On Track

 Having wandered around the web and along some blind alleys, I settled on a Shimano XT/ Rigida Sputnik rim build. A definite upgrade on the existing cheap, but decidedly cheerful Deore build, which has served me well for the past 5 years. Though Ursula will be sticking with the Shimano cantilevers, I’ve gone for the disc version, since I wanted a modern variant and like options.  

The (XT FH-M756) hub is a 10 speed, which is fine for my purposes and I don’t plan on going for an extra sprocket. It features double contact sealing to keep mud and water from the bearings. Borozon treated races supposedly offer a more precise rolling action. Nice but it’s the weather sealing and bearing quality that’s highest on my list.   

Rigida’s Sputnik is renowned for being very strong and lending itself well to touring, commuting and general riding-whatever that means, these days. 32-hole laced with double butted spokes on the non-drive side, Sapim Extra strong on the freehub side. 

I’ve also reverted to the Schwalbe The Schwalbe Marathon Mondial Double Defense tyres TEST & REVIEW: SCHWALBE MARATHON MONDIAL TYRES (sevendaycyclist.com), since the otherwise charming Billy Bonkers succumbed to another sharp and I fancied a mixed terrain competent change.  I’m also reaching the conclusion that the gearing’s right across the board. Errs on the side of torque but no spin out and I’m using a reasonable spread of the cassette.  

 

Ursula wasn’t the only one to get a tyre switch. My fixed gear winter trainer got treated to this 32mm Bontrager AW3 Hard-Case Lite Reflective Road Tyre. These promise unicorn type performance-supple, grippy, invulnerable to flats and serious speed. On the strength of three recent outings, I’m seriously impressed by their speed, agility and compliance, even at the higher end of their pressure range (95psi).  

Comparisons with an otherwise likeable but arguably more traditional 32mm section rubber, such as the very likeable Kenda Kwick Journey KS, which weight 757g apiece aren’t appropriate, save for anecdotal observation. The latter is a tough and relatively quick design and with a decent puncture repelling belt.  

However, they are over twice the Bontrager’s weight (359g) and described as a trekking tyre, characterised by reinforced sidewalls, 60TPI casings and compatible with 50kph e-bikes. The Vee Tire Baldy TEST: VEE TIRE CO BALDY CYCLE TIRE REVIEW (sevendaycyclist.com), are closer to the Kenda in terms of genre, although 238 grams lighter than the Kenda. Talking of e-bikes, those looking for a retro-fit system might be interested in The Swytch Universal E-Bike Retrofit Kit ProSWYTCH UNIVERSAL EBIKE RETROFIT KIT PRO | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

Essentially, the Bontrager seem to be aimed at fast tourers, trainers, cyclo crossers living lives on the tarmac, rather than working bikes/beasts of burden. That said; there is a 38mm option. Will be interesting to see how durable and puncture repelling they are, in the real world. Bontrager says they are 78% more puncture resistant than their predecessors, so I’m expecting great things. 

 

These are on the narrower side of 32mm, so reach for the 25-32c tube, in preference to a 32-40mm. Otherwise, there’s the risk of pinching the tube, inducing a flat. Yes, I learned the hard way, so you don’t have to.  

The Bontrager is offered in other sections, including a 38mm option but 32mm seems the best default for my needs, and the machine’s clearances. 

VDO computer got the sulks, and the head unit went into “transport” mode, this was traced to a dead CR2032 sensor battery-switched for a new one and a lick of Vaseline on the contacts to ward off corrosion-related hassles later down the line. Prevention is more convenient and cheaper than cure.   

A couple of months down the line, I’ve reached my conclusions regarding the Squirt Low Temperature Chain Lube SQUIRT LOW TEMPERATURE CHAIN LUBE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and have for the time being, gone back to the Weldtite Ceramic. Main reason being that I’m wanting to see how the latter behaves in milder, drier conditions, which claims to be an all-weather lube, so want to see how it compares with The Juice Lubes Ceramic Juice JUICE LUBES CERAMIC JUICE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) in drier contexts. 

 

Subtle Changes, Great Results

Little n’ often is the way when it comes to winter maintenance. Many problems can be swerved, simply by keeping bikes clean and lightly lubricated. Brush tyres down to remove sharps before they can burrow into the casing and cause flats, remove grit from brake pads, wipe the chain’s side plates, especially if you’re running a wet lube. Mudguards (fenders) and big flaps, such as these RAW https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/raw-prismatic  also offer considerable protection to bike and rider alike.

The Zefal Extreme Wet (Ceramic) is proving reassuringly stoical-filmy given 325miles or so but on a derailleur set up, the chain reclaims the excess coting the cassette. I noted the indexing had gone slightly off. Cable tension tweak-sorted.

Funny how things can be textbook perfect on the workstand, yet prove out, on the road/trail. Zoned in, I also turned my attention to the brakes since regularly tackling waterlogged roads sees brakes and other mechanisms coated in dodgy, grimy stuff. This can gum things up, causing the brake arm to drag/stick. The front Genetic CX Cantilevers https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/genetic-cx-cantilever-brakes are great stoppers but needed a quick bit of TLC. Balance screws tweaked, I gave the screws, springs and inner cable a quick shot of heavy-duty maintenance spray, which has brought stopping back up to scratch.

Braking sorted; the Schwalbe Kojak grip the wet, mushy leaf carpeted lanes like the proverbial leach. I have finally retired the rear Continental Contact Speed Reflex https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/continental-contact-speed-reflex-ty  due to a succession of small but rather deep, sharp induced gashes. Thankfully, Monday morning’s puncture proved a slow affair that struck less than 5 minutes from base.

I was aware of a faint hiss but put it down to the swoosh as we glided through the puddles. Any loss of pressure was undetectable until several hours later, when I noticed the rear was sitting pancake flat on the lino floor protector. Aside from being quick rolling and grippy, there’s no tread to catch glass, thorns and flints.

However, slicks with very supple casings are more vulnerable to cuts. Brush them down regularly-Oxford tyre scrub https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/oxford-products-tyre-scrub  is probably the best I’ve used to date (not surprising, given it’s tyre specific. Some If slicks aren’t your thing, Schwalbe Marathon Racer might light the spark… https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/schwalbe-marathon-racer-tyres

Elsewhere, Bob Elliot & Co www.bob-elliot.co.uk have sent the these FLR Defender Winter Shoes (mtb booties in my book) to test. Timely, in many respects, since my much-loved Lake finally came to the end of their life (sole) after ten winters. Talking of which, no winter cycling discussion would be complete without an overview of lighting  https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/blank-ypcqd 

Road versions would be a more obvious choice in some respects, but I only use twin bolt pedals these days. Besides, I want a sporting chance of staying upright when temperatures dip and winter takes hold. Not so easy to hobble back and forth to your bike with an exposed Look/pattern cleat.

I’ve switched the long serving and very likeable Passport Cycles Bike Packing Seat Pack Medium https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/passport-cycles-bikepacking-seat-pa  for this Zefal Z Adventure R5. As the name hints, it’s a 5 litre model (compared with the Passport’s 7) and  a simple, single compartment design, which may prove less convenient. However, it promises to be waterproof, rather than water-resistant and the simple mounting system is intuitive. Incredibly secure with zero sway-despite the single strap and on narrower post diameters.  

Elsewhere, despite the present UK “Lockdown” Town centres seem to bristle with pedestrian traffic and a surprising number of “non-essential” shops/businesses remain open. Not unexpected, given the UK government’s consistent mishandling of the pandemic, U-turning and subsequent loss of public trust. However, in stark contrast to the initial lockdown, where road traffic fell to 1950s levels.