Another Year Almost Done....

 

On the cusp of 2026, I’ve been reflecting on 2025.  Many miles in the saddle, there have been lots of subtle tweaks and changes across the board. Ursula’s frame modifications have proved their worth. I’ve switched the rear quick release for the electroplated trailer model. I’ve experienced some occasional disc rub-easily addressed using some simple adjustments.  

Thru axles are the best pairings on the stiffness fronts, which may be a consideration for those taking the modernisation route. Talking of which, many frame builders will shy away from retrofitting disc mounts to older, thinner tubed framesets. By all means ask them and to explain their reservations but (this goes for any other profession, or trade) never try cajoling someone into doing something they are not comfortable doing. There’s usually a very sound reasoning behind that reticence.  

Before concerning yourself with calliper alignment and more involved diagnostics, start with some simple stuff. With the bike set down, undo the quick release and check the wheel is properly set in the dropouts and centred. Next, with the quick release open, pull the brake lever fully home, while simultaneously closing the quick release.

Pump the lever ten times and roll the bike or spin the wheel to test for any binding.  I was happy with the Spyre SLC’s alignment, so felt no need to meddle and on this occasion, all sorted. This had coincided with yet another sudsy bucket clean, since Ursula needed it, after a week belting along greasy, muddy lanes. I also wanted to  strip what remained of the Weldtite All Weather Lube Weldtite All Weather Lube | cycling-not-racing and introduce some Muc Off C3 Ceramic All Weather Chain Lube Muc-Off C3 All Weather Chain Lube | cycling-not-racing- just fancied a change to be honest.

Several months and many miles down the line, the Leatt Endurance 6.0 Clip in Pedals  Leatt Endurance 6.0 Clip in Pedals | cycling-not-racing  which are understated and just get on with the job- no flex, creaking and while mud shedding doesn’t rival Time’s mighty ATAC, they’ll shift boggy clay soil with reassuring ease.

Switching to the Ergon All Road Core Comp SaddleErgon SR All Road Core Comp Saddle Men | cycling-not-racing has proved music to my derriere, and I’m pleased to report the right hand Microshift bar end shifter is behaving properly, so all told, I’ve refined the contact points to personal perfection. Long term use has me concluding CST Patrol CST Patrol Folding EPS Tyres | cycling-not-racing are a better fit for me and my riding style than the Continental Cross King Protection Black Chili Tyres Continental Cross King Protection Black | cycling-not-racing

Phantom squeaks strike now and again- can be something and nothing. Muffin’s creak wasn’t the D-riser 4 bars, rather the Cane Creek dummy/stoker lever needing a quick turn of the 5mm Allen key. I’ve had these for many years and found their ergonomics incredibly comfortable for cruising and climbing.  Obviously tandems are their primary audience, but they make a lot of sense on a fixed gear build, or indeed, a trike, or something similarly specialist employing a 2-in1, linked brake. I’m considering revisiting the 146mm wide Cycles Berthoud Soulor CYCLES BERTHOUD SOULOR LEATHER SADDLE | cycling-not-racing  or The titanium railed Spa Cycles Aire for a while.  I’ve decided to whip the Aire atop Muffin’s USE post, since I needed to strip and regrease some of the hardware.

In fairness, there was a reasonably stoical, thin layer of Oxford Mint Assembly Grease Oxford Mint Assembly Grease | cycling-not-racing . However, prevention is always better than cure and since I was switching saddles, then was the time. I’ve reached for the Zefal Pro II Grease Zefal Pro II Grease | cycling-not-racing   

The Soulor is 7mm broader than the Ergon SR All Road Saddle Ergon SR All Road Men’s Saddle | cycling-not-racing and a bit heavier too. I’m curious to see how good a fit it is with Muffin.

Dimensions wise, its identical to the iconic 80’s Selle Italia Turbo, which I got along with just fine for several years. I had two versions, the suede and a leather covered gel version c. 1993-96. Staying with the late 80s, I had a Selle San Marco Concor Super Corsa homage- wore the suede smooth and ultimately sold it to a fellow student for £8 in 1994.  

Winter is hard on stuff as I’m always saying and cables are no exception. I wasn’t surprised to discover a frayed inner still commanding Ursula’s front Suntour mech-one of those routine jobs that saves a lot of hassle later down the line. Another illustration of why its important to wash and inspect bikes regularly during the darker months.   

The muddy, slippery season has also presented opportunity to put the Zefal G50 Gravel Mudguards to the test and as I’d expected, they offer a decent amount of coverage-at least to the rider, without fouling when things get gooey.

 Longer term, I’m contemplating a hybrid setup for Denise- leaving the rear G50 I situ and running a Mud Hugger Gravel Hugger up front. We’ll see, this is more of an aesthetic, rather than performance thing. The great thing about the G50 is their compatibility with cantilever brakes, lending them to older ‘cross, hybrid and gravel builds. I like disc brakes and for a wealth of applications, they’re great, but cantilevers and other rim brakes still have genuine advantages and perform very well. Particularly with higher end cables and pads.

 

Seasonal Swaps & Sabre Tooth Man Flu

 

Possibly it’s the accumulation factor, coupled with a sharp drop in temperature bringing more seasonal colds into the arena but I succumbed to a sneaky, feral virus. The sort that begins with addled thought processes but allowing you to head out for a decent ride. Before you know it, head and joints feel like lead, simple tasks like adjusting cable tension, or replacing bottle cages can feel challenging. These being significant, since I needed to dial in Denise’s front Shimano CX50 stopper and I was keen to switch the Wolf Tooth Morse over to Ursula to see how well their adjustability benefits a small compact geometry frameset, especially when a lithium-ion battery and frame fit pump are thrown into the mix.

The Wolf Tooth Morse are so called because of the plate’s drillings and there are two basic versions-our stainless steel and a lighter, dearer titanium. 304 grade stainless steel is popular in a wealth of applications due to its blend of resilience and corrosion resistance. Qualities that are verry apparent, judging by the regular bastings from wet, greasy roads, agricultural slurry, muddy trails and regular washings. It also offers secure, reliable tenure and release to big 750 ml trade bottles and bigger, double walled thermos designs, too.

Now, as many would justly point out, perfectly functional bottle cages can be had for £6 and indeed, less. I’ve had three Trans X going strong some 26 years down the line-no, they hadn’t been kept in a trophy cabinet, they’ve been in regular service. The fetching yellow livery contrasted very nicely with Ursula’s original flamboyant red finish.

Back to the bargain bin, I’ve gone for another set of the red composite fitted to Muffin- 99p each. These will contrast nicely with Ursula’s grey finish and offer surprising amounts of adjustment, so while not level pegging with a good side-entry model, will overcome some of the hassles associated with standard bottles and small frames.  Having said that, I’m pleased with the contrast the stainless and titanium cages provide, so they may stay. I gave Denise a good sudsy bucket scrub and fitted these Burls and Boardman carbon fare. This also presented an opportunity to pump some more corrosion busting waxy preserve inside the frames. Fasteners were given a blob of Zefal Pro II Grease Zefal Pro II Grease | cycling-not-racing.  

I’d been hopeful but am pleased to discover the Muc-Off C3 Ceramic All Weather Chain Lube is still clinging dependably to the inks, keeping them lubricated and corrosion-free despite sections of road resembling Paris Roubaix, waterlogged lanes. Mudguards, (fenders to folks in the US) surprise, surprise do keep a lot of crap at bay, and I remain impressed by the Mud Hugger Gravel Hugger MUD HUGGER GRAVEL HUGGER MUDGURADS | cycling-not-racing fitted to Muffin.

Sure, they have some compromises and don’t offer the same protection as traditional full-length models, but they are still fairly effective, while permitting easy rear wheel removal. Full length chrome plastics and track ends tends to require removing the frame mounts, too which is a faff, especially on a cold and rainy night. Oh, and full-length chrome plastics are impractical off road, unless of course you’re exploring dry singletrack on an adventure bike, or big tubby tourer. Zefal have sent me their Sheild G50 Gravel Mudguard Set and on a seasonally related note, their F1500 front light. The issue with a lot of gravel specific guards (and it’s a fairly small point, given disc brakes are the default) but they can prove incompatible with bikes running cantilever and V-brakes. The Shield G50 also proved comparatively straightforward to fit and adjust.

However, while this design will entertain older framesets, I strongly suspect they won’t offer quite the same degree of protection afforded by the Gravel Hugger and similar patterns.  The F1500 has me curious to see how well it compares with the Sigma Buster 1600 Sigma Buster 1600 & RL150 Light Set | cycling-not-racing  

It’s four grams lighter at 233g and slightly bulky, but I was pleased to find a wired remote within the bundle and the light complies with IPX6 for weatherproofing. Remotes allow easily toggling between modes, when entering different environments, or needing to dip. The choice of bar or Go-Pro mount is another nice touch. Time and long, dark roads are where the proof lies, although I remain impressed by its R150 rear light, so I’m quietly hopeful the FL1500 will leave a similar impression.

I’m always saying (primarily because its true) that I love the changing seasons and the riding experiences they bring. Autumn remains one of my favourites, possibly given the association with receiving the Holdsworthy built Claud Butler and Richard Ballantine’s legendary “New Bicycle Book”, then at 18, leaving for London and a world full of possibilities. Some I took, some I didn’t. Winter can be a longer slog, so testing, a well-dressed machine and rider coupled with wider, intensive focus helps with mood and momentum.