Reflections & Relentless Rain

 Water, Water Everywhere but Not a Drop to Drink. Flooding has been this winter’s narrative and the lack of flood defences here in the UK would seem to be making matters worse. However, the less extreme ends of this are great for assessing the capabilities (and sometimes shortcomings) of everything.  

From waterproof, breathable clothing to mudguards, waxes, detailing products, bike washes, lubes, and of course, electricals. Leatt has sent me their Endurance 2.0 Jacket, which is aimed at cross-county mtb/gravel audiences but in my experience, makes the transition to general road duties very well.   

The jacket is a “super lightweight” model that packs down very compactly. Leatt reckons inside a jersey pocket, and I’d broadly agree, depending on how large your pocket is. No issues with the old-school, deep terrace type.  It’s a Nylon/Elastane “rip-stop” weave that forgoes a laminate for improved ventilation and features a DWR (Durable water repelling) windproof and stain-resistant outer shell. Knitted panels also feature knitted paneling in the back and panels for improved ventilation. 

The former also features a poacher’s type rear pocket. Me being me, I would’ve preferred a breast pocket too, for a compact camera etc. However, it’s a feathery, racy, close-fitting cut for minimal flutter and this second pocket with cargo would pull, thus impairing the fit etc. That shouldn’t be read as only being suitable for summer weight/long-sleeved jerseys. I’m pleased to report ours is roomy enough for the winter-weight jersey cum jacket genre too.   

I’ve gone for the blue but black and rust are the alternatives. The zipper is also waterproof, although I would’ve preferred a bigger tag, even allowing for my not-so-dextrous dominant index finger. I’ve done my usual, cable tie zipper tag extension, solving said problem.   

Packable garments are arguably the most practical options for changeable conditions, although I’m still a big fan of the 2.5-layer laminate type when it’s predictably wet and indeed cold. Talking of which, I also received some more lubes.  

This time from Blub’s range- a ceramic and a wax, which are cleaner running preps designed for drier weather. Obviously, it's most important to test them in the conditions for which they were designed. However, I am also interested to see how products like lubes behave in wider contexts. After all, conditions can change throughout a ride. How practical is a lube to reapply? Does it wash away, how good are its corrosion-inhibiting properties? How much grime does it attract etc.   

One of the very appealing features of these two is their rapid curing times- allegedly two minutes apiece for both, which is on paper as practical as you’re likely to find. Seems a little longer in practice. That said; I’ve been applying in 2/3 degrees. Yes, I know there are still pour-and-go formulas but even after you’ve drizzled them into the chain’s inner sanctum, you’re still needing to wipe away the excess before hopping on and scooting off.  I’ve left the fixed and Ursula’s curing for a day, primarily since I applied having purged their drivetrains and given both bikes a seriously good sudsy bucket wash and wax.  

One thing led to another, and I whipped this 28mm Schwalbe One 365 up front.  All weather/ al conditions tyres are a big ask and to some extent, there’s always an element of compromise somewhere. In my experience, with lighter, swifter tyres it tends to be puncture resistance.  

The Schwalbe weigh in at 332g apiece, less than half the weight of The Pirelli Angel ST Urban Tyres Pirelli Angel DT Urban Tyre | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and indeed, the super dependable Kenda Kwick Journey KS Plus KENDA KWICK JOURNEY TYRES | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) . However, these Vittoria Rubino Pro Control Graphene 2.0 Vittoria Rubino Pro Control Graphene 2.0 | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) are a much closer comparator and 5g apiece heavier. Will be interesting to see how the Schwalbe perform across the board and compared with the Vittoria and to a lesser degree, the Maxxis Refuse 700x32c 60 TPI TR Folding Maxx Shield Tyres MAXXIS REFUSE TR FOLDING TYRE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

I’ve also been further contemplating the benefits of hub transmissions and bikes built around them. Genesis Day One employs a double-butted aluminium alloy frame and Cro-moly fork and is built around the humble 8-speed Nexus hub. Cable-operated discs might lack the low maintenance bite of hydraulics but are easy to service and repair.  

Budget but a practical workhorse cum commuter. Nice enough but not so pretty you’re petrified by the thought of tethering it to hardy street furniture with a decently stout “fuck off” lock. Long story short, I’d be interested in racking up some proper miles on one.  

Another enticement, given the flooding and generally adverse conditions are hub dynamos that can be serviced “in the field”.  By that, I really mean models that can be stripped, bearings replaced and regreased without going back to the factory. Interestingly one side of the Alfine hub dynamo Shimano Alfine UR700 Hub Dynamo | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) can be accessed and the bearings replaced.  

While the SP series of hubs have been impressive despite some extreme and persistently wet conditions, I’m tempted by the KASI FS DynaCoil CL/D6 units which are designed to be opened using a 36mm headset spanner. I’ve had 20,000 miles plus from the PD8 before the sealed bearings got sloppy. However, given the miles Ursula and fixed gear trainer rack up in foul weather, the ability to strip, clean, and rebuild the hub, without dismantling the wheel is a definite draw.   

Cockpit Viagra

Having decided on the oversized route and acquired those 31.8 Midge; serendipity took charge and presented a compatible 17degree matt black On-One stem. Admittedly, its 90 rather than 80mm but this discrepancy was easily addressed by shuffling the saddle forward, improving comfort on longer runs without denting acceleration or seated climbing prowess. Accessing said steeds’ unbranded ti post bolts proved nigh on impossible using standard pocket tools. Salvation arrived in the guise of this Z shaped giveaway unit, so beloved of flat pack furniture, which has since become a wedge pack staple on account of its prowess in awkward spaces.

Reclaiming that Spa Cycles leather handlebar wrap was another concern given the adhesive backing hadn’t aged particularly gracefully. However, even tension and a lick of electrical tape proved similarly successful. Net effect, £35 and one hour’s reprieve from business planning well spent. Wrap and lighting systems repatriated, rain of biblical proportions couldn’t dampen my enthusiasm for a fifteen mile blast. Swinging a leg over the Ilpompino’s semi sloping top tube, it took but a matter of minutes to fully appreciate the benefits of a stiffer cockpit.

While far from blancmange like, the front end now tracks beautifully, especially performing those last minute swerves around gaping potholes, opening car doors, rabid dogs, errant pedestrians and similar hazards. This rigidity enables rider effort to be poured into maintaining momentum-perfect for cantering gazelle fashion along those deceptively steep climbs when turning taller gears, powering away from the lights or demon descending. Fatigue inducing low-level vibration’s a moot point, tempered perfectly by those sensibly raked composite ITM blades.    

Thanks to their shallow drop and prodigious width, Midge lend themselves handsomely to geared ‘cross builds and mountain bike conversions too, the smaller diameter allowing effortless transplant of pre-existing thumb shifters/sti controls. Tempted? Well, Tektro produces a comprehensive, wallet friendly range of shapely aero levers catering for cantilever, linear pull and cable operated discs. Oh and unless intended recipients sport an old school quill unit; you’ll also need a loftier 25/30 degree stem.

Winter prompts more frequent post ride fettling, if only to flush away that corrosive cocktail of accumulated salt/grit with cold water. Timely then, that Green Oil’s third generation eco-sponge should land on my test bench. I’ve always been a big fan of the Brixton based brand’s range of blisteringly effective, yet genuinely planet friendly lubricant/cleaning goodies. Previous incarnations also hailed from the Philippines but their original texture proved abrasive, wounding thinner lacquers and leaving unsightly swirls in thinner/flamboyant enamels. Taking heed, Green oil has encased the matted Luffa “sponge” within a recycled cotton pillow  

Not only does this version promise to cleanse filthy steeds, they reckon it’s great for waxing/buffing duties too. Well, since proof of said product lies in the polishing, I’ll put ours through its paces on a wealth of different surfaces and provide more informed feedback several weeks hence. 

Continuing the new arrivals theme, I’ve just taken delivery of this Nexus geared flat bar Foffa Urban. More commonly associated with the fixed gear scene; it’s an interesting kettle of fish with a host of contradictions. Sneaking past 13kilos and commanding the lion’s share of £500, it’s based around an entry level Cro-moly frameset, which should resist accidental denting better than thin wall exotica. Welds are a little workmanlike in places perhaps but uniform and extremely unlikely to fail. Closer inspection reveals a properly reamed seat tube and clean bottle screws, which is heartening.

That said; internal cable guides might look minimalist, yet serve as a conduit to corrosion and there are several peculiarities reminiscent of small scale British marques twenty five years back-seatstays sporting carrier mounts but ends bereft of eyelets anyone? Then again, a 7 speed Nexus hub gives sufficient scope for commutes exceeding city limits, while keeping maintenance minimal, plain Jane components ensure it stops, goes and handles in good proportion without luring the light fingered…Let’s see what the next 500miles have in store…

    

Much Ado About A Dynamo

After hunting high and low for a suitable replacement for my spontaneously combusting Basta, the good folk at Raleigh generously gifted me one of these lovely 25lux offerings in time for Easter. The integral switch means it can be fed straight from the hub, thus making the otherwise venerable Nexus unit redundant. Fitment demanded some quick, lateral thought though. Being as I run a headlock type system, the lamp couldn't be mounted via the fork drilling but an old NR bracket came to the rescue and sees it sat pride of place aboard the handlebars. Taking delivery early this afternoon, there's been no time for anything other than a few quick spins to confirm connectivity but I'm looking forward to the call of noctural skies.

Many voyages by definition induce chain wear which, left unchecked can wreak havoc with ultra sensitive ten and eleven speed derailleur transmissions. Traditional steel checkers and/or rulers provide some indication but are somewhat hit and miss-vulnerable to user error/misinterpretation. Enter Freedom Sports digital chain gauge. Made by KMC, it gives a definitive reflection of chain health in either metric or imperial. Child of the early seventies and somewhat semi-metric, I configured it to millimetres and got busy. Powered by a single 1.5 volt watch type cell, the sprung crescent end dips between the rollers first while the other follows suit some eight links along. Readings between 0.00 and 0.40mm indicate a chain in it's prime, 0.40-0.80mm middle aged and anything exceeding 0.80mm needs pensioning off pronto. Absolutely accuracy has been difficult to ascertain since I didn't have another calibrated and checked model to use as control. However, readings have been consistent on factory fresh chains (measured at three different points) and should be sufficient for all but the most obsessive. £50 either represents sound investment or simply keeping up with the club-mates (depending upon the size of your fleet/groupset value) and the ergonomics need tweaking so it's easier to read in situ.

Lube is another important consideration and I'm developing a genuine leaning toward those that aren't derived from petrochemicals. Green Oil have released "White"; a dry wax lube formulated from plant solvent that works to precisely the same principles. Curiously it's just as flammable so store away from naked flames, combustible materials and sources of ignition.

Wax types aren't intended for the most challenging conditions (not my first choice for fixers either which benefit from a stout wet lube to keep things running serenely) but nonetheless keep transmissions clean and lubricated with more frequent/liberal applications. Common to the breed; White is really, really thin, requiring a steady hand and three applications for adequate coverage. Green oil recommend leaving it seven minutes or so to cure (longer in winter) but using White Lightning's clean ride as my yardstick, I'll reserve judgement for a few hundred miles or so.

Charge of the Light Brigade

Reputedly a creature of the night, lighting is an evergreen subject, not restricted to the depths of winter. Generally speaking I'm really taken by the convenience of systems feeding from USB ports-an indisputable boon for desk jockeys, although docking space at my PC tower is too scarce to mention. Watching the dog-walking Li-on unit charging from the kitchen socket, it suddenly occurred the adaptor should be a universal fit and hey presto, the Vis 360 now guzzles straight from the mains!

There's something deeply satisfying about generating your own power and lighting is a logical extension. Chance acquisition of a mid range Rigida Snyper rim looked the consummate partner to this 105 grade dynohub. Presently bereft of wheel jig and stainless spokes of the corresponding length, I have entrusted the build to Alan at Riverside Cycle Centre. Let's be clear, aside from crazed lacquer there was nothing wrong with the venerable nexus unit. Nexus was a fabulous commuter groupset capable of lasting many years with some basic TLC. Unfortunately, it tended to be run into the ground and criticised contemptuously for expiring!

Identifying an inexpensive, yet adequately powerful lamp as replacement for the spontaneously combusting Basta has proved difficult, although this model from RSP looks very promising. Unlike old-fashioned Sturmey Archer and the super smooth Schmidt units, Shimano cannot be turned off which means minor perpetual drag but installing an intelligent switch that engages come the onset of darkness will hopefully maximise bulb longevity.

Speaking of intelligent systems, these Uvex Sphere glasses are fantastic across the board and suitably stylish sans bike too. They're made from Makrolon, a sophisticated polycarbonate employed because of it's impact/temperature resistance coupled with absolute optical clarity. The latter is hard to quantify and takes several longish rides to fully appreciate but its superiority "litemirror" technology works to the same principles as automatic welder's darkshields, ensuring perfect tone and contrast.

Elsewhere, our home brew citrus bike wash has developed a hiccup, well mould to be precise so I need to introduce an inexpensive, natural preserve to the blend. Mercifully there's still plenty of commercial prep in the garage for now... Just as well seeing Joshua has disconnected himself from the dubious delights of his Nintendo and taken to thundering along the lanes at an impressive thirteen mph. Amazing what a handlebar mounted computer and new helmet can inspire!