Workshop Wins

 March arrived and I decided it was time to inspect the Teenage Dream, so it would be ready for the sunnier, drier roads. Old school freewheels like to be lubricated annually, so I drizzled some Weldtite TF2 All Weather Lube with Teflon into the mechanism while the wheel was spinning at a decent velocity.  

There was also the distinct possibility that it could be nearing the end of its life. With this in mind, I thought it best to get something in stock, just in case I needed to switch. Besides, the last thing I wanted was the Regina to blow its guts miles from home.  

Happened to a friend during my teens. Belting along a 1 in 7, there was a steady tinkling as 100 bearings made their bid for freedom, bouncing across the tarmac. Now, I can appreciate why some folks rebuild a treasured example-either out of sentiment, or to stretch themselves. Kudos to them, too. However, it’s not something I’m prepared to do, unless absolutely essential.  

IRD still make some very pretty screw-on freewheels but a little steep for my needs. If I were doing big mileages, maybe. However, the Teenage Dream is very much a sunny days’ plaything. Nostalgia comes at a price, and I wasn’t prepared to fork out retro money for another, used Regina BX.  

After some deliberation and research, I decided this inexpensive electroplated Sun Race was the way forward. I’d also heard good things from someone who’d ridden a couple of Eroica events with theirs.  

For the time being, I’ll see what magic the Weldtite TF2 All Weather can work, before switching to the 14-24 Sun Race. Now, this will be a little under-geared for some and in some respects, I’d agree. However, screw-on freewheels aren’t so readily available, so choice of ratios follows suit.  Slightly lower ratios won’t do my knees any harm and should also mean more time on the 53 ring.   

I’d expressed an interest in testing the CST Cito tyres. These are 170tpi folders and offered in 25, or 28mm (about 1.1 in) sections. Given the Teenage dream’s clearances, I went for the 25mm (about 0.98 in), which tip the scales at a feathery 252g apiece. They also feature the same EPS puncture-resistant technology as the Pika CST Pika Gravel Tyres | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com).   

This is essentially an added layer of proprietary rubberised Poly fiber between the tread and the casing. A system, which is designed to offer the best balance between ride quality and puncture resistance. I’ve had one flat with the Pika, but that was using a TPU tube, and I couldn’t find anything embedded, suggesting it was a hedge clipping that had just grazed it.

  

I also switched from the Lezyne Road drive pump in favour of Ursula’s Lezyne, since this rather fetching Topeak Gravel2 had arrived for testing (and was arguably a better fit for the tubby tourer). An ideal opportunity to add a lick of Peaty’s Bicycle Assembly Grease, to the bottle mounting hardware.   

 

We weren’t done there. I’d been wanting to fit a Stronglight A9 headset to the Dawes Edge frameset.  

I was concerned about the fork falling and getting damaged, so coupling the two, then popping some plumbers lagging around the tubes made for safer storage. Thankfully, I still have traditional headset spanners- a Campagnolo and a pair of BBB. I’d had the Campagnolo for over thirty years and the wallet-friendly, yet accurately machined BBB were sent to me for review fourteen years back.   

Bit of an Easter Egg Hunt but similarly satisfying-found them in two boxes.  Nice when a plan comes together. Headset was treated to some of the Juice Lubes Bearing Juice I used to pack the XT and Deore hubs.  

I also treated the frame to some internal preserve and the paint to a liberal waxing using this Naked Bikes Pro Wax Special Edition NAKED BIKES PRO WAX SPECIAL EDITION | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and checked some of the frame threads, since I was in the mood. Now was the time, after all.  

Talking of threads, I decided it was time to exorcise the 16-tooth Ti track sprocket that had been wedded to the Halo fixed hub for a decade. Given the neglect and constant exposure to wet, wintry roads, I feared it was right royally stuck, or release would take the hub’s threads too. A liberal helping of penetrant spray was left for a minute to marinate.  

I introduced these Feedback Sports Cassette pliers and heaved anti-clockwise. I’d assumed the priest performing an exorcism stance. You know the one, verbally commanding the demons free. It was either going to relent, or I was going to expire... Movement came suddenly, yet predictably, inducing an elated cheer.  

I spun the sprocket free, cleaned the threads and applied a sensible amount of Peaty’s Bicycle Assembly Grease PEATY'S BICYCLE ASSEMBLY GREASE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) before spinning it back in situ. Snugged tight, the fixed’s spare wheel is now right and ready to go. Seems the temperatures are bombing again, so best I get Ursula’s spikes back on...Schwalbe Ice Spiker Pro Tyres | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and reflect on whether it’s time to for sintered pads DiscoBrakes Sintered Brake Pads | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  

Reflections at 62mph

 

Well, first things first. The unintended upgrade to “New” Sun Race NRX mech coupled with brand new chain and of course, a new block has made meteoric improvements to shifting. Light, crisp, dependable and silent. 

I should also point out that I have a mechanically sensitive riding and shifting style. I’d returned 30,000 miles from the 9speed Microshift, prior to the Centos.  The Centos was always crisp and aside from taking my eye off the gauge during the early season, chains have been replaced at .75, or just before.  

Rule of thumb (two replacements, hence) suggests 1250miles is pretty much all I can expect from a 10spd chain, almost regardless of the riding conditions and chosen lubes. Dry/Wax types attract less contaminant and theoretically, reducing wear. I’m sticking with the True Tension All Conditions blend for the time-being and while conditions are decidedly fair-weather.  

Interplanetary (hub) gears, rather like hub dynamos have come along leaps and bounds in the past twenty years.  

Shimano Alfine (11speed) would be an obvious transition, once I’d worn the existing setup out, although I have a quiet resistance when it comes to enclosed systems and there’s also a weight penalty. Serendipity may shift this stance.   

I’ll buy another chain in shortly, given I’m racking up the miles even more intensely since lockdown. So much so, I’ve done over 2,500 miles with the Continental Contact Speed Reflex tyres. Their speed is well, impressive and brings an extra element of sparkle to my Univega’s persona- on tarmac.  

Seems I managed 62mph along a local 1in7, which certainly focused the mind, especially given the potentially life-changing ramifications, had a blowout struck... Despite their considerable charms, the sidewalls seem relatively vulnerable to flints, glass and similar sharps. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/continental-contact-speed-reflex-ty  

There’s a small but growing community of riders repurposing older mountain bikes as gravel bikes-fitting them with drop bars and brifters. For the time, though they’ve lost their dominance, good quality 26inch tyres remain plentiful.  No prizes for guessing it’s a movement I am closely aligned with.  

Afterall, it's what I envisaged an “All-Terrain Bike” was, while mentally detaching myself from the school curriculum, still attending “in body”. It shouldn’t be inferred that I was ambivalent about my education. I just couldn’t relate to the school curriculum (and indeed, what is termed the “hidden curriculum”) but adopted an instrumental approach to get the grades and move on.  

Since we’re on the subject, if you’re curious about bike packing luggage (especially compatibility with smaller framesets/mtb conversions) we’ve put together a beginner’s guide https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/a-beginners-guide-to-bikepacking-ba   

As the days get progressively cooler and darker, I’ve been doing some seasonal bike prep-cleaning, waxing not only protects but is the ideal opportunity to inspect component and consumable health. 

Soft brushes, such as this Zefal ZB Wash https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/zefal-zb-wash-brush are what’s needed for broad surface work-frame and wheels being the obvious candidates (although I find stiffer models, such as Green Oil Bicycle Brush https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/green-oil-bicycle-brush  are better bets for dirty rims and knobby/deeper touring tread patterns).  

That said, I still have a soft spot for this Oxford Tyre Scrub https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/oxford-products-tyre-scrub  (which also works well on bar wrap) Chains and tyre casings aside, cables, pads, disc rotor condition are areas to check and replace, as required. Prevention is always cheaper and more convenient than cure. I’m also drifting towards more autumnal attire-back to ¾ lengths, base mid and this 7mesh Cypress Hybrid jacket https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/7mesh-cypress-hybrid . 

I’ve also whipped out the Buff Cap https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/buff-pack-bike-cap  and am putting some Dexshell Ultra flex gloves through their paces. These are supposedly winding, waterproof and breathable.  

They’re marketed as an outdoor glove, not cycling-specific but formative impressions (three rides and one hundred miles) suggest they offer decent amounts of support, grip and dexterity. It’s the damping that presents a question mark. Miles are the only proof. 

Black also stirs mixed emotions-great for multi-use, especially walking and general street duties but I have felt my signals were perhaps a little too stealthily at certain points.    

I had reason to be in Colchester recently. Rare these days, given I don’t have much business there. While the borough has expanded exponentially in the last decade or so, the infrastructure cannot cope and town centre looks and feels decidedly jaded. I was, however, pleased to find Colchester Cycle Stores still trading. Spent a lot of time and money there during my teens.