Dynohub dilemmas

 

I’m a big fan of dynamos and hub dynamos specifically and there’s something incredibly satisfying about navigating by your own, high-quality lighting. I’ve run hub dynamos since 2001, when I went for a Shimano Nexus unit which, by contemporary standards produced huge amounts of resistance. Fine for commuting and using a “seen by” lamp-I’d run it with Ursula for a while but an Ultegra unit and 800lumen Exposure Revo were literally light years ahead.

I’m still very fond of the Shutter Precision hubs HALO EVURA & SHUTTER PRECISION SL9 DYNOHUB BUILD, which are light, well-executed and very smooth. My one gripe is the need for them to be sent back to the factory for bearing replacement. I’ve consistently returned 20,000miles from the sealed cartridge bearings- typically three years, so the hub and cost of wheel building is perfectly economic-repaid their investment. However, my preference is for something at least partially user-serviceable, especially consumables, such as bearings, which by definition are bound to wear out.

Shimano is the obvious option. I’d contemplated a Kaisai unit, which are user serviceable and make a lot of sense for arse end of nowhere touring (not that I’d want an expired hub dynamo, or any other component anywhere). Neds to be disc compatible-ideally centre lock. I’ve had the Halo/SL9 wheel trued and will run that as the spare for now. Temperatures have been consistently high here in the UK. I’m not remotely surprised since 2025 was projected to be the hottest on record and further evidence of climate change.

I’m favouring jerseys and other clothing with high factor SPF yarns, sometimes long sleeves, such as this Cycology Men’s Summit Long Sleeve Jersey Cycology Men’s Summit Lightweight Summer | cycling-not-racing or indeed, this Funkier Ixara Gents Elite Jersey Funkier Ixara Gents Elite Jersey | cycling-not-racing . A fully laden, frozen back bottle TESTED: BACK BOTTLE CYCLING WATER BOTTLE is another really useful cooling aid for hotter rides. Glasses with UVA & B protection and photochromic lenses are another default.  Well-ventilated footwear and decent socks shouldn’t be overlooked either. I’ll never forget the summer of 1992 and some badly burned soles, courtesy of black patent road shoes and long miles along molten roads.

Coupled with cheap polyester socks and a basic nylon sole proved a recipe for painfully blistered feet. While they had a decent amount of float, I don't miss hobbling/waddling around sans bike, not to mention gouging chunks out of expensive lino. Still, they were what might be termed an aspirational purchase, plucked from the sale bin at a frequent local haunt- all 18-year-old me could afford at the time and they served surprisingly well.  There was and to some extent is something very romantic about that era and indeed, getting a bargain but those years are also tinged with painful regrets in other areas of life, regrets that are etched deep, even now.  We cannot change the past, only our relationship to it, or indeed, them. 

Three decades plus, I’ve gone over to the stiffer soled FLR F70 Prop MTB M250 FLR F70 Pro MTB M250 Shoe | cycling-not-racing  which I my experience, give a little more efficiency aboard Muffin, which is palpable on the climbs-remember, honking might be vulgar on a tourer, or gravel build but perfectly acceptable on the fixed. Saddleback, the UK’s Sidi distributor thoughtfully sent me these Sidi Aertis MTB shoes, which promise a blend of efficiency, with sufficient give in the sole for navigating the trail sans bike or just plodding about mid-ride.

Theoretically extending their horizons to bike packing, touring, cyclo cross and indeed, winter training.  The latter duties are amplified further by the toe studs. The soles are made from Nylon and employ specialist polyurethane inserts for comfort. Some would argue in favour of carbon at this price point. However, carbon tends to limit walking or running prowess and can be a little too stiff on longer rides, so arguably an engineered choice, rather than a cost cutting exercise. 

 I’d forgotten how good the Maxxis Roamer TESTED : MAXXIS ROAMER TYRES are, especially along poorly surfaced lanes, while still being fairly swift. Be interesting to see how they compare longer term, with the Continental Pure Contact, which remains (and will stay) at the rear, since they are proving very dependable, compliant and again, relatively swift for big volume rubber.   Elsewhere, a bearing strip and re-grease of the Shimano XT pedals led me to resurrecting these original SPD from 1990. Still buttery smooth and so glad I’ve held on to them.  I also switched Denise’s Ergon  All Road Core Comp Ergon SR All Road Core Comp Saddle Men | cycling-not-racing back to the Pro Turnix Gel, since I’d been experiencing some chafing  along my inner right thigh.   

 

Pedals, Rubber & Massage

 

A few rides over the Easter holiday weekend prompted me to switch things around again. I decided the Time Atac Aluminium should be ported over to Ursula and The Teenage Dream 1991 ROAD BIKE REVAMP | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) should sport these single-sided Shimano A520. The 520 are a Tiagra grade “aerodynamic” road pedal, introduced in 2005 and in my view, a decent choice for training, touring and other road contexts. Situations where you might want to walk (rather than hobble) off the bike.  

The silver finish still looks good, cartridge bearings seem in rude health, 9 years down the line, so I thought, why not? They haven’t done much for 5 years, having last made an appearance on the Teenage Dream back in 2016. In some respects, the Wellgo RC713 would’ve been the most obvious switch, given their smaller surface area, but I felt some added support was called for.  

Ursula sported their broader platformed 530 counterparts during 2017.  

This change also saw a switch to something racier than the otherwise excellent FLR Rexton Active Touring/Trail Shoe FLR REXSTON ACTIVE TOURING/TRAIL SHOE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com). I’ve reverted to the stiffer-soled Quoc Pham Tourer, which might show some slight patina, given nine year’s regular use but are otherwise, in excellent condition. Despite the tourer tag, they also lend themselves to road and indeed, light trail duties very effectively too, thanks to the relatively aggressive sole.  

Given the Teenager Dream is essentially a spring/summer plaything, I can’t see the Regina freewheel wearing out anytime soon. Nonetheless, I had a look around, to see what was available, without a vintage price tag. Bankrupt stock seems the obvious avenue to pursue, so I’ll keep an eye out.  

However, can’t see myself picking up a Regina unit, a sun race is more likely, especially given supply chain hassles and wait times. Even the basic Shimano are getting heady price tags. 

I’m fond of the Schwalbe Lugano tyre-not the fastest, but dependable. However, I was seeking something friskier. Madison Cycles were gracious enough to send me these 700x28mm Vittoria Rubino Pro Control and these Vittoria Evolution (26x1.9) for Ursula. Both are designed for adverse conditions.  

The Rubino Pro Control are designed to resist cuts and similar damage, while a puncture repelling belt promises to keep thorns, glass and other sharps from creating mischief. The Evolution caught my eye, since they promise to deliver for those riders who want to escape city limits. Though slightly different beasts, I’m keen to see how they compare with the Vittoria Randonneur Trail VITTORIA RANDONNEUR TRAIL TYRES LONG TERM TEST (sevendaycyclist.com). A model I loved but are no longer produced. 

 

 

So then, massage. For some years, I had wanted to become a qualified masseuse. The reasons were varied, but in essence, because I am interested in the subject and of course, the mental and physical well-being massage can bring. It is also another marketable skill. I had intended to undertake post-divorce but finding a suitable, qualification-based course that wasn’t attached to beauty therapy (not that I have anything against the latter). Then of course, a pandemic crept in. I also benefit from being realigned by a qualified osteopath, following a series of deeply unpleasant crashes in my mid-late twenties. Context established; massage guns could prove a useful investment.     

Massage guns are great for post-ride recovery and indeed, more generic relaxation. Prices will vary, dependent upon specification. Higher stall forces, meaning the amount of pressure that can be applied, before the motor cuts out, is desirable, although particular for those with say, a “sprinter's physique”.  

Similarly, the gun also needs to give deep relief to the muscles, rather than simply vibrating and skimming across the skin’s surface. Heavier-built riders should look towards something with a 16mm stroke rate, whereas I’ve found this Rempho R3 and its 10mm stroke rate perfectly adequate for my needs.  

Decibel level is another consideration, especially if you live with, or near others and don’t want introspection. The Rempho R3 puts out 40-45 decibels, which is relatively discrete.  Those with greater muscle mass may find something like this Bang Percussive Therapy Massager BANG PERCUSSIVE MASSAGER | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) a better investment.