Tart's Handbag?

 

Spare cone cum spacer arrived for the Halo Aerotrack hub, so I wasted no time in drizzling some green oil eco grease on the threads and winding it home. After a bit of deliberation, I opted to run the Titanium sprocket, checking this had a generous helping of waterproof synthetic grease.

Sat between it and the hub’s aluminium alloy threads. In this instance I’ve gone for White Lightning crystal grease https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/white-lightning-crystal-grease  which seems particularly dependable. However, given this bike serves year round, I will be inspecting more frequently than those adorning the On-one Inbred hub. Remiss of me.

Seems the right hand EAI sprocket and lockring have formed a particularly stubborn union with the aluminium alloy hub threads.  I’ve tried liberal marinades of high quality penetrant/release sprays before introducing lockring spanners, chain whips and primal grunting. Nope, won’t budge. So I’ve put it down and will revisit when inspiration strikes.

Where possible, I like to keep components going-if they’re basically in good order but I’m beginning to wonder-if I’m going the wheel build route, salvage might be false economy. The last thing I want is a freshly built wheel, only for the hub to conk out in spectacular fashion shortly afterward!

So, I am researching alternatives. System EX units were nicely executed budget options, though it’s not clear if they’re still in production. Three times the price but Surly also produce some nice small flange double fixed hubs with more sophisticated bearings…Nonetheless, in the meantime, I’m relieved I held on to the Halo and will make very good use of it.

Staying on the subject of lubes and other fluid tooling, Green Oil have sent us their new Ecospray lube. PTFE and petrochemical free. PTFE (often known as Teflon), was discovered by accident in the 1930s are remains pretty ubiquitous. Not just in engineering applications either; non-stick cooking utensils, carpets and socks being three that immediately spring to mind.

On the plus side, Teflon lubes and greases are cheap, surprisingly effective and reasonably durable. However, it’s not kind to organic/aquatic life and is widely thought to be connected to heart, thyroid and lung conditions.

Repacking hub bearings, headsets, pedals and bottom bracket threads every few months and doing so eight hours a day, 5/6 days every week for thirty years present two very different levels of risk.

The same goes for classic car/motorcycle enthusiasts and professional mechanics, when talking exposure to swarf and other carcinogens found in used motor oil.

I wear latex/similar examination gloves when working with petrochemicals. I must admit that I’m not so fastidious when giving cables and mechanisms a quick squirt, or lubricating chains.  

 So then, to the maintenance spray.

Well, I wasn’t surprised to learn the stock is that, used in their wet chain lube. However, achieving the spray-able consistency requires a greater ratio of plant based solvent.

Some folks will argue that butane/propane propellant put a dent in the eco-friendly credentials but I’m assure quantities involved present minimal impact to environment and user alike.

So far, I’ve used it on the teenage dream’s Regina freewheel, cleat mechanisms and assorted brake cables. The rich yellowy layer could almost pass for a heavyweight PTFE potion, the sort that will, in a pinch double as a summer chain lube. Several weeks and more varied use should give a better indication of its strengths and, where appropriate, weaknesses/limitations.

 

Changing Gear

I’ve just recruited an intern to work on Stenning photographic and we’re also recruiting a design assistant for Seven Day Cyclist (www.sevendaycyclist.co.uk ), which is moving from a downloadable magazine to arguably more accessible web format after Christmas.

December’s frenetic countdown to holiday season requires schematic planning to avoid a lull come January, so while relatively tired, there’s no let up.

Sabre tooth man-flu has also relented sufficiently as to permit clear thought processes and a return to serious testing. However, my susceptibility to chest infections means climbing and similarly strenuous exertion still induces the sort of hacking cough synonymous with long-serving, chain-smoking shipyard welders!

Wilder weather fronts have also prompted my Univega’s swift resurrection, though thankfully the gritting Lorries appear to have gone home. Said Tubby tourer’s more upright stance is hardly aero but widely spaced gears provide ample grunt for winching, bombing and cruising.

Big tyres also permit the odd crafty cut through and provide a magic carpet ride now that pot-hole season is in full-swing. After several weeks traversing, wet, greasy rural backwaters, the otherwise likeable Teflon prep was showing signs of embedded filth, prompting a thorough degreasing and some Fenwick’s Stealth.

Generally speaking, bells on bicycles induce eye-rolling- a well-timed yell consumes no handlebar space, costs nothing and is more effective.

However, Oregon based ORP have combined a genuinely capable three mode 70lumen light and 76/96 decibel horn in one blinkey sized package. I’m a big fan of the cutesy silicone blinkies in blanket narrative. This one is available in seven colours and protects the unit from drop and weather damage.

Diodes, circuitry and lithium polymer cell are neatly sealed in a similarly tough polycarbonate body and tucking the USB port firmly underneath, sandwiched between the bars further minimises the likelihood of dirt and ingress getting a look in. 

Prodding the rear “Whale tail” downwards unleashes a more subtle, though attention grabbing bleep that warns pedestrians, walkers and runners of your advance without driving dogs into a braking frenzy.

Upwards delivers a much louder warning, which has dissuaded a couple of learner motorcyclists from making a risky manoeuvre and some drivers from swinging doors open without looking. The diodes also flash a visual warning and the design’s a marked improvement over other battery systems.

In constant mode, the light is just about good enough for well-lit town work and has saved my bacon a few times-most notably when the Univega’s 800lumen dynamo lamp was slow on powering up. Otherwise, flashing modes are perfect companions to these and other main lighting.

Run times are quoted as 12 and 6 hrs respectively, which will depend upon how often the horn’s engaged but like most lithium ion/polymer fuelled models, seems pretty faithful to those quoted and unaffected by factors such as temperature.          

Debate has always raged as to what constitutes serious cycling with people proving particularly sniffy in the contexts of commuter/utility apparel. While I’m most commonly seen blasting along in technical fabrics, it’s worth remembering typical car journeys are less than two miles. This sort of distance can be ridden at reasonable speed and comfort wearing everyday street clothing-a mindset most apparent in the Netherlands.

Similarly, while my preference in terms of commuter lid errs towards well ventilated, sub 300g models with less aggressive profiles and trail DNA, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by this ABUS Hyban. Tipping the scales at a relatively portly 380g; it sports an ABS hard-shell, which is available in six different colours, shrugs at the inevitable everyday carelessness and has a more flattering feel when riding in civvies.

A few years back, feeble watch battery fuelled single diodes integrated within the thumbwheel closure were the preserve of upper end commuter models. Increased demand and plummeting prices means we’re getting sensible, user friendly LED lights integrated within the shell.

Admittedly, these only constitute tertiary lighting but intelligent positioning means they’re aimed squarely at driver eye-level and visible to around 80 metres-further on clear nights. Though relatively well-ventilated and employing the inlet/exhaust system, I was still surprised by how unobtrusive the Hyban felt-even over distances of 15-20miles at a steady 18mph.

Much further/at faster speeds and the increased weight becomes evident, so not a design lending itself to weekend touring. However, many scoots to the office, visits to friends and similar bike as car journeys are much shorter in any case.

Sturdy shell and surprisingly useful peak come into their own on more adventurous mixed terrain commutes encompassing forests, canal/bridle paths etc, while the former provides useful platform for cameras and lighting. Increasingly, it’s difficult to find bad products per se and these must be evaluated according to their intended purpose(s) and comparable designs, not ill-informed preconceptions.