Midwinter Resurrections

A quieter start to 2024 should not be inferred as unproductive. When the dust and celebrations have settled, January can be a very cold, mean and sometimes expensive month. I made time to box and send the Holdsworth’s forks to Lee Cooper, which pleased me. Meant he could work on the steerer, and I could reinstate at my leisure. It may necessitate a longer brake calliper, but I know I have a suitable dual pivot candidate in the spares drawer.  

Not that there’s anything obviously wrong with the existing ACOR carbon pair, but I’m very conscious they’re a budget model and over 15 years old now. Pointless hunting down another fork when the original and rather ornate 531 set has been hibernating in a box since the frameset’s original re-spray  Road Path to Enlightenment: Primed, Painted and Restored to its Former Glory 

A brief conversation suggests adding 6 or 7cm to the existing steerer’s the way forward. I’ve suggested 6cm but Lee’s word is law. Never ask, (or worse still, try and cajole) a frame builder, or similarly skilled person into doing something they feel flawed, or unsuitable.  

Relative Christmas and New Year calm allowed me to dedicate some time to a book draft. A work in progress these past eighteen months and though cycling and motorcycling run throughout, they’re very incidental. It’s about a relationship of a very different kind, spanning three decades, starting in London’s East End, during the autumn of 1992. 

It’s often said you write the first draft for yourself and refine accordingly. However, doing, not talking is key. Same reason I don’t make New Year’s resolutions.    

Switching Ursula to the Schwalbe Ice Spiker Pro Schwalbe Ice Spiker Pro Tyres | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) was a prudent move as the lanes had become extremely icy, made worse by the recent flooding. I was also pleased to note the rear XT hub is spinning buttery smooth and silent following December’s repacking and bearing upgrade. There’s a lot to be said for the humble cup and cone hub.  

Having checked the chain, while out on another daylight meander, I was pleased to discover Ursula’s KMC still had some useful life. Decided I’d switch to the Weldtite Ceramic Lube WELDTITE CERAMIC LUBE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  given the conditions are typically wintry. Though there’s a lot to like about the Silca Special Formula Chain Lube, it’s not designed for flooded roads and similar extremes and in my experience, that goes for wax-type formulas per se.  

A deep drivetrain clean, coupled with the arrival of some invisiFRAME Protective Coating presented the ideal opportunity to give the old girl some sudsy bucket TLC. Same went for the fixed gear winter/trainer- I’d managed to sneak the odd ride in, where weather permitted.  

According to the blurb, the invisiFRAME Protective Coating was developed in partnership with Fenwick’s and designed to make framesets and components resistant to contaminants such as energy drinks, gels, mud, dirt, and grime. Reckoned good for gloss, matt, and carbon they suggest 15 applications from the 100ml (about 3.38 oz) bottle and up to six months per treatment. I’ve gone this route with a matt blue Bell Avenue MIPS Road Helmet and of course, the fixed gear winter/trainer.  

Similar MO to the Rapid Ceramic Shield. Apply to clean, dry bikes. Give the bottle a shake spray in short, light bursts and work into surfaces using a clean micro fibre cloth. Leave thirty seconds or so for a formative curing, then buff with a fresh clean cloth and leave “overnight” to cure properly. Less involved than some multi-stage automotive detailers, it will be interesting to see how well it holds up against the elements and compares to Weldtite Ceramic Shield Weldtite Rapid Ceramic Shield | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  

I took this opportunity to fit the Cycology 8 Day Handlebar Tape. Designed for grip and longevity, the tape employs a silicone-derived topcoat that prevents the pattern from wearing with use. I’m really drawn to the pattern, which reminds me of those decorating roads during the Tour De France. It also contrasts nicely with Ursula’s cream and black theme.  

The damping comes courtesy of our old friend EVA foam and though shorter than some, 224cm should be sufficient for wider, flared drops. On the flip side, this texture means it's less malleable than some and requires a firmer pressure to achieve a nice, uniform overlap.  125 slippery, mixed terrain miles hence and I’m really warming to grippy, shock-absorbing charms.  Right, I’ll round up with Steve’s review of The Sportful Sottozero Base Layer Jersey https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/sportful-sottozero-base-layer-jersey 

 

Gripped

The weather is showing some signs of a spring-like renaissance, which is nice, since I now have the Teenage Dream running like, well, the machine I remember so fondly. Discovered the front hub had a little play, so eradicated that and then investigated some boxes that had been left in a corner of the garage since moving.  

Much to my delight, I found a mixed bundle of better-quality tubes –700x18-25 and mid-section 23-40. All packet, so I’ve added those to the appropriate clear storage box and one apiece to the wedge packs. I’ve also decided to switch the Teenage Dream’s PDW (Portland Design Works) Big Silver Road Pump for this Lezyne Road drive Alloy Mini Pump.  

A few millimeters shy of 300, both are best described as midi, rather than mini pumps and in my experience, the PDW has an edge on the resuscitation speed and pressure fronts. However, I’ve found the bracket tenure a little less than ideal, so incremental creep has seen it shuffling down and “wood-peckering” the front mech. Distracting and unwelcome.

  

Interestingly, the Lezyne proved a better guest in the Portland’s bracket, so stays for now. I’ll be carrying CO2 cartridges along though, since I don’t fancy trying to deliver 110psi plus into the bikes’ 700x25c following a flat, although hopefully these will be infrequent, warded off by the pump, tubes, and similar rescue apparel. One thing led to another, and I began foraging for lights.  

Not that it’ll be seeing the depths of winter, but a compact 450/500lumen unit with backing singer and a decent rear blinky are wise precautions from a seen-with perspective, especially enjoying summer evenings. Time flies and light fades when you’re having fun... 

For the time being, I’ll alternate between this Moon Meteor and Bontrager Ion 350 RT front lights, although the Ravemen LR500S front light RAVEMEN LR500S FRONT LIGHT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) has a bit more clout, thanks to clever lens technology. Chances are I’ll be running them in their frugal flashing modes but a bit more oomph is always useful.  

I found an old but very worthy AA cell model for hanging on the wedge pack and an Oxford Ultra torch Mini+ USB Rear Light 15lm. The latter is a five-mode (one steady, four flashing) rear light that is a good bit brighter than the numbers alone might suggest.  

It's small enough not to interrupt the clean aesthetic. Was never totally convinced the Fuschia pink Knog wireless computer sensor was the best fit aesthetically, but never so offensive as to induce change. Mid rummage, I unearthed a black counterpart, so fed it a new LR44 button cell and swapped them over. 

Minor cosmetic stuff but worth doing, since I was there. It communicates very well with the elderly but very solid decathlon head unit. Not that I would advocate the “Frankenpute” route but I’ve had a few that have performed very reliably. 

Several weeks down the line, Ursula’s shifting had suddenly gone a little “off”. I knew the chain, cassette, ring and derailleur were fine but suspected the cassette’s lock-ring needed snugging down slightly. Job done; I stripped the Weldtite Ceramic, with a liberal helping of Muc-Off High Pressure Quick Drying Degreaser Chain & Cassette MUC-OFF HIGH PRESSURE DEGREASER | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) Zefal Extra Dry Chain Wax ZEFAL EXTRA DRY CHAIN WAX | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  was the substitute of choice. I also honed the front Genetic CX Cantilever TEST & REVIEW: GENETIC CX CANTILEVER BRAKES (sevendaycyclist.com)   for some additional bite, since opportunity presented.  

A week later and I’d forgotten that wet roads can have a zapping effect upon more traditional wax lubes. Nothing that wasn’t cured, once the flaking residual wax had been reclaimed, and worked into the chain.  

Zefal have also very kindly sent me some luggage- The Z Adventure C2 and Z Adventure C3. These took longer than expected since one carrier refused to bring them into the UK. Much of Brexit’s impact is being hidden by the pandemic but is presently “knee-capping" the UK economy.    

At 2.2 litres, the Adventure C2 is arguably a better fit on a bigger frameset, where it can cosy up against the headtube. However, Zefal also suggests it can be mounted in other ways. I think it complements the Univega quite well, doesn’t obscure the down tube bottle cage/bosses.  

The C2 is water-resistant, rather than proof, so will be interesting to see how it fares on wetter rides, not to mention my garden hose torture testing...  Testing aside, I’ll go with a dry sack to seal the elements out, full stop.