Interplanetary Thoughts

 Well, these were bound to strike. Not a new dalliance of mine. Back in 1999/2000 I had toyed with the idea of a bike as car machine built around a high end (bespoke) steel frameset with drop bars, disc brakes and hub transmission. At the time, Sachs Pentasport was the transmission of choice and hydraulic stopology.  

Yes, I still like Hydraulics in terms of outright performance but prefer the convenience, dare I say, simplicity of cable-operated systems. So, do we blame the interplanetary stuff on broken mechs, Brexit/Pandemic/Sabretooth Man Flu, or an amalgamation of them all...All are contributory factors. If I do go this route, my beloved tubby tourer will be the recipient.  

However, as I was saying in my last entry, these things need to be carefully researched on the spend once, spend right basis. Experimentation (unless you had a free hand in these things and indeed, copious amounts of free-time) consumes time, money and space. Three resources which are very finite for me. Preliminary research says that 11spd Alfine is the way forward. John Moss runs Alfine with DI2 on his Mango Velomobile and believes this, the optimal pairing.  

Hmm, I’m erring toward the JTEK Alfine shifter, a bar end system, given it’s a simple, discrete option and relatively inexpensive, compared with Microshift’s undeniably neat SBN 110 brifter configuration. We shall see. For the time being, I will run the 1x10 blended Microshift Centos/Sun race NRX drivetrain and get my moneys worth from that, sell on unwanted stuff that is taking up room (rather than good stuff being stored) and plough the proceeds into the hub, wheel and shifter.  

Rohloff wasn’t really an option, given we’re then into eccentric bottom bracket shells and a new frameset would rather defeat the object-in every respect. For the meantime, the mix n’ match derailleur setup runs just fine. Despite some persistently wet rides, the Tru Tension All Weather Chain Lube https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/tru-tension-tungsten-all-weather-lu  clung on, until 600 miles, which is pretty good all round but important to stress that the first 400 were predominantly dry. I’ve since switched over to their wet (ceramic) and will go for Zefal Wet, should autumn follow a wet narrative.  

 

Mile after mile, I’ve happily defaulted to the Dex Shell Ultraflex gloves. However, black is a mixed blessing, especially since daylight is in noticeable recession. Enter these Chiba Pro Safety Reflector Gloves. These are a beautifully snug fit and supposedly windproof and water-resistant, boast extensive non-slip silicone detailing on the palms and fingers for purchase and touch screen compatibility.  

I was also pleased to note reinforced sections between thumb and forefinger, theoretically subverting premature Brifter/hood wear. This Control Tech Silicone High-Performance Handlebar Tape was another welcome compliment and also proved the ideal opportunity to replace my Univega’s front brake inner cable.  The Control Tech tape is a three-layer design. The top features a durable, tacky PU finish, the middle and base layers are gel. The former for damping, the latter so it can be un/wrapped repeatedly, so cable/bar changes don’t spell bin-fodder.  

It weighs 155g (uncut, including aluminium ends) is much thicker than many tapes I’ve used, including the Fizik Vento Microtex Tacky Bi Colour Tape https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/fizik-vento  it replaces and requires a very firm tension. It took me three attempts to achieve consistent, uniform overlap, especially on these Soma Condor drops https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/soma , where the diameter varies and there’s a chunkier (though not unattractive) aesthetic. 80 wet miles down the line, I’ve been delighted by its blend of grip and damping.  

Qualities, which compensate for the lack of padding in some full finger gloves, including these likeable Chiba. These are water-resistant, although when heavy/persistent rains hit, twenty minutes or so, before water penetrates the fabric, which could be a deal-breaker on longer commutes, especially during winter, where chill can make things miserable. 

 

Pro-Viz have sent me their Reflect 360 Waterproof gloves, which are supposedly impervious, feature padding and a nose wipe. I’ve been playing musical lids again, returning to the Pro-Viz Reflect 360 https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/proviz-360-reflect-cycling-helme  to coincide with the reduced hours of daylight and my preference for riding in the dark.  To close on a fettling note, here’s my review of the Muc Off Mechanics Gloves https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/muc-off-mechanics-gloves  

Back on The Chain Gang

Receding weather fronts have permitted enthused riding/equipment testing, timely then that I should receive a helmet camera. I’ve always been taken by the breed from a documentary perspective but never had chance to play with one beyond the confines of a trade show counter. Size and weight have become increasingly immaterial- this little Easy Shot Clip HD is smaller than a micro multi-tool and comes complete with its own waterproof housing reminiscent of a diving bell. Riders using helmet cams have found themselves increasingly vilified by motoring groups and subject to more physical forms of attack/abuse from some vehicle operatives, so discrete dimensions will hopefully keep such confrontation to an absolute minimum. By the same token, small sensor sizes cannot capture the same degree of detail as larger models- an eight- megapixel camera phone will not produce the same quality images as a comparably endowed compact camera. More comprehensive testing in varying conditions and context will give a fairer reflection of its true capabilities and limitations…


Having run the otherwise fabulous Squirt chain wax for around 2,400 miles, the tell-tale metal on metal symphony chimed time so after giving the cassette a thorough comb-through to remove any residual sludge, I applied some of this Muc Off C3 ceramic lube. Ceramic blends have become extremely fashionable thanks to baron nitride and similar ingredients that are associated with longevity/corrosion resistance. Muc-off are very coy about the true composition, advising it’s a trade secret (think Coca-Cola) but it does seem slightly different to other leading brands’ and only requires a single, rather than two-stage application in the first instance.

That said, the instructions still recommend a four hour curing period so for most of us, this means applying the night before-a technique that comes as second nature coming from dry formulas but then wet lubes are ready to go straight from the spout. That aside, for it to impress, I need to return at least 220 winter miles from each application-a consistent average using another leading brew and for now I’m going to leave you guessing as to its identity. It seems equally fashionable-or lazy marketing on the manufacturers’ part to recommend their use on control cables but in my experience this works for a very short period, whereupon the brew solidifies, demanding solvent/water displacer bypass surgery.

There’s another school of thought suggesting that all bicycle lubes are over-priced-at least relative to those developed for motorcycle chains. Liked the idea of the Scott-oiler, especially in a cyclo cross/mtb context, although never got round to trying one but experimented with the O-ring chain lubes- Rock oil in particular. While the anti-fling properties were arguably way in excess of those required for a bicycle transmission turning at 100rpm, the consistency a little gloopy and prone to decorating the chainstays, a little went a very long way on fixed and cross country mountain bikes subjected to the ravages of winter. Other experimentation (of the legal and morally righteous kind) involved semi/synthetic two-stroke oils- Husqvarna chain saw type proving surprisingly useful (albeit relatively expensive) without attracting too much dirt or washing away in the first big puddle.

Sticking with old school for a minute, this post war tandem frameset (c.1952) arrived at the spray-shop in need of some serious TLC. A double diamond design, its once proud gold livery and decals have been somewhat consumed under a blizzard of corrosion. It’s worth remembering that in the inter/early post war years, the tandem was very much a utilitarian vehicle and everyday examples were made from heavier, plan gauge tubing which was not only cheaper but better equipped to shrug off dents and similar accidental damage. This goes a long way to explaining why this example has survived half a century or so. I’ve often toyed with a sleek utility build employing an eight-speed (Sachs Pentasport or Shimano Alfine) hub transmission hung on a bespoke, fillet brazed Columbus tubeset with every conceivable braze on- dynamo, disc mounts, bottles, cable guides etc, etc finished in battleship/dove grey (devoid of decals, save perhaps for my name). This was initially conceived twelve years or so back when drop bars were also unfashionable-at least to the light fingered but presented all manner of problems when it came to mounting the shift mechanism. Since frame and fork alone were nudging £700, experimental bodges were out of the question.

At the other end of the spectrum we have lightweight hybrids (Sometimes called North American Commuters) based around 6061 aluminium frames and occasionally carbon forks. Sensible clearances allow 700x35/38c tyres with breathing space while carriers, mudguards etc all slot neatly aboard their dedicated mounts. Hub transmissions and linear pull (sometimes disc) brakes ensure everything stops, goes and handles in reasonable proportion. However, while this level of trouser friendly enclosure makes for a long and happy union, I'd be inclined toward kevlar belted rubber, thorn-resistant tubes and a stout lock...