multi-Purpose Bike Cleaner https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/rock-n-roll-miracle-red 

An incredible versatile that will clean everything from scuzzy steeds and grimy hands, to carpets and clothing.  Those who want to add a little electrical assistance to their commute, or utility ride might be interested in our review of this Raleigh Stow E Way Folding E Bike   https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/raleigh-stow-e-way-folding-e-bike