Goldilocks Moments

Maintenance is a core component of riding. Little adjustments and checks keep things sweet and mean more time in the saddle, rather than on the workbench. I was switching Ursula’s wheels back to the Maxxis and suddenly felt compelled to check my fixed gear winter trainer’s CST Pika Gravel Tyres CST Pika Gravel Tyres | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com).  

The front was decidedly soft, much softer than I’d expect after a fortnight on the hook.  I initially thought this might be a quirk of the Pirelli Centurato Reinforced Smart Tube. PIRELLI CENTURATO REINFORCED SMART TUBE (sevendaycyclist.com) but 20 strokes of the track pump later, an audible hiss confirmed a slow flat. Usual checks- rim tape, foreign objects in the casing. Ruled those out and popped in a box fresh butyl tube.  

Wheel reinstated, tyre inflated, brake checked, and skewer tightened to 9nm, I topped up the Motoverde PTFE chain lube. Next, I decided the fork's “low rider” drillings needed plugging if only to keep the aluminium alloy inserts from corrosion. Thought the red anodised bottle screws I’d picked up for a song would do nicely.  

A lick of Peaty’s Bicycle Assembly Grease PEATY'S BICYCLE ASSEMBLY GREASE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) on the threads, I whizzed them home-just right-the Goldilocks moment.  

See Sense had sent me another mount for the Beam+, so I decided the fixed should receive that, Ursula would stick with the Magicshine. So far, the replacement feels a precise fit, suggesting the original was just a rogue sample. 

 

The Beam+ puts out 1500 lumens and is more compact (though not radically so) than the Ravemen LR1600 Ravemen LR1600 Front Light | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com), which I’m a huge fan of. Direct comparisons are a little tricky, unfair even, since the Beam+ can be further tuned by a downloadable app, which enables the light to alter output to suit conditions, theoretically giving the best return of visibility and navigational prowess and of course, battery life.  

I’ve been astounded by just how long the battery has lasted, between charges- 40 hours on the reactive flash, which has been my default, since I’ve been pairing it with the K-Lite Dynamos- even then, it hadn’t dipped to red, which gives an hour's grace, before powering down.   

The light’s sensor also seems more accurate than most- reading conditions and adjusting light accordingly- picks up when it senses vehicle lights, road signs and similar, which is great when you’re tackling roundabouts or entering the flow of traffic.   

The app can also alert a designated emergency contact, in the event of it sensing a crash. It will also send an alert if it senses the bike being moved, which is another useful feature.  

 

Having run the Muc-Off All Weather Lube until it had reached a filmy state- 500 miles through a salty, wintery January, I decided it was time to give Ursula a good wash. In common with some others, The All-Weather Lube requires stripping, then reapplication- it can’t (or at least, shouldn’t) be topped up like an old-fashioned middleweight.  

Despite the filmy state, it was holding back the dreaded taint, save for the side plates, obviously. Out came the Weldtite Bike Cleaner, bucket and the dregs of some degreasers that needed using up. This was also the opportunity to see how the Weldtite Rapid Ceramic Shield would perform on Ursula’s cream powder coat finish, which wasn’t treated to a clear coat...After The Gritters Went Home | Seven Day Cyclist 

February can be a tricky month weather-wise (ask my mother who delivered a sibling during the UK’s winter of discontent in February 1979) and after a quiet lull, the temperature has dropped quite sharply, so the salt-spreading fairies have been busy again.  Ditto hedge clipping, so I’ve been pleased (dare I say, relieved) to discover the Maxxis Overdrive Excel holding their own, even in minus 3, the lanes littered with iced mud. I’d also dialled the Disco Brakes Semi-Metallic Pads Disco Disc Brake Pads and Wavey Rotors | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) a fraction closer, which gave already dependable stopping a boost.   

 

Back to tyres, Steve’s been impressed with the CST Czar CST Czar Tyres | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  

The Rapid Ceramic Shield also seems to be holding its own, preventing dirt and other stuff clinging to Ursula’s tubes. I’m trying to get a handle on its alchemy, but it doesn’t appear to contain silicones, like some protectant formulas can. 

Continuing the Weldtite theme, I went for their Performance All Weather Lube TF2 PERFORMANCE ALL WEATHER LUBRICANT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com), since in my experience, it’s a good middleweight choice.  

Doing well, I decided a stem spacer switch, to move the See Sense Beam+ and K-lite dynamo switch K LITE BIKEPACKER PRO V2 FRONT LIGHT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) for a cleaner aesthetic. For the time being, I’m forgoing the bar cam until I can find a suitably tidy alternative mount. I’m sure I’ve a suitable candidate somewhere... Meantime, here’s my review of the Madison Road Race Super Light Men’s Waterproof Softshell Jacket Madison Road Race Jacket | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  

 

Changing Rubber, Switching Routes

 

My recent reversion to the dependable and moreover, likeable 700x38 Vittoria Adventure Tech and 700x32 Kenda Kwick Journey KS plus KENDA KWICK JOURNEY TYRES | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  has proved a wise move, on the reliability front without sacrificing smiles.  Then along came some CST Pika Gravel and Xpedium Tyres. Ours is the skinny, old school cyclo cross 700x32c but there’s a 42mm (about 1.65 in) for bigger, gravel and adventure bike typical clearances.  

They’re a 60tpi dual compound with EPS (Extra Puncture Protection) puncture repelling belt, sturdy looking sidewalls and run between (35 and 75psi). At £31, they fall into the budget boat, so it’ll be interesting to see how they perform. Bickers LTD www.bickersltd.co.uk , the UK importer also sent me CST Xpedium. A 700x35c commuter biased tyre with a tread pattern superficially like Ursula’s Schwalbe Land Cruiser (no sign of the snow threatened by tabloid press outlets, yet.)  

The Xpedium feature a very comprehensive Aramid belt, which follow a narrative closer to some commuter/touring favourites from Schwalbe and indeed Vee Tire Co Zilent TESTED: VEE TIRE CO ZILENT MARK 2 TYRES (sevendaycyclist.com) although at 715g a bit lighter than both. This season, roads and lanes are paved in dung and similar gooey stuff, add hedge clippings to the mix and yes, the odds of flatting increase quite considerably.  

Blow-outs are relatively rare, although I’ve had a few over the years. Arguably the most hilarious was while riding my hack mtb (based around a Raleigh Maverick frameset and whatever I had, back in 1990/91).  

Hammering through a winding section of singletrack, something pierced the rear tyre’s sidewall and 50psi roared out, inducing a rear wheel slide and a mange et trois...Such weas the force, I was swept into a hedge where a couple were in a passionate tryst. Not sure who was more surprised to see who.  

Replaced that tyre with a 1.75 CST funnily enough- had a beefy 2.1-inch Hutchinson up front. MKS sealed bearing pedals, Zefal clips n’ straps, Weinmann cantilevers, Le Chi levers, thumb-shifters, Exage bio-pace crankset, SR seat post, Turbo homage saddle, 6spd block...A summer distraction while I awaited my GCSE exam results and sold on a year later to fund “The Teenage Dream”, my 531 Competition tubed road frameset.

I digress... A new set of brushes arrived for review, so I wasted no time in getting my filthy fixed lathered up and spruced. Looking in the cleaning bucket, I noted I had a few bottles of cleaner that were basically empty but had enough concentrated surfactant to do one last deep clean. Now, generic car wash n’ wax formulas are a default for me, (when I’m not putting products through their paces).  

 

These cut through the grime and when rinsed, leave a thin protective wax barrier behind. However, after five years regular use, the dregs of Crankalicious Mud Honey Foaming Bucket Wash TESTED: CRANKALICIOUS MUD HONEY FOAMING BUCKET WASH (sevendaycyclist.com) deserved a send-off. The rich later made short work of a week’s slimy spatter and caked on gunge (including some stubborn chain lube).  

The other reason I didn’t reach for wax was that I wanted to lay some helicopter tape atop the fixed’s top and head tube, where the Oxford Evo Top Tube bag was resting. This would prevent any potential swirling, or similar, should the bag move around, or wet gritty stuff get swept between bag and paintwork.  

I also decided the fixed’s KMC Z1 chain was too long, so pruned that by a few links (Claiming a multi tool’s chain function into the bargain. Luckily, I had this Topeak All Speeds Chain Tool TOPEAK ALL SPEEDS CHAIN TOOL | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) so, crisis averted).  

As a side note, I’m fond of multi-tools and especially those with a chain breaker. However, these tend to be weak spots. Even my Gerber Cool Tool’s pin has failed. Final job was a pedal switch.  

Again, I’m attached to the Shimano PD ED 500 Shimano PD ED 500 Pedals | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and though not desperate to save 160g from the build, I was keen to see if the PD M-540 would have any bearing upon my experience with the Shimano RX6 shoes.

I also noted the Sigma Infinity Rear LED Light SIGMA INFINITY REAR LED LIGHT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) had mysteriously powered down. So frugal, it gets forgotten, not a fault, or victim of water ingress. Since I’m talking rear lights, here’s my review of the Infini Metis Infini Metis 1-465R Rear Light | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

Fixed beautified, I decided it was time to hop back aboard Ursula and to judge whether another pair of long-serving bib tights had become bin fodder, courtesy of a knackered insert. Chafing around my inner buttock was the clue and confirmed during the next ride. This also coincided with an early morning road closure.  

Inconvenient, especially on a Monday morning, when I needed to be home by c. 545. That said; I followed the diversion, upped my tempo and was seemingly guided by some benevolent force along the even darker, narrower lanes. Having pulled up outside my house, with time to spare I considered it a blessing in disguise and looked forward to indulging in its charms, while works continued.