Small House Inspiration

There’s no getting away from the fact that flashes of inspiration often strike on the toilet. Well, my bathroom toilet, not the infamous festival Dav Lavs, or those few remaining public facilities, which though welcome are of variable quality and clientele. Spacer choice and height are not something easily focused upon when the person in the next cubicle announces they’ve missed a vein or is about to give birth... I digress... 

Having replaced Ursula’s spacers, mid-ride, I was musing about going the Star Fangled Nut route and holding the Blumels mudguard in situ with a compression plug- I had two bouncing around in the small parts drawer. However, I quickly dismissed this idea. No sense in over-complicating matters unnecessarily. As I’ve said before, the Gusset Headlock system gives some added security, should a fork/steerer crisis strike and while the SFN and plug trick might save a few grams, any benefits are otherwise negligible. 

 

That said; I may revisit, next time I strip and re-grease, or indeed, replace the Stronglight O’lite Aheadset. I spotted another, from a reputable supplier and at the right price, so bought, while I still could and before BREXIT’s “benefits” really bite. Otherwise, I’m pleased with the carbon fork switch-compliance remains the biggest plus and when I say compliant, I don’t mean whippy.  

Lateral stiffness is reassuringly good too. I’ve gone for the version with V/canti posts, since it’s nice to have options, although in practice, disc is my default. Having run it with the weightier Alfine hub wheel, I’ve switched to the Shutter Precision SD8 SHUTTER PRECISION SD8 HUB DYNAMO | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com), which saves 213g, so will be interesting to see if there’s any discernible difference.   

I’ve regularly wondered about titanium forks- not necessarily for Ursula (my fixed gear winter/trainer being another obvious candidate).  

Justin Burls and his Torus range of ti components TORUS TITANIUM STEM (sevendaycyclist.com) are particularly well made. A Guide To Seatposts | Seven Day Cyclist However, others crop up periodically. Where these are concerned. I’d want a much closer look at the welds, threads etc since the devil is very much in the detail. Otherwise, Ti could well and truly outlast me- by some margin. I’d contemplate having them painted too. Corrosion’s a moot point but could draw the wrong kind of attention.  

As August rolls out, I’ve been doing some further “while I’m at it” tweaking and prepping. Removed the Fixed gear winter/trainer’s seat post, shot a blast of oily grease into the seat tube and applied some Peaty’s Bicycle Assembly Grease PEATY'S BICYCLE ASSEMBLY GREASE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) to the post and raised it by a few milimetres.  

Dawn is arriving later, and the nights are subtly drawing in, meaning I’m using “proper” lighting more regularly. By proper lighting, I’m referring to the K-Lite dynamo systems and Magicshine Ray 2600 Smart Remote Bike Light on the Holdsworth and Teenage Dream. Not in the navigational sense per se (although that need is very slowly creeping closer, but more presence).  

The Orp Smart Horn’sTESTED: ORP SMART HORN (sevendaycyclist.com) 150 lumen flashing modes are OK in these contexts, but I prefer greater punch. Ravemen LR 500s RAVEMEN LR500S FRONT LIGHT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) is another particularly useful compact light for these contexts-especially for extended evening play times on the best bike. Talking of which, the Green Oil Dry Chain Wax is performing well, given the very arid conditions. I’ve gone well past the 120-mile mark., with no hint of waning.  

Not that impressive, compared with some petrochemical, or hybrid blends I hear you cry. However, it's cited as 80 miles per application, transfer to hands, legs and indeed, trousers is minimal and unlike some, curing times are also very quick-so practical for impromptu rides, touring, or commuting. Gear changes are light, frisky-just the way I like them, and continuing the clean theme, it attracts minimal dust, dirt, or similar contaminant. Right, that it for this week, I'll leave you with my review of the Souma Leather Handlebar Tape Souma Leather Handlebar Tape | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  

 

How Did We Get Here?

 The world is in a very fluid state at present, not least here in the UK. My default move, when it comes to processing anything complex and with consequences usually involves some time in the saddle. Having fitted those new chain tugs and tweaked the S1’s tension, I went for a tyre and tube swap up front. I’m back to the Bontrager AW3 Hardcase Lite (700x32) and the Tubolite X-Tubo City/ Tour.  

The latter is a wider section TPU tube that they reckon is puncture proof. Hmm, one of those terms begging for contradiction. While the context is different, watchmakers, since the 1960s, progressively replaced “waterproof” with “water resistant” since it is arguably the case that in this instance, a watch is only water resistant, but not impervious to water, in all conditions.  Catch a nail with your name on it, that bombproof tyre could go boom.  

Anyhow, back to the tubes. To assess their claims, I’ve switched the Vittoria Rubino Pro Control Graphene Vittoria Rubino Pro Control Graphene 2.0 | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) for the Bontrager, which is showing some minor nicks and cuts in the casing. Minor wear I would usually plug with a drop of superglue, but in this instance, leaving them open and technically vulnerable stands a reasonable chance of calling Tubolite’s bluff. I’m running a 25mm Eclipse TPU at the rear and both tubes afford a quicker, more compliant ride with the two loosely comparable tyres.  

Whacking one in a heavy-duty commuter/touring model, such as this Vee Tire Co Zilent 2 TESTED: VEE TIRE CO ZILENT MARK 2 TYRES (sevendaycyclist.com) isn’t going to reap any tangible weight-saving benefit. Talking of which, the Tubolite X-Tubo City/Tour is designed to work with tyre sections between 30 and 50mm- I’ve also whacked one in a 42mm Maxxis Roamer TESTED : MAXXIS ROAMER TYRES (sevendaycyclist.com) with no issues.

 

In my experience, the TPU genre of tubes are easier to fit and harder to pinch than traditional butyl. Less call for tyre levers-I've only ever required one, to hook the last section home. I like the improved ride quality and in comparable climates and contexts, I’ve kept a higher average speed-18.1 mph, rather than 17.6. hardly meteoric, but palpable. The Momo MIC Dry lube is also clinging on, despite some more changeable conditions and the odd off-road excursion.  

The Souma Leather Leather Handlebar tape, much as I predicted continues to impress with its refinement and grip. This has simply improved with 400miles and though I’ve liked and been impressed by other brands, I’m thinking the Souma will stay, on both bikes, long term. Talking of which, when I started this blog, back in 2008, we’d just entered another major economic crash, instigated by various things but the sub-prime mortgage market and bad debts being major factors.  

I never thought the UK would decline, almost beyond recognition. Affordable housing, rented, or mortgaged has long been at a premium and had quite profound effect upon communities. However, an increasing number of the population, even those on moderate incomes struggling to feed itself and cover the basics.  

Reading between the lines, might I say lies, I can see a privatised, insurance-based healthcare system and private, for-profit prisons becoming a near future reality, in the UK. I also suspect the present government is intending a system of conscription. Those receiving Universal Credit and without employment will be forced to work for their benefit, not pressed into work and paid a wage/salary. Then of course, defence spending has been greatly reduced, so others may be drafted...

Political scandals are nothing new, but standards in public life have virtually evaporated, without barely a murmur. The UK was once a respected, some might say positive presence on the world stage. Now, the country is becoming increasingly insular and isolated.    

I’d been thinking chains once more and decided, upon reflection and some general inspection, it was time to pension-off the KMC S1- it'd been in situ, for ten months and a good few thousand, so certainly didn’t owe me anything. Besides, these chains are inexpensive, rings, sprockets and similar less so these days.  

I fitted another S1 and acquired a Z510HX for next time. Checked the 16tooth Halo Fix G HALO FIX G TRACK HUB | Seven Day Cyclist Tourin Tests Commuting sprocket was snugged tight, gave the frameset a good clean and wax, then fed the Souma leather bar tape and saddle. Prevention is always better, and cheaper too. Lube-wise, I’ve gone for the Momum Mic Wax Momum MIC Wax Lube | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) since I’m rather fond of it.