Momentum, Spuds & Mounts

 

I knew THAT idea was becoming the ONLY idea...The urge to switch Ursula's bar, stem, and brake levers. However, I wanted to avoid being midway through the transplant only to be thwarted by a spacer, or control cable- I strongly suspected the Jagwire Road Elite Sealed Cable Jagwire Road Elite Sealed Brake Kit | cycling-not-racing outers would be a little short at key points. Happy to take my time but crucially get things bang on first time and as with so many things, forward planning is key. I was also trying to trace some Shimano M505 pedals. These had long been succeeded, some might say eclipsed by the legendary 520 but I was curious as to where mine had vanished to.

Presented a good time to strip and re-grease the legendary original 1990 Spuds and I knew precisely where these were.  Balmy weather had seen me spend several weeks racking up a few hundred miles aboard the Holdsworth, enjoying its minimalist, spirited charms.  Clearly, it didn't appreciate the Garmin light mount, which I discovered ejected to an inaccessible part of the garage. This prompted a switch from the ultra-compact Magicshine Allty 400 to Ravemen LR1000 Ravemen LR 1000 Curved Lens Front Light | cycling-not-racing, which is a similarly compact light with a lot more useable power and thanks to the clever optics, much brighter than numbers alone would suggest.

Same goes for its 500-lumen sibling RAVEMEN LR500S FRONT LIGHT | cycling-not-racing. However, the 1000lumens ensures I can navigate the darker lanes, should I find myself out longer than intended on a summer evening.  Staying with lights, Gaciron got in touch and sent me their recently launched Xiaoman 1000 Multifunctional All-in-One Professional Outdoor Front light.

Aside from being a bike light, it's designed for other outdoor activities, including night fishing and hiking. Thanks to the diffusers, it could double as a reading lamp-it may also prove useful in photographic applications- we'll see. The Xiaoman 1000 will also double as a power bank and features a 5000mAh battery.

The highest 1000 lumen mode is claimed to have an illumination range of 200 metres and 2 hours runtime. I was pleased by the sensible staircasing downwards- 600, 300, 100 lumens catering for most riding contexts-great news for urban riders who like to let their hair down along the backroads, or ride through a variety of environments.

There's also a 300-lumen day flash reckoned good for 35 hours between charges and a "Breathe" mode alternating between 50 and 100lumens. Characteristics that lend it nicely to dynamo companionship. IPX6 for weatherproofing and aluminium construction bodes well for durability. There are three colour options-I've gone for black, but white or pink are the alternatives.

It can be mounted atop, or beneath the bars for a sleek, uncluttered effect, courtesy of the symmetrical optics, which is increasingly standard but welcome, nonetheless. I was very slightly disappointed to note the remote is only offered as an aftermarket option- I'd rather see this thrown in with the package, even if it meant upping the price by a couple of quid. 

Gaciron aren't alone in this omission but it's a niggle of mine.  I’m not endeared to the OEM mount design, which is very similar to that employed by Cat-Eye and prone to slippage. I’m looking into a suitable out-front extension mount. The sort that attaches via the stem face, theoretically eliminating the slippage, especially when paired with this Coospo Real Road CS600 GPS Bike Computer Coospo CS600 GPS | cycling-not-racing

 Having popped the Holdsworth back on its hook, having racked up some proper miles and fully reacquainted myself with Cinelli’s Classic Cork Wrap, Muffin and I have settled to some serious miles with the Genetic H-Grip Handlebar Tape, which is proving grippy and supportive. The 18-tooth sprocket has given some welcome additional torque on the climbs-especially when traffic’s slower, or I’m stuck behind a tractor.

It has also led to contemplating a slightly lower ratio for the Holdsworth, but we are talking the contemplative phase, and I do like the taller ratio when belting along. Presently, we’re turning a 79.1-inch gear, switching to a 17tooth would mean 74.5. I’ll give it further thought and may take this route, should I ned to switch a tyre. The Freedom Thick Slick is a very durable slick with great puncture-repelling qualities, but I’ve noted some very subtle deterioration of the sidewall.

One that’s not setting my Lycra ablaze but will be monitored carefully. A blowout might be amusing for onlookers, but I’ve no intention of being the object of someone else’s ridicule. I’d also toyed with upgrading the bottom bracket for a Genetic Karyotype and indeed, taking that route with Muffin next time (although arguably the Karyotype’s minor weight savings don’t justify the additional cost on a trainer, or working bike). I’ll either go for another UN300, or Genetic Cromozone.

Some folks have commented that the Stronglight track 2000 crankset is “made of cheese” citing stripped threads, specifically. I’ve not had any issues, although it’s worth saying I’m religious when it comes to re/greasing threaded components.  That said, should I ever need to retire it, I’d go for another Genetic Tibia GENETIC TIBIA TRACK CRANKS & RING | cycling-not-racing- in silver and possibly 165mm (they’re available in 165, 170 and 175mm).

 

You Never Know What’s around the Corner.

 

Belting along a wet, greasy backroad, just past sunrise I was suddenly serenaded by an awful loss of traction and disconcerting chatter- the fixed’s chain had derailed. I’m not sure who was more horrified- me, or the feline preening itself as I entered the bend. Pulling over to the left I discovered it had mysteriously jammed between the chain tugs. A moment of panic quickly subsided, and I reached inside the Topeak MTX Trunk Dry BagTopeak MTX Trunk Dry Bag | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)for my Pedros Trixie and Pedros’ multi tool, so I could slacken the tug and the track nut.  

I was relieved to find these and doing so released the chain without incident. I hooked it back on the sprocket and front ring checked alignment and snugged the track nut down, ditto the chain tug. Tension sorted, I continued, relieved I wouldn’t be doing a ten-mile walk of shame. I’d just pulled in at home and discovered the front WTB Exposure rapidly losing pressure.  

Well, if it was going to happen, now would be most convenient. One thing led to another. Popped the fixed gear winter/trainer on the work stand, whipped out the wheel and traced the flat to a hedge clipping buried in the tyre’s shoulder. I nearly missed it, having swept my hand around the Exposure’s casing, found nothing and instated a new tube. Thankfully, I was able to free it with this set of needle-nose pliers. Tyre remounted and 70psi inside, I found myself busy with sudsy bucket and Green Oil Massive brush, giving my faithful friend a good clean.  

While cleaning the Spyre SLC calliper, I noticed the semi-metallic pads were OK but showing signs of wear. With more taxing conditions coming, sintered seemed the way forward. Always prudent to have consumables set by, since stuff often wears out at the least convenient moments. I also found another two 10speed chains while having a rummage for a suitable tube (not wanting to deplete the on-bike supply). The Ravemen LR1000 continues to impress me with its output and features- the ability to extend run times, refuel tech and indeed, the battery via another battery or power bank. The Wired remote doesn’t come with the package, I got curious and tried that belonging to the LR500 but being a few years old, the port end was micro-USB, while the LR1000 is the contemporary USB C.  

 I’ve also received this Zefal Supervision R150, which as the name suggests is a rear light producing 150lumens.  IPX6 for weatherproofing bodes well for wet winters and 5 modes (3 steady, two flashing) continue the practical narrative. I’m pleased to note a 15-lumen steady, which is punchy but not overpowering for town duties. The flashing are 150 and 50 lumens, which is great for daylight running and dark nights but overkill for other contexts, which may be a turn off for some. Weirder is the fact it isn’t supplied with a USB C charge cable. Given these things are ubiquitous and dirt cheap (unless that’s the logic for its omission) I’m astonished as to why one hasn’t been tossed in as standard. There are some other interesting quirks. The switch requires a sustained three-second press before the light will power up/down, a second longer than typical these days, which initially convinced me I must have a duff unit that wasn’t charging properly .      

Bike cleaned, re-lubed and put away, it was time to do a quick stint with Ursula. Fitting the headset and forks, specifically. Everything came together nicely, the new Stronglight unit given a liberal bed of Juice Lubes Bearing Juice.   

Inspecting the long serving One23 stem led me to pensioning it off- there was some weakness around the lips. It had done ten years or so and owed nothing. Took a while to track down a suitable substitute, but this ZOOM has proven to be perfect-a quick game of musical spacers and all sorted.  I also ordered some fresh stainless steel bottle boss screws from another supplier.  

I’m all for re-using good stuff but rebuilds are an opportunity to inspect, evaluate and replace things, as necessary. Unless they’re dog eared, I tend to put unwanted fasteners into the spares pot and carry a couple in a sealed packet on the bike, just in case I should lose something-a mudguard, or light mount for example. These and the cages were fitted during the same session and using the Oxford Mint Assembly Grease.