Ringing the Changes

  

Having swapped the Mirage for the carbon with Middleburn and Campagnolo Record, I have saved 83g, which was less than I’d expected but saving grams wasn’t the primary, or indeed, original mission.  

Having bolted the rings together and snugging them down “blind” the first sticking point was discovering the Xenon did not employ self-extracting crank bolts, necessitating a quick root around for the crank puller. Not a hardship, but it was not where I’d expected to find it.  

I toyed with treating myself to a Park CCP-22 complete with integrated handle, since Holdsworth, Fixed Gear Winter/Trainer also use square taper cranks (although the Holdswoth’s Stronglight employ self-extracting bolts). However, by and large crank removal is rare and usually coincides with bottom bracket replacement (between 6,000 and 10,000 miles, depending on what fit n’ forget-sealed model I’d gone for).

  

Extractor found; the Xenon literally popped off their tapers-hardly surprising but welcome. A quick tug of the ACOR cartridge bottom bracket also ruled out any slop or grumbling. I might go for something lighter when these strike. Something with a carbon fibre spacer, alloy cups would save a few grams... Back to the crankset.   

Slid on the tapers, I found myself needing to raise the front Victory mech up a few millimetres and for some reason, it got the sulks. Nice new cranks, lovely new rings, what’s going on here???? I mused... 

Hmm, a new cable might sort things- costs pennies and I had a few in. Yup...the new cable sorted matters and the cage was swinging the Sachs chain snappily to and fro. I pruned the cable, leaving a little to subvert potential stretch overnight. Checking the Sachs chain while I was there confirmed it was in good health (although I had a KMC in stock, since these things usually expire at the least convenient moment).  

Continuing the weight saving, knee-friendly theme, I slipped some Peaty’s Bicycle Assembly Grease on the threads and whizzed Time ATAC in- the resin, rather than aluminium bodied versions. A quick once-over of the crank bolts and chain rings the following morning, shifting checked, I topped up the CST Cito CST Cito Folding Tyre | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) with the SKS Air-X-Plorer Digi Floor Pump 10.0 SKS Air-X-Plorer Digi Floor Pump | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and popped it away ready for a shakedown ride the following morning.    

Wetter weather and the urge to explore green lanes and bridleways has meant Ursula and I have been out to play a fair bit, too. I’m warming to the Maxxis Ikon in these contexts. As I’d expect from a small block model, they’re less ponderous than a more aggressive trail tyre on metalled roads and come into their own along dry singletrack-plenty of smiles per mile. 

 

Despite being the baseline version, the ride is compliant and I’m yet to flat. Kenda Small Block 8 were quicker off the mark and a bit livelier but also more prone to flats. Elsewhere, I’ve gone for Muc Off Dry lube, which is keeping the chain clean and returning reasonable miles per application. It’s also been the ideal opportunity to see how the Madison Roam perform off road proper.  

Time also allowed me to replace the fixed’s Stronglight in favour of the FSA Orbit MX. The latter’s stack height is a little taller-only by 5mm and easily solved by dropping a spacer. When it comes to headsets, stoicism is my default grease-wise. I want the stuff to say put, keep the bearings slick and corrosion-free. Now, the MX is also blessed with seals, which is nice. It’s another reason to avoid lithium or PTFE-based greases since these could cause perishing.  

Some lighter middleweight preps, including Muc-Off Bio Grease and Green Oil Eco grease hold their own surprisingly well, too TWELVE MONTH TEST: GREEN OIL ECO GREASE (sevendaycyclist.com) Flying in the face of this, I found myself pondering Peaty’s Speed Grease PEATY'S SPEED GREASE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com), for the last word in buttery smooth, friction busting lubrication. Ultimately, I’ve decided treating the bottom race with Juice Lubes Bearing Juice and the upper race with Peaty’s Speed Grease was the best compromise.  

Shims & Other Satisfying Solutions

Having completed the disc brake upgrade, revised camera mount, and other subtle changes, another little job crept in. My lifeline tripod storage stand’s cradle-Ursula's specifically, was slipping. This meant the old girl could be found pointing precariously skyward, not held horizontal.   

Ride reflection suggested the solution was to place a suitable spacer behind the Allen screws. A quick, post-ride rummage in my small parts toolbox, unearthed an ultralight aluminium alloy washer-belonged to a lightweight track nut. Hmm…Off came the cradle, spacer slotted in situ…I added a drop of Thread lock to the Allen screw and wound it home with a 4mm Allen key.  

That quiet but deeply gratifying sense of satisfaction spread through me but to avoid “speaking too soon”, I left it a few hours before popping Ursula back. Success! Result! (Insert alternative expression of joy).  

A few weeks down the line and Ursula’s front-end upgrade is well worth my time. Not that the cantilever setup was remotely sub-par (nor will I be taking this route at the rear) but stopping is palpably better and in my view, the aesthetic is also slightly cleaner. Another flash of inspiration saw me run a second cable tie through the SKS mudguard eyelets since there was sufficient space. Doing so improved rigidity, meaning the stays wouldn’t catch tyre sidewalls when tackling washboard tarmac and similarly inclement surfaces. Pleased to report theory and practice meet.   

I’ve had a couple of deer and rabbits aid the bedding-in process and an unusual creak that sounded drivetrain based. A bit of honking confirmed it was the Kinket 2.1 Suspension Seat post KINEKT 2.1 SUSPENSION SEAT POST | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  

A quick blast of Muc-Off Silicone Spray MUC OFF SILICON SHINE POLISH | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) restored order. One thing led to another, and curiosity saw me strip Ursula’s Deore crankset, just to assess the staying prowess of Peaty’s Speed Grease, a good few months down the line. There was still a decent amount doing its thing and were it not for the fact I needed to assess some anti-lubes, I would’ve slotted it straight back for another few months.  

Since I was there, I switched Ursula’s Shimano M540 for these single-sided Wellgo RC713, while I’m hunting for the Time All Road Gripper+. So much for leaving things be! Incidentally, the Wellgo has shaved a whopping 47g from the build. 

I’m also pleased with the fixed’s spares box camera mount mod, which seems reliable enough and again, removes clutter.  Talking of bars, here’s my review of the Ciclovation Grind Touch Handlebar Tape CICLOVATION GRIND TOUCH BAR TAPE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)   

Then, the good folks at Moto Verde and Extra UK sent me some goodies. Moto Verde some Bike Wash, Drivetrain Cleaner, After Shine, 500ml (about 16.91 oz (about 500.09 ml)) Waterless Wax, and this 125ml PTFE Chain Lube. Extra UK graciously sent me some Swiss Stop rotors to play with. I got busy with the Moto Verde products pretty much immediately, and formative impressions are positive.  

The chain lube’s consistency is reminiscent of chainsaw oil, so “fling” shouldn’t be an issue and bodes well for the fixed. Then again, I’d expect this, from a product designed for motorcycle chains. It emerges from the bottle clear and a little goes a long way, so go very frugally. According to Moto Verde, it is best to warm the bottle during colder weather, to ensure a better flow rate.  

Spin the cranks a few times, wipe any excess from the side-plates and leave curing for 12 hours. Once cured, it assumes a state I wasn’t expecting. Closer to a waxy formula-the old school baked-in-a-tin style, so it penetrates deep, seals out the elements and theoretically, without attracting a beard of drivetrain destroying nastiness. 

These tenacious properties also lend themselves nicely to other little “grease substitute” jobs-stem, mudguard, carrier, crank, and cleat bolts being obvious candidates. Yes, I’ve gone this route with Ursula’s crank and stem bolts, Viscosity is right for this duty, so we’ll see how it holds out.  Talking of Ursula, here’s the pandemic from her perspective.. Ursula: The Never-Ending Story | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)