Letting Off Steam

Chain length sorted, I’m back to enjoying Ursula’s, drop bar charms along the dirt roads and trails. Changing the rear shifter’s inner wire was another inspired decision, improving shifting performance for literal pennies. I’ve been running the Schwalbe Smart Sam up front and the Maxxis Ikon Maxxis Ikon Tyres | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) behind to compare the two in various contexts. While both tyres seem very competent off-road, the Schwalbe have an edge when cornering on wet asphalt and appear to roll a little quicker on hardpack too.  

On this basis I’ve decided to switch the Ikon back to the Sputnik/XT wheel and pop the Smart Sam on the Ryde/Halo Spin Doctor. Famous last words, the existing KMC chain is faring well. Plan is to run it for another 800miles (c. November) and then, assuming it's worn significantly, switch to one of the pe-cut 106 link replacements. For the meantime, lube-wise I’m staying with the Momum MIC Wax Momum MIC Wax Lube | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) since its clean and easy to top up, as necessary. Aside from being lighter, rigid forks have some definite benefits in winter.  Zero maintenance, save for washing and periodic inspection.  

Then of course, here in the UK, ground tends to be softer, so boing is less crucial, and I personally prefer the handling in these contexts. I went for the cantilever and disc mount version of the Carbon Cycles eXotic Fork with Disc and V Brake mounts Carbon Cycles Exotic Fork | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) on the grounds of versatility- I could switch to a cantilever stopper, if necessary but admit its disc only sibling is a sleeker choice. It also has other advantages when it comes to front mudguards.  

I had to modify the Mud Hugger Evo slightly to achieve a good fit. Cracking front guard (fender) incidentally. I also recognise that suspension technology has come along leaps and bounds since a set of Rock Shox Indy SL. Another lightweight and uncomplicated design that I raced with some twenty-three years back.  

Mine used the Eglund air cartridges which were a marked improvement on the OEM elastomers. They couldn’t be locked out, in the literal sense but near as damnit with the shock pump. Lock-out functions mean a bouncy fork can behave like a rigid fork without needing to switch and they’re a serious boon for more technical trails. Horses for courses.  

Lighting has also evolved and arguably more dramatically. However, when it comes to longer trail outings, I’ll still reach for a more traditional master blaster. The Sigma Buster HL2000 SIGMA SPORT BUSTER HL 2000 | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) has been around for some time now but in my book, still is truly relevant, especially given the 1300lumen mode is good for 5 hours riding. I’ve switched mine to the Lazer Chameleon Helmet in preparation but for the time being, am putting the Ravemen PR2000 through its paces. 

Thankfully, the weather’s still very balmy, so the Holdsworth and I have been enjoying some early morning blasts- I'd regret not taking this opportunity come November. Interestingly, the LR and PR series use the same mount, meaning it's easily ported between bikes- the Holdsworth and fixed gear winter trainer to suit. As a rough and ready guide, the LR series is optimal for road-biased duties, the PR for those who lean more toward the trail.  

  

The Holdsworth’s seat stay is also sporting the Infini Sword, which has impressed me with its frugality. The pulsing and flashing modes are surprisingly bright and peripheral presence is better than I was expecting and when compared with otherwise likeable Oxford Ultratorch  R50 Slimline Rear Light TEST & REVIEW: OXFORD ULTRATORCH R50 SLIMLINE REAR LIGHT (sevendaycyclist.com)    

Funny how things turn up when you’re not hunting them. My Park SPA2-C pin tool rematerialized, so I switched the Fixed Gear Winter/Trainer’s bog-standard crank bolts over to self-extractors. I also checked I still had a couple of 68x107 cartridge bottom brackets in stock, which I did. I tend to get around 8-9,000 miles from the UN55, 6,000 from patterns.

The Holdsworth is still running an ACOR unit and doesn’t do big miles, so I’m not expecting that to get the grumbles. However, they’re another part that trundles on faithfully and without complaint, then expires without notice. That said; I’d probably treat the Holdsworth to something more exotic, dare I say slightly lighter. On that note, I'll leave you with my review of the Carbon Cycles eXotic Carbon Titanium Seatpost Carbon Cycles eXotic Carbon Ti Sea | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)      

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.