False Senses of Security

 I was swooping around the bends, enjoying the pre-dawn tranquility when my serenity was rudely interrupted by that unmistakable, gassy serenade. (Two, if you count the flatulent 125cc commuter motorcycle that popped and wheezed in the opposite direction-manifold gasket issues was my formative thought).  

Motorcyclist around the next bend that familiar intestinal rumbling continued, and a small descent prompted me to engage a taller gear. Just as the Microshift bar con responded to my bidding, the serenity was broken by what I believed was the humous hitting home. Alas, that rumble in the jungle evolved into the thriller in Manilla...Yup, a chamois spoiling “shart” in modern parlance, which explained why I was unexpectedly moist and warm in said region, for the remaining 8 miles.  

Thankfully, I was spared further indignity and Samsung washing machine did an excellent clean up job, while I er, slunk off to the shower.   On the upside, Ursula had been cleaner than usual, thanks to primarily dry, windy conditions. I whipped the wheels out and treated the frameset to some Tru Tension Snow Foam.  

As the name implies, it’s a foaming waterless cleaner that contains a grime gobbling solvent component. This evaporates, leaving a silicone protectant barrier behind. This dismissed any residual grimy patina from the bottom bracket shell, fork legs, and rear triangle. The product in question contains a silicone component, which leaves a glossy protectant barrier behind.  

However, in my experience, fast buffing is required to avoid a streaky finish. An ideal opportunity to check brake pads for glazing, embedded contaminant, straddle wires and cables for fraying. As per usual, I gave the KMC X10.93 chain a quick measure, expecting to replace it with the X10.73 I had in stock but no, still dodging the .75 bin fodder mark. On went the new Alfine/Ryde dynohub wheel, ready for testing.  

Talking of which, I’ve decided to postpone the disc conversion until I’ve thoroughly tested the Alfine dynohub and/or when the existing Tektro cantilever pads wear sufficiently thin. The Alfine uses the centre lock disc mount, which is arguably superior to the six-bolt systems. They’re easier to centre and fit.  

No little screws to lose, just plug in your cassette tool, snug the lock-ring down to 40nm and done. I’ve never needed to re-tighten that belonging to the Shutter Precision SL9 dyno hub HALO EVURA & SHUTTER PRECISION SL9 DYNOHUB BUILD (sevendaycyclist.com), come to think of it.  Managed to lose the aero adaptor allowing seat stay mounting of my Cat Eye Viz 150, when I was whipping it off to recharge. Thankfully, I was able to retrieve and reunite with the main mount and not lost to a dark and inaccessible part of the garage.  

I switched to the Topeak Tailux 30 USB Rear Light, since that was fully juiced and has a super frugal flashing mode-good for nigh on 30hours. Not that the Lelumia is proving anything but reliable, I just prefer a secondary/backup in case something unexpected happen.  

While doing my weekly once-over, I also discovered the Torque 7 tool had loosened and separated within the Deore crankset, explaining the faint, phantom chatter that crept in across washboard tarmac. Easily retrieved using long, needle nose pliers, but could’ve been more problematic, had I been relying on it in the arse end of nowhere. Otherwise, I’m developing a strong fondness for the design. 

Far from the maddening crowd, alone with my thoughts and the wildlife, I have often contemplated my own journeys. Life is a game of chance. Good people do bad things, given specific circumstances and bad people can (and do) lead nice, comfortable, and rewarding lives. The notion that people “get theirs” may be comforting but isn’t necessarily so.  I’ve met a few church-going drug dealers in my time-one wanting me to courier drugs back from the Netherlands back in the mid-90s. I hope Adrian has been suitably generous when passing the collection box, him being a pillar of the community n' all...  

 

Knowing The Score

Returning from some mixed terrain escapes on Ursula, I took the opportunity to check the fleet’s tyre pressures and other little “while I’m here” once-overs. Spinning my fixed gear winter/trainer’s front wheel revealed a warped disc rotor. It was also showing some tell-tale signs of scoring, resultant from unchecked pad wear. Wet, gritty conditions can chomp through seemingly serviceable pads with ruthless efficiency. Keep a spare set handy and re-order when you switch to those.    

Thankfully, I had a replacement rotor in stock. Laying both flat on the workbench confirmed the old Clarkes Rotor was showing some small but definite warping. I switched the two and instantly, the issue resolved. The old rotor was consigned to the recycling. I also confirmed that I had a replacement set of pads waiting in the wings.  

Tyre pressures checked and wheel(s) repatriated, I turned my attention to Ursula’s drivetrain, which was looking decidedly scuzzy, given a couple of weeks spent navigating wet, singletrack lanes and bridle path. Perfect for testing some more degreaser sprays. Waxy-type lubes, rather like other waxy products can become quite congealed, thus unexpectedly tenacious.  

Aside from the chain’s side plates, it usually collects around the front ring(s) derailleur cages and jockey wheels. This is where cassette claws (and similarly invasive scrubbers) come in handy- combing out the lion’s share of gunk, so your chosen de-greaser strips with greatest efficiency. Blends such as this Motorex, Muc-Off, and Weldtite Jet Blast Degreaser will all induce rapid melting and are time savers but won’t shift this in a single hit. 

Elsewhere, my fixed gear winter/trainer’s cockpit reshuffle has proven a winner all round for me. Time well spent, although I had to stop and snug the Campark V40 waterproof housing hardware down Facebook. I’ve also decided to switch lamps over i.e., the Bikepacker Ultra to Ursula and its new, low drag counterpart over to my fixed gear winter/trainer.  

A couple of weeks down the line, the K-Lite low drag dynamo has proven this latter quality and I want to see just how much difference, the benefits and indeed, any limitations of this version. Not that drag has ever been an issue with the K-Lite family and I’ve lived with them for many thousands of miles. However, this drop in resistance seems to result in even greater, palpable reward. Over a familiar 12-mile loop, I’ve maintained 20mph, as distinct from a very respectable 18.6 with the sibling units switched on.    

While switching things around, I decided to look more closely at the new K-lite mounts and I plumped for a Go-Pro pattern for Ursula’s Velo Orange Handlebar Accessory Mount VELO ORANGE HANDLEBAR ACCESSORY MOUNT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and once again, re-thought my fixed gear winter trainer’s set up. This time, I’ve moved the switch to the Genetic accessory mount, besides the VDO computer-checking to ensure it didn’t interfere with the wireless signal. No issues so out came the cable ties, and everything was tethered firmly in situ.  

I’d toyed (and investigated) mounting the switch atop the Redshift Sports Shockstop Suspension Stem TEST & REVIEW REDSHIFT SPORTS SHOCKSTOP SUSPENSION STEM (sevendaycyclist.com) but the flat profile precluded pleasing effect. The idea to switch to another stem was extinguished, just as soon as it arrived. Anyhow, said brain fart aside, I’m pleased with the result and will resume testing.  Now the weather has finally become aligned with early summer, I’ve been enjoying the Teenage Dream’s charms, in the Sunday best sense1991 ROAD BIKE REVAMP | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com). Ursula and fixed gear winter/trainer are still doing the daily driver mileage. I’m still running the Bat Wax Lube on the fixed but when it comes to Ursula, can’t seem to settle on a wet, dry, or wax type, given the still changeable weather.