Meandering

With deadlines under control, I took a few days' break to follow other avenues, both written and photographic, to stimulate and inspire. Riding is obviously, a way of life, so I’ve been testing products, just varying routes and distances more readily since time permits. I was horrified to learn of an acquaintances’ accident.

I say accident but as a definition, we’re talking about an event, or incident that couldn’t reasonably be expected. This could be more accurately described as driver negligence. He was struck by a young woman, driving a Renault Clio, who clearly wasn’t looking for him and his beloved Dawes Galaxy.  

According to police, Geoff was lucky to be alive, and I am relieved to hear he is recovering well. However, while this is the crucial element, his beloved Dawes Galaxy’s frameset was beyond economic repair. Damage to the head tube and other misalignment that could result in complete failure and ultimately prove fatal.  

On the one hand, bent metal can always be repaired, or in this instance, replaced. However, it serves to illustrate the fierce bond that we form with our machines. He’s using this recovery time to consider his options but is drawn to the Ridgeback range of tourers. I’m similarly drawn to their range of innovative and less traditional mile munchers.

His insurance will bill hers and hopefully, he’ll have a new machine and renewed mojo very shortly. Geoff’s account was terrifying and frankly, left me feeling cold. As for the driver, well she’s compelled to participate in a driving awareness course.  

Giving my four-Paneth and allowing for those knee-jerk, emotive flashes, education/correction must be the more positive outcome. Hopefully, this will be resolved in Geoff’s favour very soon.  

Yet another illustration of how life can change in an instant, so I’ve never understood why people behave so badly. Drama for me, belongs in stories and films. I have a pronounced aversion to those people who create and moreover, thrive on drama, or indeed otherwise negatively affect my energies, or sense of well-being.  

I have switched the fixed gear winter trainer’s Shutter Precision SL9 HALO CLASSIC RIM & SHUTTER PRECISION DYNOHUB DISC WHEEL BUILD (sevendaycyclist.com) and Ursula’s Shimano Alfine hub dynamo Shimano Alfine UR700 Hub Dynamo | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) rotors for these Swiss Stop. Weighing 138g apiece, I’m keen to see how well they’ll last, compared with the Shimano, Avid and TRP models I’ve used long-term in the past, not to mention their supposedly superior stopping prowess.  

I needed to snug the System Ex Security Skewer SYSTEM EX SECURITY SKEWERS | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) tighter and tweak the TRP SPYRE SLC caliper very slightly. I was experiencing some minor but extremely annoying rotor rub when climbing out of the saddle. That's the purpose of shakedown rides, afterall. No such issue with Ursula, which I think is attributable to the steel fork blades/ends, although, as with the fixed gear winter trainer, I still needed to slacken and realign the caliper.  

I’ve also switched to the Motoverde PTFE chain lube, since the Z1 was looking a little thirsty after several hundred miles on a single helping of The Bike Medicine Purple Extreme | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) . This induced a wheel switch and presented opportunity to snug the Halo Fix-G hub’s lock-ring down again. This seems necessary, evert every 300 miles or so, at present.   

The Shutter Precision PD8 hub and Halo White Line hoop HALO CLASSIC RIM & SHUTTER PRECISION DYNOHUB DISC WHEEL BUILD (sevendaycyclist.com) have been passed to Mick Madgett for lacing and building, since time allowed. We’ve been sent a few books recently, which is nice. I’ve always been a big fan of Sam Tracey’s book “Bicycle! A Repair & Maintenance Manifesto”. PM Press sent us the second edition and Steve was similarly endeared BICYCLE! | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

Pump Friction...

 

Univega’s drivetrain crisp and dependable again, after a brief switch around, I’m back to hustling along the lanes at 5am and enjoying the serenity. The temperature has suddenly spiked from a seasonally typical high teens to high twenties, meaning the morning mists are in fact, warm. Days are becoming shorter too, sunrise at 6.30 and sunset 1900.  

A moot point for me, since I’m running the K-lite Dynamos and the Ravemen TR30 https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/ravemen-tr30m-rear-light  and TR50 https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/ravemen-tr50-rear-light  lights, often in conjunction with these older Lezyne Strip Drive and Lezyne KTV2 Drive. The latter has 9 modes (6 flashing) and seems much brighter than 25lumens might imply and the 2.5-hour charge time is very convenient. Run times of all three lights are generally good but disciplined charging is always sensible practice. 

Now, some of you will note the Sun Race NRX and the Univega’s Microshift Centos predecessor are road mechs, so not an obvious choice. I would also agree and there was an ill-fated trend for people running rear road mechs on mountain bikes, back in the 90s. Aside from rocks and similar knocks, mechs were unable to cope with the wider ratios and crucially capacities.  

Over the years, touring biased bikes have essentially run mtb groups, which makes obvious sense, but road bike ratios have also become wider, dare we say more knee-friendly and less prescriptive. I don’t turn particularly tall gears and never have, for that matter.  

Holdsworth and Fixed Gear winter trainer have gearing in the high 70s-taller than traditionally considered optimal-we're talking 79 and 76 inches respectively. However, good for cruising on the flat, without assuming cartoonish spin-out when descending, or grunting like a porn star on the climbs.  

I’m sticking with the Muc-Off E-Bike Ceramic wet Lube on the latter and its delivering. Those of you wanting something with a bio base should consider their Wet Lube, which has impressed Steve with its blend of lubrication and staying prowess https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/muc-off-wet-lube        

   

I was pleasantly surprised to find this Crank Brothers F15 Multi tool and Birzman E-Grip 16g CO2 inflator. As its name suggests, the F15 is a fifteen function multi-tool. It hides within the brushed aluminium casing and secures by reassuringly powerful magnets. The side plates are made from aluminium alloy, the tooling SCM 435 stainless steel.  

Aside from a chain tool with integral spoke keys, we have 2, 2.5,3,4,5, 6 and 8mm Allen bits, Phillips and flat screwdriver and a T25 Torx. Caters for most mid-ride eventualities. That said; they’ve packed a lot of tools in, so I’m wondering if there’s a trade-off between form and function.  

CO2 inflators aren’t likely to bring on a rush of heady excitement-unless of course, you’ve succumbed to a flat on a really cold day. Situations where you want to get going again-pronto. (Or, like me, had one jettison in the pocket of my messenger knickers while taking a sharp right turn. Certainly refreshed my maracas...)  

In common with other Birzman products I’ve used in the past, the valve head is beautifully made from CNC machined aluminium. There’s a neoprene grip too, which is one of those small but significant features since otherwise, CO2 cartridges can get painfully cold to touch, during discharge. I’m hoping not to call on it too often, although in some quarters, seems hedge clipping season is in full swing.  

Now, for those new to CO2 inflators, the gas will leach out of the tyre/tube (depending on what system you are using) so remember to deflate and reinflate using your floor pump. Otherwise, next morning you’ll find yourself thinking you’ve succumbed to another flat.  They’re no substitute for a decent mini/midi (or indeed, full sized) pump either. Here’s a couple..  https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/zefal-profil-mini-rg01-pump    https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/specialized-air-tool-pump