Minority Report (Pain in the Arse)

 

I have always been something of a minority and that doesn’t overly bother me, in any respect. Despite the very welcome resurgence in popularity, cycling remains a minority or less mainstream activity here in the UK.  

The same goes for several interests and passions I hold dear. I’ve touched on this and my introversion before. In commercial (and indeed other social contexts) I am perfectly capable. Borderline loquacious, given the right variables. However, I deftly swerve introspection and beyond the quality of my work, feel no need to seek attention.  

Provided I’ve done nothing to elicit a negative experience, I care little about whether people like me or not. Something I find very empowering and I’m very selective about those I allow beyond my veneer. Those who genuinely know me, describe me as a unique person, an acquired taste. I’d much sooner this, than a two-dimensional cardboard cut-out.  

January can be a long, austere month. Long forgotten are December’s festivities and cosy glow, often replaced by dull skies, unexpected expenditure and longing. Distractions can also take hold. These are fine, so long as they don't detract from physical, mental or emotional energies that would be better employed elsewhere. This typically strikes me in the workshop. Left unchecked, experimentation with gearing and other component changes can develop lives of their own. I’ll just...Is an extremely dangerous thought. One that can see ideas rapidly assuming lives of their own.  

Yes, winter can be a pain in the arse... 

Having ruled out saddle misalignments and similar issues, I am doing some trial-and-error miles with fresh longs and pads. My hypothesis is that some favourite bib tights and ¾ lengths are coming to the end of their service life, resulting in discomfort. 

  

While I felt able and had the grease out, I decided it was time to give my fixed gear winter/trainer a seriously good wash and perform the fork switch. I’ve stuck with the TRP Spyre SLC calliper for now since it was just a question of switching it over and the existing cable was fine. Annoyingly, unlike the basic Spyre, the SLC’s clamp seems more prone to fraying inner wires. Especially since I’ve always used a correctly calibrated torque wrench to snug everything down.  

Mercifully, the fork switch was plain sailing. I decided not to prune the steerer any shorter and simply added another 5mm spacer. I also gave the Stronglight headset bearings a clean and liberal helping of Juice Lubes Bearing Juice. This is closer to a putty than a traditional grease.  

Buttery smooth, friction is higher compared with preps like Park Tool Poly lube 1000 TESTED: PARK TOOL POLYLUBE 1000 LUBRICANT FOR BICYCLES (sevendaycyclist.com), not to mention, Peaty’s Speed Grease PEATY'S SPEED GREASE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com). However, during the depths of winter, I’m more concerned with a grease’s ability to protect against water, ingress and corrosion.  

Closer inspection revealed some structural deterioration of the Kinesis fork. I whipped out the hacksaw and cut it up before I forgot about this and inadvertently passed it to a friend.  

Credit where it’s due, this took more effort than I was expecting. I’ve kept the crown and steerer, so it will live on as a drift for headset cups etc, since (a) waste not, want not (b) I believe my scrap piece of downtube met the skip during 2020’s pre-move, garage rationalisation.   

Since I was there, I switched to the Halo White Line/PD8 HALO CLASSIC RIM & SHUTTER PRECISION DYNOHUB DISC WHEEL BUILD (sevendaycyclist.com) wheel, with the CST Pika tyre, for aesthetic uniformity and improved clearance. I was surprised to discover the rim shod with a narrow, 559 (mtb) rim tape, not the 622 I’d expected to see. Testament to Schwalbe that it’s stretched so far without snapping or losing shape.  

The new fork is closer to a traditional cyclocross design, with slightly tighter clearances than the DC7 it replaces. 35mm tyres. If you’re prepared to ditch a front guard, 38 tops.  

Fixed gear winter/trainer freshly washed and waxed, it was time to pop it away and go for a formative shakedown ride the following morning. Unforgiving headwind aside, the fixed flew and everything felt exactly as it should, especially at the front end. Fate intervened in a positive sense, again. Talking of which, here’s my review of the Vecnum FreeQuence Suspension Stem https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/vecnum-freeqence-suspension-stem 

Roads and clear, starry skies to myself (save for the odd rabbit) I just sat back and cruised as fast as my legs could carry me- ejecting meaty chunks of phlegm as need presented. I am strong but vulnerable to chest infections, which linger painfully- long after the other markers of cold, or flu have passed. 

 

I am also very aware that old practices such as “running a cold out on the road” are potentially extremely dangerous. Certainly not something I’d advocate, but I do find that having recovered from a lurgi, riding is a great expectorant. Stubborn, residual nastiness that otherwise lingers and settles on my chest, shifts and is more readily expelled.  

Not something I’d want to subject others to, but fine on solo outings. Given the typically wet, mucky conditions, I was rather pleased Weldtite sent me this fabulous bundle of bike cleaning and protectant goodies, for testing. Oh, and here’s my review of the CST Pika Gravel Tyres CST Pika Gravel Tyres | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

 

Sticky Fingers

A few weeks back, I established the Soma Condor https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/soma  swap was the icing on my Univega’s cake. No change in several hundred miles, since. However, the reclaimed Lizard Skins DSP bar tape https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/lizard-skins-dsp  was beginning to look slightly tired in places. Time was when a cable change meant the bar wrap (especially budget) was also bin fodder. Most bar tapes seem tolerant of being re/wound, even after they’ve weathered a bit.

Shot peened or sand blasted handlebars also seem to assist adhesion. However, the former process is generally employed to subvert potential stress fractures. The progressive availability of naturally sticky silicone wraps, including the Acros Silicone Wrap Handlebar Tape https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/acros-silicone-wrap-handlebar-tape?03991cc70fae5915&1a5858d9151d7237&455dde74ef8b80c5&4f3abceb41656d72&632cba28282213  and Genetic https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/genetic-silicone-bar-wrap  are easily rewound and reapplied following cable changes and are otherwise durable, too.

As an anecdotal average, I seem to get three cable changes from a mid to upper end adhesive backed bar tape. Around three thousand miles before the material begins looking jaded; loses its specialist properties; or shows more serious signs of fatigue. Leather is more durable (and usually with a consummate price tag).

With periodic use of hide food (which keeps the leather nourished and supple) I’ve had three years and six cable changes before contemplating replacement. Obviously not an option for vegan riders and often slippery to start with. Silicone and sophisticated polymer wrap also requires more care when cleaning.

Strong solvents and stiff brushes with often strip their coatings, or age them prematurely. I’ve found this Oxford Tyre Scrub https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/oxford-products-tyre-scrub  and Duck Smart The Black Stuff Chain Cleaner an excellent combination, for lifting ingrained grime. That said; we are talking a gentle, sustained pressure here.

Extra UK www.extrauk.co.uk  have kindly sent me this Fizik Vento Microtex Tacky Tape to test. According to Fizik, the Vento family are “Race bred tapes for ultimate control and reduced weight”. Apparently “The tacky film surface with raised texture facilitates grip in every condition”.

Its 2mm (compared with the Lizard Skins DSP’s 2.5mm) so the comparison will be interesting. Fizik also suggest the smaller density benefits riders with smaller hands. I have long willowy digits, so the latter benefit may be lost on me. However, on paper it’s a tangible benefit.  

There’s a definite knack to achieving graceful flowing lines. Bind carefully, patiently and when free of distraction. Unless of course, you’re a pro mechanic. Now pedants will say black and white are shades, not colours. 

I wasn’t sure whether the white would blend successfully with the Univega’s cream and black two-tone theme. However, by my reckoning, with the SPD pedals, Orp smart horn https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/orp-smart-horn and mudguard detailing, it works a treat. Some minor points aside, I’ve also reached my conclusions regarding the Prendas Ciclismo  Lisboa Waterproof Cycling Cap https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/prendas-ciclismo-lisboa-waterproof-

Continuing this waste not, want not narrative, I’ve decided to run the Weldtite TF2 All Weather Performance Lubricant for the time being, see how many miles I can accumulate, before switching to the Juice Lubes Ceramic. The former is a mix of ISO oils, additives and PTFE, which keeps friction remarkably low.

Presumably it’s the additives keeping it stable in all temperatures. A Canadian rider reckons it’s the first lube he’s used, capable of remaining effective at minus 32 degrees. Viscosity also lends it very nicely to cleat/locking mechanisms, as a corrosion inhibitor for electroplated fasteners and even frame-ends.

PTFE is both friend and foe. The ubiquitous slippery compound is dirt cheap and very effective, in the friction busting stakes. Its also relatively toxic, hence I minimise my own exposure. Latex examination gloves are donned when applying greases and often when stripping lubes. Where possible, I avoid using PTFE based chain lubes in contexts where I’m riding close to rivers and similar waterways.   

Lighting permitting, I’ve always found myself riding faster at night and I’ve concluded it’s psychological. Gradients become smaller because you cannot perceive their size, in the same fashion you would, during daylight. Focus is upon maintaining a decent tempo. Dark roads also inspire a more reflective mood.

A means of processing complex thoughts and ideas. I usually return from a ride feeling energised and with a new sense of perspective. Copy I’ve been struggling with, often seems to write itself. I have recently been coming to terms with my elderly farm cat’s demise. Kidney and cardiovascular failure forced the issue.  All we can ask for is a fulfilling life and a merciful end. He had both.  

I’m also an introvert. A much maligned and misunderstood personality type. Contrary to popular misconception, introverts are not shy, or socially awkward. People intrigue me and I consider myself adept at reading people and their motivations. Engaged, loquacious and emotionally intelligent, in professional contexts, I also need time to retreat and recharge. Long steady night rides are an obvious conduit.