Chopping n’ Changing

 

A brief spell of thaw saw a switch to my fixed gear winter/trainer for some more spirited saunters around the S bends, while saving sensitive derailleur chains from the ravages of gloop, slime, not forgetting the salt monster. After 250miles, it was a filthy fixed, and the Wolf Tooth lube had been licked clean. By this point it received a richly deserved sudsy bucket clean, and the chains gungy side plates were a perfect opportunity to test the Silca Gear wipes.  

These have two sides. A softer one that’s safe on paintwork and similarly delicate surfaces and a grittier, more aggressive texture for cutting through gunk and grime. I was pleasantly surprised by how effectively it stripped the scuzzy chain bare. Obviously, wipes aren’t the most economical way of cleaning drivetrains (or anything else, for that matter) but used sensibly, they can be highly effective and save time- not every change of lube demands the bike(s) get deep cleaned. 

Ordinarily, I’d purge the chain with a degreaser fluid (or bike wash concentrate) before giving the bike a good sudsy bucket wash, typically using a wash n’ wax formula that leaves a protective barrier behind. Foaming blends look more effective, visually, but those which cling to the host surfaces are most effective, breaking the grime down. I’m defaulting to the Peaty’s Link Lube Premium All WeatherPEATY'S LINK LUBE PREMIUM ALL WEATHER | cycling-not-racing across the fleet since its relatively clean and stays put. The temperature tumbled again and momentary temptation to hop on the fixed was immediately tempered by ice.  

Within a few minutes, I was so relieved I’d opted for Ursula. Along the lanes, I spotted a junior road bike- pre/early teen machine, which someone had cut their teeth on and grown out of. It catapulted me back to the spring of 1986 when I picked up my first road bike- a second-hand low rent machine with gas pipe tubing, brush painted in Hammerite by my father.  

Aside from contemporary components and oversized aluminium alloy tubes, the frameset had been repainted in single pack acrylic (rattle can). A relatively tidy job, suggesting some experienced adult guidance. There’s a lot of fun and learning in building a bike from leftover parts. Wonder what they’ve upgraded to...The weather continued to flip flop, and I hopped back aboard the fixed, only to be serenaded by the resplendent and familiar hiss, amplified by flooded roads.  

The WTB ExposureWTB Exposure Road Tubeless Tyre | cycling-not-racing is a supple, quick rolling and engaging tyre but I’ve found it very susceptible to thorns, flints and hedge clippings. A tiny pin prick was easily repaired but I switched to a fresh tube and the 32mm Pirelli Angel DT Urban Pirelli Angel DT Urban Tyre | cycling-not-racing up front.  They’re quicker than their weight and commuter tag might suggest, though the 5mm thick puncture repelling belt has proven very dependable, despite only covering the centre-strip. Reliability is something I prize during the darker months. Aside from the obvious muck, slime and darkness, roads get rougher as the standing water and freezing temperatures cause erosion, holes and similar, which can be rough on rubber.  

I’d also switched the excellent and seemingly bomb-proof Oxford Aqua V20 Single Pannier Oxford Aqua V20 Single Pannier | cycling-not-racing for my 12-year-old Carradice Super C Rack Bag. A classic, seemingly bombproof design which has 13 litres of carrying capacity-ideal for day riding, especially since I’ve got the Oxford Aqua Bar Bag up front.  

Staying with Oxford, they’ve sent me this rather nice Torque R10 mini ratchet. A slight deviation from traditional multi-tools. The wrench is made from 6140 steel, T25 Torx, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8mm bits are made from S2 steel. It also features Chrome Vanadium Steel adapters (1 ¼ sockets and bit) and two nylon tyre levers. The 1 ¼ sockets mean there’s plenty of choice, so you can build a custom toolkit for different bikes/to suit.  S2 steels are shock resistant and apparently, particularly suitable for socket type tools. Primarily a carbon steel alloy, it also features elements of chromium, molybdenum and vanadium.  

It's also used in the Feedback Sports Reflex Torque Bit Driver, which I've become increasingly attached to, these past few weeks. Elsewhere, though the days are getting very slightly longer, lights are still high on the agenda.  

I’ve been sent this Magicshine Allty 400 front Bike Light. Lower output than I’d usually gravitate to. However, thanks to improvements in diodes, lenses and optical quality generally, lumens alone are not the only deciders. My feeling is it will serve me best as a dynamo companion, but real-world miles may say different.  

 

Rise of The Machines & Slippery Stuff

 

After many hours, the fleet is fettled, and as I’d hoped. Aside from Ursula’s rebuild, I’ve switched racks around, changed brake pads, machine washed bar tape (yes, you can do that with natural silicones). Torrential rains and harvests have seen roads resembling a scene from Paris-Roubaix. I’ve been tackling these on the fixed gear winter/trainer and relieved to report the WTB Evolution and Schwalbe One365 have held their line convincingly through the slippery stuff.  

However, I’ve been quick to brush (and sometimes wash) their casings down afterward, to dislodge any thorns or similar sharps that get bonded to the gloop, causing flats. The Wolf Tooth WT-1 All Conditions Chain Lube Wolf Tooth WT-1 All Conditions Chain Lub | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) continues to impress with its staying prowess and cleanliness.  Conditions where the simplicity of a single speed/fixed setup is arguably most convenient. I reward it with a good, sudsy bucket clean every few outings, which it duly deserves.  

Clean bikes tend to be more reliable, and problems easily spotted before they strike. Talking of which, while going this route with Denise, I spotted a cut in the rear WTB Evo tyre casing, so plugged that with some super glue. No need for a boot but I really didn’t want a sneaky sharp sneaking inside and causing mischief.   

I’ve increasingly thought of myself as a machine, and while I was hossing down the lanes, it occurred this may serve me well. Assuming the present Labour government isn’t robust enough, it’s a matter of time before large swathes of the UK public are convinced to vote to withdraw from the ECtHR (European Court of Human Rights) courtesy of a charlatan fuelled referendum.  

Those crying for the culling of “Nanny State” were and remain the largest beneficiaries. Concessions such as universal health care and other social cohesion weren’t gifted by benevolent politicians. They were fought for by highly organised and skilled campaigners over many years. People with vision and drive to improve the lives for the betterment of all.  

Staying with humans a minute, good bike shops are worth their weight in gold. Use them (or lose them) and moreover, treat them well.  The odd packet of biscuits also curries favour, although I’m a believer in letting good people know they’re valued and appreciated.  

I’d decided Ursula needed a TRP Spyre rear stopper. Had issues setting up the otherwise intuitive calliper, which boiled down to a not-so-accurate pattern mount. A quick email to mine confirmed they had a suitable mount-less than £7. I could discuss options; ensure it was correct before leaving their workshop. Saving me wasted time, headaches and frustration.  

Within 5 minutes, I had the calliper correctly aligned and impeccably behaved.  I pruned the inner wire, added a drop of superglue to rule out fraying. Next came the derailleur cables, since I’d left them overnight and taken up the slack.  Grand finale’... I aligned the bars, tightened the stem’s pinch bolts to 6nm, rocked the bike back and forth with the front brake on to ensure everything was slop-free and then reapplied the freshly laundered Acros bar tape.   

I added some more helicopter tape-this time along the down tube, since I would be tethering the Ravemen XR6000Ravemen XR6000 Front Light | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) battery to it and left this a day or so before heading out for a shakedown ride. I’d replenished the tube stash, multi tool, tyre levers, spare links and similar little spares that could come in very handy down the line.  

Though I’ve got the Topeak Gravel Two-Stage Mini Pump Topeak Gravel 2 Stage Mini Pump | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) riding shotgun on the bottle bosses, I’m very sold on the portable compressor types, which take the struggle out of getting going again following a flat. This is particularly true on colder days.  I didn’t take Ursula far- a 5-mile round trip as I needed a break from the keyboard and wanted to check everything was settled. Afterall, braking and shifting can be perfect on the stand but imperfect in the saddle.    

Predictably, I needed to snug the bar con shifters down a little-they were slipping slightly, meaning some chain rub and phantom shifts at the rear. I also needed to push a chain pin further in, since this was slightly proud and catching the front mech every few revolutions. The left brake lever also needed minor realignment-easily rectified, although the deeply recessed 5mm Allen bolts common to the Tektro family of levers requires a suitably lofty ball ended Allen key.   That sorted, I’ve been extending playtimes and reconnecting with my beloved two-wheeled companion.