Choppin' n' Changing

April remains decidedly chill, so I’m sticking with long sleeve base layers, 3/4lengths and bridge jackets (the jersey cum jacket type, that offer decent protection from chill and showers). Am delighted to report that the VDO3.1ML wireless computer is performing perfectly. No interference hassles with the Shutter Precision PD8 dyno hub https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/halo-rim-and-shutter-dynohub-disc-b

This wasn’t so with Knog’s lovable Nerd, or indeed my recently departed Frankenpute.  I’m also pleased with its positioning-nicely within my eyeline. Funny how those little things make all the difference. Talking of which, here’s my review of Genetic Neuron Accessory Bar https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/genetic-neuron-accessory-bar

Elsewhere, I’ve changed the bar tape. This seems to be more frequent than a politician switching stance. I wasn’t expecting the Acros Wrap Silicone Handlebar tape to contrast so nicely with my fixed gear winter/trainer’s colour scheme.

Blue was a more obvious (some might say, default) choice. Much to my surprise, the pumpkin orange contrasts beautifully. Silicone wraps are naturally tenacious, which has obvious advantages when riding in the wet. It also negates the need for adhesives, which is an obvious boon, for cable replacements, or indeed, bar swaps.

At 3mm thick, its an obvious option for gravel and cross riders. Its thicker and, uncut heavier than than other Silicone designs I’ve run for several seasons, including Genetic Flare Silicone Bar Wrap https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/genetic-silicone-bar-wrap

Allowing for some additional stretch, packet fresh, it measures 185cm. Ample for buxom flared designs, including the Soma Condor https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/soma-condor-2-shallow-drop-bars.

Uncut, its 59g heavier but trimming is to be expected. I’ve needed to lop a fair bit from ours, given these Genetic DRiser 16 are a little narrower. Wrapping requires a slightly firmer hand too and it’s shown an annoying tendency to unravel around the tops, so keep the finishing strips/electrical tape ready.

As for the Genetic D-Riser, they’re noticeably narrower than I’m used to, which gave the bike a slightly twitchy feel, for the first five miles. By this point, I’d acclimatised and was enjoying the ability to hunker lower and shelter from the headwind. I’ve continued to bond with them, as the past 100 miles have whizzed by.

Even on my traditional road bikes, I’ve gravitated towards this breed of flared bar. Primarily, because I find them more comfortable. I’m much broader across the shoulders than my build and stature suggest.

The Teenage Dream’s Salsa Bell lap being a prime example. The Bell Lap are no longer in production. In case you didn’t know, Bell Lap, refers to the final lap of a cyclo cross race, so something of a giveaway, in terms of intended audience.

Elsewhere, I’ve only just needed to replenish the Squirt Long Lasting Chain Wax. A very faint filmy patina remained, but the chain’s galvanised links were peeking through. I had toyed with a single coating but opted for two, leaving twenty minutes between.

Where possible, and appropriate, I leave lubes curing overnight. However, temperature allowing Squirt seems good, after four hours, or so. There’s also a cold weather version, which I would like to try, as a comparator.  

Staying with weather a moment, I received these Supacaz Spua G gloves. To me, they appear a liner type design, great for providing additional warmth on bitterly cold rides, or packing, should the temperatures suddenly drop on a spring evening ride. They are certainly thin enough to slip beneath skin mitts.

Seamless construction prevents chafing around the finger tips. SiliGrip refers to interesting silicone gripper pattern, which promises excellent purchase in all conditions.  Much the same promises as others, then.

The palm is Clarino, a faux leather hide, which promises to be hard wearing, flexible and temperate. I was surprised to discover they are marketed as a standalone glove. They’re incredibly thin, so I’m wondering if they’re going to keep numbness and tingling at bay, on their own, especially since they’re reckoned capable of coping with trail duties too. Hmm…Only one way to test these claims.

Revisions

Chain and cassette replaced, I still had a good 250 miles or so to go before nearing anything like a conclusion regarding the Halo Fixed G hub and fat cog system. Wet, greasy lanes with waterlogged sections, mulched equine dung were perfect and rather welcome, given the mild February we’d been experiencing. A subtle “phantom” squeak permeated my serenity. Snugging the track nuts and 8mm crank bolts down proved the antidote.

This gold anodized Halo skewer presented itself, so I thought “why not”. Cured some very minor pad rub, which pipped up, when I was out of the saddle, and dancing up the climbs. Disc rotor was true, cables and callipers were correctly adjusted, and everything behaved impeccably on the workstand (doesn’t it always?).

Therefore, perhaps a tighter union at the dropouts…Niggle, and episodic tinkle muted.  The passport anti rust single speed chain continues to do its thing silently, and the galvanised surface does an excellent job of retaining lubricant.

I was a little surprised to discover some orange taint. Especially since Weldtite TF2 extreme wet lube https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/weldtite-tf2-extreme-wet-chain-lubr  is one of the most tenacious (albeit not the cleanest) wet lubes I’ve used to date.  

The watery corrosion vanished, upon contact with a clean rag. Some Squirt chain lube arrived for testing, so I treated the transmission to some Green Oil chain degreaser jelly, as part of a sudsy bucket spruce-up. Talking of which, Steve’s been putting Silkolene wash off, to the test https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/silkolene-wash-off

A reminder that Spring can still prove very wet and mucky, so I’ll leave the KMC dressed in its factory lube. Once that’s thinning, I’ll swap to the Squirt. Dressing appropriately for the changeable conditions, is another challenge.  Thankfully, softshell jerseys and ¾ lengths with water repelling top layers plug the gap.

Early morning outings are still quite chill too. I’ve always found this very refreshing and for the time being, I’m still sporting a “Belgian style” cap beneath my lid and Oxford Bright 4.0 gloves https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/oxford-1 . I pack a buff and the Oxford bright waterproof cycle gloves 3.0 https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/oxford-bright-3-0-gloves  on longer rides, when temperatures can climb into the low teens.   

Full length guards make a world of difference, keeping bike and rider, presentable. Cue the Univega and putting miles on the Selle Italia Sport Gel Flow FEC-Alloy saddle.

Thus far, its proving music to one’s derriere, whether I’ve been cruising along the asphalt, or tackling more technical terrain. Soft, yet supportive, which can be a very difficult balance to strike.

The relatively narrow profile is also very conducive to fast tempos, although I’m generally cruising along at 85-90rpm. Another intermittent phantom squeak (traced to the M45’s jockey wheels), prompted me to carry a small dropper bottle of simple lube.

Saddles and pedals are the first components I replace, on off the peg bikes (purchased, rather than tested). The Inbred, fitted to my stock MKII Ilpompino, was a notable exception. It eventually migrated to my MTB based crosser, with similarly pleasing results.

That had 46cm road drops, which were up to the job in the “Use what you got” tradition. It was On-One Midge drops, that really turned me on to the big, swoopy sort. The 25.4mm versions were a bit whippy but the 31.8 firmed things up a treat.

WTB Mountain drop bars are another firm favourite of mine. Especially for a rough stuff tourer, or tagalong/trailer tug, although to my knowledge, they’re no longer made. No surprise then, that I was generally impressed by Soma Fabrications Condor https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/soma .

Something of a talking point, the shape generally suited me. However, the original pastern had some drawbacks. Soma have revised the shape. The MK2’s top sections are also straighter, allowing easy fitment/alignment of lights, and more hand space. That said; drops and hoods, are my go-to defaults.

Speaking of revision, it’s been a good few years since I towed Joshua behind, on the tagalong. He turned 16 this week and will be sitting his GCSEs this summer. That chapter of my life remains ingrained, almost thirty years hence.

Provisional places on courses at FE college. The opportunity to study subjects I was interested in, focused my mind. Riding kept me sane in between revision, exams and anxiously awaiting results. Whether examinations, is the best means of assessing knowledge, or competence, is somewhat debateable.

Nonetheless, undertaking previous papers, to strict exam conditions, will hone these skills, and is, like time trialling-the race of truth. It will reveal where your weaknesses, and gaps in your knowledge lie. Everyone’s different but don’t sit more than two “mocks” per day, tops.

Remain structured, it’s easy to kid yourself your knowledge is better than it really is. Or, at the other extreme, hammer yourself into the ground. Papers aside, set revision in two-hour blocks, and slot in regular food and sanity breaks.