No sooner had I decided to upgrade my fixed gear winter trainer’s TRP Spyre brake caliper, I discovered Ursula’s brake pads decidedly thin again. Not down to rim ruining bare metal but certainly urging replacement. Left unchecked, pads can do nasty things to disc rotors and rim sidewalls. In common with chains and cables, regular inspection and replacement is good mechanical empathy and sound economics.
As budget stoppers go, the Genetic CX Cantilevers TEST & REVIEW: GENETIC CX CANTILEVER BRAKES (sevendaycyclist.com) are cheerful. I had replaced the pads some months back and after some deliberation and seeing the price of compatible replacements, I decided I may as well upgrade to Shimano BR CX50. In my experience, the BR CX50 are trickier to set up “just so” but suitably progressive and excellent bite, which is what I need, especially since winter is coming.
I had been tempted by the CX70, which are essentially Ultegra grade but for me the CX50 strikes the sweet spot between price and performance. Ah, but then said mighty stoppers didn’t arrive on time, which led me to think laterally. Another hunt through the pads and small parts compartment of my mighty cantilever toolbox reaped some reward.
However, it was a case of close but no cigar on the pad compatibility front. Then I spotted some low-profile Tektro CR710 in decent shape, save for the pads. The workshop fairies came to the rescue, alerting me to packet-fresh, compatible pads. In the zone, one thing led to another...
Cantilever posts cleaned with turpentine, treated to some Peaty’s Speed Grease PEATY'S SPEED GREASE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com), the Tektro were slipped in situ... As a side note, the Peaty’s Speed Grease is holding up rather well, several months down the line, although I’ve erred in favour of its Assembly Grease PEATY'S BICYCLE ASSEMBLY GREASE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) stablemate for threaded parts and contact points. A drop of thread lock to the mounting bolts, everything was snugged to 6nm. I used the existing cable and switched to a sturdy pattern straddle wire.
Pulled tight, pads correctly aligned, ten pumps of the Tektro RL340 lever confirmed everything was striking in perfect harmony-I just needed to draw the straddle wire through a little. Another neat feature of the CR710 is the barrel adjuster for quick adjustment. Now, the eagle-eyed among you will notice I’ve got the adjuster up-not “technically correct” but a deliberate action to suit me- I can reach it more readily and tweak, on the move if need arises...
Seriously impressed with the modulation, feel, and mighty stopping prowess. (Two muntjac deer and a rabbit have confirmed this, beyond any doubt!) it’s also that oft-toted thing about bonding with your machine and staying with something until you’ve got it sussed. I also found two chains- a single-speed SRAM and another 10speed KMC, ready for next time.
I’ll keep the Shimano CR50 handy but for now, the CR710 stays. Kept me out of mischief for a bit. Talking of which, I’ve already averted collision with two kamikaze muntjac deer that sprung strait into my path at 6am. Sunrise isn’t until 750, so, much of my riding is in the dark and wet roads.
Hardly an issue given the prowess of the K-lite dynamo lamps, but these conditions ramp up the likelihood of puncturing. Regularly brushing tyre casings greatly improves the odds of averting a flat, since you’re shifting sharps before they get chance to burrow inside.
Britain’s tabloid press had been promising snow by the close of October but I’m treating this as little more than a distraction from the present chaos. No urge to whip the Schwalbe WinterTESTED: SCHWALBE WINTER SPIKED TYRES (sevendaycyclist.com) from the rafters, just yet. Sticking with the See Sense Handlebar Bag, on my fixed gear winter/trainer but I’m still very fond of the Craft Cadence Waterproof Handlebar bag CRAFT CADENCE WATERPROOF HANDLEBAR BAG | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com), so is Steve... Right, time to apply another light coat of Humbrol enamel to Ursula’s frame end, leave it 24 hours and repeat, if required...
