Winter Smiles

 

It’s no secret that I struggle with Christmas, something that began creeping in c. 1986 following the death of a close family friend and though it hasn’t worsened, I prefer to plan ahead, keep busy and to some extent, to myself.  

Positive mental stimulation is key here, not unhelpful distractions. Cold but bright weather and empty roads are, to some extent magical though-at least when bike(s) and rider are correctly dressed. Seasonal strife can strike if you’ve broken a cable and the shop’s shut, so I always ensure I’ve a few brake and gear inner wires in stock before the holiday season hits proper.  

Sealed, maintenance-free systems such as the Jagwire Road Elite are a particularly worthwhile investment, but if you’re on a tighter budget, Transfil Flying Snakes are another good bet. The outers can be a little abrasive though, so ensure you’ve slipped some cable cuffs where these brush against painted, or lacquered surfaces. Strips of helicopter tape are advisable, too. Brake pads are another consumable that can wear at an alarming rate. I took this opportunity to inspect Ursula’s front pads-still a decent amount of life left, but I’ve just dialled the pads a little closer. I’ve also another set of semi-metallic Disco Brakes on hand, should the situation change between Christmas and New Year.  

I happened upon some track chains offered at £1.99 apiece- rebranded, cheerful KMC with brown, rather than electroplated finishes. I bought two for the fixed gear winter/trainer since at that price it would’ve been silly not to. Even if I only get 1300 miles from them, I’ll have recouped my money several times over. While doing a stock take, I also happened upon a 12-28 cassette that I’d seen silly cheap and squirreled away, which was a bonus. 

Changing the bar tapes- Ursula's, Denise’s and the fixed was another inspired move for several reasons. A change of tape is one of those things that can help coax us out on cold, grey days. Denise’s Wolf Tooth Supple Bar Tape is sublime on the comfort front-not overly surprising, given its 5mm thick.  

It isolates road and trail buzz beautifully, greatly reducing fatigue and common to other silicones I’ve used, super grippy, regardless of palm type, temperature, or weather. The Wolf Tooth Supple employs silicone finishing strips, which, despite some initial scepticism are proving very tenacious. That said; decent quality electrical tape is another staple- nothing worse than redressing bars, only to discover the finishing tape’s decidedly lacking. I’ve opted to dress Ursula’s Soma Condor 2 in the thinner 2.5mm Wolf Tooth Supple Lite Bar Tape. This may sound a strange choice in some respects but it’s worth noting Ursula is basically a drop bar mountain bike with carbon fork and 2.1-inch tyres, which afford plenty of compliance and comfort. Some riders don’t like bulky tapes, especially with mid-winter gloves, partly due to a loss of connection with the bars. Then of course, a chunkier aesthetic isn’t for everyone either. The Supple Lite is made from an EVA foam-no polymers, or silicones, significant since the grip and control is proving reassuringly good.      

It’s been milder in the main, although still a little stormy so I’ve switched to the Altura All Roads Gloves, which are highly water resistant but more dexterous than traditional midwinter types, making little tasks, such as pannier rummaging, or taking photos that bit easier.  Talking of gloves, here’s Steve’s review of the Sportful Fiandre Sportful Fiandre Gloves | cycling-not-racing 

The Continental Pure Contact are proving similarly dependable and compliant, allowing me to relax and enjoy the ride. We’ve had some fun through storm Darragh and ankle-deep watery backroads, mucky lanes, frosty stuff, too. Thus far, there’s a decent turn of speed, grip and no punctures. Though very welcome, not surprising since I find most puncture resistant breakers hold out well for the first 1200miles. Mudguards (fenders) may not be glamourous but save bike and rider from being blasted in crud.  

I’ve returned from a few excursions aboard DeniseGravel on A Dustbowl Budget PT V Lesson | cycling-not-racing with a very soggy derriere. However, being a gravel bike (gravel crosser, even?) I’m shunning guards and accepting the downsides. Easier to clean, too and I’ve taken to post ride bucket washes every third outing ort so- dismissing the worst crud but without going “dinner plate” when conditions are slimy and well, wintry.  Besides, it’s organic grot, no sign of the dreaded salt monster yet.  

Worst of the storms subsided, I returned to the fixed gear winter/trainer for some quicker, some might say, simpler fun. I’ve warmed to the Deda tape, forming the opinion it’s a solid bet for road-biased riding where bulk is unnecessary and undesirable aesthetically, particularly on an older, steel frameset.   

Given the bike’s road reversions in recent seasons, some might see the Mud Hugger Gravel Mudguards MUD HUGGER GRAVEL HUGGER MUDGURADS | cycling-not-racing a curious choice. While I’ll agree traditional full-length mudguards offer better coverage and smoother aesthetic, they make roadside wheel removal, say tackling a flat more complicated. That last thing I want when light’s fading and temperature’s tanking. I’ll stick with the more industrial aesthetic and some compromise in protection.     

Reflections & Refinements

 

With the miles racking up and confidence in the Dawes increasing, I was able to enjoy its brisk, yet predictable persona and push it quicker along the lanes. The slightly wobbly rear wheel wasn’t causing any issues at this point, although obviously, I wanted a tweak on the jig- only at that point would I revise the rear brake’s setup.  

 

Everything else had settled down, although I wasn’t surprised to discover the quill stem wedge moving very slightly. Nothing, a more liberal turn of a 6mm Allen key wouldn’t cure. I pulled over mid ride to correct- no sense leaving it and I had a nice long 6mm bit handy, courtesy of the Cyclo 20 function multi tool CYCLO 20 FUNCTION MULTITOOL | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com).  

 

A minute or so later, tool was back in the SQR Tour, and I was spinning home at a nice cadence. Talking tools, here’s Steve’s review of the Wolf Tooth EnCase System Bar Kit One Multi Tool Wolf Tooth EnCase System Bar Kit One | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)   

 

I’ve bought another 9 function Giant Continuum Wireless Computer. Yes, this one’s also pink. I like these since they’re easy to set up, intuitive to use and via my supplier, gentle on the wallet.    

 

No need to tweak the Microshift/Tiagra tag team at this stage. I may well upgrade Ursula’s Tiagra, post refurb, only because the existing mech has done a lot of work, year-round and if I’m rebuilding the bike, it seems silly to scrimp unnecessarily. However, I’ll clean it up and “take a view” from there.  

 

The weather has become more temperate, dare I say summery, so I’ve been able to get the miles in and reach much firmer conclusions regarding the Cycology Men’s Summit Long Sleeve Jersey and the Castelli Espresso Men’s Jersey.  

 

Both are very competent and true to some big claims, the Espresso is a lovely go-to. £130 certainly isn’t cheap and there are several competitors. However, some costing a good deal more. I’m hoping truing will address the braking issues, but I’ve also acquired a pair of these Suntour SE (Self energising) rear cantilevers, which I last recall from the late 1980s. They were something of a curiosity and rather like the XCD group (which I was also fond of) and in this instance at a price, seemingly impossible to resist.  

 

With their arrival, I’ve ordered some more straddle wires, since I had gone through my last supply and the Suntour weren’t supplied with any (not that I’d expected this). I’ve gone for Transfil, since they were favourably priced, and the brand are known to me. Transfil produced a very effective (if stubborn to fit) sealed brake and gear cable set but they also produce cables for the automotive industry.     

 

I’ve been warming to the Ergon SR AllRoad saddle, though not exotic materials-wise, it's not exotic, but very well executed, providing support in all the right places thus far.  The rear cutout has me curious and induced some laddish suggestions involving flatulence relief.  

 

According to Ergon, the “Deep Relief Channel” is, like others designed to relieve unwanted pressure. This design deepens progressively, leading to a small cut out. The design apparently gives greater “forgiveness” to the perineal region, while the hole’s positioning apparently overcomes some of the pitfalls of bigger cut outs.  

 

The obvious one that springs to mind is a very soggy crotch riding sans full length mudguards-gravel, adventure and cyclo cross bikes being obvious examples. It is noticeably deeper than I’ve traditionally come to expect and seems more than clever marketing thus far. One rider suggested the rear cut out was designed to protect the rider (indeed, stoker if fitted to a tandem) from fart reverb. I gave the sideways glance, but my inner child sniggered a bit.   

 

The Ergon will stay on the fixed for now, until I get the Dawes bedded in and refinements sorted. To a point where I can do something close to proper gravel and cross type off road duties. At that point, I’ll switch the rear wheel to a 42mm Continental Contact Plus. As I’ve said throughout, it's all part of the bonding process. Glad I had instated the Giant computer, missed being able to glance down and check my speed, distance and similar informative stuff.  I didn’t want an overly cluttered, congested feel to the bars either.