Along Came Alfine

 No sooner had the Alfine idea started becoming the ONLY idea, Madison Cycles graciously sent me a unit for testing, 32 hole and better still, black, which will go handsomely with another Ryde Andra 40 hoop, laced to black spokes. Tipping the scales at 612g (including skewer), Ursula will be the beneficiary and my fixed gear winter trainer will receive the overhauled Shutter Precision PD8 HALO CLASSIC RIM & SHUTTER PRECISION DYNOHUB DISC WHEEL BUILD (sevendaycyclist.com) as before.

I’ve also harvested a silver left hand Tektro RL340 to colour coordinate with the RL520 lever, which will of course, command the TRP SPYRE SLC, once I’ve got some quiet time to strip and bolt everything together. Will be the perfect opportunity to overhaul the Stronglight Aheadset too, lashings of Peaty’s Bicycle Assembly Grease PEATY'S BICYCLE ASSEMBLY GREASE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) this time around, methinks.  

Peaty’s Speed Grease PEATY'S SPEED GREASE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)has really won me over for applications demanding minimal friction and despite some initial suspicion, it’s proved remarkably stoical despite high mileage and often dodgy weather. It’s also best suited to bearings with seals, hence my old school cup n’ cone Campagnolo Athena hubs were fed the last of the Park PPL1. White Lightning Crystal High Performance Grease TESTED : WHITE LIGHTNING CRYSTAL GREASE (sevendaycyclist.com) is another good bet, especially for components employing rubber/composite parts- sealed hubs, suspension components to name but two examples. Then, of course, there’s Green Oil Eco Grease  TWELVE MONTH TEST: GREEN OIL ECO GREASE (sevendaycyclist.com) is another, planet and person-friendly option- I went that route when installing the ti bottom bracket into Ursula’s shell. Then of course there’s lard.

 

No, I’m being facetious. However, 30 years back, I encountered the odd, mechanically inept engineering student sold on this animal-derived product for their bike. On the subject of lubes, here’s my review of the Bike Medicine Purple Extreme Synthetic Chain Lubricant| cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) Ursula’s KMC chain is still hanging on in there, still has a couple of weeks, maybe more before the BBB checker registers .75 and said faithful electroplated chain becomes bin fodder.   

The Lelumia The Beast rear Light continues to impress me with its blend of power and relative frugality. Belting out 150 lumens in the highest setting, 65 lumens is as low as it goes. Not ideal for built-up areas, but bang-on for the backroads, and of course, deterring wheel sucking.   

Talking of deterrent, I’ve received some Motorex Grease Spray. This isn’t a bicycle-specific blend and appears to be an old school lithium blend. Now., this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Lithium greases are very tenacious and long-lasting. Good bets for headsets and cup n’ cone hub bearings, metal to metal contact points e.g., sealed bearing cartridge bearings (provided the metals are of the same family I.e., aluminium alloy to aluminium alloy, titanium to titanium etc).  

Lye soap and oils are a mixture that bonds very well to metals. However, they can result in galvanic corrosion-a chemical reaction between metals of different parentage, when exposed to the elements, or long sessions on the indoor trainer, seizure can strike. In common with PTFE based blends, they aren’t kind to seals, or other composites either.  Being a sprayable formula also means it also makes a handy internal frame preserve. Good for protecting frame ends, lubing quick-release skewers and of course, those oft-forgotten cleats.  

It’s no secret that I have a “thing” for practical fixed gear builds- sensible clearances, mudguard mounts etc. Machines that follow the short-lived “Road path” narrative, not forgetting what are essentially traditional cyclo cross bikes with mudguard mounts, cantilever bosses etc.

No surprise to discover my excitement at discovering The Brothers Cycle AlldayThe Allday | Brother Cycles while having a wander round the web.  Even closer to the traditional cyclo crosser with track ends narrative in my book. I really like the gold and black spatter fade too. Not my usual colour scheme perhaps and evocative of the champagne and brown effect a friend had on his Raleigh Maverick, back in 1986.  

Weathering Storms

 I continue to carefully work through and rationalise the spares bins, taking stock of what’s still relevant/required and what can be released. Much of this boils down to contact points. For example, I ride exclusively with recessed SPD/pattern and Time ATAC systems. No sense in clinging on to Keo patterns.  

Nothing wrong with them per se.  Rather, I prefer the convenience of being able to walk (rather than the undignified hobble) without chewing the composite cleat, or gouging holes in expensive linoleum. 

With that in mind, I’ve just taken delivery of these rather fetching Wellgo M)94B 9/16 SPD Shimano Cleat Compatible Sealed Bearing Pedals.  These are the silver versions, which should also keep their looks longer than a black, or similarly painted counterpart. Some painted finishes tire quicker than others. 

Powder-coated versions, including these XLC can prove very hardy, others can flake away, with repeated entry/exit. Much of this boils down to price I.e. quality of powder coating and process I.e. properly blasted bodies given a high-quality zinc-rich primer coat fare best. 

Saddles are another component that can require re-homing. 

Older/cheaper models can go, higher-end/genuinely compatible models, stay. Switching to the Pro Turnix has proven a wise decision. More supportive than the Stealth, 2g heavier than the otherwise very agreeable and cheaper BBB Echelon. However, the Turnix offers plenty of support, without any loss in pedaling efficiency.      

Flooding and similar life-changing destruction has been a theme in some parts of the UK. Here, though blustery, winds have ranged between 27 and 40 mph. The former proving passable, albeit still challenging riding conditions.  

Save for some very cold nights, there’s no hint of the snow, assured by the “red top” tabloid press for several months now. Spiked tyres have remained slumbering in storage.   

I have a love/hate relationship with waterproof socks. The truly impervious TPU lined versions are genuinely impervious-right to the cuff-line.  

However, they also tend to become unpleasantly clammy. Boiled in the bag feet, leading in some instances to athletes’ foot and similar infections. Fabrics which aren’t completely waterproof but highly water-resistant and fast-wicking are my preference. For these reasons, the Oxford Products Ox Sox https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/oxford-ox-socks  have proved extremely agreeable.  

They’re not cycling-specific, which isn’t necessarily a deal-breaker, it adds to their versatility in many respects. However, more traditional touring shoes and MTB booties are as snug as you’ll find compatible.  

The relentlessly wet conditions require more frequent maintenance. I’m still running the White Lightning Extreme Wet lube and I’m past the 300mile marker on a single helping, with little sign of it relenting. Hardly prodigious perhaps, 400+isn’t uncommon from a stodgy wet formula.  

Motor and chainsaw oils are surprisingly effective and extremely cheap. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/cheap-as-chips-chain-lubes provided of course, you’re very vigilant when it comes to cleanliness. i.e. wiping the side plates, rings, derailleur cages at least weekly. Otherwise, that sludgy grinding paste will consume chains and other drivetrain components at a rapid rate. Its reckoned 10spd chains should be retired by the time wear registers .6, 11 speed at .5.  

Chain checking tools are sensible investments (although wear can be accurately assessed using a very accurate ruler). Basic chain checkers can be had for £3, or less. More sophisticated digital fare carries a commensurate price tag but their improved accuracy may recoup monies longer-term i.e. not retiring chains just in time-not too early, or too late.  

Theoretically extending the longevity of more expensive components. During my rationalization, I uncovered this electroplated BBB model. One that I’d had since 2007 but that had been AWOL for a few years. It had fallen from the tool board and beneath the chest freezer.  

Arguably the simplest of this breed, it has a couple of unique features. See the two cutouts? One is designed to remove valve cores, the other is a 5,6 and 8mm box spanner. Not the most useful functions on a contemporary build perhaps but better than dead space.   

Anyhow, the chain function is incredibly simple to use. Place between a designated length of chain, if the teeth sink into the links-low enough that it sits horizontal, the chain is shot. My Univega’s Sram is showing moderate signs of wear but not pensionable just yet. A few hundred miles-three weeks at the current rate before I switch to an FSA I have in stock.