The Continued Joy of Full-Length Guards & High-End Dynamos

Travers Bikes  https://www.traversbikes.com    have graciously sent me K-lite Bike Packer Pro V2. In common with its Backpacker Ultra cousins, https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/k-lite-bikepacker-ultra-dynamo-ligh  it produces 1300lumens and runs from the same switchgear. However, its considerably smaller and is housed in an orange, CNC machined aluminium shell.

Aesthetically, it complements the excellent Acros Silicone Wrap Handlebar Tape https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/acros-silicone-wrap-handlebar-tape . Beautifully executed, the less “industrial” flavour has more obvious appeal to clutter-phobic riders of posh winter/Audax or fast touring rigs. The “med” beam pattern is also designed to bridge both worlds.

Relentless, torrential rains have turned lanes into lakes and reminded me just how useful full-length chrome plastic guards are. Not only do they keep corrosive, silty grot from a bike’s intricate parts, extending service intervals and component life. They also defend the rider from surprising amounts of dodgy, cold-baiting water, too.

Little surprise that I’ve defaulted to the Univega. With my fixed gear winter/trainer sporting the Bike Packer Pro V2, I’ve switched to the K-lite Bike Packer Ultra Road/Gravel version, which delivers a more focused, asphalt specific beam. This also presented the ideal opportunity to tidy and reorganise my Tom Tom Bandit. Even allowing for full-length guards, several rides in, the old girl was filthy.

A break in the rain allowed a proper wash and thorough waxing. I’ve been testing Naked Bikes Pro Bike Wax for a few months now and am reaching some, definite conclusions. In common with Velo 21 https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/velo-21  it’s blended to cater for gloss, satin and matt finishes. Only a light layer is required to deliver a lasting, protective barrier too, which means it should work out very economical, in the long run.

I’m also pleased to discover plenty of Zefal Pro Wet Lube clinging to the chain, with refreshingly little contaminant. Having run it through a changeable Spring/Summer, I was also surprised to note it’s assumed a markedly higher viscosity, with the pronounced drop in temperature. I am wondering whether this is positively impacting upon its staying prowess. I’d be disappointed if it didn’t cross the 300mile mark.

Obvious conditions for testing wet weather attire. I’ve not gone over to water repellent tights yet but these ten- year- old Lake booties have been plucked from seasonal hibernation and given a liberal helping of leather “food”. This will keep the hides nourished and protected from the elements.

The Prendas Cyclismo caps are also proving pretty good on the water resistant, yet breathable front. 90 minutes continuous, heavy rain, and they’ll be suitably soggy.

I’d sooner that, than drowning in my own sweat. In terms of breathability, when it’s been dry, the steady flow of air through my scalp is very palpable. Following a soaking, they’ve dried in around (1hr) at room temperature.  

Ultimately, no matter how generous your guards, or weather repellent your garments, the elements will ultimately make inroads. I like tights with water-repelling top layers and highly water repellent, rather than those with impervious TPU mid layers. I can also appreciate neoprene’s benefits, when wet and cold are relentless. However, the clamminess is a turn-off for me.

Another turn off, is riders who pass too close. Though thankfully quite rare, I’ve had a few groups who have insisted on riding within stroking difference of my bar wrap. I even had one rider, hanging off the back of his group, complaining that I had the audacity to run two rear lights!

This little ETC Mira 20 Lumen Rear Light being one of them. Admittedly, there’s plenty of punch but I had it in the medium flashing mode, and it can be seen from a good distance. However, peripheral prowess means it’s best as a contingency/secondary, rather than primary model.

Punctures, Potions & Preparation

Halloween’s arrival coincided with wetter and classically autumnal conditions. I had a premonition I’d succumb to a flat, an evening or so previously, fuelled by the torrential downpour. Thankfully I’d donned my Lake booties, and done an inventory of the wedge pack. https://www.facebook.com/Sevendaycyclistmagazine/videos/564575290635001/

Spare tubes, tyre levers, 15mm wrench pump all present and in good order. The familiar, wet “hiss fut, hiss fut, fut” and gradual loss of pressure, struck seven miles from base. Having whipped out the rear wheel, I was conscious of a familiar, guttural rumble. No, not my bowels- a V8 engine.

Seconds later, an ambulance cruised to a halt and a Paramedic leaned out from the cab. We exchanged the time of day and, he seemed slightly surprised, by my mid puncture buoyancy. We laughed, bid each other good days. Whatever pierced the Soma Fabrications Supple Vitesse EX https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/soma-fabrications-vitesse  casing had been flushed out-possibly by the air pressure escaping the butyl it bit.  

At least this struck during a gloomy morning, not the dead of night. These contexts proved an ideal test of the Ugoe 2000 lumen headlight’s flashing-as a daylight mode. At the other end of the power spectrum, I’d also reached my verdicts, regarding the Oxford Ultratorch Slimline R100 and R50 lights. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/oxford-ultratorch-1 These have impressed me, in pretty much every respect. Especially, their performance, relative to asking price. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/oxford-ultratorch

Spare instated, I then discovered my CO2 cylinder had mysteriously discharged. (This has since been substituted for old faithful, my SKS Air Champ Pro. A big old beast but ultra-dependable).

Out with the mini pump. Two minutes later, I guesstimated 65 psi (the Supple Vitesse EX, recommended minimum), reinstated the wheel, centralising it and adjusting chain tension. Track nuts snugged down, I scooted off, quietly petitioning the god of blowouts, to be merciful.  

Now, in my last entry, I started a 5w/40 motor oil challenge. This was partly to indulge my curiosity and to see just how any miles per application (and theoretically, how cheap) it returns, compared with bike-specific wet lube. Chainsaw oil is the other choice, many swear by. It also forms the basis of Nasty Lube Siberian chain lube https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/nasty-lube-siberian-chain-lube   

My Univega was the first recipient but it wasn’t long before my fixed’s KMC X1 followed suit. Motor oil transfers to hands (and pretty much everything else!) quite readily, why this roadside flat was a bit messier than usual. This eventually leads to an indelible, some might say, authentic patina on clothing.

I’m a firm believer in the old saying, that there’s no such thing as the wrong weather, just the wrong kit. However, for the right kit to look after you, it also needs a bit of TLC. Two and three-layer laminates, such as Gore-Tex, eVent and more sophisticated polyester mixes all benefit from periodic treatments.

Soap Flakes is probably the kindest, everyday detergent However, proofing agents, such as this Nikwax Tech Wash, retain and restore the weather repelling, breathable properties.

Genuine leather shoes, gloves, saddles, bar wrap etc also need treating with a decent quality “hide food”. This locks the elements out, which keep them supple and nourished. Much as with motorcycle leathers, apply the food every six weeks, or so. Not too regularly though, since the solvent based blends will rot stitching.

Overshoes are a sensible option during the wetter months, protecting expensive footwear from salty, slushy stuff and rider from chill. Steve (Seven Day Cyclist’s Co-editor) likes them. I prefer the comfort and convenience of booties. For me, frequently rinsing salty spatter and similar contaminant, is a minor trade off.

Master Blasters

We’ve been promised a bitterly cold snap, which has me checking spiked tyres, reg-greasing fixed sprockets, contact points and donning full-length tights. Judging by the forecast, I’ll be dusting down my Lake winter booties, earlier than usual.

Might be an idea to check the central heating oil too, before temperatures plummet and in case tensions worsen, with oil producing nations…

On a cheerier note, Oxford Products have sent me their Ugoe 2000 headlight. Big brother to the 1000 https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/ugoe-1000-lumen-headlight , it packs a total output of, you guessed it- 2000 lumens. Hopefully enough useable light for 30mph for those beloved backroads. Medium is 1000 lumens, ditto flashing but there’s also a more civilised constant, 500lumen. Arguably more than you’d ever need through the concrete jungle, but not abrasive.

Their F100 and R50 lights are continuing to impress, in every respect.

Sensible modes, incredibly frugal run times and overall build are good by any price point. Run times bear close affinity with their cited reality, which is great news for everyone, although attempting to call their bluff is crucial, from a tester’s perspective.

Thus far, I haven’t found any inconsistencies. Lithium polymer cells certainly help but it’s worth remembering, that run times may vary by a few minutes. Looking after cells by keeping them charged and stored properly makes a world of difference.

Phenomenal at this end of the market. Nonetheless, we’ll see what the next few weeks bring before arriving at any definite conclusions.  Staying with the theme of batteries, John Moss https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/love-resurrection-john-moss-s-tandem has some guidance for looking after/upgrading 18650 lithium ion cells. The sort, such as those employed in Moon Meteor Storm Pro https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/moon-meteor-storm-pro-front-light .

He recommends charging them to 4.1 V and recharging once they reach 3.8V. Doing so will extend their useful life-considerably, compared with charging to 4.2 and discharging to 3.6 V. Allowing the cell to discharge further than this, will kill it. I’ve a feeling this My Tiny Sun battery pack met said end.

Tyres are another consideration before winter strikes. There is always some trade-off between performance and dependability, although this gap has been shrinking, in the same fashion as that, between tubular and wired-on (clincher) types.

Personally, durability has my vote, as the nights become darker and the roads, more challenging. There’s a lot to be said for Schwalbe Marathon 365. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/schwalbe-marathon-gt365-tyre  

They are a bomb-proof, go-anywhere design that will cope with pretty much everything, save for snow. This comes with a palpable weight penalty. The kind folks at Schwalbe have just sent me the 26x2.0 version of their Marathon Mondial Evolution DD.

Though 717g apiece is hardly svelte, its lighter than their 35mm Marathon GT https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/schwalbe-marathon-gt-tyres . According to their blurb, these are an expedition model “The ultimate touring tire, made for road, tracks and trails of all continents”. On paper at least, fitting perfectly with my Univega’s all-terrain, working bike persona.

A 20-mile, mixed terrain blast, suggests swift and yet sure-footed rubber. Looking forward to the next few hundred miles. See how they fare, as the days become shorter and conditions, increasingly wintry.