Overhauling

 

Having packed the headset, I added a fresh butyl boot to the bottom race, bolted the bars and stem in situ, if only to keep the forks in place. I then decided I fancied the Dia Compe 287 levers over the Gran Compe, so switched those, then got to the business of pruning cable outers and bolting everything together.

Doing so revealed a very sticky rear Spyre calliper. In some respects, a schoolboy omission-I should’ve inspected it while tackling the front. Ultimately, sticky, not seized and easily coaxed into submission with two shots of MO94. Activating the calliper accelerated the process, freeing everything nicely.  

Cable connected and some more MO94 Muc-Off MO94 Multi Use Spray | cycling-not-racing applied to the housings and inner wire, normal service restored. Front brake fully home, I rocked the bike back and forth- serenely smooth and no hint of play, so checked alignment and snugged the pinch bolts to 5nm. I quit at this point, since other things required my attention and I was awaiting a fresh set of gear cables.

These didn’t materialise as expected, but thankfully, I had a few inner wires and some suitable outers, so sorted the following morning. I allowed these to stretch and dressed the Ridgeback branded drops in some Genetic Hi Grip Genetic Hi-Grip Handlebar Tape | cycling-not-racing, which offered sufficient coverage, but there wasn’t much leftover.

Inspecting the chain revealed .5, so I decided to pension it off, rather than risk it kicking up on a new cassette. I wanted to purge the rings of any congealed wax chain lube and embedded gunk. I also intended to strip and re-grease the Hollowtech II axle and Leatt Endurance 6.0 Pedals Leatt Endurance 6.0 Clip in Pedals | cycling-not-racing using Juice Lubes Slick Juice. Rob at Juice Lubes sent some along with their Bike Wash and Bike Wash Super Concentrate.  

In essence, the slick Juice is a low viscosity mineral oil employing Anhydrous calcium soap as the thickening agent, which prevents washout and other premature deterioration. The mixture is carefully blended, so safe on elastomers, bearing seals and carbon fibre.  Where it mustn’t be used is on EDM

Slick Juice can also be used on threaded components, so I popped some on the preload ring and pinch bolts. The latter released easily enough but were beginning to look a little thirsty. Everything reinstated and snugged to the correct tolerances, pruned and glued the gear cable inners before going through the gears to check shifting and chain for any stiff links.

No reason why the Slick couldn’t be employed in headsets, but I’d already packed them with Bearing Juice. When it comes to headsets, bottom brackets, and hubs, durability gets my vote. At least on bikes serving year-round. Slick Juice’s flow rate is very nice, so easy to achieve a uniform coating  

However, avoid EPDM- commonly employed on e-bike contacts, hydraulic brake olives.

Not that I’ve been stingy. It can also be applied via syringe for pinpoint accuracy-something to consider if you’re wanting to inject fresh grease into components with grease ports, or indeed pedals, without doing a full strip down.

Talking of which, the cheap n’ cheerful Wellgo 823 are incredibly smooth, following the injection of Speed Grease. Both can also be used on threaded components, which is a welcome convenience-especially when time’s pressing.  

Satisfied everything was correctly adjusted, I applied some All-Mountain Style Miami Glide Chain Wax and left it curing ahead of an evening shakedown ride.  Seemed to cure after three hours at 17 degrees, although I’d ideally leave it overnight-same goes for any lube with a suggested curing time of four hours or more.

The sharp-eyed will note the front derailleur cable housing is a little long, but shifting’s prompt and better too long than too short. I will be pruning in due course, but since its aesthetic, no immediate rush.  

Clearly resembling a zebra, I was shunned by the Shetland ponies-one making his distain perfectly clear but otherwise, the seven-mile mixed terrain shakedown was very positive. Only the headset bearings and the front mudguard needed a subtle snugging down.

Elsewhere, Castelli have sent me their Ultimate Sun Protection: UPF Jersey, which boasts a yarn with factor 50 promising excellent defence from the sun’s UV rays.

The lightweight polyester fabrics are designed with breathability and maximum (factor 50) sun protection in mind. I’ll still advocate wearing a buff-type garment around the neck to guard against sunstroke in more intense heat, or indeed, wind burn. Especially when riding in coastal regions. Obviously, you’ll still want to apply suitable sunscreen to protect exposed areas of skin.

Those seeking more comprehensive protection will be pleased to note there’s also a long-sleeved version. Ours is the seasonally standard short sleeve, cut longer in the arms and around the neck The fabric is thin, without feeling fragile. Front panels feature slight perforation for improved wicking.

A full-length zipper is something of a given these days, but the generous zipper tag makes single-handed adjustments effortless.  Round the back, we’ve four pockets- three sensibly proportioned terraced with a fourth zippered end for valuables. That tag is a little bijous for my tastes and favours right-dominant hands. I can carry vivid orange surprisingly well, but “silver gray” is the alternative.

I’ve only ridden 100 miles with ours, but formative impressions are favourable. Castelli’s suggested temperature range is 20-38 degrees. I’ve been out in the midday sun (12-1600) where the mercury’s been hovering between 24 and 29 degrees and thus far, living up to the hype, although the Large isn’t unduly snug, or unflattering but I’m wondering if XL might’ve been optimal. 

Heavier Hearts & Lighter Tyres

 

Been a little “out of sorts” for a while now. There’s a lot to be grateful for and plenty of reasons to smile. Safe, secure home for me and the bikes, lots of lovely test kit to research, review and enjoy but the global and more localised instability can sometimes prove exhausting. Especially if you’re a deep thinker with a predisposition toward catastrophising.  Some carefully considered introspection is good for us-planning a course of action, ways forward etc. Sitting in a dark corner wringing our hands solves nothing.

Being Generation X, I am very grateful for the childhood and teenage years we had. Not least the freedom to explore and navigate the world, people and situations in real time. We made our own entertainment and for the most part, learned patience, and conflict resolution of sorts. Childhood without screens wasn't strictly true. Many an afternoon was spent in front of the hypnotic glow of a VDU, practising the basics of programming and playing the latest video game releases of that era.

Not forgetting television, and video.... The video nasty moral panic, championed by Mary Whitehouse and the Conservative government prompting the video recordings bill in 1983. One requiring all video recordings were certified in the same fashion as cinema and indeed, banned in many cases with widespread use of fines and prosecution.     

It's easy for people to punch down at younger generations, whether it be parenting or wider behaviours. Blaming children and parents for a screen addiction, anxiety and depression conveniently swerves around some inconvenient truths. These things are incredibly layered and complex. However, factors such as playing fields and other public spaces sold to developers, the very gradual collapse of communities and looser social cohesion are highly influential, at least here in the UK.

Governments are supposedly there to govern in the best interests of their citizens and protect the most vulnerable, but I've witnessed les e faire indifference for the most part-regardless of which administration assumes power. By the same token, a society's citizens must also shape change. The post war explosion in public services, housebuilding and other infrastructure projects was not attributable to a benevolent political class. 

Given the disruption to global supply chains resultant from the Strait of Hormuz, shortages are inevitable. At some point, governments will be forced to step in with some form of rationing. The question in my mind being will they intervene before the point of crisis or leave it until they have no option?

I often reach solutions to a wealth of things during a ride, whether tweaking a component-a recalcitrant rear mech, spongy brake, bothersome bracket, or a deeper, personal dilemma.  That said its crucial to be mindful of our emotional state and remain focused on the roads, trails, and potential hazards.

Obviously, the same goes when operating any other vehicle. That out of the way and having reached some firm conclusions regarding the Genetic Hi-Grip Handlebar Tape Genetic Hi-Grip Handlebar Tape | cycling-not-racing, I’m racking up some proper mixed terrain miles with Denise and the Continental Terra Trail.

Though typical of most gravel tyres when popped on the scales, their low rolling resistance, snappy, engaging persona gives them an edge over those with a knobbly profile when tackling metalled roads, dry to moist dirt roads and similar hardpack.

No cuts, or punctures to date and it’s worth noting I’m running ours with tubes-bog standard butyl and TPU to be precise. Tubeless has some definite advantages, most notably, the ability to run lower pressures for additional grip but I’ve found things decidedly gooey should you catch an aggressive thorn. Or your cat take exception to a certain brand of tyre…

Strange as that may sound, my dearly departed farm cat had a definite dislike of Panaracer. He’d induced a few flats by gnawing and clawing the sidewalls. Curiously this wasn’t the case with Schwalbe, Kenda, Continental and indeed, V-Tire Co. Seemed quite fond of the V-Tire Co Zilent TEST & REVIEW VEE TIRE CO ZILENT TYRES and Zilent II TESTED: VEE TIRE CO ZILENT MARK 2 TYRES (as was I).

Having packed the WP823 with Peaty’s Speed Grease PEATY'S SPEED GREASE | cycling-not-racing and whipping them aboard Muffin’s cranks, I headed out for a few 20-mile loops. I’m pleased to report the thinner viscosity grease was trafficked deep within the pedal’s inner sanctum, eliminating the squeak and any roughness.

This prompted me to port some Shimano XT over to Denise. I love the Shimano PD ES 600 SPD Shimano PD ES 600 SPD Pedal | cycling-not-racing  aside from the soft finish but fancied a change. I’ve also switched the Roswheel Lightweight Tour Rack Roswheel Lightweight Tour Rack | cycling-not-racing for the M-Part Summit M Part Summit Rear Rack | cycling-not-racing which is slightly broader, so doesn’t cause the Zefal Shield G50 Mudguards Zefal Shield G50 Mudguards | cycling-not-racing to tickle the rear tyre so readily. Right, I'll leave it here with my long term review of the Muc-Off Waterproof socks, since May is proving a little changeable weather-wise Muc-Off Waterproof Socks | cycling-not-racing