Horses For Courses

 

April is renowned for showery, changeable weather and the past couple of weeks have been no exception. I’m sticking with wet lubes, since they’ll stay put in these contexts. That said, it’s crucial to give the side plates, derailleur jockey wheels, and cages a weekly wipe, ideally with a rag dipped in solvent.  

The Zefal Extra Wet Nano Ceramic ZEFAL EXTRA WET NANO CERAMIC CHAIN LUBE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and Motovede PTFE Chain Lube Motoverde PTFE Chain Lube | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) are particularly stoical, although the latter requires 12 hours to cure properly.  

Shimano has recently announced a switch to cartridge bearings. This gave me cause to contemplate Ursula’s XT, which is still using the original balls. Now, bearing types are, unfortunately, not cross-compatible. I.e., a hub designed for balls cannot use cartridges and vice versa.  

If they were, I’d be going the cartridge route. I’ve bought the best quality (grade 10) balls and will introduce these to coincide with a grease test.  Basic bearings can be as low as 100 grade, which denotes something generic- functional but less accurately machined and more prone to wear, pitting and other corrosion.  

Synthetic greases are my preference, especially when it comes to contact points and threaded components. Bottom brackets, derailleurs, freewheels, bottle cage, mudguard, and carrier mounts. Hubs and headsets with seals, too. Same goes for anything with metals of different parentage.  

Fluted aluminium alloy seat posts and Quill stems/adaptors in steel frames were notorious for galvanic seizure. Sure, ahead stems have long been the dominant system. However, there are plenty of people wanting to retain a beloved classic's originality and the odd new retro build with a threaded setup.  

Similarly, the humble quill to Ahead converter enables older bikes to run contemporary bars and stems- without forgoing the original fork. MTB to gravel or touring lorry conversions being obvious candidates.  

Mudguards, no matter how solid eventually warp and fail, 4 years and close to 40,000 miles later, the Blumels Shiny are beginning to show some obvious signs of wear. The rubberised components that dampen vibration have perished and earlier this week, my sensibilities were offended by a low-level rattling.  

I pulled over and found a rivet securing guard and stays had failed. I was only a few miles from home, so rode back and decided the best route would be to clean and dry the affected area, then bond them together with superglue, clamping them in situ to cure. Glues may set within 10 minutes, at least in ideal conditions but I like to leave things overnight, longer if possible.  

Ultimately, the repair didn’t take. Replacing the rivet was another option but I decided this would be unnecessarily invasive, so went for a beefy zip tie instead. This also failed, revealing further deterioration, so after some deliberation, I decided to retire both and contemplate the way forward. I will obviously fit good quality guards (fenders) of some genre, they may not be traditional chrome plastics... 

I also discovered the Sigma BC 9.16 ATS Computer SIGMA BC9.16 ATS WIRELESS CYCLE COMPUTER | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) sensor battery had died, sop time to replace that. I should point out this is not the original, rather a third-party unit, so three months, or so’s daily service for a “pound shop” special isn’t bad going.  Then of course, the fixed’s VDO head unit came out in sympathy, so I replaced that, too.        

By far the most solid full-length mudguards I have ever used are Tortec Reflector. These lasted ten years before fatigue finally claimed the chrome plastics at key areas. Four seasons-snow, ice, bitter cold, hell and frequently high water. Tortec made some equally solid racks, too.  

All this presented the ideal opportunity to get some miles in on the fixed gear winter/trainer, which saw less winter action, courtesy of the persistently icy conditions. Contexts demanding spikes, hence my defaulting to Ursula. Talking of upgrades, I’ve concluded that while the existing KMC are very cheerful, I’m better served by a higher-end model, such as the Z1X (which has returned 3,000 miles in very harsh conditions).  

By the same token, I still have a couple of S1 in stock, and they perform well enough, so I’ll use those before considering said upgrade. Icy crosswinds and bracing headwinds reminded me why I don’t go steeper than 76inches- quick enough for cruising on the flat, doesn’t see me spinning into the next dimension on the descents and I’m not busting my knees on the climbs. 

Talking of favourites, I’ve gone back to the Shimano RX600 Shimano SH RX600 Gravel Cycling Shoes | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) shoes and their vastly superior power transfer. Much closer to a traditional road shoe, just with a little more compliance and a very grippy sole. It shouldn’t be inferred that Shimano MT701 GTX SPD Shoes Shimano MT701 GTX SPD Shoes | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) are also rans-far from. I remain a big fan.  

Rather, it's horses-for-courses- they’re a better bet for bike packing and more traditional touring/commuting. Contexts where you might want a sole with some extra give. FLR Rexston Active Touring/trail Shoe are another solid choice, if you’re on a tighter budget FLR REXSTON ACTIVE TOURING/TRAIL SHOE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

Easter Beatings

 Easter can be a cold and unpredictable period- Good Friday in particular. March has been bitterly cold and decidedly wet on these shores. Maybe I should head off for Hungary and capture some of the country’s beauty, the Czech Republic for the Pomlázka, perhaps...Ah but here’s the thing, a lot of British people put their cross in the wrong box during a pivotal vote in 2016.  

This means travelling to other destinations-especially in a commercial context got considerably trickier. I was also saddened to learn that Moore Large (distributors) went into administration- a brutally close-to-home reminder of just how difficult the UK’s economic climate has become.   

The weather has also put paid to some early-season weekend fun on The Teenage Dream and Holdsworth. I’d only washed and waxed Ursula the day before this photo was taken. A single ride through the green lanes and backroads saw her chainstay and bottom bracket region blasted with cack.  

Silver linings...Well, it proved the ideal opportunity to check (and tweak) the front mech and mudguard fasteners.  I also fitted the Teenage Dream’s Sun Race freewheel, rather than run the risk of the much-loved Regina BX blowing its guts at the least convenient moment.  

The Sun Race’s plated finish looks a little low rent, by comparison, but as Richard Ballantine so rightly said (in the context of derailleurs before anyone picks me up on it) better a fresh budget unit, than a top-flight model one shift from oblivion.  

Rear mech roulette lost its appeal many moons ago. Ditto spontaneous implosion of any kind, for that matter.  End of an era though. I’ve had that BX since 1991 and there’s a lot of memories woven into that. A lot of memories, hopes, dreams and indeed, unrequited stuff. Yes, that’s code for I’ve stashed it inside a transparent plastic sleeve and into the transmission parts box.  

Talking of which, after several months, I’m not sure the Smanie GT137’s channelling groove is completely compatible with mine, so I’ve switched Ursula back to the Selle Royal Respiro Sport Saddle.  The Smarie now ported over to the fixed’s Cane Creek Thudbuster ST TESTED: CANE CREEK THUDBUSTER ST SEATPOST (sevendaycyclist.com) to explore this hypothesis on one with a lower, more aggressive front end.  If the past few rides are anything to go by, reverting to the Respiro was the right decision.

During this phase, I also noted some minor side to side slop in the Kinekt 2.1 Aluminium Suspension Seatpost KINEKT 2.1 SUSPENSION SEAT POST | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com). This was traced to the side link bolts and easily dialled snug with a 3mm Allen key- glad I checked. It has tightened performance a notch and loss would be very inconvenient. 

Replacements are available and inexpensive Side Link Bolts – KINEKT Store (cirruscycles.com) but would’ve meant unnecessary time off the road. Easily avoidable too, more to the point. Note to self, check more frequently...    

Aside from the obvious-wanting to have machines at their optimum and getting the best from the riding experience, I’d argue these, and related processes of elimination also serves as a conduit for processing, and finding solutions to other, unrelated things. Including, but not limited to, financial matters, an issue at work, studies, career, relationship(s) etc.  

On a brighter note, dawn's arrival has been progressively earlier, and the cooler temperatures mean I can get more miles from the winter/early season wardrobe. The Oxford Venture Windproof Gillet has certainly earned its keep OXFORD VENTURE WINDPROOF GILET | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) ditto these Funkier Aqua Gents Pro Water Repellent TightsFUNKIER AQUA GENT'S PRO TIGHTS | cycling, but not usually racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  

Water-repellent tights will hold heavier rain back. Whereas I might start to feel soggy in traditional tights give an hour’s moderate rain, or persistent drizzle, I’ve returned primarily dry, given 2.5. That said a bib tight is always the best choice, since they offer better protection to the lower back and vital organs. 

I’m also thinking these retro reflective claw-type Carnac gloves were an inspired choice. Padding density is good for most riding contexts-including green lanes and light trails. The retro-reflective silver effect is great when signalling, or just being picked up by other vehicle headlights.  Dexterity might be an issue for some and if you’re seeking something a little less niche’ Steve found a lot to like about the 360 Dry Waterproof Gloves. 360Dry Waterproof Gloves | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  

I’m still attached to Altura Night Vision. They’re starting to look a little lived in, dare we say characterful, but perform well in the waterproof and relatively breathable sense. They will also accept liner-type gloves for when the temperature’s really tanking but you don’t want too much bulk.  

Otherwise, 4-12 degrees is their comfortable operating range. Until recently, the roads have been wet enough to consume the Muc-Off Wet Lube in 280 miles, which is still very respectable, given the conditions and on par with the Weldtite TF2 Performance All Weather Lubricant TF2 PERFORMANCE ALL WEATHER LUBRICANT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) in comparable settings. I’ve been traversing single-track lanes and waterlogged back roads with a bit of town work, for good measure. In common with others, it needs to be stripped with your anti-lube of choice before reapplying.  

This is good practice with lubes generally. However, some more traditional wet types are receptive to a quick “cat-lick” before being topped up. More sophisticated formulas tend to react and become mucky drivetrain-gobbling potions. Not what most of us would consider desirable.  

Weldtite very kindly sent me some of their bike cleaner concentrate to brew up my own strength bike washes and of course, to use neat-as a degreaser.