Longs, Gilets & Other Seasonal Resurrections

 

Autumn progresses, so with the fleet prepped, it was time to bung gilets and other seasonally appropriate riding attire that had been hibernating in various drawers, in the wash.  Base layers, gilets, arm warmers, ¾ lengths…bar tape, cargo nets… Yes, I uncovered the cargo net while hoovering out the garage and investigating some corners.

Cargo nets are really useful for capturing overspill that might not fit into a pannier or rack top bag- particularly useful for awkward items, such as balls, helmet, mangos, melons, clothes, or ensuring provisions don’t escape from an open top basket. Think this one’s a Delta, but Topeak and several other brands produce them. Both net and bar cape emerged pristine from their 30-degree machine wash.  The MW7 bootiesShimano MW7 (MW702) Gore Tex MTB Shoes | cycling-not-racing also got a good scrub, since I’d been a little remiss on this front-beyond testing, not my usual approach to kit.

I’ve switched to Muffin, given the more changeable weather and of course, to play with the Sigma Buster 1600 and the RL150 pairing now the nights are sunrise is slower to arrive. In common with the Magicshine Hori 1300 Magicshine HORI 1300 Front Light | cycling-not-racing , Magicshine Evo 1700 Underneath Mounted Bike Light Magicshine Evo 1700 Underneath Light | cycling-not-racing and the Gaciron Cetus 1700, there are a sensible staircasing of modes, catering for most riding contexts.

I’ve switched Muffin back to the recently re-greased Shimano M540 since they (and indeed, other dual sided designs) are the most practical options for swift re-engagement. That said, the PDES600 Shimano PD ES 600 SPD Pedal | cycling-not-racing and A520 remain good bets, if you wanted a road specific, single-sided design. Packing them with a suitably stiff grease also helps with weighting, meaning it's easier to clip in.  I’m still running Muffin’s Izumi chain on the Weldtite Wax lube, since I’ve not had reason to change and I’m very taken with the cleanliness and low friction. I also tweaked the chain tension very slightly, suggesting some very minor wear. Nothing I was going to get excited by, although chain health is less of an exact science, compared 3/32, so I’ll be keeping a closer eye on things.  

 This brings me nicely to the Zefal Pro II Grease, which seems to be holding out very well against sudsy bucket washes and moving components seem buttery smooth, which bodes particularly well for winter, and I'm pleased to note that to date, it hasn't done anything nasty to seals, or composite components. Again, I’ll reserve judgement until mid-November or so, when the elements have been a bit harsher and possibly to coincide with a bottom bracket upgrade.

Headsets, hubs and bottom brackets benefit from stiff greases and good weather sealing, although in fairness, most seem to solider on very reliably and then unexpectedly get the grumbles. Usually at the least convenient moments!  For context, I’ve had a titanium Hollowtech II pattern and Tiagra do precisely this, same story with the UN55 cartridge type.  

 

One thing I will not be reserving judgement around is the seemingly limitless plastic patriotism and flag shagging engulfing certain sectors of the public consciousness. From an academic perspective, it illustrates how people are so readily mobilised and moulded into false narratives, replicating that which swept Europe during the mid-1930s. From a pragmatic viewpoint, true patriots help within their communities, whether it be painting a community centre, litter picking, helping a neighbour, or helping someone who is struggling. Not for validation, or self-promotion, but because they genuinely care about others, seek to build people up, and bring them along.    

 

September Switches & Style Statements

 

The wet and decidedly abrupt introduction to September was perfect for assessing the staying prowess of chain lubes, tyres and waterproof technical kit. I'd been wanting to see how effective the Leatt pedals were at shedding mud and other contaminant, so switched Ursula's Shimano A530 and headed for the bridleways.

I wasn't expecting otherwise but was relieved to discover they're on par with Shimano M540 (which I’ve switched back to Muffin following a generous re-greasing), XT and their homages.  The waterlogged conditions have also seen me donning these Shimano MW702 Shimano MW7 (MW702) Gore Tex MTB Shoes | cycling-not-racing booties, which make an excellent transition between cross country mountain biking/gravel riding and general winter road duties.

 I'm still fond of the MW05Shimano MW501 Dry Shield SPD MTB Shoes | cycling-not-racing, but the MW07's stiffer sole, refinements and improved weatherproofing give better connection with the bike and protection from the wetter roads. Especially paired with waterproof socks-no such thing as the wrong weather, just the wrong kit. Oh,and yes, I know Ursula’s front guard is the “wrong” way round-I’m experimenting to see how much difference this makes-good, or otherwise.  

 Somewhat predictably, the constant exposure to wet, waterlogged roads has put a dent in the Weldtite Wax lubes’ staying prowess.

 Nonetheless, I returned 140 miles from a double up application on Muffin and applied a top up since it coincided with a deep sudsy bucket clean.  Even then, a tangible filmy later remained and no trace of corrosion on the links.  Ursula and I continue to enjoy the green lanes and bridleways to see how clean and stoical the wax proves in these contexts. Then of course, I wanted to see how effectively the Leatt Endurance 6 pedals shed mud.

Temperatures have been in the high teens, so I've stuck to bib shorts, although have progressed to ¾ lengths on dawn outings when the mercury's still slumbering in single figures.  Staying with footwear a moment, I’ve also reached my conclusions regarding the FLR MXT Vibram Trail Shoes FLR MXT Vibram Trail Shoes | cycling-not-racing

 ¾ lengths have often been regarded as a rider faux pas off road and on some levels, I agree. However, they're also very practical bridge garments and relatively complementary worn with more trail orientated jackets, such as the Madison RoamMadison Roam 2.5 Layer Waterproof Jacket | cycling-not-racing . Nothing against mtb baggies, they just aren't my thing. 

Now the nights are drawing in and its dark in this region from 1900hrs onward, it’s nice to find ourselves receiving a gentle trickle of winter kit. On the lighting front, we’ve just taken delivery of this Sigma Buster 1600 and RL150 pairing, which as the names would imply is a front light pumping out a maximum of 1600lumens and a rear light capable of 150, which promises to cater for the darkest lanes. That said, this genre of front light, run times are relatively short at full and higher outputs, so ensure the lower modes are suitable for your typical riding requirements.

It will be interesting to see how it compares with the Ravemen LR1600 USB Rechargeable Curved Lens Front Light Ravemen LR1600 Front Light | cycling-not-racing  The RL150 has five modes. Two steady and three flashing. The full 150 refers to the day flash, night flash is 25 lumens and eco flash is 5. The two steady are 40 and 5 lumens respectively, which on paper at least, sounds a wide gap- something around the 10, or 15 lumen mark would’ve been more obvious. However, real world performance is what really counts.

There’s also a braking function and I’m curious as to how much of an impact this will have on the run times.

I’m still toying with the idea of placing one inch Ahead spacers beneath Denises’s stem. Now, there is no mechanical need to do this, since the expander wedge is what keeps everything firmly in situ. The Profile Design adaptor is also made to a much higher standard than the no-name auction site specials.  However, I have some black spacers in the spares tray, which would work both in terms of height and aesthetics. I’ll give it a few weeks and some more thought.  

Though I tackled most of the pre-autumn stripping, regreasing and corrosion inhibiting, it’s that time of year to add a lick of silicone grease to battery contacts on computers and where appropriate, lights to keep the elements from wreaking havoc. IPX6 isn’t uncommon for lights these days but those meeting IPX4 or 5 usually get a quick lick, or periodic shot of PTFE free maintenance spray to flush through and leave a protective barrier behind.  

Breaks in the wetter conditions has also seen my checking and topping up the waxy corrosion inhibitors before the cold, dark and wetter months set in. This obviously extended to cars. There was a generous helping cling to the KA’s chassis and underbody, which as reassuring, although I’ve given a light top up coat while opportunity presented and it would cure quickly enough to avoid moisture being trapped inside.