700x28c

 The Tyre Gods seem to be deciding 700x28c my new default for road-biased riding. These Specialized Road Sport Tyres have just landed at my door. They’re cheaper than the CST, so also sparked my curiosity. Ours are the 28mm but they’re also available in 700x 24, 26c, 700x32c, 35c, and 27x 1 ¼. Unlike the CST, they’re a wire bead, which adds a few grams. They feature a bead-to-bead puncture repelling belt and promise increased speed, grip and durability, so it’ll be interesting to see how they behave in the real world and obviously, compare with the CST. 

Temperatures are still seasonally high, but the days are getting shorter, so my thoughts are increasingly turning to ¾ length bib longs, arm warmers, caps and other tuneable attire. Summer and depths of winter aside, I default to ¾ lengths on account of their versatility, even off-road, which has induced playful derision from some sections of the mtb community. I can live with that. I’m also a major fan of Decathlon’s in house clothing ranges. I’ve been sent some Triban Men's Road Cycling Bib Tights RC500, which are in fact, ¾ lengths!  

No problem for me. I like ¾ lengths. Primarily because they bridge the gap when it’s too cool for shorts and too mild for full-length tights. Between 5 and 15 degrees (c), loosely speaking. At the lower end of this temperature scale, I pair them with calf-length socks-sometimes waterproof and these FLR Defender MTB Thermal Dry S-Tex Boots FLR DEFENDER MTB DRY BOOT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  

I remain a big fan of these Primal Dawn Men’s Bib Knickers TEST & REVIEW: PRIMAL DAWN MEN'S BIB KNICKERS (sevendaycyclist.com) which are still going strong. Fond of these Funkier FUNKIER RIDE FLO MEN'S 3/4 BIB TIGHTS | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) too.   

Unless it’s raining dogs, I default to lightweight, packable caps such as this Buff BUFF PACK BIKE CAP | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and several seasons along, I’m still seriously attached to these Specialized full finger gloves, although it's temperate enough for mitts and likely to remain so, for some time. I also err towards photochromic (light-sensitive) lenses, which adjust to suit changing sunlight.  

However, as time goes on, I’m more inclined towards amber/yellow lenses, since they enhance vision on cloudy days, and crucially, low light. Some say they help improve mood, during the darker months and I’m inclined to agree. These Salice 026 RW glasses Salice 026 RW Glasses | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) have become my defaults during pre-dawn dashes.     

  

Traditionally Autumn (The fall for those of you reading this in the US) is my favourite season given the bold, changing colours. I also associate it with a time of learning- having commenced a degree in the autumn of 1992. I’ve always liked learning (although admittedly, needed to “cool my brain down” following 5 years post-secondary education and coasted through some entry-level jobs. Constructive dossing, you might say.)  

Anyhow, I’d suddenly found myself curious about CNC machining. Training to a commercial standard takes around three years (although as with many skilled professions, mastery takes a lifetime, since you never cease learning and developing skills and expertise).  

However, some sources suggest using CAD software, someone can learn the basics in a few weeks. Now, given the UK’s trajectory, I’m not looking at this as a commercial/vocational outlet but rather, wondering if I can develop sufficient skill, if I can make components and other things-not necessarily bicycle/related but as means of subverting supply chain issues and shortages in a wider context...      

Autumn is also a time when I stock check, since chains, cables, pads and similar take a spanking come winter. I’m pleasantly surprised to see Ursula’s KMC chain is still going strong 1700 miles down the line. Something I attribute to a very dry spring/summer and lighter/drier lubes.  

Nonetheless, with global supply issues and BREXIT meddling, I’ve been inclined to keep a closer eye and stock up on consumables, buying multiples, while prices are still favourable.  There’s a limit to these things of course, but fact remains, I’m going to get through them, so best to buy while prices are favourable. This has even extended to maintenance sprays-which I have bought directly from factories.  

There are a wealth of things government could implement to mitigate shortages and protect its citizens, but the UK’s present administration seems determined to dogmatically follow a hands-off ideology. One which will have greatest impact upon society’s most vulnerable and is leaving other countries completely bewildered and the nation a laughingstock. The aspiring prime minister (presently foreign secretary) has been talking in terms of pressing nuclear buttons and seems hell-bent on destroying what remains of the UK’s credibility, its health service and economy...

Shakedown Ride

 

Sunday morning at 6am, I snuck out to the garage, emerging stealthily with the Teenage Dream, just as I did during the summer of ‘91. Minutes later, I was enjoying the responsive zing of the thin-walled steel tubeset. The Knog/Decathlon Frankenputer was clocking a steady 19.6mph and braking, though progressive was refreshingly sharp.  

A big, fly-catching grin followed for the 20-mile loop. Only the BBB mudguards and PDW pump bracket required adjustment, although I noted the Lezyne pump’s tendency to slither downwards, perilously close to the chainring, so the PDW mount had to go-substituted for a Syncros unit holidaying in my Bodge box. This also features a rubber strap for belt n’ braces, vibration cheating security. I also needed to pull the Moon Meteor strap a little tighter around the Salsa Bell lap bars, to prevent its incremental rotation.   

Switch and minor tweaks complete, bike safely away. I turned my attention to Ursula’s drivetrain. Shifting had gone “off”- phantom shifts and hesitancy being the main symptoms. Chain was still in good shape but the derailleur’s inner wire was showing some external signs of fraying, so I replaced this, and the housing, which had developed a very slight kink. 

 

Stripping these, I discovered the inner was a few shifts from expiry and was essentially held together by a PTFE “fatball” or clot, which can develop over time, using the heavier duty maintenance sprays. 

The Rear mech was also sporting impacted waxy colic, which took several helpings of solvent and enthused scrubbing to shift. Note to self... treat the spring, pivots and cables to GT85 and leave the heavier duty PTFE sprays for recessed Allen heads, cleat and locking mechanisms. The chain has been fed a light helping of Weldtite Ceramic Lube WELDTITE CERAMIC LUBE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com), which is defined as an “all weather” formula and in my experience, a decent staple.        

Shifting back on song, I turned my attention to my fixed gear winter trainer. I’d left the Kinekt 2.1 Aluminium suspension seatpostKINEKT 2.1 SUSPENSION SEAT POST | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) in situ since November and thought it was time to remove and re-grease. One thing led to another, and I reverted to Cane Creek’s excellent Thudbuster ST, the G4 in this instance, which features 50mm of travel, easily switched elastomers (press-fit, tool-free). This also cured a slightly annoying creak- the Kinekt seems to require the periodic helping of composite/rubber-friendly grease.  

Not that the Kinekt could ever be described as a pogo stick, the G4’s bob is less obvious but equally effective. It’s also saved 92g, although this wasn’t on my agenda. I’m also pleased to note that ACF50 used in place of grease has done an excellent job of protecting against corrosion.  

Slackening the seat collar bolt, the Kinekt slid out with buttery finesse. Impressive, given the months exposure to wet roads, snow, ice, and frequent sudsy bucket washes. I’ve been defaulting to Green Oil Eco Grease TWELVE MONTH TEST: GREEN OIL ECO GREASE (sevendaycyclist.com), primarily since it’s compatible with all surfaces and loosely on par with the bog-standard PTFE types in the durability stakes.  

Little surprise that the Kinekt Waterproof Saddle Bag KINEKT WATERPROOF SADDLE BAG | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) is an equally good fit. I just needed to pull the straps a little tighter, which is no hardship.     

I’ve been watching the steady implosion of UK industries and it is very clear that stable and skilled jobs are continuing to decline. Honda is leaving Swindon in a matter of weeks and being replaced by a warehouse. Now, work in car plants, at least on the lines is at best semi-skilled. However, its comparatively well paid, warehouse jobs are not.  

Having watched various cornerstones of the British economy disappear (mining, shipbuilding and manufacturing being three that immediately spring to mind). 

Highly skilled people tended to fare much better and could port their skillset to other industries. In the late 90s, Lifelong learning became a buzzword and lifelong learning accounts were a means by which those who had been “left behind” could secure academic and vocational skills/qualifications. It didn’t quite pan out that way.  

However, the concept of lifelong skills development has always been ingrained within me. The pandemic has also turned this up a notch. There are lots of free resources around. 

 

Even if these don’t have an obvious economic benefit, the more skills we can cultivate, the greater our autonomy. Predictably, frame-building courses have often captured my imagination but more recently, a less prescriptive machinists/ paint spraying/similar course has superseded this.