Dark Days &Filthy Lanes

I've managed to evade anything resembling a seasonal Lurgi, despite several doing the rounds. Part of this is down to the old adage that there is no such thing as the wrong weather, only the wrong kit for those conditions. 

Full length mudguards make a considerable difference, in terms of comfort and cleanliness. Rains have shown little sign of easing, so roads and lanes resemble muddy streams and surprise, surprise, I've favoured waterproof/repellent outer layers. 

Temperatures have held at around 6/7 degrees, so jackets with a breath ability rating of 10,000 are fine, atop a winter weight base and mid-layer. I generally prefer those with a rating of 15,000, which are that bit more temperate for faster-paced general riding. 

The Funkier Aqua water repellent tights and Prendas Ciclismo Lisboa Waterproof Cap https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/prendas-ciclismo-lisboa-waterproof- have also come in to their own, in these contexts. I prefer water-repellent to completely impervious fabrics, when it comes to socks and gloves. 

Those with a TPU lining may be waterproof in the submersible sense. However, they tend to become very hot, and turn uncomfortably clammy.  I've been cruising along quite happily with these Altura Night Vision, which are waterproof, in the submersible sense. 

They are also a three-layer design. however, this consists of a polyester laminate, a windproof, breathable membrane and a thermal liner. Little surprise then that my hands have remained temperate and completely dry in these very soggy scenarios. 

Day glow yellow doesn't appeal to everyone but its useful in dull, murky conditions and the retro-reflective detailing helps keep signals acutely visible.  No danger of falling off the radar with the See Sense Icon 2, thanks in part to the clever diode pattern and poly carbonate lens. The idea is that these spread an arc and tempo of lighting that humans find difficult to tune out from. 

I am also guessing there's an element of future-proofing at hand i.e. It may also be a tempo that autonomous vehicles may register and process.  I've also found time to fit their little bar bag. 

Designed for those essentials you need ready access to, I've decided its the ideal parking spot for the K-lite twin port USB charger and whatever I fancy refuelling, during the day, when I can opt for a blinky in day-flash and the dynamo, off. 

Talking of which, I am often asked why I could possibly want to carry a compact light, with a 1300lumen headlamp. A valid point, at face value. However, even the most reliable system can develop a fault. 

Even with the K Lite Bikepacker Ultra's prodigious standlight https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/k-lite-bikepacker-ultra-dynamo-ligh, a portable (ideally helmet mounted) light comes in really handy. Something I was reminded of, last Tuesday night. 

This ETC Sirrah came to my rescue when I felt the familiar, mood torpedoing  "bob" of a rear flat, several miles from home. I was also stunned to find a large Audi slowing to a halt, the driver genuinely concerned for my welfare. 

I  confirmed all was basically OK and thanked him for stopping. Mind you, I'm a very independent (some would say proud/stubborn) soul. Someone who asks for help, only as a last resort. That goes for life generally. Arrogant? No I just feel I should be able to manage. 

Being helmet mounted meant both hands were free to whip out the rear wheel, remove the tube and check the Schwalbe Marathon Mondial's casing for sharps. I initially replaced it with a bog standard multi-buy butyl. 

Wanting to minimise the likelihood of this happening again, I subsequently exchanged that for a Kenda Thorn Resistant tube. I'd also introduced some latex sealant, so the dreaded hiss should be a moot point. 

Now, the Marathon Mondial https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/schwalbe-marathon-mondial-tyres are a very hardy tyre, which employ an equally robust puncture repelling system. Something embedded in the mud clearly worked its way into the casing, and grazed the thin butyl tube. 

The Sirrah full 500 made said roadside repair that bit easier but it would seem my Lezyne pump's valve plug has been claimed by the verge monster. Even if you default to the CO2 inflator, a decent pump should always be carried in reserve. Steve's been quite taken with this Zefal https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/zefal-air-profil-micro-pump . At the other extreme, and for home/workshop use, there's the Fumpa Pump https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/fumpa-pump

I've since patched the wounded butyl and returned it, along with a sibling to my Univega's Carradice Carradry https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/carradice-carradry. Another godsend, keeping everything dry and secure.  

Conditions like these are perfect for testing lubes, cleaners and similar potions. I'm, pleased to report the Juice Lubes Viking Juice is still holding out, 130 waterlogged miles in. 

No less than I'd expect. Weldtite TF2 All Weather Lubricant https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/weldtite-tf2-performance-all-weathe has returned 400 from a single helping in comparable circumstances, after all.  the SKS Bluemells mudguards have also been proving their worth. 

However, my DIY "Bodge Flap" was another casualty of the verge. Something I attribute to the chosen adhesive. I've found Gorilla glue very useful for a wealth of things. However, it cures to a relatively inflexible state, thus doesn't handle pulling/twisting forces so well. Thankfully, Richard at RAW has sent me these to test https://rawmudflap.uk/about-mudflaps/

  

Happy Christmas!

On your Marks, Get Set…Winter

Winter technically begins on the 21^st of December. While the weather follows the UK narrative (i.e. mild and wet), I’m prepping the fleet for the kind of apocalyptic conditions predicted by our red top, tabloid press. Talking of which, here’s our guide to winter, bike preparation https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/winter-wonderland-one

First up, I’ve replaced my fixed gear winter/trainer’s KMC Z1 inox https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/kmc-inox-chain  chain, which has served several thousand miles.

Why? Well I received this Passport Galvanised unit, which tips the scales, at a reassuringly substantial 309g. 133 less than the KMC. Weight wasn’t the motivating factor. Its also half the KMC’s asking price, so I’ll be keeping a watchful eye on longevity/durability.

I’ve used “rustless” galvanised designs to good effect, on my Univega. However, they still require regular, light lubrication. I also noticed a tendency for them to succumb to the dreaded orange taint, once the galvanised component, finally wore through. I say finally, since I racked up 2,000 wet, grotty miles from a budget 8spd model.

Nigh on dry from the packet ensures fitment was a very clear affair and proved the ideal opportunity, to start testing that chainsaw oil.

My hypothesis is that it will prove more durable, compared with the 5w/40. After 285 miles, that applied to the KMC was almost spent. However, my Univega’s electroplated Sram has cruised past 300 and at this rate, I reckon its good for another 150.

Obviously, snowy, slushy conditions may well reduce this. Its worth pointing out that the factory lubricant most chains are impregnated with, is similarly tenacious. Makes sense to run that, get your money’s worth and then use your chosen tipple.   

Workstands make maintenance and repair considerably easier, since machines are held securely, and at a convenient height.

Price dictates quality.

The needs of a home enthusiast, who may use theirs a few times each week, are different to the demands of a shop/pro mechanic. My lightweight Revolution (Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op) unit continues to serve me very well, after 10 years.

There’s some tell-tale flex, apparent when tackling high torque applications, such as bottom bracket replacement, or seized contact points. Otherwise, its solid, convenient, and very portable.

Oxford products have sent me their Torque Workshop Stand. This also retails at £99.99, employs a similar composite head but is considerably heavier.

This translates as superior rigidity. Ideal when tackling those more stubborn tasks. Less convenient for popping in the car, say for race day. Several weeks of intensive fettling will provide more tangible insight/conclusion.   

Now for the rider. Oxford also sent us these Bright Gloves 3.0. They’re a relatively slender, nimble waterproof design with a tech friendly index tip. I was slightly surprised to discover the gloves have an operating range of between +5 and 10 degrees, less than the Lusso I’ve been testing. On the other hand, its more typical of a milder, British winter. Oxford will be sending us the 4.0 too, which are theoretically windproof, too. 

Temperature is also a very personal thing.  An hour or so, at +4 hasn’t left me with chill hands but crosswinds and other factors may say different, especially on longer outings.

Some folks are more sensitive than others; or find temperature harder to regulate. Wind chill can render numbers academic. Dexterous digits are another definite plus when choosing winter gloves. I’ve had some “duvet” types, which have been blissfully comfortable, when the mercury’s slipping close to zero.

Unfortunately, a flat, mechanical, or phone call can dictate their removal, resulting in precisely the numbness, and cold they were intended to counter.

Staying with cold weather kit, Steve has also been very impressed by these Stolen Goat Deep winter Bib Tights https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/stolen-goat-deep-winter-bib-tights

So, thoughts turn to Christmas. Any of these make decent main/stocking filler presents but if you are struggling to buy for those riders in your life. The sort who appear to have everything, then how about the re-hook tool. Hardly essential but its designed to reclaim a dropped chain, reputedly in three seconds. No mess, no fuss. www.rehook.bike/guide

Alternatively, Stenning Photographic Offers high quality 100x100cm (Other sizes available on request) canvas prints  https://michael-stenning.format.com/store   

Snow White, the Salt Monster & Sexy Bottle Cages

I’m dreaming of a white Christmas, just like the one’s we used to know-ah yes, those halcyon days where jealous siblings unburdened themselves into their rival’s new “Action Man” tank sometime between the first guests arriving and the queen’s speech…Mercifully I appear to be avoiding my  seasonal slump little by little...

Rory Hitchens at Upgrade was kind enough to let me play with his stunning Kinesis Pro 6 build. Race whippet first and foremost, well conceived civilising features (fenders, four point carrier fixings, two bottle bosses and chain pip) coupled with tyre swap makes effortless transformation to frisky sportive demon, winter plaything or indeed weekend tourer.

£2400 buys some beautiful kit and I’ve been particularly smitten with TRP’s Paradox  brakeset, which is essentially a hybrid design incorporating a unique stem mounted junction box (aka the parabox) that translates standard cable pull into hydraulic force. In common with Shimano and Magura, the hydraulic components run on mineral, not DOT fluids. Using the latter will cannibalise hoses and olives irreparably fast but in any case leakages/damage should be firmly in blue moon territory.

Being an open design means pads automatically adjust closer to the rotors as they wear, which can be the difference between Santa safely stopping his Bob Yak and the lever bottoming uselessly against his handlebars.  Despite being completely under its spell, I was somewhat relieved when the courier came to collect, since having a machine that valuable residing in my garage this time of year (let alone one that didn't belong to me) meant my inane grin was increasingly giving way to creeping paranoia.

This repatriation prompted a fleet rotation, Izzie Ilpompino being the obvious choice since fixed gives much better feedback and control, as the roads turn increasingly wintry. Cyclo cross geometry inspires a suitably engaging, yet stable passage over slimy asphalt, although the sudden plunge in temperatures induced a gritting frenzy of the sort requiring fastidious applications of bike wash, rinsed off in cold water so as to avoid hastening the corrosive, chemical reaction.

An evenings' saunter through minus five left me dangerously cold, despite winter weight gloves, bib tights, base layers, long sleeved jersey, training jacket, thermal hat and water proof socks-hence my faithful companion was popped away in the garage still wearing covering of said caustic brew...Within twenty four hours, it had already sunk its teeth into the paint, a chip or two incurred during earlier rides already succumbing to the dreaded brown taint. 

Easily cured with a rub back and retouch perhaps but illustrates the horrifying haste at which the salt monster attacks anything remotely exposed. Really, really cold conditions can also do interesting things to synthetic lubes and accidental over application of this otherwise superb Fenwick’s' stealth (easily the cleanest, yet most tenacious road prep gracing my chains to date) saw it become a sludgy mess within sixty miles. Unleaded petrol proved the best stripping medicine and I allowed the Stealth to thin in a bowl of very warm water for twenty minutes before delicately applying a trace amount deep into every link via its pipette style dropper.

On a happier note, another temp role presented itself and there's been no shortage of Gizmos such as this literally all singing and dancing USB charging Mio computer/GPS/HRM system. Ultra comprehensive, set up and calibration are surprising straightforward, although calls for a methodical approach- its the sort you set up on a wet Saturday afternoon, not twenty minutes before a group ride.

Aside from some initial communication problems between sensor and magnet (solved by replacing the latter with one hibernating in the spares drawer) we’ve been bonding surprising well given it does pretty much everything bar make the tea, although there’s probably a downloadable app for that too!  

Speaking of tipples, Lezyne flow SL might be just the ticket if you've bought a small semi/compact geometry frameset and are finding the main triangle a wee bit on the bijous side for two trade bottles. Made from a composite matrix (blend of sophisticated plastics to you n’ me) and 48g, it can't quite muster the same bragging rights as carbon but I'm really endeared to the left/right handed options that arguably add that final personalised touch-especially to a bespoke build.  

Right then, back to those pre Christmas deadlines…