Wind, Rain, Ice, Variable Gears & Seasonal Lows

 I returned from a ride and noted the fixed gear winter trainer’s chain tension was on the slack side. The Z1’s nickel-plated EPT coating was also showing through- the Zefal  Extra Wet Nano Ceramic ZEFAL EXTRA WET NANO CERAMIC CHAIN LUBE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) had been licked clean in places. An easy fix on both counts.  

Given the wet, mulchy conditions, the bike needed another thorough sudsy bucket wash and rinse. Same went for the brushes Finish Line Easy Pro Five Brush Set | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com). I poured some neat bike wash into the bristles, worked this into a lather and rinsed with warm and cool water.  

Grot purged, chain tensioned and re-lubed, I decided New Year was time to switch to Ursula for a while. Aside from fancying some dirt, I needed to conclude some testing-specifically the Raveman XR 6000 Wireless Switch Controlled front light Ravemen XR6000 Front Light | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com), and the Silca Secret Formula Chain lube. For some reason, the XR 6000 refused to power up.  

The battery was showing a 50% charge and when prodded, the remote switch flashed blue but nothing from the lamp. Perplexing, although didn’t stop pre-dawn play, since I had the K-Lite Bike Packer Pro V2 Front Light K LITE BIKEPACKER PRO V2 FRONT LIGHT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) .  

I tried to coax the Ravemen XR 6000 into life at various points during the 20-mile loop, but no joy. I’d not exposed the battery, or connectors to anything IPX6 shouldn’t shrug at. Could I have somehow locked the system so it wouldn’t engage...Concluded I was best served by giving the battery a full charge and trying again. (Spoiler alert, this solved the issue, and I was able to capture some beam shots).  

Ride concluded and decided it was time to top up the Silca Secret Formula Chain Lube. I was slightly perturbed by the brown. Then I remembered it was a waxy formula, so grit, mud and similar contaminant becomes embedded within the top layer, falling away before it can engage with the chain. Some of the local lanes had literally become trails and wet enough that my neighbour's dachshund would need a snorkel.   

All this standing water, though great for testing the capabilities and resilience of technical kit, did not bode well, since temperatures were predicted to tumble. This prompted a switch to the SP SV and XT wheelset, which were shod with the Schwalbe Ice Spiker Pro Schwalbe Ice Spiker Pro Tyres | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) but it held above freezing. At the other end of the rubber world, here’s my review of the Hutchinson Challenger Tyre https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/hutchinson-challenger-tyre 

Roads, including motorway exits, were flooded- the latter I discovered having left one and my little KA being hit by a wall of water. Further along this route, a stranded Mercedes sat slumped in the filthy water, its hazard lights pulsing eerily in the darkness. This was the theme for another ten miles, and I was relieved to pull up on the drive and let the engine run to drive out any floodwater, assisted of course by this Muc-Off Bike Protect. I also went this route post-ride the following morning with Ursula. Cables, cleat mechanisms, mechs etc all given a quick blast, before I reapplied the Silca Super Secret Formula Chain Lube.   

I also noted a paint chip on the seat tube cable guide, so treated that with a light helping of KRUST, adding a lick of high-build marine primer some four hours later. I’ll take the same route with the frame ends come spring. For now, I’m treating them to regular applications of Muc-Off HCB-1, which is designed for harsh environments and will theoretically seal the elements out and keep the grot at bay. Unlike more traditional formulas, it promises not to do anything nasty to electrical contacts, rubberised components etc.  

Cycology has been kind enough to send me their See Me Pink Handlebar bag and 8-day Handlebar tape. The latter is a compact model, which is a better fit for my bars, which have limited real estate when lights, switch gear and computers are taken into account. In common with the See Sense Handlebar Bag SEE SENSE HANDLEBAR BAG | cycling,-but-not-usually-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) I reviewed a while back, it’s possible to mount it, very securely just behind, rather than in front of the bars.  A plus if you’ve a lot going on upfront and/or are running a very stumpy stem.  

 

Master Blasters & Brake Upgrades

I’ve been curious about some ultra-powerful lights for a while now. A deviation from my dynamo devotion, perhaps, but I’ve also been feeling those unmade roads and dirt trails calling Ursula and I as we whizz past. Magicshine offer models with 8,000 and 12000 lumens but I was more intrigued by Ravemen’s interpretation of the “turn night into day” narrative.  

Their UK importer (Bob Elliot & Co Bob Elliot Co Ltd - Suppliers of high quality bicycle supplies to registered traders (bob-elliot.co.uk) sent me the Ravemen XR6000, which delivers a maximum of 6,000 lumens and reckoned good for 1.2 hours. Crucially, there are trail and road settings too, so you’re not going to be dazzling everyone and there’s a wireless remote to make responsible use effortless.   

Aside from the headlining 6,000 lumens, the next prod down is 3,000 lumens (2 hours) and low, 1500 lumens, reckoned to return 4 hours from a full charge of the 8000mAh/7.2 v battery. There are similarly versatile road settings too, projecting a localised flood for broad sweeps and a long-range spot for picking out the detail. The road is a more moderate 1500lumens, 1000lumens and 500 lumens with official run times of 3.5, 5.5 and 10.5 hours, respectively. There's also a rapid flash, for emergencies. 

Build quality is extremely high, not that I’d expect anything less from Ravemen and it's reflected in the £389.99 asking price. The head unit meets IPX8 for weatherproofing (in common with the PR family) and (along with the mount) is made from aluminium alloy with a Mill Type III hard anodised finish.This also serves as a highly effective heat sink, meaning diodes and circuitry stand a sporting chance of leading long and happy lives.  

Naturally, there’s also a thermal cut-out for added protection. 9 diodes in total are projected through an anti-glare lens that produces a T-shaped beam, much like those common in automotive applications.  

The high-low system works in much the same way, so you can quickly dip, to avoid dazzling. The 18-watt battery requires 4.5 hours for a full mains charge and is encased in a “high-quality plastic” which meets IPX6 for weatherproofing. Another similarity with its PR cousins is the easy-to-read OLED display, so you can easily see how much juice/ride time’s left.  

You can also plug in a power bank and other goodies, such as a phone, should you need to refuel them mid-ride. The complete system weights 661g which is a mere 24g portlier than the Sigma Buster HL2000 SIGMA SPORT BUSTER HL 2000 | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  

Elsewhere, I’ve concluded the RL520 levers are a better fit with discs than the otherwise likeable RL340. The latter still offer reasonable performance but the RL520 are designed specifically with V brakes and cable-operated discs in mind. In truth, I’ve gone for black and kept the RL340 behind since it’s designed for cantilevers, and I don’t fancy locking the rear wheel every time I grab the rear brake with any conviction.  

Regularly alternating between the Fixed and Ursula (both running TRP Spyre SLC callipers, identical discs and cables) confirmed the fixed’s RL520 supplies palpably more power. Dia Compe’s 287V Aero V Brake levers pull a claimed 20mm of cable and though highly effective, erred on the fierce side.  

Either way, I took that opportunity to introduce it with a new cable. The 520’s hood profile is slimmer than the RL340, but you’d have to inspect very closely, and the levers aren’t going to present an issue aesthetically, or operationally. A bitterly chill 20-mile test run confirmed this was the right move- oodles more progressive bite, no judder or squeal either.

I say bitterly chill but winter weight soft shell jacket with wind and waterproof membrane locked the wind out and Madison Freewheel Men’s Thermal Bib Tights with Pad Madison Freewheel Thermal Bib Tights | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) are still going strong. I’ve not reached for the Belgian cap just yet but that’ll appear, along with the Schwalbe Ice Spiker Pro this week Schwalbe Ice Spiker Pro Tyres | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

Talking of change, this grey EVE handlebar tape arrived, and I decided it was best adorning the fixed’s Genetic D-Riser 4 bars. GENETIC DRISER 4 HANDLEBARS | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com). But before I disappear to the workshop, here’s Steve’s review of The Castelli Commute Reflex Jacket Castelli Commute Reflex Jacket | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)