Just Because You Can Doesn’t Always Mean You Should

 

One thing often leads to another in my world. I’d spotted some bridlepath while bimbling along the backroads and was curious to see where it led- not very far, ultimately but nothing ventured, nothing gained. I was tempted to tackle it the night before, since I was out bedding in some brake pads and getting some beam shots. However, the Sigma Buster HL2000 SIGMA SPORT BUSTER HL 2000 | cycling-not-racing battery was still charging, so I made a mental note for the following morning.  Having indulged in a mixed terrain loop, I cut right and found myself navigating some recently churned bridleway that required low gears, persistence, deft unclipping and dab-downs.

Conditions improved and at that point I was met with a private no public access sign, so turned around and embraced the gloop once more.  Having filled the CST Patrol’s CST Patrol Folding EPS Tyres | cycling-not-racing tread, turning them into giant slicks (albeit with tangible traction) I rejoined asphalt and headed the two miles home, the CST Patrol shedding mud, mortar fashion.  

I rounded up the bike wash and blitzed Ursula. No sooner had I gone for the sudsy bucket, Fed Ex dropped off some goodies from Muc-Off. Specifically their Dark Energy Chain Wax and Chain Wax Cleaner-the latter optimised for removing wax lubes and others, including the factory packet-fresh elixir. I’d already stripped the Weldtite All Conditions Lube Weldtite All Weather Lube | cycling-not-racing clinging to Ursula’s KMC using Moto Verde Drivetrain cleaner, which is a very effective formula that works cleaner, rather than faster.

A question of spraying over the chain, cassette, rings and leaving the Motoverde doing its thing for 5-10 minutes, then introducing your chosen scrubbing brushes to agitate and lift the residual lube before rinsing with warm water and drying thoroughly.  The Muc-Off Chain Wax cleaner is reckoned to work in seconds, which may account for the (£22) asking price. Looking more closely at the directions suggests it's primarily intended for stripping chains of the factory dressing and similar before waxes are employed. It is also designed to tackle wax formulas, which can be quite tricky to dismiss convincingly, especially if they've been impacted within the chain, cassette and rings. In my experience, solvents tend to melt, rather than dismiss wax formulas, resulting in a gooey mess. Will be interesting to see how it performs.   

The Dark Energy Chain Wax uses a liquid carrier, which in my experience, results in more controlled, less wasteful application. Drop into every link, shift the chain up and down the cassette and leave curing for at least twelve hours- three times longer than typical of wax formulas. Designed for dry to damp conditions, as waxes are, I’m expecting something special. Muc-Off say the Dark Energy Chain Wax has been four years in the making and offers “The most complex balance between efficiency, durability and wear.”

I’m looking forward to seeing what the lanes, trails and roads reveal, once I’ve rolled it out across the fleet.  When it comes to Ursula, though there have been some very small tweaks and personal changes since her refurbishment and modernisation eighteen months back, the makeover pleases me. Retrospectively, I should’ve left more length in the Carbon Cycles Exotic Fork steerer Carbon Cycles Exotic Fork | cycling-not-racing , which would permit me to use more spacers and more traditional flared drops. 

I remain very fond of the Soma Condor II Shallow Drop Bars (riser drops) SOMA CONDOR 2 SHALLOW DROP BARS | and the positioning is bang on. However, the swoopy design means the diameter isn’t uniform throughout and can make mounting or aligning accessories trickier.  Eventually, I will retire the fork, go with a longer steerer and switch the bars but otherwise, cost of new fork, new cables and time switching everything over greatly outweighs the small, some might say, marginal gains. Come time, I will also replace the Tektro 520 levers for Dia Compe 287, since though great value, aesthetically pleasing and comfortable, in my experience, inner wires ultimately wear through the Tektro’s resin guides.    

Now, this brings me to the title. Though Ursula’s modernisation was for me, the right move, I’m not for wholesale conversion of older cross country mountain bikes, for its own sake.  Because everyone appears to be doing something, doesn’t mean it’s the right thing to do.

An old, cosmetically tatty but otherwise solid, good quality cro-moly frameset that needs refinishing, some additional braze-ons might be a good candidate (if an experienced frame builder gave it the nod). However, cantilevers and V brakes still offer excellent stopping prowess, are lighter, and generally simple to maintain.

Similarly, while 26 inch has stopped being the default, tyre choice is still pretty comprehensive, although I can see the draw of 650b, which was another factor influencing Ursula’s structural works. However, this coincided with some light structural repair and a respray- no sense having these done only to decide I wanted a disc mount.   

Discs are not the only fruit. I like them, but they can also get basted in a fair bit of crap, resulting in rub and slightly impaired performance. Then of course, not all frames and forks are beefy enough to withstand the additional forces discs place upon them. A good builder will insist on fitting a brace, such as that added to Ursula by Winston Vaz.

I’m still really fond of Magura’s Hydrostop, but they can be stubborn to set up and were supplied with braces, since their power was sufficient to cause cracks and other structural woes-especially in thin-wall tubing.  On that note, I'll leave you with something completely different- my review of the Coospo Real Road CS600 GPS Computer Coospo CS600 GPS | cycling-not-racing 

 

More Bars & Bargains

 

No, not the sort licenced to sell intoxicating liquors. The quiet of Christmas is very welcome and without fail, results in bike-related revisions- whether it's midwinter maintenance- wholesale cable replacement, rings, chains etc, or more specific upgrades.

The festive season can also give rise to expensive flights of fancy- framesets, fork(s), groupsets- unplanned stuff that seems like a great idea in the moment but can contribute to the January fiscal hangover.  

 I turned my attentions to bars. While generally very attached to the WTB Dirt Drops, I find the drop and reach slightly off- too long and deep. It’s worth noting that I am broad across the shoulders but proportionally short in the torso, so getting the front end blissful can require some trial and error. Bike fits are an excellent investment and certainly reduce the guesswork.

Given both the Soma Condor TEST: SOMA CONDOR HANDLEBAR and WTB “in stock” there wasn’t any outlay, just experimentation. I wanted to continue this tradition, without being pointlessly tight. Genetic D-Riser 16 GENETIC D RISER 16 BARS | cycling-not-racing was the obvious contender with its 75mm reach and offered an extra 20mm rise.  

However, I fancied something with a shallower drop. Some NOS Ridgeback Gravel Drops going for proverbial pennies came under my radar. While the Ridgeback don’t feature any rise, they have an 8-degree flare, mm reach, drop. I’d also had half an eye on Genetic’s Digest, which feature a very favourable 76mm reach and 110mm drop.  

One thing led to another, and I found myself acquiring a set of each. It didn’t take me long before I switched Denise’s WTB Dirt drops for the Genetic Digest. Thankfully, though it took a while to port everything over, prune a brake cable outer and similar quick tweaks, no replacements required- this also applied to the Ergon Orthocell Bar Tape Ergon Orthocell Handlebar Tape | cycling-not-racing.

Out on the road, the Digest’s flare is very discernible and gives tremendous leverage, which, aside from trail duties is particularly helpful if you’re towing a trailer, or tagalong. That said, coming from a traditional road bar, steering will feel barge-like to begin with.

Another similarity with On-One’s Midge, they open the chest cavity, which really helps when powering up the climbs- great for cyclo cross, or indeed climbing on the fixed. The only other significant consideration is that greater width can make navigating tight spaces trickier- negotiating congested traffic, or indeed doorways.  

I’ve decided I’ll keep the Ridgeback as spares, should Muffins’ D-riser 4 show any signs of fatigue. As with Ursula, I’ve reach and height absolutely bang on for my needs. Though I’m a fettler, the old saying “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” resonates strongly.      

Another thing to consider when choosing drops, at least for mixed terrain, or indeed, dedicated trail duties (as distinct from cyclo cross, where there’s a lot of dis and re-mounting when things get more technical) is the bar’s uniformity, meaning that lights and other accessories are easily mounted-at the desired angles. 

I’d contemplated retiring the Giant Continuum 9 function computer, but found replacing the batteries, giving the contacts a quick squirt of maintenance spray restored the original performance and appears to have addressed some connectivity issues, especially when riding through areas of high electrical interference. A New Old Stock Blackburn Atom 4 (the wireless version) may well be finding its way to Ursula, assuming I can successfully troubleshoot some minor niggles.

 New contact points and indeed, adjustments always feel different to begin with, hence I leave things set that way for a couple of hundred miles and tweak accordingly

Obviously, a longer threadless steerer and spacer play will have the same effect and overcomes some of the limitations of quill stems and in this instance, adaptors. However, I should also point out, higher end models such as this Profile design are infinitely superior to the generic types found on auction sites. Yes, I’ve used those and they’re adequate, but that’s it.   

Several months down the line. I’m also very impressed by the Wolf Tooth Morse Bottle Cages Wolf Tooth Morse Steel Bottle Cage | cycling-not-racing. Ours were the stainless versions combining a timeless aesthetic with high degrees of adjustability and bottle tenure is excellent. 

 

Schoolboy Errors, The Brexit Blues & Big Bars

Schoolboy error, indeed. I am of course referring to my Univega’s chainline.  In my haste to instate the new Talon ring, I accidentally mounted it to the outer spider. Yep, threw the chainline right royally out.  Very apparent when dropping to the lower ratios.

Eureka moment struck and ring repatriated, shifts are crisp, clean and predominantly silent. What you’d expect from a new chain, ring and cassette, essentially.  Corrections made, I’ve concluded that the gearing is now, where I need it for most contexts.

An 11-30 (rather than 11-28) will be my next move but otherwise, the existing setup offers enough grunt, cruising and bombing prowess. Solo and with Bob Yak homage en-tow. Can comfortably cruise up a 1in7 at 13-14mph, 20 plus on the flat.   

Straying from variable gears but staying with gearing and chainline... Those looking to optimise precision with their fixed are well served by Halo Fixed -G Track Hub.  https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/halo-fixed  I’m extremely impressed by the concept and its execution. Some might consider it a bit pricey for winter/hack duties but it’s a better option for nicer conversions.

An acquaintance used to own a 1948 fixed gear Freddy Grubb. Beautifully made, with original gloss black enamel, ornate lugs and an interesting, road friendly fork rake, it had horizontal, road ends…An ideal candidate.

So, with a looming dental appointment, and the UK administration following the British Leyland model of breath-taking incompetence https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsizoYrceOg , I needed a distraction. Off came those Soma Condor 2 Shallow drop bars https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/soma-condor-2-shallow-drop-bars  and in their place, these Genetic DRISER-16 bars.

Their flatter, semi aero profile top sections provide better mounting points for lights and other accessories. Using the Genetic Neuron, I’ve been able to mount the Trelock dynamo switch https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/trelock-ls906-dynamo-front-light  and route its cabling more neatly, too. The Genetic DRISER-16 are marketed as a great option for cyclo cross and gravel racing, while also suitable for touring and commuting.

They’re made from heat treated T6 6061 aluminium alloy, the 20mm rise supposedly works to the same principle, as the Soma. Namely, providing a higher riding position, without faffing about with spacers.

The top, semi aero section is designed with cruising on the tops, in mind. 16-degree flare in the drop supposedly provides an additional control, which would tally with the design brief.

Ours is the widest, 44cm version. I typically go with 46cm upwards, so we’ll see. For the time being, I’ve dressed them in some salvaged Lizard Skins DSP 2.5mm wrap. However, we’re expecting some competitor test-tape to arrive very shortly, and the Easton Pinline Foam Bar Tape is well suited to my Univega’s mixed terrain, daily driver duties. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/easton-pinline-foam-bar-tape

While the UK isn’t affected by rapid and extreme changes in climate, early Spring can still prove a very changeable period. I’m still sporting ¾ lengths, Lake Winter booties, Buff, winter weight jersey cum jacket and full-finger gloves. Prendas Cyclismo https://www.prendas.co.uk/ have also sent us some Jerseys, bib shorts, socks and other Spring goodies for testing but with the mercury struggling towards 7/8 degrees, they’ll have to wait until things thaw a little.  

After last week’s sad demise of Frankenpute, Paligap www.paligap.cc kindly sent me this VDOM3WL. Setup was intuitive, following their You Tube tutorial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cA_JqUSNGko  

Wax based/emulsion type lubricants have come a long way in recent years. Most noticeably in the context of stoicism. Both bikes are still on their first helping of Squirt Long Lasting Dry Chain Lube. 200 miles apiece, neither chain looks thirsty, and on this basis, I’m reckoning on 300 plus before topping up is required.

Squirt has transferred more readily to hands and clothing, than some petrochemical blends and required a couple of machine washes to shift it. Bodes well for longevity but Something to consider, if you commute in light coloured trousers.