New Guards & Big Flaps

Ended up stripping the Univega of the mighty Tortec chrome plastics, while I waited for these superbly solid SKS BLUEMELS SHINY 26″ 60 BLACK SET to arrive. Good thing I did too, since the front was one rattle away from falling atop the tyre, and launching me over the bars.

Sans guards it has a very rugged, raw simplicity. Arguably closest to the original 80's concept that fired my teenage imagination, its trail potential was fully realised, along with some seriously big grins for a few evenings. 

The first was quite cold, frosty, although rains returned the following two nights. Thankfully I've been testing these Funkier Aqua Water Repellent Tights. Very welcome (Competent too, especially considering the asking price (£74). 

Talking of the 80's, though frame fit pumps have largely disappeared (thanks in no small part to compact geometry framesets, and mountain biking's other influences) Zefal HPX High Pressure Frame Pump remains quite relevant. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/zefal-hpx-frame-pump 

I returned from Tuesday night's mud spattered meander to find the SKS guards waiting. 

Not the sort of job I wanted to embark on, then. Wednesday morning came and I wasted no time in un-boxing and weighing the guards, which are 50g lighter than the Tortec. 

Next my beloved tubby tourer was popped in the workstand, stripped of wheels and given a rich, sudsy bucket wash. 

Rinsed and dried, I turned my attentions to the front guard. Fitting mudguards can prove fiddly, rather than difficult. In this instance, it's complicated by my preference- a Gusset Uni Head system, rather than the Star Frangled Nut (SFN). 

Now, these might carry a weight penalty over the humble SFN, or expandable wedge type systems. However, they offer improved security. I've never had one work loose and they're also reckoned to keep things together, in the event of a steerer crisis. One of many experiences I would like to keep academic. 

However, it does preclude attaching mudguards via the fork drilling. I judiciously cut out the riveted stainless steel mount, using a hot blade. Given the quality of chrome plastics, and valuing my own digits, this had to be done in three stages. 

Having established the uni-head's bottom nut would slide snugly through the hole, I began bolting the guards in situ. Measure twice cut once when tackling the stays but otherwise everything bolted together smoothly, sans faff.

Achieving graceful, flowing lines is very simple with this calibre of mudguard too. 90, rattle free miles in, and despite the absence of mudflaps coverage is surprisingly good. Nonetheless, presented with a scrap Panaracer tyre, I decided to cut and fashion a set. 

Arguably pop-riveting would've been the neatest method but I settled on a high-strength glue, left clamped and curing for 24 hours. Though not a precision cut, they're neat enough and I've been refining things, gently sanding excess glue-at least where it can be seen. Besides, blasted with dodgy looking water, diarrhoea like mud and other greasy midwinter muck, they'll blend in nicely!  

Talking of which, the Weldtite TF2 Performance all weather lubricant https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/weldtite-tf2-performance-all-weather has fared much better than the Juice Lube Ceramic Juice Chain Lube in comparable conditions. 

The Ceramic Juice hit 185 before the dreaded squeak struck but I should point out, its actually blended for dry to moist, rather than wet weather. 

Therefore, I will reserve judgement and resume testing once (some might say, if) we get a decent dry spell. Meantime, I've switched to their Viking Juice, which they say, is the most durable of their range. 

Application is reminiscent of early ceramic blends in the sense its applied in stages. Whereas some required you to ride around, before adding a final layer, Viking Juice takes but a few minutes. 

Between 2 and 4 coats are recommended, so having established we're in the depths of winter, I've gone the whole hog. 

Its a really runny formula too, designed to seep deep within the chain, so keep some clean rag handy and resist any urges to apply indoors. My Univega's drive train feels suitably frisky but staying prowess is another thing entirely. 

Been rather impressed by their JL69 Bike Maintenance Spray, which seems versatile, durable and very competitively priced. Cleat/mechanisms, locks, cables and jockey wheels have all cheered up with a squirt. Electroplated Allen bolts and similar fasteners have also remained taint free.  

Been rather impressed by this Naked Bikes Pro Wax Special Edition, too. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/naked-bikes-pro-wax-special-edition  . Though hardly cheap, the quality and durability of finish is very impressive. A Christmas gift idea, for the rider who is tricky to buy for.

Lotions, Potions & Lessons

A cold and icy start to February, has spelled Univega. The tubby tourer’s blend of big tyres, full length guards wide gearing and more upright stance, is particularly welcome in these conditions.

Pot-holes, spilt derv also fuel my desires to detour via unmade roads and green lanes. Escaping the increasingly maddening crowd is another peripheral bonus.
 

Prevention is always more convenient, not to mention, cheaper than cure.

Coinciding with a weekly sudsy bucket clean, I stripped its chain and cassette of waxy, congealed beard using Green Oil Agent apple degreaser and Duck Smart the black stuff chain degreaser. Both require five minutes standing time but the mixture of citrus and plant-based ethanol is ruthlessly efficient.

So much so, that chains, cassettes and anything else, should be stripped and placed in a suitable receptacle. I’ve seen it consume supermarket ice cream tubs, rubberised components and bite into anodised/painted surfaces too. In this instance,

I removed the rear wheel and basted a couple of light coats into the nickel-plated cassette. Avoiding unwanted contact with seals and painted surfaces. Agitating the mix with a stiff bristled brush after 3minutes, flushing through with tepid water on the stroke of 5.

The black stuff is gentler, thus making safer transition to more generic grot busting-bar wrap, saddle covers and faux leather shoes being the most obvious candidates. Compared with green oil’s chain cleaner jelly, it requires more concerted/repeat applications to shift middleweight lubes, let alone the more stubborn wet/ceramics.  

Galvanic seizures (Where materials of different parentage corrode together) are another potential nightmare. Several months in, I decided to inspect said machine’s Titanium post. I’d applied Green Oil eco-grease https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/green-oil-ecogrease-long-ter-test?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_HzseyRI7TPke0IAp4p5LCPqksuJyh1ic29yvU2TfegmE7GxMZyflTS8NQ2cQGf1mHF6nxIA7ChkaUFGG7eBhKXklWzmmndMucOwAj8_R0VAjNHKI&_hsmi=55822957&utm_campaign=Private%2BGroups&utm_content=55822957&utm_medium=email&utm_source=hs_email  several months previously but with the binder bolt undone, it was clear replenishment was due.

A liberal helping of Park PPL-1 seemed the most stoical option. Seeing as the Passport wedge pack was also showing signs of fatigue, I resurrected this Altura Aero post pack. More than roomy enough for a day ride, right down to food and spare layers. A three-kilo maximum payload is pretty good-means a decent lock can join the party while two pockets riding shotgun either side provide neat parking for tubes, Co2 cartridges.

The SQR bracket makes for convenient whipping on/off and means I can swap over to my boxier cotton duck Carradice with no effort/alteration. 

Talking of resurrection, while I was rummaging in the spares drawers, some old but much-loved Ritchey pattern SPDs emerged-perfect for my cross inspired fixed, since they mean I can ride wearing those Lake booties.

Dynamo lamp and switch gear was also bundled up in a padded envelope and left with John Moss. Cursory inspection confirmed it was a short in the system-water had infiltrated the plug. Minutes later, he’d stripped the wiring back, trimmed it to length. Refitting was equally precise.

He’s pulled the outer wires further into the port for a better seal, although (as he was quick to point out), silicone grease would be a shrewd move. Interesting that the Exposure Revo has never missed a beat, regardless of how grotty the weather got.

Returning my attentions to the drivetrains, I cleaned and replenished Smoove universal chain lube and took the Weldtite Tf2 ultra dry wax https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/weldtite-tf2-ultra-dry-chain-wax  route with the Univega. 

The latter mightn’t be the most obvious choice, given the time of year. However, cleaner lube means a cleaner drivetrain, albeit with more frequent application. Besides, but I’m keen to see how it holds up in harsher conditions and now’s as good a time as any.  Hmm, speaking of opportunities, now would be a good time to start brewing my own…

In the meantime, SKS’ range of bike potions have just arrived. We have a bike wash, bike wax, some PTFE infused spray and a tyre sealant. Looking forward to seeing how these compare with some iconic workshop staples.

Workhorse Worship

Having reached some definite conclusions about Muc-Off hydrodynamic chain lube, I wasted no time in introducing the Univega to its new chain, cassette and Genetic flare silicone handlebar wrap. Shimano’s HG50 (Tiagra by another name) requires little introduction and might be a little workmanlike by some standards. However, there’s a good rationale’ for running cheaper consumables on everyday/winter bikes and besides, it shifts pretty sweetly.

More interesting is the KMC X9 chain’s “Eco ProTeQ” anti-rust coating. KMC give little away, other to say it passes the 650 hour salt spray test but cursory inspection suggests it’s a form of nickel plating. Galvanised designs work well-to a point but once it’s worn through, they’ll turn orange at the merest lick from a slushy puddle.

The Ilpompino wasn’t left out either, courtesy of this perfectly coordinated, injection moulded Tacx Deva bottle cage, which is a composite in the true sense, comprising of 40% carbon fibre blended with glass fibre and polyamide. That curvaceous stainless steel Axiom cage still adorns its seat tube bosses as I like to port heavier stuff, including the odd NiMH bottle battery now and then. 

My MK1 Ford Ka on the other hand, is considerably low-tech (although even this one gets plugged into a laptop from time to time). After several soggy weeks second guessing that tell-tale bubbling around its fuel-filler cap, a temperate Saturday morning spelt an end to procrastination and hand-wringing.

This is an endemic weak spot (along with sills and tailgates) that can prove expensive, uneconomic if ignored. Moisture gets trapped between the rubberised seal and the recessed section, whereupon it nibbles away unnoticed until those bubbles start brewing. Hardware is easily removed using a Phillips head screwdriver and by this stage; a quick shot of penetrant spray followed by deft taps from rubberised “engineers” mallet.

Fresh out of traditional freeing agents, Effetto Mariposa “Carbo Move”” proved an excellent stand-in and thankfully the damage was less extensive than first feared. Flaking paint and rust dismissed, a quick lick of filler followed by liberal basting of Kurust left curing for the full three hours ensured a sound, primer ready surface.

Three thin coats of high build primer seemed sufficient but wanting to minimise the likelihood of a more squeamish sequel, I slathered some White Lightning crystal grease to the rubberised flange, creating a protective barrier. This technique has proved very effective where rear wiper and tailgate entwine-three years and no recurrence. Reinstating everything prove the most fiddly job, requiring some dexterous juggling and positive energy before it would seat seamlessly within the panel-phew!  

Flatulent tyre Ahoy…More Leverage Please!!!

After several weeks, I’m still coughing like a chain smoking beagle. This hasn’t stopped me from getting the miles in and various sets of tyres on, mind. 

Issue 5 of Seven Day Cyclist has just hit the digital newsstands and includes an interview with Dani Foffa, CEO of Foffa bikes and grass roots tours of Ireland and Cheshire. http://www.pocketmags.com/viewmagazine.aspx?catid=1038&category=Sport&subcatid=234&subcategory=Cycling&title=Seven+Day+Cyclist&titleid=2582

The more miles I do on those Vittoria Voyager hyper and street runner tyres, the more endeared I become-sporty casings combine magic carpet ride with low rolling resistance and a surprising turn of speed. Despite a road centric cassette, the Univega now feels a little under-geared; or rather I’m running the big ring and catching traditional roadies unawares more often.

While quicker, lighter and supposedly better protected from malevolent sharps, they swept me back to the mid-late 90s spent belting along London’s commercial road on Nokian City Runners. I favoured 1.5 sections, which seemed an ideal compromise-sufficiently generous that they’d iron out minor imperfections and rider error, yet adequate for 20mph cruising and swift getaways when the lights changed. 

Road bikes were decidedly out of favour at this time, to the point where many of us were popping drops on our cross country workhorses. I liked the all-terrain concept but it also helped ensure otherwise nick-able bikes stayed under thieves’ radars.  

Triples were also completely unnecessary-even with a trailer, hence another trend for running a single 42/46/48 (Purple anyone?) ring and 7/8spd block, Ritchey copy VP pedals… Lightweight, low maintenance and fast; for inner-city tarmac terrorism at least.

Good times from a relatively dark and difficult era. Fast forward two decades and I was surprised at how stubborn the street runner’s final section was on two separate occasions, the most recent being serenaded by that familiar heart-sinking hiss along a lonely lane.

Now is the point where we regret not doing a full trunk bag inventory-thankfully I had a spare thorn resistant “builders hose” type tube, three tyre levers, including Crank Brothers speedier lever and this Revolution midi pump. Personally, I loathe mini pumps-fine for those who run Co2 cartridges as roadside staples and infinitely better than no pump for dire emergencies but otherwise impractical.

This Revolution resembles a track pump put through a matter shrinking device but will genuinely achieve moderate to high pressures extremely efficiently, so 75psi barely raised a flicker.  

Strangely enough I found myself equally frustrated by the realisation I’d forgotten my compact camera and the opportunity to document the events frame by frame! Having returned home it prompted a long overdue make do n’ mend tube re-commissioning- you know the drill; repair once, more than two patches-chuck, or reinvent as chainstay protectors.

Generally speaking, the speedier is a marked improvement over the old speed lever, which, for the uninitiated was a retractable ladder design that slid onto the quick release skewer, while the head either scooped the bead off or pushed it back on with a hooked claw and only moderate force. 

Alas, the composites were a little willowy and prone to fatigue-I snapped two in under ten swaps, which was disappointing. Obviously, these are roadside assistants, not workshop staples but I’ll reserve proper judgement until we’re at least eight or ten tyre swaps of various genres down the line.   

Talking of resurrection (well, we are hurtling towards Easter afterall), I substituted the Univega’s BBB Fuel tank cage for standard Boardman and Burls carbon models.

This wasn’t a weight saving exercise and those PET types are super convenient for touring but they do consume considerable amounts of main triangle, especially on a small, compact geometry mtb frameset.

I’ll be keeping it handy though since the Fuel Tank XL is definitely one of the most rugged and a fair bit cheaper too.

Right then; I’m going to see how this Carbon Pro heavy duty cleaner deals with two filthy workhorses and organise some newbie friendly step-in pedal systems for a group test. Hmm, time the KA’s sill received a sixth coat of high build grey primer too…   

Taming of the Squeal & Other Minor Triumphs

Having ridden fifty formative miles with the new headset, my serenity (and everyone else’s) was rudely interrupted by the front brake’s blood curdling banshee howl. Nothing more serious than misaligned and slightly glazed pads; sorted in less than ten minutes with 5, 3mm Allen keys and a little, fine grade sandpaper. 

Bijous’ multi tools bristling with functions are blessing and curse in equal measure.

You’ll never find yourself bereft of that torx diver at the crucial moment and these are for quick roadside tweaks, not workshop staples. However, cable bolts and balance screws aside; there are other situations where longer bits blitz faff. Recessed seat/ cable clamp, square taper crank and Ahead preload bolts being prime examples.

Thankfully and quite by accident, I’ve rediscovered this rather handsome Brooks M21 while having another sort out. 21 functions won’t tackle every situation and 290g is very apparent in jacket pockets but it’s hard to beat for sheer leverage and refinement.  Off the subs bench and into my Univega’s equally bomb-proof cotton duck rack bag it goes!

Icy, slushy stuff has started becoming a popular roadside adornment in these parts and according to Revolution’s Velocity computer, the mercury hasn’t inched past 4 degrees Celsius. Thus, after several outings both Ilpompino and Univega were deserving of a proper sudsy pamper. Decisions, decisions, do I go for the household name that’s long been something of an institution, or a lesser known favourite of mine…

Now, there is some truth that, dilute enough household kitchen detergents will achieve similar results without dulling paint/finishes or inducing corrosion on stainless/ polished parts. However, while these and dedicated bike brews will perform the same tasks, some are genuinely more effective than others-depending on their concentration.  

This prompted some experimentation. Two brands may be broadly similar chemically but does trigger design genuinely affect i.e. improve overall performance?…Exchanging that belonging to an iconic name for one with a specialist "agitating" head confirmed my suspicions.

The pink legend emerges in precisely the same foaming consistency. Being more concentrate on contact suggests an even coat and shorter marinating times to achieve same effect. That in question was the original, factory formula, rather than dilute to taste version, which I find more versatile. 

The song remained unchanged when swapping heads with another respected, albeit more dilute pink brand. Host bottles may well join the recycling pile but looks like that trigger will become a fully affiliated member of my tool-box.

Getting The Message But Not The Parcels...

Tuesday 2^nd saw me meeting the CEO of a small scale bike brand outside Bermondsey tube station. Never one to waste a few minutes, armed with trusty workhorse Sony Alpha SLR, I snapped these working fixers/single speeds shackled obediently to nearby stands.

Moments later my host arrived and whisked me off to a classically authentic and highly hospitable Italian café’ restaurant several streets away. Six hours hence, our meeting drew to a mutually favourable conclusion and I re-joined the sea of equally purposeful commuters, weaving through platforms and cramming themselves sardine fashion into a slowing procession of tube carriages.

Dark by 1500hrs, tis the season for day glow overshoes and potent dynamos. Those genuinely unique and capable Shower’s Pass covers fit in a flash and are one of the few readily compatible with broader street-styled shoes (although you’ll need to cut their sole to accommodate recessed cleats).

While belting along the back roads aboard the Univega, its rear wheel began an ominous “self-destruct” symphony some ten miles from home, announcing its oft maligned M475 freehub needed emergency strip and rebuild surgery.

Aside from regular cassette replacements, sporadic skewer greasing and generic polishing; mine has been fending for itself these past 5,000miles. New bearings, Teflon based grease and freehub body hence; we’re sorted for another year or so.

Despite my best efforts, one of the front hoop’s stainless spokes has succumbed badly to the salt monster’s slimy, caustic tongue, thus necessitates replacement sometime in the New Year-before it “twangs” unexpectedly.

I fully intend to upgrade the tubby tourer’s cheap but relatively cheerful Aheadset in favour of something better sealed and with higher quality cartridge/needle roller bearings.

These distribute loads much better than standard balls, thus wear slower and run buttery smooth. Sadly, Woodman’s Saturn (Fitted to Holdsworth and Teenage Dream) is no longer in production. A Tange needle roller and Stronglight annular unit, both giving change from £25 have caught my eye.

Decathlon opened its latest store in Harlow last week and I was lucky enough to get a press invite. More famous for its cycle museum and college of Journalism, I hadn’t been to the town for over twenty years, although the retail park was easily found.

Smaller than some, there was still plenty to see. I am particularly taken with their (in house) Btwin clothing range-especially their mid/upper end 500 and 700 series. Hopefully, I’ll have some samples and their junior series for testing early in 2015.

Christmas is one of the busiest periods for logistics companies with ever greater demands being met by a reserve army of seasonal labour. However, two, maybe three consignments of relatively valuable test kit have mysteriously “vanished” in the past six weeks.

One carrier had the cheek to record these as delivered (and signed for!) suggesting they’re helping themselves and/or running a lucrative side line-might  have a gander on the auction sites later..

Having served as a seasonal dobbin at various points, I have witnessed boxes containing flat screen plasma TVs, lightweight bicycle frames and other fragile items launched shot-putter fashion across warehouses and slammed into wire mesh cages.

A wonder we receive anything, let alone in serviceable condition. Interestingly and in keeping with other un/semi-skilled production/assembly line contexts, you’ll meet the nicest and nastiest ends of humanity.

I’ve noticed close parallels with the sentiments expressed by men working the line at Ford’s Halewood plant in Huw Beynon’s 1970s study “Working for Ford”.  “They’re all working here but they’re just really hanging around, waiting for something to turn up…” Hmm, haven’t seen a set of Tenn Gloves, Overshoes too by any chance folks?

Never mind, issue 2 of Seven Day Cyclist has just hit the digital stands http://www.pocketmags.com/viewmagazine.aspx?catid=1038&category=Sport&subcatid=234&subcategory=Cycling&title=Seven+Day+Cyclist&titleid=2582&issueid=92567#close

.