Tweaking The Tempo

 

I’m consistently told that I’m very adaptable and for the most part, that’s very positive. To some extent, there’s never the wrong conditions, just the wrong equipment. Whether that be coping mechanisms, or material stuff. I’d been pushing myself very hard in broader contexts, to the point of chronic emotional depletion. This was only evident to a very select few and I was struggling to pinpoint; dare I say articulate the experience and root causes.  I’d been down to London to experience BTS  BTS World Tour London: 70,000 ARMYs Fill Tottenham Hotspur Stadium!

Not my genre of music but the spectacle and company were fantastic. The fanbase seemed a really supportive and positive collective- this was incredibly palpable at every point, within the train carriages, the stadium and the immense crowds snaking through the streets of North London afterwards. Potentially a mugger’s paradise, the sea of bodies flowed without incident, although we were exhausted after the two-hour journey back to our Goodge St hotel.

The sustained heatwave hasn’t negatively impacted my riding pattern, rather I’ve taken more time to explore the lanes and byways. Being mindful to cover my neck, apply a high factor sunscreen to exposed skin and carrying two full trade bottles. Soda water is my mid-ride tipple of choice, although plain tap water comes a close second. I don’t miss sugary, caffeine-laden drinks, but I’ve always missed the carbonated fizz.

Some years ago, I encountered a recovering alcoholic who told me he was able to quit gin but not the tonic water.  

Two hundred and fifty miles later and I’m forming the opinion that Juice Lubes Slick Juice is loosely comparable to Peaty’s Speed Grease PEATY'S SPEED GREASE | cycling-not-racing on the friction front. I’ve also applied some to Ursula’s Kinekt post, since I was doing some seasonal checks, topping up internal frame preserves etc, while the weather was particularly conducive.

This is particularly apparent on the Hollowtech II axles and anecdotally, contributing to a higher average speed when measured over a particular circuit. I’ve been defaulting to these Sidi Aertis Sidi Aertis MTB Shoes | cycling-not-racing, which are a sporty cross country mountain bike shoe but one that makes ready transition to gravel, audax and general road duties. Contexts where safe, dependable walking is desirable.

The soles have marginally more give, compared with the Shimano SHRX600 Shimano SH RX600 Gravel Cycling Shoes | cycling-not-racing  , which is welcome off the bike but doesn’t impair efficiency when I’ve been tackling extended, or sharp climbs on the fixed. As gravel and backpacking has evolved, manufacturers have responded by introducing models with more and less compliant soles to suit different tastes.

Stiffer, dare we say sportier soles are fabulous for pedalling efficiency, but can induce fatigue on long rides.  Models, such as Leatt Pro Clip Endurance Shoes  Leatt Pro Clip Endurance Shoes | cycling-not-racing  are aimed at those wanting “dependable performance and all-day comfort but without the race focus stiffness”. I’ve found they meet this mission statement handsomely and also have scope for touring. The wider profiles are also very accommodating of waterproof socks, which is significant, especially given the extensive mesh panelling. This also extends their horizons to winter.  Compared with the Shimano and Sidi discussed; the sole has a little more give, which is apparent during out of-the-saddle efforts on the fixed and I’ve noted a little extra cleat clatter off the bike. 

Genre blurring is nothing new. Mountain bike drivetrains became the norm on road going touring bikes and higher-end hybrids back in the late 80s, especially as triples became increasingly expected on new builds. I’ve never been shy of mixing and matching to suit gearing and indeed taste. For example, Denise sports a 2x10 Deore crankset, Tiagra rear mech and an old Deore LX front mech commanded by bar end shifters.

I’ve had a Shimano 600 road front mech commanding a touring triple and it could struggle bringing the chain over to the big ring. Back in the days of square tapers, I originally paired a Stronglight 100 Touring triple to Ursula, although even with relatively long axles, the cranks ran a hairs’ breadth from the chainstays-literally. Hence, I ultimately opted for an Alivio, when one came along at the right price back in November 2009.

 There’s much less scope for adjustment with a contemporary external bottom bracket configuration, meaning a gravel specific crank is likely to present Q factor, chain line and chainstay whacking issues.

Again, these things are nuanced. Experimentation is one thing; fool's missions are quite another.

If you’d one laying around, or gifted you, it might be worth exploring. However, it could also turn into a time sapping saga. For me, I’d reach for a 68mm Deore bottom bracket and crankset. I initially fitted a Tiagra bottom bracket when Denise was built as a 1x10, but switched for Deore when that mysteriously got the grumbles and an XT is the planned successor.  Right, I’ve just bolted some pattern cleats to these Leatt Trail shoes and will head off on Ursula to explore…

 

      

 

 

Warmth & Waxes

 250 miles in, and I’m warming to the Momum Mic Wax. Several things have stood out. Waxes tend to be less temperature stable than other lubricants but ours is still running very clean. I’m told its best described as a Tribolubricant.  

It contains natural waxes that come from the palm Copernicia and offers high resistance to wear and has a melting point at 85 degrees c. The latter is much higher than traditional waxes, which tend to assume a mushy state and would account for the Momum’s cleanliness thus far.  

Presently we’re experiencing temperatures around 70 degrees, so perhaps not surprising but certainly reassuring.  The blend penetrates deep within the chain’s inner sanctum, so the transmission feels refined, while shifting remains snappy and crisp. No thunderstorms to date, but plenty of wet roads, which are failing to make tangible impression on its integrity.  

Will be interesting to see how many miles I get from a single application...I’m also wondering how well it serves on cleat mechanisms and other metal to metal interfaces.  No sooner had this thought entered my head, Madison Cycles (Shimano’s UK importer) sent me two sets of pedals. Shimano PDM8100 (XT by another name) which almost require no introduction and these PD ED500, which are a slightly more intriguing design.  

Featuring generously proportioned aluminium alloy bodies, these are dual-sided for easy entry, and I was pleasantly surprised to learn, have cartridge bearings. Cro-moly axles aren’t the lightest options but should be ultra-dependable.  Shimano seems reticent to pigeon-hole them but suggest they’re perfect for road touring. Given those strong axles and sealed bearings, I’d wager they’re a good bet for mixed-terrain touring, gravel and indeed commuting, too.  Time and miles will tell...

A bit like these SH-MT701GX shoes, which are built for “all weather mountain touring, bike packing or commuting”. They feature synthetic leather uppers, a Gore Tex  breathable, waterproof liner for dry feet, a Boa L6 dial, for quick and precise adjustment, a toe cap for additional protection and a chunky sole for comfort on and off the bike. 

About soles and stiffness, these are 4 on Shimano’s off-road scale, which goes all the way to 11. Road, to 12 but while I’m fond of mixing things up, I’ve never gone the Look ARC, or KEO route when venturing beyond asphalt. Did run these on Ursula during periods of extended road riding. Primarily since I was curious, and the confused double takes from some road riders always amused me.  

Gravel is arguably an offshoot and “logical evolution” of cyclo cross and mountain biking and to some extent a genre with obvious appeal to yours truly- drop bars, knobbly tyres, wide ratio gearing and the ability to escape the seemingly ever maddening crowd.  

I’m less of a pioneer than I’d like to think, judging by the wealth of photos depicting mountain bikes ridden in competitive contexts, with drop bars. John Tomac was famous for it, during the late 80’s Ross Schafer, too.  However, go further back in the days of quill stems and 25.4 diameters, it wasn’t just Specialized and Muddy Fox who were colluding in this sorcery.  

The Vittoria Evolution Road Bike Tyres are also proving very competent on wet, greasy roads. Particularly welcome since it had been a few weeks since any tangible rain. This means diesel, oil and other slippery contaminant gets flushed from verges and into the road’s surface.  

The next obvious move was to take a detour and see how they’d behave along some varied bridle path. Spoiler alert, if you want to hoss along at warp speed, or tour primarily unmade roads, I’d suggest spending a good bit more and looking toward Schwalbe Marathon Mondial Double Defense TEST & REVIEW: SCHWALBE MARATHON MONDIAL TYRES (sevendaycyclist.com)   

That said, the Evolution are still quite agile and relatively composed in these contexts to around 17mph. Spirited enough to give a sense of freedom, or to engage young protégé's cruising behind in their trailers or contributing on tagalongs. Still miss Vittoria’s Randonneur Trail though... 

Dawns have become sufficiently balmy that I’ve switched from my default 3/4lengths to these Funkier Bib shorts, which have a decent pad and some nice features.  

I initially found the Lycra a little slippery atop traditional leather saddles, such as the Spa Cycles Aire Titanium and Cycles Berthoud Solour CYCLES BERTHOUD SOULOR LEATHER SADDLE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com). However, no annoying, power-robbing surf. Moot point with the Teenage Dream’s long-serving and seemingly discontinued Selle SMP Strike Plus.   

Behind Bars

Well, after several months, I’ve refitted the Soma Condor2 bars https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/soma-condor-2-shallow-drop-bars to my fixed gear winter/trainer. Now, don’t infer that I didn’t like the Genetic D-Riser 16 https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/genetic-d-riser-bars and its D-Riser4 stablemate. 

I think they’re great bars for gravel and road duties. The former are also 11g lighter than the Condor2. However, I also like both Condor bars. The original Condor https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/soma is definitely the right choice form my Univega, whereas, the Condor 2 is a better fit for my fixed. 

Especially with the Genetic Neuron Accessory Bar https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/genetic-neuron-accessory-bar  The naturally grippy nature of the Acros Silicone Wrap Handlebar Tape https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/acros-silicone-wrap-handlebar-tape meant it could be machine-washed, then ported over.  

Since we’re talking bars, let’s discuss the riser designs and their perceived/benefits.  

The Gravel and adventure markets are widely credited for the introduction of dropped bars with a “riser” section. 

As with the flared ends, the riser element gives some additional height, without resorting to taller head tubes, flipped stems and/or additional spacers. Now, while the adventure/gravel markets are the obvious drivers for this design, the breed may also benefit riders like me, who are of “feminine proportions” I.e. long in the leg, short in the body.  

Yes, semi/compact geometry framesets and a much wider choice of stem/steerer length has greatly reduced the need for custom frames. However, top tube length can still prove proportionally too generous. A shorter stem and bar lift can solve this-without a frumpy aesthetic.  50mm wide, the Condor 2 are broad enough to entertain bigger, bike packing friendly bar bags.  

I found the original condor less compatible, although I’m running the K-lite Bikepacker Ultra dynamo light https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/k-lite-bikepacker-ultra-dynamo-ligh  beneath the bars.  The Carradice SQR tour swallows most of my needs pretty convincingly, so a small unit, such as this bijous See Sense Handlebar Bar Bag https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/see-sense-handlebar-bag is more than adequate.  I’ve also resurrected the Minoura VC100 Quick- Release Camera Mount.  

Beautifully finished, the clamping system is phenomenally secure and will even hold compact video cameras. 

The cork platform is another definite plus, minimising vibration both to the camera and video capture. It’ll be hosting the Apeman A80 Action Camera, although possibly when I’ve acquired a replacement waterproof housing, given the seemingly unrelenting rainfall. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/apeman  

Bike and other theft are on the rise, for a wealth of different reasons. It’s always been a serious problem but at crisis point, as police resources are diverted to tackling violent crimes. Mercy and compassion are the two basic human values that thieves lack and will seek to legitimise their behavior in every conceivable way. 

Maintaining the vigilance and good locking practice at home, as you should in the street is imperative. Datatag and similar systems are useful tertiary security/deterrents, making machines harder to sell-on. The same goes for other distinctive distinguishing features.  

I have been known to engrave stems, crankarms and other components with my full name and sometimes postcode/blood group type, etc. Velo Eye sent us their  Bicycle Security QR Tag https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/velo-eye-bicycle-security-qr-tag  

The big difference between it and other systems, including Datatag is that it’s app-based. Anyone who has a bike on the app can check to see whether a stickered machine has been reported stolen. The App allows the machine’s location to be sent, in real-time to the registered owner. 

Theoretically, this improves the likelihood of successful retrieval. We’re told recovery rate stands at 75%. There’s a dealer in Montrose who deploys them on all their bikes. Only one has been stolen to date and that was quickly recovered. 

Home intrusion is similarly distressing. Thieves are targeting the more affluent areas-leafy London suburbs, particularly. Easier and richer pickings being the most obvious explanations.  

Thinking like a thief i.e. how would I foil my own security and making necessary improvements. Bike theft has always been small beer for the police. We’re told that police resources are stretched to the point where violent crime is their primary focus. 

Burglaries, motor/cycle and other vehicle thefts are only likely to increase. Now, you’ll excuse me. After 300 filthy miles, I need to replenish the White Lightning Wet Ride and there’s a rush of people offering me “features” on knitting machines...