Frazzled Freehub?

 

There we were, minding our own business, bimbling along the lanes when the glitch became a low grumble. Ursula’s chain began jumping and the freehub began to lock up when I attempted to freewheel. Yes, the Halo Spin Doctor’s freehub was protesting 8 miles from home. No river riding, Jet washing, or similar abuse and I’d only done a few weeks riding since it was replaced in December.  

Mercifully, my default constant cadence, developed through many years riding fixed meant we could scoot back at 12-14mph. Pedestrian perhaps but infinitely preferable to walking home. Switching to XT/Ryde wheel with recently upgraded bearings, loaded with Juice Lubes Bearing Juice solved the immediate issue. However, it left me with something of a conundrum. 

An email and subsequent telephone chat with Ison-Distribution suggested it could just be wet, gritty stuff creeping inside along the lanes. I also learned the unit has a grease port, something I consider a godsend for easy maintenance and long component life. Sure, you’ll still need to strip and inspect bearings, races etc but it means they’ll have plenty of lubrication and are protected from the elements in-between. On the advice of Ison Distibution’s MD, I pumped grease into the freehub’s port until some brown gooey stuff bled out. Cleaned up and dropped some middleweight wet lube into the port.    

Then my mind went into overdrive... 

I could always retrieve the lowlier Deore- a decent enough hub but the seals and other components aren’t as you’d expect, to the same standard. Given the mileage and four seasons’ service involved, I’d be better served by the XT, and it would ultimately work out cheaper, long term. There were some interesting hubs but too pricey for a gamble, especially on the spares front. No rush... 

The fixed’s Un300 square taper bottom bracket is still turning away smoothly three years on. Testament to it (and the UN52 and 55 predecessors) build quality. I’m not the only rider who has returned nigh on 10,000 miles (about 16093.44 km) before they’ve turned sloppy, or grumbly. For context, while some of the patterns have served me well, they’ve hit the bin at 6,000 miles (about 9656.06 km). I may well go for this Genetic Cromozone Cromozone Sealed BB | Ison Distribution (ison-distribution.com next time.  

To lubes. The Blub ceramic is supposedly unsuitable for damp to wet conditions, but I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how it stayed put, despite being exposed to wet, greasy roads, not to mention blasted with deep, dodgy puddle water.  

I was surprised to find Ursula’s left Microshift bar con rotating in the bar ends. An easy fix- simply a matter of popping in a 4mm Allen key, separating the lever from mount, introducing a 5mm into the expander wedge and turning counter-clockwise.  

An opportunity to use this Muc Off 17in1 multi tool, which I’d received for testing. It’s a compact model with 17 functions and thus far, only a few, minor compromises have revealed themselves. When choosing multi tools, in my experience much will depend on your bikes, their age and genre.  

Compact models such as the Muc Off work best on contemporary bikes, including, but not restricted to smaller framesets. Multi tools are designed for quick tune ups and get out of a jam repairs, not workshop duties.  

However, tourists, or those on group rides might find Topeak’s Alien, or this Passport CDWPASSPORT CDW MULTITOOL | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) a better bet. Talking of touring, functions such as spoke keys tend to be a little basic, and not the nicest to use, so you’re better served packing a dedicated key.  

I’d also suggest packing a separate, long-ish  L shaped key for recessed fasteners, such as those found on brake levers/brifters and of course, any specialist tooling for your bike, tagalong, trailer etc. Same goes for tyre levers, and applies to the Alien and CDW, although these are the better of the grouping.  

Strangely enough, while the ergonomics of more expensive standalone composite levers mean they’re nicer to use, some of the most dependable models are the bargain basement nylon types usually found in puncture repair kit bundles. Thorn Cycles 20 function Multi Tool comes complete with a Rohloff compatible bit. Mine still serves me well, although 16 years down the line, corrosion has made itself known in places. Last lube biased mention for this entry, my review of Muc-Off MO94 https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/muc-off-mo94-multi-use-spray  

The Leatt Jacket MTB Endurance 2.0 has become my default, given its lightweight, yet highly windproof, water-repelling and quick wicking properties. The perforated back and arm panels ensure a steady supply of cooling air, while keeping the chill and moderate showery rains at bay and it's so light, I’m only noticing its positive qualities.  

It also packs small, taking up minimal space in bike luggage, although it will certainly fill a jersey pocket. I’ve been alternating between bib long and bib knickers, given the season but I’m also looking forward to putting the Endurance Bib shorts through their paces once the temperatures get milder.  

There’s the usual detailing I’d expect from a premium garment- mesh bibs and braces, SPF50+ UV protection and a 4-layer Italian chamois pad, reckoned good for 7 hours of XC trail riding, which also bodes well for long, steady road miles, too.  

Pockets have become an increasingly common sight on bib shorts, especially those geared towards gravel and mountain biking audiences. Madison’s Roam Madison Roam Men's Cargo Bib Shorts | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) being prime examples, although theirs is designed to port bigger items including phones. Gloves and other things you might want easy access to. Leatt has suggested theirs is intended for a communication radio, but I think it’s a good bet for energy bars and other essentials.  

I could don Lycra knee warmers, since these are designed to extend a garments wearability, say in autumn, or early spring, where the weather can switch from warm sun to chill rain at the drop of a hat. However, I appreciate their benefits. Those I’ve tested tend to slowly work their way down, exposing skin, while being annoying, into the bargain.   Could wear them beneath messenger knickers, though…Watch this space. 

Big Chill AKA the Spikes Stay!

No, I’m not predicting a boiler breakdown, which like many other mechanicals, usually strikes at the least convenient moment. I’m referring to the crashing temperatures and “white-outs” (a seasonal obsession with some sections of the UK’s mainstream media, presumably to distract from the consequences of Brexit. I’m starting to notice shortages of fresh produce in supermarkets and suspect this will become more apparent since fresh fruit and vegetable produce cannot be stockpiled.).  

Until Wednesday, local lanes have been predominantly cold, wet and greasy but nothing a big section slick, such as the Schwalbe Kojak couldn’t take in their stride.  

Nonetheless, I knew Murphey’s law would see temperature plummet the moment I switched the spikes in favour of slicks. A sharp reminder came when navigating the serenely silent stretches. Starry skies, glistening asphalt cluing me in and sure enough, around the bend- black ice.  

A momentary loss of traction was quickly reclaimed by the Marathon Plus’ Tungsten carbide spikes. Seeing the depth of the shimmering ice looming ahead (and clinging to the bodies of solitary passing vehicles), urged caution. I have also chosen to resurrect the ORP Smart Horn TESTED: ORP SMART HORN (sevendaycyclist.com) to alert pedestrians/dogwalkers of my presence. For the most part, friendly “Good morning/Afternoon/Evening” works fine. However, cold weather and winds can impair this, so a friendly upward prod of the “Whale tail” should sort this.   

Sticking with the Univega means sodden backsides are a distant memory, thanks to its full-length chrome plastic mudguards. These also keep the bike markedly cleaner, thus extending maintenance intervals. I was surprised to discover some superficial brown taint on the nickel-plated areas of Ursula’s Shimano M540 pedals. Especially since I didn’t notice any salting beyond the main roads. Nothing a quick shot of GT85 GT85 ALL PURPOSE LUBRICANT (sevendaycyclist.com) couldn’t smother.  

Nonetheless, a weekly wash down is advisable to remove any salts/similar corrosives and while stodgy wet lubes are an obvious choice, give a chain’s side plates, derailleur jockey wheels, and cage(s) a clean rag cat-lick. Purging this unsightly excess evolving into a gritty grinding paste.  

Really impacted stuff is best blitzed with a solvent-based degreaser, and fresh lubricant applied. Chill and shorter days mean convenience is sometimes king. Strong solvent degreasers, including Weldtite Jet Blast WELDTITE JET BLAST DEGREASER | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) make this a more time-efficient process, when the temperature’s tanking. Those looking for a more frugal lube stripper might find Muc-Off Drivetrain Cleaner MUC-OFF DRIVE TRAIN CLEANER | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) .  

For really deep cleans, I’m fond of Green Oil Agent Apple Extreme Immersion Degreaser TESTED: GREE OIL AGENT APPLE EXTREME IMMERSION DEGREASER (sevendaycyclist.com) . Don’t be fooled into thinking vegetable-based solvents are mild and friendly though. These can be just as, or more flammable than their petrochemical counterparts.  

Testing aside, I’ve never felt the need to remove and immerse the cassette (although this is certainly an option and something I’d be inclined to do, with chains-if only to protect the frame’s finish from accidental spatter). However, I do whip the wheel out before basting the product on, angling the cassette toward the tarmac, so solvent runs away from the hub and therefore, rubberised components, such as seals.   

     

I’ve also purchased another UN300 bottom bracket, to subvert potential supply problems nearer the time, when its existing UN55 starts grumbling. I occasionally toy with the idea of taking the Hollowtech route, probably reaching for the Shimano Zee crankset, since that’s “in stock”. However, I have the ratios right and it makes sense to run the existing setup, while its practical and economic to do so. I was going to order a few gear inner wires but found four, while rooting around my storage boxes.  

Cursory inspection, using this Kranx Chain Wear Indicator KRANX CHAIN WEAR INDICATOR | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) suggests the chain’s still in pretty good health, reckon I’ve got another three, maybe four hundred miles before substitution’s needed. Little n’ often maintenance is the way to swerving most problems.  

However, the COVID19 pandemic continues to rampage through the country. It has reached the point where the capital’s firefighters and police officers are now driving ambulances. I knew the relaxing of conditions for Christmas day would induce another pronounced spike in infection rates and envisaged the army’s engagement. However, I hadn’t envisaged the present chaos, which is both surreal and unsettling.