Grease, Cadence and Crisis Aversion

 Speed grease hmm, I thought, glancing at Ursula’s Hollowtech II drivetrain. I needed to inspect the crankset splines and bottom bracket region anyhow, given the relatively harsh and snowy winter/early spring. I wasn’t surprised to find everything came adrift easily, given the spline and bottom bracket shell had been given a sensible helping of Muc-Off Eco-Grease TWELVE MONTH TEST: GREEN OIL ECO GREASE (sevendaycyclist.com) which was still evident but beginning to recede a little. Out came some Motorex Power Cleaner and an old sock. A few blasts and a quick wipe later, I was ready to introduce some Peaty’s Speed Grease.  

This is a low viscosity formula, so is easily applied to the host and covers nicely. Ten minutes later, everything was reassembled and correctly torqued. Anecdotally, the cranks spun buttery smooth, and resistance feels lower. However, quantifying that in any meaningful way, without laboratory testing facilities is going to be a little tricky.  Durability will also be interesting. Not that there’s any indication it will need frequent replenishment, but traditionally lighter lubes and greases tend to.  

Racers traditionally brewed their own but would think nothing of stripping and repacking the machine after every event, which isn’t desirable for most riding contexts, particularly training, touring and commuting. Time will tell but for now, ten minutes well spent. Interestingly, a serviceable quantity of Green Oil Eco grease clung to the pinch bolt threads, so I simply reinstated them.   

I also took this opportunity to strip and treat my fixed gear winter trainer’s Cane Creek Thudbuster ST G4 seatpost, Wellgo WELLGO MO94B SPD PEDALS | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)pedal threads and smaller, oft neglected fasteners to a helping of the Peaty’s Assembly Grease.  Ditto Ursula’s since I was there, and daily drivers will say considerably more about its tenacity and any potential quirks.  

Very much in the zone, I gave said fixed a good wash, stripped the chain of Bat waxBAT CHAIN LUBE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com), in favour of the Weldtite Ceramic WELDTITE CERAMIC LUBE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com), and a quick rummage unearthed the cadence sensor, which I fitted, along with a fresh CR2032 cell. Interestingly, the magnet mount was still attached to the crank arm, so I gently turned the cranks and couldn’t figure why the sensor light wasn’t flickering to denote function.  

Closer inspection revealed the magnet had slipped from the housing. I didn’t want to buy a dedicated replacement magnet, so I had a look on an auction site for something suitable. I found a pack of five with a 3M self-adhesive backing, so cleaned the holder with solvent to ensure good adhesion and popped one in place-success!  Whether it will stay put longer-term, remains to be seen.  

Mudguard and other little tweaks have solved any teething issues with the Teenage Deam, so I’m enjoying its spirited charms, on fair weather days. Less endearing was the sudden and unexpected demise of my Yak Homage’s inner tube. A ruptured seam, which illustrates the point that get a blowout and sealant WILL require a major clean-up operation, not to mention a new tube (which I was sadly lacking, on this occasion).  

Otherwise, easily sorted. I acquired two replacements, more was tempting, given the potential disruptions induced by pandemic & Brexit. The latter is coming in installments and according to industry experts, supermarkets are likely to witness supply disruption and ultimately, empty shelves. Price increases are also somewhat probable, if not inevitable. 

There are several variables inducing this-a pronounced lack of qualified HGV drivers, especially since, given a dark underbelly of xenophobia European drivers and people per se have no incentive to return, or indeed, bring goods into the UK. 

There is an uneducated assumption/suggestion that the military will just “step in. However, this is unrealistic. While the armed forces are experts when it comes to logistics and service personnel are highly adept at responding to the unexpected, a military HGV driving qualification is not directly interchangeable with civilian. Therefore, some further training will be required, and this takes time, especially during a pandemic...   

Fact & Friction

180 miles in, and I’m bonding with the 38 tooth Raval oval ring, the improved mid-range has given a better spread of power, improving cruising and climbing prowess quite considerably. It’s worth noting that oval/elliptical rings require careful consideration and favour a smooth, relatively high cadence. For these reasons, I (personally) would be inclined to shy away from them on a purebred MTB. 

Otherwise, there is the temptation to turn a taller gear than ideal, which can result in a jerkier pedaling motion, inducing precisely the knee and back strain the concept was intended to alleviate. Shimano’s bio-pace was originally marketed at tourists and time Triallists but over time, marketing shifted to novice and returnees. By the mid-90s it had fallen out of fashion, meaning decent cranksets with said rings were plentiful and very cheap. 

The Pro Gold Pro ink chain lube is also proving a reciprocal compliment to this setup, although I’ve decided topping up around the time its ¾ spent stage (150 miles, or so, during a dry spell) is the best means of appreciating its qualities, rather than allowing it to become a thin film. I’ve also applied it to the fixed’s new KMC HL710.  

I also discovered, on our first outing, that I’d got the tension too tight-this wasn’t obvious on the work stand but immediately apparent, when I headed out, on Sunday morning. It remained a little agricultural, so I’ve switched back to the PC1, using the Topeak All Speeds Chain Tool https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/topeak-all-speeds-chain-tool. One thing led to another and in this instance...A lower headset bearing strip, cable strip and re-lube, then I found another 35mm Zilent https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/vee-tire-co-zilent-mark-2-tyres, so popped that up front.   

Elsewhere, Redshift Sports have sent me their Shockstop Suspension Seatpost. Available in either 27.2, or 31.8mm diameters, it’s likely to sit pride of place on the Holdsworth. Not the most obvious choice perhaps, given the bike’s minimalist “enough parts to make it stop, go and handle in good proportion” persona and those relatively compliant plain gauge 531 tubes but we’ll see...Since we’re on the subject, here’s a seatpost overview...https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/a-guide-to-seatposts  

Set up is more involved than some, so set aside some time to familiarise yourself with the instructions- their youtube video is particularly insightful. It’s pretty low maintenance from then on. No need to lubricate the moving parts (although the internal preload spring may require occasional re-greasing) and obviously, regrease the post periodically, if you are pairing it with a metal frameset. 

Elsewhere, Buff has sent me their new, improved original Buff, which is now made from 95% recycled Polyester and their Pack Bike Cap. Pleasant, funky and very welcome surprises.    

https://www.facebook.com/sevenday.cyclist/videos/2275936309368820/ 

Roads remain quiet with most people broadly adhering to the UK’s lockdown policy-at least in this part of the South East but there’s a palpable, simmering restlessness. I can envisage the present administration banning all exercise, and that includes going out, into the garden. (Yes, and you thought the turbo trainer would sort this!)  

However, there are two potential scenarios (a) They won’t since they will not want to experience a backlash at the ballot box (b) People will simply flout this in bigger numbers. Indeed, many will argue an under-funded police force will not have the resources.  Therefore, even with drone and similar remote technology, enforcement, beyond major cities, will prove extremely difficult. My hope is that people will behave sensibly and responsibly, without recourse to further curbing of freedom.  

If you do fancy a read, this link will take you to a book review “The Story of A Bike” The Lotus 110 bike and its 108 predecessor https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/the-story-of-a-bike