Changing Rubber, Switching Routes

 

My recent reversion to the dependable and moreover, likeable 700x38 Vittoria Adventure Tech and 700x32 Kenda Kwick Journey KS plus KENDA KWICK JOURNEY TYRES | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  has proved a wise move, on the reliability front without sacrificing smiles.  Then along came some CST Pika Gravel and Xpedium Tyres. Ours is the skinny, old school cyclo cross 700x32c but there’s a 42mm (about 1.65 in) for bigger, gravel and adventure bike typical clearances.  

They’re a 60tpi dual compound with EPS (Extra Puncture Protection) puncture repelling belt, sturdy looking sidewalls and run between (35 and 75psi). At £31, they fall into the budget boat, so it’ll be interesting to see how they perform. Bickers LTD www.bickersltd.co.uk , the UK importer also sent me CST Xpedium. A 700x35c commuter biased tyre with a tread pattern superficially like Ursula’s Schwalbe Land Cruiser (no sign of the snow threatened by tabloid press outlets, yet.)  

The Xpedium feature a very comprehensive Aramid belt, which follow a narrative closer to some commuter/touring favourites from Schwalbe and indeed Vee Tire Co Zilent TESTED: VEE TIRE CO ZILENT MARK 2 TYRES (sevendaycyclist.com) although at 715g a bit lighter than both. This season, roads and lanes are paved in dung and similar gooey stuff, add hedge clippings to the mix and yes, the odds of flatting increase quite considerably.  

Blow-outs are relatively rare, although I’ve had a few over the years. Arguably the most hilarious was while riding my hack mtb (based around a Raleigh Maverick frameset and whatever I had, back in 1990/91).  

Hammering through a winding section of singletrack, something pierced the rear tyre’s sidewall and 50psi roared out, inducing a rear wheel slide and a mange et trois...Such weas the force, I was swept into a hedge where a couple were in a passionate tryst. Not sure who was more surprised to see who.  

Replaced that tyre with a 1.75 CST funnily enough- had a beefy 2.1-inch Hutchinson up front. MKS sealed bearing pedals, Zefal clips n’ straps, Weinmann cantilevers, Le Chi levers, thumb-shifters, Exage bio-pace crankset, SR seat post, Turbo homage saddle, 6spd block...A summer distraction while I awaited my GCSE exam results and sold on a year later to fund “The Teenage Dream”, my 531 Competition tubed road frameset.

I digress... A new set of brushes arrived for review, so I wasted no time in getting my filthy fixed lathered up and spruced. Looking in the cleaning bucket, I noted I had a few bottles of cleaner that were basically empty but had enough concentrated surfactant to do one last deep clean. Now, generic car wash n’ wax formulas are a default for me, (when I’m not putting products through their paces).  

 

These cut through the grime and when rinsed, leave a thin protective wax barrier behind. However, after five years regular use, the dregs of Crankalicious Mud Honey Foaming Bucket Wash TESTED: CRANKALICIOUS MUD HONEY FOAMING BUCKET WASH (sevendaycyclist.com) deserved a send-off. The rich later made short work of a week’s slimy spatter and caked on gunge (including some stubborn chain lube).  

The other reason I didn’t reach for wax was that I wanted to lay some helicopter tape atop the fixed’s top and head tube, where the Oxford Evo Top Tube bag was resting. This would prevent any potential swirling, or similar, should the bag move around, or wet gritty stuff get swept between bag and paintwork.  

I also decided the fixed’s KMC Z1 chain was too long, so pruned that by a few links (Claiming a multi tool’s chain function into the bargain. Luckily, I had this Topeak All Speeds Chain Tool TOPEAK ALL SPEEDS CHAIN TOOL | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) so, crisis averted).  

As a side note, I’m fond of multi-tools and especially those with a chain breaker. However, these tend to be weak spots. Even my Gerber Cool Tool’s pin has failed. Final job was a pedal switch.  

Again, I’m attached to the Shimano PD ED 500 Shimano PD ED 500 Pedals | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and though not desperate to save 160g from the build, I was keen to see if the PD M-540 would have any bearing upon my experience with the Shimano RX6 shoes.

I also noted the Sigma Infinity Rear LED Light SIGMA INFINITY REAR LED LIGHT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) had mysteriously powered down. So frugal, it gets forgotten, not a fault, or victim of water ingress. Since I’m talking rear lights, here’s my review of the Infini Metis Infini Metis 1-465R Rear Light | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

Fixed beautified, I decided it was time to hop back aboard Ursula and to judge whether another pair of long-serving bib tights had become bin fodder, courtesy of a knackered insert. Chafing around my inner buttock was the clue and confirmed during the next ride. This also coincided with an early morning road closure.  

Inconvenient, especially on a Monday morning, when I needed to be home by c. 545. That said; I followed the diversion, upped my tempo and was seemingly guided by some benevolent force along the even darker, narrower lanes. Having pulled up outside my house, with time to spare I considered it a blessing in disguise and looked forward to indulging in its charms, while works continued.  

Pre-Hibernation Tweaks

 

I’ve been settling to some little jobs before Holdsworth, and Teenage Dream enter seasonal hibernation. I’ve decided to revise the Holdsworth’s stem spacer height and replace the budget expander wedge. I’ve also decided to switch the Teenage Dream’s rear tyre. While I love the Vee Tire Co Rain Runner infinity’s speed, they seem slightly susceptible to punctures, so I had a rummage in the rafters, hoping to find these Schwalbe Lugano TESTED: SHWALBE LUGANO ROAD CYCLING TYRES (sevendaycyclist.com)   

A little portlier and erring more towards commuting and winter training, but given my preference for dawn blasts, some additional reliability is welcome. Instead, I found a solitary 25mm Freedom Thick Slick (which the Holdsworth is shod with), so popped that on the rear. I would’ve preferred a matching set but aesthetic pedantry aside, some would argue this is another example of personalisation and for now, I’ll stick with that!   

I’m still researching potential replacement(s) for the Schwalbe Marathon Mondial Dual Defense, which have done 7,000miles and still going strong, although starting to show some formative signs of wear. There is a school of thought recommending alternating front and rear tyres for longevity.  

I can see the merits on paper. In practice this is a dubious practice-whipping a partially worn rear up front is inviting a very nasty face-plant on a wet, greasy ride. I will often switch the part worn front to the rear, to get my money’s worth, but then, a brand spanking new tyre goes up front! 

No sooner had I switched Ursula’s chain to the Peaty’s Link Lube Dry PEATYS LINK LUBE DRY CHAIN LUBE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) this Muc Off Ludicrous AF arrived in the post. Claimed to be the world fastest lube brewed for road, mtb and triathletes, it promises to perform in temperatures as low as minus 20, and extend chain life, so it will be interesting to see how the next few months pan out.  Typical of high-end lubes, chains need to be surgically clean before applying and Muc-Off recommends leaving it a full 24hours curing. 

 

One thing led to another (as it invariably does, with me) and before you know it, I’d whipped Ursula on the work stand, out came the rear wheel. Shifting had been slightly off again and I suspected this was down to the cassette's lockring working slightly loose. Snugged tight with trusty cassette tool, I also suspected, the microshift bar con needed to be dialed fractionally tighter- a slight, clockwise turn of my 4mm Allen key-sorted. Out came the sudsy bucket and sponge and the old girl was gleaming again.  

Chain, ring and cassette exorcised with solvent, I drizzled Muc-Off Ludicrus AF into the links. The Teenage Dream’s drivetrain received identical treatment, coinciding with the tyre swap and a review of the wedge pack. Dead CO2 cartridge was consigned to the bin and given the Uk’s present shortage of said gas, it might be a while before I acquire some more... I’ve also been witnessing extensive panic buying of fuel.  

Traffic backed up along the streets, reminiscent of the last fuel shortage, during the summer of 2000. In the corner of London where I was living, some people were actively trying to scale the tankers. On one occasion, I had two 20 litre MOD jerry cans full of leaded fuel for motorcycles (older Japanese machines, though designed for unleaded, had no problems with the more toxic blend).  

People were begging me to sell them it (some more aggressively than others). Leaded petrol is ruinous to catalytic converters, as several hapless people discovered, having filled their late-model Toyotas.  Whether the UK will assume a state of compulsory rationing, last experienced in the early 1970s remains to be seen.    

  

Back on two wheels, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the Sigma Infinity Rear LED Light SIGMA INFINITY REAR LED LIGHT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) it’s compact, bright and simple, with favourable run and charge times.  Those looking for a super potent rechargeable front light may like to take a look at The Ravemen PR2400 https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/ravemen-pr2400-front-light