War Of The Waxes...

The Fixed Gear Winter Trainer is sticking with the Peaty’s Link Lube All Weather Premium lube since it’s an exceptionally clean, stoical formula ideally suited to a wealth of riding contexts thanks to its durability and cleanliness. Qualities that are seemingly ideal for high-milage bikes generally and daily drivers specifically.   

Improving weather has meant the Holdsworth has also seen more regular action. I’ve treated the Holdsworth and Ursula to Blub Wax and The Teenage Dream the Peaty’s Link Lube All Weather. Both need surgically clean drivetrains but are otherwise self-cleaning, easily topped up and generally low maintenance. 

The Blub Wax contains wax and water in an emulsion. Traditionally (although this is changing) waxes took a long time to cure. Blub reckons 5 minutes (at least in temperatures between 15 and 25 degrees, which many would consider ideal conditions). In my experience, at the lower end of this scale, its closer to 90-minutes, the wax turning from a creamy, candlewax white to a glaze. Blub say it also employs a petrochemical part that improves adhesion, or to use their words “fixation” to the transmission.  

In common with the Ceramic stablemate, the Wax seems relatively durable, at least so long as you’re riding at least every other day. Not an issue on a daily driver, or training rig but not for a best/weekend pet. Suggests the lubricant almost regenerates with use, in the same fashion a highly sophisticated synthetic motor oil that gets regenerated under the oil pump’s pressure (and explaining why this breed of motor oil is not suitable for bicycle chains).  

Looks like I may be topping up the Holdsworth’s quite regularly, maybe something like the Wolf Tooth WT-1 Chain Lube for All Conditions is a better bet… Staying with the Holdsworth, switching its BBB Razor for the 137mm Smanie GT was an inspired choice, proving more supportive at key points.  

I’ve also decided to switch the Hutchinson Hutchinson Challenger Tyre | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) in favour of the Schwalbe One 365. AS budget tyres go, there’s a lot to like about the Hutchinson, but in my experience, they are quite vulnerable to sharps. The Schwalbe One 365 are a little lighter, too, despite being 28mm (the Hutchinson are 25) and the “original” fork blades permit much bigger rubber than the Carbon Acor. Not that I’d want to go bigger than 30c, given the bike’s a sunny day’s plaything but nice to have the choice. Otherwise, I have no plans to change the spec…Famous last words.    

I’ve had some unexpected problems with the Ravemen XR6000 battery Ravemen XR6000 Front Light | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com).  I initially thought it had succumbed to some ingress, since it wouldn’t power up and the battery charge indicator window was disturbingly dark, even when plugged into the mains for a couple of hours. Following my hung around possible water ingress.  

I treated the charge port and plugs to a short blast of MO94 Muc-Off MO94 Multi Use Spray | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com). WD40 or Joker 440 Motorex Joker 440 | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) were the other options. Any synthetic water displacer would suffice, provided it didn’t contain PTFE since PTFE (Teflon) impairs electrical connectivity. Still nothing, despite leaving it overnight. Bob Elliot & Co (Ravemen’s UK importer) were really supportive, liaising with Ravemen’s engineers and feeding back.  

Ultimately, we’d reached the point where a new battery was offered. For some reason I asked to hold fire, some force urging me to place it in the airing cupboard and revisiting the next morning. If this didn’t result in the battery springing to life and charging, I would’ve admitted defeat and gratefully accepted a replacement.  

Seems the gods of high-power lighting systems looked kindly upon me. Plugging it into the mains, the charge indicator came alive and suggested it was receiving charge. This was a little slower than I’d expected, requiring 7.5 hours but the display denoted fully juiced. I unplugged and decided an evening ride would be the acid test.  Relieved, everything came together and a sustained two- second press of the XR6000’s remote brought the lamp to life.  

I toggled down to 500 lumens, threw a leg over the top tube and scooted off, battling a headwind but pleased all seemed well with the battery once more. I concluded the ride by treating the port and connectors to another light, precautionary squirt of MO94 before popping Ursula away and putting the bins out.  So far, its operating normally and I hope this continues.  I’ll leave here with my review of the Cycology 8 Days Handlebar Tape Cycology 8 days Handlebar Tape | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

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.