Stripped, Cleaned & Sorted

What began as a wheel swap (to confirm some hypothesis regarding optimal hub dynamo and K-Lite performance) turned into a full-blown strip, clean and cable replacement. While switching the Shutter Precision PD8 wheelHALO CLASSIC RIM & SHUTTER PRECISION DYNOHUB DISC WHEEL BUILD (sevendaycyclist.com) for the SL9, I noted the stainless-steel inner wire was showing similar levels of deterioration as Ursula’s gear cable and was also bound together by a PTFE “fat berg”.  

Thankfully I had several stainless inners wires in stock, and I flushed the Tektro Spyre through with some Motorex Pow Cleaner (which is essentially a potent degreaser of the same genre as Weldtite Jet Blast Degreaser WELDTITE JET BLAST DEGREASER | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and Muc Off High Power Quick Drying Degreaser Chain & Cassette MUC-OFF HIGH PRESSURE DEGREASER | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) (links).  

Not a moment too soon, and time well spent. Subsequent blasts along the backroads confirmed my long-held suspicion that the K-lite Ultra Road LD (low drag) lamp and Shutter Precision SL9HALO EVURA & SHUTTER PRECISION SL9 DYNOHUB BUILD (sevendaycyclist.com) were the ultimate pairing for a pared to the essentials’ road/Audax bike.  

The SL9 can result in less slow speed output, but this is a moot point with the K-Lite family per se, although a consideration with some more traditional dynamo lamp, such as this otherwise likeable 80lux TrelokHALO EVURA & SHUTTER PRECISION SL9 DYNOHUB BUILD (sevendaycyclist.com)  I was slightly (although not completely) surprised to discover the VDO head unit battery was virtually spent, putting the computer into hibernation, after six weeks. Easily, and cheaply addressed but a reminder that in real terms, premium-grade cells represent much better value.  

However, in this instance I’ll use what I have and upgrade to premium cells when present stocks are exhausted. I dread to think how fast the addition of the cadence sensor would exhaust them-I'll exhume those from the spares box, when I order a new set of CR2032 cells. . Meanwhile, the Teenage Dream’s Decathlon/Knog frankenpute is behaving impeccably and a few hundred miles down the line, I’ve reached my conclusions re the Kranx bar tapeKRANX STRETTA PRIMO ANTI SHOCK BAR TAPE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com).   

Since the weather has reverted to that more commonly associated with early April- wet and 15 degrees, Fixed and Ursula have been receiving more frequent sudsy bucket washes and I've also decided to revisit Ursula’s trailer. Wheels tend to be something of an afterthought on trailers and this one is no exception. In fairness, though basic, the rim and hub and very serviceable, it’s the knobbly tyre that merits upgrading. I was very sceptical when it came to sizing.   

The arrival of these Peaty’s Greases presented the ideal opportunity for a strip and repack using their speed grease. The speed grease is designed for bearings/moving components, whereas the assembly grease is designed for metal seatposts, contact points, fasteners etc.  However, that’s not to say the latter couldn’t be employed in hubs. Bottom brackets and other moving parts, where durability is paramount.  

 Teenage Dream’s Thompson seatpost was treated to a fairly liberal helping, while I was about it. This had become a little arthritic, requiring a quick shot of release spray, so not a moment too soon.  

One thing usually leads to another and while rummaging for something completely unrelated, I happened upon these Topeak Versamount. Next came some Axiom Ti cages, so I introduced them, using some excess post grease to coat the screw threads.     

I digress, back to the trailer. The OEM unit is reckoned to be 16x1.75 (47-305 ERTO) but looked closer to 14x1.75. However, with nothing in 14inch to offer, I took a gamble and acquired this 16x1.75 Schwalbe, which thankfully, proved a winner.   

The other issue with the OEM type, is they tend to be anything but compliant.  

Wrestling them on/off the rim can induce a lend of primal grunting and agricultural language more commonly associated with a labour ward.  I may well upgrade the trailer’s carry sack, should something suitable present. The existing bag is made from a waterproof fabric, but the seams aren’t, thus water and ingress will work their way inside, relatively quickly.  

 

Shakedown Ride

 

Sunday morning at 6am, I snuck out to the garage, emerging stealthily with the Teenage Dream, just as I did during the summer of ‘91. Minutes later, I was enjoying the responsive zing of the thin-walled steel tubeset. The Knog/Decathlon Frankenputer was clocking a steady 19.6mph and braking, though progressive was refreshingly sharp.  

A big, fly-catching grin followed for the 20-mile loop. Only the BBB mudguards and PDW pump bracket required adjustment, although I noted the Lezyne pump’s tendency to slither downwards, perilously close to the chainring, so the PDW mount had to go-substituted for a Syncros unit holidaying in my Bodge box. This also features a rubber strap for belt n’ braces, vibration cheating security. I also needed to pull the Moon Meteor strap a little tighter around the Salsa Bell lap bars, to prevent its incremental rotation.   

Switch and minor tweaks complete, bike safely away. I turned my attention to Ursula’s drivetrain. Shifting had gone “off”- phantom shifts and hesitancy being the main symptoms. Chain was still in good shape but the derailleur’s inner wire was showing some external signs of fraying, so I replaced this, and the housing, which had developed a very slight kink. 

 

Stripping these, I discovered the inner was a few shifts from expiry and was essentially held together by a PTFE “fatball” or clot, which can develop over time, using the heavier duty maintenance sprays. 

The Rear mech was also sporting impacted waxy colic, which took several helpings of solvent and enthused scrubbing to shift. Note to self... treat the spring, pivots and cables to GT85 and leave the heavier duty PTFE sprays for recessed Allen heads, cleat and locking mechanisms. The chain has been fed a light helping of Weldtite Ceramic Lube WELDTITE CERAMIC LUBE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com), which is defined as an “all weather” formula and in my experience, a decent staple.        

Shifting back on song, I turned my attention to my fixed gear winter trainer. I’d left the Kinekt 2.1 Aluminium suspension seatpostKINEKT 2.1 SUSPENSION SEAT POST | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) in situ since November and thought it was time to remove and re-grease. One thing led to another, and I reverted to Cane Creek’s excellent Thudbuster ST, the G4 in this instance, which features 50mm of travel, easily switched elastomers (press-fit, tool-free). This also cured a slightly annoying creak- the Kinekt seems to require the periodic helping of composite/rubber-friendly grease.  

Not that the Kinekt could ever be described as a pogo stick, the G4’s bob is less obvious but equally effective. It’s also saved 92g, although this wasn’t on my agenda. I’m also pleased to note that ACF50 used in place of grease has done an excellent job of protecting against corrosion.  

Slackening the seat collar bolt, the Kinekt slid out with buttery finesse. Impressive, given the months exposure to wet roads, snow, ice, and frequent sudsy bucket washes. I’ve been defaulting to Green Oil Eco Grease TWELVE MONTH TEST: GREEN OIL ECO GREASE (sevendaycyclist.com), primarily since it’s compatible with all surfaces and loosely on par with the bog-standard PTFE types in the durability stakes.  

Little surprise that the Kinekt Waterproof Saddle Bag KINEKT WATERPROOF SADDLE BAG | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) is an equally good fit. I just needed to pull the straps a little tighter, which is no hardship.     

I’ve been watching the steady implosion of UK industries and it is very clear that stable and skilled jobs are continuing to decline. Honda is leaving Swindon in a matter of weeks and being replaced by a warehouse. Now, work in car plants, at least on the lines is at best semi-skilled. However, its comparatively well paid, warehouse jobs are not.  

Having watched various cornerstones of the British economy disappear (mining, shipbuilding and manufacturing being three that immediately spring to mind). 

Highly skilled people tended to fare much better and could port their skillset to other industries. In the late 90s, Lifelong learning became a buzzword and lifelong learning accounts were a means by which those who had been “left behind” could secure academic and vocational skills/qualifications. It didn’t quite pan out that way.  

However, the concept of lifelong skills development has always been ingrained within me. The pandemic has also turned this up a notch. There are lots of free resources around. 

 

Even if these don’t have an obvious economic benefit, the more skills we can cultivate, the greater our autonomy. Predictably, frame-building courses have often captured my imagination but more recently, a less prescriptive machinists/ paint spraying/similar course has superseded this.