The Ryde/XT wheel arrived, meaning I could finish bolting everything together. I couldn’t get the rear CX50 to behave properly, or at least to my tastes, so I quit while ahead and reasoned I’d revisit once other components had bedded in and settled down. The rear wheel, though not dancing the samba, had clearly met the depot destroyers en route to me. A group who, in my experience (having temped in parcel sorting depots) shows contempt for anything labelled “Fragile”. I’ll get it trued at a convenient point 150 miles or so down the line.
Faithful to the original build brief, I have not spent “fresh” money on the Dawes. Sure, some things, the USE seat post and rear wheel being a case in point were traded but not paid for. There was no need and sometimes, challenges are nice. I didn’t want to deviate from the bike’s clean gravel flavour. I’ve needed to renew the original dynamo wiring but the Exposure Revo came to life with minimal effort.
I’ve tethered my long serving and distinctly weathered Carradice SQR Tour bag to the post- it'll carry everything I’d need and a bit more, while doubling as a useful mudguard. I wished I’d slipped the butyl boot over the Dawes’ lower headset race when I had the opportunity, but for now, I’ll go without and see how well the grease holds out against the elements. I’ve gone for the Topeak Redline Aero USB rear light Topeak Redlite Aero USB Rear Light | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com), since its simple, quite potent and super frugal but this is likely to be accompanied by another, clipped to the Carradice-just in case.
I’ve gone for a new computer- another 9 function Giant and yes, in pink since it was dirt cheap and I’m very secure in my masculinity. This and maybe a high-power battery light, such as the Sigma Sport Buster HL 2000 SIGMA SPORT BUSTER HL 2000 | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) will be the only definite additions/refinements. I was pleased to find my headset spanners too, since the Stronglight A9 was bound to need snugging down slightly, given a few miles. I’ll probably dig out a 42mm Continental for the rear, once the wheel’s been on the jig.
I had also decided it was time to dress the Dawes’ chain in the Wolf Tooth All Conditions lube- I’d run the KMC in the factory lube until I’d run it for a couple of outings. Returning from our third outing, having snugged the headset down, I decided shifting was settled sufficiently. I’d had a few things crop up during the first forty miles, specifically the seat post cradle coming loose, causing some irritating rattle and ultimately, saddle movement.
The USE SX post had a reputation for doing this in some circles but having snugged it tight by the roadside (as a kindly e- bike rider stopped to check all was well) I’ve not had any further issues. Having had a hectic few days in the garage, working on the Dawes but also replacing chains, deep cleaning the fixed (paying particular attention to the ENVE bar tape Enve Handlebar Tape | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and similar maintenance, I wanted to again, stop before I got too carried away and to a point I wasn’t “ahead”.
Therefore, aside from a slight dialling-in of the post’s travel and a liberal blast of Muc-Off Silicon sHine MUC OFF SILICON SHINE POLISH | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) on the internals beneath its boot, I resisted the urge to strip and re-grease. That’s a project for another time and in fairness, the post doesn’t seem hard used, or neglected. Doing so markedly improved the plushness and travel- not unexpected, since Muc-Off recommend it for suspension.
When I do get round to a thorough disassembly, I’ll go for a middleweight synthetic blend, not anything containing PTFE, or lithium. These will knacker expensive composites and rubberised components with frightening ease. Been there and paid the price- with a set of Rock Shox Judy SL, in case you were wondering.
Back to the Dawes, after some slight trepidation, I was relieved to find that my spec, contact points etc. were all a very harmonious mix.
A lot’s changed in thirty odd years, but the Dawes handles very much as I’d hoped. Engaging and quick, yet very predictable. The larger (19 inch) frameset and less aggressively sloping top tube also mean it’s a lot easier to shoulder/carry cyclo cross fashion.
Something to think about, if you’re looking to repurpose and older mountain bike frameset as a cyclo cross, or gravel build. Now, I’m not saying I wouldn’t be interested in riding, or testing a contemporary gravel bike, I’m inclined to say the Dawes has met my design brief with minimal compromise. Yes, I know, I’ll doubtless refine things a little as consumables wear out and suitable test goodies present but no major revisions.
Despite theoretically heading toward the drier months, I’m contemplating mudguards for Ursula. Most now, save for a few exceptions are designed specifically for disc configurations. Not surprising since discs are now the default and I will probably take Ursula the Mudhugger MK2 route this time round, depending of course, whether the cantilever posts are kept post frame surgery.
Winston says if they’re brazed, he’ll remove them, if they’re TIG welded, he’ll leave them be as they’re trickier to grind smooth. Talking of brazing, here’s my piece about the Holdsworth’s fork column repair Oldie But Goodie: Fork Repair & Revision | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)
