Sliding into September

 

After some long, steady miles and pre soggy season prep, I began contemplating stem lengths and wheel switches. Switching Denise to the WTB drops was a good decision. However, I’ve concluded I needed a shorter extension, since my proportionally short torso means I’m feeling a little stretched.

Cue a quick wander round the web and this 25mm long CNC machined unit from the Far East (of all places!) True, it lacks the exotica or refinement of some, but I was keen to ensure I’d got the correct length and could upgrade later down the line, should need arise. May also upgrade the quill adaptor-had to deal with some reticence when slackening, which ultimately led to discovering the expander wedge shedding its threads. I’ve replaced with one from the spares box and acquired this higher-end replacement and will substitute in due course.  While price typically reflects quality, it’s important to ensure a couple of things.

Firstly, don’t default to the Aheadset method, leave a millimetre or two of the top proud. Secondly, once you’ve everything aligned, ensure you’ve got some grease on the wedge and bolt before torquing it down to around 16nm. The wedge should be well and truly lodged in place- no wibble when rocking the bars as you might when turning sharply, say on as fast descent.  

 There are folks who really dislike quill converters full stop and there are a few options. Have a skilled frame builder add a threadless steerer to the existing fork crown- as Lee Cooper did here Oldie But Goodie: Fork Repair & Revision | cycling-not-racing. Alternatively, Inn Cycle offer a threadless conversion headset. Never seen one in the flesh, so can’t comment but they do look well engineered. Custom quill stems are another option.    

Mick Madgett built the Halo TK hub into the Ryde Taurus rim, which led me to switching Muffin’s Mavic Fix-G. HALO FIX G TRACK HUB | Seven Day Cyclist Tourin Tests Commuting and giving it a good clean.  The sprocket had become quite scuzzy given a few weeks in very hot conditions, turning the Weldtite TF2 All Weather Lube runnier and stickier, so it attracted more dirt. 

It will be interesting to see how the newest PTFE- free version fares in this and other respects. Both variants penetrate the chain’s inner sanctum very effectively and I’ve found the original very effective on fixed gear and single speed chains. Switching Muffin’s rear wheel has me wondering if the chainline was very slightly off with the Fix-G hub and I might need to revise the spacer widths to correct this.

Weldtite has also sent me the latest incarnation of a drip wax they’ve been working on for two years. Claimed to return 300km (186miles) in all conditions, not just balmy summer days, I’ve fed some to Denise’s KMC and Muffin’s Izumi and will see how it fares in the coming, increasingly autumnal weeks.

Generally speaking, I default to middle and heavier weight oils, rather than waxes, or more exotic blends when it comes to fixed and single speed chains. However, fair weather conditions and curiosity are why I’ve gone the wax route. Weldtite suggest you can double up for higher miles per application, so I’ve taken this route, without being overly generous.  

Curing times are influenced by temperatures and other factors, including humidity.  

Deep cleaning recipient drivetrains is essential when it comes to waxes and indeed, lubes of different genres. Applied in temperatures around 20 degrees and given a 45 second shake to mix everything thoroughly, it emerges from the spout very predictably, as middleweight creamy emulsion. Not one I’d risk applying indoors, mind. Curing times are in hours- bargain on four in these temperatures, leave it overnight if you can.

 When cured, it assumes a clear glazed state.  Formative impressions suggest low friction and crisp shifts. The bigger question will be how it sheds contaminant-does it attract less grime, is it one of those that flakes away when contaminant gets trapped in the outer layer, flaking off at a certain point to leave a thinner lubricant layer behind… I’ve reached my conclusions regarding the Silca Nastro Piloti Bar Tape Silca Nastro Piloti Bar Tape | cycling-not-racing, which has (and continues to impress with its rugged, grippy natue-impressive in the wet and offering excellent connections with the bars.

Staying with wet stuff, I’d decided it was time to enjoy some forest and bridlepath fun aboard Ursula- I also wanted to see how the Continental Cross Kings and FLR MXT Vibram Trail Shoes coped with bogy mud. Spoiler alert, feet had more traction than tyres. Having ridden a few miles along some mixed, unmade roads and green lanes and generally enjoying ourselves, I couldn’t resist some very goopy bridlepath.

Whoosh…Big grin was quickly substituted by surprise as we hurled in slow motion towards a hedge. Mercifully, the resilient and relatively soft foliage caught our imminent slide, and I slowly came to soft earth, protecting Ursula into the bargain.  Knobblies had definitely become slicks, and as I suspected, the FLR’s Vibram soles will attract soft gloop. However, as I’d hoped, they do shed it surprisingly well- no issues with clipping in and out.  Having returned, I wasted no time in giving Ursla a justly deserved sudsy bucket wash, drivetrain purge, polish and switch to this Weldtite Wax. 

Two rings good...

Given that I haven’t gone the mullet route (at least, not since 1989/90 and I’m not admitting to that) with Ursula’s drivetrain, switching to the Maxxis Ikon has meant much more dirt in our diet and more time spent on the Deore’s inner (26tooth) ring-especially exploring green lanes.  

Though not unduly heavy at 714g (about 1.57 lb.) apiece by my scales, they’re a little heavier than the Maxxis cited as 592g (about 1.31 lb.) and present palpably more resistance on tarmac, compared with Kenda Small Block Eight DTC.  

However, it’s worth noting that the Kenda features 120tpi casings and can be run at 80psi, while the Ikon is 65psi tops. These factors mean greater use of the front mech and more frequent shifting generally. No, this is not the precursor to a triple crankset. Aside from anything else, three rings tend to be a chore to keep on song, four seasons round. 

 

Back to the Ikon...Hit firm bridlepath or green lane and the transformation’s instant. Oodles of traction and a very sprightly, magic carpet ride. Our first foray came during the bank holiday weekend when I was less time taxed than usual. I was having a general, 5am meander along deserted lanes, forming some first thoughts about their tarmac manners when 9 miles out, I spotted a fabulous example of green lane and chucked a left.  

A little caution is needed, since these things aren’t always accurately signposted, resulting in a detour through someone’s back garden. This happened to me while putting a cyclo cross bike through its paces at 3am one December day in 2007.  

Hurtling along a gently reclining slope, my euphoric bubble was pricked by the sight of two wheelie bins. A smart about-turn and pacey retreat followed. I was reminded of this some 500 metres along when I happened upon a cottage with cars out front. My gut and some hoof prints told me to carry on.  

I laughed and attacked the swooping single track, pleasantly connected to nature and surprised by how well the Ikon bit into softer (but not soggy) surfaces. Since we’re talking tyres and trails, here’s the link to my review of the Topeak Gravel 2 Stage Mini Pump Topeak Gravel 2 Stage Mini Pump | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  

  

Curiously, I’ve managed to wear a hole in the inner right thigh section of these Triban Men’s Road Cycling Bib Tights RC500, which might be a bit of a mouthful, but budget models that I’m particularly fond of. Being a test pair, I’ll have to put it down to experience (otherwise, had I bought them, I could’ve taken the warrantee route).

This photo also served to remind me my legs needed a good shave, especially since it's milder and I’m getting more miles in, on the Teenage Dream. Now, I continue to be impressed by the CST Cito and learned some interesting facts from their UK distributor. Much to my surprise, they’re designed for a maximum payload of 70kilos-which means, me and the operating pressures range from a very modest, mini pump achievable 80, right up to the cited120psi. Was expecting 90-120 if I’m honest but nice to know they can be run a little lower.  

After several weeks reprieve, the rains returned, albeit in passing. This resulted in derv and other light, slippery spillages being flushed from the verges and mixing with bovine dung and similarly slippery organic stuff. I happened to be sweeping into an S bend on the fixed. 

 

There was a momentary loss of traction from the front Maxxis Refuse but sufficient feedback bought me time to get things gracefully under control again. This appears an isolated incident-in more typically showery and rainy contexts, they’ve not missed a beat, allowing me to concentrate on a steady, 90rpm tempo. Again, their sweet spot seems relatively low at 65psi, but they can be run at 50, if conditions dictate.   

Thursday morning at 4am, fuelled by a constant flow of adrenaline. I was midway round the loop when I suddenly became conscious of resistance, spiking a rush of catastrophising, convinced the rear Re Fuse had done the unthinkable. Thankfully it hadn’t but the sense of urgency had me fighting for breath, but my legs felt surprisingly fresh, cranking out 100rpm until I arrived home.  

 Elsewhere, I’ve decided to stock up on KMC Z1X chains- this time with the silver finish. These feature the marque’s EcoProTeQ Coating (EPT) Anti-Rust technology, which also promises smooth and silent running. I’ve found the blue versions perfectly serviceable but lacking in outright refinement. Aside from dependable rubber, chains, and sprockets are not something I’d want to skimp on, when it comes to fixed gear builds, since there’s a lot of loading on these components.  

I’m not suggesting paying boutique prices. I also recognise the value of beveled sprockets for achieving accurate chain lines on conversions. There are other ways round this. Halo Fix G HALO FIX G TRACK HUB | Seven Day Cyclist Tourin Tests Commuting employs spacers to achieve this and I’ve even seen an eccentric bottom bracket, like those employed on tandems. However, I’m highly unlikely to go the eccentric route given I’m happy with the fixed gear winter trainer’s Genetic Tibia GENETIC TIBIA TRACK CRANKS & RING | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and the Holdsworth’s Stronglight Track 2000. 

Lights, Transmission, Traction...

 

Small fasteners don’t tend to receive much thought, until/unless we drop one and it vanishes under the fridge, or pings off along a dark and lonely road, never to be seen again. Essentially, it’s good to keep a check on them and where possible, hold a few spares, just in case. I had a reminder this week, when the K-Lite Bike Packer Pro’s K LITE BIKEPACKER ULTRA DYNAMO LIGHT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) mount screw made a bid for freedom, along a deserted backroad.  

My complacency, NOT a fault with Kerry’s design. Thankfully, I had a Zip Tie handy, so whipped the lamp back in situ and continued. Always good practice to carry a couple, just in case.  

Back at the garage, I had a quick forage in my little fasteners stash and thankfully, found a couple of compatible screws. A timely reminder to buy some more thread lock, too.  My fixed gear winter/trainer’s K-Lite Bikepacker ProV2 Front light K LITE BIKEPACKER PRO V2 FRONT LIGHT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) had been flickering a little and a diode wasn’t firing on all cylinders.  

Chatting with Kerry State designer and owner suggested some water had possibly found its way inside the box component, damaging the PCB. Hopefully, I’ll acquire a replacement soon, but that might be a bit tricky, given the present combined chaos of COVID and Brexit. I was also gripped by the urge to give the bike a deep clean, switching back to the Halo Fix G Track hub, while the opportunity presented. HALO FIX G TRACK HUB | Seven Day Cyclist Tourin Tests Commuting 

Roads have once again become rivers but thankfully, the Zefal Extra Wet Nano Ceramic Chain lube ZEFAL EXTRA WET NANO CERAMIC CHAIN LUBE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) is doing its thing, ditto the SKS Bluemels Shiny Mudguards ZEFAL EXTRA WET NANO CERAMIC CHAIN LUBE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and Raw Prismatic Reflective Mudflap RAW PRISMATIC REFLECTIVE MUDFLAPS | cycling, but not usually racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

For a little while, I’d been reflecting on a new, suitable rear mudguard for my fixed gear winter/trainer. Over the last 15 years of ownership, I’ve run some very good, full-length chrome plastics. These offered excellent protection, but the machine has evolved from a road, to gravel configuration.  

Rear clip-ons offer decent rider protection while making wheel removal a touch easier and permitting me to run 35mm tyres in the rear triangle. I've successfully affixed Crud guards to the mono-stay too, using a big rubberised shim- a good setup, for the most part, hence it stayed for a few years.  

I’ve concluded, I wanted something lower-slung, with no risk of fouling bigger luggage-bike packing types being cases in point. A wide section, lower-slung design should subvert wet saddles and buttocks better. I’ll contemplate that while putting the Zefal Adventure R11 Waterproof Saddlebag through its paces-an an ideal opportunity to evaluate just how waterproof it is.  

Big brother to the R5, it features the same single compartment design and semi rigid construction but with some detailing, I really liked about the Passport Cycles Bike packing seatpack PASSPORT CYCLES BIKEPACKING SEAT PACK | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) including the ladder strap LED mounts and cargo net. Both have proved compatible with the Kinkekt2.1 Suspension Seatpost KINEKT 2.1 SUSPENSION SEAT POST | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and the Redshift Sports Shockstop Suspension Seatpost REDSHIFT SHOCKSTOP SUSPENSION SEATPOST | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com), which is good news, given the increasing popularity of suspension posts on gravel/adventure bikes.