September Switches & Style Statements

 

The wet and decidedly abrupt introduction to September was perfect for assessing the staying prowess of chain lubes, tyres and waterproof technical kit. I'd been wanting to see how effective the Leatt pedals were at shedding mud and other contaminant, so switched Ursula's Shimano A530 and headed for the bridleways.

I wasn't expecting otherwise but was relieved to discover they're on par with Shimano M540 (which I’ve switched back to Muffin following a generous re-greasing), XT and their homages.  The waterlogged conditions have also seen me donning these Shimano MW702 Shimano MW7 (MW702) Gore Tex MTB Shoes | cycling-not-racing booties, which make an excellent transition between cross country mountain biking/gravel riding and general winter road duties.

 I'm still fond of the MW05Shimano MW501 Dry Shield SPD MTB Shoes | cycling-not-racing, but the MW07's stiffer sole, refinements and improved weatherproofing give better connection with the bike and protection from the wetter roads. Especially paired with waterproof socks-no such thing as the wrong weather, just the wrong kit. Oh,and yes, I know Ursula’s front guard is the “wrong” way round-I’m experimenting to see how much difference this makes-good, or otherwise.  

 Somewhat predictably, the constant exposure to wet, waterlogged roads has put a dent in the Weldtite Wax lubes’ staying prowess.

 Nonetheless, I returned 140 miles from a double up application on Muffin and applied a top up since it coincided with a deep sudsy bucket clean.  Even then, a tangible filmy later remained and no trace of corrosion on the links.  Ursula and I continue to enjoy the green lanes and bridleways to see how clean and stoical the wax proves in these contexts. Then of course, I wanted to see how effectively the Leatt Endurance 6 pedals shed mud.

Temperatures have been in the high teens, so I've stuck to bib shorts, although have progressed to ¾ lengths on dawn outings when the mercury's still slumbering in single figures.  Staying with footwear a moment, I’ve also reached my conclusions regarding the FLR MXT Vibram Trail Shoes FLR MXT Vibram Trail Shoes | cycling-not-racing

 ¾ lengths have often been regarded as a rider faux pas off road and on some levels, I agree. However, they're also very practical bridge garments and relatively complementary worn with more trail orientated jackets, such as the Madison RoamMadison Roam 2.5 Layer Waterproof Jacket | cycling-not-racing . Nothing against mtb baggies, they just aren't my thing. 

Now the nights are drawing in and its dark in this region from 1900hrs onward, it’s nice to find ourselves receiving a gentle trickle of winter kit. On the lighting front, we’ve just taken delivery of this Sigma Buster 1600 and RL150 pairing, which as the names would imply is a front light pumping out a maximum of 1600lumens and a rear light capable of 150, which promises to cater for the darkest lanes. That said, this genre of front light, run times are relatively short at full and higher outputs, so ensure the lower modes are suitable for your typical riding requirements.

It will be interesting to see how it compares with the Ravemen LR1600 USB Rechargeable Curved Lens Front Light Ravemen LR1600 Front Light | cycling-not-racing  The RL150 has five modes. Two steady and three flashing. The full 150 refers to the day flash, night flash is 25 lumens and eco flash is 5. The two steady are 40 and 5 lumens respectively, which on paper at least, sounds a wide gap- something around the 10, or 15 lumen mark would’ve been more obvious. However, real world performance is what really counts.

There’s also a braking function and I’m curious as to how much of an impact this will have on the run times.

I’m still toying with the idea of placing one inch Ahead spacers beneath Denises’s stem. Now, there is no mechanical need to do this, since the expander wedge is what keeps everything firmly in situ. The Profile Design adaptor is also made to a much higher standard than the no-name auction site specials.  However, I have some black spacers in the spares tray, which would work both in terms of height and aesthetics. I’ll give it a few weeks and some more thought.  

Though I tackled most of the pre-autumn stripping, regreasing and corrosion inhibiting, it’s that time of year to add a lick of silicone grease to battery contacts on computers and where appropriate, lights to keep the elements from wreaking havoc. IPX6 isn’t uncommon for lights these days but those meeting IPX4 or 5 usually get a quick lick, or periodic shot of PTFE free maintenance spray to flush through and leave a protective barrier behind.  

Breaks in the wetter conditions has also seen my checking and topping up the waxy corrosion inhibitors before the cold, dark and wetter months set in. This obviously extended to cars. There was a generous helping cling to the KA’s chassis and underbody, which as reassuring, although I’ve given a light top up coat while opportunity presented and it would cure quickly enough to avoid moisture being trapped inside. 

Frazzled Freehub?

 

There we were, minding our own business, bimbling along the lanes when the glitch became a low grumble. Ursula’s chain began jumping and the freehub began to lock up when I attempted to freewheel. Yes, the Halo Spin Doctor’s freehub was protesting 8 miles from home. No river riding, Jet washing, or similar abuse and I’d only done a few weeks riding since it was replaced in December.  

Mercifully, my default constant cadence, developed through many years riding fixed meant we could scoot back at 12-14mph. Pedestrian perhaps but infinitely preferable to walking home. Switching to XT/Ryde wheel with recently upgraded bearings, loaded with Juice Lubes Bearing Juice solved the immediate issue. However, it left me with something of a conundrum. 

An email and subsequent telephone chat with Ison-Distribution suggested it could just be wet, gritty stuff creeping inside along the lanes. I also learned the unit has a grease port, something I consider a godsend for easy maintenance and long component life. Sure, you’ll still need to strip and inspect bearings, races etc but it means they’ll have plenty of lubrication and are protected from the elements in-between. On the advice of Ison Distibution’s MD, I pumped grease into the freehub’s port until some brown gooey stuff bled out. Cleaned up and dropped some middleweight wet lube into the port.    

Then my mind went into overdrive... 

I could always retrieve the lowlier Deore- a decent enough hub but the seals and other components aren’t as you’d expect, to the same standard. Given the mileage and four seasons’ service involved, I’d be better served by the XT, and it would ultimately work out cheaper, long term. There were some interesting hubs but too pricey for a gamble, especially on the spares front. No rush... 

The fixed’s Un300 square taper bottom bracket is still turning away smoothly three years on. Testament to it (and the UN52 and 55 predecessors) build quality. I’m not the only rider who has returned nigh on 10,000 miles (about 16093.44 km) before they’ve turned sloppy, or grumbly. For context, while some of the patterns have served me well, they’ve hit the bin at 6,000 miles (about 9656.06 km). I may well go for this Genetic Cromozone Cromozone Sealed BB | Ison Distribution (ison-distribution.com next time.  

To lubes. The Blub ceramic is supposedly unsuitable for damp to wet conditions, but I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how it stayed put, despite being exposed to wet, greasy roads, not to mention blasted with deep, dodgy puddle water.  

I was surprised to find Ursula’s left Microshift bar con rotating in the bar ends. An easy fix- simply a matter of popping in a 4mm Allen key, separating the lever from mount, introducing a 5mm into the expander wedge and turning counter-clockwise.  

An opportunity to use this Muc Off 17in1 multi tool, which I’d received for testing. It’s a compact model with 17 functions and thus far, only a few, minor compromises have revealed themselves. When choosing multi tools, in my experience much will depend on your bikes, their age and genre.  

Compact models such as the Muc Off work best on contemporary bikes, including, but not restricted to smaller framesets. Multi tools are designed for quick tune ups and get out of a jam repairs, not workshop duties.  

However, tourists, or those on group rides might find Topeak’s Alien, or this Passport CDWPASSPORT CDW MULTITOOL | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) a better bet. Talking of touring, functions such as spoke keys tend to be a little basic, and not the nicest to use, so you’re better served packing a dedicated key.  

I’d also suggest packing a separate, long-ish  L shaped key for recessed fasteners, such as those found on brake levers/brifters and of course, any specialist tooling for your bike, tagalong, trailer etc. Same goes for tyre levers, and applies to the Alien and CDW, although these are the better of the grouping.  

Strangely enough, while the ergonomics of more expensive standalone composite levers mean they’re nicer to use, some of the most dependable models are the bargain basement nylon types usually found in puncture repair kit bundles. Thorn Cycles 20 function Multi Tool comes complete with a Rohloff compatible bit. Mine still serves me well, although 16 years down the line, corrosion has made itself known in places. Last lube biased mention for this entry, my review of Muc-Off MO94 https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/muc-off-mo94-multi-use-spray  

The Leatt Jacket MTB Endurance 2.0 has become my default, given its lightweight, yet highly windproof, water-repelling and quick wicking properties. The perforated back and arm panels ensure a steady supply of cooling air, while keeping the chill and moderate showery rains at bay and it's so light, I’m only noticing its positive qualities.  

It also packs small, taking up minimal space in bike luggage, although it will certainly fill a jersey pocket. I’ve been alternating between bib long and bib knickers, given the season but I’m also looking forward to putting the Endurance Bib shorts through their paces once the temperatures get milder.  

There’s the usual detailing I’d expect from a premium garment- mesh bibs and braces, SPF50+ UV protection and a 4-layer Italian chamois pad, reckoned good for 7 hours of XC trail riding, which also bodes well for long, steady road miles, too.  

Pockets have become an increasingly common sight on bib shorts, especially those geared towards gravel and mountain biking audiences. Madison’s Roam Madison Roam Men's Cargo Bib Shorts | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) being prime examples, although theirs is designed to port bigger items including phones. Gloves and other things you might want easy access to. Leatt has suggested theirs is intended for a communication radio, but I think it’s a good bet for energy bars and other essentials.  

I could don Lycra knee warmers, since these are designed to extend a garments wearability, say in autumn, or early spring, where the weather can switch from warm sun to chill rain at the drop of a hat. However, I appreciate their benefits. Those I’ve tested tend to slowly work their way down, exposing skin, while being annoying, into the bargain.   Could wear them beneath messenger knickers, though…Watch this space. 

Ringing the Changes

  

Having swapped the Mirage for the carbon with Middleburn and Campagnolo Record, I have saved 83g, which was less than I’d expected but saving grams wasn’t the primary, or indeed, original mission.  

Having bolted the rings together and snugging them down “blind” the first sticking point was discovering the Xenon did not employ self-extracting crank bolts, necessitating a quick root around for the crank puller. Not a hardship, but it was not where I’d expected to find it.  

I toyed with treating myself to a Park CCP-22 complete with integrated handle, since Holdsworth, Fixed Gear Winter/Trainer also use square taper cranks (although the Holdswoth’s Stronglight employ self-extracting bolts). However, by and large crank removal is rare and usually coincides with bottom bracket replacement (between 6,000 and 10,000 miles, depending on what fit n’ forget-sealed model I’d gone for).

  

Extractor found; the Xenon literally popped off their tapers-hardly surprising but welcome. A quick tug of the ACOR cartridge bottom bracket also ruled out any slop or grumbling. I might go for something lighter when these strike. Something with a carbon fibre spacer, alloy cups would save a few grams... Back to the crankset.   

Slid on the tapers, I found myself needing to raise the front Victory mech up a few millimetres and for some reason, it got the sulks. Nice new cranks, lovely new rings, what’s going on here???? I mused... 

Hmm, a new cable might sort things- costs pennies and I had a few in. Yup...the new cable sorted matters and the cage was swinging the Sachs chain snappily to and fro. I pruned the cable, leaving a little to subvert potential stretch overnight. Checking the Sachs chain while I was there confirmed it was in good health (although I had a KMC in stock, since these things usually expire at the least convenient moment).  

Continuing the weight saving, knee-friendly theme, I slipped some Peaty’s Bicycle Assembly Grease on the threads and whizzed Time ATAC in- the resin, rather than aluminium bodied versions. A quick once-over of the crank bolts and chain rings the following morning, shifting checked, I topped up the CST Cito CST Cito Folding Tyre | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) with the SKS Air-X-Plorer Digi Floor Pump 10.0 SKS Air-X-Plorer Digi Floor Pump | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and popped it away ready for a shakedown ride the following morning.    

Wetter weather and the urge to explore green lanes and bridleways has meant Ursula and I have been out to play a fair bit, too. I’m warming to the Maxxis Ikon in these contexts. As I’d expect from a small block model, they’re less ponderous than a more aggressive trail tyre on metalled roads and come into their own along dry singletrack-plenty of smiles per mile. 

 

Despite being the baseline version, the ride is compliant and I’m yet to flat. Kenda Small Block 8 were quicker off the mark and a bit livelier but also more prone to flats. Elsewhere, I’ve gone for Muc Off Dry lube, which is keeping the chain clean and returning reasonable miles per application. It’s also been the ideal opportunity to see how the Madison Roam perform off road proper.  

Time also allowed me to replace the fixed’s Stronglight in favour of the FSA Orbit MX. The latter’s stack height is a little taller-only by 5mm and easily solved by dropping a spacer. When it comes to headsets, stoicism is my default grease-wise. I want the stuff to say put, keep the bearings slick and corrosion-free. Now, the MX is also blessed with seals, which is nice. It’s another reason to avoid lithium or PTFE-based greases since these could cause perishing.  

Some lighter middleweight preps, including Muc-Off Bio Grease and Green Oil Eco grease hold their own surprisingly well, too TWELVE MONTH TEST: GREEN OIL ECO GREASE (sevendaycyclist.com) Flying in the face of this, I found myself pondering Peaty’s Speed Grease PEATY'S SPEED GREASE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com), for the last word in buttery smooth, friction busting lubrication. Ultimately, I’ve decided treating the bottom race with Juice Lubes Bearing Juice and the upper race with Peaty’s Speed Grease was the best compromise.