Back To The Old School

 I am switching back to the “school chair” fork that was upfront for several years, rather than risk something Chinese. Just a matter of switching the crown race over from the Project 2. Meantime, I’ll keep the existing setup, test the Shimano Alfine dyno hub and Capgo cable.  

Upgrading the Tektro 710 in favour of the Shimano CX50 was another inspired choice. That’s not to say the Tektro 710 isn’t a decent stopper- it is. However, the CX50 is superior and simpler to adjust. New chain was also timely- though shifting wasn’t “Off” it’s a notch crisper now. I’ve also discovered a couple of mid-range 10 speed KMC chains that I’d squirreled away, while on the hunt for something else, naturally.     

Subtly raising the fixed’s saddle height was another good move. Up front I’ve switched to this Vittoria Adventure Tech Tyre, which features a 3mm thick puncture repelling belt, which runs along the centre-strip, rather akin to the Kenda Kwick Journey KS Plus KENDA KWICK JOURNEY TYRES | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) . The Kenda had been on the Halo Evura/SP SL9 HALO EVURA & SHUTTER PRECISION SL9 DYNOHUB BUILD (sevendaycyclist.com) for so many miles, the wire bead required unusual effort to shift, even with a long-handled Hutchinson tyre lever and two Ritchey models, designed to stow away in the bar ends.  

Puzzling but thankfully it relented and without incident. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the 38mm Vittoria was more compliant but had a subversive streak, peeling away once I’d got it 70% home. Cursory inspection reveals a maximum pressure of 85psi (80 for the 32mm (about 1.26 in) Kenda Kwick Journey KS Plus).

However, while both employ puncture repelling centre strips, the Kenda’s is 5mm (about 0.2 in) thick and has gone at least ten months and several thousand miles without a single flat. It will be interesting to see how the Vittoria’s compares.  

It also features a Graphene compound for enhanced life and is E-Bike R75 compliant, which basically means it's designed to perform on the fastest models. Surprising since it gives change from £30.   

Thirteen years down the line, I’ve also decided it was high time the “spare” Halo Aero Track rear wheel got some TLC.  

For some reason, the axle’s threads had begun shedding and if I’m going to open the hub, I may as well go for new cartridge bearings, a liberal helping of grease, topped off with a quick tension and true of the hoop. These deep-section rims are not welded, rather joined by pressure and feature a powder-coated finish.  

The latter looks to have been applied directly, rather than atop a primer, hence the odd chip here and there but still in great shape, all told. Light cosmetics aside, I’m of the opinion a second/spare wheel still needs to be bang on, since you’ll be depending on it, while the best, or main is on the jig.   

Not to be outdone, the cassette style lockring belonging my fixed gear winter/trainer’s main Halo fixed G Track Hub HALO FIX G TRACK HUB | Seven Day Cyclist Tourin Tests Commuting came loose, resulting in some uncharacteristic chain noise. (I was on the return leg and only a few miles from home.) I’m a big fan of the Fix-G and its design and the lockring is very reliable.  

However, check it every 250 miles or so, or before a long ride-unless you’re prepared to carry a cassette type tool along. No problem with the SQR Tour, given its cavernous capacity but a bit OTT possibly. Anyhow, I snugged mine back down, reinstated the wheel and got on with my life.  

Ursula’s front Schwalbe Land Cruiser had succumbed to its first flat. A very thin, sharp hedge clipping swept up by the recent rains. The head was very difficult to spot and indeed, drag out. I had to resort to needle nose pliers. On long rides, or those in the arse end of nowhere, there’s a good case for carrying a small set of pliers, or a little multi-tool such as this True Utility, which I’ve had for some years and am firmly attached to.    

 

Safe As Houses....

Seven Day Cyclist (www.sevendaycyclist.co.uk) continues to attract the desired demographic along with increasingly disparate contributors. Fancy a freebie?

Simply like our facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/Sevendaycyclistmagazine?ref=aymt_homepage_panel) to be in with a chance of bagging this Carbon Pro sports travel kit comprising of their dri shine, chain cleaner, heavy duty lube, med lube and microfibre towel.

The battle of the bike washes intensifies with some interesting twists too. Supposedly safe on carbon, lacquered, plated, painted and polished surfaces; all tackle the usual mucky suspects capably but a couple have proved disarmingly efficient, though seemingly gentle degreasers too…

This signalled a timely end to the Teenage Dream’s seasonal hibernation. I had planned to upgrade the groupset to something contemporary of the Sun Race or Microshift flavour but frankly, I can’t bear to be parted from the quaint, though likeable a ’la carte mix of 80s, 90s and early noughties Campagnolo.

Outclassed in sporting terms (along with the “Low rent” 531competition tubeset) said machine still behaves in excellent proportions and the framesets' makeover still pleases me greatly.  

I’ve also bagged a temporary facilities management gig to balance the books. This week has been one of imploding ceilings, surly contractors, tenants locking themselves out while inebriated and then purging their colonic demons noisily (and messily) in communal toilets.

Back on bikes, we’ve been playing musical tyres. After 200miles the 35mm section Vittoria Voyager hyper and MK2 Ilpompino rear triangle proved breathtakingly close, hence I reverted to the front 32mm Kenda Kwicker. Alternating between front and rear tyres was once widely advocated but is incredibly dangerous practice.

However, scrapping a worn rear, popping brand spanking new rubber up front and having the old one follow behind remains acceptable. Similar problems arose with the Univega and Kenda small block 8 pairing but I’m keen to retain its go-anywhere persona, so resurrected these 1.75 section Vittoria Randonneur trail. As its chain and cassette sneak into that twilight before retirement, I found myself toying with the idea of cutting the tubby one down a ring and introducing 11-30 cassette.

A few minutes virtual rummaging later I’d found a nickel plated HG50 for £10 and this similarly worthy KMC has just arrived from chicken cycles. Substitution will strike once I’ve reached another 250miles and can say something concrete about the Muc Off hydrodynamic lube. This will also prove a convenient moment for investigating and hopefully purging that phantom squeak. Some Genetic bar wrap promising phenomenal purchase and damping properties has just arrived and will mummify its muzzies when I get a moment.  

Elsewhere, I’ve been indulging in some graffiti porn and a recent spate of thefts has given cause to revise my own security systems. It’s widely accepted that good locks are only to keep honest people out and to deter others. Most thieves are looking for something that can pilfer discretely within a minute but nothing is invulnerable.

Using two different (Sold secure) types certainly helps but assumes organised criminals don’t arrive in well-equipped vans. Brute force is their default and techniques are common knowledge. This particular group of “professional” is also extremely mobile, quashing any notion of “safe” areas.  

Yes, the probability of falling victim in a well healed semi-rural community is less than slum inner city neighbourhoods but criminals are only too willing to exploit this, often targeting several locations each night before disappearing on the motorway network.  Obviously, strong locks are only part of the equation.

Those living in private rented accommodation have fewer options when it comes to installing wall-anchors and other high security measures. However, aside from robust physical security, think carefully about your online activity. I’m astounded by the number of people who post photos of their pride and joy in a way that leaves them sitting ducks.  

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…