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.
