That'll Be A New Set Of Bearings, Then...

No matter how well you maintain things, stuff wears out-at least that’s how I’m consoling myself. A matter of weeks since I replaced the Halo Fix-G hub’s cartridge bearings, the Shutter Precision PD8 HALO CLASSIC RIM & SHUTTER PRECISION DYNOHUB DISC WHEEL BUILD (sevendaycyclist.com) has succumbed to the dreaded bearing slop. Both have managed four years, year-round service before getting the grumbles. Ursula’s Shimano Ultegra remains in rude health almost a decade down the line and exposed to similar conditions. I should stress that I swerve jet washes and any other seal-breaching nastiness.  

However, while the Fix-G HALO FIX G TRACK HUB | Seven Day Cyclist Tourin Tests Commuting are user-serviceable, the majority of “Ship in a Bottle” dyno hubs must be shipped back to the factory. Thankfully, I have switched to its SL9 cousin. Mercifully, the Shimano centre lock disc rotor was still in rude health, although it seemed a little thicker than the six-bolt Spyre. This just meant winding the pads out very slightly, and I took this opportunity to double-check the caliper’s alignment- be rude not to.    

Stuff wears out, eventually, even if you care for it. However, it always seems to strike at the least convenient time. I like to think myself stoic and pragmatic, but I'll confess the past two years have been quite taxing. A seemingly relentless pandemic coupled with the freefall induced by a popularist puppet heading the UK’s governing party, which has neutered the UK and is increasingly leaving it isolated.    

Since the 2016 referendum, there’s been a palpable drift towards xenophobia and indeed, the mainstream acceptance of it. Authoritarian popularism is indeed on the rise elsewhere in Europe- it has often lapped at the shorelines of France and Italy’s political landscape. These things never end well, as history documents with terrifying detail.      

 

Several years down the line and I've also noted some minor slop in the Cane Creek SC5 V Brake drop Levers CANE CREEK V BRAKE DROP BAR LEVERS | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and the anodized finish is also past the first flush of youth, where it can’t be seen, so they’ll stay. Thankfully, I’ve found a right hand Tektro RL520.. These were designed for linear-pull and last employed on Ursula 12 years back. I enjoy a rummage through the spares bin when I turn up something perfect, that I otherwise might have to pay for.   

Wheel and stopping sorted, I tweaked the chain tension (for some bizarre reason, the wheel had also gone off centre), raised the saddle by a few milimetres too. This was all rounded off with a sudsy bucket wash and hard paste waxing to protect painted, anodised and lacquered surfaces from winter’s wrath.   

Lights are generally very reliable these days, but I always run two rear lights (sometimes a third, if it's tethered to luggage) just in case the main unit should go roque and power down in the arse end of nowhere. Cue the Xeccon Mars 60’s sudden shut down.  

Charge life indicator said green before I set out. A waning lithium-ion cell is one explanation, the “Braking” function sapping juice being another. Either way, I had the Ravemen TR30M RAVEMEN TR30M REAR LIGHT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) clinging to Ursula’s right hand seat stay. Yes, I know, being a dynamo devotee, I really must get a rider powered rear. 

No sign of the impending “artic” blasts proclaimed by the tabloids (presumably as a distraction from the UK’s multiple crisies), so for the time being, the fixed will stick with the Kenda Kwick Journey KS plus KENDA KWICK JOURNEY TYRES | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) /Bontrager and Ursula’s Schwalbe mix n’ match pairing. First hint of abominable snowmen, blizzards etc and I'll switch to the spikes, pronto.  I’m impressed with the Mud Hugger Gravel Hugger Mudguards MUD HUGGER GRAVEL HUGGER MUDGURADS | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com), which are doing a decent job of keeping me dry and keeping the fixed from a decent amount of scuzzy stuff.   

There are plenty of maintenance sprays around these days. Unfortunately, most contain Teflon (PTFE) which, though useful is toxic. It’s widely recognised as being unkind to seals and other rubberised components. However, it’s not good for electricals either. I’ve tended to err towards Vaseline for dynamo contacts but then along came some Motorex Joker Spray. It's essentially a water displacing “lubricant” type similar in design brief to WD40, and Castrol DWF. So far, the formula looks stockier than the iconic and arguably universally recognisable blue can.  

Dynamo connectors aside, I’ve applied some to work stand clamps, lock mechanisms, spark plugs/car electricals, cleat mechanisms. Not 100% sure when it comes to elastomers, such as those common to Cane Creek Thud Buster ST G3 TESTED: CANE CREEK THUDBUSTER ST SEATPOST (sevendaycyclist.com)  and similar suspension posts, so I've opted for the brands’ silicone spray.    

Springing Surprises

 

Spring is here and along with it, longer days and traditionally changeable weather. Something of a British obsession, although I've found Belgian and the Netherlands less predictable through Spring. Mild enough that I’ve been temperate in the evenings wearing a full-length base layer and jersey. This Prendas Ciclismo Bordeaux Paris Long Sleeve Jersey PRENDAS CICLISMO SHORT SLEEVE JERSEY | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  Though a micro jacket, or this 7Mesh Cypress Hybrid Jacket 7mesh Cypress Hybrid Cycling Jacket | Seven Day Cyclist usually comes along-either from the start or stowed away in the Zefal Adventure R5 Waterproof Saddlebag ZEFAL ADVENTURE R5 WATERPROOF SADDLE BAG | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and it’s bigger R11 counterpart. Both are becoming serious favourites and the R11 is surprisingly stable, given it secures to the post via a single strap.  

Farmers are busy harvesting Sugarbeet, and the roads dotted with mud from the fields, which I’ve tended to weave through on the fixed gear winter/trainer, to see if I could fox the frisky Bontrager AW3 Hardcase Lite Reflective Road Tyre. (Short answer’s no, in case you were wondering), and I’ve just relaxed and enjoyed their compliant, speedy characteristics. IRC Roadlite X Guard tyres are another speedy option if you’re looking for a narrower section. INOUE ROADLITE X GUARD TYRES | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

Staying with the Schwalbe GT365 and Marathon Mondial pairing on the Univega but here are my thoughts regarding the Billy Bonkers SCHWALBE BILLY BONKERS TYRES | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com).  

300 miles down the line and I’m almost convinced I’ve got the gearing right for most of my riding contexts and needs. Enough torque for the trailer and/or dignified, seated climbing, bridlepath blasting and without spinning into orbit on the flat.  

I’ve also found it necessary to add another washer to the “cassette” side of the Fix-G hub, since the fat foot sprocket had begun to slide about on the splines. Snugged the lockring down and will keep a closer eye, going forward.  Sticking with the Weldtite Ceramic Lube on both bikes, since it seems a solid seasonal choice. WELDTITE CERAMIC LUBE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

I’ve also switched from the FLR Defender MTB Thermal Dry S-Tex Boot FLR DEFENDER MTB DRY BOOT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) to the FLR Rexton Active Touring/Trail Shoe FLR REXSTON ACTIVE TOURING/TRAIL SHOE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and I wasn’t expecting such a difference in sole stiffness. The Rexton are efficient but the Defender’s increased rigidity are quite palpable. I dare say I’ll be alternating between them, given Easter and April’s tendency towards the unpredictable.  

Elsewhere, I’ve been erring towards ¾ , such as these Funkier Rie Flo Men’s Three-Quarter Length Summer Bib tightsFUNKIER RIDE FLO MEN'S 3/4 BIB TIGHTS | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) or the Primal Dawn Men’s Bib Knickers TEST & REVIEW: PRIMAL DAWN MEN'S BIB KNICKERS (sevendaycyclist.com) rather than full-length tights and lighter gloves-the Chiba Pro Safety Reflective Gloves CHIBA PRO SAFETY REFLECTOR GLOVES | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  and liner types, depending on whether I’m heading out early in the morning, or during the evening.  

I reflect on many things during my ride. Product quirks and performance are the most obvious, but two-wheeled escapes are very conducive to other forms of contemplation.  

  

There has long been a narrative that automation/digital technology would render many roles, peoples and communities excluded. Car assembly lines are the most obvious examples of this in action. Automation has greatly reduced the need for repetitive tasks such as spot welding- the robot arm being a common sight since the early 1980s.  

More topically, the UK government have announced they will be reducing military personnel. The public likes the “Boots on the ground” rhetoric but, cyber-attacks, the deployment of drone soldiers, rather than humans will be more prevalent.  

Taking things to their logical conclusion, it is more likely that a hostile nation will launch a missile attack from someone’s wi-fi enabled kettle in the recipient country, not send fighter planes. Indeed, taken to its logical conclusion, liability could even be levelled at the unwitting householder.  

Contemporary cars are stolen by digital stealth, rather than physical attack. Nothing to stop a malicious person with the appropriate skills could disable components of the engine management system, inducing breakdowns, disengaging the brakes, using a remote computer.  

Machines, and other technology that can “think” for themselves are very much here to stay. HGV driving will still be a trade, requiring human labour but I suspect this will take the form of a lead driver with two, possibly more couplings tracking behind via a wireless signal. In common with other aspects of logistics, I can envisage the driver, rather than haulier, being required to hold specific liability insurance cover.  

The reality, which some seem unable to accept is the fact many people will quickly become redundant and possibly permanently, economically inactive. Leading to wider, social exclusion. One argument suggests that this need will be met by humanoid companions, both romantically and in terms of physical care. However, this technology is going to require considerable financial means. Means which these strata of people will have no access. How governments will respond (if at all), remains to be seen.