Shot Bolt, Sinking Feelings & Reprieves

 

I go through phases of tweaking saddle height but before any of you have visions of me constantly fettling mid-ride, a ’la Mr Rottler (who was so renowned by his teammates for perpetually adjusting his, they named a spanner after him), mine usually coincides with a change of seat post, saddle etc.  

Getting those precious late summer miles in on the Holdsworth, I was conscious of my saddle being a little low, suspiciously so.  

Having concluded the ride, inspection revealed the Crank Brothers post was indeed creeping very slowly into the frame. I traced this to a fatigued seat bolt- an easy fix. Replace and snug down to the correct tolerances. Seat collars, at least, the modern types are around the 6nm mark (but do check, they can be lower). Sensible, given the popularity of carbon fibre posts.  

However, it would seem more traditional binder bolts and metal posts are 9-12nms. This lower default may also explain the steady downward creep. Either way, I replaced the electroplated Cro-moly binder bolt for another, added a lick of Peaty’s Bicycle Assembly Grease PEATY'S BICYCLE ASSEMBLY GREASE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and snugged that down to 10nms. Tweaked the headset bearings by a fraction of a turn, since opportunity presented. Two little jobs off the list.   

With this and roads carpeted in dung and agricultural mud, I’ve switched to racking up the miles aboard Ursula and those Schwalbe Smart Sam tyres. Farm tracks, unmade roads and bridlepath have been our 5am playgrounds. While primarily designed for dry, hardpack conditions, they’re proving less ponderous than might be expected, suggesting the raised centre strip does offer some tangible benefits on metalled roads. 560g apiece also helps in that respect.  

Schwalbe suggests they’re suitable for touring. In the broad strokes, mixed terrain sense, with the emphasis upon trails, I’d agree but models like Specialized Crossroads Armadillo and indeed, Maxxis Overdrive Excel Maxxis Overdrive Excel Tyre | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) are better choices for longer spells on the road and gentler off-piste meandering.  

I wasn’t surprised by the amount of dust clinging to the Smart Sam and Ursula’s frameset given the extended hot, dry spell, although, the falling leaves now serve as a reminder autumn is fast advancing. I’m sticking with waxy-type chain lubes for the moment, since they’re much cleaner and will flake off, taking contaminant with it.  

However, I noticed a very clean chain and faint metal-on-metal tinkling sooner than expected, so strongly suspect I’ll be switching to a middleweight blend next time. Weldtite TF2 Performance All Weather TF2 PERFORMANCE ALL WEATHER LUBRICANT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  is something of a default for me but (and while it may seem an odd choice, given the season, Muc Off-50 Chain lube MUC-OFF -50C CHAIN LUBE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) makes a surprisingly good everyday blend-it's a little lighter than the Weldtite TF2 Performance All Weather, and doesn’t contain PTFE.

  

Talking of unusual choices, I’ve discovered carbon gripper paste has also proved highly effective at securing electric toothbrush heads...For context, I bought some replacement, genuine heads for mine and they’re what might be best described as a “pattern” fit. A sudden flash of inspiration saw me reaching for this Weldtite Gripper Paste and this gut feeling paid off.    

Elsewhere, there’s been plenty of mist, and I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how well the Infini Sword Infini Sword Super Bright Light Set | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) have performed in these contexts, the rear as my sole light.

The flashing modes are ultra frugal-Infini reckons 200 hours and I’ve come within a few minutes of this.  Brilliant for marathon night riding and as a dynamo companion. Peripheral prowess is better than a slimline profile would suggest, although when conditions have been in pea-soup territory, I’ve felt that bit safer with the Ravemen TR200.  

As the name suggests it delivers a maximum of 200 lumens and has a sensored 100-lumen “braking” function, which really brings the 40 and 20-lumen steady modes to life along the backroads. Alternatively, in the back of beyond, disengage the “braking” function, select one of two 100 lumen flashing settings and save some juice.  

Paradoxes & Pleasant Surprises

 I was trained as a journalist. In a cycling context, I review products and write technical features. I am not an influencer in the commonly accepted social media sense. Nor do I wish to be. My work is impartial, based upon real-world mileage and experience. I genuinely care whether stuff works and is fair value. I don’t write advertorials.

Though I’ve always wanted my work to be recognised for its merit, I’m a very private person preferring to be “behind the scenes”.       

Funny then, for a man purportedly not wanting to draw attention to himself, that I’ve been so drawn to Kostume’s jersey and cap. These are limited edition prints (in this instance the #Edit002 created by Alice Irwin) produced in small batches. Theoretically great for quality control, compared with mass production, although this, and the quality is reflected in the pricing.  

They’re made from recycled polyester and compared with other, likeable recycled models, they don’t feel synthetic-even when worn directly against the skin.  The Jersey features six pockets, which again are sensibly engineered and don’t sag, or bob around when laden with bottles and similar goodies. Arguably the effect, though unisex has a pink narrative, which I appear able to carry off. A combination of skin tone and being secure in my masculinity, perhaps.  

Then, of course, there’s been more lighting and tyres. I’m trying to get as many miles as possible aboard the Holdsworth and Teenage Dream while the balmier conditions allow. Doing so has also presented the opportunity to touch up Ursula’s mudguard eyelets- a light coat of high-build “marine” primer for a smooth surface and sharp effect when the Humbrol enamel’s applied.  

Everything cures nicely this side of September, too. I also took that opportunity to inspect and ultimately replace the brake pads. I went for some baseline Shimano as that’s what I had in stock, but I’ve taken this cue to order some more of the Disco Brakes Pads, which have impressed me (and Steve) DiscoBrakes Sintered Brake Pads | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) with their durability and stopping prowess.  This Birman Chain Checker had also come my way, presenting the ideal opportunity to check Ursula and Teenage Dream’s chains.  

Ursula’s had only just been replaced but I was beginning to wonder how much life the Teenage Dream’s Sachs had. It registered   .5, which would be pension day for an 11/12 speed but late middle age for a 6spd (should be retired at .8). I’m confident I’ll get through the summer and replace to coincide with seasonal hibernation.      

Mornings, or dawns are becoming later, so I’m now heading out with a proper front light. Until recently, I’ve been running the Holdsworth’s Magicshine Ray 2600 in flashing, it’s See Mee 150 cousin behind.  

I’ve received a Ravemen PR2000, which pumps out 1000 lumens in the highest “road” mode, 2000 in the dual flood/spot mtb setting, although this obviously has an impact on run times. Thankfully, the PR2000 comes with a wireless remote, seemingly identical to that employed by its LR1600 cousin, meaning switching modes is easy on the fly.  

I was pleasantly surprised to find they weren’t interchangeable and those of us having visions of being able to hijack a fellow rider’s light, say on a training ride, will be disappointed.  

Interestingly, the mid (500lumens) has been fine for 5am onwards and once dawn has properly broken, I’ve switched to the 500lumen rapid flash as it gives excellent presence and reassuringly frugal.  Time and miles will tell but Ravemen’s build, and quality control has always impressed me. The PR2000 meets IPX8 for weatherproofing, which bodes well for winter’s worst-especially off-road.   

Clinging limpet fashion to the Holdsworth’s pencil-thin seat stay is an Infini Sword Super Bright 30COB Rear Light. The Sword has been around for a few years now but still seems truly relevant. 50 lumens aren’t uncommon these days but there are sensible modes for most riding contexts and two super frugal flashing modes. According to Infini, they’ll do 200 hours from a full, two-hour charge. Again, we’ll see... 

Rubber-wise, the Schwalbe Smart Sam have arrived for Ursula and Hutchinson are sending me their Challenger which comes in tubed and tubeless versions and is reckoned to return 5,000km and 10,000km respectively without any loss of performance, or indeed puncture resistance (which, in my experience can wane, towards the end). Holdsworth and fixed-gear winter/trainer’s rear wheels seem the most obvious hosts...