Changeable Season Selections

 

Mild, wet, and filthy conditions continued, and lanes continue the ‘cross meet narrative, meaning I was treating Denise to Sudsy bucket washes every four rides or, so, since we were filthy following every outing. Temperatures wandered between 8 and 11 degrees, the Lomo Winter Cycling Gloves Lomo Winter Cycling Gloves | cycling-not-racing continuing to impress with their comfort, dexterity, and moisture management. Not forgetting their wallet-friendly price.  

 

The Peaty’s Link Lube All Weather was doing its best to keep the chain lubed and silent without attracting too much grot but has still called for reapplication every 100 miles or so. I’d also noted some tainted links on Ursula’s new chain, which I’d treated to Peaty’s Link Lube Dry PEATYS LINK LUBE DRY CHAIN LUBE | cycling-not-racing  

 

Then along came this Motorex Chain Wax. I'm told this is a blend of biodegradable oils trafficked by water. Pretty typical of wax formulas per se, as is the need for a surgically clean drivetrain first time round. Literally anything damp, or oily will prevent it adhering to the chain's rollers and inner sanctum-hence why its introduction coincided with Denise's deep clean.  

 

I'm curious to see whether it's a middle of the road fair weather blend, or whether it will stay put during less clement conditions. Thus far, it has poured nicely from the spout-I've given the bottle an enthused 60 second shake to mix everything and in temperatures around 6 degrees, the viscosity has been very controllable, notably less watery than several I've tested long term over the years. Not so much as a splash on the concrete. Controllable enough that I'd be tempted to use it on cables and metal on metal parts to keep them slick, though clean.  

 

For some folks, lube choice is less nuanced. Dry and waxy formulas are for dry and potentially dusty contexts, wet lubes are for wet, wintry conditions. I can see the logic to this but I'm not the only rider who prefers something a little less stodgy, dare we say gooey. Immersion waxes that work in a similar fashion to old school motorcycle blends are increasingly finding favour, given their cleanliness and in some instances, performance gains. Of the dropper bottle waxes, I've found Momum MIC the fastest curing and surprisingly durable.  

 

Waxes also work on the science of capturing grit and other contaminant within the top layer, scabbing away as you ride, leaving a light lubricant layer protecting the chain. Providing you're not introducing waxes of different chemical compositions; this can be topped up- no need to scrub clean beforehand. However, apart from the Momum MIC and a couple of others, most need several hours (ideally overnight) curing, which isn't necessarily a deal breaker, so long as you replenish before it's completely exhausted.  

 

This might not be the most convenient on an unexpectedly wet commute, or mid tour. That aside, formative impressions were quite positive. Having stripped the chain, cassette, jockey wheels and ring of any residual lube/gunk using the tag team of neat Fenwicks degreaser and Silca Gear Wipes. I wasn't in a rush, but I had 25 minutes all told to deep clean and lightly lube before popping the bike away and tackling other stuff.  I was also tempted to switch Ursula from the spikes, but the weather forecast predicted some freezing conditions and given the standing water and general gloop, going rubber up was the last thing I needed.  

 

¾ length bib knickers are a bit Marmite but I'm firmly in the love camp, which was brought home to me when I discovered I only had a pair of Funkier and the Castelli Entrata Castelli Entrata Thermal Bib Knickers | cycling-not-racing left, having worn through a set of Van Rysel, my favourite Primal Dawn TEST & REVIEW: PRIMAL DAWN MEN'S BIB KNICKERS and some bargain basement Ozzo. The latter having served me well for many years.  For me, they provide fabulous overlap between the seasons, most obviously Autumn to Winter and the early season to spring.  Conditions where tights are too toasty and shorts uncomfortably chill. My knees certainly appreciate the coverage and insulation. 

 

Waterproof luggage is a definite plus in all contexts but especially touring or commuting. The Lomo Waterproof panniers are certainly impressing me with their belt and braces weatherproofing. Mounting hardware is also very versatile, meaning they adjust to a wealth of different rack tubing diameters.  

 

The factory fitted internal sleeves have proven compatible with the Topeak Uni Super Tourist 2.0 Non-Disc Rack Topeak Uni SuperTourist 2.0 NonDisc Rack | cycling-not-racing   and its disc ready cousin mounted to my fixed gear winter/trainer. This opens and locks onto the rack by pulling the webbed nylon handle- convenient for quick getaways, although took me a few goes before it became intuitive. 

 

I Go in Peace...

 

Chain casualties addressed, I was hoping that was the last bite winter was going to take out of their drivetrains and indeed, my wallet. I was relieved after the first 20-mile outing to note the shifting issue was resolved, everything just clicked up and down the cassette effortlessly-no call to fine tune the bar cons, or rear mech.  

 

Another little job off the list and my head. I’d dressed the chain in Peaty’s Link Lube Dry, which is essentially a waxy-type formula for dry weather-more suited to spring and summer. The conditions have since turned wetter and muddier-lanes resembling a cyclo cross course, seeing Denise and I blasted with cack. Great for testing stuff, but means regular sudsy washes- for bike and rider alike. Against this backdrop, I’ve stripped Denise’s chain bare using a Silca Gear Wipe and gone for some Peaty’s Link Lube All Weather.     

 

That formative ride on Ursula was characterised by thick, freezing fog, hence I'd gone for two rear lights and paired the K-Lite Bike packer Pro V2 K LITE BIKEPACKER PRO V2 FRONT LIGHT | cycling-not-racing dynamo lamp with the Ravemen XR6000 Ravemen XR6000 Front Light | cycling-not-racing  at 3000 lumens to cut through the gloom, especially since I wasn't wearing any day glow.  

 

I literally watched as the ice formed along the Madison waterproof jacket's sleeve and there was some palpable ice coating the lanes. A moot point with the Schwalbe Ice Spiker Pro Schwalbe Ice Spiker Pro Tyres | cycling-not-racing, which are definitely worth the additional grams in these contexts. Fingertips were nipped a little by the cold, but then it was zero and the Lomo aren't intended for the most bitter winter has to offer (although there's scope for liner type gloves).  

 

Subsequent rides were milder, at least numbers wise, taking icy roads from the equation but wind chill meant it felt closer to minus 2. I hadn’t gone the liner route at this point and despite this, the icy cross and headwinds presented more resistance than chill. I fell between sizes, so went larger, which was definitely the way forward. 

 

Once the temperature crept to 1 or 2 degrees above, they've proven very temperate. Waterproofing is in the showery to heavy rain sense, not submersion and I'm told the DWR coating will have to be replenished from time to time. It doesn't matter what type e.g. spray on, or wash-in but there's only need to do this when things start turning unexpectedly soggy.  

 

I'd much sooner garments that are highly water resistant and wick quickly, rather than a truly impervious, submersible design that became clammy and uncomfortable. Those with TPU linings being the biggest culprits. The padding density is bang on for my needs. Dexterous enough that I can tweak stuff by the roadside, rummage through pockets, wield tools such as this Feedback Sports Reflex Torque Bit Driver Feedback Sports Reflex Torque Bit Driver | cycling-not-racing, trusty superzoom compact camera, and lights. 

 

Extensive silicone detailing engulfs the palms and fingers, continuing this grippy narrative, regardless of whether it’s been dry and chill, or milder and soggy. Natural silicone wraps have been the most tenacious union, but they’re proving consistently good across the board. The huge terry pad is perfectly positioned for effortless taming of runny noses.           

 

No issues with commanding lighting, keys and similar stuff either, which is similarly welcome, and the long cuff ensures excellent overlap and therefore, weather sealing with jerseys and technical shells. On one bitterly cold (but not icy) outing on Denise, I happened to upset a woman walking her two dogs. Apparently, despite leaving ample space when passing she felt startled.  

 

Her rebuke though forthright was still very respectful, so I responded with a protected wave of acknowledgement/apology. I'm not in the business of upsetting or startling any other road users full stop. The Orp smart horn TESTED: ORP SMART HORN went straight back aboard Denise's Soma Condor bars and I was curious as to how well the pack leader of two small terriers might respond to this.  

 

Most pedestrians and dog walkers seem to appreciate the less aggressive sing-song tone (my default). In many regards, I hope I don't meet her again, since a gentler 56 decibels might well infuriate her. I have been pleasantly surprised by the Magicshine Allty 400.  

 

My riding environments dictate something brighter, but there are situations-say stretching a best bike’s legs on longer summer evenings, or cold, bright winter days. Contexts where you’re needing to be seen, rather than navigate.  The 400lumen flashing (day and night) modes are surprisingly effective and unsurprisingly, the most frugal. In common with other lights of this genre, run times in the highest, steady settings are rather modest. 1hr 35 (against the 1hr40 cited) from the full 400.