Calculated Gambles

 

 I’d been pondering whether the Shimano Ultegra dynohub’s grease had turned to watery gravy and needed to investigate. I’d always understood Shimano, unlike Shutter Precision, were partially user serviceable. The right side could be stripped and overhauled using a 15mm cone spanner and 17mm for the locknut. Trepidation cast aside, I rounded up spanners, greases, clean rags and solvent. The locknut was quite stubborn, which in some respects is a good sign, but submitted without recourse to penetrant spray.

 Locknut and cone removed, the grease had assumed an oily, but still functional state. The loose balls and bearing races were also free of pitting and similar wear. I toyed with the idea of repacking with Juice Lubes Slick Juice but reached for their Bearing Juice The Juice Lubes Bearing Juice Long Term | cycling-not-racing on the grounds of outright staying prowess. Even allowing for the recent heatwave, viscosity meant it was a little messier to apply but no issues once I’d transferred the excess to the cone.

This would also help seal the elements out. Getting the bearing tension bang on took four attempts. Back in the forks, neurotic checking revealed zero play. Hub strips tend to be annual, or thereabouts, so I can get away with some cheap but cheerful cone spanners. Unlike some cheapies, Lifeline seem accurately machined and sturdy enough for periodic use.

I’ve since invested in this 15mm Park, replacing the Tacx someone borrowed and felt entitled to keep.  I took the Slick Juice route with the trailer’s hub, which, as expected has reduced friction. Will be interesting to see how well it stands up to the elements, especially since it's right in the firing line of puddles and other dodgy water.  I’ve periodically had the idea of upgrading the trailer’s wheel but talked myself out of it. A New Old Stock Deore unit was waved under my nose for less than £8, so I indulged. I’ll seek out a suitable rim, but only at the right price, since all this is want, not need.  

Overhaul complete, I treated Denise to a deep clean. Though not obviously dirty, given the prolonged, dry spell, rear wheel, rack, rear triangle and fork crowns were coated in a stubborn dusty layer. Buckets, Muc-Off Chain Wax Cleaner Muc-Off Chain Wax Cleaner 500ml | cycling-not-racing, Juice Lubes Bike Cleaner, Muc-Off MO94 Muc-Off MO94 Multi Use Spray | cycling-not-racing and assorted brushes rounded up, twenty minutes later, Denise was washed, dried and lightly re-lubed. Knowing when to down tools and pack up-quitting while ahead is another important skill. Sometimes, if it aint broke, don’t fix it.  

 The chain was still below .25 on the chain wear indicator, and I was going to run the fleet on wax lubes for as long as conditions permitted. Back to testing Ursula’s M Part Ridge Pannier rack and some fixed gear frolicking aboard Muffin. Having discovered the Ride’s top section broader than the Summit-confirmed when strapping my long serving Carradice Super C atop.

This was filthy, so I decided to take it for a thirty-degree Tour De Zanussi, adding some wash-in proofing. Now, this isn’t strictly the way to treat cotton duck, so a gamble at my own risk. However, it seems to have emerged in good health. I decided to take my 25-year-old SQR Tour the same route since, while very solid, it was looking very jaded. The sun and other elements had bleached the fabric in places and there’s no getting that back, but it was at least, clean and re-proofed.   

This also presented the ideal opportunity to give the washing machine’s soap try a thorough cleaning to remove accumulated soap scum and similar.

 Ideally, we should follow manufacturer instructions regarding care to the letter and have no recourse, should we deviate. Those of you looking to reproof cotton duck luggage should give them a good wash and then apply Carradice’s own reproofing wax.  I even found a box of high-quality patches, which was another pleasant surprise.

One thing led to another. I decided it was high time I had a sort through of the work bench. I decanted a myriad of small fasteners, mounts and similar into dedicated zip lock baggies and found and appropriate storage box. I’d been slightly disappointed by the OEM Coospo CS600 Coospo CS600 GPS | cycling-not-racing Garmin pattern mount adorning Ursula’s bars but hadn’t found a suitable contender.

Firmly in the zone, I discovered a couple of Magicshine mounts- the type employed on the marque’s Allty and Ray series. These employ a Garmin pattern head mount and a series of straps, so a universal fit. One, already attached was in Goldilocks territory. Sixty seconds later, a neater, sturdier host. A small but very satisfying upgrade.

Next, I decided to road test my hypothesis that wrapping some scrap inner tube around the quick-release trailer hitches would act as a damper. One producing a tighter union, silencing a slight rattle.  Formative impressions are favourable, although trailer release is less convenient than ideal. Maybe thinner tube, or even electrical tape is the solution... 

 

 

 

       

Payloads & Playtimes

 

When it comes to racks, four point and 20 plus kilo carrying capacities are my defaults. I’d tried and indeed tested beam types in the past but found they had a tendency not to manage the loads promised very effectively. However, the last was over a decade ago and the river of technology moves at an incredibly rapid rate.  

Not everyone can or wants a rack “permanently” mounted and they add scope for longer day rides and trunk bags, provided you had sufficient exposed seat post. Carbon seat posts remain non-starters. Frankly, I wouldn’t tether anything heavier than a wedge pack and rear light to a carbon, or composite post. This Topeak RX Beam Rack coincided with my interest in Topeak’s RX Trunk Bag DXP, which is aimed at road, rather than trail audience.

Made from heat treated 6061 aluminium alloy, it tips the scales at a surprisingly stout 665g and in any colour you like, so long as its silver. Beefy welds have an industrial beauty, rather than refinement but are neatly executed and inspire confidence.  The collar is relatively shallow, requiring less exposed post and somewhat reminiscent of an Ahead stem, courtesy of the twin bolt closure. This promises more reliable tenure than the in my viewed, flawed quick release closures.

Complete with shim, this supposedly means a universal fit-at least on round models between 25.4 and 31.8mm. In practice, I’ve needed to brew my own using redundant butyl tube, but that’s the thing with the phrase universal, it’s always begging for contradiction.

You’ll not I’ve given the fasteners a liberal helping of grease-in this instance   Oxford Mint Assembly Grease Oxford Mint Assembly Grease | cycling-not-racing since its very stoical and I had it to hand. Torque to 8nm.  

The maximum payload is 15lbs, which is modest, but practical for day riding, and, with careful calculation, gives scope for a fairly stout lock. As for the RX Trunk Bag DXP, this is made from 600 Denier Polyester complete with a DuPont Teflon Coating claimed to offer improved weather resistance.

The main compartment features “aerodynamic” foam walls and coupled with the drop down-side panniers and expandable main compartments equates to 7.1 litres- very useful for day rides and those who want more carrying capacity than a wedge pack but without the bulk and indeed wind resistance of traditional panniers.  I’ve managed to slip a decent amount into the main compartment-three spare tubes, tool caddy, spare tyre levers, Pedro’s Trixie, separate multi tool, cable ties and a patch kit.  

I was curious as to whether the Trunk Bag would also prove compatible with the marques Uni Super Tourist DX top plate. Spoiler alert, I was pleasantly surprised to discover it was, so left it mounted to Ursula for a few wintry outings.  Interestingly, the MTX Dry Bag Trunk Bag doesn’t seem compatible with the RX Beam Rack.  Rounding off this impromptu mid-afternoon fettling session came bottle cage replacement, I liked the contrast of the composite cages, which worked better in practice than I’d expected. However, they were prone to collecting grime, so I went for some black Elite Cruissi homages.

As for Ursula, my hunch that the trailer quick release would provide greater rigidity at the frame ends, eradicating any disc tickling under load proved correct.  Sometimes it’s those little victories that give the biggest lifts.

 I’m also pleased with Muffin’s Selcof Sterrato V2 bar switch, although they’re slightly narrower than the Genetic D Riser 4 they replace, but there’s still ample control and no skittishness. From an aesthetic perspective, it makes mounting lights and other little gizmos, such as this ORP Smart Horn that bit easier. I also suspected I would miss a left dummy lever for parking my hand when cruising. Some Dia Compe 138 with colour-coordinating black hoods turned up. I’m planning to pop the Cane Creek on the Holdsworth (since that runs a Tektro and the mutually compatible hood shape means everything will align nicely with the spirit level). Ha!      

Leatt have sent me their Pro Clip 6.0 Endurance shoes, which they say are “designed for riders who want dependable performance and all-day comfort without the race-focused stiffness”. Formative outings suggest they’re onto something here.

There’s a roomy toe-box, which is supportive and roomy enough for waterproof socks-a good move, since there’s acres of cooling mesh-essential for the warmer months given the synthetic uppers. The MOZ/Leatt lacing system will be intuitive to anyone familiar with the Boa types and allows for great, hassle-free tunability.

A Nylon shank is designed to offer the right blend of stiffness and support while allowing easy, comfortable walking or running sans bike. The ride grip outsole is suitably aggressive and grippy. They’re not as stiff as the Shimano RX6 Shimano SH RX600 Gravel Cycling Shoes | cycling-not-racing (and a little heavier too at 790g for the 45) , which remain a firm favourite of mine, but stiffer than Shimano’s MT701 GTX   Shimano MT701 GTX SPD Shoes | cycling-not-racing . Goldilocks but without the bears? Time, roads and boggy wet trails will tell.   Meantime, I’ll leave you with my review of the Castelli Unlimited Rain Jacket Castelli Unlimited Rain Jacket | cycling-not-racing and perhaps more fittingly,. Steve’s review of the SKS Infinity Urban Trunkbag XL SKS Infinity Urban Trunkbag XL | cycling-not-racing

  

 

  

Summer's Slow Swansong

 Sunrise is progressively shy and I’m often out at 5am, which is perfect for testing lights. I’ve been gaining familiarity with the Sigma Blaze and Infinity rear lights. In terms of modes, these have a single, steady beam, reckoned visible to 500metres. The Blaze has an ambient light sensor, which will engage the light, to suit conditions-aside from the darker months, it will theoretically switch on when you’re riding through a tunnel/underpass.  

Now, StVZO (German lighting standards) dictate that lights cannot flash; hence these are steady only. The beam must also “cut off” at the top, which prevents approaching traffic from being dazzled- the same basic principle as dipped car lights. 

 

The Blaze features a “braking function” which engages all three diodes during the day, the lower two diodes at night. One press off the power button primes the ambient light mode, two presses gets you the night setting. Output is impressive, especially given the single, steady mode.  

In common with other lights with “braking” functions, this puts a big dent in the run times, especially when your route involves a few climbs and/or you’re hauling a trailer/tagalong.  I should also point out these are designed to be post, rather than frame-mounted but I’m keen to see if there’s any practical reason for not doing so.  

Lighting aside, while the days are sufficiently long, temperate and relatively dry, I’m trying to get some serious miles on the Teenage Dream, before it goes into seasonal hibernation, around mid-October. I’m using this time to prep my fixed gear winter/trainer and Ursula for the wetter, darker months when reliability is key.  

Both have been stripped and re-greased recently, so that’s one major bit of prep done. I also want to see how well the Peaty’s Speed GreasePEATY'S SPEED GREASE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and Bicycle Assembly Grease PEATY'S BICYCLE ASSEMBLY GREASE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  Then of course, I’ve recently overhauled Ursula’s drivetrain and cables, so aside from keeping an eye on the chain (which will almost inevitably wear faster, given the mix of stouter lubes, and wet, gritty lanes) tyres are the only other immediate consideration.  

Plan is to run the Marathon Mondial Double Defense Tyre until October, then switch to the Marathon GT365 TESTED: SCHWALBE MARATHON GT 365 TYRES WINTER UPDATE (sevendaycyclist.com).  Other possibilities include the 26x1.95 version of these Kenda Kwick Journey KS Plus KENDA KWICK JOURNEY TYRES | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) or their K935, at the right price. Talking of the Kenda Kwick Journey KS Plus, I may switch the fixed’s Bontrager in their favour.   

There is a lot to be said for building a machine solely for winter. Traditionally, this has followed the old road frameset built up with hand-me-down components narrative. There’s a lot to be said for this recycling. Older components that aren’t snappy enough for racing are usually, still very serviceable. Stouter tyres, full, or “race blade” type guards, fresh cables and bar tape, lights and with some basic care, it’ll protect you and your best bike(s) expensive components from wet, gritty, dark and destructive stuff.  

The flipside of the best bike, really. It only gets used for that season, so while arguably it sees the harshest weather, it isn’t necessarily hardest used. A four season’s bike by contrast is usually so versatile, they become year-round go-tos. Hence why most of my general riding is spread between Ursula and my fixed gear “cyclo crosser with track ends”   

On a very personal note, if I was going for a strictly winter build, I’d probably go for a single speed cyclocross route.  

Track ends, clearance for 700x42c, (probably 35mm default, such as the Kenda Kwick Journey KS Plus and buying more clearance should I want to run winter spikes when roads turn more spiteful than a tabloid headline) full-length mudguards, dyno hub powered front lighting.   

Charge Plug1 was a very fetching, sub £500 package and would’ve fitted this bill rather nicely. That said; though the semi-compact geometry frameset might’ve ticked all these boxes, the 6061 tubes and fork, might’ve been a little “direct”.  

Fixed and single speed drivetrains still need monitoring/inspection (I tend to get through a fixed chain in around 3,000miles) but much cheaper and simpler to keep happy, since there are fewer moving parts to wear out.  

However, as my beloved fixed gear winter/trainer proves, you’ll still need to keep an eye on cable and brake pad wear, even if you’re going the single stopper route. I also spotted some KMC chains going seriously cheap, so snapped them up and have only just needed to replenish the Peaty’s Link Lube All Weather- the original helping had gone way past the 500-mile marker. 

At the other end of a very different machine, I have received this Axiom Citypack 6+. It’s a quick-release system that mounts high up (beneath the saddle rails) but the similarities with the venerable SQR Tour pretty much end here.  

The outer fabric is made from recycled polyester with a waterproof polyurethane coating. More interesting and in keeping with Ursula’s compact geometry, it's intended to address limited wheel/frame clearance, or those who like rack top/trunk bags but don’t fancy being encumbered by a rack.