Ruggedly Dependable

 

Yes, that statement could be applied to me in some respects, but I’m talking winter components. After some deliberation, I decided to switch Muffin’s Continental Pure Contact for the Contact Plus. No particular reason, save for the fact I was going to be cleaning the chain and applying the Muc Off C3 All Weather, so thought I’d switch rubber since opportunity presented.  Planet X advised that there was clearance for 43mm, so I’ve reached for the bigger, 40mm Continental Contact Plus TESTED: CONTINENTAL CONTACT PLUS TYRES  .

These are a wire bead model, adding some significant grams over the folding Pure Contact but they roll surprisingly well for a big tyre and are seriously dependable when it comes to cuts and ultimately, punctures. Flats happen and will claim even the most dependable pneumatic rubber at some points, but I’d sooner not be tending one on a cold, dark, wet night.

Interestingly, the Contact Plus are much easier to mount and remove and seem to offer a bit more room at the rear triangle- when both are inflated to 70psi. Anyhow, that’s all academic, the Contact Plus are staying, at least for winter.  

The Muc Off C3 All Weather seems a little slicker than its base counterpart Muc-Off All Weather Chain Lube | cycling-not-racing and indeed, Weldtite All Weather Lube Weldtite All Weather Lube | cycling-not-racing , although that’s less surprising, given the price differential. Mot much between them on the cleanliness front, if a diet of muddy, greasy lanes is any gauge.

The Weldite is drizzle on, wipe and go, whereas the Muc-Off require four hours to cure. I’ve tended to leave it overnight but as you’d hope, have also tested the four-hour claims.  Seems so in temperatures between 11 and 14 degrees, although tanking temperatures may sing a different tune.  

 Storm Claudia gave ample opportunity to assess its staying prowess, not to mention that of the Sidi Algor. Thus far, both are holding out against the waterlogged lanes and driving rains, which is very welcome. However, I’ll need some sustained cold to assess the latter properly-afterall, Algor literally translates as “cold”.  An unintentional ejection of the Gaciron Cetus Gaciron Cetus 1700 Underneath Bike Light | cycling-not-racing front light, into a deep puddle suggests weather sealing is very good. True, it’s not full-on submersion but still impressive and there’s been no lasting effect, or damage.

Wetter periods are also leading me to conclude the Ergon bar tape is understated on the grip front and reassuringly easy to get along with-no slipping, no white-knuckle rides and, unlike some, surprisingly straightforward to keep clean.

A quick shot of bikewash, lathered up with a medium stiff brush will shift mucky, ingrained spatter with nominal effort. Plenty of mixed terrain riding suggests the 3mm Orthrocell padding is very effective over longer distances but without looking unduly bulky. Less important on a gravel bike perhaps, but great if you were looking to dress a more traditional road specific winter/trainer, or tourer.  Until recently, temperatures have been mild enough for mitts. This is significant because it enabled me to assess the texture and purchase against bare skin. The woven surface texture is slightly reminiscent of cotton tapes, although without the sogginess when it’s raining dogs.  

     

Having tweaked Denise’s rear mech tension slightly, curing a modest but annoying shifting glitch midway along the cassette, I returned from a particularly wet ride, to discover a tiny but annoying amount of play in Denise's one- inch Stronglight A9 headset. 

 

An easy fix, although less convenient when you can't locate those large wrenches. I found my BBB Headfix but then recalled I only had a single 32mm and needed two. Couldn't locate my cherished Campagnolo but thankfully was able to remove slop and get everything bang on with a single wrench-seems as if the cable hanger worked as a useful buffer, preventing the bearing race moving while I snugged the locknut down. 

 

One of those periodic, rather than regular tweaks but reminded me how convenient the Aheadset systems are by comparison.  Two Allen keys-4mm for the pinch bolts and a 5/6mm for adjusting the pre-load. An easy job mid ride, or indeed tour-assuming bearings and races are otherwise in good health.

Servicing using stout grease and protecting the lower race from water and ingress. Obviously, mudguards (fenders) make a huge difference, but this isn't always practical.  A boot made from scrap butyl inner tube is another additional defence, extending their life and to some extent, service intervals. Especially on gravel and mountain bikes seeing hard service. 

After a very ambient start, November has awoken and with wet roads and temperatures dipping below zero, I decided to dust down some 35mm Schwalbe Winter Spikes- I really didn’t want a repeat of last January, claiming a jersey, tights and Denise’s Tektro RL520 brake lever. Not to mention some pride... The Marathons can be stubborn to fit, and these are no exception, claiming a composite Park tyre lever and causing a pinch flat.

 Minimum pressure is cited as 35psi, max 85, so I’ve gone for 65-70, offering a bit more grip but without unduly compromising rolling resistance.  Minus 2 on our first outing and the bike handled as if it were on rails, the spikes biting into the ice beneath and providing that beautiful traction. However, caution and sense are still called for- the elements can catch us out and other road users may slide, or experience difficulties. Something I was reminded of when a large Honda overtook, slid and then mis-shifted.  No harm done to either party but a reminder none of us can afford to be complacent.  

  

 

Bar con bother & More Welcome Surprises

 

I found myself switching this Topeak Road Master Blaster Topeak Road Master Blaster Frame Pump | cycling-not-racing over from Muffin to Ursula. Though on paper, I’d be surprised that it would fit the 17.5-inch frameset, but it’s worth remembering that mid to late nineties cross country mountain bike framesets had long top tubes for a more stretched, aggressive stance. In this instance 21.3 inches, which proved bespoke for the pump.  

Proof of said security was off road and during our first outing, I wasted no time in taking a left turn and letting rip along two miles of leafy bridlepath. I was also keen to see how the Sidi Algor performed off road. Formative impressions are positive, and I was pleasantly surprised to find them temperate in milder conditions-13 degrees. Nonetheless, there’s plenty of miles to come on and sans asphalt_ I’ll reserve judgment until December, possibly the New Year.  

As for the pump’s tenure? Rock steady. Inner tube wrapped around the top tube undoubtedly provides some additional grip, but the pressure fit is perfect, holding the pump steady, while still allowing ready, convenient access when required. Less delightful was discovering the right Microshift bar end shifter had turned belligerent and wouldn’t shift. Now, bar end shifters main selling point is their rugged simplicity and the ability to switch them to friction mode.

The latter forgotten while I was traversing roads carpeted in thick, slimy agricultural mud and reflecting on the speed some vehicles were doing through it-with some palpable loss of traction.  Upon returning from my 90-minute mixed terrain jolly, I decided to switch the lever for a spare and fresh cable. Doing so quickly restored the comforting click and sweep of the chain across the cassette.

Minor tweaks made, cable liberally lubed with some Muc Off MO94 Muc-Off MO94 Multi Use Spray | cycling-not-racing , I pruned the inner cable, superglued the end and popped Ursula away.  I wasn’t surprised to find everything behaved on the workstand, but some phantom shifts when climbing during our first mixed terrain outing meant stopping and dialling some tension from the rear mech’s barrel adjuster.

Sorted in thirty seconds, one of those easy fixes and no issues since.   Whoosh! The child like inner joy as I weaved through the leafy carpets and soft, though not too boggy mud was a welcome relief from some complex monotony that had been all too prevalent within my wider world. Perspective, too.  

Richard Ballantin’s observations (p 17 Richard’s New Bicycle Book (Oxford Illustrated Press October 1988) “At a deeper level, how you ride reflects your feelings and thoughts. You are with yourself.”   Social media can give the impression of connectivity and indeed, personal significance, but the reality is individually, we are all very insignificant. I have also noted a pronounced rise in anti-intellectualism, a lack of desire to learn and a climate where the loudest voices, no matter how ill-informed get most attention. Contrary to popularist sentiment, we do need experts, we need expertise. This knowledge and understanding does not happen by osmosis, it takes years to cultivate, regardless of trade, or profession.  The appeal and indeed, success of populist leaders is emotional, not based on facts.

The feeling, a false sense of empathy is what mobilises people and without any introspection, or critical introspection. The pied piper then leads them along the desired path, and we’re back down those alleys which caused so much destruction-economic, social and political.

The same games and tunes are played, but just through different mediums-although some would argue regulated media outlets have become complicit megaphones. I listen closely to these things but will never engage, either with those who follow the rhetoric, or those espousing it.  

Many of those following the rhetoric and depending upon state benefits may regret their subscription, since these populists have already made it very clear they will greatly reduce public spending and welfare benefits will be top of the list.  

In all probability, these people will continue following the rhetoric and will blame and quite likely physically attack others. They already do- housing officers, social workers, nurses, administrators to name a few who are “fair game” for their frustration. I’ve experienced it first hand, so know how it plays out. I’ve had some people come and boast they knew how to tender various services, only to demonstrate a complete, some might say, breathtaking ignorance of the tendering process and service level agreements.  

Several months down the line, I will say I’m very impressed by Zefal Pro II Grease’s performance and staying prowess. It’s certainly surpassed my expectations of budget greases, especially those employing lithium.

Plenty remains on contact points, threaded components, headset and pedal bearings, Hollowtech II axles and cleat fasteners. No hint of galvanic corrosion, or other nastiness.  In fairness, these months have varied between very hot and uncharacteristically mild- 17 degrees has not been unusual in the early part of November. Plenty of opportunity to test the Castelli Do Di Ci
https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/castelli-do-di-ci-jacket

Lithium based preps aren’t ideal for all jobs, but for general assembly jobs and bearing packing, there’s much to like here. I took this opportunity to introduce the 17tooth Arundel fixed sprocket to Muffin’s hub, switching the 16tooth to the other side. Staying with lubes, I retired Denise’s KMC X10 chain, since opportunity presented, which also coincided with the arrival of this Muc-Off C3 All Weather Ceramic, so it will be interesting to see how this compares to its entry level counterpart I reviewed a while back. Muc-Off All Weather Chain Lube | cycling-not-racing  I’ve also reached my conclusions regarding the Sigma Buster 1600 & RL150 lights, which have a lot to offer, although some niggles and limitations, too Sigma Buster 1600 & RL150 Light Set | cycling-not-racing