Small House Inspiration

There’s no getting away from the fact that flashes of inspiration often strike on the toilet. Well, my bathroom toilet, not the infamous festival Dav Lavs, or those few remaining public facilities, which though welcome are of variable quality and clientele. Spacer choice and height are not something easily focused upon when the person in the next cubicle announces they’ve missed a vein or is about to give birth... I digress... 

Having replaced Ursula’s spacers, mid-ride, I was musing about going the Star Fangled Nut route and holding the Blumels mudguard in situ with a compression plug- I had two bouncing around in the small parts drawer. However, I quickly dismissed this idea. No sense in over-complicating matters unnecessarily. As I’ve said before, the Gusset Headlock system gives some added security, should a fork/steerer crisis strike and while the SFN and plug trick might save a few grams, any benefits are otherwise negligible. 

 

That said; I may revisit, next time I strip and re-grease, or indeed, replace the Stronglight O’lite Aheadset. I spotted another, from a reputable supplier and at the right price, so bought, while I still could and before BREXIT’s “benefits” really bite. Otherwise, I’m pleased with the carbon fork switch-compliance remains the biggest plus and when I say compliant, I don’t mean whippy.  

Lateral stiffness is reassuringly good too. I’ve gone for the version with V/canti posts, since it’s nice to have options, although in practice, disc is my default. Having run it with the weightier Alfine hub wheel, I’ve switched to the Shutter Precision SD8 SHUTTER PRECISION SD8 HUB DYNAMO | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com), which saves 213g, so will be interesting to see if there’s any discernible difference.   

I’ve regularly wondered about titanium forks- not necessarily for Ursula (my fixed gear winter/trainer being another obvious candidate).  

Justin Burls and his Torus range of ti components TORUS TITANIUM STEM (sevendaycyclist.com) are particularly well made. A Guide To Seatposts | Seven Day Cyclist However, others crop up periodically. Where these are concerned. I’d want a much closer look at the welds, threads etc since the devil is very much in the detail. Otherwise, Ti could well and truly outlast me- by some margin. I’d contemplate having them painted too. Corrosion’s a moot point but could draw the wrong kind of attention.  

As August rolls out, I’ve been doing some further “while I’m at it” tweaking and prepping. Removed the Fixed gear winter/trainer’s seat post, shot a blast of oily grease into the seat tube and applied some Peaty’s Bicycle Assembly Grease PEATY'S BICYCLE ASSEMBLY GREASE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) to the post and raised it by a few milimetres.  

Dawn is arriving later, and the nights are subtly drawing in, meaning I’m using “proper” lighting more regularly. By proper lighting, I’m referring to the K-Lite dynamo systems and Magicshine Ray 2600 Smart Remote Bike Light on the Holdsworth and Teenage Dream. Not in the navigational sense per se (although that need is very slowly creeping closer, but more presence).  

The Orp Smart Horn’sTESTED: ORP SMART HORN (sevendaycyclist.com) 150 lumen flashing modes are OK in these contexts, but I prefer greater punch. Ravemen LR 500s RAVEMEN LR500S FRONT LIGHT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) is another particularly useful compact light for these contexts-especially for extended evening play times on the best bike. Talking of which, the Green Oil Dry Chain Wax is performing well, given the very arid conditions. I’ve gone well past the 120-mile mark., with no hint of waning.  

Not that impressive, compared with some petrochemical, or hybrid blends I hear you cry. However, it's cited as 80 miles per application, transfer to hands, legs and indeed, trousers is minimal and unlike some, curing times are also very quick-so practical for impromptu rides, touring, or commuting. Gear changes are light, frisky-just the way I like them, and continuing the clean theme, it attracts minimal dust, dirt, or similar contaminant. Right, that it for this week, I'll leave you with my review of the Souma Leather Handlebar Tape Souma Leather Handlebar Tape | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  

 

Inspect & Pension Off

 I returned from a wet, greasy ride on Ursula and was about to strip and lightly lube the chain with some Peaty’s Link Lube Dry. Something prodded me to whip out the chain checker and it slid into the links .75 is the pensioning off point for 9, 10 and 11 speed units.  

I plucked a Sram from the stash, pruned by a few links and fitted sans magic link, since though I understand the design principle, I much prefer a solid pin. That said; I slipped the residual links and magic link into a re-sealable bag, into the See Sense Handlebar bag SEE SENSE HANDLEBAR BAG | cycling,-but-not-usually-racing (sevendaycyclist.com), just in case.  

Observation suggests 10 speed chains last between 3-4 months. I’d returned 1600miles from the superlight model which is a good bit more than the 1250 typically managed before they hit .75 on the chain checker. I was also astonished by the amount of congealed lube coaxed from the jockey wheels and derailleur cage once I’d removed the worn chain. Particularly since I’d regularly deep cleaned the drivetrain between lube changes and as appropriate, topping up.   

As for the Peaty’s Link Lube Dry, well that’s another water-based, wax prep, intended for spring/summer use, so now is the time to test.  

In common with all waxes, especially those employing water-based carriers, any trace of pre-existing lubricant must be exorcised. It leaves the spout with a celeste hue, so even coverage is easily achieved. Once cured, it assumes a waxy glaze, theoretically meaning it runs cleaner, rather than collecting contaminant and scabbing off.  

Time, miles and climate will reveal its true characteristics and staying prowess. Spotted this Austin, while on our chain checking spin. From a distance, I believed it to be a 2CV based Lomax, prompting a closer look (without drawing unwanted attention, or making the rightful owner nervous).  

Several months down the line, my fixed gear winter/trainer’s aheadset was still very smooth and subsequent inspection confirmed bearings and races were still well protected by the Park PPL-1.  

However, I’d come that far and needed to assess the Peaty’s Assembly Grease on bearing components (since it’s apparently perfectly fine). The boot/headset cosey made from scrap mtb inner tube was also perishing, so due replacement. This also presented an ideal opportunity to clean the KMC chain and feed it some of the Peaty’s Link Lube All Weather Premium. 

Packed with Peaty’s and excess wiped, the headset was buttery smooth. I used the excess to grease the stem and Gusset Headlock threads, since the latter is a sitting duck for wet, gritty stuff.  First outing at 6am the next morning and everything felt bang on. Chain serenely quiet, steering quick and ultra-refined.  

Along the lanes, at 20 mph and banking into a right turn, I feel the tyres lose traction-diesel. Thankfully the fixed transmission, experience and decent rubber meant I was able to regain control, without incident.  Diesel vehicles, those with automatic transmissions in particular, drip unspent fuel under more forceful, or sudden braking. Farm vehicles, coupled with the sudden, more intense rains, flushing spillages from the fields are another possibility.  

I’m never one for compulsion, especially when it comes to helmets, but wear mine pretty much every ride. Every so often, I get a gentler reminder of their benefits. Now and then, even the anti-bacterial pads can turn a bit funky too. Steve’s been testing Oxford Mint Helmet Santiser OXFORD MINT HELMET SANITISER | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) . In a pinch, I’ve given whiffy lids a quick blow-over using anti-bacterial santiser sprays and do, from time to time, take mine in the shower with me. A couple of thousand miles along the line and the Bontrager (model) finally succumbed to a flat. A flint, more accurately. It had burrowed into the casing, commuted by wet, greasy roads and dung. 

 

Hardly a major issue, but unwelcome at any point, especially when the weather was turning slightly stormy. Thankfully, I had two spare tubes and two pumps. CO2 cartridge but no inflator. Unsure how that came about-would've made for a quicker pit-stop. Flint removed, fresh tube and 60psi later, I refitted the wheel and rode the remaining 7 miles back without incident.  

The Peaty’s All-Weather Premium has certainly held its own but transferred very readily to hands and bar tape during said mechanical. Upon my return, I gave the bike a quick sudsy bucket wash, put some additional pressure and a drop of glue into the tyre. This is also an opportunity to check/replenish tube stock, pump and in my case, add the CO2 cartridge/inflator.  On that note, I'll end here with my long term review of the Kenda Kwick Journey KS Plus Tyres KENDA KWICK JOURNEY TYRES | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)