Pre-Hibernation Tweaks

 

I’ve been settling to some little jobs before Holdsworth, and Teenage Dream enter seasonal hibernation. I’ve decided to revise the Holdsworth’s stem spacer height and replace the budget expander wedge. I’ve also decided to switch the Teenage Dream’s rear tyre. While I love the Vee Tire Co Rain Runner infinity’s speed, they seem slightly susceptible to punctures, so I had a rummage in the rafters, hoping to find these Schwalbe Lugano TESTED: SHWALBE LUGANO ROAD CYCLING TYRES (sevendaycyclist.com)   

A little portlier and erring more towards commuting and winter training, but given my preference for dawn blasts, some additional reliability is welcome. Instead, I found a solitary 25mm Freedom Thick Slick (which the Holdsworth is shod with), so popped that on the rear. I would’ve preferred a matching set but aesthetic pedantry aside, some would argue this is another example of personalisation and for now, I’ll stick with that!   

I’m still researching potential replacement(s) for the Schwalbe Marathon Mondial Dual Defense, which have done 7,000miles and still going strong, although starting to show some formative signs of wear. There is a school of thought recommending alternating front and rear tyres for longevity.  

I can see the merits on paper. In practice this is a dubious practice-whipping a partially worn rear up front is inviting a very nasty face-plant on a wet, greasy ride. I will often switch the part worn front to the rear, to get my money’s worth, but then, a brand spanking new tyre goes up front! 

No sooner had I switched Ursula’s chain to the Peaty’s Link Lube Dry PEATYS LINK LUBE DRY CHAIN LUBE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) this Muc Off Ludicrous AF arrived in the post. Claimed to be the world fastest lube brewed for road, mtb and triathletes, it promises to perform in temperatures as low as minus 20, and extend chain life, so it will be interesting to see how the next few months pan out.  Typical of high-end lubes, chains need to be surgically clean before applying and Muc-Off recommends leaving it a full 24hours curing. 

 

One thing led to another (as it invariably does, with me) and before you know it, I’d whipped Ursula on the work stand, out came the rear wheel. Shifting had been slightly off again and I suspected this was down to the cassette's lockring working slightly loose. Snugged tight with trusty cassette tool, I also suspected, the microshift bar con needed to be dialed fractionally tighter- a slight, clockwise turn of my 4mm Allen key-sorted. Out came the sudsy bucket and sponge and the old girl was gleaming again.  

Chain, ring and cassette exorcised with solvent, I drizzled Muc-Off Ludicrus AF into the links. The Teenage Dream’s drivetrain received identical treatment, coinciding with the tyre swap and a review of the wedge pack. Dead CO2 cartridge was consigned to the bin and given the Uk’s present shortage of said gas, it might be a while before I acquire some more... I’ve also been witnessing extensive panic buying of fuel.  

Traffic backed up along the streets, reminiscent of the last fuel shortage, during the summer of 2000. In the corner of London where I was living, some people were actively trying to scale the tankers. On one occasion, I had two 20 litre MOD jerry cans full of leaded fuel for motorcycles (older Japanese machines, though designed for unleaded, had no problems with the more toxic blend).  

People were begging me to sell them it (some more aggressively than others). Leaded petrol is ruinous to catalytic converters, as several hapless people discovered, having filled their late-model Toyotas.  Whether the UK will assume a state of compulsory rationing, last experienced in the early 1970s remains to be seen.    

  

Back on two wheels, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the Sigma Infinity Rear LED Light SIGMA INFINITY REAR LED LIGHT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) it’s compact, bright and simple, with favourable run and charge times.  Those looking for a super potent rechargeable front light may like to take a look at The Ravemen PR2400 https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/ravemen-pr2400-front-light    

Tubes, Lubes & Tape Tribulations

 

I’ve been taking advantage of primarily dry conditions and defaulted to the Teenage Dream’s skinny-tyred charms. Down tube friction shifters aren’t everyone’s thing but these and the Campagnolo Victory mechs they command, are slick and reliable.  

Sure, I wouldn’t race with friction setups, but for training and general riding along open roads, fine. Went to pluck it from the hook for a dawn ride, only to discover the rear tyre was pancake flat.  

No matter, Ursula needed a run and I needed to double-check the Micro shift/Sun race/Shimano drivetrain was still playing nicely.  

Dialling in a stiffer spring tension was definitely the way forward. Not that I was pogo-ing, just a little too reactive for my tastes and the machine’s loftier stance. Crisp, seamless and predictable shifting, a big grin across my face as my mind roamed freely. 

Sorted the Teenage dream’s flat on my return-a sharp had nicked the rear tyre’s casing and grazed the tube, so pressure loss was, thankfully incredibly pedestrian. Struck away from the seam, so easily patched. Back into the wedge pack, as a spare. The chain was beginning to look a little thirsty.  

Nothing serious, but now was convenient. I stripped the chain with solvent, dried and switched to the Peaty’s Link Lube Dry PEATYS LINK LUBE DRY CHAIN LUBE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com). Curing times are less convenient than the Tru Tension Banana Slip All weather LubeTRU TENSION TUNGSTEN ALL WEATHER LUBE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) but its clean and surprisingly durable.  

In common with other waxy type dry lubes, residual stuff clinging to the freewheel/cassette gets reclaimed by the chain, extending topping up times. Ursula is still running the third helping and I exceeded 400miles on the second. Chances are, I’ll switch to The Peaty’s Link Lube Wet, come the next replacement chain, which will probably coincide with October.

  

The Link Lube Wet is proving a great fit for the fixed’s KMC chain-keeping it serene and quiet. Both machines sport silicone bar wraps and I’m a huge fan of their damping and grip-hell and high water. The one minor downside, especially with bright colours, is the ease at which they accumulate grimy patinas.  

On the plus side, they can be tossed in the wash at 30 degrees, when really sullied. However, this is hardly the most desirable route when you’ve just fixed a flat by the roadside and grabbed the bars with slightly oily digits.  

Dark colours are the best bet, especially for daily drivers but then again, I like something quite bold for winter. Foaming type waterless cleaners get the worst out but be prepared to give them a regular tickling with a medium stiff brush (I’m really fond of Oxford Products Tyre ScrubTESTED: OXFORD PRODUCTS TYRE SCRUB BRUSH (sevendaycyclist.com) dipped in neat degreaser/bike wash concentrate and rinse with warm, then cold water.     As if by magic, some Velo Orange Rubbery Bar Tape arrived in the post-Thank you Connor.  I’ve gone for black but white, or a tan brown are the alternatives. Rubbery texture aside, it’s also 3.5mm thick, which promises excellent damping.  

The nights and mornings are gradually becoming darker. I run the K-Lite dynamos during the day but now the mornings are getting darker, blinkies are engaged for most rides-usually the Ravemen CL05RAVEMEN CL05 SENSORED REAR LIGHT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and CL06 RAVEMEN CL06 SENSORED REAR LIGHT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) but I’ve also taken to mounting the Moon Sheild X Ultra MOON SHIELD X AUTO REAR LIGHT REVIEW? (sevendaycyclist.com) on Ursula’s Carradice SQR Tour.  

A nice height, closely aligned with driver eye levels. It’s a model that is slightly “Marmite”. Some (such as yours truly) think it’s fabulous, others feel it’s anything but user-friendly. There are 9 modes in total, which is excessive by some standards, and I must admit, I default to the flashing modes, since for me, they strike the best balance between output and economy.  

I’ve also needed to add a shim between the K-lite Bike Packer Ultra lamp and Velo Orange mount, since the former ad a tendency to migrate upwards-very slowly-washboard tarmac being the main culprit. Aside from being mildly irritating to me, I didn’t want it dazzling oncoming traffic. Nothing a quick delve through the bodge box and two fresh cable ties couldn’t solve.  

To date, I haven’t given much thought to replacing Ursula’s rear Schwalbe Marathon Mondial DD. It’s still perfectly serviceable. The Schwalbe Marathon GT 365TESTED: SCHWALBE MARATHON GT 365 TYRES WINTER UPDATE (sevendaycyclist.com) is an obvious substitution. These are exceptionally reliable and extremely durable. However, they are also hefty, and I fancy something sprightlier.  

There is still a reasonable amount of decent quality 26inch rubber around but it’s losing favour, just as 27inch did, I the late 80s. Supply issues are another problem here in the UK. Masked by the pandemic, European manufacturers are in no hurry to export to the UK, given the added paperwork and delays, which are likely to worsen in the coming months.