Though I generally treat fixed
and single speed chains to middleweight wet formulas, I decided Muffin’s Izumi
to the Weldtite Wax and was pleasantly surprised by how frisky the transmission
felt, while remaining serenely quiet. For context, I was averaging 18.1mph in
contexts where otherwise I average 17.1mph.
Without lab testing facilities,
much of this is easily attributable to psychosomatic, dare I say novelty
influence, so many more miles in different conditions are needed before passing
tangible comment. Weldtite say by using the double helping technique I should exceed
the 300km mark from a single application, but by how much. What influence, if
any do damp, autumnal conditions have upon this and indeed, the lube’s other
properties.
Plan is to run it through
September and early October, then, chances are I’ll switch to the All-Weather
Lube.
Staying with chains, I am always
interested in new brushes and similar tech that makes cleaning that bit easier.
In my experience, one of the biggest problems is keeping the bristles clean and
effective long term.
Too much solvent tends to soften
them. Wet lubes and contaminant can also be difficult to shift. This seems the
case, regardless of price. I’ve found the most effective technique is to soak
them in degreaser, work this into a lather and flush them through-twice. First
with very warm, then cool water.
Finally dry (and remove any
residual grot with clean rag) The long bristle plots, designed for cassettes
and rings are the most vulnerable to this kind of contamination. Will be
interesting to see how the Oxford compares with These Finish Line Finish
Line Grunge Brush Solo | cycling-not-racing and Muc-Off Muc-Off
Bicycle Chain Brush | cycling-not-racing
As the miles rack up, I’m
becoming increasingly endeared to the M Part Primo Handlebar Tape.
The texture is grippy but with
none of the stickiness associated with some. I’m pleasantly indifferent to the
tacky tapes and have grown to love some over time. The Ciclovation Grind Touch CICLOVATION
GRIND TOUCH BAR TAPE | cycling-not-racing being one example. ENVE Enve Handlebar Tape
| cycling-not-racing is also grippy, though stops short of feeling tacky. Its
also very hard wearing and easy to clean.
One thing led to another, and I
found myself upgrading Denise's quill stem adaptor from the auction site
special to this Profile Design, which is perhaps unsurprisingly, made to an
infinitely higher standard, with greater scope for adjustment and clearly
marked minimum insert line. I also treated the expander wedge and internal
length with some of the Zefal Pro II Grease, which will hopefully keep
corrosion and seizure at bay. These minor tweaks have resolved the minor
reach issues.
While giving the bike a while I'm
here once-over, I also noted the front wheel dancing a curious samba. I was
somewhat astonished- must’ve caught a rut along a section of newly discovered byway.
I switched to the Halo Evaura/SL9 HALO
EVURA & SHUTTER PRECISION SL9 DYNOHUB BUILD pairing with the Maxxis
Ravager Maxxis
Ravager TR Tyres | cycling-not-racing, while I left the Ryde
Sputnik/Ultegra dynohub and Mavic Open Pro/Halo Fix-G HALO FIX G TRACK HUB | Seven
Day Cyclist Tourin Tests Commuting with Mick Madgett. An opportunity
to explore rougher stuff aboard Ursula and I’d been toying with switching the
front Mud Hugger Evo Mudhugger
Evo Front Mudguard | cycling-not-racing for something lighter and more minimalist
to see just how much difference a smaller guard makes.
Mudguards (fenders) have been
slowly creeping into the gravel market. I remain seriously impressed by the
Mudhugger Gravel Hugger MUD
HUGGER GRAVEL HUGGER MUDGURADS | cycling-not-racingbut other, arguably more
traditional looking models have been creeping into the market. Some look to be
models aimed at folks wanting their gravel bikes to serve as winter road bikes.
Provided your frame has eyelets and
you were happy to run just a rear guard, cutting down a voluptuous mountain
bike model, just before the bridge is a cheap but effective and done properly,
presentable “for pennies” solution. One I’ve toyed with a few times. Old SKS
are in some respects idea candidates- broad, really solid chrome plastics and
stays, although unless you could pick some up very cheaply, I'd be inclined to
repurpose a scrap pair for this kind of duty.
As September progresses, I’ve
been exploring more of the unmade roads and bridle paths, exploiting Ursula's
true off-road pedigree into the bargain. Since her restoration last August,
with the notable exception of winter spikes during the season's worst, I've
kept her as a drop bar mountain bike shod with sturdy cross-country rubber.
Despite some limitations, I'm quite fond of the Continental Cross Kings Continental
Cross King Protection Black | cycling-not-racing, but more so the CST
Patrol, which represent excellent bang for very modest buck.
In common with the Cross Kings,
there are some limitations, especially in bogy mud but for hardpack and less
challenging stuff, they're surprisingly swift and grippy. 2.25 sections
are still practical propositions for older, cross country mountain bike
framesets, while offering a decent amount of compliance and even at 50-55psi,
ride quality isn't unduly harsh. There's still a decent amount of choice when
it comes to 26-inch but few new models are coming through in this size.
