Tighten Thy Top Cap !!!

Some of you may recall I'd been trying to diagnose a small but low level rattle, on my fixed gear winter/trainer. Some minor jingle is attributable to a bag of fasteners, tucked away in the depths of its SQR Tour bag. The Eureka moment struck, not while screaming along a 1 in 4 at 35mph, but grinding along a long, deceptively flat section of washboard tarmac. 

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This frustrating percussion was traced to an aluminium spacer drumming against the top-cap and Redshift Sports Shock Stop Suspension stem https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/red , indicating the Gusset Headlock, had worked slightly loose.  For those unfamiliar with the system, its a more secure alternative to the humble Star Fangled Nut. It comprises of a CNC machined top cap, cro-moly bolt and alloy nut. 

Aside from keeping the bearing tension bang on, theoretically it offers some additional security in the event of (gulp) steerer failure. The system  carries a slight weight penalty, requires some filing and subtle bending of mudguard (fender) mounts. They're also incompatible with dual pivot and other side-pull brakes. However, I consider them a definite upgrade for machines with cantilever/V/Disc stoppers.   

For some reason, I  couldn't locate my multi tool, by the roadside. However, I was only three miles from home. Snugged tight, I slipped this GT multi-tool in the SQR Tour's side pocket, for easy access.  Talking of SQR, while fitting this Oxford Contour flow saddle, I investigated my Univega's slightly "sticky" SQR bracket.   

Removing and compressing the spring, then reinstating the red, quick release mechanism proved the solution. In retrospect, a quick blast of Muc-Off Silicon shine https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/muc-off-silicone-shine-polish might've done. 

However, sometimes its best to strip and inspect, especially if you haven't in a while. The bag rails now lock securely within the bracket. Never had any ejection issues, when riding, but the Carradry bag https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/carradice-carradry had a tendency to sneak from the bracket, when the bike was hanging up. 

Apparently, the Oxford Contour Flow, is "Aimed at the middling cycling enthusiast those who have just started to be gripped by the unrelenting claws of cycling passion". 

Its a sensibly narrow design, with a gender specific cutout, gel padding and seemingly neat construction.  Will be interesting to see how it compares with the Selle Italia Sport Gel Flow FEC alloy saddle. The latter is 20g lighter but weight hasn't been the reason behind its residency, a few thousand miles down the line. 

Reverting to the bike's original fork has brought a quicker, more compliant persona. Not that handling, or responsiveness was remotely average beforehand but the trials fork was portly compared to the relatively delicate looking triple butted Cro-moly originals. The Microshift Centos' standard lever travel works a treat with the Genetic CX cantilevers too.  

So glad I switched. 

I'm also very glad I swerved this "documentary" from Channel 5 https://www.channel5.com/show/cyclists-scourge-of-the-streets/ I must admit, it was reeling me in, like a super visceral horror film. the sort you really don't want to see, yet feel strongly compelled by.  

Knowing it would serve no purpose, save for raising my blood pressure, I popped out on the fixed. 

Thankfully, Chris Boardman responded in his usual, measured, reasoned and articulate way.  https://twitter.com/BritishCycling/status/1148622845695557632  All the more poignient, and dignified given his mother was  killed by a "distracted" driver. 

 Back to multi-tools, designs such as Blackburn Switch https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/blackburn-switch-multi-tool have some definite advantages. However, because the bits detach, there's the real risk of losing one (or more) out in the wildes. This also serves as timely reminder, to check condition and supply of spares/tooling. Particularly those belonging to mile munching working bikes. 

140 miles in, and I'm warming to the Muc-Off dry lube, which seems surprisingly low on the friction front.  Level-pegging with Zefal Pro Dry Chain Lube  https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/zefal-pro-dry-lube  , although the Zefal is cheaper and doesn't have a prescribed curing time. 

On the face of things, suggesting its more practical for commuting, impromptu rides with friends, and of course, summer touring. Having tested its PTFE infused predecessor some years back, I'm curious to how this version compares.

 Most dry lubes (excluding hardier ceramics) should return around 225 spring/summer miles from a single helping (roughly ten days/two weeks riding. Given the asking price, I'd be very disappointed if it didn't top this.

Cleanliness is impressive, no more evidence of contaminant, than the Zefal, or indeed Finish Line Dry https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/finish-line-dry-bike-lube. It transfers less readily to hands/clothing too, which is a definite plus.

On the subject of dry. Rather than simply scabbing away, Zefal Extra Dry Premium Chain Wax https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/zefal-extra-dry-chain-wax seems to melt, when temperatures climb to the mid 20s. A helpful phenomenon, that redistributes lubricant, trafficking it deep within the chain, cleat and similar mechanisms. 

By The Lorry Load

With temperatures creeping into the low 30’s, I’ve been re-bonding with my multi-colour fixed gear along the rapidly melting lanes.

Two full trade bottles maintaining my hydration levels and this UPSO stirling seat pack holding its essentials-tubes, tools and other essentials. Serendipity brought me a white/green version, which blends surprisingly well with the builds’ increasingly hap-hazard, yet strangely endearing colour scheme.   

So, the UPSO Stirling...Measuring 20x9cm, its part of a luggage range, made by hand, on solar powered sewing machines, using high quality recycled materials.  

The main fabric is Lorry tarpaulin, the zipper tags are fashioned from off cuts of fire-hose. Tethering to seatposts via an easily replaceable toe strap and stocky Velcro straps isn’t the only option either. 

I’ve combined ours with this passport frequent flyer wedge pack. The frequent flyer is made from a surprisingly hardy 600d codura nylon, which also moulds compliantly around the Cane Creek Thudbuster ST post.

The frequent flyer is another single compartment model designed to swallow the essentials-multi tool, spare tube, tyre levers, CO2 inflator etc. Efficient packers should be able to slip two 700x25c tubes plus the other basics without straining the zipper. Velcro straps might not be the sleekest arrangement but is as near universal as you’ll get.

The main reason why I’ve bar mounted the stirling boils down to my Pedros’ trixie tool. I mislaid/lost my Cool Tool which, though limited in terms of Allen keys, was blessed with a high quality adjustable/cone wrench with chain tool on the reverse.

It was also surprisingly compact, whereas the trixie favours leverage. Lock rings and similarly torque dependent tasks. It will just sneak inside the Stirling without causing mischief but prevents the tarp from forming a compatible arc.

Sway is one of those things that drive me (and many others) nuts. Thankfully, both tether very tightly, so a moot point.

Approaches to LED tabs are very different. Passport has taken the semi rigid plastic, UPSO the more traditional, webbed nylon strap route.

Both seem good, practical hosts to bigger blinkies and given the UPSO’s present location, compact commuter lights packing 200-350lumens.

The Stirling commands £30, which isn’t cheap but very reasonable when the cost of skilled, UK labour is factored into the equation. I also love the fact that otherwise scrap materials have been used to create a high quality product. 

Detailing is equally sharp where it isn’t so obvious. The zipper is highly water repellent, rather than proof but I haven’t noticed any ingress when tickling it provocatively, at close range using a high pressure hose.

That said; even taped and welded seams aren’t 100% waterproof. I’ve been known to line expedition panniers with refuse/garden waste sacks on really wet commutes, or weekend mtb excursions.

It’ll be a few weeks and several hundred miles in changeable weather before I approach any definite conclusions but thus far I’m certainly warming to it.  Elsewhere, in spite of the heat, John Moss has built; tensioned and trued the replacement, Mavic wheel to a meticulously high standard.

Characteristic of his generation of craft trained engineers; he is perfectionist in his approach and seeks to continuously improve a design or concept. Given I am not particularly heavy-in terms of weight, or riding style and the bike’s function, he seems confident  the tension and two-cross spoke pattern should prove reliable.

Next stage is coaxing that EAI sprocket free from the defunct Inbred hub threads, remembering a carpet of high quality grease (not to mention yearly replenishments)  rim tape and a 30mm section tyre.

Then I’ll start running it in. Mavic recommend sections between 19 and 28mm but I’m confident a couple of millimetres won’t cause any mischief. That said; despite the trend for increasingly large volumes, I wouldn’t chance anything wider.