Hedging Bets

 

Yet again, the UK is being promised Iceman’s imminent return to the UK. I’m of the opinion that it's another distraction from the nation's bigger issues by client media. That said; complacency’s not my speed and now was the time to inspect the Ryde/Halo Spin Doctor’s punctured Schwalbe Winter (240).  

The hole proved elusive- it was a modest, yet surprisingly deep cut, reminiscent of that which struck their Marathon 365 cousins. It hadn’t pierced the breaker, so it was filled with superglue, and I put a fresh tube in, repairing and resigning the butyl to spare status. Easily fixed with the smallest patch.  

The Rema Tip Top TTO2 is basically my first choice- some including (Hutchinson and Cure C Cure) come close but can’t quite match the Rema Tip Top for reliability. Reflecting on things, the tube had succumbed to a graze, and I strongly suspect a premium grade wouldn’t and I'd just need to plug the tyre with glue.  

Staying with this wheelset, I’m really taken with the Halo Spin Doctor hub- its slick, refined and feels bulletproof. It runs on 6000 and 6200 bearings, rather than the ¼ inch balls employed by the Shimano XT and Deore units I’ve overhauled recently.  

Unlike the Halo Fixed-G, the Spin Doctor does not use circlips which require dedicated pliers when stripping and replacing the bearings. I’m nowhere near that stage where anything needs servicing but wanted to check before overhaul’s needed. 

I took that opportunity to strip the cassette of some accumulated lube, which would prove incompatible with the Weldtite   

I remain fond of the Axiom Monsoon Oceanwave City+ AXIOM OCEANWAVE CITY+ SEAT BAG | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) but, even allowing for the integrated cargo net, the single compartment means accessing tools, tubes, and indeed, gloves, micro jackets et al. can be inconvenient.  

Talking of gloves, these Altura Night Vision Waterproof Gloves are still soldiering on 6 years and around 25,000 miles (about 40233.6 km) later, although they are starting to look just a little characterful in places. Their adjustable Velcro cuffs are starting to peel away and there’s a decent amount of patina but, they’ll accommodate liner gloves when it's bitterly cold, and though dexterity can’t match some, but I’m firmly attached to them.  

Come to think of it. I’ve always been fond of Altura’s range from clothing to luggage- well-designed and competitively priced, in my experience. These Carnac Reflective Crab Hand Winter Gloves landed on my desk. Reckoned waterproof, breathable, and only for single-digit rides. Crab/lobster types tend to be toasty but require removal for anything resembling a mechanical.  Calling their bluff, I headed out for a quick, breezy 20-miles, temperature around 8 degrees. They were warmer than I'd typically use in these temperatures but hardly clammy. Dexterity is also better than I've come to expect from the breed.  

Plenty of freezing fog around in the early hours and I’ve tended to default to three layers, rather than the long-sleeve base and jersey cum jacket layer atop.  

Commonly it’s an Altura Night Vision Long Sleeve Jersey, which has served me well since 2010, (or, if it's bitter, a thermal Funkier), and the Dhb Flashlight Force Waterproof Jacket. This is no longer made but has acres of retro-reflective detailing, waterproofing, and breathability ratings of 20,000 and 15,000, respectively. Well-positioned and sensibly sized pockets too- including a breast, two hips, and the classic, zippered poacher are another boon.

Obviously and unlike the Oxford Venture OXFORD VENTURE JACKET | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and 7Mesh Cypress Hybrid 7mesh Cypress Hybrid Cycling Jacket | Seven Day Cyclist jackets it’s not the sort you’d pack down into a jersey pocket. When it turns slightly milder and drier, I reach for a budget BTwin500 Warm Cycling Jacket or Pearson Red Adventure Long Sleeve Cycling Jersey. The Pearson is £150 and great for dry-ish weather and temperatures between 3 and 12 degrees. Pockets are plentiful.  

There are two on the breast, a poacher at the back with one intended for a mini/midi pump. On the other side, there’s a sturdy LED tab-another nice touch. It’s designed with gravel audiences in mind and reckoned capable of withstanding tangles with hawthorn bushes. These qualities lend it nicely to general off-season riding and touring.  

While hunting for packet fresh butyl (I didn’t want to raid the spare just in case I forgot to replenish it. Besides, it’s very much a get-you-home, not a premium tube). I found this 20-function Merida multi-tool, which I’ve packed, along with some other essentials into a zippered cage caddy for easy, mid-ride access. Functions include a comprehensive range of Allen Keys (2,2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 10mm). Then, of course, there are the T10 and T25 Trox keys, a Philips screwdriver, a pad spreader, and spoke keys.  

No chain tool and I’m not keen on steel tyre levers. Hence two Pedro's joined the party. New tube too, while it crossed my mind. More interesting is the Presta/Schrader valve converter, which can be genuinely handy. You might have a trailer or tag along with a Schrader valve or find your Presta pump’s given out at the worst possible moment and there’s a garage air line. Elsewhere, I've returned to the Ravemen TR500 rear light Ravemen TR500 Rear Light | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  and finalised my thoughts regarding the See Sense Beam+ See Sense Beam+ Front Light | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)

Reflecting in the Rain..

 I’ve entered my 49th year and it marks the 36th anniversary of receiving a Holdsworthy-built Claud Butler, and Richard Ballantine’s legendary “Bicycle Book”. Mine was the copy with him fettling a Dawes tourer, sporting 70’s beard and jumper. Cycling (and indeed motorcycling) is a metaphor for life. It's exhilarating, challenging has ups, downs, and builds resilience, character, and resourcefulness.  

There's no such thing as the wrong weather, just the wrong kit...Something I reminded myself of while battling a squally crosswind and a carpet of leaves and dung at 4.30am. Ursula’s big Soma Condor 2 Shallow drop bars SOMA CONDOR 2 SHALLOW DROP BARS | (sevendaycyclist.com) beefy Schwalbe Land Cruiser and Vittoria Evolution Vittoria Evolution Road Bike Tyre | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) held their line impeccably, allowing me to fight the gusts and keep momentum.  

Yes, I know the British are obsessed with the weather, but, leaving aside the political and economic climates, its surprisingly mild here in the UK presently. 10-12 degrees, meaning I ‘ve been donning short sleeve base layers, lightweight long sleeve jerseys and only donning a lightweight shell jacket, such as the Oxford Venture OXFORD VENTURE JACKET | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) or the 7Mesh Cypress Hybrid Jacket 7mesh Cypress Hybrid Cycling Jacket | Seven Day Cyclist 

Its occasionally dipped lower, meaning I’ve reached for the full-finger Seal Skinz, but these Passport Crochet Back Cycling Mitts TEST & REVIEW: PASSPORT CROCHET BACK CYCLING MITTS (sevendaycyclist.com) have often been sufficient which coincidentally, remind me of the first Caratti pair I bought just after receiving the Holdsworthy Butler.

  

Lights have come so far since those days and the infamous Wonder, or Ever Ready glimmer-type filament models. Take this Ravemen TR500Ravemen TR500 Rear Light | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) for example- 500-lumen day flash, braking function, intelligent sensors, and though relatively hefty by contemporary standards at 93.5g, unimaginably light back in the late 80s. I’m developing a fondness for the Ravemen LR1600- big brother to the LR1200 Ravemen LR1200 Front Light | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) tested by Steve, recently, same goes for these Infini Tron and Infini Metis.  

Then along came another saddle, this 137mm (about 5.39 in) Smanie GT, which is reckoned to be all things to all mile-munching riders, be they asphalt, or dirt devotees. It’s a little narrower than my 143mm “ideal”. Ursula might be an odd host but, a good starting point. Faux leather coverings and Cro-moly rails might not set anyone’s Lycra ablaze but strike a good balance between performance, weight, durability, and price, in my experience.  

I was also pleasantly surprised to discover it allowed me to raise the Axiom Ocean Wave City+ Seat Bag slightly, meaning the LED light tab was parallel (or as close to) 

Arguably the Holdsworth is the best host. However, said machine is a sunny day’s plaything and right now, the roads are decidedly waterlogged, which is where these Q36 5 Anfibio Winter Rain Cycling Gloves and Showers Pass Atlas Cycling cap come in.  I’m still fond of Prendas Ciclismo Lisboa Waterproof Cycling Cap PRENDAS CICLISMO LISBOA WATERPROOF CAP | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) although, hand wash only can be a drag sometimes.  I’ve returned to the Shimano MT701 GTX SPD shoes Shimano MT701 GTX SPD Shoes | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  360 Dry calve length socks and have alternated between these Primal Dawn Bib Knickers TEST & REVIEW: PRIMAL DAWN MEN'S BIB KNICKERS (sevendaycyclist.com) and some surprisingly capable, wallet-friendly Triban.  

These form a nice, weather-cheating union without recourse to full-length tights, overshoes, and similar jazz. I’m generally of the opinion that talk of snowfall and “whiteouts” in November are little more than distractions by tabloid newspapers. I’m also tempted to say, “heard it all before” and whipped out the spiked Schwalbe winter, only to discover the narrative was wet and soggy.  

However, there’s a palpable uncertainty at present. Blackouts, anyone? Not that I’m a fan of the salt monster, but with local authority budgets slashed to the bone, gritters may be conspicuous by their absence. A winter wonderland would be an ideal opportunity to evaluate the higher-end Schwalbe spikes but also reminds me that many of society’s most vulnerable will be plunged into circumstances we would’ve considered unimaginable a few years ago.

 

The sudden onslaught of wet, mulchy conditions are great testing grounds, particularly for chain lubes and I’m pleased by how well the Momum MIC Wax Lube Momum MIC Wax Lube | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) is holding up in these contexts- staying put without attracting loads of transmission killing grot. Unlike more traditional waxes, there’s a corrosion inhibiting part, so no orange taint come the first hint of a puddle.  

However, when I last reviewed it, sustained wet stuff still resulted in some tell-tale freckling so we’ll see how much impact November makes. 440 miles per application was returned during the spring, wonder what we’ll achieve this time round...