Silence is Golden

Icy weather in remission, it was time to switch back to my beloved fixed. I’d also received this rather nice Fizi’k Vento Solocush tacky handlebar tape, and a Tioga city slicker (700x32c) tyre. The Fizi’k Vento Solocush Tacky handlebar tape, is reminiscent of other tacky, polymer based tapes. Including Lizard Skins DSP bar tape https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/lizard-skins-dsp.

I wasn’t expecting the additional .2mm density to have much impact, especially when dressing the bars. However, it required a firm, consistent approach to achieve aesthetically pleasing results. In common with similar tapes, it was very tolerant of being rewound, which was welcomed.

These sorts of finishes require more delicate cleansing (no harsh chemicals, or brushes for that matter). Otherwise, you’ll strip the non-slip layer. I was also surprised by how readily minor traces of dirt/oil and grease transferred. So, best to wear/change examination gloves, if new tape coincides with more generic servicing/repair.  

Plenty of additional incentive to get out along the lanes. However, I have noticed a palpable and pronounced surge in aggression-across the board. 

Observation and first-hand experience, on two wheels and four, leads me to hypothesise people are increasingly angry and entitled. This leads to an emotionally immature, and extremely dangerous “might is right” mindset. Rather than considered, cooperative and intelligent approach to road use.

I have often wondered whether this has any connection to a wider sense of societal angst and popularist politics. Popularism can be defined in a multitude of ways. For me, it describes a knee jerk, simplistic, emotional responses to complex issues. 

Popularist ideologies appeal to those, who know nothing about the world, are disinterested in exploring possibilities and simply want these prejudices validated.

Talking of prejudices, while in the midlands, collecting my wheel, from John Moss, I suddenly got thinking about my Univega’s mysterious (phantom) creak. Bottom bracket replacement sounded like a reasonable starting point.

Then I got to thinking along other lines. Firstly, the idea that the left-hand crank might be the culprit. Perhaps the alloy taper had warped slightly, preventing it from staying snug on the arm. This prompted one of those infamous, late evening trawls of the online auction sites, searching for a suitable replacement crankset, at the right price…

Having placed a couple of (mercifully) unsuccessful bids, I then reflected upon recent changes. Pedals being the only component switches. So, I reverted to the venerable Ritchey patterns, gave the crank bolts another quick check, then headed out for another twenty-mile blast.  Smooth, progressive silence

This appears to have cured the problem, so, being a perpetual fettler, I am, I’ve swapped to these Wellgo RC713, which offer excellent ground clearance and surprising amounts of support, even on longer outings. However, there’s no doubting double sided designs have a slight edge, at the traffic light grand prix.  

I was tempted to swap to a rather nice set of single sided Time. However, these would require swapping over to the time cleats. Sticking with SPD means I can alternate between fixed gear ‘crosser and Univega, without having to consider footwear choices.

Back on the fixed, I was enjoying some headspace along the lanes, when a mile from home, a slow rear puncture struck. I was able to creep the final half mile, on 35psi. The Gods had decided it was time to instate the Halo track HG wheel, built by John Moss. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/love-resurrection-john-moss-s-tandem 

Now, there’s a lot to be said about this hub. One side is threaded for a conventional track sprocket and lock-ring. Bearing quality and weather sealing are also very high, well suited to the real world. In this instance, hollow Cro-moly axles turn on super smooth, Japanese bearings.

Refined and very reliable but nothing out of the ordinary… However, the other features an HG cassette type body, designed for Halo’s dedicated 7mm sprockets. These slot on the splines and are locked in situ, using a traditional Shimano type tool. No need for chain whips and primal grunting.

Yes, traditional HG sprockets may fit…

However, they will wear through the splines. You have been warned. It will accept sprockets between 12 and 20 teeth. Caters for pancake flat, hillier regions, or indeed, trail duty too.

The other significant feature is the ability to get chainline absolutely bang-on (between 41 and 52mm). This is particularly significant on conversions, which have generally required bevelled sprockets to compensate.  

I gauged spacing by studying that of the Aerorage wheel. Panned out exactly as I’d hoped. Sliding the 15tooth sprocket home, I added a moderate lick of grease to the lock-ring.

Snugged tight, I mounted Schwalbe rim tape and their 35mm Marathon GT tyre. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/schwalbe-marathon-gt-tyres  I wanted something super dependable but relatively sprightly. The GT roll a lot faster, and smoother than their weight and profiles suggest. Looks like a great package and one I can’t wait to get testing!

Tart's Handbag?

 

Spare cone cum spacer arrived for the Halo Aerotrack hub, so I wasted no time in drizzling some green oil eco grease on the threads and winding it home. After a bit of deliberation, I opted to run the Titanium sprocket, checking this had a generous helping of waterproof synthetic grease.

Sat between it and the hub’s aluminium alloy threads. In this instance I’ve gone for White Lightning crystal grease https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/white-lightning-crystal-grease  which seems particularly dependable. However, given this bike serves year round, I will be inspecting more frequently than those adorning the On-one Inbred hub. Remiss of me.

Seems the right hand EAI sprocket and lockring have formed a particularly stubborn union with the aluminium alloy hub threads.  I’ve tried liberal marinades of high quality penetrant/release sprays before introducing lockring spanners, chain whips and primal grunting. Nope, won’t budge. So I’ve put it down and will revisit when inspiration strikes.

Where possible, I like to keep components going-if they’re basically in good order but I’m beginning to wonder-if I’m going the wheel build route, salvage might be false economy. The last thing I want is a freshly built wheel, only for the hub to conk out in spectacular fashion shortly afterward!

So, I am researching alternatives. System EX units were nicely executed budget options, though it’s not clear if they’re still in production. Three times the price but Surly also produce some nice small flange double fixed hubs with more sophisticated bearings…Nonetheless, in the meantime, I’m relieved I held on to the Halo and will make very good use of it.

Staying on the subject of lubes and other fluid tooling, Green Oil have sent us their new Ecospray lube. PTFE and petrochemical free. PTFE (often known as Teflon), was discovered by accident in the 1930s are remains pretty ubiquitous. Not just in engineering applications either; non-stick cooking utensils, carpets and socks being three that immediately spring to mind.

On the plus side, Teflon lubes and greases are cheap, surprisingly effective and reasonably durable. However, it’s not kind to organic/aquatic life and is widely thought to be connected to heart, thyroid and lung conditions.

Repacking hub bearings, headsets, pedals and bottom bracket threads every few months and doing so eight hours a day, 5/6 days every week for thirty years present two very different levels of risk.

The same goes for classic car/motorcycle enthusiasts and professional mechanics, when talking exposure to swarf and other carcinogens found in used motor oil.

I wear latex/similar examination gloves when working with petrochemicals. I must admit that I’m not so fastidious when giving cables and mechanisms a quick squirt, or lubricating chains.  

 So then, to the maintenance spray.

Well, I wasn’t surprised to learn the stock is that, used in their wet chain lube. However, achieving the spray-able consistency requires a greater ratio of plant based solvent.

Some folks will argue that butane/propane propellant put a dent in the eco-friendly credentials but I’m assure quantities involved present minimal impact to environment and user alike.

So far, I’ve used it on the teenage dream’s Regina freewheel, cleat mechanisms and assorted brake cables. The rich yellowy layer could almost pass for a heavyweight PTFE potion, the sort that will, in a pinch double as a summer chain lube. Several weeks and more varied use should give a better indication of its strengths and, where appropriate, weaknesses/limitations.