Tyre Switched & Hubs Revisited

 

 With the leaves and rain beginning to fall, creating their unique mulch, I decided to switch Denise from the Continental Terra Competition Trail The Continental Terra Competition Trail | cycling-not-racing to the Maxxis Rambler Maxxis Rambler Tubeless Ready Tyres | cycling-not-racing and Ravager Maxxis Ravager TR Tyres | cycling-not-racing, simply because I could. The other thing prompting this switch was a desire to run the Shutter Precision SL9 hoop, giving me time to strip and replace the Ultegra's bearings. I'd previously opened the hub and decided to re-pack with fresh grease as an interim measure but felt a deeper dive was in order. Afterall, that's what spare wheels are for...

Mercifully, it all went very smoothly, with a little help from two 17mm spanners, a magnetic bit, some clean rag, solvent and fresh ball bearings. Races seem fine-no pitting or similar woes. Given time was pressing and light was fading, I went for the Zefal Pro ii grease Zefal Pro II Grease | cycling-not-racing . It was plugged into my finish line grease gun, so quick and convenient to deliver. Besides, its seemingly very durable, which is another crucial factor. For the time being, I’ll run the Evura/SL9  HALO EVURA & SHUTTER PRECISION SL9 DYNOHUB BUILD and enjoy the welcome tag team of lower weight and resistance.

I was initially convinced the Dh-3n71 would be 9 bearings per side, but counted 10 and replaced ten, before having the creeping suspicion there should be 11- not that I could see a means of packing 11 3/16" into the races. Having checked the manual, I was relieved to have ten confirmed. On the subject of bearings, while new budget balls are better than worn high grade balls, I've genuine Shimano, rather than risking something lower grade that will wear faster and besides, at £2.99 for 20, there's no financial incentive to do otherwise.   

Someone waved an XT crankset under my nose for less than £100 and the sensual sweet temptress from the upgrade dimension was definitely whispering in my ear. However, the voice of reason and fiscal prudence spoke louder. Undeniably tempting, the existing Deore setups feature steel rings, which are-all things being equal, more durable. Significant on bikes ridden year-round, in all weathers. Money that could be better spent on chains, cassettes and other consumables. 

30^th October marked the 40^th anniversary of me collecting my first Holdsworthy Claud Butler - a pivotal point in my life generally and cycling journey, specifically. Cycling has been one of the few constants throughout my life, which has had many changes and deviations from my anticipated scripts and trajectories.  Testing and fun aside, I reflect a lot on life and process all manner of stuff in the saddle. Thoughts and matters that can be worked through, processed and left out on the road. 

The present situation in France where legitimate protest is being hijacked by those with no interest in improving conditions in education, hell bent on destroying buildings and infrastructure. Some I suspect funded by foreign money, some fuelled by mindless violence and some seeing an opportunity to build a social media presence. One that in turn leveraged to make money. This aside, how is destruction of this kind, which will take years to rebuild and paid for through taxation-assuming sufficient monies can be raised going to profit anyone…

Ravemen have sent us some nice lights including this UR1700 front light and CL200 Rear. I was curious to see how the UR1700 compared with Magicshine’s EVO 1700 Magicshine Evo 1700 Underneath Light | cycling-not-racing  and Gaciron Cetus Gaciron Cetus 1700 Underneath Bike Light | cycling-not-racing. The UR 1700 produces a maximum of 1700lumens and eight modes across high and low beam. Three steady-200,400 and 800lumens. Two flashing modes-a 400lumen pulse flash and 100lumen eco flash and of course, the 1700lumen high beam. On paper at least, this caters for most riding environments.

Given this setup and the hi/lo beam configuration, the remote isn’t an optimal extra, rather like a car’s, it will dazzle oncoming traffic, if you don’t dip. The flashing modes are also located in the low mode. These are easily located with the remote but a faff, using the light’s main switch.  

The CL200 is the biggest in the range with six modes, a stop-start sleep mode and a braking function. In terms of flashing, we have a 200-lumen warning flash, 100lumen rapid flash, 3 lumen slow flash. Steady translates as 20, 10 and 5 lumens. Ravemen claim a maximum run time of 160hours, fully charged.  The lens projects a 300-degree arc of light, which theoretically prevents any stealth moments-say when negotiating roundabouts. IPX6 weather resistance is now the norm and bodes well for longevity, ditto the 1 metre drop resistance.    

This CL series also uses the same quarter turn mount, which looks similar to that employed by Magicshine and others but having experimented, I can confirm the pattern is different, so not interchangeable. However, second/replacements start at £4.99. The saddle rail mount isn't proving a universal fit. (Not that others are). That said; it is very secure.

Staying with Magicshine a moment, while testing the Ray3000 Endurance Bike Light With ANT+ Magicshine Ray 3000 ANT+ | cycling-not-racing, I resurrected a Ray 2600 from 2001. I’d whipped it aboard Ursula’s bars and was running it as backing singer to the K-Lite Bike Packer Pro V2 K LITE BIKEPACKER PRO V2 FRONT LIGHT | cycling-not-racing/daytime running light. Unlike some, the Ray2600 employs a wired remote and curiosity saw me rummaging through the remotes drawer. I unearthed another USB-C remote, plugged it into the port. My hunch it would work proved correct, so an alternative, should the OEM unit prove a little short for wider drops. Either way, I tether these inboard on the hoods for convenience and protection from everyday knocks, not to mention a spill.  I’ve also resurrected these Salice Glasses Salice 026 RW Glasses | cycling-not-racing since they offer an amber lens to boost vision, regulating light and mood in dull, overcast conditions.  I'll close here with my review of the Magicshine Seemee400 ANT+The Magicshine Seemee 400 ANT+ | cycling-not-racing 

Calculated Gambles

 

 I’d been pondering whether the Shimano Ultegra dynohub’s grease had turned to watery gravy and needed to investigate. I’d always understood Shimano, unlike Shutter Precision, were partially user serviceable. The right side could be stripped and overhauled using a 15mm cone spanner and 17mm for the locknut. Trepidation cast aside, I rounded up spanners, greases, clean rags and solvent. The locknut was quite stubborn, which in some respects is a good sign, but submitted without recourse to penetrant spray.

 Locknut and cone removed, the grease had assumed an oily, but still functional state. The loose balls and bearing races were also free of pitting and similar wear. I toyed with the idea of repacking with Juice Lubes Slick Juice but reached for their Bearing Juice The Juice Lubes Bearing Juice Long Term | cycling-not-racing on the grounds of outright staying prowess. Even allowing for the recent heatwave, viscosity meant it was a little messier to apply but no issues once I’d transferred the excess to the cone.

This would also help seal the elements out. Getting the bearing tension bang on took four attempts. Back in the forks, neurotic checking revealed zero play. Hub strips tend to be annual, or thereabouts, so I can get away with some cheap but cheerful cone spanners. Unlike some cheapies, Lifeline seem accurately machined and sturdy enough for periodic use.

I’ve since invested in this 15mm Park, replacing the Tacx someone borrowed and felt entitled to keep.  I took the Slick Juice route with the trailer’s hub, which, as expected has reduced friction. Will be interesting to see how well it stands up to the elements, especially since it's right in the firing line of puddles and other dodgy water.  I’ve periodically had the idea of upgrading the trailer’s wheel but talked myself out of it. A New Old Stock Deore unit was waved under my nose for less than £8, so I indulged. I’ll seek out a suitable rim, but only at the right price, since all this is want, not need.  

Overhaul complete, I treated Denise to a deep clean. Though not obviously dirty, given the prolonged, dry spell, rear wheel, rack, rear triangle and fork crowns were coated in a stubborn dusty layer. Buckets, Muc-Off Chain Wax Cleaner Muc-Off Chain Wax Cleaner 500ml | cycling-not-racing, Juice Lubes Bike Cleaner, Muc-Off MO94 Muc-Off MO94 Multi Use Spray | cycling-not-racing and assorted brushes rounded up, twenty minutes later, Denise was washed, dried and lightly re-lubed. Knowing when to down tools and pack up-quitting while ahead is another important skill. Sometimes, if it aint broke, don’t fix it.  

 The chain was still below .25 on the chain wear indicator, and I was going to run the fleet on wax lubes for as long as conditions permitted. Back to testing Ursula’s M Part Ridge Pannier rack and some fixed gear frolicking aboard Muffin. Having discovered the Ride’s top section broader than the Summit-confirmed when strapping my long serving Carradice Super C atop.

This was filthy, so I decided to take it for a thirty-degree Tour De Zanussi, adding some wash-in proofing. Now, this isn’t strictly the way to treat cotton duck, so a gamble at my own risk. However, it seems to have emerged in good health. I decided to take my 25-year-old SQR Tour the same route since, while very solid, it was looking very jaded. The sun and other elements had bleached the fabric in places and there’s no getting that back, but it was at least, clean and re-proofed.   

This also presented the ideal opportunity to give the washing machine’s soap try a thorough cleaning to remove accumulated soap scum and similar.

 Ideally, we should follow manufacturer instructions regarding care to the letter and have no recourse, should we deviate. Those of you looking to reproof cotton duck luggage should give them a good wash and then apply Carradice’s own reproofing wax.  I even found a box of high-quality patches, which was another pleasant surprise.

One thing led to another. I decided it was high time I had a sort through of the work bench. I decanted a myriad of small fasteners, mounts and similar into dedicated zip lock baggies and found and appropriate storage box. I’d been slightly disappointed by the OEM Coospo CS600 Coospo CS600 GPS | cycling-not-racing Garmin pattern mount adorning Ursula’s bars but hadn’t found a suitable contender.

Firmly in the zone, I discovered a couple of Magicshine mounts- the type employed on the marque’s Allty and Ray series. These employ a Garmin pattern head mount and a series of straps, so a universal fit. One, already attached was in Goldilocks territory. Sixty seconds later, a neater, sturdier host. A small but very satisfying upgrade.

Next, I decided to road test my hypothesis that wrapping some scrap inner tube around the quick-release trailer hitches would act as a damper. One producing a tighter union, silencing a slight rattle.  Formative impressions are favourable, although trailer release is less convenient than ideal. Maybe thinner tube, or even electrical tape is the solution...