Safe As Houses....

Seven Day Cyclist (www.sevendaycyclist.co.uk) continues to attract the desired demographic along with increasingly disparate contributors. Fancy a freebie?

Simply like our facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/Sevendaycyclistmagazine?ref=aymt_homepage_panel) to be in with a chance of bagging this Carbon Pro sports travel kit comprising of their dri shine, chain cleaner, heavy duty lube, med lube and microfibre towel.

The battle of the bike washes intensifies with some interesting twists too. Supposedly safe on carbon, lacquered, plated, painted and polished surfaces; all tackle the usual mucky suspects capably but a couple have proved disarmingly efficient, though seemingly gentle degreasers too…

This signalled a timely end to the Teenage Dream’s seasonal hibernation. I had planned to upgrade the groupset to something contemporary of the Sun Race or Microshift flavour but frankly, I can’t bear to be parted from the quaint, though likeable a ’la carte mix of 80s, 90s and early noughties Campagnolo.

Outclassed in sporting terms (along with the “Low rent” 531competition tubeset) said machine still behaves in excellent proportions and the framesets' makeover still pleases me greatly.  

I’ve also bagged a temporary facilities management gig to balance the books. This week has been one of imploding ceilings, surly contractors, tenants locking themselves out while inebriated and then purging their colonic demons noisily (and messily) in communal toilets.

Back on bikes, we’ve been playing musical tyres. After 200miles the 35mm section Vittoria Voyager hyper and MK2 Ilpompino rear triangle proved breathtakingly close, hence I reverted to the front 32mm Kenda Kwicker. Alternating between front and rear tyres was once widely advocated but is incredibly dangerous practice.

However, scrapping a worn rear, popping brand spanking new rubber up front and having the old one follow behind remains acceptable. Similar problems arose with the Univega and Kenda small block 8 pairing but I’m keen to retain its go-anywhere persona, so resurrected these 1.75 section Vittoria Randonneur trail. As its chain and cassette sneak into that twilight before retirement, I found myself toying with the idea of cutting the tubby one down a ring and introducing 11-30 cassette.

A few minutes virtual rummaging later I’d found a nickel plated HG50 for £10 and this similarly worthy KMC has just arrived from chicken cycles. Substitution will strike once I’ve reached another 250miles and can say something concrete about the Muc Off hydrodynamic lube. This will also prove a convenient moment for investigating and hopefully purging that phantom squeak. Some Genetic bar wrap promising phenomenal purchase and damping properties has just arrived and will mummify its muzzies when I get a moment.  

Elsewhere, I’ve been indulging in some graffiti porn and a recent spate of thefts has given cause to revise my own security systems. It’s widely accepted that good locks are only to keep honest people out and to deter others. Most thieves are looking for something that can pilfer discretely within a minute but nothing is invulnerable.

Using two different (Sold secure) types certainly helps but assumes organised criminals don’t arrive in well-equipped vans. Brute force is their default and techniques are common knowledge. This particular group of “professional” is also extremely mobile, quashing any notion of “safe” areas.  

Yes, the probability of falling victim in a well healed semi-rural community is less than slum inner city neighbourhoods but criminals are only too willing to exploit this, often targeting several locations each night before disappearing on the motorway network.  Obviously, strong locks are only part of the equation.

Those living in private rented accommodation have fewer options when it comes to installing wall-anchors and other high security measures. However, aside from robust physical security, think carefully about your online activity. I’m astounded by the number of people who post photos of their pride and joy in a way that leaves them sitting ducks.  

Spring Has Sprung-Seize It!!

Issue 6 of Seven Day Cyclist (www.sevendaycyclist.co.uk http://www.pocketmags.com/searchresults.aspx?search=Seven+Day+Cyclist) has just hit the digital newsstands. We’ve a thorough test of the Genesis Croix de fer 2.0, a Hope hydraulic brake service, an interview with Martyn Brunt Sustrans’ NCN manager, tours, products and lots more besides.

Chill Easter weekends are something of an institution on these shores but a blaze of spring-like conditions have swept in behind, prompting resurrection of my Geonaute G-Eye action camera. Image quality and ease of use are definite plus points given the modest outlay but let down by a protective polycarbonate housing, incompatible with Go-Pro patterns, which has made handlebar mounting trickier than necessary.

A threaded base would’ve enabled direct fitment to this Minoura (easily the best mount I’ve come across); or surprisingly effective bodge bin specials made for pennies from old blinky brackets, assorted screws, nuts and washers.  Maybe, I’ll find another casing on ebay; or the patience to file the existing unit’s lug so it will mate nicely with Go-pro pattern brackets. Reportage will be fair weather for the time being.

The National Society for The Protection of Cruelty to Cleats (NSPCC) would’ve been pressing charges if they’d caught sight of these dog earned patterns. 

Months of neglect, salty coastal roads and constant di/engagement, it was small wonder they’d lasted this long.Suspiciously easy exit suggested I was pushing my luck-especially on the fixers and the arrival of these Stiletto white XLC proved the decider. 

Murphy’s Law dictated that every last trace of grease had been whittled from the screws, locking them in a passionate tryst with their hosts (the universe’s way of telling me not to be so self-righteous!) Mercifully a blast of penetrant spray and Torx driver secured their release without resort to drilling.

Packet fresh WP98A spun home (fasteners fed a generous dollop of ceramic grease!) and feet engaged with that familiar “Clack” we were off on these “Stiletto” white XLC pedals.

Closer inspection suggests they’re rebadged and painted Wellgo WP801; albeit without the magnesium options. No bad thing since these Ritchey Logic homages were delightfully faithful-I ran a red pair for several years on “The bird shit special”- my much loved 1X8spd cross inspired MTB workhorse.

They even became my go-to set when testing bikes-until someone pilfered them. Over the years, I’ve run worthy patterns giving change from £17 but the XLC’s casting and bearing quality seems decidedly superior. Cro-moly axles feel a wee bit stiffer under explosive acceleration and sustained honking too.

Powder coating is an obvious choice for pedals when properly applied-it’s cheap, rugged and generally very attractive. White can be a very tricky customer since there’s so little pigment. 

Inexperienced sprayer will apply too much powder in an attempt to counteract this, resulting in an orange-peel effect. No trace of that here. Obviously, the cleats are digging in at localised points but there’s no suggestion it might flake or peel further along the line.

Muc-Off have also sent me their latest “Hydrodynamic” lube, which is reckoned to be the ultimate all conditions lube particularly to suited to cross and road duties. Theoretically, it has the stamina of a wet lube but with superior cleanliness and friction.

Exact composition is Coca Cola secret but apparently petrochemical free, so won’t hurt aquatic life or otherwise pollute the environment. In keeping with others of this new breed of super lube, recipient chains need to be surgically clean before a drop is spilt.

From the spout it emerges with a blue taint and has a four hour curing period (I find overnight is ideal) whereupon it assumes a clean but glossy state-similar to those fortified with PTFE but much cleaner. 

Hydrodynamic has clung to my Ilpompino’s stainless steel chain very convincingly-often lubes can migrate to the slippery metal’s outer plates. Eighty miles in and I’m certainly warming to its potential but at this end of the market, I’ll be disappointed if it doesn’t return at least 500 variable weather miles per re/application.

With the longer evenings, it’s easy to overlook lights and then get caught out by a deviation/puncture or good company. I’ve noted several riders- experienced enough to know better, succumb to dusk’s unexpected curtain recently. 

Always pack a set of blinkies just in case-they’re potent, dirt cheap and could save your life. Right, there ends my public service announcement-I’m off to put an assortment of bike washes through their paces-see how the cope with various genres of gunk.