Snow & Ice= Spikes

Plummeting temperatures finally heralded the arrival of snow and ice. Conditions the tabloid press were wetting themselves over for weeks, presumably a great distraction from other, politically engineered chaos crippling the UK. Warm banks because an increasing number cannot afford to heat their homes, food and fuel poverty on a wider level... Not scenarios associated with an advanced economy. 

Rant over. I’ve gone for the Schwalbe Ice Spiker Pro up front and the 1.75 Schwalbe Winter Plus at the rear, since there was insufficient room at Ursula’s rear triangle for the bigger tyre. Now, (this is the case for all spiked tyres) spikes need to be bedded in on dry tarmac for around 25miles before letting rip on icy, or snowy roads. Last Tuesday was switch day and bedding in was done on Wednesday morning at 430am.  

Spikes tend to add a bit of weight and resistance to things, so expect to drop a gear or two lower than you ordinarily might. This is accompanied by a gravelly patter, which quickly becomes comforting, especially when it's slippery.  

I’ve always been impressed by the Winter Plus, and their lowlier 120 spike Winter TESTED: SCHWALBE WINTER SPIKED TYRES (sevendaycyclist.com) but the Ice Spiker Pro are a few notches higher, thanks to the extensive proliferation of tungsten carbide spikes (362 in this instance). The advantages are immediately obvious when cornering or accelerating. No momentary losses of traction whatsoever, just lots of big grins.  

For the time being, the spikes will stay-they're by far the best option for slippery wintry roads. Madison Madison.co.uk – The UK’s largest cycle parts & accessories distributor has sent me some Maxxis Overdrive Excel. Marketed as a “trekking” tyre, they’re a dual compound model reckoned to cope in all weather and handle mixed terrain riding. Looking at the tread pattern, there are some passing, superficial similarities between them and the CST Expedium fitted to my fixed gear winter/trainer.  

However, the Expedium are only available in 26x1.75, while the Overdrive Excel are 26x2.0. This may be a moot point, or a deal-breaker, depending on your frame clearances and tastes. These days, I prefer a 1.95/2.0 section for Ursula but obviously, 1.75 and spikes is the way forward in wintry contexts, where clearance can become trickier on an older XC frameset running full-length mudguards (fenders).  

Other differences include theoretically superior puncture protection, given the Overdrive Excel’s “Silk Shield” runs bead to bead. Reflective sidewalls are another good bet during the darker months and indeed, daily drivers generally. 740g apiece is relatively light, for this genre and size of tyre too, so it’ll be interesting to see how they compare with Kenda Kwick Journey KS Plus KENDA KWICK JOURNEY TYRES | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) (Also comes in a 26x1.75, along with several 700C options.) The basic Schwalbe Land Cruiser (26x2.0) are 887g. Mick Madgett finished a quick tune up of Ursula’s Ryde Andra/SP SD8 wheel SHUTTER PRECISION SD8 HUB DYNAMO | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

 

Elsewhere, I was somewhat stunned to find this little Topeak Taillux 30 USB Rear Light had popped in two. Specifically, the lens had separated from the base, while I was gently picking it up from the charging table. It was a clean “break” suggesting the adhesive had just lost its bond.  

This enabled me to ogle the internals with a child-like curiosity, although obviously, I left well alone and rejoined case and lens with some Gorilla glue. I’m very fond of the three-mode, 30-lumen light and for that matter, its bigger, 100lumen sibling TOPEAK TAILLUX 100 REAR LIGHT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) so hoping this repair holds long-term.  I’ve left it curing at room temperature for the full 24 hours... 

Staying with lights, I had some unexpected mount woes with the See Sense BEAM+ but See Sense since sent me a replacement. The original was susceptible to annoying vibration when navigating anything other than virgin tarmac and that’s been conspicuous by its absence.  

Weldtite has very graciously supplied me with a replacement drive pin for my Cyclo Chain Breaker and are sending me their Ceramic coating kit, which is designed to protect the frame and components, making it easier to keep clean. Right now, conditions are perfect for assessing its worth and besides, anything that extends cleaning intervals is very welcome!  Now, I’m always drawn to products that claim to be all-weather.  Now in some respects, this can mean absolutely anything.  

However, in terms of chain lubes, it tends to imply a blend that is primarily brewed to resist the worst weather. Weldtite Ceramic WELDTITE CERAMIC LUBE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) has held on very well, despite the freezing conditions. Motoverde PTFE Chain Lube Motoverde PTFE Chain Lube | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) is another very tenacious blend looking at the fixed’s chain is showing no signs of waning. Much like this disco brakes dual colour silver wavey disc rotor Disco Disc Brake Pads and Wavey Rotors | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)

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)