Chilly Charms & Sudden Thaws

 

Conditions became wintrier as January unfolded and I was relieved I'd left the Schwalbe Marathon Winter mounted to Denise's wheels meaning I could just hop on, relax and enjoy the ride, despite the icy stretches. I decided to switch the Selle Royal Respiro for the WTB Rocket WTB Rocket Saddle | cycling-not-racing . The Respiro served me well for the best part of 13 years and I wondered whether the foam matrix was beginning to lose its memory around the rear.  It also heralded the return of these “lobster” gloves, since wind chill had brought the air temperatures considerably lower than minus 6.

Warmth is a definite plus but there’s trade off on the dexterity front, which can dictate their removal when bag rummaging, multi tool wielding and other tasks requiring fine motor skills. These link two fingers together, so allows me sufficient freedom to operate a compact camera, adjust a zipper etc. Better than the mitten type, but still comparatively limited.  For this reason, I also pack a set of liners, or middleweight gravel types, should I need to tackle a flat, or similar.

Considerations aside, they are blissful for otherwise bitterly cold midwinter outings. Blessed with a generous thatch, I tend to default to a water repelling, breathable cap such as this Showers Pass Elite SHOWERS PASS ELITE CYCLING CAP | cycling-not-racing. However, when il fait froid, I reach for another old favourite, the “Belgian” style cycling cap, which has served me well for around twelve winters.

These are characterised by better coverage and protection to the ears and a slightly thicker, sometimes fleecy inner fabric. I reach for mine once the air temperature hovers around zero, or the wind chill drags it into minus figures. Higher and I find the breed a little too toasty for my tastes.  The Sidi Algor Sidi Algor MTB Shoes | cycling-not-racing have proven themselves extremely temperate when the mercury’s dipped to minus 6. Not that I’ve had any issues with Shimano’s mighty MW702 Shimano MW7 (MW702) Gore Tex MTB Shoes | cycling-not-racing in similar contexts, but the Algor are slightly toastier.

The Zefal Shield G50 guards continue to impress with their capacity for keeping crappy stuff off myself and Denise.  Aside from a weekly, judicious check of the Velcro, I've not needed to give them a second thought. I've also been pleased by Ursula's new front mudguard.

Though less elegant than the Mudhugger MUD HUGGER GRAVEL HUGGER MUDGURADS | cycling-not-racing and similar designs, its simple and offers good coverage to rider and machine without risk of clogging. How it will fare longer term, when the glop, UV light, heat and cold have done their worst, remains to be seen.

Mudguards, though a valuable defence are no substitute for regular cleaning. When the gritters have been out, give bikes regular washes, starting with a cold rinse to flush away the corrosive contaminant (hot will only accelerate the caustic process) before going for the warm sudsy bucket and brushes.  

There’s a lot of discussion around bike washes- in the Marmite sense. Some really like them, other folks loathe them, citing them as money for old rope. I sit somewhere in the middle. Salty season aside, I like those which can applied direct to the bike i.e. without having to get the bike wet first- scrub and rinse.

Otherwise, I default to good quality car wash n’ wax type formulas, which will gobble the grime, while leaving a light wax barrier behind. Obviously, this can’t compare with a decent quality hard paste, or fluid formula, but does offer some defence. Great for when time and daylight are at a premium.  

In a matter of days, ice and snow gave way to flooding, so it made sense to switch to Ursula for a bit, and I was also curious to see how well the new front mudguard performed when it came to waterlogged lanes. Suitably impressed, it made a huge difference to my comfort, although they’re arguably perfect for 1.9 section rubber. Glad I’d donned the Shimano MW702.

Managed to get the Blackburn Atom4 to play nicely with minimal effort. A shot of PTFE free spray on the sensors contacts and decent quality CR2025 cells seem to address the intermittent connectivity issues. The smaller frameset places the head unit and sensor in closer proximity, which probably helps.   

Fork, Rotors Action...

 After some foraging, I’ve everything together for Ursula’s front end upgrade. The Project 2 fork sports a crown race, has some corrosion inhibitor sloshing around its inner sanctum, and the TRP Spyre SLC calliper bolted to the IS adaptor. Following the “use what you have” mantra, I’ve blasted the remainder of some heavy-duty PTFE spray inside.  

The sort that forms a thick, protectant layer and can also evolve into a fat-ball, causing sticky control cables. Great for protecting electroplated frame/fork ends, derailleur cable guides that run beneath the bottom bracket shell, trailer hitches and locking mechanisms, garage rollers. Jobs, where grease is too heavy and traditional maintenance sprays, are too easily dismissed by wet, wintry roads.  

Indeed, a couple of teaspoons of 10w40 motor oil coursing through the tubes would do much the same job, although, in this instance, I’d need to deliver it via a syringe-messy but again, dirt cheap and very effective.   

Now, I’d been believing, nay convinced myself that the RL340 wasn’t compatible with disc brakes, so needed an RL520. However, closer scrutiny of the Tektro site contradicts this (I wanted to swerve travel agent or similar adaptor), so hopefully, that pans out, in the real world. I have a sliver right-hand RL520, but cosmetic symmetry is also important.  

The rotor in this instance is an auction site special. I was curious as to its performance and durability. In any case, I have a Clarkes unit sitting in the brake spares box...Somewhere. The transplant will take place at a more convenient time, probably when the weather turns a little less wintry and I can switch to the fixed for a while.  

However, I’ve gone the slow and steady route to cut down on time and potential snarl-ups. Tucked away in Ursula’s Deore crank, the Torque 7 tool is remaining rattle-free, and pleasant to use. The magnetic components mean everything’s still together. There's been a faint hint of taint but nothing a quick once over with an oily rag won’t arrest convincingly. On the one hand, I’d expect that, given the price point but reassuring and the tool itself is genuinely much nicer to use than I was expecting.  

The Schwalbe Land cruiser has been another pleasant surprise. Traction and rolling resistance have been more convincing across the board, even along untreated, slippery backwaters and at 70psi.  Puncture resistance is lower on their scale than say the Marathon plus but again, thus far no unpleasant surprises. During one freezing ride, I went for Ursula’s bar con, ready to drop down a couple of gears, in preparation for the climb that would take me past the poultry processing plant-an eerie pulsing hulk, especially at 530am.  

Nothing, it was if the lever had frozen solid. Thankfully, I wasn’t in an overly tall, knee popping gear, so cruised my way to the summit. Over the top, the Microshift brifter behaved normally once more. Weird. It did remind me of tales pro mechanics told of treating chains with anti-freeze, during winter cyclocross races.     

For months, the UK media has seemingly been obsessed by whiteouts, “thundersnow” and the general second coming of the ice age. Now, I’m no stranger to spiked tyres and really rate them, for tackling winter’s more extreme conditions. I was very intrigued by Kenda Klondike, but these aren’t so readily available in the UK and then I happened upon what may be the holy grail. Schwalbe Ice Spiker Pro. I’ve been impressed by the Schwalbe Winter TESTED: SCHWALBE WINTER SPIKED TYRES (sevendaycyclist.com) and the upgraded Schwalbe Winter Plus.  

However, the Ice Spiker Pro is reckoned to be the “turbo of spike tyres” with a maximum of 402, yes 402 spikes. These are made from tungsten carbide but coated in aluminium. They still weigh 997g apiece (which is still lighter than the Schwalbe GT365 TESTED: SCHWALBE MARATHON GT 365 BICYCLE TYRES (sevendaycyclist.com)  

Continuing the cold weather narrative, here’s Steve’s review of the Funkier Nueva thermal skull cap FUNKIER NUEVA THERMAL SKULL CAP | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

Big Chill AKA the Spikes Stay!

No, I’m not predicting a boiler breakdown, which like many other mechanicals, usually strikes at the least convenient moment. I’m referring to the crashing temperatures and “white-outs” (a seasonal obsession with some sections of the UK’s mainstream media, presumably to distract from the consequences of Brexit. I’m starting to notice shortages of fresh produce in supermarkets and suspect this will become more apparent since fresh fruit and vegetable produce cannot be stockpiled.).  

Until Wednesday, local lanes have been predominantly cold, wet and greasy but nothing a big section slick, such as the Schwalbe Kojak couldn’t take in their stride.  

Nonetheless, I knew Murphey’s law would see temperature plummet the moment I switched the spikes in favour of slicks. A sharp reminder came when navigating the serenely silent stretches. Starry skies, glistening asphalt cluing me in and sure enough, around the bend- black ice.  

A momentary loss of traction was quickly reclaimed by the Marathon Plus’ Tungsten carbide spikes. Seeing the depth of the shimmering ice looming ahead (and clinging to the bodies of solitary passing vehicles), urged caution. I have also chosen to resurrect the ORP Smart Horn TESTED: ORP SMART HORN (sevendaycyclist.com) to alert pedestrians/dogwalkers of my presence. For the most part, friendly “Good morning/Afternoon/Evening” works fine. However, cold weather and winds can impair this, so a friendly upward prod of the “Whale tail” should sort this.   

Sticking with the Univega means sodden backsides are a distant memory, thanks to its full-length chrome plastic mudguards. These also keep the bike markedly cleaner, thus extending maintenance intervals. I was surprised to discover some superficial brown taint on the nickel-plated areas of Ursula’s Shimano M540 pedals. Especially since I didn’t notice any salting beyond the main roads. Nothing a quick shot of GT85 GT85 ALL PURPOSE LUBRICANT (sevendaycyclist.com) couldn’t smother.  

Nonetheless, a weekly wash down is advisable to remove any salts/similar corrosives and while stodgy wet lubes are an obvious choice, give a chain’s side plates, derailleur jockey wheels, and cage(s) a clean rag cat-lick. Purging this unsightly excess evolving into a gritty grinding paste.  

Really impacted stuff is best blitzed with a solvent-based degreaser, and fresh lubricant applied. Chill and shorter days mean convenience is sometimes king. Strong solvent degreasers, including Weldtite Jet Blast WELDTITE JET BLAST DEGREASER | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) make this a more time-efficient process, when the temperature’s tanking. Those looking for a more frugal lube stripper might find Muc-Off Drivetrain Cleaner MUC-OFF DRIVE TRAIN CLEANER | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) .  

For really deep cleans, I’m fond of Green Oil Agent Apple Extreme Immersion Degreaser TESTED: GREE OIL AGENT APPLE EXTREME IMMERSION DEGREASER (sevendaycyclist.com) . Don’t be fooled into thinking vegetable-based solvents are mild and friendly though. These can be just as, or more flammable than their petrochemical counterparts.  

Testing aside, I’ve never felt the need to remove and immerse the cassette (although this is certainly an option and something I’d be inclined to do, with chains-if only to protect the frame’s finish from accidental spatter). However, I do whip the wheel out before basting the product on, angling the cassette toward the tarmac, so solvent runs away from the hub and therefore, rubberised components, such as seals.   

     

I’ve also purchased another UN300 bottom bracket, to subvert potential supply problems nearer the time, when its existing UN55 starts grumbling. I occasionally toy with the idea of taking the Hollowtech route, probably reaching for the Shimano Zee crankset, since that’s “in stock”. However, I have the ratios right and it makes sense to run the existing setup, while its practical and economic to do so. I was going to order a few gear inner wires but found four, while rooting around my storage boxes.  

Cursory inspection, using this Kranx Chain Wear Indicator KRANX CHAIN WEAR INDICATOR | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) suggests the chain’s still in pretty good health, reckon I’ve got another three, maybe four hundred miles before substitution’s needed. Little n’ often maintenance is the way to swerving most problems.  

However, the COVID19 pandemic continues to rampage through the country. It has reached the point where the capital’s firefighters and police officers are now driving ambulances. I knew the relaxing of conditions for Christmas day would induce another pronounced spike in infection rates and envisaged the army’s engagement. However, I hadn’t envisaged the present chaos, which is both surreal and unsettling.