Longs, Gilets & Other Seasonal Resurrections

 

Autumn progresses, so with the fleet prepped, it was time to bung gilets and other seasonally appropriate riding attire that had been hibernating in various drawers, in the wash.  Base layers, gilets, arm warmers, ¾ lengths…bar tape, cargo nets… Yes, I uncovered the cargo net while hoovering out the garage and investigating some corners.

Cargo nets are really useful for capturing overspill that might not fit into a pannier or rack top bag- particularly useful for awkward items, such as balls, helmet, mangos, melons, clothes, or ensuring provisions don’t escape from an open top basket. Think this one’s a Delta, but Topeak and several other brands produce them. Both net and bar cape emerged pristine from their 30-degree machine wash.  The MW7 bootiesShimano MW7 (MW702) Gore Tex MTB Shoes | cycling-not-racing also got a good scrub, since I’d been a little remiss on this front-beyond testing, not my usual approach to kit.

I’ve switched to Muffin, given the more changeable weather and of course, to play with the Sigma Buster 1600 and the RL150 pairing now the nights are sunrise is slower to arrive. In common with the Magicshine Hori 1300 Magicshine HORI 1300 Front Light | cycling-not-racing , Magicshine Evo 1700 Underneath Mounted Bike Light Magicshine Evo 1700 Underneath Light | cycling-not-racing and the Gaciron Cetus 1700, there are a sensible staircasing of modes, catering for most riding contexts.

I’ve switched Muffin back to the recently re-greased Shimano M540 since they (and indeed, other dual sided designs) are the most practical options for swift re-engagement. That said, the PDES600 Shimano PD ES 600 SPD Pedal | cycling-not-racing and A520 remain good bets, if you wanted a road specific, single-sided design. Packing them with a suitably stiff grease also helps with weighting, meaning it's easier to clip in.  I’m still running Muffin’s Izumi chain on the Weldtite Wax lube, since I’ve not had reason to change and I’m very taken with the cleanliness and low friction. I also tweaked the chain tension very slightly, suggesting some very minor wear. Nothing I was going to get excited by, although chain health is less of an exact science, compared 3/32, so I’ll be keeping a closer eye on things.  

 This brings me nicely to the Zefal Pro II Grease, which seems to be holding out very well against sudsy bucket washes and moving components seem buttery smooth, which bodes particularly well for winter, and I'm pleased to note that to date, it hasn't done anything nasty to seals, or composite components. Again, I’ll reserve judgement until mid-November or so, when the elements have been a bit harsher and possibly to coincide with a bottom bracket upgrade.

Headsets, hubs and bottom brackets benefit from stiff greases and good weather sealing, although in fairness, most seem to solider on very reliably and then unexpectedly get the grumbles. Usually at the least convenient moments!  For context, I’ve had a titanium Hollowtech II pattern and Tiagra do precisely this, same story with the UN55 cartridge type.  

 

One thing I will not be reserving judgement around is the seemingly limitless plastic patriotism and flag shagging engulfing certain sectors of the public consciousness. From an academic perspective, it illustrates how people are so readily mobilised and moulded into false narratives, replicating that which swept Europe during the mid-1930s. From a pragmatic viewpoint, true patriots help within their communities, whether it be painting a community centre, litter picking, helping a neighbour, or helping someone who is struggling. Not for validation, or self-promotion, but because they genuinely care about others, seek to build people up, and bring them along.    

 

Level Headed...Lids, Mental & Physical Loads

 

“It doesn’t matter how good a rider you are (or believe yourself) you will always come off”. Source my late father, who had for a time worked for Matcheless Motorcycles in Plumstead, South London. His role was in personnel, looking after the test riders who were employed to test machines in some cases, literally to destruction.   

I hold dear the right to choose when it comes to helmets, but I also hold dear the ability to think, to make decisions and enjoy my own sense of agency. Against this backdrop, I ‘ve been sent this MET Miles Mips helmet. It’s a sub £70 model defined as being “A touring model with roadie spirit”.

On paper at least, specification is favourable, taking everything into account. Aside from the MIPSC2 system, we have seventeen vents, washable pads, ponytail compatibility, compliance with CE, AS/MZS and US standards.  This one’s gloss white but there’s four other choices, including a very fetching teal.

Loosely speaking, MIPS should be thought of as a roll cage for the head, protecting the head against twisting, rotational forces which are contributary to concussions and more serious brain injury. Afterall, falls and crashes tend to involve tumbles, not s singular strike onto a hard surface. It’s a very thin, low friction layer moving within the helmet, helping to redirect this force and with it, brain injury. 

Neurological injuries have scary, life-changing implications. I’ve worked with acquired brain injuries and related conditions, such as stroke and cardiovascular incidents in previous careers. Sometimes full recoveries are possible, but sometimes the person we knew is lost. I recall walking into a Regional Neurological Rehabilitation Unit and seeing a woman in her mid-twenties who could only cry-no other form of expression. She had been the pillion rider in a motorcycle accident. It turned my blood cold.

It's important to note that helmets, like locks are only effective if used correctly. Anecdotally, I see a lot of people riding with badly fitting helmets, whether this be down to sizing, or adjustment. A helmet tipped back exposing the wearer's forehead will offer no protection in a crash and could also cause injury.  Measure your head's circumference (using a fabric, not steel) tape measure) just above your ears and brow in centimetres.

This will give you the correct size, but it's worth noting some styles and designs may also influence this, so it's worth trying a few. "Ponytail ports" have become increasingly popular in recent years, allowing an easier exit for one's mane and seem genuinely more comfortable for riders with longer hair.   Similarly, trail, or commuter models often come with peaks and a profile more accommodating of lights and similar, although I'd resist fitting action cameras and similar tech, since these can also cause injuries in a spill.  

The helmet should sit horizontal and with a small (1-2 finger width) above your brow. Fine tuning the helmet is usually a question of loosening, or tightening a thumbwheel, or similar ratchet-type system at the back and either slackening or tightening the straps.  These should, ideally sit just below the ears and snugly around the chin, while still allowing you to chew, or chat comfortably. With the chin straps secured, tweak the ratchet type closure and check there's no movement, but without the sensation of your head being compressed in a vice.  From here, you're unlikely to adjust frequently, only when wearing a cap, or similar beneath.  

 A life without risk is no life at all. I’ve also run services for people with learning disabilities and while an understandable reaction, many parents had wrapped their children in bubble wrap and sought to eliminate any potential risk. This was very sad and regrettably also backfired.

Just a small snapshot of my thoughts while meandering down the backroads, lanes and trails. A drier, mild interlude has seen me exorcising sections of superficial surface rust along the KA’s sills (signalled by unsightly bubbling) and return to Denise, testing the Weldtite wax lube, stem swap and Gaciron Cetus 1700 front light.  All continue to impress, albeit with some limitations and compromises, although nothing I couldn’t live with long-term.  There’s still a few weeks before I reach any firm conclusions.Meantime, I'll leave you with my review of the Magicshine Hori1300 Magicshine HORI 1300 Front Light | cycling-not-racing

 

Fettling Orgies

 

Having packed pedals, since I wanted to see how stiff this particular lithium-based prep would be through the darker, wetter months, I applied to Denise’s Hollowtech II axle. There was ample Peaty’s Speed Grease PEATY'S SPEED GREASE | cycling-not-racing clinging on, but then was the time. I’d noted the pinch bolts and pre-load were a little dry. The former were unexpectedly arthritic, so regreasing was imperative before seizure could creep in and cause mischief at the least convenient moment.     

Lithium based preps have an unenviable reputation for gobbling seals, elastomers and other rubberised components and can be a little stodgy.  

Fine on contact points, and very durable on winter hubs, but not necessarily desirable if you're competing and want to keep resistance at a minimum. While there's more discernible resistance compared with blends such as Peaty's Speed Grease (which I also surprisingly durable) its much lower than I'd expected and buttery smooth.

Staying prowess, temperature stability, water resistance and general durability are definite plusses and explains their traditional popularity in marine and automotive applications. Time will tell, but at £4.99 for 150ml, at face value, it seems a bargain for generic metal on metal duties.  It’s also been applied to cleat hardware, (which we're all guilty of neglecting until time comes for their replacement).  

Galvanic corrosion, say between metals of different parentage can be another issue- I wouldn't apply lithium to a titanium seat post used in a steel, or aluminium alloy frame for example. However, I'd be less concerned about an anodised aluminium post being used in a steel frame. A polished, fluted aluminium alloy post and I'd be reaching for a synthetic, or failing that, something PTFE based. 

I’ve decided to stick with wax and dry lubes while the weather allows and having covered 250odd miles on the Blub Wax, I’ve got busy with some Carbon friendly drivetrain cleaner, which I’ve had for some years and resurrected from the lubes box. It’s fairly straightforward to apply-simply spray liberally on the drivetrain, leave for a couple of minutes, agitate with a stiff bristled brush, or something like this Finish Line Gunge Brush Finish Line Grunge Brush Solo | cycling-not-racing

I reached for some Muc-Off Dry, since that was close to hand, MUC OFF DRY CHAIN LUBE | cycling-not-racing In my experience, its closer to an emulsion and requires at least four hours to cure properly. Like the Blub, can also melt when temperatures hit the high 20s. In this state, it’s still relatively durable but also readily transfers to hands-annoying if you’ve dropped a chain, or needing to tackle a mid-ride mechanical. Checking the chain health suggests more life than first believed just past .25, so reckon I’ll get to the close of October, possibly even November before its bin fodder. However, I’ve pruned a fresh one down to 108 links in readiness for a quick switch. I noted the front brake pads were looking a little tired, so took this opportunity to replace the pads and regrease the cantilever posts using the Zefal Pro II Grease, which was time well spent and another little job off the list before autumn.   

Talking of switches, following a hunch that packing single sided pedal bodies with a stout grease would offer some weighting (making engagement easier) I switched Muffin to the silver A520 and also moved the down tube bottle cage slightly, which improved access.  

I’m pleased to report the Juice Lubes Bearing Juice has added some weighting and thus, made re-entry (say when frequently clipping in and out in slow moving traffic) more convenient.  While I was there, I  noted the K-Lite Ultra Low Drag K-LITE ULTRA LOW DRAG DYNAMO LIGHT | cycling-not-racing lamp rotating slightly on the Genetic Neuron Accessory Mount GENETIC NEURON ACCESSORY BAR | cycling-not-racing . easily cured by wrapping some scrap inner tube around the mount and replaced the 2.5mm cable ties.   

The nights were quickly drawing in, providing the perfect opportunity to assess the Magicshine Hori 1300’s prowess and I’ve been impressed, not only by the output but its useability. The wireless remote makes it very easy to toggle up and down to avoid dazzling other road users. To my surprise, though obviously good in the seen-with sense, the night flash is potent enough to navigate unlit roads by- at least to 14mph, which is useful should you need to drop down to conserve battery.