Heavier Hearts & Lighter Tyres

 

Been a little “out of sorts” for a while now. There’s a lot to be grateful for and plenty of reasons to smile. Safe, secure home for me and the bikes, lots of lovely test kit to research, review and enjoy but the global and more localised instability can sometimes prove exhausting. Especially if you’re a deep thinker with a predisposition toward catastrophising.  Some carefully considered introspection is good for us-planning a course of action, ways forward etc. Sitting in a dark corner wringing our hands solves nothing.

Being Generation X, I am very grateful for the childhood and teenage years we had. Not least the freedom to explore and navigate the world, people and situations in real time. We made our own entertainment and for the most part, learned patience, and conflict resolution of sorts. Childhood without screens wasn't strictly true. Many an afternoon was spent in front of the hypnotic glow of a VDU, practising the basics of programming and playing the latest video game releases of that era.

Not forgetting television, and video.... The video nasty moral panic, championed by Mary Whitehouse and the Conservative government prompting the video recordings bill in 1983. One requiring all video recordings were certified in the same fashion as cinema and indeed, banned in many cases with widespread use of fines and prosecution.     

It's easy for people to punch down at younger generations, whether it be parenting or wider behaviours. Blaming children and parents for a screen addiction, anxiety and depression conveniently swerves around some inconvenient truths. These things are incredibly layered and complex. However, factors such as playing fields and other public spaces sold to developers, the very gradual collapse of communities and looser social cohesion are highly influential, at least here in the UK.

Governments are supposedly there to govern in the best interests of their citizens and protect the most vulnerable, but I've witnessed les e faire indifference for the most part-regardless of which administration assumes power. By the same token, a society's citizens must also shape change. The post war explosion in public services, housebuilding and other infrastructure projects was not attributable to a benevolent political class. 

Given the disruption to global supply chains resultant from the Strait of Hormuz, shortages are inevitable. At some point, governments will be forced to step in with some form of rationing. The question in my mind being will they intervene before the point of crisis or leave it until they have no option?

I often reach solutions to a wealth of things during a ride, whether tweaking a component-a recalcitrant rear mech, spongy brake, bothersome bracket, or a deeper, personal dilemma.  That said its crucial to be mindful of our emotional state and remain focused on the roads, trails, and potential hazards.

Obviously, the same goes when operating any other vehicle. That out of the way and having reached some firm conclusions regarding the Genetic Hi-Grip Handlebar Tape Genetic Hi-Grip Handlebar Tape | cycling-not-racing, I’m racking up some proper mixed terrain miles with Denise and the Continental Terra Trail.

Though typical of most gravel tyres when popped on the scales, their low rolling resistance, snappy, engaging persona gives them an edge over those with a knobbly profile when tackling metalled roads, dry to moist dirt roads and similar hardpack.

No cuts, or punctures to date and it’s worth noting I’m running ours with tubes-bog standard butyl and TPU to be precise. Tubeless has some definite advantages, most notably, the ability to run lower pressures for additional grip but I’ve found things decidedly gooey should you catch an aggressive thorn. Or your cat take exception to a certain brand of tyre…

Strange as that may sound, my dearly departed farm cat had a definite dislike of Panaracer. He’d induced a few flats by gnawing and clawing the sidewalls. Curiously this wasn’t the case with Schwalbe, Kenda, Continental and indeed, V-Tire Co. Seemed quite fond of the V-Tire Co Zilent TEST & REVIEW VEE TIRE CO ZILENT TYRES and Zilent II TESTED: VEE TIRE CO ZILENT MARK 2 TYRES (as was I).

Having packed the WP823 with Peaty’s Speed Grease PEATY'S SPEED GREASE | cycling-not-racing and whipping them aboard Muffin’s cranks, I headed out for a few 20-mile loops. I’m pleased to report the thinner viscosity grease was trafficked deep within the pedal’s inner sanctum, eliminating the squeak and any roughness.

This prompted me to port some Shimano XT over to Denise. I love the Shimano PD ES 600 SPD Shimano PD ES 600 SPD Pedal | cycling-not-racing  aside from the soft finish but fancied a change. I’ve also switched the Roswheel Lightweight Tour Rack Roswheel Lightweight Tour Rack | cycling-not-racing for the M-Part Summit M Part Summit Rear Rack | cycling-not-racing which is slightly broader, so doesn’t cause the Zefal Shield G50 Mudguards Zefal Shield G50 Mudguards | cycling-not-racing to tickle the rear tyre so readily. Right, I'll leave it here with my long term review of the Muc-Off Waterproof socks, since May is proving a little changeable weather-wise Muc-Off Waterproof Socks | cycling-not-racing 

All Terrain

 

 

Tyres switched to trail specific, I’ve been getting some decent mileage on Ursula, exploring some fresh bridleways and unmade roads, far from the maddening crowd. A great opportunity to drop a few gears and assess the Lomo Zephyr Waterproof pannier’s mounting hardware...is it more, or less secure compared with Rixen Kaul Klick Fix along lumpy, bumpy sections...  

It’s a design seemingly identical to that employed by Brae. They seem very compatible with 10mm rack tubing, but I was interested to note they’ve been marginally more secure on the Topeak Uni Super Tourist DX Disc, compared with its standard sibling. Topeak Uni SuperTourist 2.0 NonDisc Rack | cycling-not-racing       

Lomo don’t cite a weight limit, but I’ve added this beefy Masterlock, bringing the present cargo to 5 kilos. Raising the saddle height by a few millimetres was another inspired move. The Peaty’s Link Lube All Weather continued to prove compatible with its Link Lube Dry stablemate, although it’s important to note I’d applied the All Weather once only trace amounts of Link Lube Dry clung to the links, rollers and cassette.  

Then of course, I found one of the KMC chain’s side plates beginning to splay, which was communicated via an intermittent clicking which initially suggested my right foot wasn’t fully engaged with the Shimano XT Shimano Deore XT PD-M8100 Pedals | cycling-not-racing cleat mechanism, thankfully, this struck at the close of, rather than mid-ride.  

I’m forming the conclusion that it's best to buy budget to mid-range chains pre-cut.  Again, an easy fix, pop the old link out and slip in another- a five-minute job, ten taking into account checking the other links for any potential damage, or obvious weakness.   

I’m still toying with purchasing a set of chain link pliers, which make cutting and joining chains that bit faster but only at the right price. Funnily enough, I’ve found the chain breaker on this Pedro's multi tool unusually accurate and ultimately pleasant to use.   

I decided to thoroughly degrease the drivetrain before applying some Motorex Chain Wax to the chain, since I fancied something lighter and cleaner. It's closer to a dry lube than a traditional wax but still requires several hours to cure-overnight is my default, though the visual clue is when it becomes a clear glaze.  

Temperatures were too low for the Blub Wax Lube Blub Wax Lube | cycling-not-racing  to cure effectively and as I’ve said before, it will require reapplication if the bike’s been resting up longer than 48 hours or so.  

My love for Shimano’s MW7Shimano MW7 (MW702) Gore Tex MTB Shoes | cycling-not-racing booties is well versed but generally drier conditions have seen me return to gravel shoes, specifically these Shimano RX6 Shimano SH RX600 Gravel Cycling Shoes | cycling-not-racing  . These have a similarly stiff sole, which is great for efficiency but without impairing walking, or running prowess.  Hedge clipping season signalled another flat-Ursula's rear Continental Cross King succumbing a mile or so from home.

That annoying, demoralising hiss and wet “futting” as I whizzed through the wet, muddied lane...No biggie- spare tube, check tyre casing, replace tube and reinflate. I always carry a pump of some kind but have been increasingly smitten with mini compressors. My favourite to date being this CycPlus AS2 Pro Max E. Pump CycPlus AS2 Pro Max E.Pump | cycling-not-racing which lives in Denise’s  luggage along with the Muc-Off Air Mach Carbon Pump Muc Off Airmach Carbon Pump | cycling-not-racing 

However, a decent hand pump is a lifeline, should the battery tank, or maybe you’ve had a couple of flats during a ride and before opportunity to recharge the mini compressor, or you’re out of CO2 cartridges. I’ve reached the conclusion that a frame fit model, such as this Topeak  Road Master Blaster Topeak Road Master Blaster Frame Pump | cycling-not-racing, or Zefal HPX (which is rumoured to be discontinued). Both will comfortably manage 100psi.  I’ve resurrected this Specialized Air Tool Switch, which at 25cm is compact enough to slip into a rack top bag, away from spatter and other destructive, wet gritty stuff.  

The Cross Kings do seem a little vulnerable to sharps, so I am contemplating a more resilient option at the rear- a look through my tyre stash will doubtless turn up something suitable-use what you got, after all. On the flip side, this new phase of hedge cutting provides ideal opportunity to evaluate the Pirelli Cinturato's puncture resistance... 

  

New Shoes & Chomping through Consumables

 

Madison cycles have sent me Shimano RX6 (SH-RX600, to give them their more formal name) gravel shoes for testing and, as you’d probably expect, I was keen to see how they’d compare with the Shimano M701 GTX SPD Shoes Shimano MT701 GTX SPD Shoes | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com).  

The RX6 are visually a much sportier shoe and register 8 for sole stiffness on their scale (whereas the M701 GTX are 4) out of a possible 12, so I wasn’t surprised to discover the RX6 features a carbon-reinforced sole.  

The outer sole pattern features wide, TPU “lugs” for comfort on and off the bike, which is a good thing, since cyclocross, bike packing, and other rough stuff usually involve a bit of walking or shouldering the bike through trickier sections- boggy bridlepaths being prime examples. Touring, cross and mountain bike shoes need to be rigid for good power transfer, yet still forgiving enough for moderate walking.  

My days of Look cleats, precariously hobbling across tiled café floors, or disgracing myself by gouging holes in expensive linoleum are long behind me. Recessed cleat systems all the way-road, or otherwise.  

Theory goes that stiffer soles spread the load more evenly across the pedal’s surface, supplying more efficiency and ultimately, comfort-especially over longer distances. For me (on paper at least) 8 strikes the right balance for the kind of riding I do, most of the time, although I’ve also found the M701 GTX very agreeable for general riding. These things, like many others, are nuanced.  

Synthetic leather uppers are another definite plus when it comes to keeping them clean and looking good, a few seasons down the line.  Anyone remember the entry level suede/Codura cross country MTB shoes from the early 90s? I had a pair that served remarkably well from ‘94 to 99 and they were good for riding and running, too. Despite my discipline, coastal winter mud and other nasties quickly sullied the suede, mind.  

In common with the M701, they also employ the Boa dial for quick entry, release and precise adjustment. Shimano also says the PD-M8100 Shimano Deore XT PD-M8100 Pedals | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) (Deore XT to you and me) are their perfect pedal match. Handy that they’re Ursula’s defaults then. Looking forward to getting some serious miles in, especially since the weather’s getting wetter and more challenging. Steve’s been staying dry and temperate in this Showers Pass Ecolyte Elite Cycling Jacket Showers Pass Men’s EcoLyte Elite Cycling | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

The last crops are being harvested from the fields, farmers paving the lanes with mud, and indeed, dung. For how much longer remains to be seen-farming would appear another casualty of Britain’s trajectory. As temperatures tumble to seasonal normality, the prospect of traversing iced cowpats has me reaching for the spikes- 700c and 26 inch.  

Elsewhere, the sudden and cataclysmic demise of a second set of pads on my fixed gear winter/trainer’s TRP SLC caliper struck, so I switched to the disco brakes sintered set and will see how they fare over the coming weeks. The root cause of this demise? Some caustic agricultural products contaminating the pads, coupled with a misalignment headache.  

The latter finally traced to a rogue caliper mount.  

Despite being supplied with the TRP Spyre, its arc was too large- easily fixed with an auction site bargain bouncing around the brackets box. Ursula’s original resin pads had also gone down to the metal, so replaced with some EBC. Winter can eat stuff with frightening haste, so I bought three sets.  

I’ve also had cause to revisit Ursula’s front end. Long story short, I was experiencing unexpected hassles with the Gusset Headlock system, so decided I'd go the Star Fangled Nut route and employ an expander wedge to hold the Bluemels mudguard steady. I had an ACOR unit nestling beside some SFN. The expander idea has proven a winner. Necessity, mother of invention, and all that.  

Ending on completely different notes, my dentist has reinstated my smile and I’ve been seriously impressed by the Ravemen LR 1600 front light Ravemen LR1600 Front Light | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

Steve has been similarly impressed by its 1200 lumen counterpart Ravemen LR1200 Front Light | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)