Magnetic attractions

So, having discovered a traditional cage was going to be a non-starter, even a side entry model, I rummaged through one of my recently reorganised fasteners drawers and reclaiming the Fidlock mount. Thinking their smaller bottle might be in order, though.   

Then of course, there’s the Free Parable Gorilla Cage, which can be mounted on a variety of places around the frame-including the fork blades (stanctions if you are running suspension) via the Gorillia grip, if you don’t have bosses. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/free-parable-gorilla-clip-and-cage Though better suited to light, bulky items, such as a bivi, I’ve hauled 1.2 kilos of hobby sized Argon/Co2 welding gas bottle.  

Pretty much the top end of the composite’s carrying capacity but impressive nonetheless, especially given it’s a good bight lighter than the 1.5 PET cage types, including the venerable BBB Fuel tank https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/bbb-fuel-tank-xl-bottle-cage. These are super convenient for touring, gravel and everyday riding, since you can slot in those impulsive rest stop purchases, or indeed a favourite tipple en route home, without consuming valuable luggage space. 

I’ve been impressed by the enduring qualities of the True Tension Tungsten All Weather Lube. Aside from cleanliness, it's tenacious and durable, especially compared with other waxy formulas. Damp conditions and puddles haven’t taxed it, but heavier rainfall and waterlogged roads will eventually lick the lion’s share, requiring a quick top-up. Zefal Bio Degreaser was employed for stripping duties and this too seems quite capable-at least by stock standards.  

True, an aerosol-based solvent spray will blast a scabby chain and cassette clean, piranha fashion. The bio degreaser needs agitating with a brush to stimulate this process, but aside from being more economical, its kinder to surfaces and can be blended (200ml product 800ml water) to make an effective bike wash.  

Concentrates are arguably better choices for workshop duties, or if you’ve a big fleet of bikes but as “off the shelf” formulas go, it seems to strike a decent balance between stripping prowess, without doing nasty things to finishes, seals and other rubberised components. That said; I’ve always rinsed thoroughly with clean water.  

I’ve switched to the Tru Tension Bannaslip Tungsten Wet Lube on the Univega and have the fixed to Muc-Off Wet Weather Ceramic Lube. Its described as a “Propriety ceramic formulation containing integral Boron Nitride compounds in wet and harsh conditions.  

They also recommend it for the higher torque loads of an e-bike, so should be a good option for a fixed drivetrain too.  Will be interesting to see how much, real-world difference the Tru Tension’s Tungsten component makes (or otherwise) long-term to chain life and performance.   

 

This also presented the ideal opportunity to adjust the chain tension slightly. Kenda Kwick Roller tyres are still swift and dependable, which is reassuring, although the only potential weak spot is the 5mm thick belt. This only covers the centre strip, not bead to bead, so hedge clipping season will be the real test... 

I’ve replaced the CR2032 cell in the Cat-Eye Quick computer sensor, with a quick lick of Vaseline. Premium grade cells are reckoned to last over 6,000miles. I’ll be very surprised if the pound shop special manages half that, but head unit and sensor are chatting away just fine for now and the Giles Berthoud Soulor saddle just continues to get better, week upon week.  

I won’t be feeding the hide at least until September’s close. Giles Berthoud recommends applying their food every six months. I’ve deviated from the script during the moulding phase but will adhere to this guidance now onward. 

I’ll end this entry with my long-term review of Passport Crochet Back Cycling Mitts https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/two-year-report-passport-cycling-mi        

Seek and Deploy

This time around I’ve managed 285miles from the Juice Lubes Chain Juice Wax before it required replenishment. Recently, I’ve been reflecting on the compatibility of chain lubes. Good practice says strip your chain and transmission of pre-existing lubricant, before applying another brand ort type.  

However, I’ve topped up my fixed gear winter/trainer’s chain with Zefal Pro Dry https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/zefal-pro-dry-lube and the Chain Juice Wax with Pure Bike Dry Lube. While of the same genre, the latter is not petrochemical-based and employs an ethanol carrier. Plant-based ethanol to be precise, which works to the same science and is every bit as flammable as petrochemical blends.  

Like a lot of lubes, the Pure requires a liberal shake to blend solvent and lubricant components. Drizzled into the links it’s visibly stockier than the Chain Juice Wax and supposedly resists water and wash-off very effectively. It also requires 3-4 hours curing time, so I’d leave it overnight, wherever possible.  

Apparently, it’s designed to be deployed elsewhere-cables, pivot points and other metal to metal interfaces. Aside from compatibility, I’m also looking to evaluate its cleanliness, tenacity, and temperature stability.  Thus far, its behaving much like the Juice Lubes Ceramic Chain Wax in terms of friction. However, its closer to a wet, rather than a dry wax and I will be very surprised if it racks up 400 miles per application. By that point, the existing KMC chain will be spent anyhow.  

The Cycles Berthoud Soulor Leather saddle https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/cycles-berthoud-soulor-leather-sadd goes from strength to strength, although I’ve been accelerating the personalisation process, applying a water-based hide food, 20 minutes prior to every other ride, which has certainly made the thick hide very supply, while my ischial tuberoses do their thing.  Continuing this retro theme, I’ve come back to these Passport Crochet Back Cycling Mitts https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/pasport-crochet-back-cycling-mitts. 

Despite being stored indoors-at room temperature, the leather palms had turned surprisingly stiff, so I applied a liberal helping of leather food, so hopefully, that’ll solve the problem. 

Mirror shades and big lenses were another blast back to the past. I’ve been rather impressed by these Merida Race, which in the style stakes, literally transported me back to 1989.  Costing less than £30, they offer excellent defence against strong sunlight, wind, and insects, thanks to the large surface area.  

No problem with fogging either, thanks to the thin cutouts. However, there’s no polarising technology here (a feature that’s increasingly trickling down to the £40 price point) so they don’t react to changing light conditions. Not a lot of use at dusk, or when skies are threatening cobalt, thundery rage.    

The Continental Contact Speed tyres are continuing to deliver a flat-free, magic carpet ride, although being a soft, grippy compound, they’re wearing around the centre-strip, Mohican fashion. Component life varies on some many things but I’m bargaining on 3,000 miles before they’re bin-fodder.  

By this point, I’m hoping to switch to something like Panaracer Gravel King-26x2.1, please. Oh, and of course, a Cane Creek Thudbuster G3 https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/cane-creek-thudbuster-suspensuin-se, to complete my wish-list upgrades. The sort that will complete the bike’s go anywhere, four seasons persona as I’d envisaged the concept 33 years back.  

Admittedly, compact geometry and suspension posts weren’t a “thing” then.  I’ve also taken to charging lighting and other tech over the course of a ride, using the K-lIte AC/DC twin-port charger, which is one of those little, yet incredibly satisfying things. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/k-lite-bikepacker-ultra-dynamo-ligh