Subtle Stockpiling

 

Bargains are to be found everywhere and seemingly limitless temptation. However, I always remind myself something is only a bargain if I actually need or want it. There are exceptions to every rule, but impulse buys don’t typically fall into this category. Some things I stockpile while cheap- deodorant, shampoo cleaning products, coffee, since they will always get used.

Same goes for chains, cassettes, and cables. I keep three sets of each aside, since these things usually wear out quietly, typically demanding replacement when you’re doing an impromptu check and the shop’s shut. I also keep a couple of cleats handy, for the same reason, although I seem to go through these at a more pedestrian rate.

 I picked up several blue KMC Z1 for £5 a few years back, but default to KMC X10 for the geared builds, KMC Z510 for fixed and single speed. While I like stuff that compliments, if a white, or “tarts handbag” gold are offered at the right price, on they go. Both the KMC X10 and Z510 are inexpensive and will last, with basic maintenance.

Conditions and chain lubes play their part, but I bargain on 1200 miles from an X10, 1700 from the Z510. This gives me three months to source some suitable replacements, at the right price. The most I’ve had from a track chain is 3,000 miles- the KMC Inox SEVEN DAY CYCLIST'S 3000 MILE TEST OF A KMC INOX CHAIN and Gusset S-Link. I retain considerable fondness for, but they’re not the lightest. I’m also fond of their nickel-plated Z1eHX, particularly on winter and working bikes, it’s just dearer than my defaults. I ‘m not a fan of missing links when it comes to fixed gear, preferring the old school prune and push, chain tool method.   

I function fairly well in extremes of temperature, although experience a gradual, palpable fatigue when the temperature creeps into the high 20s. Against this backdrop, the timing of Castelli’s offer to review the UPF 50 jersey couldn’t’ve been better, Conditions were optimal for evaluating the garments claims too.

Like-for-like, the UPF50 has a slight, tangible edge on the otherwise very comfortable Espresso Castelli Espresso Jersey | cycling-not-racing and Espresso 2 Castelli Espresso2 Jersey | cycling-not-racing jerseys.  The original Espresso fabric offers SPF30 protection, which is very welcome and covers a lot of bases in the broad strokes sense. However, where offered, I’d go for factor 50.  

Some faint increase in friction led me to checking and ultimately topping up the All Mountain Style Miami Glide Chain Wax The All Mountain Style Miami Glide | cycling-not-racing This also presented an opportunity to treat Muffin and Ursula a good wash. Though primarily dry, a tangible layer of stubborn, filmy grime clung to the bottom bracket shells, chainstays, fork legs, wheels etc. An excellent opportunity to test the stock blend Juice Lubes Bike Wash.   I’d also noted some very subtle oxidisation on Ursula’s Ryde hoops-just the machined sidewalls, since I’m not running disc brakes. 

Easily dismissed with some titanium cleaner I had nestling in my cleaning potions box and a medium stiff brush. A light, periodic coating of wax on the sidewalls, while I’m treating the frameset and components should lock the elements out.   Mid ride, I also discovered the Dia Compe 287 lever had suddenly worked loose. Nothing a few turns of a 4mm Allen key couldn’t fix and much easier to access compared with Tekro’s venerable RL520 and 340. While we evolve, our formative years retain some powerful influence.  

Au pairs aside, my fragile teenage mind was blown by the drop bar mtb concept.

Lightweight, rugged, go anywhere machines that were engaging to ride over any terrain, could carry me and luggage away from every torment. During that pre internet era, Mountain Bike Action was as close as we could get to the longer established US market, developments and technology. These were only found (sporadically at that) in bigger retailers, so Muddy Fox’s Trailblazer and Specialized’s Rock Combo were my first exposure to the concept. The latter was particularly well executed.

Fast forward nigh on four decades and the appeal remains immensely strong, life’s challenges just become more significant. Packing up and pissing off for a bit, to process, reflect and formulate plans of action should never be confused with running away. Running away solves nothing and just compounds issue(s).

Mercifully, jettisoning baggage didn’t extend to the Topeak Pannier Dry Bag 16litre, which has proved very secure along rough, churned trails. Rixen Kaul has a small, yet palpable edge on the limpet-like retention. Topeak’s Handleloc system performs very well, and release is much smoother but allow for a little more audible chatter and "bob" if rough stuff’s your thing.        

Small House Inspiration

There’s no getting away from the fact that flashes of inspiration often strike on the toilet. Well, my bathroom toilet, not the infamous festival Dav Lavs, or those few remaining public facilities, which though welcome are of variable quality and clientele. Spacer choice and height are not something easily focused upon when the person in the next cubicle announces they’ve missed a vein or is about to give birth... I digress... 

Having replaced Ursula’s spacers, mid-ride, I was musing about going the Star Fangled Nut route and holding the Blumels mudguard in situ with a compression plug- I had two bouncing around in the small parts drawer. However, I quickly dismissed this idea. No sense in over-complicating matters unnecessarily. As I’ve said before, the Gusset Headlock system gives some added security, should a fork/steerer crisis strike and while the SFN and plug trick might save a few grams, any benefits are otherwise negligible. 

 

That said; I may revisit, next time I strip and re-grease, or indeed, replace the Stronglight O’lite Aheadset. I spotted another, from a reputable supplier and at the right price, so bought, while I still could and before BREXIT’s “benefits” really bite. Otherwise, I’m pleased with the carbon fork switch-compliance remains the biggest plus and when I say compliant, I don’t mean whippy.  

Lateral stiffness is reassuringly good too. I’ve gone for the version with V/canti posts, since it’s nice to have options, although in practice, disc is my default. Having run it with the weightier Alfine hub wheel, I’ve switched to the Shutter Precision SD8 SHUTTER PRECISION SD8 HUB DYNAMO | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com), which saves 213g, so will be interesting to see if there’s any discernible difference.   

I’ve regularly wondered about titanium forks- not necessarily for Ursula (my fixed gear winter/trainer being another obvious candidate).  

Justin Burls and his Torus range of ti components TORUS TITANIUM STEM (sevendaycyclist.com) are particularly well made. A Guide To Seatposts | Seven Day Cyclist However, others crop up periodically. Where these are concerned. I’d want a much closer look at the welds, threads etc since the devil is very much in the detail. Otherwise, Ti could well and truly outlast me- by some margin. I’d contemplate having them painted too. Corrosion’s a moot point but could draw the wrong kind of attention.  

As August rolls out, I’ve been doing some further “while I’m at it” tweaking and prepping. Removed the Fixed gear winter/trainer’s seat post, shot a blast of oily grease into the seat tube and applied some Peaty’s Bicycle Assembly Grease PEATY'S BICYCLE ASSEMBLY GREASE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) to the post and raised it by a few milimetres.  

Dawn is arriving later, and the nights are subtly drawing in, meaning I’m using “proper” lighting more regularly. By proper lighting, I’m referring to the K-Lite dynamo systems and Magicshine Ray 2600 Smart Remote Bike Light on the Holdsworth and Teenage Dream. Not in the navigational sense per se (although that need is very slowly creeping closer, but more presence).  

The Orp Smart Horn’sTESTED: ORP SMART HORN (sevendaycyclist.com) 150 lumen flashing modes are OK in these contexts, but I prefer greater punch. Ravemen LR 500s RAVEMEN LR500S FRONT LIGHT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) is another particularly useful compact light for these contexts-especially for extended evening play times on the best bike. Talking of which, the Green Oil Dry Chain Wax is performing well, given the very arid conditions. I’ve gone well past the 120-mile mark., with no hint of waning.  

Not that impressive, compared with some petrochemical, or hybrid blends I hear you cry. However, it's cited as 80 miles per application, transfer to hands, legs and indeed, trousers is minimal and unlike some, curing times are also very quick-so practical for impromptu rides, touring, or commuting. Gear changes are light, frisky-just the way I like them, and continuing the clean theme, it attracts minimal dust, dirt, or similar contaminant. Right, that it for this week, I'll leave you with my review of the Souma Leather Handlebar Tape Souma Leather Handlebar Tape | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)