Nuisance but necessary & Nice

 

Worn cleats and frayed inner cables were unwelcome but easily sorted. Evasive entry tipped me off about the cleats and a tyre-tickling straddle wire-noted when I was pulling the Carradice’s Velcro strap snug post-ride. I also found myself stripping some more pedals- these nickel-plated SPD/Keo Exustar, which hadn’t been touched, let alone re-greased in twenty years.

The lockring was decidedly stubborn, and though there was still some grease inside, it was clear how frugal some factories are on the lube front. Not quite at the stage where I’m stripping and repacking new pairs before fitting but certainly has me wondering if I should, as a matter of course.  

After countless miles and a particularly memorable tumble with terra firma one icy January morning, the otherwise rugged, low -maintenance and very comfy Wolf Tooth Supple Bar tape is beginning to show some subtle signs of wear and weathering, mercifully around the tops, where it can be protected beneath electrical tape. 5mm thick it certainly absorbs road and trail buzz incredibly well, although getting neat, flowing lines took me a few attempts first time round.

I have other options, the most obvious contender being  The Acros Silicone Bar Wrap LONG-TERM TEST: ACROS SILICONE BAR WRAP | cycling-not-racing  which is also rugged, grippy and provides excellent damping. The embossed pattern tends to hold dirt- think oily fingerprints and similar transfer, which can be frustrating, especially during winter when you’ve touched the bars following a deep bike clean/drivetrain exorcism!

Or for that matter, if the front mech’s dropped the chain too far, and you’ve needed to scoop it back aboard. This happened at the crest of a long climb, when I decided it was big ring time…Oh, and then of course, an approaching Land Rover pilot decided they didn’t fancy changing course.

Mercifully, they seemed to begrudgingly sweep past at the crucial point. I digress. Saddleback has sent me this Silca Nastro Piloti, which boasts “unrivalled durability”, asymmetric texture for high and moderate grip and relatively slimline at 1.85mm (equivalent to 2.5mm when cushioning is factored into the equation).

Theoretically, this means good cushioning without a chunky effect, which is obviously what you’d want on a road bike, although arguably less significant on a gravel, cross, or beast of burden build. Black is one of those ultra practical colours (shades, if we’re being proper, dare I say pedantic) colours and arguably the obvious choice for Denise.

There are quite a few considerations when choosing bar tape aside from colour and damping. Given the quiet but growing popularity for wider, flared drops, tape needs to be long enough to provide a consistent, flattering overlap. Traditionally, corks were the default, and it’s not difficult to see why. It dampens vibration well and is hardwearing. 

Darker colours are more practical for winter/training and daily drivers. Following on from this, corks and other “simpler” materials respond well to being scrubbed with a moderately stiff brush, whereas those with polymer coatings require a much gentler approach to avoid stripping their properties.  

One thing led to another, along came some red bottle cages, which would complement Muffin's existing livery, ruling out colour clashes, or similar faux pas. The Lezyne flow SL was ported over to Ursula. These Wolf Tooth Morse Cages were fitted to Denise. Made from hand-bent hollow stainless steel. The base is drilled not for weight reduction, rather to ensure easy adjustment and ultimately, compatibility with most contemporary framesets. Aside from small compact geometry models, it's also intended for use with bikes using frame fit luggage, such as this Topeak Midloader TOPEAK MIDLOADER FRAME BAG | cycling-not-racing  

Aesthetics aside, bar tape should be pensioned off fairly regularly. Frequency is a hotly debated topic and depends on who you speak to. Abrasion, loss of damping, fading, failing backing adhesive. Seasonally on cross and similar competitions machines, or those doing regular service on indoor trainers.

Bar tape on bikes doing regular turbo trainer service are typically contaminated by sweat, salt, energy drinks. A corrosive cocktail that can result in bar failure. No, not an urban myth.  

Staying with bars, Magishine has sent me their Hori 1300 front light. Magicshine’s build quality and overall performance continues to improve and ultimately impress, especially given the asking price. The Hori features a CNC machined anodised aluminium alloy casing compliant with IPX6 for weatherproofing, pumps out a maximum of 1300 lumens, dipping to 900, 400 and 200, which caters for most road biased contacts.

I should also point out; the lens uses the increasingly common car-type cut off beam to project the light downward and without dazzling oncoming traffic. There are two powerful day and night flashing modes -800 lumen day and 200-1000lumen night, a wireless rechargeable remote.

There’s a very versatile range of mount designed to stack accessories for a really clean aesthetic- a Garmin computer up top, light in the middle, GoPro camera at the bottom, saving considerable real estate. However, those with busier cockpits can always go for the extended mount, positioning the light out front, clearing cables, smaller handlebar bags etc. Right now, I’m in child at Christmas mode but time and mileage will tell.       

     

Cagey

 This Super Sparrow lightweight thermos bottle arrived and having established incompatibility with broadly standard, composite cages, I decided it was time to revisit Ursula’s downtube setup. I’d gone for the Fidlock Magnetic bottle holder TESTED: FIDLOCK MAGNETIC BOTTLE HOLDER AND BOTTLE (sevendaycyclist.com) and popped a chain checker there- a talking point for some, while still leaving me scope to mount a couple of composite cages on the underside and seat tube.  

This didn’t overly impair my ability to carry water/similar fluids. Now, I’m very fond of the Topeak Modula XL and the now discontinued BBB Fuel Tank XL LONG-TERM TWELVE MONTH TEST: BBB FUEL TANK BOTTLE CAGE (sevendaycyclist.com) cages, since you could whack a 1.5 litre bottle of mineral water, or indeed a similar soft drink in situ, without fear of their ejection (or indeed, knackering a traditional cage).  

However, they will often prevent mounting one on the seat tube. The Free Parable Monkkii Cage FREE PARABLE MONKII CAGE REVIEW (sevendaycyclist.com) is another useful choice, provided you’re not lugging too much weight. 1.2 kilos (as distinct from the 1.5 kilos cited) which should entertain a full 750ml (about 25.36 oz) flask or bottle. An obvious “from the box” solution. I’ve hauled disposable Argon/Co2 welding gas bottles in them, although placed some bubble wrap between cage and bottle to rule out any potential dings in Ursula’s down tube.  

However, to my astonishment, both the BBB and Topeak were too roomy to hold the (bottle) securely. After some rummaging through the cage stash, I whittled it down to a Van Nicholas titanium (Elite Ciussi pattern), a side entry Zefal and this Boardman winged carbon fibre design.  

Lo and behold, the Boardman won!  The main issue with the 6061 and Ti models boiled down to scratching the bottle’s finish. I’d bound some old bar tape around the Van Nicolas and strangely enough, that spark of inspiration proved fruitful.  

Then, along came this Topeak Modula Java.  

It’s an adjustable composite model, which on paper should lug the thermos in question without missing a beat, or launching it mortar style at the first hint of lumpy trail. I also received the brands’ Gravel 2 Stage Mini Pump, which as the name might suggest has two modes- high volume and high pressure, so you can recover from a flat efficiently.  

90psi is top whack but aluminium construction bodes well for longevity and means it stands a sporting chance of hitting these pressures. In some respects, mini and midi pumps have ruled the roost for good reason. Aside from supporting a clean aesthetic, being stashable in a jersey pocket, or bigger wedge pack means the valve end needn’t get caked in crud.  

Many road-biased riders use Co2 as their first line of defence, pump second. Makes sense, especially if you’re needing lofty pressures, although bear in mind you will need to reinflate given though Co2 will rescue you, it will escape butyl much faster, so expect to be busy with a track pump the next day, as they’ll be close to pancake flat. Many mini-pumps will genuinely achieve road realistic pressures too, although, around the 100psi mark, my biceps have felt close to comedic explosion.  

I still have firm fondness for Lezyne Micro Floor Drive HVG (High Volume) and high-pressure models, which resemble track pumps that have been put through a matter-shrinking device. CNC machined construction marries strength and great looks but they’re around 216g (including mount) and on mine (c. 2015) their composite mounts felt a little whippy, meaning the head could rattle against the seat or down tubes “Woodpecker” fashion when riding across washboard tarmac and of course, dirt roads.  

Placing “helicopter” tape, such as this Zefal Z Armor ZEFAL SKIN ARMOR ROLL | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  over those areas of the frameset will deaden this, while protecting it from potential finish damage. Talking of protectants, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how well the Weldtite Rapid Ceramic restored the anodised finish on Ursula’s faithful Lezyne Tech Drive HP pump.    

 

In my book, frame fit pumps still have their place and hugely different from the giveaway models sold with complete road and touring bikes 20-30 years ago. The sort that might deliver 60psi with herculean effort before locking out uselessly, or worse still succumb to a bent piston.  

Steve and I are very fond of the Zefal HPX High Pressure Frame PumpZEFAL HPX HIGH PRESSURE FRAME PUMP | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  and I find them aesthetically pleasing on an older steel-tubed road/touring build. These tend to be Presta but could tackle a Schrader valve, more commonly found on trailers/tagalongs with an adaptor, like that belonging to the Merida multi-tool I’ve resurrected.  

Then of course, there’s the Specialized that I acquired back in the late 90s and ultimately euthanised itself beneath the wheels of a passing double-decker London bus. I was offered one recently that “appeared to be working” and mine for £44. I laughed like a hyena and went about my business. In common with Kirk Precision framesets and of course, Specialized’s Rock Combo, I’d give it a loving home but not paying fancy prices.  

Magnetic attractions

So, having discovered a traditional cage was going to be a non-starter, even a side entry model, I rummaged through one of my recently reorganised fasteners drawers and reclaiming the Fidlock mount. Thinking their smaller bottle might be in order, though.   

Then of course, there’s the Free Parable Gorilla Cage, which can be mounted on a variety of places around the frame-including the fork blades (stanctions if you are running suspension) via the Gorillia grip, if you don’t have bosses. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/free-parable-gorilla-clip-and-cage Though better suited to light, bulky items, such as a bivi, I’ve hauled 1.2 kilos of hobby sized Argon/Co2 welding gas bottle.  

Pretty much the top end of the composite’s carrying capacity but impressive nonetheless, especially given it’s a good bight lighter than the 1.5 PET cage types, including the venerable BBB Fuel tank https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/bbb-fuel-tank-xl-bottle-cage. These are super convenient for touring, gravel and everyday riding, since you can slot in those impulsive rest stop purchases, or indeed a favourite tipple en route home, without consuming valuable luggage space. 

I’ve been impressed by the enduring qualities of the True Tension Tungsten All Weather Lube. Aside from cleanliness, it's tenacious and durable, especially compared with other waxy formulas. Damp conditions and puddles haven’t taxed it, but heavier rainfall and waterlogged roads will eventually lick the lion’s share, requiring a quick top-up. Zefal Bio Degreaser was employed for stripping duties and this too seems quite capable-at least by stock standards.  

True, an aerosol-based solvent spray will blast a scabby chain and cassette clean, piranha fashion. The bio degreaser needs agitating with a brush to stimulate this process, but aside from being more economical, its kinder to surfaces and can be blended (200ml product 800ml water) to make an effective bike wash.  

Concentrates are arguably better choices for workshop duties, or if you’ve a big fleet of bikes but as “off the shelf” formulas go, it seems to strike a decent balance between stripping prowess, without doing nasty things to finishes, seals and other rubberised components. That said; I’ve always rinsed thoroughly with clean water.  

I’ve switched to the Tru Tension Bannaslip Tungsten Wet Lube on the Univega and have the fixed to Muc-Off Wet Weather Ceramic Lube. Its described as a “Propriety ceramic formulation containing integral Boron Nitride compounds in wet and harsh conditions.  

They also recommend it for the higher torque loads of an e-bike, so should be a good option for a fixed drivetrain too.  Will be interesting to see how much, real-world difference the Tru Tension’s Tungsten component makes (or otherwise) long-term to chain life and performance.   

 

This also presented the ideal opportunity to adjust the chain tension slightly. Kenda Kwick Roller tyres are still swift and dependable, which is reassuring, although the only potential weak spot is the 5mm thick belt. This only covers the centre strip, not bead to bead, so hedge clipping season will be the real test... 

I’ve replaced the CR2032 cell in the Cat-Eye Quick computer sensor, with a quick lick of Vaseline. Premium grade cells are reckoned to last over 6,000miles. I’ll be very surprised if the pound shop special manages half that, but head unit and sensor are chatting away just fine for now and the Giles Berthoud Soulor saddle just continues to get better, week upon week.  

I won’t be feeding the hide at least until September’s close. Giles Berthoud recommends applying their food every six months. I’ve deviated from the script during the moulding phase but will adhere to this guidance now onward. 

I’ll end this entry with my long-term review of Passport Crochet Back Cycling Mitts https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/two-year-report-passport-cycling-mi