Wax On...Wax Off

500 miles in, I’ve reached my conclusions regarding the Zefal high Performance Ultra Dry Wax Lube and moved on to its dry sibling. Though most of the wax had flaked from the chain, the rollers still sported a thin filmy layer of lubricant. Look a little closer, and the side-plates also retain a waxy glaze.

This; coupled with the more arid, warmer conditions prompted a switch to Zefal Pro Dry Chain Lube. A solvent soaked rag stripped the remnants, Piranha-fashion. Then I noticed the gungy build up clinging to the derailleur’s top jockey wheel…Remember what our elders said about washing behind our ears…A bit more solvent, and most of the mushy, congealed wax fell away in satisfying clumps.

Leaving the solvent to evaporate, I turned my attention to the Pro Dry bottle, giving it a gentle shake, noting the petrochemical formula’s warning notices. The usual precautions-keep away from aquatic life, don’t drink etc but nothing about curing times…

Popping the spout, its clear elixir literally roared into the chain’s inner sanctum (not totally unexpected, I’d had said rag hovering beneath, ready for the over-spill). Most was easily reclaimed, redistributed to the chain, cleat mechanisms, control cables etc. I left this curing for another twenty minutes, while giving the tubby tourer a once-over, before locking it away.

As I’d expected, some water marks and spatter were appearing in the thin layer of Muc-Off Silicone Shine, applied the other week. However, this was easily dismissed with a clean, lint free cloth, while still leaving some of the slippery sheen behind.

The internet has opened a whole new portal of possibilities, revolutionised the way (and indeed, speed) we communicate. However, like many technologies, it can empower, or enslave. It can also expose us to energy sapping timewasters, and blind alleys.

Several factories in the Far East reached out to me, in the context of titanium forks but with breathtakingly unfavourable terms. So, I declined, and adjusted my focus. Watch this space.

I’ve also noticed a small but solid community of people converting steel MTBs (90s, rigid forks and even the odd quill stem) to drop bar “Gravel” builds. In many respects, they make better rough stuff/commu-tourers and gravel bikes, than ‘cross conversions.

Front mech and other compatibility considerations aside, unless you are a smaller/junior rider, main triangle clearances make shouldering the bike, through rougher sections less convenient.

A gravel specific build will be more lithe, lighter and possibly have an edge, speed wise. Nonetheless, its’ not difficult to appreciate how older, rigid cross-country mtbs make excellent starting points.  Big clearances, lofty bottom bracket heights and sensible geometry…

However, it’s important to calculate the cost of such conversions and consider component choice carefully. Otherwise what can be very straightforward, and inexpensive, can evolve into a heat-sink, gobbling time, energy and financial resources.  Staying with Gravel/Cross etc, I reached my conclusions regarding the Acros Silicone Wrap Bar Tape https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/acros-silicone-wrap-handlebar-tape  and Steve’s been living with Oxford Performance Bar Tape. Another Silicone blend, but one giving a decent amount of change from £20. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/oxford-performance-bar-tape  . Oh, and if you are looking towards an action cam, but are a bit low on your dough…Perhaps the Apeman A80 4K Action Camera will suit https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/apeman  

On a completely different note, I spotted what I believe to be a Holdsworth Cyclone frameset, awaiting refinishing. Though the enamel is looking weary, the electroplating looks almost factory fresh. Save perhaps for some tiny indentations.

It’s going to be refinished with water-based, wet spray paint, topped off with a polyester powder coat lacquer. I’m unsure about the year. The Cyclone was a tremendously long-lived model, running in different guises from 1934 right up to 1976.

I’m guessing late 50’s, maybe early 60s, built using plain gauge Reynolds 531 (Like my Holdsworth Zephyr). Would be interesting to know more about this specific frameset’s history. Please get in touch, if it belongs/belonged to you.     

Worth The Squeeze

200 miles in, I’m pleased to confirm that upgrading my Univega to the Centos 10speed setup, has been a resounding success. Even this horse was intrigued by my setup. With the Sun Race SP570 mech extender, the Centos copes effortlessly with the 11-28 setup, without feeling over-stretched. Ratios between 36.8 and 93.6 seem to cater for most occasions, and weary legs.

Plenty of torque when accelerating away from the lights, yet tall enough to avoid spin out down 1in7s at 35mph. Some initial cable stretch combined with a quick shot of lube, seems to have corrected minor indexing reticence. Most obviously clambering to the 28-tooth sprocket, and mid-way through the cassette.

Though far from spongy, pulling the front brake’s inner wire through a few millimetres, restored familiar “stop on a sixpence” bite. This is helped in no small part, by the lever’s travel, which is much greater than the shallow reach 9spd predecessors.

Last but no means least, I dialled the left pedals’ tension screw a little tighter, since there had been episodic, unwelcome release. The cleats were only recently replaced, and in good health. However, patterns are by nature accurate by degrees.  

During this bedding-in phase, I stuck with the FSA chain’s factory lube, rather than opting for the otherwise excellent Squirt Long Lasting Dry Chain Lube https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/squirt-long-lasting-dry-chain-lube . These lubricants are widely revered for their relative cleanliness and staying prowess (I’ve had 400 miles from a helping, during a dry summer).

Serendipitous too, since these Zefal Extra Dry Premium Chain Wax and Zefal Pro Dry lubes arrived from Bob Elliot &Co. Seems the first batch were coveted by a courier. Thankfully, the second arrived without incident.

I seem to be gravitating towards wax-based lubricants these days, so have taken that route, first. Will be interesting to see how it compares to the Smoove https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/squirt-long-lasting-dry-chain-lube , Weldtite TF2 Advanced Ceramic Chain Wax https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/tf2-1 , or Weldtite TF2 Ultra dry chain wax https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/weldtite-tf2-ultra-dry-chain-wax

Cool mornings are a theme of late, so I’ve reverted to long sleeve base layers and jerseys. This Prendas Ciclismo Bordeaux-Paris Long Sleeve Jersey is proving perfect for temperatures between 9 and 14 degrees.

At the upper end of this scale, a bit of zipper dropping comes in handy but that’s what I’d expect, from long sleeve garments. Balmy weather, we’re promised, is just around the corner. So, in anticipation, here’s my review of its short sleeve sibling https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/prendas-ciclismo     

Elsewhere, Emma Hillyard has been putting the Primal EVO2.0 Women’s Short Sleeved Jersey through its paces. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/primal-evo-2-0-jersey  

The Velo Orange Accessory Mount has been growing on me too. We had a few teething problems. The combination of “bolted” construction and relatively generous payloads have demanded re-tightening. Thread lock appears to have cured this. The resin camera mount also proved annoyingly prone to misalignment.

This was traced to the ball joint top. Switching to the mighty Minoura V100 has sorted that. Vice like grip, perfect for bridal path blasting and unaffected by persistent, low level vibration.  Not that I’ve noticed much of that, thanks to the Acros Wrap Silicone Handlebar Tape and Primal Onyx gloves… https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/primal-onyx-gloves   

Polished Performer

A semi-sheared side plate put a temporary stop to last week’s back road blasting on the Holdsworth. Unusually for me, spare links were conspicuous by their absence. Thankfully said weakness was spotted at the end of Tuesdays’ outing, not ten miles from base. A generous helping pruned from the Ilpompino’s inox unit were later found in its wedge pack.



 

Rather like spare tubes and patch kits without a pump or CO2 inflator, links aren’t a fat lot of use without a suitable chain tool. Those found on some multi tools will do an excellent job of splicing and re-joining beefy track types. However, keep this infrequent. to avoid fatigue. Even if the pin doesn’t pop, the spreader slots can eventually crumble.

 

That said; I’ve been stunned to discover some pricey models marketed as “Workshop” used relatively soft aluminium drive pins, which inevitably expired within a month’s moderate use.  
 

A new KMC was sourced at a very favourable price. I’ve pruned a few links for spares but otherwise leaving it complete for a rainy day. I’ve also decided to whip the wheel round and use the 16tooth alloy 3/32 sprocket, delivering a marginally lower gear.  


 

Staying with chains a moment, here’s the mid-term (3 month) review of the Weldtite TF2 extreme wet, which had served my ‘cross inspired fixer’s chain from January onwards https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/weldtite-tf2-extreme-wet-chain-lubr . 

 

Weather is still quite changeable, erring on the wintry and for the meantime; I’m sticking with some middleweight formulas. Here’s a quick guide to lubes and the science behind them https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/blank-ao363
 

Before I’d discovered the fractured side plate, an audible click when under load pointed to the right hand Time ATAC XC4. Not the most obvious pedal choice for a road build, let alone TT bike. 


 

However, I much prefer dual sided models for quick getaways. These are resin bodied, which save a few grams. Plentiful float is good news for knees and there’s plenty of ground clearance too.
 

The only downside for me is their use of brass cleats, which, being a softer metal wear faster and are pricier to replace compared with SPD. Admittedly, price is partly due to a lack of patterns. SPD can be found pretty much anywhere and I’m yet to find some that aren’t universally interchangeable. 


Elsewhere the postman brought me some kit from Brian Davis I’ve been rather impressed by his concepts. First up, we have the fix-it sticks T way wrench http://fixitsticks.com/for-bikes , which is simplest described as the big brother in the range, designed specifically for workshop duties. The fixed T handle is made from high quality nickel plated, heat treated chrome vanadium steel.

Supplied with 7 contemporary bits 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6 and Torx, it’s also fully compatible with any standard ¼ bit, which is a refreshing change. These are held securely within the ends using neodymium magnets and there’s a handy pouch to keep everything in. No excuse for losing anything, unless the cat decides to sweep them from the workbench and to the least accessible point!

 

While my initial rummage through the spares drawer for off cuts of track chain might’ve seemed in vain, the arrival of some titanium polishes and the Univega’s recent post upgrade has stirred an unexpected revival.

The Ilpompino’s otherwise excellent perch has been substituted for this Brooks Colt pattern with titanium rails. A lick of nourishing food to the Australian cowhide and it coordinates beautifully with the equally pleasing Bobbin wrap https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/bobbin-leather-bar-tape.

 

This sits atop the super refined Thudbuster St for now…I’ve given the Ti bottle cage a quick polish, replaced the high volume Lezyne micro floor drive for its high pressure sibling. Right, that’s me done for now. Wonder how that clump of dried earth got lodged in its right hand issi pedal….