Ride, Tweak, Refine & Return to Wax

 

I concluded I’d the cable tension a little too tight, thus wasn’t getting the right amount of travel and ultimately power from Muffin’s TRP SLC calliper. An easy fix, just a matter of slackening the cable very slightly, then snugging down. Sometimes it pays to run a component in and then make a single adjustment-my experience with Magura Hydro stops, which I had fitted to a Kona Lava Dome some 27 years back. Impressive stopping prowess but tempered by stubborn setup.  

Early season generally means middleweight chain lubes, Weldtite All Weather Lube Weldtite All Weather Lube | cycling-not-racing being a particularly good, wallet friendly default in my experience. Sometimes, conditions permit something lighter and cleaner. I’ve had very mixed experiences with wax formulas in changeable conditions, some are more durable than others. Momum MIC Momum MIC Wax Lube | cycling-not-racingand Smoove TEST & REVIEW: SMOOVE UNIVERSAL CHAIN LUBE: SUMMER TEST have a definite edge in these contexts.

That established, I’ve been sent KMC Go. Now, given KMC’s immense experience manufacturing chains, I was very intrigued. Retailing at £ 17.50 for 150ml, its relatively pricey, so I’m expecting something rather good. KMC say it’s “Designed to significantly reduce friction, enhance shifting and providing optimum efficiency”. Look closely and you’ll notice a chain’s side plates decorate the seam.  

It promises to create a durable water repelling, friction reducing microfilm and supposedly more durable than oil-based products. While good practice to deep clean drivetrains before switching to different brands and genres, waxes are very particular, so aim for surgically clean rings, cassettes, derailleur jockey wheels and cages. This also presented the opportunity to scrutinise the Izumi track chain for wear and its Ok, but I’ll be replacing in the coming weeks.

If I’ve been running oil-based middleweights for any period, I may remove the crank, baste the inner ring in degreaser and leave it marinating for a little while, before introducing a suitably clean, stiff brush. There’s a solid argument for removing rings, chain and cassette and leaving them marinating in a parts washer-or indeed an ultrasonic cleaner, should means allow.  

Now, I’m a big fan of the chain cleaner brushes, particularly this Oxford Chain Brush Pro Oxford Chain Brush Pro | cycling-not-racing and Finish Line’s Grunge Brush Solo  Finish Line Grunge Brush Solo | cycling-not-racing . However, while I’ve found some passable bike-specific brushes for purging cassettes, I’ve yet to find one that excels, which has prompted me to go the heavy-duty dish scrubber route. While wandering the supermarket isles, I spotted this one and it looked suitably sturdy and the handle seems suitably ergonomic.

Ask someone about degreasers, or drivetrain cleaners and you’ll get a tsunami of differing opinions, some advocating high end premium formulas, others more industrial citrus blends and another group advocating washing up liquid (dish soap) as the only way forward, claiming that all bike-related products are a big con. Let’s explore this a little…The problem with washing up liquids is (a) they contain salt, which isn’t good for painted, plated, anodised, or lacquered surfaces, seals and rubberised parts. (b) Then of course, these are designed for organic fats, not petrochemicals, so while they might shift mud and similar gloop, they’re not optimal for petrochemical based chain lubes, greases etc.  

Fenwick’s FS1 concentrate is a good default, but I’ve had great results using Squirt Bike Cleaner Concentrate SQUIRT BIKE CLEANER CONCENTRATE | cycling-not-racing and for a long time, Green Oil’s Degreaser Gel GREEN OIL CLEAN CHAIN DEGREASER JELLY ruled the roost in my workshop. I used to have a litre supply. A workshop friendly 5 litre version is available for £145. I’m pondering my next formula, once this Dynamic Bio Drivetrain Detox is exhausted. For reference, it’s pretty economical-I’ve been using it regularly across the fleet since late spring 2025.   

Elsewhere, I’ve been sent this Lezyne KTV Drive Front. It’s a compact safety light in the classic sense of the word, producing a maximum of 200lumens. The sort that makes a good backup for extended summer playtimes on best bikes, or as backing singer to a higher power dynamo lamp. This one is a very practical black, but red, white and blue are the alternatives.

Talking of practical, it complies with IPX7 for weatherproofing, which is reassuringly good. This means it will withstand immersion in water for up to 30minutes-not that I’d be going bog snorkelling with it but stands more than a sporting chance in the worst most road, or indeed, gravel outings will throw at us. I’ve still some Lezyne lights going strong a decade or so down the line.  In terms of modes and outputs, there are five-two steady (70 and 15 lumens) and three flashing (200lumen day, 30 and 15 lumens). The KTV has been around for a good while, but there have been some rather impressive improvements in run time-a claimed 40 hours for flash 1 and flash 2.

 I’ll leave it here with Paul Brodie’s restoration and modification of a 1988 Rocky Mountain, since I like his channel and find his skill very relaxing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdBWFtQJiZ0&list=WL&index=3&t=81s

Booties, Jerseys & Bar Tape

 

Cooler conditions have seen a transition from wax to middleweight wet lubes and more layers. Castelli’s UK importer were generous enough to send the marque’s Do Di Ci Jacket, which promises “unmatched breathability” coupled with a water repellent finish and is designed for temperatures between 5 and 10 degrees.

Following the all-important layering principle, its designed for use with a base layer and on longer outings with a rain jacket to protect against more persistent showers.  Corresponding big longs were also included in the bundle, which is similarly welcome, although ironically the mercury had slid upwards again, to the high teens come midafternoon.

No sooner had I dusted down the Mighty MW7, I was invited to try Sidi Algor MTB Shoes. I’m a big fan of booties for winter-bit of a luxury in some respects but infinitely more convenient than overshoes. Algor is Latin for “Cold”, which is bang on from specification and marketing standpoints.

I’ve opted for a two bolt SPD/Time/Crank Brothers model since they are my default and frankly, the most practical option for the wetter, slippery months.

Available in our monochrome, or black/grey, the Algor feature uppers fashioned from a hybrid of textile and TPU, a triple closure system comprising of a waterproof YKK outer zipper, Velcro® strap and Quicklace Closure System. Primaloft internal lining promises excellent insulation from winter’s chill.  Retro reflective detailing around the heel, piping and heel pull.

 I’m excited and keen to see how they compare with Shimano MW7, which could be rivals, given the price point Shimano MW7 (MW702) Gore Tex MTB Shoes | cycling-not-racing.  At 1048g for the 44, they’re 90g weightier and while the sole is a mix of carbon and nylon the stiffness rating is 5, at the lower end of their stiffness range, so it will be interesting to see how they compare.  

Fresh cleats spun home-with a liberal helping of Zefal Pro II Grease, I’m wondering if sole stiffness might be closer to the Shimano MW501 Shimano MW501 Dry Shield SPD MTB Shoes | cycling-not-racing Reinforcement is apparent around the toe warp bodes well for longevity, while promising some additional protection from stones, stubbed toes and trail debris.  Studs are viable up front, but as with the Sidi Aertis Sidi Aertis MTB Shoes | cycling-not-racing aren’t included in the package, which though not a major thing, is perhaps slightly disappointing, given the asking price.  

Wetter autumnal conditions have meant sudsy bucket washes for Muffin and with it, switching from the Weldtite Wax Weldtite Wax Lube | cycling-not-racing to its All-Weather Stablemate, being mindful to apply it very sparingly. Thankfully, the moderate flowrate makes this very straightforward, and this PTFE free version doesn’t seem so prone to fling. A little too heavy for cleat mechanisms, but fine for cable ends and perfect for adjuster screws, where they enter the frame ends, which can be conduits for trafficking moisture inside frames... 

I wasn’t surprised to discover the no brand crank protectors have disintegrated, so I’ve binned them and replaced with some genuine Zefal Crank Armor ZEFAL CRANK ARMOR | cycling-not-racing, which have lasted over five years without any sign of wear.  An illustration of the old adage buy cheap, buy twice. True, crank arm (or indeed, brake lever protectors) aren’t essential, but they will defend expensive comments from needless accidental damage, especially on a gravel, cross, or mountain bike.

As the temperatures slowly slip downward, the benefits of thermal bottles start becoming particularly apparent. Ok, that’s not strictly so, since thermal bottles have a lot of value during the hotter months, when we want drinks to retain that cold, crisp, dare I say palatable. There’s little merit in tepid tea, or cold coffee. Not the most obvious choice perhaps, but I’ve found traditional Thermos designs surprisingly practical and compatible with standard composite cages.

These are around £25. At the other extreme, there are bike specific models, which promise to keep beverages at their optimal temperature for 12 hours or so and theoretically slot into a standard cage. This Bivo Trio 21oz Insulated Bottle is proving a good fit with standard designs, including these rather nice stainless steel Wolf Tooth Stainless Steel Morse Cages presently adorning Denise’s seat and down tube bosses.

Though generally impressed by the Silca Nastro Piloti Bar Tape Silca Nastro Piloti Bar Tape | cycling-not-racing , I’ve also found some limitations when doing long, steady miles along green lanes and unmade roads. While the grip great, allowing for a more relaxed tenure, it’s a road tape and unless you’re going for gel underlays, I’d steer you towards something thicker. I’m also quietly annoyed I sold a set of On-One Midge drops a few years back, since these are shallow and swoopy for great control sans asphalt. Still, I’ve spent time and effort with stems and other mods, so Denise’s WTB drops are staying.   I’ll leave things here and with Steve’s review of the Magicshine Hori 900 Magicshine Hori 900 Switchable Bicycle L | cycling-not-racing