Star Fangled Nuts & More Aheadset Doings

I decided it was time to inspect the Holdsworth’s Saturn Aheadset, apply some fresh grease to the lower race, and tackle the compression wedge. I reckoned this wasn’t doing its job, permitting slow but steady play in the bearings.  Ultimately, switching to a Star Fangled Nut proved the way forward, since I had a 1inch in stock and the press tool.  

Time to review the stack of spacers too.  

Again, I had just the right number of silver 1mm, 1-inch units, bought when I was experimenting with the Shimano Zee crankset. Having instated the Star Fangled Nut, everything came together beautifully.  

Lashings of Park PPL-1 Grease TESTED: PARK TOOL POLYLUBE 1000 LUBRICANT FOR BICYCLES (sevendaycyclist.com) were applied to the Woodman Saturn Aheadset’s needle roller bearings, I slid the fork back into the Holdsworth’s headtube, added the spacers, the shim and torus titanium stem. One final black spacer, then popped the stem cap in situ.  

During this phase, I noticed the Jagwire Pro Road Cable TEST: JAGWIRE PRO ROAD BRAKE KIT (sevendaycyclist.com) outer had seen better days, so I switched that for a TRP outer, taking that opportunity to move the Tektro lever a few milimtres. Preload set, I reintroduced the front wheel, turned the bars and, brake engaged, tested for play...A fraction too snug, easily fixed by slackening the preload 1/8th of a turn. 

Bars aligned, I torqued the stem bolts to 6nms, pumped the brake lever a few times to check the Miche dual pivot calipers were engaging, and resetting-job done. Tyres inflated, fresh chain lube (Momum MIC Dry Lube, in case you were curious), a light waxing and fully prepped for a Sunday morning blast. Earlier in the week, it had been torrentially wet, so given the favourable forecast, I had been gagging to get out on my pared-to-the-essentials' sunny days’ plaything.  

Having let rip for 90 minutes, or so, immersed in the machine’s responsive, playful and yet dependable handling, I returned and decided it was time for another game of musical pedals. I switched the Shimano XT from fixed gear winter trainer, to Ursula, ED500 to fixed gear winter/trainer.   

It also coincided with an uncharacteristic and decidedly unsettling inability to disengage from the right-hand XT at the close of our last ride. The source of this potential embarrassment, a (very) loose cleat. Easily sorted, but I digress... 

Nothing to do with me being contrary, rather I needed to see how well the ED500 would fare in terms of ground clearance, on the fixed. 

Essentially a cyclocross bike with track ends and spacing, the bottom bracket is relatively tall, and I’ve had no grounding issues with 175mm cranks, in the past. The Genetic Tibia GENETIC TIBIA TRACK CRANKS & RING | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) are 172mm long, so wasn’t expecting any issues when it comes to more aggressive cornering. Appearances can be deceptive since the overall width isn’t radically different.  

However, I suspected there may be greater potential for clipping the ED500 on a particular tight corner-roundabouts being cases in point. In the real world and the last 100 miles or so, pairing the ED500 and fixed has been remarkably harmonious, dare I say inspired and not what I was expecting. Hmm, think they’ll stay.   

I’m also warming to these 360 Merino High Calf Socks. These, as their name implies, are a long waterproof breathable sock comprising of a merino outer a waterproof mid layer and a terry layer next to the skin.  

These aren’t cycling-specific and a little thicker than some but seem a great pairing with wider, mtb/gravel shoes, including these Shimano MT701 or the FLR Rexton Touring/Trail Shoe FLR REXSTON ACTIVE TOURING/TRAIL SHOE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) I’d witched to these following rains of biblical proportions, which was great for the garden, but meant very wet feet, wearing more traditional cycling socks-even with the Shimano MT701.

  

The 360 are proving incredibly comfortable, even in warmer conditions. They’re only intended to be washed by hand, which may be a deal-breaker for some. Mine accidentally found themselves doing a Tour De Samsung but thankfully have emerged unscathed-definitely luck, not judgement. Steve was also very taken with their blue ankle socks 360DRY BLUE ANKLE SOCKS | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) I’ve been quite taken with this Funkier Mirano Pro Short Sleeve Jersey Funkier Mirano Gents Short Sleeve Jersey | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

 

Released & Regreased

 

A slotted “screen break” and the arrival of this Park FR4 freewheel remover presented the ideal opportunity to tackle the Teenage Dream’s Regina freewheel. I’d applied several helpings of PTFE lube and left it marinating for several days, so a sporting chance of it budging and without taking the Athena’s hub threads into the bargain. I switched the Shimano head on this Cyclo tool for the Park, gave the freewheel another firm blast of PTFE lube, then engaged the tool. No surprise that the Park’s splines meshed beautifully with the Regina’s.  

However, despite some considerable effort, nothing was moving. Another blast of PTFE-based lube was followed with a few deft taps from an “engineer’s” mallet to the tool handle. Holding the wheel firmly with my left hand, applying considerable pressure to the tool with my right while grunting like an 80’s shot-putter secured movement and ultimately release.  

Threads unscathed, I decided to give the freewheel a liberal helping of Muc-Off fast-acting degreaser to remove congealed brown gloop. A mix of propellent and strong solvent rapidly bites into the grot, breaking it down but still demands liberal stiff-brush agitation.  

Dinner plate clean required a subsequent helping of Squirt Bike Wash Concentrate, some further agitation, and finally, a warm water rinse.  same story with the hub threads. As I’ve said in an earlier post, they’re not badly “out of round” rather nuisance value, and now is the time to correct that.  

At this stage, deadlines were my priority, so I packed everything away, penciling in the hub strip and re-grease for another time. Not least as I couldn’t find my 14mm cone spanners and am “on the clock” during the week. Sure enough, I found my cone spanners and got busy on Saturday afternoon, following my first AstraZeneca COVID shot.  

Everything came apart reasonably easily, although the existing grease had turned the consistency of gravy. 9 bearings each side and the cones were decanted into a magnetic parts bowl. I gave everything a liberal blast of the Muc -Off High-Pressure Quick Drying Degreaser - Chain & Cassette and a quick clean rag scrubbing later brought everything up to spec.  

No signs of pitting/similar damage, so I pumped a load of Park into the races, repatriated the bearings, setting them into the thick green gloop, before adding another generous piping over the top. Same story with the hollow axle before sliding this through and winding the cones and other components home.  

Getting the tension bang on took some perseverance-so close each time but still a fraction too tight/slack. Paid off in the end. The front wheel was much easier, although again, the grease had turned to an oily brown gravy. Two blasts of the Muc -Off High-Pressure Quick Drying Degreaser - Chain & Cassette dismissed this and evaporated I the time required to locate the Park Grease.   

I’ll drop the wheels to a well-respected local builder for truing, as opportunity presents.  Common side effects (head cold type symptoms-aching limbs and minor headaches etc) kicked in that evening. I managed a ride beforehand and another the following morning but felt distinctly rough during the day, then onward. 

 

Mornings remain cold and crisp and at the lower end of single figures. I’ve stuck with tights and winter booties and alternate between winter weight, long sleeve jerseys and summer weight models with these Primal Comic Book Thermal arm warmers PRIMAL COMIC BOOK THERMAL ARM WARMERS | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and a technical jacket. This 7mesh Cypress Hybrid Jacket 7mesh Cypress Hybrid Cycling Jacket | Seven Day Cyclist being a great default. Gilets are another wise investment.  

The really thin, shell types are great for contingencies and very changeable conditions since they pack small but I’m rather fond of middleweight designs with a laminated fabric, which will keep the torso temperate and relatively dry. They often have pockets, which is another welcome touch. My preference is for those with the classic three terrace rear, zippered breast up front, perfect for stowing compact camera and similar tech, I’d want ready access to.