Call Up & Clipless Dilemmas

 Dawn is calling sooner and by 545, it's surprisingly bright. So much so, that I’ve often thought I’ve been running late...Pre-dawn rides are where I enjoy the silence, sensation of speed. Yes, much of my ride time is spent evaluating products, but I'm a three-dimensional entity, a multi-faceted human. I am forming the belief that World War 3 looms perilously close, and much will depend upon whether NATO countries employ a no-fly zone.  

Then of course, there are reports of troops going AWOL, supposedly to form a resistance. My feeling is that if Russian forces cannot take control of Ukraine, they will bomb it into submission, or indeed, out of existence. They will then advance into neighboring countries (Hungary and Poland are my guess), destroying their infrastructure. For the first time in 37 years, I feel nuclear war is a very tangible and frightening possibility.

  

I often reflect upon what my grandparents would make of this.  

Pragmatic people of principle, they believed and strove for a peaceful world, one free of destruction and divisions. One of hope and opportunity. My grandfather was a highly skilled welder who worked on the first Magnox nuclear reactors and when he realised the potential abuses of nuclear energy, refused to work on Dounreay. Story goes the firm respected his principles, and in return he agreed to train and mentor welding apprentices. 

Digressing again, I know. Back in the saddle, having formed my conclusions regarding the Alfine hub dynamo, I’ve spent the past few weeks racking up miles on my fixed gear winter/trainer. Sure-footed, yet with sufficient sparkle to induce a big grin, I’ve been enjoying the 700x38mm Vittoria Adventure Tech’s compliant and yet surprisingly quick qualities. Staying with Vittoria, I mourn the discontinuation of their Randonneur Trail VITTORIA RANDONNEUR TRAIL TYRES LONG TERM TEST (sevendaycyclist.com) which served me and Ursula handsomely for several seasons. Yes, there was an element of compromise, and at 900g apiece, quite portly. Crucially they were swift, solid and great for green lane and bridle path deviations. 

I’ve decided to switch the pedals, from the otherwise very likable Wellgo MO94B WELLGO MO94B SPD PEDALS | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) to these ISSi II Tripple.  

The latter’s cosmetics have aged less gracefully than a polished, or anodised finish would. However, they’ve done plenty of miles in the last six years. My reason for switching boils down to a hunch around cleats and misalignment, causing tenderness in my right knee. 

This is not an issue with Ursula, I’m using the same cleats and shoes on both, and I don’t turn tall gears with any regularity. Saddle alignment and height have also been checked, ruling that out. These HT Leopard 878 TESTED HT LEOPARD 878 CLIPLESS PEDALS (sevendaycyclist.com) were another good bet, but the cleats are different, so ruled out on the grounds of uniformity. As an aside, they’re also 70g heavier than the ISSI.  

Single-sided designs, though perfectly serviceable aren’t my first choice, especially on the fixed. Though a small thing, dual-sided models mean I can just click in and power away. Time ATAC are another favourite of mine- lots of mud-shedding prowess and knee-friendly float-Holdsworth and Teenage Dream sport these. However, though generally durable, Time’s brass cleats wear faster, being a softer metal and unlike SPDs, patterns aren’t plentiful, thus more expensive.  

While playing “lucky dip” in my transmission box, I also took the opportunity to switch the fork crown race over (having treated the school chair fork’s cantilever posts and small chips to some high build marine primer and black topcoat) Said rummaging also unearthed my Gerber Cool Tool. Well, not the original that my father gifted me for Christmas 1992, but a later version he bought for his drum braked, hub geared Pashley sit-up n’ beg roadster.  

Mine was “lifted” by someone, while I was living in London and had a red silicone pouch. Some thirty years on, some of the tooling is a little dated perhaps, but the adjustable cone/headset and track nut end is a seriously useful, ditto the chain tool. Combined with something like the Soma Woodie SOMA WOODIE MULTI TOOL | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and save for spoke keys and tyre levers, you’ve most bases covered-even on a group ride, with an eclectic group of machines. 

Weathering Storms

 I continue to carefully work through and rationalise the spares bins, taking stock of what’s still relevant/required and what can be released. Much of this boils down to contact points. For example, I ride exclusively with recessed SPD/pattern and Time ATAC systems. No sense in clinging on to Keo patterns.  

Nothing wrong with them per se.  Rather, I prefer the convenience of being able to walk (rather than the undignified hobble) without chewing the composite cleat, or gouging holes in expensive linoleum. 

With that in mind, I’ve just taken delivery of these rather fetching Wellgo M)94B 9/16 SPD Shimano Cleat Compatible Sealed Bearing Pedals.  These are the silver versions, which should also keep their looks longer than a black, or similarly painted counterpart. Some painted finishes tire quicker than others. 

Powder-coated versions, including these XLC can prove very hardy, others can flake away, with repeated entry/exit. Much of this boils down to price I.e. quality of powder coating and process I.e. properly blasted bodies given a high-quality zinc-rich primer coat fare best. 

Saddles are another component that can require re-homing. 

Older/cheaper models can go, higher-end/genuinely compatible models, stay. Switching to the Pro Turnix has proven a wise decision. More supportive than the Stealth, 2g heavier than the otherwise very agreeable and cheaper BBB Echelon. However, the Turnix offers plenty of support, without any loss in pedaling efficiency.      

Flooding and similar life-changing destruction has been a theme in some parts of the UK. Here, though blustery, winds have ranged between 27 and 40 mph. The former proving passable, albeit still challenging riding conditions.  

Save for some very cold nights, there’s no hint of the snow, assured by the “red top” tabloid press for several months now. Spiked tyres have remained slumbering in storage.   

I have a love/hate relationship with waterproof socks. The truly impervious TPU lined versions are genuinely impervious-right to the cuff-line.  

However, they also tend to become unpleasantly clammy. Boiled in the bag feet, leading in some instances to athletes’ foot and similar infections. Fabrics which aren’t completely waterproof but highly water-resistant and fast-wicking are my preference. For these reasons, the Oxford Products Ox Sox https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/oxford-ox-socks  have proved extremely agreeable.  

They’re not cycling-specific, which isn’t necessarily a deal-breaker, it adds to their versatility in many respects. However, more traditional touring shoes and MTB booties are as snug as you’ll find compatible.  

The relentlessly wet conditions require more frequent maintenance. I’m still running the White Lightning Extreme Wet lube and I’m past the 300mile marker on a single helping, with little sign of it relenting. Hardly prodigious perhaps, 400+isn’t uncommon from a stodgy wet formula.  

Motor and chainsaw oils are surprisingly effective and extremely cheap. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/cheap-as-chips-chain-lubes provided of course, you’re very vigilant when it comes to cleanliness. i.e. wiping the side plates, rings, derailleur cages at least weekly. Otherwise, that sludgy grinding paste will consume chains and other drivetrain components at a rapid rate. Its reckoned 10spd chains should be retired by the time wear registers .6, 11 speed at .5.  

Chain checking tools are sensible investments (although wear can be accurately assessed using a very accurate ruler). Basic chain checkers can be had for £3, or less. More sophisticated digital fare carries a commensurate price tag but their improved accuracy may recoup monies longer-term i.e. not retiring chains just in time-not too early, or too late.  

Theoretically extending the longevity of more expensive components. During my rationalization, I uncovered this electroplated BBB model. One that I’d had since 2007 but that had been AWOL for a few years. It had fallen from the tool board and beneath the chest freezer.  

Arguably the simplest of this breed, it has a couple of unique features. See the two cutouts? One is designed to remove valve cores, the other is a 5,6 and 8mm box spanner. Not the most useful functions on a contemporary build perhaps but better than dead space.   

Anyhow, the chain function is incredibly simple to use. Place between a designated length of chain, if the teeth sink into the links-low enough that it sits horizontal, the chain is shot. My Univega’s Sram is showing moderate signs of wear but not pensionable just yet. A few hundred miles-three weeks at the current rate before I switch to an FSA I have in stock.