Foiled by The Fork

 I’ll attribute this to Storm Eunice and its slow-release offspring that caused a major dip (but thankfully not total) in household power. Cooker, microwave, PC, washing machine etc were inoperable, but broadband, lighting was still operating, and I could type and generally communicate, courtesy of the laptop. The kettle would also boil, albeit at a very pedestrian rate.  

Things to be thankful for and a taste of what might be to come, here in the UK… The present administration has been romanticised the 70’s era of three-day weeks, blackouts and similar indignities.  

Then, of course, there is uncertainty around oil and gas supplies, given Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.  

A situation that was inevitable, given Putin’s posturing and rhetoric but felt like a nightmarish simulation, rather than reality from this corner of the world. Speculation is a very dangerous thing and truth is the first casualty of war.  

The figures for casualties have differed wildly. However, if Vladimir Putin is genuinely looking to recreate the Soviet Union, I believe the military will head for Poland, rather than neighbouring Moldova or Romania. Once of course, Ukraine and its infrastructure has been obliterated. 

Regardless of route, this has grave humanitarian implications-civilian casualties, people left homeless and displaced. History repeats itself.   

This is a conflict I believe will last many years and may well prove to be another Afghanistan for Russia. Putin may have under-estimated Ukraine, in a similar fashion.  

Sanctions are on everyone’s lips, but for some, its little more than lip service.  

If Putin cut Europe’s supply of oil and gas, this will have some very real implications for Europe and the UK. However, this would leave Russia with the Chinese market and the Chinese could dictate prices on their terms and a take or leave basis. What is clear is that we have a humanitarian crisis, and some nations are stepping in to help, others are turning their backs.       

Anyhow, during this phase, I sketched out a plan of action re Ursula’s front end. Continuing my recent bite-sized theme, I decided I’d switch to the Project 2, lose the existing cable hanger and Ahead spacers for thinner fare, and stick with cantilevers. That was the theory, and it was materialising in practice too, until I discovered the Project two has forward facing dropouts, which would’ve precluded guard fitment, even with the adaptors.  

Then, to compound matters, the TRP calliper was sloppy- the mount’s threads were virtually bare-the perils of buying used and, moreover, blind. Lesson learned. Back to the Univega’s triple butted originals. Presented an ideal opportunity to pack the Stronglight Aheadset with lashings of Peaty’s Assembly grease PEATY'S BICYCLE ASSEMBLY GREASE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com). The name might imply it’s for contact points (carbon aside) but is a smooth, middleweight blend well suited to bearing surfaces too. Attempting to rescue something from the slightly abortive mission, I switched to the Shimano CX50 cantilevers, which in turn presented the opportunity to test some Capgo brake cables.  

The cables are stainless steel and the outer wires impregnated with PTFE to minimise friction. I don’t like the Shimano straddle wire system, so reclaimed the Tektro cable hanger and Transfil straddle wire, resulting in precisely the modulation and feel I like from a front stopper. 

The fixed gear winter trainer is also getting some decent miles in-nimble backroad blasting now the front stopper is behaving exactly as it should. I’ve raised the saddle by a centimetre and snugged tight with this M System Torque wrench.

By the roadside multi-tools are fine but these days components are built to very tight tolerances, so torque wrenches are up there with track pumps. I also have some interesting larger section 700c rubber headed my way. I’ll leave you with my review of the Torque Covert 7 Crank Multi Tool TORQUE COVERT 7 CRANK MULTI TOOL | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

 

Pump Friction...

 

Univega’s drivetrain crisp and dependable again, after a brief switch around, I’m back to hustling along the lanes at 5am and enjoying the serenity. The temperature has suddenly spiked from a seasonally typical high teens to high twenties, meaning the morning mists are in fact, warm. Days are becoming shorter too, sunrise at 6.30 and sunset 1900.  

A moot point for me, since I’m running the K-lite Dynamos and the Ravemen TR30 https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/ravemen-tr30m-rear-light  and TR50 https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/ravemen-tr50-rear-light  lights, often in conjunction with these older Lezyne Strip Drive and Lezyne KTV2 Drive. The latter has 9 modes (6 flashing) and seems much brighter than 25lumens might imply and the 2.5-hour charge time is very convenient. Run times of all three lights are generally good but disciplined charging is always sensible practice. 

Now, some of you will note the Sun Race NRX and the Univega’s Microshift Centos predecessor are road mechs, so not an obvious choice. I would also agree and there was an ill-fated trend for people running rear road mechs on mountain bikes, back in the 90s. Aside from rocks and similar knocks, mechs were unable to cope with the wider ratios and crucially capacities.  

Over the years, touring biased bikes have essentially run mtb groups, which makes obvious sense, but road bike ratios have also become wider, dare we say more knee-friendly and less prescriptive. I don’t turn particularly tall gears and never have, for that matter.  

Holdsworth and Fixed Gear winter trainer have gearing in the high 70s-taller than traditionally considered optimal-we're talking 79 and 76 inches respectively. However, good for cruising on the flat, without assuming cartoonish spin-out when descending, or grunting like a porn star on the climbs.  

I’m sticking with the Muc-Off E-Bike Ceramic wet Lube on the latter and its delivering. Those of you wanting something with a bio base should consider their Wet Lube, which has impressed Steve with its blend of lubrication and staying prowess https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/muc-off-wet-lube        

   

I was pleasantly surprised to find this Crank Brothers F15 Multi tool and Birzman E-Grip 16g CO2 inflator. As its name suggests, the F15 is a fifteen function multi-tool. It hides within the brushed aluminium casing and secures by reassuringly powerful magnets. The side plates are made from aluminium alloy, the tooling SCM 435 stainless steel.  

Aside from a chain tool with integral spoke keys, we have 2, 2.5,3,4,5, 6 and 8mm Allen bits, Phillips and flat screwdriver and a T25 Torx. Caters for most mid-ride eventualities. That said; they’ve packed a lot of tools in, so I’m wondering if there’s a trade-off between form and function.  

CO2 inflators aren’t likely to bring on a rush of heady excitement-unless of course, you’ve succumbed to a flat on a really cold day. Situations where you want to get going again-pronto. (Or, like me, had one jettison in the pocket of my messenger knickers while taking a sharp right turn. Certainly refreshed my maracas...)  

In common with other Birzman products I’ve used in the past, the valve head is beautifully made from CNC machined aluminium. There’s a neoprene grip too, which is one of those small but significant features since otherwise, CO2 cartridges can get painfully cold to touch, during discharge. I’m hoping not to call on it too often, although in some quarters, seems hedge clipping season is in full swing.  

Now, for those new to CO2 inflators, the gas will leach out of the tyre/tube (depending on what system you are using) so remember to deflate and reinflate using your floor pump. Otherwise, next morning you’ll find yourself thinking you’ve succumbed to another flat.  They’re no substitute for a decent mini/midi (or indeed, full sized) pump either. Here’s a couple..  https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/zefal-profil-mini-rg01-pump    https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/specialized-air-tool-pump