Trailing Behind but Following the Plot

 

No, I’ve not taken the recumbent trike route, I’m referring to my mighty Bob Yak homage. I acquired mine in 2008 and ultimately sold my genuine Yak in 2009. Main reason being I preferred the homage’s hitch mount, which seemed more secure and less faffy than the Yak’s. The homage's grey finish wasn't bad by factory standards, but the boys at Maldon Shot Blasting & Powder Coating blasted and treated it to a chrome effect powder coat makeover back in 2019.

Single-wheel designs with swing arms track very nicely, so impact upon handling is minimal-although don’t forget its there-especially if you’re navigating rush hour town centre traffic.

Both designs employ bargain basement, but serviceable wheels. Replacing the OEM knobbly tyre for something better quality and road-centric also makes a huge difference in terms of handling and rolling resistance.

I also needed to check the pattern skewer purchased a few months back was a precise fit. Spoiler alert, it was. Much to my relief, the trailer’s spring mechanism mated perfectly. Patterns have improved considerably- cleats being prime examples. However, they can still prove a lottery in the “fit where they touch” sense.  Ursula usually does the tugging duties and handsomely. However, Denise is a little sprightlier and aside from testing the pattern skewer, I was keen to see whether my theoretically optimal gearing held up in practice.

55psi all round, everything securely attached, I headed out in search of some dung- I’d spotted bags of the garden elixir dotting the roadsides at various points on earlier rides. Didn’t want to make a special trip, rather combine collection with a longer meander. Big ring and middle of the 11-25 block provided sufficient torque for 17mph cruising and save for some additional weight and the odd bounce when crossing battle-scarred tarmac, I wasn’t conscious of the trailer. 

I should also point out that I’d applied some Juice Lubes Slick Juice to the swing arm bearings and also took this opportunity to apply some Zefal Pro ii Grease Zefal Pro II Grease | cycling-not-racing to the wheel’s quick-release skewer.  I was never keen on the mudguard-same applied to those fitted to Bob Yak’s, so removed it. I’m wondering whether a zip-tie “Arse Saver” type might be the way forward. I know there’s a couple in the spares boxes…

Huge bag of equine dung spotted, grabbed and carefully settled into the trailer; I about turned and set off along the lanes.  For the most part, the 36x26 and 11-28 block provide a decent amount of torque. However, a lower bottom gear-30-32 sprocket would be good insurance for the knees and longer ascents. I’d noted a couple of medium cage Tiagra Mechs, so indulged, since prices were favourable.

 Oh, that reminds me, a parking brake of some description is always a good bet when pulling over to stop. Scrap inner tube isn’t glamourous but easily carried and very effective.  A rubber O-ring mount-typically found on lights, computers etc is a more discreet option for engaging a brake and holding the plot steady.   

I’d been getting some decent miles in with the Leatt Trail 6.0 Clip In shoes and have been pleasantly surprised by their blend of power transfer, walkability and breathability. However, they are a little hefty. While comparing their soles with some others loosely of the trail genre, I decided it was time to compare and contrast, so switched to these FLR MXT Vibram Trail Shoes    FLR MXT Vibram Trail Shoes | cycling-not-racing .

These are a narrower design with slightly stiffer soles, which translates as improved power transfer. Trail in this instance is closer to gravel and rough stuff touring rather than mountain biking ( That said; I’ve used them to good effect in the latter context). Continuing this narrative, the soles perform equally well on narrower pedal platforms, such as these Shimano XTShimano Deore XT PD-M8100 Pedals | cycling-not-racing  and Wellgo MO94B WELLGO MO94B SPD PEDALS | cycling-not-racing  and Leatt’s Endurance 6.0 Clip In Pedals Leatt Endurance 6.0 Clip in Pedals | cycling-not-racing.

The Leatt and similarly broad models with more compliant soles are arguably the best union with designs such as this M530 and PED ED500 Shimano PD ED 500 Pedals | cycling-not-racing  . Temperatures in the mid-thirties lead me to conclude the Leatt Trail 6.0 have an edge on the breathability and comfort front, but I’ve never felt unduly toasty in either. No hot-spots or similar discomfort, for that matter.

Elsewhere, I was surprised to discover that the Cyclo Advanced Tyre Removal Tool has ceased production. Definitely one of my favourites and all the more disappointing since I’ve lost the head on mine. However, Weldite had one doing something close to nothing, so graciously sent one my way. Just as well, since I found the Nutrak Swift Frenzy impossible to fit with traditional levers. By contrast, the Cyclo steamrollered them aboard effortlessly.

I’m running Specialized’s Crossroads EX at the rear as a control for now and will go this route for 150 miles or so. At 683g, they’re slightly lighter than the 2.25 section CST patrol but rolling resistance, especially on metalled road is palpably lower.  The tread pattern is very gravel-specific and reminiscent of WTB Nano TCS  WTB Nano TCS Tyre | cycling-not-racing, so it’ll be interesting to see how they cope across the board, particularly in muddy conditions...

 

 

  

Calculated Gambles & Headset Care

 

I’d been casually looking out for a second skewer/hitch for my long serving Revolution Cargo Trailer. It’s been out of production for a good while, so spares were a little elusive-at least at reasonable, cost-effective prices. I tried TW Bents, the Taiwanese manufacturer, but nothing.

Someone offered me a replacement for £60, which I gently declined. Indulging in some curiosity surfing unearthed this M-Wave unit. The trailer’s swing arm looked a dead ringer, so for £15 including postage, I figured it was worth a punt. I wanted the convenience of just porting the trailer between Ursula and Denise without faffing about with skewer switches.   

A bit of grease on the skewer and everything slotted in nicely and the hitch is a reliable fit with the trailer-a calculated gamble that paid off. No excuse for not putting the Lomo Dry Sack through its paces, although save for the odd isolated thunderstorm, it’s been decidedly arid in these parts. A great opportunity to drag some favourite jerseys from the summer wardrobe too. This rather fetching Castelli Espresso Castelli Espresso Jersey | cycling-not-racing being a prime example. Lightweight, fast wicking and snug with generous pockets too. Steve’s been suitably impressed by its successor, too Castelli Espresso2 Jersey | cycling-not-racing.

Ursula’s chain was also skipping under load, so I switched to a new cassette since the chain was within .25. I also took the opportunity to strip, inspect, and deliver some more Juice Lubes Bearing Juice to Muffin’s FSA headset bearings, since it had been 12 months. It hadn’t been completely consumed and was still doing its thing. However, a generous dollop from my fingers to the races and bearings turned steering satisfyingly slick. Lubricated and protected for another 9-12 months.

Stem reinstated, preload and pinch bolts treated to a lick Zefal Pro II Zefal Pro II Grease | cycling-not-racingI noticed the brake’s inner wire had frayed. New inner wire, TRP Spyre SLC calliper dialled in, I adjusted the front Mud Hugger Gravel Hugger MUD HUGGER GRAVEL HUGGER MUDGURADS | cycling-not-racing and concluded the day’s fettling by switching the silver bottle cages for these black Elite Cruissi, homages.   

The following day, I tackled Denise’s quill stem adaptor and Stronglight A9 ST headset. Similar story. Again the lower bearing boot is very effective at keeping grease in and the elements out.

This time round I was better prepared with the headset spanners- trusty 35-year-old Campagnolo and nickel-plated BBB resurrected while I was searching for my Shimano pattern cassette tool. Component specific greases have their place-especially when tackling sensitive components. Suspension and seals, or contexts where galvanic seizures can strike (aluminium alloy seat posts in steel frames, for example). 

When it comes to bearings, more damage can result from a lack of grease or not cleaning bearing races of ingrained dirt and grease before. Everything came apart with consummate ease and as before, there was a moderate layer of Juice Lubes Bearing Juice clinging to the races and bearings. I’d come that far, so cleaned dipped a rag in solvent and cleaned the cups, bearings and races.

Bearing Juice and Pro II Greases to hand, I decided to apply the former liberally to the bottom race. The flow rate is beautiful in temperatures around 23 degrees, making it very easy to apply. Given these qualities, it would’ve been the obvious choice for the upper set. However, I cleaned components with solvent, dried and then decided upon the Zefal.

The mix n’ match approach might seem odd. However, the upper bearing takes less of a battering from wet, gritty roads and general loading. Then of course, there’s the convenience factor. The Pro II was already attached to a grease gun, so quicker and easier to deliver. Cable hanger reinstated, I applied a bead around the lockring threads and snugged down.

Quill converter treated to a top-up, front end back together. Couldn’t resist the urge to strip and re-grease the front cantilever posts- then was the time. Front wheel reinstated, cantilever straddle wire reconnected, I popped Denise from the stand. Engaging the front brake back and forth revealed no slop.

Turning the bars back and forth rewarded with satisfying smoothness-bearing tension bang on. Headset spanners engaged, locknut snugged down, it was just a matter of wiping away any excess grease with clean rag. Ok, I gave localised areas of frame a quick squirt of silicone infused bike spray and buffed to a shine.

Intuitively, I raised the bars by another few millimetres, so theoretically that’s reach and height optimised. Bike fits have taken a lot of trial and error from component choices, lengths, alignment etc, but sometimes it boils down to long, steady miles and subtle adjustments.

Substituting the auction site Garmin stem mount screws for a shorter pairing means I can fit the Coospo CS600 Coospo CS600 GPS | cycling-not-racing atop and the Gaciron XAIOMAN 1000 front light beneath. It also presented ideal opportunity to whip out the torque wrench and check stem, rack and other fasteners. No issues, save for the stem face and pinch bolts, which needed nipping tight before slippage could sneak in.     I’ll close here with my long term review of the Juice Lubes Bearing Juice The Juice Lubes Bearing Juice Long Term | cycling-not-racing