Boiled Bearings & Brake Lights

 I’d been concerned about the Halo Evaura/SP SL9 HALO EVURA & SHUTTER PRECISION SL9 DYNOHUB BUILD (sevendaycyclist.com) hoop- there's been some disc rub and I initially believed this attributable to a slight loss of truth- either the rim or less likely, the Swiss Stop Catalyst Disc Rotor Swiss Stop Catalyst Disc Rotor | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com). I’d ruled out the other possibility-broken axle, or skewer. The latter sheared unexpectedly but thankfully, while I was inspecting things from the comfort of home, not ten miles out.  

A trip to Mick Madgett confirmed the SL9’s bearings were cooked. Hub issues had crossed my mind-I’d done approximately 20,000miles and four winters, so not wholly unexpected. Its PD8 cousin HALO CLASSIC RIM & SHUTTER PRECISION DYNOHUB DISC WHEEL BUILD (sevendaycyclist.com) needed overhaul last year, which wasn’t an overly complex, or fraught process. Send it off to Ison Distribution (Their UK importer) pay a small fee and it’ll come back from the factory, serviced and ready to be built into a wheel. 

 

Continuing the lighting theme, I’ve been forming stronger opinions regarding the Kranx Strix 100 and Ravemen TR500 rear lights. The former has surprised, impressed me with its output and presence, across the board. I’d be happiest running it on a best bike-for extended late summer/early autumn evening outings where you need a decent light to get home with. Or as a backing singer to a dynamo/main light during winter. 

 

The TR500 is highly effective and incredibly powerful, though still practical for suburban and town riding in the lower settings. Run times are surprisingly good too, although it does require 5 hrs 45 minutes to fully re/charge. The trick of course, is to charge often.  

Not only for convenience but because it ensures lithium-Ion cells reach their suggested service life. It also features a brake sensor, which its TR300 sibling does not. “Brake” sensors or brake functions are useful but probably best explained/thought of, as slowing sensors.

  

For example, a car or motorcycle brake light engages when the lever, or brake pedal is engaged, which in turn, causes other components to physically engage, switching the light on and off. However, those featured on bicycle lights employ a sensor, which calculates/estimates deceleration. Therefore, it’s likely that they will engage more often, which can affect run times.  

Designs have improved somewhat in recent years- in terms of sensitivity, so you’re not engaging the “brake” light at the slightest loss of momentum on a climb. I’m still very fond of the Xeccon Mars 60 COB Rear Light TESTED: XECCON MARS 60 COB REAR LIGHT (sevendaycyclist.com), which can run in “brake light” only mode. Again, it’s a little on the sensitive side but the large surface area and slightly translucent casing means it’s a good bet for tagalongs/trailers, or as a sleek single, post-mounted light.  

Those on the Ravemen TR500, and Magicshine SeeMee 150 and 200 are easily disengaged, which is thoughtful. Ravemen CLO6 RAVEMEN CL06 SENSORED REAR LIGHT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) follows this less prescriptive narrative and employs a sensor that picks up approaching vehicle headlamps, intensifying the output accordingly.  

After a period of drought, the rains have come and its welcome on many levels. Wet, greasy and challenging conditions are perfect for evaluating products. Tyres, brakes, chain lubes or clothing are just a few examples. The Specialized Road Sport are continuing to put a grin on my face, although aren’t quite as sprightly as the CST Czar, or Vittoria Rubino Pro but do seem consistently good-even along waterlogged roads.  

Would be interesting to see how their more expensive Road Elite stablemates compare. Interestingly the latter only feature a centre-breaker strip, not one that runs bead to bead. Traditionally this has meant a lighter, faster tyre but on paper at least, more vulnerable to flats, especially during winter. Winter also means more component chewing filth and caustic grot.  

This coupled with shorter days demands a more efficient approach to cleaning and general maintenance WINTER WONDERLAND ONE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) Bike washes, though not essential can be very helpful when time is short and grime stubborn. Steve’s been putting this Motorex Bike Clean Motorex Bike Clean | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) through its paces and seems quite impressed.  

  

Hey Mr. Tambourine Man...

 After several weeks and 600miles, I’m forming my conclusions regarding the Shutter Precision SD8 hub and curious as to how Shimano Alfine 6V3 Watt DH-S01 compares in terms of resistance and output. I wasn’t completely surprised to discover the SD8 employs contact seals, whereas the Shimano employs Labyrinth, which is in principle superior and probably explains why Ursula’s Ultegra unit has served 10 years without missing a beat.  I wasn’t surprised by the SD8’s marginal drop in output at slower speeds and on the climbs. 

One such gradient takes me past a poultry processing plant, which though fully operational and quite harshly lit, has a strangely eerie feel, amplified by the humming vats and pipework. A “closet” fear some thirty years ago was failing my A levels and being consigned to a slaughterhouse or similar environment. Then of course, there were the small electronics factories that littered out of the way industrial estates. 

 

Contexts where the health and safety at work act were more casually observed. Those with a mild learning disability could be found in the dipping/varnishing sections with minimal, if any PPE (Personal Protective Equipment). Upping the tempo and the K-Lite Bike Packer Pro V2K LITE BIKEPACKER PRO V2 FRONT LIGHT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)’s full 1300lumens come back on tap and I’m escaping the hulk, feeling the crisp swoosh as the Schwalbe Land Cruiser and Marathon Mondial keep traction across the hard, frosty asphalt. The swooping rush of a descent, a sharp left, and I’m along another silty, gravelly singletrack road, with the odd, solitary house illuminated by moonlight.

  

Conditions where I’m glad for a Belgian style cap, mtb booties, waterproof socks, a heavyweight winter jersey topped off with a technical jacket. The Oxford Venture OXFORD VENTURE JACKET | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) has become my default- its thin, stretchy, and more comfortable than I was expecting from a garment boasting 10,000mm for waterproofing and breathability.  

To my surprise, even when it's minus 2, these Seal Skinz gloves keep my digits temperate and mobile. Eyewear is another thing to neglect at your peril-nothing worse than stinging, salty tears, and blurred vision. Besides, as my military motorcycle instructor so rightly stated, you only get one pair.  

For the last few months, I’ve defaulted to these Smith, which sit comfortably and banish draft. There is the occasional mysterious and deathly silent figure, emerging from the misty shroud of a ploughed field. Otherwise, I’m free to contemplate, reflect and crucially, enjoy. Occasionally I get the urge to sing but thankfully, this is usually tempered by the fear of awakening something supernatural hiding in the foliage.  

Black Shuck could take exception to my rendition of The Stone Ponies “Different Drum” and I don’t fancy my chances of outrunning him. Well, 5am conjures these possibilities... Having said that, I’ve seen cloaked, hooded figures emerging from forest clearings and I am firmly of the opinion there are things that shouldn’t be dabbled with. We would also be phenomenally arrogant to assume there aren’t incredibly advanced societies elsewhere in the galaxy.  

Conditions eased a little under rubber, so I’ve also been out to play on the fixed, which also proved an opportunity to bed in the TRP SPYRE SLC and address some cable tension. The Cane Creek SC5 lever CANE CREEK V BRAKE DROP BAR LEVERS | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) was drawing closer to the bars before I was getting bite at the rotor. Well, the modulation and feel, I prefer. Nothing a quick tweak of the barrel adjuster couldn’t rectify.  

However, this called into question the viability of the RL340- the 520 would be a more satisfying union, simply due to greater cable pull-afterall, it was designed for V (Linear pull) brakes. Staying with the fixed, low temperatures also do nasty things to cheap and cheerful batteries. The CR2032 cells in the fixed’s VDO head unit. Located a spare while searching for a rather handy Ice Toolz  pedal and 15mm track nut wrench, so switched, since the white unit was doing something close to nothing.   Right, on that note, I'll leave you with Steve's review of the Cushion Aid saddle Donut proSADDLE DONUT PRO | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)