Nuisance but necessary & Nice

 

Worn cleats and frayed inner cables were unwelcome but easily sorted. Evasive entry tipped me off about the cleats and a tyre-tickling straddle wire-noted when I was pulling the Carradice’s Velcro strap snug post-ride. I also found myself stripping some more pedals- these nickel-plated SPD/Keo Exustar, which hadn’t been touched, let alone re-greased in twenty years.

The lockring was decidedly stubborn, and though there was still some grease inside, it was clear how frugal some factories are on the lube front. Not quite at the stage where I’m stripping and repacking new pairs before fitting but certainly has me wondering if I should, as a matter of course.  

After countless miles and a particularly memorable tumble with terra firma one icy January morning, the otherwise rugged, low -maintenance and very comfy Wolf Tooth Supple Bar tape is beginning to show some subtle signs of wear and weathering, mercifully around the tops, where it can be protected beneath electrical tape. 5mm thick it certainly absorbs road and trail buzz incredibly well, although getting neat, flowing lines took me a few attempts first time round.

I have other options, the most obvious contender being  The Acros Silicone Bar Wrap LONG-TERM TEST: ACROS SILICONE BAR WRAP | cycling-not-racing  which is also rugged, grippy and provides excellent damping. The embossed pattern tends to hold dirt- think oily fingerprints and similar transfer, which can be frustrating, especially during winter when you’ve touched the bars following a deep bike clean/drivetrain exorcism!

Or for that matter, if the front mech’s dropped the chain too far, and you’ve needed to scoop it back aboard. This happened at the crest of a long climb, when I decided it was big ring time…Oh, and then of course, an approaching Land Rover pilot decided they didn’t fancy changing course.

Mercifully, they seemed to begrudgingly sweep past at the crucial point. I digress. Saddleback has sent me this Silca Nastro Piloti, which boasts “unrivalled durability”, asymmetric texture for high and moderate grip and relatively slimline at 1.85mm (equivalent to 2.5mm when cushioning is factored into the equation).

Theoretically, this means good cushioning without a chunky effect, which is obviously what you’d want on a road bike, although arguably less significant on a gravel, cross, or beast of burden build. Black is one of those ultra practical colours (shades, if we’re being proper, dare I say pedantic) colours and arguably the obvious choice for Denise.

There are quite a few considerations when choosing bar tape aside from colour and damping. Given the quiet but growing popularity for wider, flared drops, tape needs to be long enough to provide a consistent, flattering overlap. Traditionally, corks were the default, and it’s not difficult to see why. It dampens vibration well and is hardwearing. 

Darker colours are more practical for winter/training and daily drivers. Following on from this, corks and other “simpler” materials respond well to being scrubbed with a moderately stiff brush, whereas those with polymer coatings require a much gentler approach to avoid stripping their properties.  

One thing led to another, along came some red bottle cages, which would complement Muffin's existing livery, ruling out colour clashes, or similar faux pas. The Lezyne flow SL was ported over to Ursula. These Wolf Tooth Morse Cages were fitted to Denise. Made from hand-bent hollow stainless steel. The base is drilled not for weight reduction, rather to ensure easy adjustment and ultimately, compatibility with most contemporary framesets. Aside from small compact geometry models, it's also intended for use with bikes using frame fit luggage, such as this Topeak Midloader TOPEAK MIDLOADER FRAME BAG | cycling-not-racing  

Aesthetics aside, bar tape should be pensioned off fairly regularly. Frequency is a hotly debated topic and depends on who you speak to. Abrasion, loss of damping, fading, failing backing adhesive. Seasonally on cross and similar competitions machines, or those doing regular service on indoor trainers.

Bar tape on bikes doing regular turbo trainer service are typically contaminated by sweat, salt, energy drinks. A corrosive cocktail that can result in bar failure. No, not an urban myth.  

Staying with bars, Magishine has sent me their Hori 1300 front light. Magicshine’s build quality and overall performance continues to improve and ultimately impress, especially given the asking price. The Hori features a CNC machined anodised aluminium alloy casing compliant with IPX6 for weatherproofing, pumps out a maximum of 1300 lumens, dipping to 900, 400 and 200, which caters for most road biased contacts.

I should also point out; the lens uses the increasingly common car-type cut off beam to project the light downward and without dazzling oncoming traffic. There are two powerful day and night flashing modes -800 lumen day and 200-1000lumen night, a wireless rechargeable remote.

There’s a very versatile range of mount designed to stack accessories for a really clean aesthetic- a Garmin computer up top, light in the middle, GoPro camera at the bottom, saving considerable real estate. However, those with busier cockpits can always go for the extended mount, positioning the light out front, clearing cables, smaller handlebar bags etc. Right now, I’m in child at Christmas mode but time and mileage will tell.       

     

Winter Smiles

 

It’s no secret that I struggle with Christmas, something that began creeping in c. 1986 following the death of a close family friend and though it hasn’t worsened, I prefer to plan ahead, keep busy and to some extent, to myself.  

Positive mental stimulation is key here, not unhelpful distractions. Cold but bright weather and empty roads are, to some extent magical though-at least when bike(s) and rider are correctly dressed. Seasonal strife can strike if you’ve broken a cable and the shop’s shut, so I always ensure I’ve a few brake and gear inner wires in stock before the holiday season hits proper.  

Sealed, maintenance-free systems such as the Jagwire Road Elite are a particularly worthwhile investment, but if you’re on a tighter budget, Transfil Flying Snakes are another good bet. The outers can be a little abrasive though, so ensure you’ve slipped some cable cuffs where these brush against painted, or lacquered surfaces. Strips of helicopter tape are advisable, too. Brake pads are another consumable that can wear at an alarming rate. I took this opportunity to inspect Ursula’s front pads-still a decent amount of life left, but I’ve just dialled the pads a little closer. I’ve also another set of semi-metallic Disco Brakes on hand, should the situation change between Christmas and New Year.  

I happened upon some track chains offered at £1.99 apiece- rebranded, cheerful KMC with brown, rather than electroplated finishes. I bought two for the fixed gear winter/trainer since at that price it would’ve been silly not to. Even if I only get 1300 miles from them, I’ll have recouped my money several times over. While doing a stock take, I also happened upon a 12-28 cassette that I’d seen silly cheap and squirreled away, which was a bonus. 

Changing the bar tapes- Ursula's, Denise’s and the fixed was another inspired move for several reasons. A change of tape is one of those things that can help coax us out on cold, grey days. Denise’s Wolf Tooth Supple Bar Tape is sublime on the comfort front-not overly surprising, given its 5mm thick.  

It isolates road and trail buzz beautifully, greatly reducing fatigue and common to other silicones I’ve used, super grippy, regardless of palm type, temperature, or weather. The Wolf Tooth Supple employs silicone finishing strips, which, despite some initial scepticism are proving very tenacious. That said; decent quality electrical tape is another staple- nothing worse than redressing bars, only to discover the finishing tape’s decidedly lacking. I’ve opted to dress Ursula’s Soma Condor 2 in the thinner 2.5mm Wolf Tooth Supple Lite Bar Tape. This may sound a strange choice in some respects but it’s worth noting Ursula is basically a drop bar mountain bike with carbon fork and 2.1-inch tyres, which afford plenty of compliance and comfort. Some riders don’t like bulky tapes, especially with mid-winter gloves, partly due to a loss of connection with the bars. Then of course, a chunkier aesthetic isn’t for everyone either. The Supple Lite is made from an EVA foam-no polymers, or silicones, significant since the grip and control is proving reassuringly good.      

It’s been milder in the main, although still a little stormy so I’ve switched to the Altura All Roads Gloves, which are highly water resistant but more dexterous than traditional midwinter types, making little tasks, such as pannier rummaging, or taking photos that bit easier.  Talking of gloves, here’s Steve’s review of the Sportful Fiandre Sportful Fiandre Gloves | cycling-not-racing 

The Continental Pure Contact are proving similarly dependable and compliant, allowing me to relax and enjoy the ride. We’ve had some fun through storm Darragh and ankle-deep watery backroads, mucky lanes, frosty stuff, too. Thus far, there’s a decent turn of speed, grip and no punctures. Though very welcome, not surprising since I find most puncture resistant breakers hold out well for the first 1200miles. Mudguards (fenders) may not be glamourous but save bike and rider from being blasted in crud.  

I’ve returned from a few excursions aboard DeniseGravel on A Dustbowl Budget PT V Lesson | cycling-not-racing with a very soggy derriere. However, being a gravel bike (gravel crosser, even?) I’m shunning guards and accepting the downsides. Easier to clean, too and I’ve taken to post ride bucket washes every third outing ort so- dismissing the worst crud but without going “dinner plate” when conditions are slimy and well, wintry.  Besides, it’s organic grot, no sign of the dreaded salt monster yet.  

Worst of the storms subsided, I returned to the fixed gear winter/trainer for some quicker, some might say, simpler fun. I’ve warmed to the Deda tape, forming the opinion it’s a solid bet for road-biased riding where bulk is unnecessary and undesirable aesthetically, particularly on an older, steel frameset.   

Given the bike’s road reversions in recent seasons, some might see the Mud Hugger Gravel Mudguards MUD HUGGER GRAVEL HUGGER MUDGURADS | cycling-not-racing a curious choice. While I’ll agree traditional full-length mudguards offer better coverage and smoother aesthetic, they make roadside wheel removal, say tackling a flat more complicated. That last thing I want when light’s fading and temperature’s tanking. I’ll stick with the more industrial aesthetic and some compromise in protection.     

Seasonal Wanderings

 The corridor between Christmas and New Year has always been one of reflection and preparation. You know the sort. If we had the space, the money and could justify, etc. I’ve always been drawn to daily drivers, those that rack up massive mileages and become a highly regarded member of the family. Steve’s 30-year-old Dawes Galaxy frameset had succumbed to terminal fatigue. I learned of this while we were discussing a missing parcel. 

 

The courier documented it as delivered but clearly not to the intended recipients. I’d done some multi-drop courier work while desperate some eighteen years back and was only too aware of some casuals who’d dump consignments.  We discovered it had been “delivered” in a doorway in an adjacent industrial estate. Thankfully, it was retrieved, and the story ended well. I’d also like to make clear, multi droppers are some of the hardest-working and most diligent people I’ve ever met. The nature of my business means I’ve met (and been extremely grateful to) plenty over the years. My own experiences of multi-drop means I try and make life as simple as I can for them. 

 

Back to Steve’s Galaxy... I suggested salvaging what he could from the Galaxy and porting it over to a Thorn Sherpa...Thorn Sherpa MK3 Frame (sjscycles.co.uk)  

Thorn’s Sherpa is another of those framesets that fired my imagination and the flame never quite extinguished. It's been around for over 20 years and is essentially a do-all 26-inch wheel tourer built from the marque’s 969 Cro-moly with incredibly smooth welds, cast ends, every kind of braze-on, and a powder-coated finish. Cantilever, or V brakes only, which could be a deal breaker for some folks these days. The same might apply to 26-inch wheels.  

Remarkably similar in principle to Ursula, although with touring, rather than mtb DNA. Complete builds using Deore components are offered and are arguably an excellent fit for the workhorse narrative. Rugged, pleasant to use but not too showy. If anything were to happen to Ursula (God forbid), I’d switch whatever was compatible, to the Dawes Edge frameset. GRAVEL BIKE ON A BUDGET: PART ONE (sevendaycyclist.com) 

Both have a generous range of braze ons, high-quality tubing, accommodate winter spiked tyres, and will do everything I need of them. Yes, that’s me closing down any Sherpa yearnings. Window shopping can be fun, and a source of inspiration.     

There’s been no relent of wet, greasy, and generally stormy conditions. The sort that induces punctures and strips chain lubes with ruthless finesse. Mercifully, the Pirelli Angel DT and CST Expedium haven’t succumbed and haven’t given any cause of concern over raised ironworks. However, wet and grit have made a tangible impression on the   Zefal Extra Wet Nano Ceramic ZEFAL EXTRA WET NANO CERAMIC CHAIN LUBE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 225 miles down the line.

A check during daylight confirmed a decent amount clung to the rollers and inner sanctum, but it sounded gritty, so I gave the gunge a cat lick. I checked the chain tension and wear since I was there.  One thing led to another, and I found myself replacing Z1 ESP and switching over to the Mavic Open Pro/ Halo Fix G hub HALO FIX G TRACK HUB | Seven Day Cyclist Tourin Tests Commuting build, since that sported the other Pirelli Angel DT and I’d run the CST Xpedium CST Xpedium Tyres | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) as a control for 200 miles. I also switched Ursula back to the Ryde/Halo Spin Dr and Ryde/Alfine combo since these sported the Maxxis Ikon Maxxis Ikon Tyres | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and conditions had turned too mild for basic spikes, let alone the Schwalbe Ice Spiker Pro Schwalbe Ice Spiker Pro Tyres | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

I’ve also discovered some limits to the Shimano MW501 booties’ weatherproofing.  

They are highly weather resistant but will turn soggy after three hours of persistent rain, so waterproof socks come into their own. They also take a while to dry thoroughly when truly saturated. Pack with old newspaper and leave at room temperature, but away from sources of direct heat- general practice for technical kit.  

Hands have remained temperate and dry, courtesy of these Altura All Roads Waterproof Gloves, which have a more civilian style than traditional winter models, but with no loss of performance. Grippy silicone detailing on the palms and digits offers excellent tenure to bar wraps.  

The ENVE and silicone bar wraps are perhaps unsurprisingly, their best pairing but I’ve also had reassuringly good experiences with traditional leather handlebar wraps. Less padding hasn’t been an issue to date, either-that did come as a surprise. The knitted exterior has also proved excellent for taming runny, snotty noses-a real boon while I’m exorcising the remnants of this midwinter lurgi.   

Right, we’ve been through the shortest day of the year, Winter Soulstice if you prefer but here’s a quick overview of seen-by lighting IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE: SAFETY LIGHTING FOR CYCLISTS (sevendaycyclist.com)