Brighter Days & Lighter Lubes

There’s nothing like testing chain lubes to encourage big mileages. I’d gone way past the 800-mile mark with Motoverde PTFE chain lube, when these two arrived from One Ride Cycling. Stripping the remaining lube from Ursula’s chain and cassette required a generous blast of Motorex Drivetrain Cleaner and some tenacious scrubbing, suggesting it could go another week or two-250 miles, from the original application.

My fixed gear winter/trainer has exceeded 900 road miles mark. I digress... There’s the Momum Mic Wax Chain Lube, a blended formula using microcrystalline wax and ceramic particles for maximum, possibly optimal penetration of host chains.  

It's reckoned stoical enough to withstand wet weather, which isn’t territory synonymous with waxes per se. The Momum Mic Oil is a synthetic oil that uses ceramic particles for similar effect. What better excuse for deep cleaning Ursula and the Teenage Dream’s drivetrains... Both bikes were deserving of a good wash n’ waxing. I also needed to use up the last, useful dregs of some degreasers, so they weren’t taking up unnecessary space.

  

Given we’re creeping toward summer; I’ve treated both to the wax.  Modern chain lubes, (waxes in particular) require pristine hosts, so get recipients really clean-rings, jockey wheels, cages too before giving the bottle a vigorous shake and apply to every link. Keep a rag hovering beneath to collect any overspill.

Unusually for a wax blend, Momum suggest 15-minute curing times. This may be so, say on a very warm morning- I tend to leave lubes curing overnight per se in any case but I wasn’t surprised to find it anywhere near set, after 15 minutes, at 8 degrees.     

Mornings, though much lighter, have still been suitably crisp, meaning for the most part I’ve been donning a mid-season long sleeve jersey (primarily since I’m reviewing it) and middleweight, full finger gloves. However, I’ve also put this Funkier Ixara Gents Elite Jersey through its paces and am suitably impressed Funkier Ixara Gents Elite Jersey | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)   

The Seal Skinz Leather Road Cycle Gloves are a particularly good pairing with the Ergon Gravel Bar Tape, although others, with silicone detailing including these Specialized Grail Long Finger Gloves are proving a very agreeable union.  

Aside from being a great bridge option, they also double as effective liner gloves during winter. They will also slip beneath some classic, looser fitting mitts too, including these Passport Crochet Back Cycling Mitts TEST & REVIEW: PASSPORT CROCHET BACK CYCLING MITTS (sevendaycyclist.com) are still going strong, several seasons down the line.  

The palms aren’t on par with pricier models and the leather benefits from a lick of hide food to keep it supple and the elements out. About lighting, I could get away with switching the dynamos off and stick with blinkies, since it's a matter of remaining conspicuous, rather than needing to navigate.  

I’ve gone for the Ravemen LR500s and of course, the loyal ½ watt AAA powered rear. Now, watts are a rate of consumption, not of output, but often assumed to be. The 500, as its name would suggest, delivers 500lumens but the arc of light means its more useable than many along darker roads.  

However, given those light mornings, I’ve been banging on about, the 200lumen rapid flash is my mode of choice and will go near 15 hours from a full charge. However, keeping the lithium-ion cell charged (or at least, not falling below 70% too readily) is the best way of optimising run times and prolonging battery life.   

The Holdsworth is still sporting the Magicshine Ray 2600 Smart Remote Bike Light and has Moon Sheild clinging on to the seat pack's tab and Tern Vizy adorning the seat post. Overkill some might say but I like the security of two-just in case. Ursula’s default is Ravemen TR30 rear light RAVEMEN TR30M REAR LIGHT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) (Although I switch between that and its CLO5 cousin RAVEMEN CL05 SENSORED REAR LIGHT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com))

Flanked by The Cat Eye Viz150 (which boasts a daylight running mode) and Topeak Tail lux 30 rear light. The fixed gear winter/trainer’s seat post is hosting The Lelumia The Beast LELUMIA THE BEAST REAR LIGHT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com), which also sports an 150lumen daylight mode.  

There have been many times during my life where I haven’t been where I’d hoped-professionally and personally. Conversely, I’m pleased with my achievements and my ability to adapt to unpredictability, but a little bit is missing dunno where it’s gone...wonder when, or indeed, if it will return.  

 

 

Taking the Edge Off

 The clocks have gone back, and the temperatures are tumbling- we’ll, closer to that I’d associate with November- double figures at best and single figures before dawn. I’ve been rummaging through the gloves’ drawer for something slightly warmer and more water repellent than the otherwise charming Chiba Pro Safety Reflector Gloves CHIBA PRO SAFETY REFLECTOR GLOVES | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) . 

 I was going for Pro-Viz Reflect 360 Cycling Gloves PROVIZ REFLECT 360 CYCLING GLOVES | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  However, I was delighted to be reunited with some Seal Skinz Leather Road Cycle Gloves, which I’ve had for many years. Retro-reflective detailing isn’t their strongest point perhaps, but the standard of grip, comfort, dexterity, and weather repelling qualities make my, sometimes-jaded little soul sing.    

Long sleeve base and mid-layers have also become my defaults and given as I’m prone to chest infections, gilets are another staple. Oxford Venture OXFORD VENTURE WINDPROOF GILET | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) is one of my favourites, thanks to generous pockets, potent retro-reflective technology and the laminated fabric not only blocks gusty stuff, it also resists showery rain into the bargain. Caps, such as the Prendas Ciclismo Lisboa PRENDAS CICLISMO LISBOA WATERPROOF CAP | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) my cool weather defaults, but the arrival of this Kask Wasabi helmet has seen me return to the Buff Pack Cycling Cap BUFF PACK BIKE CAP | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and Lusso Pain Cave, which are essentially summer models. 

 

The Wasabi lid gives change, well a penny from £270 and is designed to be four seasons aero lid with tailorable ventilation- close off when its freezing cold, open up when things get a little toasty. The slightly quirky profile is certainly a talking point and 264g is quite feathery, too. Matt black certainly wins in the style stakes, but I’ve chosen to jazz it up for winter courtesy of the Respro retro-reflective band and Sigma Blaze SIGMA BLAZE REAR LED LIGHT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

Staying with lights a moment, we’ve an overview guide to road and commuting lights STREET LIFE: BICYCLE LIGHTING FOR THE ROAD AND THE COMMUTE (sevendaycyclist.com)  Steve has also been impressed with the Ravemen CR800 Front Light RAVEMEN CR800 FRONT LIGHT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

When I’ve not been popping chains and destroying derailleurs, the Muc Off Ludicrous AF chain lube has held its own in terms of staying prowess and durability. I’ve had 700 miles from a single helping through a moderate autumn and even though things have turned cooler and wetter, I’ve cruised past the 400mile mark. A pleasant surprise from a lube primarily marketed at those seeking every friction-busting gain.  

Out of the blue, the TRP Spyre SLC materialised- a welcome surprise, so in relaxed mood, I performed the switch, replacing the inner wire, since I was there and doing otherwise is simply false economy. A bit of faff at the Cane Creek V Brake Lever was traced to a blocked cable guide-a PTFE fatberg, to be precise. Formative impressions suggest it’s a genuine improvement on the bog-standard Spyre but time will tell. Red semi-sintered blocks are another small but welcome step up.  

Ursula’s Sigma BC9.16 ATS Wireless Computer SIGMA BC9.16 ATS WIRELESS CYCLE COMPUTER | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) had suddenly stopped communicating with the sensor- replacing the latter’s CR2032 cell sorted this, and I took the opportunity to nip the Ravemen CLO5 sensored rear light RAVEMEN CL05 SENSORED REAR LIGHT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) bracket tight (which is also compatible with its TR30 cousin).  

The Tektro “Frankenbrake” has proven it's worth several times over, so an inspired choice, and everything is behaving nicely once more. I've also placed a little electrical tape on the black section of bar con to prevent unsightly scratches when leaning the bike up against brickwork etc. Then, of course, a quick drop of thread lock on the mudguard hardware, while opportunity and serenity permitted. Sometimes it’s the little things that bring disproportionate joy...