Women have interests, Men have obsessions

 

A common remark and anecdotally, quite accurate. There are varying degrees of this, but I will confess to having an obsessive streak, although in day-to-day life, am very adept at keeping these in check. The ability to obsessively tweak, refine and adjust stuff (with episodic euphoria and despair) can prove all encompassing.   

The wait for a new headset brought with it time to reflect and some switching round of the fleet. I’ve decided to take the fixed gear winter/trainer a more minimalist route, switching the Topeak Super Tourist DX over to Ursula and porting the Kinekt Waterproof Saddlebag KINEKT WATERPROOF SADDLE BAG | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) back over. This has meant the front end is now heavier than the rear, primarily down to the Shutter Precision PD8 HALO CLASSIC RIM & SHUTTER PRECISION DYNOHUB DISC WHEEL BUILD (sevendaycyclist.com) dyno hub front wheel.  

A week of torrential showers led to some very muddy lanes and hedge clippings flushed from the verges, spelled punctures. Mercifully, these were pedestrian and only made themselves known several hours post ride when I was home. Tiny holes, so easily patched and no obvious damage to the tyres. I have switched Denise’s front from the WTB Nano WTB Nano TCS Tyre | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) to the Maxxis Ravager TR Maxxis Ravager TR Tyres | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) which are slightly friskier and more resistant to thorns and hedge clippings.  The perpetually wet conditions are brilliant for evaluating waterproof kit, including these Shimano MW7 booties, which have stiffer soles and Boa fasteners for a precise fit.  

As I’ve said before, water will creep in via the cleat drillings, but this is easily subverted with waterproof socks. Will also be interesting to see how well the Oxford Mint Bicycle Assembly grease copes with the darker, colder and wetter conditions. Yes, I assembled the cleat hardware with it.     

With the Topeak Super Tourist DX switched, the Ravemen TR100 now clings limpet like from the fixed’s mono stay. 

Headset issues resolved courtesy of this FSA and another spacer, I bolted the front end back together, applying lashings of the Juice Lubes Bearing Juice. The lower race bearings are cartridge, the upper balls, but if you’re going the hybrid route, this is the way things should go. While both upper and lower races feature seals, I’m a believer in liberal amounts of grease to keep things buttery smooth and pitting free.  

 

 

I’ve also gone belt n’ braces, fitting a butyl tube boot to the lower race to lock winter right royally out.  Front end reinstated and behaving perfectly, I turned my attentions to the drivetrain, wiring up the STX front mech, fitting a chain. I left the front mech cable stretching for twenty minutes, on the big ring and then pulled it through before turning my attentions to the rear.  

 

To my horror, nothing would sync. Closer inspection revealed I’d been seduced by the lure of a bargain shifter, only to discover it’s an MTB version. Inconvenient, but I’m to blame and it’s hardly the world’s end. I had a quick wander round the web, bought another, double checking it was the road version. Not such a bargain, but still favourable and moreover, the right model.   

  

The pull ratio for road and mtb are different, hence the issue. Trying to get it to mesh would be an exercise in futility and wasted time. I’d also noted the inner wire had also frayed annoyingly, but not altogether surprising, since it was a workshop basic, rather than premium quality unit. Sometimes we get bargains but in keeping with life generally, we get what we pay for. Often, there’s not a massive jump in price between staple and mid-range.  The left-hand side was fine, given front mechs aren’t indexed.  

 

Some more enforced leave but crucially progress is being made and the headset issue, sorted. Just a question of wiring in the new bar con, dialling the rear mech in, wrapping the bars and maybe tweaking the rear brake. During this episode, I managed to break the pin of a rather nice chain tool- weird since everything was correctly aligned, and I wasn’t applying undue force…My first attempt to wash the bar wrap didn’t remove as much of the oily patina as I’d first hoped, so I gave that a degreaser pre-wash, agitated that with my Oxford Tyre scrub and then tossed it in the machine at 30 degrees, along with some equally funky riding kit.  So near, yet so far…

 

Hubs & Helping Hands

 

Madison sent me this Shimano Nexus DH UR 700 3D Dynohub, which at 544g (including skewer) is 68g lighter than the venerable Alfine but 145g heavier than the Shutter Precision SD8 SHUTTER PRECISION SD8 HUB DYNAMO | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and noticeably weightier than the SL9. Experience suggests, used year-round I will return between 20,000 and 25,000miles (about 40233.6 km) from the Shutter Precision hubs before their bearings get the grumbles and they need returning to the factory.  

They certainly won’t owe anything by this point and chances are, running a rim brake, rim sidewalls may also be due their pensions. However, disc brakes extend the life of rim sidewalls considerably and the need to tear down a wheel to service the hub is more frustrating.  

Fond of the SP units, I’m wondering if the contact, rather than labyrinth seals used in Shimano units are the culprits. I left it and a 700c Ryde Sputnik rim with Mick Madgett. The Sputnik is a tough touring rim, which may be overkill for my needs in many regards, I prefer a little overbuild, especially on bikes in daily, winter or gravel service.   

This Shimano Nexus follows the contemporary 6v3watt spec. An aluminium coil structure saves weight. Cup and cone bearing races are treated with Borozon for mirror finished bearing races. A notable improvement over the loveable Alfine and Shutter Precision are the labyrinth seals and internal grease seals.  

These better lock out the elements and the grease in. The nicely machined aluminium hub shell continues this narrative and has a double anodised finish that, if the UN71 is any gauge, should keep its looks and the shell free of corrosion for many years. Provided of course, you periodically give it a good clean, especially during winter where road salt can even chomp through anodising. I’ve whipped a WTB Nano aboard and will get some miles in aboard Denise and will probably switch to my fixed gear winter trainer, as the days become darker and wetter.    

I’m still being sent some nice summer kit. Most notably, this Madison Roam Men’s Short Sleeve Jersey. My experience of the Roam range is generally very positive. It’s what I’d call a crossover range, making easy transition between road, touring and gravel cum trail duties. Their cargo bib shortsMadison Roam Men's Cargo Bib Shorts | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com), gloves Madison Roam Gloves | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and 2.5layer jacketMadison Roam 2.5 Layer Waterproof Jacket | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  . 

The jersey follows this narrative. Available in moss green, or lake blue, there are three large open top rear pockets, a zippered end terrace for cash, keys and other small valuables coupled with a mesh “dump” pocket, which I’m told is for bunging rogue bits n’ bobs mid ride. Made from 85%polyester 15% polyamide it also features a mesh channel between the shoulder blades to encourage rapid moisture transfer. A decent size zipper tag continues the easy climate control narrative, silicone zippers ensure it doesn’t gather and ride up-especially hunkered down on the drops with bigger loads en tow.  

Oxford has also sent me their Mint Assembly Grease. It’s actually a multi-purpose formula for slow speed applications, headset, hub and other bearings being obvious candidates. However, it's also safe to apply on threads and stanchions. I wasn’t surprised to learn it's carbon safe, although obviously, employ gripper pastes, never grease carbon components.  

There is also a lithium component for durability. I’m not the biggest fan of old-fashioned lithium greases, since they’re not kind to modern composites and rubberised components- seals and suspension being prime examples. Now, the Minty Assembly Grease isn’t a lithium prep but does have a lithium part for durability. With autumn and winter around the corner, it will be interesting to see how well it fares against washout.  

Staying with the washing theme, Denise was filthy after a week or so spent traversing wet, mucky lanes. This impacted grime coincided with the arrival of this Green Oil Massive Brush. It is HUGE and features a wooden handle and biodegradable bristle plot.  Time for a sudsy bucket deep clean...  

Unlike their Standard Bike Brush (which is best for wheels, spokes, cranks and pedals) the bristles are designed for tackling the entire bike. Formative impressions suggest the bristles are soft enough for painted, plated and lacquered surfaces. I’m certainly warming to it, but as usual intensive workshop use will reveal more. I was pleasantly surprised to find Denise’s KMC chain still hovering below the .5 mark. I may well get another month before it collects its pension.     

Right, I’ll close here with my review of the Magicshine EVO1700 Underneath Mounted Bike Light Magicshine Evo 1700 Underneath Light | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)