Race Against Time

 

 

No, I haven’t taken up time trialling (although I’m aware I’ve threatened to do so at several points during the last fifteen years). Maybe it’s a midlife thing but I'm increasingly feeling that time is slipping through my fingers and a relentless need to press on with things. In many respects this is positive, making the most of each day but it can also be exhausting-mentally. 

 

Dry, balmy conditions have meant plenty of extended playtimes on the Teenage Dream and I'm continually impressed by how well the CST Cito accelerate and handle. For me at least, 100-105psi seem their sweet spot and even the familiar tang of melting asphalt and stray, loose chippings haven’t held them back. If the balmy weather continues, I may pluck the Holdsworth from hibernation, give it a quick waxing using the Motoverde Waterless Wash & Wax and rack up some early morning summer miles Motoverde Waterless Wash & Wax | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com).  

Similar story with the Maxxis Re Fuse, which have also continued to impress with their handling and relative compliance when run at 63-65psi. Dependability is also very favourable. I was expecting positive things, given their casings are an upgrade on the Silk Sheild system employed in the Maxxis Overdrive Excel, which is good, albeit with some limitations. The acid test of course, is how they hold up with a few thousand miles and a filthy, wet and dark winter under their casings.  

On the subject of tyres and pressures specifically, my long serving and much loved SKS Airchecker that I’ve had for 12 years or so, fell into a suitably deep, sudsy bucket while I was cleaning the fixed.  Liberal blasts of Motorex Joker 440 Motorex Joker 440 | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) were delivered through the battery compartment, before leaving it drying in strong sunlight with the battery compartment open).  

 

Nope, dead. I had entered a state of mourning, unable to consign it to the bin. Then, curiosity urged me to give it a final try. I reinstated the battery, and it sprung back to life!  

Fabulous build quality, design and ergonomics...Bar/PSI modes, orange backlight, dual (Presta/Schrader) head, bleed valve... A bit pricey for hauling along in a pannier, or more often, Carradice SQR Tour luggage CARRADICE CARRADRY SQR BAG | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) (I kept this wallet-friendly and very cheerful analogue Revolution model for these duties).  

The Revolution also features a dual head valve and a pressure release valve for those times when you’ve been a little enthused or distracted. Smart heads are super convenient, but their only downside is the design’s fragility, as they use a sprung mechanism. Though rare, (especially if you’re using them periodically- a couple of times a week) I’ve had them blow into smithereens at the least convenient moment, inducing some equally colourful language.

   

Against this backdrop, I’ve been sent these two Topeak gauges for testing. The Shuttle Gauge G2, which is a compact analogue model designed to be compatible with Presta, Schrader and Dunlop valves. It’s also designed to work with air shocks, so a good bet for carrying on the bike. I’ve also been sent the brands’ Smart Gauge D2X digital. Measuring 1.8x4.2x1.9cm and reckoned good for 260psi, there are quite a few similarities with the SKS, including the backlight and bleed valve but some refinements too-It’ll measure PSI, BAR and kg/cm2, for example.  

  

I’m appreciating the lighter mornings too, which are enabling longer outings and changes in route(s). The fixed’s chain is still sporting a decent helping of Motoverde Chain Lube with PTFE so no need to change and the Momum MIC Dry Oil Lube Momum Mic Dry Oil Lube | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  seems a great seasonal fit for the Teenage Dream’s Sachs.  

It penetrates deep into the chain’s inner sanctum, requires 30 minutes curing time and is super clean. Given dawn is very prompt, I’m just running two potent blinkies on the Teenage Dream, while fixed and Ursula are sharing the See Sense Beam+ and suitably potent rear blinkies with daylight running modes for presence. Daylight running modes though not wildly so, still divide opinion.  

I’ll admit when they became “a thing” I was slightly concerned other road users would become “blind” to the few hundred flashing/pulsing lumens, rather like drivers tended to notice motorcyclists initially when machines started defaulting to this function, but progressively stopped noticing.  

There is some evidence to suggest these have a positive influence upon motor/cyclist safety but for cyclists at least, these need to be both bright enough and emit at the right tempo.   Lumens are not the only measure. Reflectors and lenses are arguably more significant since light must be projected efficiently and without causing nuisance.  

For example, I’m finding the Magicshine SeeMee150’s 45-lumen flash (more a pulsing in my book but nothing to get hung up over.) surprisingly effective. The Teenage Dream runs this Moon Nebula, which is a few years old but still in rude health and very capable. The 100-lumen daylight running mode certainly cuts it. However, the 20-lumen flash is also surprisingly effective, even around dawn.   

One of the features I love about the See Sense Beam+ See Sense Beam+ Front Light | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) is the flashing mode’s intelligent setting, meaning it regulates output to suit conditions and the sensored technology is one of the most responsive and exacting I’ve found. It's also laughably frugal in terms of run times.  

 

 

Bright Lights Cold Nights

Second week in bedsit land and the boiler has gone bong, meaning no heating and hot water. Memories of the winter of ’92 are flooding back. At present, the temperatures are still creeping into double figures and this property is double-glazed. Therefore, the frosty glaze remains on the outside my window, when I don Lycra and head out for a 5am ride.

Cold showers and a vanishing toilet seat are less welcome, although said facilities remain superior to that infamous East London property 28 years back. Indeed, its 28 years since I bought my first LED light. A rear, two mode Vistalight that was essentially a reflector on steroids but a huge leap ahead of the basic, heavy filament lights that were the norm then.  

Enter these Magicshine See Mee lights. I have the 200, 180 and 100 versions on my test bench and am seriously impressed. The highest figure refers to the “Braking function” which kicks in for three seconds when their motion sensor detects deceleration/similar changes in momentum.

Formative impressions suggest these are too sensitive, triggered by washboard tarmac and longer climbs, thus putting a noticeable dent in run times. Thankfully, they can be switched off. “Braking” lights have become more popular but most I’ve used seem prone to these quirks, so I’m not singling the See Mee range out, per se.

The flashing modes are very effective and relatively frugal, across the board. The 200 also has a tracer light, a secondary diode that casts a 360degree flood at the road, to highlight bike and rider-again, fantastic in terms of presence and my inner child has grinned at the novelty value.

Talking of which, these are competitively priced. The 200 costs £33.99, the 100 £25.99. (At the time of typing, I’m not sure of the 180’s rrp). For the time being, I’m sticking with the Continental Contact Speed Reflex. These continue to impress with their tarmac hugging prowess, low rolling resistant and magic carpet ride quality. To my surprise, the Lezyne Floor Drive track pump’s gauge has expired. I’d had it for some years and it’s a really solidly made unit.

I didn’t want the hassle of buying and installing a replacement gauge, so I went the standalone route and this Topeak Smart Gauge D2. The only potential weak spot is the sprung head. I liked the original Smart Gauge, which came my way some 16 years back, which was a little simpler and had a press on head that would automatically morph to a Schrader, or Presta valve.

Alas after a few years faithful service, mine imploded rather dramatically. A backlight function would be rather handy, say when getting back on the road following a flat-my SKS Air Checker (in storage) has one.

Some would say for the same price, I could’ve bought another track pump but that would be wasteful, since the Lezyne is really well made and a standalone gauge is not only portable but the most accurate. Elsewhere, on the protective/winter front expensive crank arms can get a spanking. These Zefal Crank Armor https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/zefal-crank-armor  are an inexpensive way of protecting them from dings, stones, and other accidental damage. However, they won’t guard against unsightly toe-strap rub and may present compatibility niggles with some cadence sensors.

I was stunned to discover Control Tech are ceasing production of the Silicone bar tape, which I’m astonished, since performance is top notch, in all conditions. 155g (uncut, including CNC machined ends) might be a touch portly for bikes on calorie-controlled diets. However, for mile munching tourers, gravel, and winter bikes, there’s so much going for it.  Need something bike-themed to read as lockdowns come into force? This might fit the bill https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/northbound-down 

    

Too Much Pressure?

There’s been no relent in the wet weather. Thankfully, my Univega’s dressed for foul conditions and mixed terrain service. Besides, I needed to test the mud-shedding prowess of these Wellgo MO94B pedals https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/wellgo-m094 and cast my own, personalised imprint in the Cycles Berthound Solour leather saddle. 

After 85 miles, the latter and I were in friendly acquaintance territory, 150 miles in and the friendship is blossoming. Regular feeding of the hide, using Proofide, or a similar quality leather preserve also helps accelerate this process. Once forming is complete, feeding need only be done every 6 weeks or so.  

Existing gearing was low enough to winch myself through the thick, boggy mud. However, I’ve concluded a 38 (rather than 40) tooth ring would strike the elusive sweet spot. Enough zoom for the flat and descents, just a little more grunt on the climbs.  

Production 5 arm 94 BCD rings are getting harder to source (although I am advised that Stronglight still list them). I’m not prepared to pay “classic” prices for NOS (New Old Stock) rings either. However, the existing Talon ring is in rude health and if something suitable comes along, brilliant, if not the gearing is, in the main, perfectly serviceable. 

While I’m delighted that high quality, small scale manufacturing/engineering is very much alive, sourcing products from Europe and indeed, elsewhere could become fraught with difficulty, come 2021.  

Unfortunately, highly skilled engineering and similar vocational education is (and has long been) regarded as a poor second to academic learning. A long-standing snobbery, which is neither accurate nor desirable.  

I graduated 25 years ago, during a recession. During this period, I was also keen on pursuing a new life in the Netherlands. I had a girlfriend studying there. Catching her aside her housemate (who had a 1st class honours degree), seemingly ingesting his enviable intellect saw any love for her evaporate, replaced by a strengthening bond to the Dutch.  

One thing led to another and I decided to check out the cross-country mountain bike scene there. I met an ex-pat and former banker who had relocated from the UK and retrained as a skilled machinist. Decent salary and standard of living, too. He’d never looked back. 

For the uninitiated, a skilled machinist operates machine tools to manufacture and repair precision equipment. It requires a solid understanding and application of mechanics, metals, layout and machining procedures. Apprentice trained engineers are life-lomg learners by nature and continuously develop their knowledge/skillset.  

The same is not necessarily true of University graduates, regardless of specialism-at least, here in the UK.  In the late 90’s, the UK administration introduced life-long learning accounts. A system, which was well-intentioned and originally aimed at people made redundant, when traditional industries collapsed.  

Unfortunately, this didn’t reach the intended/target audience, so it was quietly disbanded. It was recently resurrected as part of the Liberal Democrats’ election manifesto, and once again, been consigned to the vaults of history.  

Observing the patterns, I do not feel we will reach a point of total automation, where human labour/skills are made redundant but the skills required (and to some extent, legal/insurance implications) will need to change and it is quite possible that many people will be unable to make these transitions.   

These will not replace important “soft” skills, such as emotional intelligence, which are also incredibly important, in any role requiring human interaction. For example, a heating engineer who communicates well and problem solves on this level, is also likely to have more customers than one who is technically very competent but lacking in inter-personal abilities.   

I’ve been chatting a lot about handlebars in recent entries, specifically Soma Condor and Genetic’s D-Riser family. These are riser drops and some would argue, more specialist than required by some road-biased riders. Arguably, components on complete bikes should be proportional to frame size e.g. stem length, bar width etc.  

Similarly, there is a perfectly reasonable argument for making substitutions/upgrades at the point of sale. Tyre and saddles are two prime examples. This has changed slightly, given modern retailing- the switch to online, rather than physical shop consultations and purchases.  

However, unless something is obviously the wrong width/pattern/size, there’s an argument for running stuff a little while, then upgrading/replacing at a later stage.  At £30, Steve reckons the Genetic STV Road Handlebars are a great starting point for generic, road-biased riding.     https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/genetic-stv-road-handlebars 

Continuing my theme, some inexpensive but cheerful “Lifeline” branded tooling arrived, including this digital tyre gauge. Even though those fitted to most track pumps have much closer affinity to reality, getting pressures spot on gets the best from tyres and ride quality. Capable of registering 160psi, the digital is a little small, compared with a  Topeak Smartguage I had some 15 years back.   

However, in common with this premium quality SKS unit (that’s been loyal to me for a decade, or so), it features a useful backlight. Another similarity is the dual (rather than “smart”) valve head. There’s no denying the “Smart” type, which automatically morph to fit Schrader/Presta heads are super convenient.  

However, in my experience, the sprung mechanism is their Achille's heel, eventually going the self-destruct route. It also features a bleed valve, for quick tweaks and runs from the ubiquitous CR2032 button battery.  

Giving change from £10, it doesn’t feel fragile but it will be interesting to see how accurate and durable it proves. The backlight and valve light and similar features suggest it’s intended to be taken along for the ride.  

Given the price point, if it did take a bad knock, then cheap enough to replace. Nonetheless, I’m more inclined to carry an analogue model, such as this Revolution, since there’s no risk of accidental, battery draining engagement.         

There is a perception among some, that tough tyres “suck the joy out of riding”. However, this needn’t be the case. The Schwalbe Marathon GT https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/schwalbe-marathon-gt-tyres are relatively portly but still deliver a very smooth and relatively quick ride.  

I’ve had a couple of flats over the past few years and countless thousand miles. 800 odd grams is pretty much as portly as I’d want to go. Nonetheless, I’d prefer a few additional grams and reclaim riding time, over tending punctures on dark, rainy nights.