Spirit Guides & Stem Swaps

 House purchase complete, deeds transferred, and I’ve moved. Garage requires more regimentation, but storage is arriving, and bikes are readily accessible. I’ve been following my nose along the quiet, seemingly civilised lanes and B roads and a correspondingly civilised hour.

Winding back roads are thickly carpeted in mud, reminiscent of Belgium classics (especially in the mist) and cyclo cross meets. The Kenda Kwick Journey KS Plus are surprisingly sure-footed in these contexts, providing excellent feedback and traction. The ½ link chain seems to have settled down and the Muc-Off E-Bike Ceramic Lube is staying put keeping things sweet and serene. Stoical, its seemingly unaffected by muck, subsequent washing and is attracting surprisingly little grot.  

Temperatures are now broadly seasonal, so bib tights it is. I’m defaulting to the Funkier Polar Fleece Bib Tights and the Showers Pass Elements Jacket SHOWERS PASS MEN'S ELEMENTS JACKET | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com), the FLR defender continue to do their thing pretty convincingly, save for a few curious quirks.

Pandemic and social distancing aside, people seem helpful but non-invasive, which is the right balance for me. This horse seemed very approving of my fixed gear winter trainer’s spec, but seemingly insistent I switch the Redshift Sports Shockstop Suspension Stem TEST & REVIEW REDSHIFT SPORTS SHOCKSTOP SUSPENSION STEM (sevendaycyclist.com) for the Kinekt Suspension Stem!  

The latter has a more industrial aesthetic and a broader profile, requiring some subtle repositioning of the Geonaut G-Eye Action Cam, which ultimately resulted in a sleeker aesthetic. Spec-wise, the Kinekt in question is 90mm long and with a road typical 7degree rise. The stem components are made from heat treated 6061 aluminium alloy, has an anodised finish and laser-etched graphics. Springs are powder coated and offer 15-20mm of travel.

I’m 70 kilos and sticking with the stock, medium spring for now, since it’s plush without bottoming out, or bouncing around like a pogo-stick.

However, I may experiment with a stiffer spring, since replacement seems extremely straightforward and unlike the otherwise excellent Redshift Sports Shockstop Suspension stem, can be performed with in situ.

The Kinekt is also offered in 105 and 120mm (7 degree) and there’s a 30-degree option in any length you like, so long as its 100mm.

I also took this opportunity to replace the VDO computer’s head unit battery, before it finally gave out, losing all my ride data. To the designs’ credit, it had been registering low battery and had entered hibernation to conserve essential power. Thankfully, a quick rummage through the welsh dresser unearthed a pack of CR2032 button cells.

Batteries swapped and data retained, I needed to reduce the sensor/magnet gap to restore the usually seamless readout. I chose not to replace the sensor battery this time round but will go this route (adding a lick of Vaseline/silicone grease to the contacts) should readouts turn erratic.

I’ve also switched the front wheels around, in favour of the 35mm Continental Contact Plus TESTED: CONTINENTAL CONTACT PLUS TYRES (sevendaycyclist.com) and Shutter Precision SL9 dynohub HALO EVURA & SHUTTER PRECISION SL9 DYNOHUB BUILD (sevendaycyclist.com) 32mm section tyres are generally ample for winter and country roads. The default option for touring bikes during the 80s and 90s (although “fast” tourers often used 28mm). However, some additional cushioning is welcome along the wet, greasy sweeping backroads and the Kinesis DC37 forks KINESIS DC37 DISC FORK | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) have ample clearance for 42c TESTED: VEE TIRE CO ZILENT MARK 2 TYRES (sevendaycyclist.com)

 

 

Choppin' n' Changing

April remains decidedly chill, so I’m sticking with long sleeve base layers, 3/4lengths and bridge jackets (the jersey cum jacket type, that offer decent protection from chill and showers). Am delighted to report that the VDO3.1ML wireless computer is performing perfectly. No interference hassles with the Shutter Precision PD8 dyno hub https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/halo-rim-and-shutter-dynohub-disc-b

This wasn’t so with Knog’s lovable Nerd, or indeed my recently departed Frankenpute.  I’m also pleased with its positioning-nicely within my eyeline. Funny how those little things make all the difference. Talking of which, here’s my review of Genetic Neuron Accessory Bar https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/genetic-neuron-accessory-bar

Elsewhere, I’ve changed the bar tape. This seems to be more frequent than a politician switching stance. I wasn’t expecting the Acros Wrap Silicone Handlebar tape to contrast so nicely with my fixed gear winter/trainer’s colour scheme.

Blue was a more obvious (some might say, default) choice. Much to my surprise, the pumpkin orange contrasts beautifully. Silicone wraps are naturally tenacious, which has obvious advantages when riding in the wet. It also negates the need for adhesives, which is an obvious boon, for cable replacements, or indeed, bar swaps.

At 3mm thick, its an obvious option for gravel and cross riders. Its thicker and, uncut heavier than than other Silicone designs I’ve run for several seasons, including Genetic Flare Silicone Bar Wrap https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/genetic-silicone-bar-wrap

Allowing for some additional stretch, packet fresh, it measures 185cm. Ample for buxom flared designs, including the Soma Condor https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/soma-condor-2-shallow-drop-bars.

Uncut, its 59g heavier but trimming is to be expected. I’ve needed to lop a fair bit from ours, given these Genetic DRiser 16 are a little narrower. Wrapping requires a slightly firmer hand too and it’s shown an annoying tendency to unravel around the tops, so keep the finishing strips/electrical tape ready.

As for the Genetic D-Riser, they’re noticeably narrower than I’m used to, which gave the bike a slightly twitchy feel, for the first five miles. By this point, I’d acclimatised and was enjoying the ability to hunker lower and shelter from the headwind. I’ve continued to bond with them, as the past 100 miles have whizzed by.

Even on my traditional road bikes, I’ve gravitated towards this breed of flared bar. Primarily, because I find them more comfortable. I’m much broader across the shoulders than my build and stature suggest.

The Teenage Dream’s Salsa Bell lap being a prime example. The Bell Lap are no longer in production. In case you didn’t know, Bell Lap, refers to the final lap of a cyclo cross race, so something of a giveaway, in terms of intended audience.

Elsewhere, I’ve only just needed to replenish the Squirt Long Lasting Chain Wax. A very faint filmy patina remained, but the chain’s galvanised links were peeking through. I had toyed with a single coating but opted for two, leaving twenty minutes between.

Where possible, and appropriate, I leave lubes curing overnight. However, temperature allowing Squirt seems good, after four hours, or so. There’s also a cold weather version, which I would like to try, as a comparator.  

Staying with weather a moment, I received these Supacaz Spua G gloves. To me, they appear a liner type design, great for providing additional warmth on bitterly cold rides, or packing, should the temperatures suddenly drop on a spring evening ride. They are certainly thin enough to slip beneath skin mitts.

Seamless construction prevents chafing around the finger tips. SiliGrip refers to interesting silicone gripper pattern, which promises excellent purchase in all conditions.  Much the same promises as others, then.

The palm is Clarino, a faux leather hide, which promises to be hard wearing, flexible and temperate. I was surprised to discover they are marketed as a standalone glove. They’re incredibly thin, so I’m wondering if they’re going to keep numbness and tingling at bay, on their own, especially since they’re reckoned capable of coping with trail duties too. Hmm…Only one way to test these claims.