Another Year Almost Done....

 

On the cusp of 2026, I’ve been reflecting on 2025.  Many miles in the saddle, there have been lots of subtle tweaks and changes across the board. Ursula’s frame modifications have proved their worth. I’ve switched the rear quick release for the electroplated trailer model. I’ve experienced some occasional disc rub-easily addressed using some simple adjustments.  

Thru axles are the best pairings on the stiffness fronts, which may be a consideration for those taking the modernisation route. Talking of which, many frame builders will shy away from retrofitting disc mounts to older, thinner tubed framesets. By all means ask them and to explain their reservations but (this goes for any other profession, or trade) never try cajoling someone into doing something they are not comfortable doing. There’s usually a very sound reasoning behind that reticence.  

Before concerning yourself with calliper alignment and more involved diagnostics, start with some simple stuff. With the bike set down, undo the quick release and check the wheel is properly set in the dropouts and centred. Next, with the quick release open, pull the brake lever fully home, while simultaneously closing the quick release.

Pump the lever ten times and roll the bike or spin the wheel to test for any binding.  I was happy with the Spyre SLC’s alignment, so felt no need to meddle and on this occasion, all sorted. This had coincided with yet another sudsy bucket clean, since Ursula needed it, after a week belting along greasy, muddy lanes. I also wanted to  strip what remained of the Weldtite All Weather Lube Weldtite All Weather Lube | cycling-not-racing and introduce some Muc Off C3 Ceramic All Weather Chain Lube Muc-Off C3 All Weather Chain Lube | cycling-not-racing- just fancied a change to be honest.

Several months and many miles down the line, the Leatt Endurance 6.0 Clip in Pedals  Leatt Endurance 6.0 Clip in Pedals | cycling-not-racing  which are understated and just get on with the job- no flex, creaking and while mud shedding doesn’t rival Time’s mighty ATAC, they’ll shift boggy clay soil with reassuring ease.

Switching to the Ergon All Road Core Comp SaddleErgon SR All Road Core Comp Saddle Men | cycling-not-racing has proved music to my derriere, and I’m pleased to report the right hand Microshift bar end shifter is behaving properly, so all told, I’ve refined the contact points to personal perfection. Long term use has me concluding CST Patrol CST Patrol Folding EPS Tyres | cycling-not-racing are a better fit for me and my riding style than the Continental Cross King Protection Black Chili Tyres Continental Cross King Protection Black | cycling-not-racing

Phantom squeaks strike now and again- can be something and nothing. Muffin’s creak wasn’t the D-riser 4 bars, rather the Cane Creek dummy/stoker lever needing a quick turn of the 5mm Allen key. I’ve had these for many years and found their ergonomics incredibly comfortable for cruising and climbing.  Obviously tandems are their primary audience, but they make a lot of sense on a fixed gear build, or indeed, a trike, or something similarly specialist employing a 2-in1, linked brake. I’m considering revisiting the 146mm wide Cycles Berthoud Soulor CYCLES BERTHOUD SOULOR LEATHER SADDLE | cycling-not-racing  or The titanium railed Spa Cycles Aire for a while.  I’ve decided to whip the Aire atop Muffin’s USE post, since I needed to strip and regrease some of the hardware.

In fairness, there was a reasonably stoical, thin layer of Oxford Mint Assembly Grease Oxford Mint Assembly Grease | cycling-not-racing . However, prevention is always better than cure and since I was switching saddles, then was the time. I’ve reached for the Zefal Pro II Grease Zefal Pro II Grease | cycling-not-racing   

The Soulor is 7mm broader than the Ergon SR All Road Saddle Ergon SR All Road Men’s Saddle | cycling-not-racing and a bit heavier too. I’m curious to see how good a fit it is with Muffin.

Dimensions wise, its identical to the iconic 80’s Selle Italia Turbo, which I got along with just fine for several years. I had two versions, the suede and a leather covered gel version c. 1993-96. Staying with the late 80s, I had a Selle San Marco Concor Super Corsa homage- wore the suede smooth and ultimately sold it to a fellow student for £8 in 1994.  

Winter is hard on stuff as I’m always saying and cables are no exception. I wasn’t surprised to discover a frayed inner still commanding Ursula’s front Suntour mech-one of those routine jobs that saves a lot of hassle later down the line. Another illustration of why its important to wash and inspect bikes regularly during the darker months.   

The muddy, slippery season has also presented opportunity to put the Zefal G50 Gravel Mudguards to the test and as I’d expected, they offer a decent amount of coverage-at least to the rider, without fouling when things get gooey.

 Longer term, I’m contemplating a hybrid setup for Denise- leaving the rear G50 I situ and running a Mud Hugger Gravel Hugger up front. We’ll see, this is more of an aesthetic, rather than performance thing. The great thing about the G50 is their compatibility with cantilever brakes, lending them to older ‘cross, hybrid and gravel builds. I like disc brakes and for a wealth of applications, they’re great, but cantilevers and other rim brakes still have genuine advantages and perform very well. Particularly with higher end cables and pads.

 

Perched & Polishing

 

Sixteen years down the road and I was experiencing some uncharacteristic discomfort while out on the teenage dream, specifically my inner thigh. Closer inspection revealed the Selle SMP Strike Plus’s Selle SMP Strike Plus saddle - BikeRadar foam padding was beginning to soften and disperse, thus supplying no support at key points. With heavy heart, I slackened the Thompson post’s cradle and set it free. I’d originally reached for the Selle Italia Turbomatic Gel Flow Team Saddle.  

However, the carbon rails were too wide for the cradle and at 153mm (about 6.02 in) wide, it’s a bit broad for my sit bones and this particular machine. After some thought, I reached for another Selle Italia, their Sport Gel Flow FEC-Alloy Saddle. It's 55g heavier than the relatively exotic, carbon-railed Turbomatic Gel Flow but narrower and incredibly supportive with a decent cut out. Level pegging weight-wise, with the Strike Plus, too.  

Less exotic than some but an extremely comfortable perch, nonetheless. Talking of carbon, Carbon Cycles have sent me a rather fetching carbon post. At 27.2, the Teenage Dream’s out but The Holdsworth’s not.  I’m fond of the Holdsworth’s Crank Brothers Cobolt3 Seat post- it measures a giraffe-like 400mm and is made from 7075 aluminium, so despite being wafter thin, is also surprisingly stiff. 

I’m not overly keen on single-bolt cradles and to some extent, it started here. Thankfully, it doesn’t happen very often, especially since I’ve got it torqued to 12nm (the design’s recommended maximum) but it’s a nuisance when slack strikes 15miles from home-an even bigger pain if you’ve forgotten a T25 Torx key.

  

Now, the carbon post is lighter and may offer a little more compliance into the bargain. Several hundred miles will be very revealing. I’d been tempted by the idea of upgrading the Teenage Dream’s Campagnolo Xenon crankset for something more modern, employing an external bottom bracket.  

This might improve stiffness around the bottom bracket shell and ultimately, power delivery. However, while I’m one for continuous improvement, there’s also upgrading for its own sake and where performance gains are nominal, compared to the outlay.  

I’d seen some nice carbon fibre cranksets at very tempting prices but then we’re into new bottom bracket too. We’re out of treat territory here. Then along came some mid range silver Campagnolo crank arms-used, in decent shape, and realistically priced. There would, of course, be some polishing and buffing to achieve the correct lustre, before I'd consider fitting rings, let alone to the bike.. 

 

Crankalicious Mayo Jaune Intensive Frame Polish TEST & REVIEW: CRANKALICIOUS MAYO JAUNE INTENSIVE FRAME CLEANER (sevendaycyclist.com) is one of the best I’ve used to date. Automotive cutting compounds also do a decent job of lightly sullied painted, plated, and polished finishes. However, caution is needed on some surfaces, and I'd keep them away from composites. No such fear with the Mayo Jaune, although keep it away from matt finfishes, or they’ll turn satin.  I started by hand polishing but was tired of this and plugged a polishing cloth into my drill.     

135mm BCD meant I could just port the Xenon’s rings over, or indeed, acquire some fresh-maybe go with a 53/36 for a wider spread, without taxing the existing mechs-perfect for hills. Either way, this is another one of those contexts where I want to get the best results for minimal outlay.

There have been several occasions in my 20s, 30s, and 40s when I’ve literally had no money, or at least disposable income. Circumstances attributable to toxic relationships and going against my better judgment. In that respect, I received the spanking I deserved and learned valuable lessons. Be careful who you get into bed with, figuratively and literally, romantically and platonically.  

Under-estimate your income, over-estimate your expenditure and beware the sudden change in tempo, gradient, and holes- cycling and motorcycling are metaphors for life in general. I recall couples commenting that if a couple could tackle the challenges of a tandem tour together, it bodes well for a strong and successful marriage. Paradoxically, I bitterly regret my marriage, the emotional damage, and the fiscal losses incurred. However, this bleaker chapter in my life also built resilience, resourcefulness and a much clearer sense of self.   

Not to be confused with an allegiance with MGTOW (Men Going their Own Way), or indeed the incel culture, which actively seek to form and fuel misogynistic, adversarial attitudes. This latter isolation serves to make young men easier prey for products-coaching, motivational stuff, or opening gateways to other forms of discrimination and ultimately, circular isolation. In extreme cases, it leads to murder, political extremism, and targeted attacks.  

The most frightening thing is the ease at which people are swayed, dare I say funneled, toward hatred. The lessons from history have not been learned, or at least, quickly forgotten. Funny what runs through the mind when out on a ride. Talking of which, here’s my review of the Safety Labs E-BHAN 2.0 MIPS Urban In-Mould Helmet Safety Labs E-Bahn 2.0 Helmet | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)