Wouldn't You Know It

 

Having replenished the grease and attached the Ritchey WCS perch, I decided the USE Sumo post should sit pride of place in the fixed gear winter/trainer. Everything slid together effortlessly, thanks to the precision USE shim. I ported the Klick fix mount over the WCS rails, checked everything was at the correct height, correctly aligned and torqued before reattaching the Axiom City Plus. Talking of fitting and switching contact points, here’s my review of the Oxford Mint Assembly Grease Oxford Mint Assembly Grease | cycling-not-racing 

 

I needed to drop Denise's post by a few millimetres, since my leg was extended too far and quick dab downs were also less predictable. Timely too since I met a boisterous young Alsatian called “Cooper” off the lead and whose owners seemed casually disinterested. I was immediately reminded of Richard Ballantine’s remarks about dogs and other creatures of the field and air being a menace to the cyclist... 

 

Cooper eventually trotted off with the couple. I’d dismounted at this point, resting Denise against the tree by her bars, so no danger of being knocked off by a hound high on life. I’d been bitten by an Alsatian on two separate occasions during my adult life, so though not fearful, I’m very mindful. My silence was also a quiet contempt for the owners and their elected indifference.   

 

I stood reflecting on the 120tpi WTB Nano’s performance, relative to their 60tpi stablemates, my decision to drop the saddle height before heading out and my continued appreciation of the Gorewear C5 GORE-TEX Thermo Gloves. I’ve also switched over to Tubolite TPU tubes and decided I wanted greater cornering prowess, so switched the Shimano PD ED500 pedals Shimano PD ED 500 Pedals | cycling-not-racing for the Wellgo MO94B WELLGO MO94B SPD PEDALS | cycling-not-racing  which also represents a181g weight saving.  

 

Back in the saddle, I scooted off and hustled along the newly muddied lane and found myself concluding the Ergon SR All Road Core Comp Ergon SR All Road Core Comp Saddle Men | cycling-not-racing is genuinely more comfortable than the more basic (but still excellent) All Road Ergon SR All Road Men’s Saddle | cycling-not-racing  Other dogs and their owners were far more gracious, dare I say emotionally intelligent and received a suitably cordial greeting as we passed.  

 

Another thing I had been conscious of is some swaying of the Topeak Backloader. I’ve bund some old inner tube around the post with the hope of minimising any bob, or sway, while simultaneously protecting the USE SX posts’ anodised finish. Post mounted luggage of this kind is designed for bulky but crucially light loads and riders with any experience will mount heavier items low. I’ve followed this narrative, as you’d hope. I’ve stashed several tubes, Muc-Off Pump, small multi tool and CycPlus AS2 Pro Max E.Pump CycPlus AS2 Pro Max E.Pump | cycling-not-racing inflator which is well within the acceptable and indeed, maximum payload. Now, I’m quick to confirm this is minor sway, not samba dancing. Despite substantial Velcro closures, uber litre designs are prone to sway, due in part to length and their lofty position- the main reason I err away from them.  

 

Dynamos rule the roost when it comes to my four seasons’ bikes, but I always carry a compact rechargeable light as backing singer/backup. I was suitably impressed with Ravemen LR 1000Ravemen LR 1000 Curved Lens Front Light | cycling-not-racing and was curious about the brands K series. Enter the most powerful 1800lumen unit here. There are some obvious similarities with the LR1600, most obviously, the sensored technology. In this instance, its two tiered and incorporates AI (Artificial intelligence). The daytime running mode will select the intensity it feels appropriate, while the AI learns the lighting conditions on your routes and tailors things between 100 and 180-lumens accordingly.  

 

Obviously, the wireless remote means you’re not beholden and can override to taste. Then of course, there are the features we’ve come to expect from Ravemen. IPX7 for weatherproofing, solid CNC machined casing and the ability to charge phones and similar gizmos from the port and you can also plug in a power bank, should reserves dwindle. In common with some of the smaller LR family, I’m not completely taken with the mount.  

 

By no means poor, it's quick to whip on/off, which is convenient for commuting and other contexts where bikes can be unattended for periods of time. However, on balance I prefer the more substantial versions employing Allen keys common to the PR series and LR1600 Ravemen LR1600 Front Light | cycling-not-racing.          

       

What of the 120tpi Nano, then...Well, I’ve noticed their improved compliance over their otherwise likeable 60tpi counterparts, switching to a TPU tube up front has also brought some tangible benefits on the compliance front, especially at the higher end of their 50psi pressure range. The Nano aren’t intended for gloopy mud synonymous with a British, or indeed, Belgian winter cross meet but seem to behave in excellent proportion across moderate, greasy mud.  I'll close for now with my review of The MagicshineSeeMee100AD Radar Detection Tail Light Magicshine SeeMee 100 Tail Light | cycling-not-racing    

Smart Sam Succumbs...

The rains came and with a vengeance, but this was a refreshing contrast to the heat of recent weeks. It also presented an ideal opportunity to assess The Schwalbe Smart Sam’s wet weather competence.  

Swooshing through the standing water and slippery mud, I was reassured by their sure-footedness, simultaneously annoyed that I’d decided against waterproof socks but thankful I’d donned the lightweight but effective Madison Road Race Super Light Men’s Waterproof Softshell Jacket Madison Road Race Jacket | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) before heading out. A few hundred miles down the line, I’m forming the opinion that the Smart Sam are very capable “all-terrain” tyres that are surprisingly swift over metalled roads, while still delivering over unmade roads and hardpack.  

Their performance reminds me of WTB Allterrainasaurus (now the “All Terrain”)- I ran a set of 26x1.5 on my drop bar cyclo cross/mtb Frankenbike some twenty odd years back. Relatively quick and surprisingly compliant for a 30tpi casing, they were perfect for my commute through inner city London with genuine off-road potential- hard pack, dirt road, canal path etc.   

The Smart Sam’s 60tpi casings predictably give a plusher ride and are better off road, provided things don’t get boggy. I'd be looking towards something more aggressive for British trails in mid-winter and they’re a competition tyre but sporty enough without being ponderous, or noisy on the road.  

Until this point, puncture resistance had been reassuringly good. Cue a slimy, slippery lane at 530am and a very audible “Pop!” coupled with a similarly aggressive loss of pressure. Pulling over, a rogue hedge clipping proved the culprit.

Of course, rains joined the gloom, but thankfully I had the Ravemen PR1200 Dual Lens Front Light to work by RAVEMEN PR 1200 DUAL LENS FRONT LIGHT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and of course, spare tube and Topeak Gravel 2 Stage Mini Pump Topeak Gravel 2 Stage Mini Pump | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) to spare me the seven mile walk home.   

I’ve always had a soft spot for Topeak. Products are decent quality but over the years, it's their innovative design that has captured my imagination. Back home, I took the opportunity to give Ursula a good sudsy bucket wash and once-over.

Replenished the spare tube, added a Co2 inflator/cartridges and patched the wounded butyl. I was a little shocked by how deeply the clipping had cut into the tyre’s shoulder. Not deep enough for a boot but a liberal helping of superglue, which of course, I had run out of. I reverted to the Maxxis Ikon Maxxis Ikon Tyres | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)   

Timely too that some interesting products from Topeak have just arrived for testing.  I don’t obsess about “wasted” space on a bike but I’m fond of making clever use of it. Take Hollowtech II cranks for example.

The hollow section is an excellent host for water and other dodgy stuff, but it also presents a useful stash point for a multitool. I am still quite taken with this Torque Covert TORQUE COVERT 7 CRANK MULTI TOOL | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  although the magnet could be stronger and while the electroplated tooling is decent quality, it tended to show signs of the dreaded taint through a wet winter. 

 

Against this backdrop, I was pleased to receive this Topeak Hide N’ Tool. Another 7-function model, at £57.99 it's a good bit dearer than the Torque so it’ll be interesting to see how they compare and whether the Topeak’s on-paper refinements make a difference in practice.   

Portable quick tune-up stands are another useful addition to the workshop. Static models can be had for as little as £10. Or indeed, you could make one from scrap metal, a MIG welder and leftover paint. Either way, I’ve had a couple of cheapies and found them great for tuning derailleurs and other little jobs where you need the rear wheel held off the ground.  

They also double as useful storage stands. Cheaper models tend to be less stable, which can be annoying/frustrating. Enter another Topeak solution, the Topeak Flashstand e Up. Designed to handle e-bikes up to 30 kilos, it bodes well for other, heavier solos or specialist builds. It also folds, which is another nice feature.     

There’s talk of another “Beast from The East” promising months of snowfall, which will mean a switch to the Schwalbe Ice Spiker Pro  Schwalbe Ice Spiker Pro Tyres | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) . 140,000 miles together, Ursula is close to a cherished, though certainly not pampered pet. So many memories crafted together through hell and high water. Trailer lugging, hauling Joshua on his tagalong.

A broad spread of gears for grinding, cruising and bombing, huge tyre clearances (and choice of tyres), dynamo lighting... It’s not difficult to see why I’ve defaulted to her as my daily driver/working bike, especially through winter’s worst.  John Moss has taken the decision, after much soul searching to part with his Sinner Mango Tour Velomobile. Genuinely interested parties should contact me in the first instance.