Maintenance is a core component of riding. Little adjustments and checks keep things sweet and mean more time in the saddle, rather than on the workbench. I was switching Ursula’s wheels back to the Maxxis and suddenly felt compelled to check my fixed gear winter trainer’s CST Pika Gravel Tyres CST Pika Gravel Tyres | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com).
The front was decidedly soft, much softer than I’d expect after a fortnight on the hook. I initially thought this might be a quirk of the Pirelli Centurato Reinforced Smart Tube. PIRELLI CENTURATO REINFORCED SMART TUBE (sevendaycyclist.com) but 20 strokes of the track pump later, an audible hiss confirmed a slow flat. Usual checks- rim tape, foreign objects in the casing. Ruled those out and popped in a box fresh butyl tube.
Wheel reinstated, tyre inflated, brake checked, and skewer tightened to 9nm, I topped up the Motoverde PTFE chain lube. Next, I decided the fork's “low rider” drillings needed plugging if only to keep the aluminium alloy inserts from corrosion. Thought the red anodised bottle screws I’d picked up for a song would do nicely.
A lick of Peaty’s Bicycle Assembly Grease PEATY'S BICYCLE ASSEMBLY GREASE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) on the threads, I whizzed them home-just right-the Goldilocks moment.
See Sense had sent me another mount for the Beam+, so I decided the fixed should receive that, Ursula would stick with the Magicshine. So far, the replacement feels a precise fit, suggesting the original was just a rogue sample.
The Beam+ puts out 1500 lumens and is more compact (though not radically so) than the Ravemen LR1600 Ravemen LR1600 Front Light | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com), which I’m a huge fan of. Direct comparisons are a little tricky, unfair even, since the Beam+ can be further tuned by a downloadable app, which enables the light to alter output to suit conditions, theoretically giving the best return of visibility and navigational prowess and of course, battery life.
I’ve been astounded by just how long the battery has lasted, between charges- 40 hours on the reactive flash, which has been my default, since I’ve been pairing it with the K-Lite Dynamos- even then, it hadn’t dipped to red, which gives an hour's grace, before powering down.
The light’s sensor also seems more accurate than most- reading conditions and adjusting light accordingly- picks up when it senses vehicle lights, road signs and similar, which is great when you’re tackling roundabouts or entering the flow of traffic.
The app can also alert a designated emergency contact, in the event of it sensing a crash. It will also send an alert if it senses the bike being moved, which is another useful feature.
Having run the Muc-Off All Weather Lube until it had reached a filmy state- 500 miles through a salty, wintery January, I decided it was time to give Ursula a good wash. In common with some others, The All-Weather Lube requires stripping, then reapplication- it can’t (or at least, shouldn’t) be topped up like an old-fashioned middleweight.
Despite the filmy state, it was holding back the dreaded taint, save for the side plates, obviously. Out came the Weldtite Bike Cleaner, bucket and the dregs of some degreasers that needed using up. This was also the opportunity to see how the Weldtite Rapid Ceramic Shield would perform on Ursula’s cream powder coat finish, which wasn’t treated to a clear coat...After The Gritters Went Home | Seven Day Cyclist
February can be a tricky month weather-wise (ask my mother who delivered a sibling during the UK’s winter of discontent in February 1979) and after a quiet lull, the temperature has dropped quite sharply, so the salt-spreading fairies have been busy again. Ditto hedge clipping, so I’ve been pleased (dare I say, relieved) to discover the Maxxis Overdrive Excel holding their own, even in minus 3, the lanes littered with iced mud. I’d also dialled the Disco Brakes Semi-Metallic Pads Disco Disc Brake Pads and Wavey Rotors | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) a fraction closer, which gave already dependable stopping a boost.
Back to tyres, Steve’s been impressed with the CST Czar CST Czar Tyres | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)
The Rapid Ceramic Shield also seems to be holding its own, preventing dirt and other stuff clinging to Ursula’s tubes. I’m trying to get a handle on its alchemy, but it doesn’t appear to contain silicones, like some protectant formulas can.
Continuing the Weldtite theme, I went for their Performance All Weather Lube TF2 PERFORMANCE ALL WEATHER LUBRICANT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com), since in my experience, it’s a good middleweight choice.
Doing well, I decided a stem spacer switch, to move the See Sense Beam+ and K-lite dynamo switch K LITE BIKEPACKER PRO V2 FRONT LIGHT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) for a cleaner aesthetic. For the time being, I’m forgoing the bar cam until I can find a suitably tidy alternative mount. I’m sure I’ve a suitable candidate somewhere... Meantime, here’s my review of the Madison Road Race Super Light Men’s Waterproof Softshell Jacket Madison Road Race Jacket | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)
