Forks & Functionality

I'm someone who keeps "doing" (as distinct from "to-do") lists. These are organic, and used to structure, and critically analyse how effectively I'm using time, and other resources. "To do lists are full of good intentions, but few results. Some might even describe them as "where good ideas go to die".

That established, instatiing the Univega's original (and recently refurbed) forks were on Saturday's agenda.

Organisation i.e. laying out tools, parts etc are all part of productivity. I'd suspected the long serving Tortec guards' stays were close to pensionable, so retrieved an SKS set, just in case. 

Next came the crown race removal and setting tools, grease, Allen keys, two sets of cable cutters (Premium for cables, cheap n' cheerfuls for cable ties, and similar donkey work).  

Going off piste, I decided to switch to these Genetic CX Cantilevers https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/genetic-cx-cantilever-brakes . I'm very fond of the IRD CAFAM 2 https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/ird-cafam-2-cantilever-brakes but fancied a change, and besides, the Genetic are much easier to set up. 

I love a really firm, positive action, so set the spring tension to maximum, greased the "new" forks canti posts with Park PPL1 Poly lube and popped them aboard, before turning my attentions to disassembling the Univega's existing front end. Being a daily driver, I was pleasantly surprised by how easily everything released.  

Full length mudguards (fenders) keep a remarkable amount of corrosive filth, from rider and machine, extending servicing times and ultimately, component life. I was pleasantly surprised by how much, effective Muc-Off Bio Grease https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/muc-off-bio-grease-long-term-test was still in evidence. Old "School chair" trials fork out. I gave the Aheadset's bottom race cursory inspection, before delivering a fresh helping, of the jam-ike grease.  

Be rude (and silly) not to.  I replace headsets/ forks maybe once yearly, so find this  wallet friendly Ice Toolz crown race remover perfectly adequate. a few even taps later, I'd extracted the crown race and fitted it to the "new" forks, using my  Cyclo setting tool. 

Scrap "Gas pipe" down tubes make excellent, zero-cost alternatives, although ensure these have been cut cleanly, and accurately...

From this point, everything came back together, sans drama. Wheel reinstated, brakes setup, mudguard hardware greased and snugged tight, it was simply a case of setting bearing tension, trimming cables and naturally, treating the fork to some  Velo 21 Ultimate paintwork protection https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/velo-21 .  

I also took this opportunity to blast some corrosion inhibiting products inside the breathe holes, before hanging the bike up. This encourages it to travel through, and evenly coat the hosts. In a pinch, anything  (petrochemical) oily will do. A teaspoon, or two of 10w/40 motor oil inside a frame, or delivered into the fork blades, via syringe will certainly help. 

I chose to use up an almost exhausted aerosol, of waxy chain lube. Given the temperate weather, it should melt nicely and distribute evenly within their inner sanctum.  Talking of which, Steve's been putting some Boeshield T-9 Bicycle Lube & Protectant through its paces 

https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/boeshield-t-9  

Last but not least, for this "sitting"; dynamo cable and computer sensors were tethered, to their respective blades. Weight might be a lesser consideration on a working bike and ultimately, I didn't weigh both forks. However, anecdotally, the  originals are noticeably lighter (gun to my head, probably 300g), which for me, is another bonus.

Knew there was a reason I squirreled them away...

Continuing the working bike theme, co-editor Steve Dyster has been putting Bristol Bicycles Touring Bike through its paces and seems pleasantly surprised by its blend of fun and practicality. 

https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/bristol-bikes-touring 

Elsewhere, I've commenced testing Muc Off Dry Lube, which has a hue and odour, reminiscent of banana ice cream. It also has a recommended curing time of 4 hours, hence one I'd be inclined to re/apply the evening before riding. Once cured, it seems closer to a "diet" wax formula. 

A formative forty mile blast suggests friction's lower than a snake's testicles but I'll reserve any kind of proper judgement, for another 250, or so. Be interesting to see how it compares with the quick curing Zefal Pro Dry https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/zefal-pro-dry-lube,  

Cream

Paint freshly cured and blemish free, my Univega's frameset grew accustomed to its new identity at centrally heated room temperature. I headed north on other missions and awaited the arrival of those chain-ring bolts for the 1x9 conversion. Several days hence, those bolts had arrived...

Long drives can leave me feeling wired, so I promised myself, I’d “Just do an hour”; treat the frame internally, get the headset, bars, stem, bottom bracket etc in…

Three hours later, I was a lot further along but reaching that dangerous tipping point-the one where thought processes become addled and mistakes made. At 1.30 am, I flopped into bed and resumed building after eight hours rest.

Everything breezed together with liberal helpings of fresh grease and minimal faff. On the subject of grease, I’ve been suitably impressed by the longevity of Green Oil eco grease that remained pretty conspicuous on fasteners and bottom bracket threads alike some months in. http://www.sevendaycyclist.com/green-oil-eco-grease  

Full-length mudguards certainly help but, I was also pleasantly surprised to discover a decent layer of Muc-Off grease still adorning the Stronglight Aheadset bearings. These had been pretty much untouched for two years.    

Rebuilding is an ideal opportunity to give components and accessories a really thorough scrub. Mudguards were purged of wintry sludge; corroded “stainless” fasteners were replaced, re-greased and snugged tight. Many miles in, its KMC X9-ept chain http://www.sevendaycyclist.com/kmc-x9-ept-chain was now well past the first flushes of youth and signalled another enforced break, while waited for its SRAM PC971 replacement to arrive.

Puncture season in full swing, I switched my attention to salvaging tubes. Having discovered my ‘cross inspired fixer’s front tyre pancake flat, I changed the tube, rounded up some other casualties and patched them for spares duty.

Two patches is my limit. Those sporting more; or larger lesions are decommissioned and reincarnated as top tube/chainstay protectors, headset or seat collar boots.

During the Univega’s makeover, Graham asked if I would drop by and strip his scabby old tart- a much loved, though world weary mid-90s GT Timberline.

It would’ve been ungrateful to decline, so, needing a break from the screen I popped in midweek. Two hours, one tin of penetrant spray and some nervous moments later, everything (including a seized UN30 cartridge bottom bracket!) relented.

Frameset bare and ready for the stripping tank, I turned my attentions to the Timberline’s grungy Alivio groupset. A liberal helping of Fenwicks’ FS1, some warm water and furious scrubbing later restored it to a socially acceptable and basically serviceable state.

While kinder to user and environment than my old friend, methyl chloride, the wispy vapour emanating from the other tank, always reminds me of the transporter scene in David Cronenberg’s visceral reworking of “The Fly”. Several minutes later and it had done a decent job of softening and partially stripping the existing finish.

Dredged from the chloride tank, things are basically dry. This one leaves a slightly slimy layer behind, which demands a few minutes longer in the blast cabinet.

After a few false starts, every last trace of residual paint and stickers were gone, leaving only a faintly dimpled, primer friendly surface behind. Graham’s going the blue route and has plenty of choice at his disposal.        

Elsewhere, there’s been a sudden swing to wintry weather. I’ve been thankful for my ‘cross inspired fixer’s quick, though dependable handling while chasing along lanes carpeted in thick slush.

Fixed offers that extra bit of feedback between tyres and surface. The ability to ease off gently against the transmission to slow, rather than pulling the front brake and being spat off is a definite plus! 

Midwinter Makeovers & Tales of The Unexpected

Having decided my beloved Univega was going the 1x9 route; I stripped the LX cranks and gave them a seriously good clean. Despite regular cold water rinsing and hard paste waxing, the salt monster had left his pock marked calling card in the anodised finish.   

To make matters worse, after almost twenty years, the flamboyant red enamel was starting to chip all too easily along the chainstays. Up until now, this recession had been held back with decent quality nail varnish but now demanded more remedial action.

 Maldon Shot Blasting & Powder Coating www.ctc-powder-coating.co.uk replied to my SOS email, confirming they’d be happy to sort.

Tuesday afternoon, I needed a break from the keyboard, so stripped the frameset bare and attempted to chase years of waxy home brewed frame preserve from its inner sanctum. This would, theoretically minimise the amount of prep the team had to perform before blasting and ultimately painting. 

Since we’re on the subject, be sure to tell your frame builder/spray shop there is Waxoyl, or similar preserve sloshing around inside. Otherwise, with the introduction of heat, it will become molten, race from the tubes and potentially scald them!

What lies beneath.....

Graham and Chris were taking no chances. When the industrial degreaser didn’t do the business, my frame was immersed in their methyl chloride tank for a few minutes...As the honey coloured gloop dissolved, racing to the surface in a raft of brown bubbles, those relatively thin enamel and primer coats followed suit. 

Much to our surprise, the Alpina 506’s tubes were also sporting a layer of corrosion busting nickel.

Though less of a slippery customer and kinder process than Chrome, chances are the factory enamellers had to use acid etch primers to persuade the paint to stick. It would also explain why, despite high, hell and high water mileages, seemingly bare metal hadn’t succumbed to the elements.

This was easily dismissed in the Iron oxide cabinet before the surface was treated to an even finer polymer bead... Next came that zinc rich epoxy powder primer. I’d plumped for cream this time round, classic and understated. Would coordinate with the bike’s existing kit perfectly too.

The zinc was cured at 150 degrees for 15minutes; cooler than text book and forum lore would suggest. I’m told the lower temperature achieves optimal fusion between the primer and colour coat. 

Higher temperatures would result in a more brittle finish, prone to chipping.

I’d gone for poly gloss buttermilk, which requires particular care. Though the flow rate ensures even coverage, flawless results are difficult given its tendency to drip and run during oven curing. This is also goes for other paints with low pigment.

Even when stored correctly, powder paints eventually “go-off”. This can result in a lumpy; or flawed final effect. Some tell-tale shadowy dimpling had struck along the down tube. Job-lot finishers would probably pass this but Graham was having none of it. Imperfect areas sanded, he disappeared in search of a match and returned with a small tub of “Interpon 610 cream”. 

Initial inspection suggested a peachy pigment but testing on some scrap proved otherwise. A full account is coming up in Seven Day Cyclist www.sevendaycyclist.com  but for now, I’ll leave you with this photo-love story.  Fancy something similar? A single, standard colour, such as this cream including blasting and zinc based primer start at £65. What’s next? Those refurbished cranks, of course.

New Year’s Revolutions

The festive season is very much business as usual for me. I simply ease off and work in strategic blocks, rather than assume standby. This method alleviates burn out on the one hand, yet ensures creative juices flow seamlessly into January.

Christmas was spent in the midlands, a region gripped by a sudden easterly front, bringing freezing overnight temperatures. The significance being I was attending Coventry Road Club’s annual Boxing Day Cyclo Cross meet on Kenilworth common.

Bitten by some mild, energy sapping seasonal bug, I managed ninety minutes behind the lens before arctic blasts and loathsome lurgi persuaded me back to base via the city’s infamous ring road. Short, localised snow flurries followed that evening but disruption was minimal.

Said weather front tailed me south the following night, prompting fitment of those spiked Schwalbe winter tyres to the Univega’s hoops. Prudent since the mercury staggered towards zero and most local lanes were sheet ice. Nonetheless, we cantered along at 17-20mph while drivers of automatic SUVs and smaller cars struggled with traction.

Two hardy but courteous riders on pared- to- the- essentials road bikes warned of dicey bends looming ahead. Naturally, I eased off, not wanting to tempt fate, though the gravelly patter inspired confidence. Took the same route next morning and loved every minute.

Minor limitations aside, that Tenn kit performed particularly well in these contexts, which is remarkable given their modest asking price. Keep your eyes peeled for a full report on “Sevendaycyclist” www.sevendaycyclist.co.uk .

I haven’t upgraded the tubby one’s headset yet, primarily because £17 worth of dedicated crown removal tool has; you guessed it, failed to materialise in the postal malaise. Temptation was to improvise using an engineer’s mallet and flat bladed screwdriver but I’ll hold fire for now.

Along with snow and a family bereavement on Boxing Day, came the news that City link had gone into receivership. The logistics industry has been fiercely competitive for some time and the role of multi drop driver set to become extinct courtesy of technological change.

However, while there is no room for sentiment in business (meeting deadlines and targets are imperative for survival); even those with scant empathy can appreciate the dismay and resentment expressed by employees and sub-contractors. Some of whom have reportedly not been paid, or expect to receive remuneration for the past six weeks’ service.

Pragmatically, the world is tough and people adapt-as several “upmarket” tabloids would doubtless attest. Fine and dandy in abstract but experience suggests successfully extrapolating oneself from the wreckage without everything imploding is no mean feat.

Talking of technology, Ged Holmyard at Edinburgh Bicycle Co-operative www.edinburghbicycle.com  popped their Revolution Velocity 20 function cycle computer out to me. OK, so wireless units are pretty much ten a penny these days and we’d be forgiven for thinking contemporary examples do everything bar triggering the kettle five minutes from home/work.

However, minor overlap aside, temperature recorder, thermometer, calorie count and fat burned indicator are talking points. Well, they caught my attention-time will reveal whether they’re genuinely useful, or gimmick. There’s nothing convoluted about calibration and formative fettling suggests it’s among the most intuitive I’ve used to date.  

Right; now to thrash out some frame angles while these brushes marinate in my makeshift parts washer…

Snowvega...An Ode To Winter Tyres

Easterly winds, freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall couldn’t stop me coming out to play thanks to its rugged dependability further accentuated by those Schwalbe Winter tyres. Gone is the gravelly pitter-patter, replaced by gentle swooshing as deep chevron treads parted white powdery carpets and tungsten carbide studs bit into compacted underlay. Flicking down the cassette for extra momentum, my gloves’ outer membrane proved little match for the harsh Arctic blasts as it swooped with us, through the exposed and untreated lanes.

Small cars and agricultural, diesel engined commercial wagons slither past, almost in slow motion for fear of losing traction. Straight sections see our tempo increase, fourteen; sometimes fifteen miles per hour-tempered by my consciousness’ reminder that respect must always preside over complacency in these conditions.

Snow clinging to mudguards, chainstays, rear derailleur body and beneath the bottom bracket shell is rapidly turning to ice as we pass remote yet busy garages from a time before plug-in diagnostics ruled supreme. Though closed, trade is brisk judging by the forecourts hosting 07 plate SUVs, forty- year old MG BGT and middle aged Fords.

Checking over my shoulder, indicating left at the junction, there’s nothing coming- we’re homeward bound now, maintaining a steady course. My mind drifts but not far, to the test reports I’ve to finish, the opportunities that need chasing before contemplating the welfare of those closest to me.

Menacing cobalt skies, heavily pregnant with further snowfall have me questioning whether day glow  jacket /vest should’ve accompanied suitably garish gloves. Fifteen minutes later. I’m home; carrying said tubby tourer across the threshold and longing for warming, caffeine-laden refreshment but otherwise ready to begin another day at the keyboard.