Magnetic Attraction

So, with freshly rebuilt dynohub wheel safely returned to me, and Univega waxed, following some mucky January mile munching, it was time to switch to fixed. 

Following frankenpute euphoria, you’ll imagine my dismay at a flickering and sometimes unresponsive computer display. Big fat flashing zeros are not cool.  

Let us be clear (as the present UK administration is so fond of touting). I had inserted fresh CR2032 cells, adding a slither of Vaseline to the battery contacts, nipped the sensor ties and magnet tight…Most probable causes isolated.

A seasonal Lurgy curtailed further diagnostics, but all seemed to be behaving normally. Both on the work stand and a subsequent mile long loop.

Three days later, back in the saddle, out along the lanes. Dynamo on, blinkies pulsing, erratic readouts... So, I switched the Trelock LS 906 https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/trelock-ls906-dynamo-front-light  lamp off. Consistently accurate, precise readouts resumed. Fluctuations gone.  This remained the case, over two rides and 45 miles.

I’ve never experienced these symptoms with my Univega’s Ultegra, or elderly Nexus hub dynamos. However, Strong magnetic forces, such as those experienced around power plants, and pylons are notorious points of interference. 97.6mph along a long, straight road, anyone? 

 I am also advised Shutter Precision hubs have particularly strong magnets.

Carbon fibre can also prove conductive, which is why good quality greases/assembly pastes must be used on metal components, to avert risk of galvanic corrosion/seizure. Bottom bracket threads being prime candidates. Could it be that the wonder weave, is amplifying said magnetic field, and creating these irregular signals?  

This may dictate moving sensor and magnet to chain-stay and rear wheel. Doing will exhaust computer and sensor cells a little faster. But provided I don’t exceed the 1 metre rule, everything should play nicely.

A wired unit is my last resort. Aside from defeating my “make do and reinvent narrative”, I’ll need to be more mindful when performing headset strips, and similar maintenance.  Blackburn have advised they no longer keep spares for the Atom units and, surprisingly, have deleted computers from their range.

Another rummage through the bodge box unearthed this VDO M3 WL, which appears to have a sensor fault. I’ve tried all the above techniques, but they won’t play nicely. Nor any other brands, for that matter, so I’ve emailed their UK importer for help. 

Despite constant headlines threatening a second ice-age, the thermostat has hovered around a seasonally typical 5 degrees.

No call for spikes just yet, although the wind chill prompted donning of Northwave Balaclava, once or twice.  These Oxford bright 4.0 gloves https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/oxford-1

have also come into their own and Steve’s been impressed by Proviz Reflect 360 CRS Plus Jacket https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/proviz-reflect360-crs-plus-jacket  

Chainsaw oil is continuing to do the business and some 140 miles in, is probably the closest to a bike specific, wet lubricant. I’m bargaining 500 miles from a single application. On paper, it’s looking a costlier option, compared with the bargain basement 5w/40. However, the latter attracted more scuzz. Most apparent within the cassette.

There’s been some further perch swapping, courtesy of this Pro Turnix gel saddle, which now graces my fixed gear winter/trainer. Its Selle Italia Novous boost superflow has been ported over to my tubby tourer and I’ve earmarked the BBB Echelon, elsewhere. Possibly the Goldhawk Roadax, if I can’t live with its stock/OEM model.

New Year’s Revolutions

The festive season is very much business as usual for me. I simply ease off and work in strategic blocks, rather than assume standby. This method alleviates burn out on the one hand, yet ensures creative juices flow seamlessly into January.

Christmas was spent in the midlands, a region gripped by a sudden easterly front, bringing freezing overnight temperatures. The significance being I was attending Coventry Road Club’s annual Boxing Day Cyclo Cross meet on Kenilworth common.

Bitten by some mild, energy sapping seasonal bug, I managed ninety minutes behind the lens before arctic blasts and loathsome lurgi persuaded me back to base via the city’s infamous ring road. Short, localised snow flurries followed that evening but disruption was minimal.

Said weather front tailed me south the following night, prompting fitment of those spiked Schwalbe winter tyres to the Univega’s hoops. Prudent since the mercury staggered towards zero and most local lanes were sheet ice. Nonetheless, we cantered along at 17-20mph while drivers of automatic SUVs and smaller cars struggled with traction.

Two hardy but courteous riders on pared- to- the- essentials road bikes warned of dicey bends looming ahead. Naturally, I eased off, not wanting to tempt fate, though the gravelly patter inspired confidence. Took the same route next morning and loved every minute.

Minor limitations aside, that Tenn kit performed particularly well in these contexts, which is remarkable given their modest asking price. Keep your eyes peeled for a full report on “Sevendaycyclist” www.sevendaycyclist.co.uk .

I haven’t upgraded the tubby one’s headset yet, primarily because £17 worth of dedicated crown removal tool has; you guessed it, failed to materialise in the postal malaise. Temptation was to improvise using an engineer’s mallet and flat bladed screwdriver but I’ll hold fire for now.

Along with snow and a family bereavement on Boxing Day, came the news that City link had gone into receivership. The logistics industry has been fiercely competitive for some time and the role of multi drop driver set to become extinct courtesy of technological change.

However, while there is no room for sentiment in business (meeting deadlines and targets are imperative for survival); even those with scant empathy can appreciate the dismay and resentment expressed by employees and sub-contractors. Some of whom have reportedly not been paid, or expect to receive remuneration for the past six weeks’ service.

Pragmatically, the world is tough and people adapt-as several “upmarket” tabloids would doubtless attest. Fine and dandy in abstract but experience suggests successfully extrapolating oneself from the wreckage without everything imploding is no mean feat.

Talking of technology, Ged Holmyard at Edinburgh Bicycle Co-operative www.edinburghbicycle.com  popped their Revolution Velocity 20 function cycle computer out to me. OK, so wireless units are pretty much ten a penny these days and we’d be forgiven for thinking contemporary examples do everything bar triggering the kettle five minutes from home/work.

However, minor overlap aside, temperature recorder, thermometer, calorie count and fat burned indicator are talking points. Well, they caught my attention-time will reveal whether they’re genuinely useful, or gimmick. There’s nothing convoluted about calibration and formative fettling suggests it’s among the most intuitive I’ve used to date.  

Right; now to thrash out some frame angles while these brushes marinate in my makeshift parts washer…