Back To The Old School

 I am switching back to the “school chair” fork that was upfront for several years, rather than risk something Chinese. Just a matter of switching the crown race over from the Project 2. Meantime, I’ll keep the existing setup, test the Shimano Alfine dyno hub and Capgo cable.  

Upgrading the Tektro 710 in favour of the Shimano CX50 was another inspired choice. That’s not to say the Tektro 710 isn’t a decent stopper- it is. However, the CX50 is superior and simpler to adjust. New chain was also timely- though shifting wasn’t “Off” it’s a notch crisper now. I’ve also discovered a couple of mid-range 10 speed KMC chains that I’d squirreled away, while on the hunt for something else, naturally.     

Subtly raising the fixed’s saddle height was another good move. Up front I’ve switched to this Vittoria Adventure Tech Tyre, which features a 3mm thick puncture repelling belt, which runs along the centre-strip, rather akin to the Kenda Kwick Journey KS Plus KENDA KWICK JOURNEY TYRES | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) . The Kenda had been on the Halo Evura/SP SL9 HALO EVURA & SHUTTER PRECISION SL9 DYNOHUB BUILD (sevendaycyclist.com) for so many miles, the wire bead required unusual effort to shift, even with a long-handled Hutchinson tyre lever and two Ritchey models, designed to stow away in the bar ends.  

Puzzling but thankfully it relented and without incident. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the 38mm Vittoria was more compliant but had a subversive streak, peeling away once I’d got it 70% home. Cursory inspection reveals a maximum pressure of 85psi (80 for the 32mm (about 1.26 in) Kenda Kwick Journey KS Plus).

However, while both employ puncture repelling centre strips, the Kenda’s is 5mm (about 0.2 in) thick and has gone at least ten months and several thousand miles without a single flat. It will be interesting to see how the Vittoria’s compares.  

It also features a Graphene compound for enhanced life and is E-Bike R75 compliant, which basically means it's designed to perform on the fastest models. Surprising since it gives change from £30.   

Thirteen years down the line, I’ve also decided it was high time the “spare” Halo Aero Track rear wheel got some TLC.  

For some reason, the axle’s threads had begun shedding and if I’m going to open the hub, I may as well go for new cartridge bearings, a liberal helping of grease, topped off with a quick tension and true of the hoop. These deep-section rims are not welded, rather joined by pressure and feature a powder-coated finish.  

The latter looks to have been applied directly, rather than atop a primer, hence the odd chip here and there but still in great shape, all told. Light cosmetics aside, I’m of the opinion a second/spare wheel still needs to be bang on, since you’ll be depending on it, while the best, or main is on the jig.   

Not to be outdone, the cassette style lockring belonging my fixed gear winter/trainer’s main Halo fixed G Track Hub HALO FIX G TRACK HUB | Seven Day Cyclist Tourin Tests Commuting came loose, resulting in some uncharacteristic chain noise. (I was on the return leg and only a few miles from home.) I’m a big fan of the Fix-G and its design and the lockring is very reliable.  

However, check it every 250 miles or so, or before a long ride-unless you’re prepared to carry a cassette type tool along. No problem with the SQR Tour, given its cavernous capacity but a bit OTT possibly. Anyhow, I snugged mine back down, reinstated the wheel and got on with my life.  

Ursula’s front Schwalbe Land Cruiser had succumbed to its first flat. A very thin, sharp hedge clipping swept up by the recent rains. The head was very difficult to spot and indeed, drag out. I had to resort to needle nose pliers. On long rides, or those in the arse end of nowhere, there’s a good case for carrying a small set of pliers, or a little multi-tool such as this True Utility, which I’ve had for some years and am firmly attached to.    

 

The Great Escape

I’ve no doubt that cinematic institution will feature over the festive telly season (if it hasn't already) but in this instance I’m referring to 125psi roaring from my Ilpompino’s front tyre with frightening haste while piloting it through a series of twisty, freezing, mulch strewn back roads at 23mph…Remaining composed, I drew to a halt and concluded shouldering said fixer that final mile home was best, especially since it’s 29mm rear was just succumbing to similar fate.

Both sported Kevlar belts (1 and 2.5mm thick, respectively) and were defeated by two shards of indicator lens burrowing vindictively inside. Some will argue this stab vest staple is now looking decidedly long in the tooth, superseded in technical terms by Aramid. However, in my experience puncture resistance is by degrees-roll over that nine-inch nail with your name etched into its head and belt composition becomes pretty academic.

Wafer thin butyl certainly didn’t help, although fortuitously their pinpricks were easily repaired from the comfort of one’s kitchen. Rule of thumb suggests a new tube, the injured parties kept as spares. Therefore, I introduced a 35mm Kenda thorn-resistant “builders hose” to the 29mm rear and a common or garden 25mm CST up front. Nonetheless, continuing the thrifty theme, I’ve ordered industrial sized replenishments of patches and solution.

Lo and behold, Moore Large (www.todayscyclist.co.uk) has generously sent me these 32mm Kenda Bitumen reflective. 85psi and 60tpi iron-cap casings indicate rugged, rather than racy persona, though hopefully this will put paid to dead-of night deflation paranoia and see us cruising through spring and a fair while beyond. However, credible comment requires a good few hundred miles in varying conditions, so I’ll reserve judgement until January’s swansong.

Christmas usually presents copious remit for serious fettling and I’ve decided to resurrect some deep-section Miche hoops. Originally shelved on account of recurrent pinch flatting, there’s no indication of structural damage, thus I’m convinced that employing Effetto Mariposa rim tape (primarily intended to convert standard hp wire ons to tubeless service) will resolve this (as it has on my Univega’s spare Weinnman/NX30 front hoop).

Said holidays are equally conducive to reflection and moreover trying something different. It’d been a while since I’d seen some grass roots cyclo cross racing and Coventry Road Club’s 60^{th annual} meet at Kenilworth common proved too good an opportunity to pass up. Ironically, the common is a nature reserve but CRC secured special dispensation, part of which requires riders compete on UCI legal 700c ‘cross mounts. http://www.uci.ch/Modules/BUILTIN/getObject.asp?MenuId=&ObjTypeCode=FILE&type=FILE&id=NTI0MDY&LangId=1

Such stipulations don’t apply to the under 10/12s who are welcome on mountain and even balance bikes. However, anyone inclined to sample the grinding climbs and swooping technical descents beforehand risk having their entries voided. While enjoying phenomenal continental popularity, it is oft forgotten that ‘cross had a similar post war following here, riders attending on old pared to the essentials touring bikes with hand-me-down components.

Fast forward several decades and a more glamorous, dare we say, continental image, the inclusive, accessible spirit remains phenomenally strong. First up came the seemingly irrepressible under 10’s whose competitive vigor was tempered with a refreshing sense of discipline and genuine sportsmanship.

Despite relaxed rulings and the odd smattering of fancy dress, most thundered past on junior ‘cross builds. Occasional, slow speed tumble with terra firma aside, mishaps were thankfully conspicuous by their absence. This theme remained consistent throughout the under 12’s event, entrants negotiated the senior laps with commendable panache, although by this stage in the morning's proceedings, damp, nagging chill had permeated my exposed fingers, inducing unwelcome camera shake.

Mick Ives provided commentary for the main event, which progressed at a frenetic pace, meticulous organisation/intelligent marshaling optimising rider and spectator safety. However, one rider sustained sufficiently serious injury to require air ambulance rescue, illustrating that even these standards of event management cannot entirely eradicate risk.  

Hmm, I’m getting a sudden desire to organise an altogether different category of ‘cross racing, requiring entrants present on rigid mountain bikes with dropped bars…Fancy collaborating? Drop me a line: roadpathtoenlightenment@gmail.com