Winter had returned with a white blizzard. The air temperature had been around 2-3 degrees but windchill meant it felt closer to minus 2 and visibility was also dropping. Something that sprung to mind while I was out on Denise. I'd donned the Castelli Espresso JerseyCastelli Espresso Air Jacket | cycling-not-racing and Bib TightsCastelli Espresso Bib Tights | cycling-not-racing, Waterproof jacket, waterproof socks, Shimano MW7Shimano MW7 (MW702) Gore Tex MTB Shoes | cycling-not-racing, traditional polyester/cotton cap and the Lomo waterproof gloves. Toasty enough to focus on the conditions. Thankfully, it hadn't frozen overnight, so the roads and lanes were just soft and slushy under tyre.
The MW07 had also become as filthy as they were before I'd deep cleaned them only the day before. Much the same story with Denise, mucky spatter clinging to the down, seat tube and rear triangle. I’d decided to give her a good sudsy bucket wash every four rides, mitigating the risk that winter might take a bite from anodising and pretty paintwork, although decent quality waxes and an absence of gritting lorries along the lanes and B roads certainly helped.
During this phase, I was beginning to question my enthusiasm for lighter weight lubes, but decided I'd stay with them, for the time being. Better more regular application, than a grinding paste. There was plenty of waxy gunk falling away from the jockey wheels during the latest deep clean.
While combing through the cassette, the tool literally disintegrated. Not totally unexpected-I’d had it years and, in my experience, the witches brew of old lube and solvents usually dissolve them. Bin fodder, but I’d enjoyed the satisfying process of coaxing lumps of congealed, waxy stuff from the jockey wheels and derailleur cage. According to the chain gauge, there was plenty of life left in the KMC chain, which was another welcome find, so I stripped the side-plates of residual lube and scuzzy stuff, then reapplied some of the Peaty’s Link Lube All Weather.
We're quite fond of Blub's range of lubricants, although they seem a little quirky. For example, the ceramic Blub Ceramic Chain Lube | cycling-not-racing and dry Blub Wax Lube | cycling-not-racing blends will need reapplying if bike(s) are left standing longer than 48 hours between rides, which might be a moot point on a commuter, or daily driver, but not ideal for sunny day's playthings. Talking of which, Steve's been long-term testing their P Wet lube Blub Wet Lube | cycling-not-racing
I’ve decided I’ll switch the Deore crankset’s plastic bearing pre-load cap for a CNC machined aluminium alloy unit, designed to be adjusted using a 10mm Allen key. These are heaps more convenient-especially if I need to snug the bearing preload mid ride. This induced some foraging in the spares boxes- I knew I had one somewhere...Sure, I could buy another for £6 or so on the auction sites but knowing I already had one doing nothing irked me.
Thankfully, I’d located one within twenty minutes, inducing a loud cheer. There are models designed for 8mm Allen keys, which would be easier still, given they’re a common feature on contemporary multi tools. However, with the Oxford Torque R10 Mini Ratchet runs a ¼ inch adaptor, thus widely compatible with other bits, so you can build a custom kit for the road. In many respects, this suits me down to the ground.
However, there’s a lot to be said in favour of the pocket workshop types with chain tools-they can be popped in your chosen luggage and will cater for most situations. Indeed, I’d probably steer those starting out to one of the pocket workshops. Lifeline LIFELINE 18IN1 MULTITOOL | cycling-not-racing or Passport CDW PASSPORT CDW MULTITOOL | cycling-not-racing have impressed us. Muc Off 17 in 1 Multi Tool Muc-Off 17 in 1 Multi Tool | cycling-not-racing is another solid option, if you were seeking a very compact model.
I’d been a little conscious that Denise’s carrier and mudguard eyelet threads were exposed.
I’d put a drop of winter weight chain lube on them as a preventative measure, but recent wet and muddy outings convinced me it was time to blank them off. A rummage in my fasteners draw unearthed four suitable candidates. Dipping the threaded ends in some Oxford Mint Assembly Grease Oxford Mint Assembly Grease | cycling-not-racing, I sped them home with a 4mm Allen key. 2nm is reckoned the best torque setting for these, and similar fasteners, but I literally just wound them to the bare minimum. A small, but strangely satisfying tweak while I was waiting for the tumble drier to do its thing.
Alternatively, you could go for some Zits. No, not the sort you punished the mirror with during your teens, I’m referring to these Portland design Works (PDW) Zit Bitz PDW Zit Bitz | cycling-not-racing which are designed to blank off unused threaded bosses on your frame, or fork. They’re not intended to take any loading i.e. hold a rack, mudguards (fenders). Aside from adding some colour, dare I say “bling” to your bike(s) they prevent rain and other ingress sneaking inside and creating mischief- rust-stained bottle bosses, no thanks!
Temperatures continued to tank over the coming nights, prompting a switch to Ursula and the Schwalbe Ice Spiker Pro. However, in practice, the roads remained thawed, and slushy come sun rise, so I stuck with Denise. I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how well the Continental Pure Contact Tyres have coped, cutting through and shedding churned gloop much better than I was expecting. That being said, knobblies can rapidly become slicks in these conditions. 35mm cyclo cross designs are an obvious alternative to gravel specific rubber. Hmm, watch this space..
