Spares, Upgrades & Resurrections

 

Having been out green laning and generally enjoying Ursula’s new configuration, it occurred to me I needed to bolt a disc rotor to the spare Ryde/XT rear wheel along with a cassette. My intention has always been to keep two sets of wheels prepped, one with cross country mountain bike rubber, the second shod with spikes for when winter turns decidedly slippery.  

 

Luckily, I’d a six bolt 160mm rotor and mounting hardware sat in their storage pot and just whipped everything in situ. I opted for a new 12-25 cassette having spotted some NOS offered at a very tempting price. Slot that aboard the freehub with a light lick of assembly grease, snug tight, slot in a skewer and mount the Schwalbe Ice Spiker Pro, ready for when the weather turns.  

  

The Oxford Mint Assembly Grease continues to impress with its corrosion inhibiting and seemingly tenacious properties. A few months down the line, these cleats released easily and without need for replenishment. Cleats and hardware lead hard lives and are easily neglected. Over the last thirty years, I’ve only had to drill two sets out although this was also down to dog eared threads, rather than corrosion alone. Galvanic corrosion (where two metals of different parentage e.g. steel and aluminium alloy, or steel and titanium chemically bond together) can prove more problematic.  

 

In some respects, titanium compatibility was already being tested, courtesy of Ursula’s bottom bracket cups, but I also found myself with a seat post conundrum, wanting to switch the fixed gear winter/trainer back to the SQR Carradry. I’d received this 6 litre Topeak Backloader, which was pride of place on Denise’s USE XCE post, saving a few grams, compared with the venerable SQR Tour.  Grams aside, though I love Cotton Duck, it’s trickier to keep clean, at least compared with the Carradry series, which can be wiped down with a damp cloth. 

  

Contenders were Torus titanium Layback model. This is made from plain gauge 3AL-2.5V tube, has 15 degrees of layback and is 350mm long. There’s an inline version too, for time trialists and others who want to be positioned directly over the bottom bracket for optimal power transfer. My default, as I’ve said before. Then of course, there were the boingers. I had a Redshift Sports, the Thudbuster ST G3TESTED: CANE CREEK THUDBUSTER ST SEATPOST that seemed ideal candidates-similar weight and travel. This would add a little extra comfort without too much added heft.  

 

The combined weight of SQR luggage, mount and post was around that of the Topeak Super Tourist DX and the MTX Trunk bag…Decision made, I plumped for the G1, switched the Ritchey WCS perch over, applied some Zefal tape where the SQR clamps would rest against the post. Nylon straps from other luggage had worn through the black anodising at one localised spot and I didn’t want further erosion. I’d bought some new stainless-steel fasteners for the block since they were inexpensive. No sense going this far, only for fastener fatigue to strike at the least convenient moment.   

 

Having slid the SQR block in situ, I introduced some Mint Assembly Grease to the fasteners, then snugged these down. Post out, I delivered a quick blast of waxy corrosion inhibitor inside the seat tube, since opportunity presented. A final light coating of grease to the Cane Creek and I slid everything in situ. At this point I discovered too little space between SQR luggage and Gravel Hugger Guard. Hmm...  

 

In the zone, adrenalin flowing and overriding hunger, I decided this Axiom Oceanwave City + AXIOM OCEANWAVE CITY+ SEAT BAG | cycling-not-racing was the way forward. Where’d I put the mount...To my surprise, I’d fitted it to the rails of Ursula’s Ergon SR All Road Men’s Saddle Ergon SR All Road Men’s Saddle | cycling-not-racing . Switched over and fixed gear specific tooling, tubes and spares transferred to the Axiom, I decided it was time to quit while ahead.         

  

I noted some light abrasion damage to the underside of the Carradry bag, so covered this with some high-quality, very stretchy, strong, and sticky Duct tape, nipping any further potential deterioration in the bud. Black also complimented the original area, so not a glaringly obvious repair.  

 

With temperatures beginning to tumble and conclusions reached regarding the Madison Trail Gloves, I’ve been grateful for these Gore Wear C5 Gore Tex Thermix Gloves. Black might not be the most obvious colour given the season but ultra-practical I every other respect. These are a thin pile design for dexterity, wind, waterproof and breathable, which sounds like Nirvana but as ever, real world, potentially snowy miles on and indeed, off-road will reveal more.   

 

I’ve been defaulting to the Wolf Tooth WT-1 All Conditions Chain Lube  Wolf Tooth WT-1 All Conditions Chain Lub | cycling-not-racing for the last few months and have run the first bottle dry, so will be interesting to see how long the second lasts through winter. One the main benefits aside from durability, is that it is self-cleansing, so hopefully this will extend chain and ultimately drivetrain life without undue involvement on my part. Right, I’ll close here with my review of the WTB Exposure Road Tubeless Tyre WTB Exposure Road Tubeless Tyre | cycling-not-racing 

Revisions, Replacements & Baggage

 

Changes for change's sake and indirectly “adding to the pile” is a temptation I fight hard. Anecdotally, I’m not the only one vulnerable to this urge…I’d acquired a Tiagra long-reach dual pivot brake calliper for the Holdsworth. It looked to offer superior rigidity and therefore, stopping prowess compared to a Tektro R38. It also meant I could complete the revamp in one run, should the XLC unit prove too short. I was also relieved to discover the steerers were identical lengths, so my measuring was reliable. This means there’s no call to prune the new steerer.   

 

One inch Star Fangled Nut unearthed, I pondered a small round file, rather than a drill and 8mm bit to widen the rear crown drilling so it will accept a recessed brake bolt.  

 

I reasoned it was quicker to go slow. You can always shave a little more off, you can’t put metal back. Impatience is perilous at this stage. I added a drop of Muc-Off Wet Lube MUC-OFF WET LUBE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) to the bit and commenced at a moderate speed. A few minutes later and periodic checking, the recessed bolt slid in beautifully. Relieved, I fitted the Tiagra, which confirmed I needed a longer reach than the XLC. On a roll, I installed a new SFN and ended the session there, while I was ahead, psychologically and otherwise. Theoretically, it's just a matter of switching the crown race and removing a spacer or two. 

 

While on this search and rescue mission, I unearthed Topeak Alien ii multitool. 

  

One of the best pocket workshop models I’ve used and with functions, such as ring spanners missing from most contemporary multi tools. These also lock, for convenience and efficiency. The Passport CDW PASSPORT CDW MULTITOOL | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) is a very charming homage. It’s joined the fixed gear winter/trainer’s Carradice Super C Rack Bag.  The long-serving Carradice is made from “Cotton duck” and, since it attaches via four Velcro straps, so arguably a universal, possibly future-proof fit. I’m a huge fan of Carradice luggage-the SQR range of bags, which are particularly good for day riding, if you didn’t want, or like racks and the host bike had a metal post.  

 

I have the Super C SQR Tour and the Carradry SQR bag. Both will manage a whopping 10 kilos, but the Carradry is the way forward, if you’re looking to venture off road since it's incredibly easy to wipe clean. Being suspended away from the bike, they’re a safer bet for those electricals I was referring to earlier.    

 

However, when heavily laden, the high centre of gravity becomes apparent-especially when climbing out of the saddle on a windy day.  I’d ported the Cycology bar bagCycology See Me Pink Handlebar Bag | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) over to the fixed gear winter/trainer’s Genetic Riser 4 GENETIC DRISER 4 HANDLEBARS | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) for a bit.

 

Rack top bags are very convenient but even those that have a lined base should not host cameras, or other sensitive electrical equipment, since vibrations are transmitted from the rack-regardless of material. I’ve noticed some percussion when riding across washboard tarmac with the Carradice en tow.   

 

Hot on the heels of Ursula’s chain were the brake pads. I’d thought the slight squeal might be attributable to glaze, but the pads were worn close to 1mm. Not surprising, given sustained exposure to flooding and generally adverse wintry conditions. During the treasure hunt, I’d discovered two sets of Disco Brakes, so took this as my cue Disco Disc Brake Pads and Wavey Rotors | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com), so took a post-ride opportunity to switch.  

 

Pads, regardless of whether rim, or disc brake can wear very quickly and beyond a certain point, will eat into rotors and rims- much like a worn chain will chomp through rings, derailleurs, and cassettes.  I’m also impressed by the Carbon Cycles SPD pattern cleats, which engage and release very snappily with Shimano and homage designs and are proving refreshingly durable.       

  

Talking of one-does-all, Steve has replaced his recently deceased Dawes Galaxy with Surly’s Long Haul Trucker. It’s always been one of those “from the crate” Beasts of Burden that always fired my imagination. 26-inch wheels might be a little dated nowadays but there’s still plenty of choice tyre and rim-wise and the frame has sufficient clearance for 26x2.1 sans guards. A generous wheelbase and double-butted 4130 main triangle bodes well for stability when hauling the kitchen sink.  Yes, I’d certainly give one a home, if space allowed, although, I’d probably indulge in a Grappler too. You know, to keep it company... Ah, hedge clipping season's in full swing...