Just Changing A Cable

 

Needing a break from the screen, I decided my fixed gear winter/trainer needed a quick polish. Noted the brake inner wire had begun fraying, so decided I’d switch that, since it was a simple job and no time like the present right? New cable fitted; I couldn’t get the Spyre SLC calliper to behave properly. I stripped and cleaned, and things were certainly improved but not as they should be. Most annoying was the binding right pad, which despite considerable gentle coaxing and patience wouldn’t behave.

Time is a finite resource, so I swapped over to an older Spyre unit I had prepped during Ursula’s rebuild. By contrast, this behaved impeccably first time, so I pulled the inner wire through a little further. Said overhaul also led me to switch the Deda Loop bar tape for the T-One Mr Fantastic Handlebar Tape T-ONE MR FANTASTIC HANDLEBAR TAPE | cycling-not-racing , since the Deda had weathered somewhat.

The T-One Mr Fantastic Handlebar tape is still going strong a few years and three bar switches since. It’s easier to clean, compared with the embossed and similarly sturdy Acros Silicone Wrap Handlebar Tape Acros Silicone Wrap Handlebar Tape | Seven Day Cyclist too, although that was another contender.  

The bar bags were switched since I needed to remove the Oxford to perform the cable replacement. Satisfied all was well, I tackled the aesthetic and polished the frameset and carbon bottle cages, the latter had lost their lustre slightly, but this was easily recovered using some BBB Bioready wash bike shampoo and its biowax stablemate.

These are very effective for rapid cleaning of lightly soiled bikes, or those times when you’ve replaced a component and got oily fingerprints on an otherwise clean machine. Durability isn’t on par with those containing Carnauba wax, such as this Motoverde Waterless Wash & Wax | cycling-not-racing  but bargain on a few weeks in primarily dry to fair weather conditions.

Grand finale’, I gave the Muc Off AirMach Electric Mini Inflator Pro a quick test. The 32mm Pirelli Angel DTPirelli Angel DT Urban Tyre | cycling-not-racing and Schwalbe One365 were completely deflated and raised to 80 and 105psi respectively. The pump delivered the goods, but by that point, the battery was down to 30% -in theory still enough to raise another flaccid tyre, though reinforces my point about always carrying a traditional pump, just in case…I’ve also managed to raise a 26x2.3 from 0-55psi and this Maxxis RavagerMaxxis Ravager TR Tyres | cycling-not-racing (700x40) from 0-55psi with 30% battery charge remaining.

I'd made something a faux pas, believing I had 3/8" bits compatible with the Park Tw torque wrench. Further investigation contradicted this, but Madison's press officer graciously supplied a batch covering the most common jobs home mechanics are likely to undertake. Ironically, while hunting for the non-existent 3/8" bits, I found an 8mm dual end wrench-I'd been looking for that while tweaking the barrel adjuster on Denise's front stopper. I carry a crude but surprisingly effective "giveaway" spanner. Does the job without rounding off but not the most pleasant to use. I was looking (lusting after?) Specialized's Rock Combo one evening, needing a reminder of the original specification and suddenly got the idea of switching Denise's cantilevers to the Dia Compe 984D.

However, I rapidly dismissed this as change for change's sake, not least as I'd got the front Shimano CX50 honed and recently bought some fresh pads. Though it can occasionally prove a little temperamental, the rear Suntour SE is reliable and was dirt cheap- hence I'd bought a second NOS (New Old Stock). I’ve also reached my conclusions regarding the Pirelli Cinturato Pirelli Cinturato Gravel M Tyre | cycling-not-racing. There are some minor shortcomings but they seem particularly suited to my riding environments.  

The Stronglight A9 headset was still behaving impeccably and had been given a liberal helping of Juice Bearing Juice. I'd made a boot from scrap butyl tube for the lower race. However, would be worth getting in some spares £2.99 or thereabouts. I should point out this version employs ball, not cartridge bearings.  

Always better to replace the bearings before brinelling and pitting strikes, although keeping them well-greased and properly adjusted is key to keeping the elements out and general longevity. During this phase, I also noted some minor slop in Ursula’s FSA, so eliminated that and nipped the stem bolts snug using the Oxford Torque 2-24nm Torque wrench.   

Bottom Bracket Bites The Dust

 

Once again, Ursula's front mech began misbehaving. The first time, I returned and discovered some slop in the Hollowtech II crankset. Hmm, curious, but nothing a quick tweak of the bearing tension wouldn't fix, right? 

The following outing and yep, the play hard returned, signalling the ti bottom bracket's cartridge bearings were spent. I'd bought a couple of XT units in preparation for this, or similar expiry.  No time like the present.

Being well greased, the crankset and bottom bracket released very easily. I gave Ursula's bottom bracket shell a careful cleaning, introduced some Oxford Mint Assembly Grease Oxford Mint Assembly Grease | cycling-not-racing, applied a light coating to the XT bottom bracket and then sped it home.  Talking of grease, Steve’s been long term testing this Blub Lithium GreaseBlub Lithium Grease | cycling-not-racing

I went the deep clean route with the rings and spider a ride or two later but was more concerned with getting everything home and ruling out anything else. I reached for the Peaty’s Speed GreasePEATY'S SPEED GREASE | cycling-not-racing and applied this to the Deore cranksets axle, reducing the friction, while keeping corrosion and similar hassles at bay. A quick nudge of the 10mm preload cap, confirmed my diagnosis was correct, the titanium unit’s ceramic bearings were indeed shot.

Double checked, I wound the pinch bolts home to 14nm, spun the cranks-all sorted. Another little job off the list, although in retrospect, I might've been better served going for the XT following Ursula's frame refurb and modification.  Some greasy finger marks adorning the right chainstay and bottom bracket shell were effortlessly dismissed with the BBB Bio Ready wash and a retired sock.

During this phase, I was also convinced I had another, a third Hollowtech II bottom bracket hiding away in the spares boxes. With a little time on my hands, I took this opportunity to root around, emerging victorious. It features the usual fit n’ forget bearings, aluminium cups and a composite component. This saves 20g or so over the titanium Van Nicholas, although I’m confident the bearings won’t last nearly so long.  Nice to have another handy, though-even if only as a stop-gap.

A few weeks and many mixed terrain miles down the line, the CST Patrol continue to impress with their all-rounder prowess, proving suitably swift on pockmarked asphalt, unmade roads and dirt trails. Impossible to comment on their mud churning prowess given it's been refreshingly dry of late. The EPS belt seems similarly effective at keeping flints and other sharps from causing mischief. However, rains and boggy conditions may tell a different story.  

Staying with tyres and inflation, I’m extremely fond of mini-inflators, which while not quite magic bullets, save time and effort when recovering from wounded butyl. I’ve tested a fair few in recent months and to date, my favourite is the CYC PLUS AS2 Pro Max E PumpCycPlus AS2 Pro Max E.Pump | cycling-not-racing . The relatively large battery will inflate up to 4 tyres between charges, which is great for longer rides, especially bigger volume gravel and mountain bike rubber. It also features a digital pressure gauge, taking the guesswork out of things, so there’s only operator error to blame if you’ve whacked in too much pressure.

More compact models fit better in jersey pockets. I’m fond of Muc Off’s Air Mach Electric Mini Inflator Muc-Off Air Mach Electric Mini Inflator | cycling-not-racing  it charges from zero to 100 in 25 minutes and capable of 100psi. However, and this goes for other designs with 7.5v 300mAh batteries, I’d advocate carrying a decent pump as a backup, should you succumb to a further, or multiple flats during a ride.

Against this backdrop, I’d spotted their PRO version, which in my view is a great improvement and could give the competition a good run for your hard earned. £100 buys a model capable of 120psi and will inflate up to 4 tyres between charges, which only take a few minutes longer than the standard model. This is also quite impressive, given Muc-Off has opted for a 7.4v 450mAh, which improves power output but without unduly increasing bulk.  

The Pro also incorporates a digital gauge and auto cutout when the desired pressure is reached, which is super convenient and a very welcome upgrade. Other improvements include a screw on extension hose for TPU valves since these can melt (it’s also recommended when tackling Schrader), a ball needle for footballs, beach balls and similar items we may pick up on a family, or group ride.

The instructions give guide times for various tyre sizes when fully charged. 26inch isn’t included but there are sufficient comparators for me to cross reference claims during testing.   

This Velo21 mini adjustable torque driver wrench. Unlike the preset types I’ve been testing recently, its adjustable between 4, 5 and 6nm, which should cater for contact points- a seat post adjustment, loose stem face, Aheadset bearings, cable pinch bolts, 6 bolt disc rotors, disc callipers to name but a few. Formative impressions are favourable, as is the price, so we'll see what the next few weeks and regular fettling reveal...