Letting Off Steam

Chain length sorted, I’m back to enjoying Ursula’s, drop bar charms along the dirt roads and trails. Changing the rear shifter’s inner wire was another inspired decision, improving shifting performance for literal pennies. I’ve been running the Schwalbe Smart Sam up front and the Maxxis Ikon Maxxis Ikon Tyres | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) behind to compare the two in various contexts. While both tyres seem very competent off-road, the Schwalbe have an edge when cornering on wet asphalt and appear to roll a little quicker on hardpack too.  

On this basis I’ve decided to switch the Ikon back to the Sputnik/XT wheel and pop the Smart Sam on the Ryde/Halo Spin Doctor. Famous last words, the existing KMC chain is faring well. Plan is to run it for another 800miles (c. November) and then, assuming it's worn significantly, switch to one of the pe-cut 106 link replacements. For the meantime, lube-wise I’m staying with the Momum MIC Wax Momum MIC Wax Lube | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) since its clean and easy to top up, as necessary. Aside from being lighter, rigid forks have some definite benefits in winter.  Zero maintenance, save for washing and periodic inspection.  

Then of course, here in the UK, ground tends to be softer, so boing is less crucial, and I personally prefer the handling in these contexts. I went for the cantilever and disc mount version of the Carbon Cycles eXotic Fork with Disc and V Brake mounts Carbon Cycles Exotic Fork | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) on the grounds of versatility- I could switch to a cantilever stopper, if necessary but admit its disc only sibling is a sleeker choice. It also has other advantages when it comes to front mudguards.  

I had to modify the Mud Hugger Evo slightly to achieve a good fit. Cracking front guard (fender) incidentally. I also recognise that suspension technology has come along leaps and bounds since a set of Rock Shox Indy SL. Another lightweight and uncomplicated design that I raced with some twenty-three years back.  

Mine used the Eglund air cartridges which were a marked improvement on the OEM elastomers. They couldn’t be locked out, in the literal sense but near as damnit with the shock pump. Lock-out functions mean a bouncy fork can behave like a rigid fork without needing to switch and they’re a serious boon for more technical trails. Horses for courses.  

Lighting has also evolved and arguably more dramatically. However, when it comes to longer trail outings, I’ll still reach for a more traditional master blaster. The Sigma Buster HL2000 SIGMA SPORT BUSTER HL 2000 | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) has been around for some time now but in my book, still is truly relevant, especially given the 1300lumen mode is good for 5 hours riding. I’ve switched mine to the Lazer Chameleon Helmet in preparation but for the time being, am putting the Ravemen PR2000 through its paces. 

Thankfully, the weather’s still very balmy, so the Holdsworth and I have been enjoying some early morning blasts- I'd regret not taking this opportunity come November. Interestingly, the LR and PR series use the same mount, meaning it's easily ported between bikes- the Holdsworth and fixed gear winter trainer to suit. As a rough and ready guide, the LR series is optimal for road-biased duties, the PR for those who lean more toward the trail.  

  

The Holdsworth’s seat stay is also sporting the Infini Sword, which has impressed me with its frugality. The pulsing and flashing modes are surprisingly bright and peripheral presence is better than I was expecting and when compared with otherwise likeable Oxford Ultratorch  R50 Slimline Rear Light TEST & REVIEW: OXFORD ULTRATORCH R50 SLIMLINE REAR LIGHT (sevendaycyclist.com)    

Funny how things turn up when you’re not hunting them. My Park SPA2-C pin tool rematerialized, so I switched the Fixed Gear Winter/Trainer’s bog-standard crank bolts over to self-extractors. I also checked I still had a couple of 68x107 cartridge bottom brackets in stock, which I did. I tend to get around 8-9,000 miles from the UN55, 6,000 from patterns.

The Holdsworth is still running an ACOR unit and doesn’t do big miles, so I’m not expecting that to get the grumbles. However, they’re another part that trundles on faithfully and without complaint, then expires without notice. That said; I’d probably treat the Holdsworth to something more exotic, dare I say slightly lighter. On that note, I'll leave you with my review of the Carbon Cycles eXotic Carbon Titanium Seatpost Carbon Cycles eXotic Carbon Ti Sea | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)      

Yay! New Wheel Day

A couple of days after dropping the rim and Shutter Precision SD8 hub with Mick Madgett, he’d built the wheel! Much whooping and cheering (to coincide with The KA’s service and MOT pass) followed and I arranged to collect at my earliest, practical opportunity. Not least since I needed to put the hub through its paces.  

No sense spending good money on wheel(s) than skimping on rim tapes and inner tubes either, so I got some fresh Schwalbe and bought in three tubes, but the second Schwalbe Marathon GT365 TESTED: SCHWALBE MARATHON GT 365 TYRES WINTER UPDATE (sevendaycyclist.com) eluded me. Not the lightest by any means but extremely durable and dependable on and off-road. 

I’ve sent the PD8 over to the UK importer so they can organise servicing and once that’s back, I’ll get it built into the White Line rim and it’ll serve as the second/spare front wheel for my fixed gear winter/trainer.  

Now, one of the minor things about the Shutter Precision hubs is that they come sans skewer. Not sure what I’d done with the Shimano quick release, since I had defaulted to the Kryptonite Wheel Boltz security skewers, which though not impenetrable, offer decent defence from casual tea leaves- say when parking up for short periods- bladder, or colon smoothie stop anyone?  

I poached the gold  Halo, since that wheel was doing something close to nothing and I couldn’t find that belonging to the Nexus. I still have a soft spot for the humble commuter hub, it’s just the resistance and specification aren’t of the sort, conducive to the K-Lite lamps, or indeed the 800lumen Exposure unit that preceded them.  

The Nexus in question is a 6V 2.4-watt model. Sanyo and Shimano both produce 1.5-volt units and they’re very affordable, but again, inadequate for my riding needs. Staying with hubs, John Moss did indeed have an Alfine unit, but I’ve metaphorically missed the boat- he'd had a clear out, donated it and his tyre mountain to a cycling charity. Wasn’t meant to be.  

Another time, another place maybe a suitable hub will materialise. For now, I’ll enjoy the a ’la carte mix of Sputnik rim, XT hub, 11-25 cassette and Tiagra rear mech.  

Dynamos aren’t everyone’s bag, nor are they suitable for all contexts. I’m still very interested in powerful, rechargeable units, especially on pared to the essential's road bikes.  

Steve’s been racking up the miles with Sigma’s smaller Buster- the 700, which I also have a fondness for, although primarily as a helmet-mounted companion. The sensible range of modes and high-quality optics also caters for town and suburban work, with enough bite for letting off some steam along semi-rural escapes. SIGMA BUSTER 700 FRONT LIGHT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

Up the rear, I’m still fond of the German marques’ Blaze SIGMA BLAZE REAR LED LIGHT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and Infinity SIGMA INFINITY REAR LED LIGHT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)rear light, which are bright and in the latter context, very frugal, especially for a single, constant mode.   

Trail Distribution has kindly sent me some Bike Medicine Purple Extreme Chain Lube. It’s a synthetic blend, originally conceived for oil rigs and similarly harsh conditions. It's claimed to perform in temperatures between +400-100 degrees Fahrenheit, so the average British winter shouldn’t tax it. In common with some others, you can scoot off but ideally, leave curing overnight. 

Bike Medicine claim it will extend the life of older components, while enhancing the performance of packet fresh drivetrains, without attracting dirt and contaminant. Will be interesting to see how it holds up against some wallet-friendly favourites, including Weldtite TF2 Performance All Weather Lubricant TF2 PERFORMANCE ALL WEATHER LUBRICANT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)          

There is a school of thought which says dry lubes for spring/summer and wet for winter. Makes sense on some levels and keeps things simple. However, these things are nuanced. I err towards stay put synthetics on daily drivers and working bikes. Price aside, I’m impressed by Muc Off Ludicrous AF and have returned 700miles from a single application. The Peaty’s Link Lube Premium All Weather Chain Lubricant PEATY'S LINK LUBE PREMIUM ALL WEATHER | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) is another decent default, ditto Rock N’ Roll Gold LV ROCK 'N' ROLL GOLD LV CHAIN LUBE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com), which is also incredibly clean running-welcome any time, but especially winter.  

Ursula is the beneficiary for now. The chain is also in surprisingly good shape- at present rate, I’ve probably got 500miles before it’ll need pensioning off. I’ll wait until the Christmas break for the wheel- will likely coincide with other little, mid-point maintenance jobs. Gives me chance to get some spare cables and straddle wires in. Nothing worse than getting immersed only to be thwarted by a frayed/damaged cable, especially when you can’t just nip out and buy a new one.  

Cable-wise, I’ve gone for some Transfil, a brand supplying cabling to the French automotive industry and producing some decent, virtually maintenance-free cable sets. A great option for bikes in hard service. The outers are quite abrasive though, so be sure to apply some helicopter tape where they touch the frame/forks.