Road to Christmas Recovery

I was suddenly struck by the seemingly inevitable and unavoidable seasonal Lurgi. One that left me bedridden for the best part of two days and asleep for 18 hours straight. I’d struggled to remain alert for 6 hours and managed 75% of a draft alongside some other generic admin. Sabre Tooth Man-Flu is a force to be reckoned with.  

Retrospectively I’d felt it charging full force on Sunday when I was switching wheels and giving the fixed gear winter/trainer a seriously good sudsy bucket clean. Neighbour had struck up conversation, while affixing Christmas lights to their wooden fascia and I was struggling to maintain a decent tempo of routine work and response.  

Night terrors are another obvious sign for me. There are people my rational mind knows I could not help and for the most part, their deaths were beyond my control, but the world and human experience are not necessarily rational. Sometimes, during these nightmares, I will meet the figures at the end of a long tunnel. Other times, their decomposing entities can be sat at the foot of my bed, seemingly begging my attention. Sometimes they are benevolent and kind, other times vengeful and malevolent. Not where we’ve been and done but what we do with these experiences, I guess.  

Two days later and I was back in the saddle- the fixed gear winter/trainer’s to be precise. This proved a little “previous” and I was struggling to move. For context, I slept 18 hours, during the first phase of this germ fest and was fooled into feeling better. Predictably in retrospect, I succumbed to a second helping. One synonymous with sinus headaches and similar pain. I ultimately reached for the paracetamol and lemon mix, which seemed to loosen the mucus floodgates and the intense pressure that dogged my ability to function. Sometimes enforced rest is what’s needed.  

I’m sticking with the Halo Aerotrack wheel and 15-tooth Ti sprocket, which with the 35mm CST Expedium and 42 tooth 165mm Genetic Tibia cranks translates as 76.1-inch gear. Some would suggest a little lower-72 maybe, but in practice, I’m not spinning out, or indeed, struggling to winch myself up the climbs.  

Saddleback, Feedback Sports UK importer graciously sent me the brands’ Reflex Torque Wrench. Ita a mini torque wrench, designed for mid-ride adjustments-adjusting saddle tight, tightening a slipping stem bolt etc. 5nm is the maximum, too low for things like Shimano Hollowtech II cranks, so you’ll still want to carry a traditional multi-tool (although you should anyhow, since torque wrenches are only designed for assembly).  

Prevents unintentional damage of carbon fibre components and indeed, aluminium alloy components. Exceed the 5nm recommended on a seat collar bolt at your peril- I’ve seen the bolts snap/ shear clean off. Not what you’d want 20 miles from base.       Last bucket wash, I’d gone for a proper drivetrain clean and opted for the Zefal Extra Wet Nano Ceramic Chain Lube ZEFAL EXTRA WET NANO CERAMIC CHAIN LUBE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  (a) It was to hand (b) I’ve found it stays put and requires negligible time to cure.  

Ursula’s sticking with the Silca Secret Formula Chain Lube. Was relieved to get a call from Mick Madgett saying he’d replaced the Halo Spin Doctor’s Freehub. Upon collection, conversation turned to the hub’s internal composition and specialist tooling e.g. circlips.  

Apparently not. However, it took two of them to release the defunct freehub-knew there was a reason I outsourced that job! I put a lick of Wolf Tooth Grease on the free hub and cassette lockring and spun everything back together- tyre too. Will give the XT/Ryde pairing a few runs for the time being. They’ve also got the spikes on, which may come in handy, depending how conditions turn in the coming weeks.  

Regardless of how wintry the lanes have been, the Shimano MW501 have kept my feet dry and very temperate, the sole offering plenty of grip on slippery stuff and generally improving my riding experience through these dark December days.  

The heel cup and nimbler feel means they’re quickly becoming my favourites. I was very endeared to a pair of Lake, which lasted many years. However, the Shimano’s fit feels closer to that of a cyclocross/gravel shoe than a traditional mtb bootie, which for me, is more agreeable.  

The Madison Roam 2 jacket is also proving a well-conceived garment for not a lot of money. Decent fit, sensible pockets, useable hood and Velcro cuffs for a convincing seal against the elements. I prefer removable hoods but thus far, the Roam’s hasn’t made a nuisance of itself, when not required. On that note, I’ll leave you with an overview of clothing for the cooler, wetter months...WINTER WONDERLAND TWO (sevendaycyclist.com)  

 

Scuzz! Purging Those Drivetrain Demons

 Much as I expected, the snow turned to slush and ultimately lots of surface water. Looking at the Univega’s chain, the Zefal Extra Wet Ceramic Chain Lube ZEFAL EXTRA WET NANO CERAMIC CHAIN LUBE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) was beginning to look a little filmy, and the chain’s side plates looking like they’d been immersed in instant gravy granules. Interrogation of the cassette and derailleur jockey wheels suggested we were beyond cat lick and top-up.  

An opportunity to test this Pure Bike Degreaser a quick test run. Pure prides itself on being petrochemical free and I’m all for products that are kind and yet effective. This is a citrus-based grime gobbler. However, caution is still required with a lot of plant-based products, solvents, specifically, given the potential for a loud, roof-lifting explosion. 

 

In this instance, there’s nothing to go “bang” but plenty of warnings around potentially serious eye damage. Citrus formulas can also be a little harsh on the skin, so examination gloves and safety glasses are a good bet. In common with a lot of lube-strippers, its designed to be rinsed with water.  

Anyhow, my intended transmission grooming evolved into a full-blown, top to toe wash and Carnauba waxing.  

Now I like waxing and I like testing waxes. Mine is from a protectant (rather than aesthetic) perspective. Opinions vary and to be honest, it will depend on a number of factors, but in my view, bikes should be treated to a good quality paste/liquid wax at least three times per year.  

Doing so nourishes the paintwork and protects finishes from the elements-sap, salt, UV light etc, 

Waxes also prevent water and muck from sticking so readily, making cleaning easier. Basic car types are good enough, for the most part, although those, including this Muc-Off Miracle Shine, offer a better sheen and last a bit longer if you can justify the initial asking price. However, a little goes a long way, so the cost levels out, over time. 

Back to the degreaser, it wasn’t as voracious as I was anticipating-at least on the gunky remnants clinging to my Univega’s cassette. I’d left it a few minutes to marinate, worked in into the sprockets, side plates, and Raval ring (while avoiding any splashes/similar, to settle on painted surfaces.)  

This was subsequently rinsed with warm water, while I simultaneously worked a gel bike cleaner into a lather, using the Zefal ZB Wash Brush ZEFAL ZB WASH BRUSH | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com). Much as I suspected, the Pure needs agitating with a transmission/similarly stiff brush. Therefore, best to strip cassettes, chains, rings etc, and pop them in a makeshift/parts washer, rather than tackle them in situ.   

In my experience, bristle plots eventually cultivate greasy, cross-contaminating colic.  

The Zefal ZB Wash Brush has just succumbed to that, so I poured some Weldtite Citrus degreaser into a clear punnet. I worked this into the bristles and left the brush marinating for a couple of days, before flushing through with very warm water.  

Elsewhere, I’ve applied some ACF50 to the cleats, to head off fastener seizure and brown taint on the nickel-plated cleat mechanisms.  A sudden reversion to mild weather means snow has melted, and the return of waterlogged roads.  

However, I’ve resisted switching back to the Kojak, since temperatures could plummet in the coming week, courtesy of Storm Christoph, turning greasy roads to ice rinks and some reports promising 1.5 feet (45cm) of snow.     

Dual-sided SPDs have been my default for a very long time-effortless engagement/release, great power transfer, and easy to walk in, especially when roads and pavements become skating rinks.  

For others, dual-sided models such as these Genetic Switch GENETIC SWITCH PEDALS | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  are the best of both worlds. I’m quite fond of them, too. Especially for commuting and other “working” bikes, since they permit a wider choice of footwear.   

Ending this post on the opening note, here’s my review of the Weldtite Bike Cleaner WELDTITE BIKE CLEANER | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)