Shims & Other Satisfying Solutions

Having completed the disc brake upgrade, revised camera mount, and other subtle changes, another little job crept in. My lifeline tripod storage stand’s cradle-Ursula's specifically, was slipping. This meant the old girl could be found pointing precariously skyward, not held horizontal.   

Ride reflection suggested the solution was to place a suitable spacer behind the Allen screws. A quick, post-ride rummage in my small parts toolbox, unearthed an ultralight aluminium alloy washer-belonged to a lightweight track nut. Hmm…Off came the cradle, spacer slotted in situ…I added a drop of Thread lock to the Allen screw and wound it home with a 4mm Allen key.  

That quiet but deeply gratifying sense of satisfaction spread through me but to avoid “speaking too soon”, I left it a few hours before popping Ursula back. Success! Result! (Insert alternative expression of joy).  

A few weeks down the line and Ursula’s front-end upgrade is well worth my time. Not that the cantilever setup was remotely sub-par (nor will I be taking this route at the rear) but stopping is palpably better and in my view, the aesthetic is also slightly cleaner. Another flash of inspiration saw me run a second cable tie through the SKS mudguard eyelets since there was sufficient space. Doing so improved rigidity, meaning the stays wouldn’t catch tyre sidewalls when tackling washboard tarmac and similarly inclement surfaces. Pleased to report theory and practice meet.   

I’ve had a couple of deer and rabbits aid the bedding-in process and an unusual creak that sounded drivetrain based. A bit of honking confirmed it was the Kinket 2.1 Suspension Seat post KINEKT 2.1 SUSPENSION SEAT POST | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  

A quick blast of Muc-Off Silicone Spray MUC OFF SILICON SHINE POLISH | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) restored order. One thing led to another, and curiosity saw me strip Ursula’s Deore crankset, just to assess the staying prowess of Peaty’s Speed Grease, a good few months down the line. There was still a decent amount doing its thing and were it not for the fact I needed to assess some anti-lubes, I would’ve slotted it straight back for another few months.  

Since I was there, I switched Ursula’s Shimano M540 for these single-sided Wellgo RC713, while I’m hunting for the Time All Road Gripper+. So much for leaving things be! Incidentally, the Wellgo has shaved a whopping 47g from the build. 

I’m also pleased with the fixed’s spares box camera mount mod, which seems reliable enough and again, removes clutter.  Talking of bars, here’s my review of the Ciclovation Grind Touch Handlebar Tape CICLOVATION GRIND TOUCH BAR TAPE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)   

Then, the good folks at Moto Verde and Extra UK sent me some goodies. Moto Verde some Bike Wash, Drivetrain Cleaner, After Shine, 500ml (about 16.91 oz (about 500.09 ml)) Waterless Wax, and this 125ml PTFE Chain Lube. Extra UK graciously sent me some Swiss Stop rotors to play with. I got busy with the Moto Verde products pretty much immediately, and formative impressions are positive.  

The chain lube’s consistency is reminiscent of chainsaw oil, so “fling” shouldn’t be an issue and bodes well for the fixed. Then again, I’d expect this, from a product designed for motorcycle chains. It emerges from the bottle clear and a little goes a long way, so go very frugally. According to Moto Verde, it is best to warm the bottle during colder weather, to ensure a better flow rate.  

Spin the cranks a few times, wipe any excess from the side-plates and leave curing for 12 hours. Once cured, it assumes a state I wasn’t expecting. Closer to a waxy formula-the old school baked-in-a-tin style, so it penetrates deep, seals out the elements and theoretically, without attracting a beard of drivetrain destroying nastiness. 

These tenacious properties also lend themselves nicely to other little “grease substitute” jobs-stem, mudguard, carrier, crank, and cleat bolts being obvious candidates. Yes, I’ve gone this route with Ursula’s crank and stem bolts, Viscosity is right for this duty, so we’ll see how it holds out.  Talking of Ursula, here’s the pandemic from her perspective.. Ursula: The Never-Ending Story | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

 

Making a Brake For It...

No sooner had I decided to upgrade my fixed gear winter trainer’s TRP Spyre brake caliper, I discovered Ursula’s brake pads decidedly thin again. Not down to rim ruining bare metal but certainly urging replacement. Left unchecked, pads can do nasty things to disc rotors and rim sidewalls. In common with chains and cables, regular inspection and replacement is good mechanical empathy and sound economics.  

As budget stoppers go, the Genetic CX Cantilevers TEST & REVIEW: GENETIC CX CANTILEVER BRAKES (sevendaycyclist.com) are cheerful. I had replaced the pads some months back and after some deliberation and seeing the price of compatible replacements, I decided I may as well upgrade to Shimano BR CX50. In my experience, the BR CX50 are trickier to set up “just so” but suitably progressive and excellent bite, which is what I need, especially since winter is coming. 

I had been tempted by the CX70, which are essentially Ultegra grade but for me the CX50 strikes the sweet spot between price and performance. Ah, but then said mighty stoppers didn’t arrive on time, which led me to think laterally. Another hunt through the pads and small parts compartment of my mighty cantilever toolbox reaped some reward.  

However, it was a case of close but no cigar on the pad compatibility front. Then I spotted some low-profile Tektro CR710 in decent shape, save for the pads. The workshop fairies came to the rescue, alerting me to packet-fresh, compatible pads. In the zone, one thing led to another... 

Cantilever posts cleaned with turpentine, treated to some Peaty’s Speed Grease PEATY'S SPEED GREASE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com), the Tektro were slipped in situ...  As a side note, the Peaty’s Speed Grease is holding up rather well, several months down the line, although I’ve erred in favour of its Assembly Grease PEATY'S BICYCLE ASSEMBLY GREASE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) stablemate for threaded parts and contact points. A drop of thread lock to the mounting bolts, everything was snugged to 6nm. I used the existing cable and switched to a sturdy pattern straddle wire. 

Pulled tight, pads correctly aligned, ten pumps of the Tektro RL340 lever confirmed everything was striking in perfect harmony-I just needed to draw the straddle wire through a little. Another neat feature of the CR710 is the barrel adjuster for quick adjustment. Now, the eagle-eyed among you will notice I’ve got the adjuster up-not “technically correct” but a deliberate action to suit me- I can reach it more readily and tweak, on the move if need arises... 

Seriously impressed with the modulation, feel, and mighty stopping prowess. (Two muntjac deer and a rabbit have confirmed this, beyond any doubt!) it’s also that oft-toted thing about bonding with your machine and staying with something until you’ve got it sussed. I also found two chains- a single-speed SRAM and another 10speed KMC, ready for next time.  

I’ll keep the Shimano CR50 handy but for now, the CR710 stays. Kept me out of mischief for a bit. Talking of which, I’ve already averted collision with two kamikaze muntjac deer that sprung strait into my path at 6am. Sunrise isn’t until 750, so, much of my riding is in the dark and wet roads.  

Hardly an issue given the prowess of the K-lite dynamo lamps, but these conditions ramp up the likelihood of puncturing. Regularly brushing tyre casings greatly improves the odds of averting a flat, since you’re shifting sharps before they get chance to burrow inside.  

Britain’s tabloid press had been promising snow by the close of October but I’m treating this as little more than a distraction from the present chaos. No urge to whip the Schwalbe WinterTESTED: SCHWALBE WINTER SPIKED TYRES (sevendaycyclist.com) from the rafters, just yet.   Sticking with the See Sense Handlebar Bag, on my fixed gear winter/trainer but I’m still very fond of the Craft Cadence Waterproof Handlebar bag CRAFT CADENCE WATERPROOF HANDLEBAR BAG | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com), so is Steve... Right, time to apply another light coat of Humbrol enamel to Ursula’s frame end, leave it 24 hours and repeat, if required...