A cold and icy start to
February, has spelled Univega. The tubby tourer’s blend of big tyres, full
length guards wide gearing and more upright stance, is particularly welcome in
these conditions.
Pot-holes, spilt derv also
fuel my desires to detour via unmade roads and green lanes. Escaping the
increasingly maddening crowd is another peripheral bonus.
Prevention is always more convenient, not to mention, cheaper than cure.
Prevention is always more convenient, not to mention, cheaper than cure.
Coinciding with a weekly sudsy
bucket clean, I stripped its chain and cassette of waxy, congealed beard using
Green Oil Agent apple degreaser and Duck Smart the black stuff chain degreaser.
Both require five minutes standing time but the mixture of citrus and plant-based
ethanol is ruthlessly efficient.
So much so, that chains,
cassettes and anything else, should be stripped and placed in a suitable
receptacle. I’ve seen it consume supermarket ice cream tubs, rubberised
components and bite into anodised/painted surfaces too. In this instance,
I removed the rear wheel and basted
a couple of light coats into the nickel-plated cassette. Avoiding unwanted
contact with seals and painted surfaces. Agitating the mix with a stiff
bristled brush after 3minutes, flushing through with tepid water on the stroke of
5.
The black stuff is gentler,
thus making safer transition to more generic grot busting-bar wrap, saddle
covers and faux leather shoes being the most obvious candidates. Compared with
green oil’s chain cleaner jelly, it requires more concerted/repeat applications
to shift middleweight lubes, let alone the more stubborn wet/ceramics.
Galvanic seizures (Where
materials of different parentage corrode together) are another potential
nightmare. Several months in, I decided to inspect said machine’s Titanium
post. I’d applied Green Oil eco-grease https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/green-oil-ecogrease-long-ter-test?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_HzseyRI7TPke0IAp4p5LCPqksuJyh1ic29yvU2TfegmE7GxMZyflTS8NQ2cQGf1mHF6nxIA7ChkaUFGG7eBhKXklWzmmndMucOwAj8_R0VAjNHKI&_hsmi=55822957&utm_campaign=Private%2BGroups&utm_content=55822957&utm_medium=email&utm_source=hs_email
several months previously but with the
binder bolt undone, it was clear replenishment was due.
A liberal helping of Park PPL-1
seemed the most stoical option. Seeing as the Passport wedge pack was also
showing signs of fatigue, I resurrected this Altura Aero post pack. More than
roomy enough for a day ride, right down to food and spare layers. A three-kilo
maximum payload is pretty good-means a decent lock can join the party while two
pockets riding shotgun either side provide neat parking for tubes, Co2
cartridges.
The SQR bracket makes for
convenient whipping on/off and means I can swap over to my boxier cotton duck
Carradice with no effort/alteration.
Talking of resurrection, while
I was rummaging in the spares drawers, some old but much-loved Ritchey pattern
SPDs emerged-perfect for my cross inspired fixed, since they mean I can ride
wearing those Lake booties.
Dynamo lamp and switch gear
was also bundled up in a padded envelope and left with John Moss. Cursory
inspection confirmed it was a short in the system-water had infiltrated the
plug. Minutes later, he’d stripped the wiring back, trimmed it to length.
Refitting was equally precise.
He’s pulled the outer wires
further into the port for a better seal, although (as he was quick to point out),
silicone grease would be a shrewd move. Interesting that the Exposure Revo has
never missed a beat, regardless of how grotty the weather got.
Returning my attentions to the
drivetrains, I cleaned and replenished Smoove universal chain lube and took the
Weldtite Tf2 ultra dry wax https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/weldtite-tf2-ultra-dry-chain-wax route with the Univega.
The latter mightn’t be the
most obvious choice, given the time of year. However, cleaner lube means a
cleaner drivetrain, albeit with more frequent application. Besides, but I’m
keen to see how it holds up in harsher conditions and now’s as good a time as
any. Hmm, speaking of opportunities, now
would be a good time to start brewing my own…
In the meantime, SKS’ range of
bike potions have just arrived. We have a bike wash, bike wax, some PTFE
infused spray and a tyre sealant. Looking forward to seeing how these compare
with some iconic workshop staples.
