My Chemical Romance

I’m very fond of testing cleaners, polishes, waxes, greases and lubes. Most work but some perform much better than others. I’ve just received this big soft brush and bike wash from Zefal (along with a side-entry cage). As if by magic, this  Tru-Tension Banana Slip Tungsten All Weather Lube also arrived.  

Timely, since the Univega’s KMC chain had reached retirement, so I exchanged it for another KMC X10 73. 1650 miles seems reasonable from a 10speed, although I’ve stuck exclusively to dry/wax lubes during this period.  

Similarly, though shifting was still reliable, the chain lost its edge at 1250miles. it’s surprising how much difference a packet fresh chain makes, hence chains on race bikes should be replaced more frequently. I’ve also been quite impressed by this wallet and purportedly, planet-friendly Pure Dry Lube https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/pure-dry-lube    

All things being equal, I tend to replace a cassette, every third chain and keep one of each, waiting in the wings. There is a (plausible) narrative, suggesting there is a global shortage of components, given the pandemic.  

I have noticed a pronounced rise in the prices of chains and similar consumables, so took the opportunity to harvest some, spotted at notable discount. Given the present global and political climate, I am not confident this situation will improve significantly in the coming months.   

  

So, to the Tru Tension Banana Slip Tungsten All Weather Lube. Tungsten is reckoned a superior friction modifier, compared with ceramics, let alone our old friends Teflon/PTFE. This is another wax formula but said to cure in minutes, not hours. I’m wondering how it will cope in changeable conditions.  

How well it will repel water, and indeed corrosion during damper rides, whether it is temperature stable, makes good transition to cleat/similar mechanisms etc.   I’ve opted for its wet counterpart on my fixed gear winter/trainer’s chain and have been pleasantly surprised by the low friction and tenacity, in the past sixty miles but I’m looking at another 400miles before forming any viable conclusions. 

Tru Tension also has a maintenance spray within its range. Again, it purports to be “Perfectly formulated cycling spray to loosen stiff components such as cables, linkages and forks”. In common with the breed, Tru Tension says it doubles as a light penetrant spray cum polish. Most do all these things, by degrees, in the one- does- most sense.  

Lighter potions have the edge when it comes to displacing moisture, say from lighting switches and battery trays, whereas the beefier blends keep mechanisms and cables slick for several weeks at a time.  

There is certainly a place for both, on any rider’s shelf. I’d also advocate a tin of penetrant spray to tackle seized and stubborn parts, although in my experience, highly potent aerosol degreasers using strong solvents will also shift some stubborn/seized parts.  

Came in handy, salvaging Shimano cleats from the Scott shoes, which suddenly imploded. The sole literally came away like skin from a salmon fillet. I’ve consigned them to the bin and reverted to the mighty Quoc Pham Tourer. 

I also ported the Shimano cleats, since they work best with both genuine Shimano pedals and their homages. Yes, Wellgo in particular! 

The Chain Again

 

As I predicted, two weeks hence, the chain tool tolled judgement day for my Univega’s chain. The blend of flooded, silty roads, wet lube and long, steady miles had done the deed. I was rather hoping this would coincide with the arrival of a 38 tooth CNC machined ring, but hey-ho.  

No sense shortening cassette, derailleur and ring-life. Since I’m running a 1X setup, ring wear is less of an issue compared of a double, or triple. A few minutes rummaging in my freshly reconfigured transmission spares bin and I emerged triumphant, with a nice shiny KMC.  

I know a lot of folks like the “magic links” and they can be super-convenient. I just prefer the security of a traditional pin, so pruned and joined accordingly. This served to highlight a very palpable, matted layer of wet lube and accumulated contaminant engulfing the cassette.  

Out came the Juice Lubes Dirt Juice Chain Cleaner https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/juice-lubes-dirt-juice-chain-cleane. 

Transmission stripped bare; I’ve decided in favour of a more basic middleweight ISO/PTFE lube. Less stoical than a wet lube but much cleaner, and March is looking less challenging weather-wise.  In any case, I will be switching to this Pro Gold Pro Link Chain Lube, which should be a good fit, season-wise. 

According to their blurb its  

“A thin-bodied lubricant which utilizes metal friction reducer technology for smooth shifting and a quiet drive train. Does not build up or become tacky; sheds dirt, mud, and abrasives. Also repels moisture and prevents corrosion”. Will be interesting to see how it performs in the real world. 

Surprising just how much difference a new chain can make to the transmission. On many levels this is obvious, but the existing chain had only just reached pensionable, rather than being completely shot. Shifts were immediately snappier and more reliable. More remarkable was just how quickly weather and contaminant euthanised it.    

I’m still looking around for a 38 tooth 94BCD ring, which will afford a more seamless choice of gears. For years, Chris Bell produced precision-engineered bespoke elliptical and round rings but sadly, succumbed to prostate cancer in 2016. 

By the same token, while I’m keen to keep solid components going, a new, external bearing crankset, might prove the most cost-effective solution. Assuming of course, I can’t acquire a 5-arm Stronglight/similar at a favourable price.  

The other option is to plump for a smaller ring and road-biased cassette. I’ve run this configuration in the past. However, unless the former was seriously cheap, it would also mean replacing the cassette.  

A moot point, if both were edging close to retirement, but they’re not. While I love a well-stocked spares bin and the economics/horizons this presents, I don’t want to be hoarding heaps of stuff that are too much of a compromise (and thus won’t get used, let alone worn out).  

Rounding up the drivetrain theme, this Topeak All Speeds Chain Tool also arrived for testing. Aside from the industrial good looks, it includes a chain hook to hold the chain together while you drive the pin home.  

I was also pleased to note there’s a spare drive pin that’s threaded into the base. Not only does the design promise to tackle chains from single, through to 12 speeds, this includes Campagnolo 11speed hollow types.

  

This purging also prompted me to polish and wax the frameset.  

Grit can slip behind cables, leading to paint-chew. Protective cable rubbers and clear stickers/ “helicopter” tape are the simplest, most effective preventions. In my experience, thicker ready-cut frame protection patches are quite durable.  

Eventually, PTFE rich maintenance (and other solvent-based aerosol products, for that matter) will dissolve their adhesives-especially those around the head, seat tube and chainstays, inducing lift and peel. This time round, I plumped for a supermarket wax, primarily because it was within easy reach. Bargain basement but easy to apply, and supposedly suitable for all surfaces.   

Staying with cleaning a moment, Steve and I have been very impressed with Rock N’ Roll Miracle Red Concentrate Multi-Purpose Bike Cleaner https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/rock-n-roll-miracle-red 

An incredible versatile that will clean everything from scuzzy steeds and grimy hands, to carpets and clothing.  Those who want to add a little electrical assistance to their commute, or utility ride might be interested in our review of this Raleigh Stow E Way Folding E Bike   https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/raleigh-stow-e-way-folding-e-bike