Wet n' Wild

Wet roads increase the risk of punctures. Clearly, I was tempting fate by saying the 32mm Tioga City Slicker had only succumbed to a single flat. As of last Monday night, the running total, is two. Impressive though, given their mileage and lack of puncture repelling belt. 

Something sharp and thorny had worked inside, while racing along the sweeping, waterlogged lanes. This grazed the tube, inducing loss of pressure one mile from home. Mercifully, despite the water amplified hiss, deflation was at snail’s pace, so I made it back without incident, and with 45psi remaining. 

This prompted close scrutiny of butyl stock. Ultimately, I needed to cull several but was able to patch the wounded tube and had two serviceable 700x28-35c, and a virgin 700x35/42. These were quickly ported over to my Carradice SQR Tour bag. Sometimes it’s about using what you’ve got. I’ll replenish when a decent wholesale deal presents. 

I also switched the City Slicker for The Vee Tire Co Zilent MK2 https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/vee-tire-co-zilent-mark-2-tyres, which were introduced with stronger sidewalls. Seems some folks loved the originals so much, they deployed them as laden touring rubber. No such stresses on my fixed gear winter/trainer and in some respects, they’re a little portly. 

That said; they roll much quicker than a 38mm 997g tyre might imply and a 5mm aramid centre strip adds confidence. Similar genre of tyre to the rear’s long serving Schwalbe Marathon GT https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/schwalbe-marathon-gt-tyres . 

Though I love the changing seasons and night riding specifically, shorter daylight means dependability trumps exotica. As with location-based photo-shoots, its imperative rider and machine return home without incident. 

Therefore, a more time-efficient, disciplined approach to maintenance. Heavier duty tyres, chain lubes, backup lighting, Co2 cartridges and decent pump being good bets. Throw in a tyre boot, patch kit, change of socks, gloves and Buff type “tube” and you’ve the basics covered. Talking of which, I’ve reached my conclusions regarding the Follow Hollow Alpaca Socks https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/follow-hollow-men-s-alpaca-socks .

The Zefal Pro Wet Chain Lube is showing little signs of waning, despite the weather, which is quite impressive. Like other, dare I say, more traditional wet blends it’s tacky to touch. Transfer to skin and clothing is moderate. 

In terms of rider dressage, Pro Viz have also sent me their 360+ jacket. Typical of most at this price point, it’s a polyester blend with breathability and waterproofing ratings of 10,000+gm and 10,000mm. Its seam sealed, has a fleece lined collar to retain warmth and stop wet stuff, from trickling inside. 

Sensible range of pockets too, which is welcome. Then of course there’s the retro-reflective layer that’s grey by day but brilliant white by night, when graced by vehicle, or street lighting.  Steve’s been busy putting Showers Pass Skyline Trousers https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/showers-pass-skyline-trousers  to the test.

Talking of lighting, I’ve done 100 miles with the K-Lite Bikepacker Pro V2 and it’s another lovely model that loses little to its Ultra siblings-at least for road riding. It doesn’t quite stop SUVs in their tracks, or cause them to flash their lights, and I reckon the full 1300lumens comes on tap at 15mph (rather than the 11.18 suggested). 

Sensibly, it runs the same switchgear and yes, you can whip in the USB charger and refuel blinkies, phones/other gizmos on the go.  

 See Sense Have sent me their ICON2 rear light, which is so much more than just a super powerful, tuneable rear light. Though fascinated and rightly intrigued by smart technology, I’m slightly wary of things that are connected via apps and internet. That established, with the app downloaded, the unit can record all sorts of data, including theft, road surface quality and an array of other information. 

It’s also proving extremely solid. I decided to mount ours to my SQR bag, using their clothing clip (Jemma at See Sense warned me against this, given the Icon2 is heavier than previous incarnations…)

It subsequently ejected along some washboard tarmac. Took a direct hit, bouncing along the dimpled asphalt. I needn’t’ve worried. Build quality is superb and there wasn’t a mark on it.

Here’s our general overview of LED safety lights https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/in-the-blink-of-an-eye

    

Faster Fun

With the leaves now beginning to turn auburn and slowly falling from the trees, I’ve been bombing along the backroads, guided by the mighty K-lite Bikepacker Ultra dynamo lamp. Though undoubtedly impressive, regardless. Choice of dynohub seems to make a difference.

Our formative 20miles were done using Shutter Precision SL9 https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/halo-evura-shutter-precision-sl9-dy  The SL9 offers a sleeker look than others, which may tip the balance for riders of sleek winter/trainers, or Audax bikes. To comply with strict German StVZO standards, the SL9 is listed as 6V1.5W. In the real world, I haven’t noticed any difference, bowling along at 16mph, or so, using the Exposure Revo or Trelock LS 906 https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/trelock-ls906-dynamo-front-light .

However, on long rides (50 miles upwards), lower drag (compared with the PD8) is quite tangible. That said; with the K-lite, that slight dip at slower speeds- pulling away from a junction, or longer climbs, was more tangible.

The stand light function is very effective, and held enough charge for a good 15minutes solid, Though I love the SL9, I’d actually swapped over to the Halo Evura wheel, as it was quicker (at that moment) than replacing a dead tube in the Halo White Line/PD8 pairing https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/halo-rim-and-shutter-dynohub-disc-b  . 

So, switching back to the PD8, I decided to remount the K-lite beneath the bars, for a cleaner aesthetic. I’d only mounted it atop, to test the claim doing so had no impact upon beam quality. Not unexpectedly, there was a small but discernible (welcome) boost in output between 6 and 15mph.

I’ve instated its trail sibling to my Univega and done a preliminary twenty miles. I was surprised to note the connection was more precise with its Shimano Ultegra, than my fixed gear winter trainer’s SP units. Not that this has been remotely problematic, in the practical sense.  

Given the trail specific beam pattern, I wasn’t surprised to discover it couldn’t pick out the same level of detail on metalled road. However, the broad carpet of light offered an excellent overview. It also ensured larger vehicles observed my right of way. Next step is to tackle some of the bridleways and unmade roads.

Will be interesting to see whether this configuration will, as K-lite suggest, render a helmet mounted flood light redundant. Staying with front lights, those looking for a compact, wallet friendly rechargeable torch for less intense commuting and general riding may find this Ravemen LR500S  USB Rechargeable Curved Lens Front Light https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/ravemen-lr500s-front-light

I’ve switched back to the Selle Italia Novus Boost TM Superflow saddle, which offers a little more support than the otherwise likeable Oxford Contour Flow https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/oxford-contour-flow-men-s-saddle . Saves 70 odd grams, into the bargain. Though I tend to strip, inspect and re-grease components, throughout the year, its particularly important before the clocks go back. One of the biggest surprises, is just how relevant Tioga city slickers are, some twenty years since I last ran a set. 

I’ve only succumbed to a single puncture and they still handle convincingly, even in wet, greasy conditions. Ride quality is also very good, albeit not quite as plush as Soma Shikoro https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/s  or the Supple Vitesse EX https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/soma-fabrications-vitesse .So, There will doubtless be revisions but I can see the City Slickers staying put for the darker months. While I’m out, getting the miles in, a lot of thought is processed. Moral panics are nothing new.

According to the mainstream media, there’s a “Loneliness epidemic”. Repeat something often enough, it becomes true. I’m leaning towards a hypothesis that alienation and anomie are being mistaken for loneliness. Is it more accurate that people are experiencing a sense of disconnect? Not only from their immediate communities but the wider social contract, and purpose…   

Lighting/rider attire and professional attainments aside, I like to think I generally lead a stealthy life. One free of introspection. So, you’ll imagine my surprise at being stopped at a local junction, by a dog walker. “I always see you going somewhere on your bike. Where are you off to, today”.  

Hyper vigilant, I responded, with a polite smile; advising I was just popping out for a quick twenty miles, before returning to work. Her next remark revealed she’d clearly been observing me quite closely” That’s a different bike, isn’t it” I happened to be on the Holdsworth that morning and was pleasantly noncommittal. Seeking to swerve further introspection, I wished her a lovely day and continued my ride. Hmm, perhaps she was seduced by these Funkier Ride Flo Men's 3/4 Length Summer Bib Tights  https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/funkier  

Tandem Trikes & Other Favourites

John and Jane Moss have taken the difficult decision to sell their Tandem trike, owned by them since 7^th July 1979. Well, back in 1979, it was a Peugeot touring tandem, and rebuilt as a trike, back in 2007. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/love-resurrection-john-moss-s-tandem  

Much money has been spent upgrading the drivetrain and braking. End of an era. However, John’s trike focus, has turned almost exclusively to his Sinner Mango Velomobile. Sadly, there’s no longer enough room, in his workshop, for both. Contact me, by email, if you are interested in buying their tandem trike. 

Elsewhere, I’ve relocated “Franenpute” sensor and magnet, to chainstay and rear wheel. This appears to have solved the interference hassles, when SP PD8 and SL9 dynohubs https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/halo-evura-shutter-precision-sl9-dy  are switched on.

500 miles in, and I’ve also warmed to the Passport Element Chain. At 802 kg, tensile strength is noticeably lower than track type fare, such as KMC Z1 inox https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/kmc-inox-chain (1050kg). These are almost twice the Passport’s asking price, so direct comparisons are unfair.

I’m 70 kilos, so don’t tax components in the same way a powerfully built, 90kilo rider will. Though I noticed the difference in tensile strength, when powering along a climb. I’d be happy popping one on a traditional winter/fixed conversion, single speed freewheels; or hub geared road build.  

More powerful riders, or those living in hillier regions and who only run a single, front brake, would be better served by something like the KMC. Nonetheless, true to claims, lubricant clings to the rougher, galvanised texture.

This not only means it stays put but there’s less clean up, and transference to hands/clothing.  I’ve had to tweak tension, on a couple of occasion, most recently this week, by the roadside.

For one, moral sapping moment, my beloved and long serving Pedros Trixie multitool seemed elusive. Thankfully, the 15mm head popped out from behind a tightly bound spare tube.

Back in September, the fixed hub belonging to the Mavic Open Pro build expired. I’d switched to the Halo Aerorage but pondered what to replace the Mavic’s no-name hub with. I’ve had no problems with cheap hubs in the past. An On-One Inbred unit served a good twelve years before expiry.

A simple cup n’ cone Maillard double fixed unit, graced my first fixed gear build, which was based around a 501 Raleigh frameset. The Inbred is a better bet, for daily drivers cum hack bikes, courtesy of sealed bearings and perfect for a utilitarian build. The sort which needs to be reliable but not attract unwanted attention, when locked to street furniture for longer periods.

Then this Halo rear fix G track hub, was offered me by Ison Distribution https://www.ison-distribution.com/english/product.php?part=HUHATG2K . Sealed bearings and hollow Cro-moly axles bode well for year-round/winter service. Look closely and you’ll notice a HG cassette type assembly for loading fixed sprockets.

Aside from the obvious convenience-no need for medieval looking chain whips, this allows for an adjustable chain-line, between 41and 52mm. Theoretically, a boon for older road conversions. However, those looking to leave their frame spacing untouched may find Surly New Road Rear https://www.ison-distribution.com/english/product.php?part=HUSURRDK a better option.

Don’t be tempted to use HG cassette sprockets with the rear fix G. Stick with 7mm Halo Fat foot, or Gusset Double Six sprockets.

Then there’s an independent lock-ring, that doesn’t have to deal with those rotational forces, traditionally synonymous with fixed transmissions. Talking of which, it will also entertain fixed sprockets between 12 and 20teeth. This should cater for pretty much every occasion, including fixed gear cross/gravel antics.    

Tioga City Slickers are another definite favourite of mine and 25 years later, they’re much as I recall, save for a new, “Energetic” 60tpi casing. Our samples are 700x32 but there’s a 38mm option, and plenty to please those of us, still running 26inch wheels.

I spent several years bombing round the capital on 26x1.95s, which were quick and compliant. Literally gliding over holes and lumpy ironworks. Punctures were rare events too. Or is that nostalgia weaving its hypnotic spell. Several weeks and a few hundred miles will tell.

One way, or the other.  Right, better glue this nasty looking (though thankfully, superficial) cut in the Soma Supple Vitesse EX casing. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/soma-fabrications-vitesse  Before it expands, or a thorn, glass, or similar sharp sneaks inside.