Holiday Fixes

 

 

Having spent the last few weeks riding, fettling and perpetually washing my beloved fixed gear winter trainer, I’d organised the garage to an operational state, so reclaimed Ursula from temporary storage. Though generally in great shape, I discovered the rear mudguard stays required thread lock and front brake needing some TLC. Nothing more serious than a new inner and outer cable.  

I had a solitary Jagwire  Pro road cable TEST: JAGWIRE PRO ROAD BRAKE KIT (sevendaycyclist.com) the outer’s celeste livery screaming to me from the translucent storage container. Thankfully, these Jagwire snips JAGWIRE PRO CABLE-CUTTERS AND CRIMPERS (sevendaycyclist.com) were also holidaying there.   

 

Having cleaned the pads and performed similar “might as well” housekeeping, I fitted the fresh cable, pumped the brake to induce any potential slack before pulling through and ensuring the pads struck the rim uniformly and evenly.  

Control tech Bar wrap reinstated, I thought better of pruning the cable until the following morning. End super-glued and left to cure. These aren’t a completely sealed system but minimal maintenance.  

Some of the truly sealed models, including Transfil Flying Snake are as fit n’ forget as you’ll find but tend to be quite venomous during the fitting stage. The housings were also on the coarse side, too, gnawing through paintwork. So, if you’re going this route, slip a silicone cuff or two on the cable and some “helicopter” tape on the frame to avoid abrasion damage. 

Despite the inner wires being factory treated, I find the occasional shot of maintenance spray keeps them slick and happy. Electrical tape, or stickers are another useful “home” remedy, but I’m still pleased with Zefal Skin Armor Roll ZEFAL SKIN ARMOR ROLL | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

Little jobs completed, I ordered some more cables (since these things always strike when the shop’s shut and you’re clean out of cable) and some GT85 All Purpose Lubricant GT85 ALL PURPOSE LUBRICANT (sevendaycyclist.com). Frankly, I like to have routine/preventative stuff done BEFORE Christmas, for precisely this reason.  

I’d re-greased the seat post when I’d replaced the collar and there was oodles of Muc-Off Bio Grease TESTED : MUC-OFF BIO GREASE (sevendaycyclist.com) still keeping things slick and happy on the steering front, although as I’ve said on several occasions, full-length mudguards offer a surprising amount of protection to machine and rider alike. Comfort and dignity aside, they also extend service intervals.   

I’d noted the Univega’s cassette and chain side plates looking slightly scuzzy, so got busy with Weldtite Jet Blast Degreaser. Testament to the lube’s tenacity, it required a more generous helping of the potent solvent spray, and subsequent agitation with a brush, dipped in a citrus-based degreaser.  

 

I’m sticking with the Zefal Extreme Wet Nano Ceramic Chain lube and unless the weather turns as wintry as the tabloid press are whipping themselves to an orgasmic state about, I’ll keep “Ursula” shod with the Schwalbe Kojak. If it does, I’ll reach for the Schwalbe Winter Plus, which are more tenacious versions of the Marathon Winter, characterised by more spikes for superior traction and cornering. TESTED: SCHWALBE WINTER SPIKED TYRES (sevendaycyclist.com)         

Talking of which, the KMC Z1 EPT chain’s coating also seems reassuringly corrosion resistant. However, I’ve found some limitations with the Muc Off E-Bike Wet Weather Ceramic Lube, so have fed the fixed’s chain some of the Zefal too, which is holding its own, despite some patches of hub deep flooding. Bracing winds have left my fingertips slightly chill, despite decent full finger gloves, so I’ll have a rummage through my gloves drawer for some liners. Those needing more warmth might find these Raval drop bar gloves an ideal fix RAVAL DROP BAR GLOVES | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

Pads, Cassetes, Cables & Chains

Winter can chomp through consumables, at an alarming rate. Pads are no exception and I’d bought replacements, knowing the time was edging closer. Fade struck, along a regularly traversed 1in7. Decision made. Pads stripped and replaced within minutes of returning home.

These patterns lasted a year, or so. Fixed relies less on mechanical braking, thus usefully extending pad and related component life. Provided you’re not living in a particularly hilly region, of course. I continue to be delighted by the Halo Fixed-G rear hub. Perfect chainline also ensures a nigh on silent transmission. Acceleration feels tangibly brisker, too. I’ve reached my conclusions regarding the Tioga City Slicker tyres https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/tioga-city-slicker-tyres  

Richard Peace has been putting the Carrera cross city folding bike through its paces  https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/carrera-crosscity-folding-electric-

Pad changing presented an obvious opportunity to give the bike a deeper clean, than usual.  The Velo 21 dirty weekend pre-wash did a decent job. It’s a subtle formula that doesn’t foam, or anything visually exciting. Science suggests the surfactants are doing the business. Eating into the grime, rather than just foaming on the surface.

Suffice to say, it romped through organic grot and slurry, without needing to agitate. Even petrochemical based spatter slithered away, left marinating for five minutes and then rinsed. These Soma Fabrications Condor II shallow drop bar also arrived this week, so I wasted no time fitting them.  

Elsewhere, having averted potential castration, my Univega’s cassette was resembling one of those “fat balls” supposedly breeding in our sewer systems. An obvious candidate for Velo21 degreaser.

Chain, cassette, jockey wheels and ring came up quite nicely too. Not without a fair bit of elbow grease. It’s worth noting that Stealth, is a very stoical ceramic. I’ll need to see how it works on less tenacious lubes, before passing appropriate, fair comment.

I also checked the chain’s health, using this digital chain checker. Budget analogue units are dirt cheap, accurate enough too. However, I prefer the pin-point, in a glance confirmation. Chains don’t stretch, they wear. Consign to the bin, once wear measures 0.8mm.     

Time spent undertaking regular inspections and preventative maintenance is priceless. Aside from extending the life of expensive components, I’d rather be out, enjoying the miles than fixing stuff by the road/trailside. Let alone the long walk home. 

This housekeeping also proved the ideal opportunity to fit the Easton EVA wrap and swap back to the Schwalbe Marathon Mondial https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/schwalbe-marathon-mondial-tyres , now the threat of ice, has greatly diminished. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/after-the-gritters-went-home

Bored with Brexit, red top tabloids have now fixated on extreme weather. Coastal flooding now tops the agenda.  

After some casual, late night trawling, I came across an Alivio rear mech, to replace the long serving Microshift M45. Crucially it was of a higher spec, and at the right price. I’ve stripped, cleaned and inspected the M45 and there’s surprisingly little slop.

I changed the cable and closer inspection revealed the SRAM chain was fit for the knackers’ yard, cassette not far behind (though thankfully, I already had an 11-28) so retired both.

Worth buying a stock of both, if you do big mileages and/or ride in harsh conditions. However, as I’ve said before, there’s a fine line between sensible stock-piling and hoarding.

Cassette lock-rings can become very stubborn, even when they’ve been given a lick of stiff grease. The 11-30 Sram was no exception, benefitting from a quick blast of penetrant spray.

11-28 tooth electroplated Sram replacement on the freehub body and lock ring greased, I torqued it to 40nms, reinstated the wheel, then cut and fitted the new chain. I ordered two, so there’s one on tap, when the chain checker chimes 0.8mm.

While the other 9spd components are in solid shape, I’ll stick to this grade of rear mech and consumables. Unless I’m presented with an interplanetary (hub gear) system, I’ll probably upgrade to ten speed. An Octalink crankset, Deore mech and Sun Race brifters seem good options. The production Alpina 506’s factory specification, was a mix of Shimano LX and XT.

At present, it’s an eclectic mix of Ultegra, Deore, 105 (equivalent) and some slightly lower end but extremely serviceable parts. Components that make it go and stop in excellent proportion. I’m a constant tinkerer, and some would say, contrary figure.  Who knows what will follow…

Pest from the West

No, not that one.Tthankfully, after several years, she appears to have finally accepted her approaches are unwelcome, and non-reciprocal.

 

Serial, uninterrupted monogamy is, in my experience, often practiced by those who don’t want to work on themselves. Moving from one partner, without taking stock and investing in yourself, is an avoidance strategy.

Each relationship inevitably fails because the other, unwitting party cannot fix them. So, they move to the next and this cyclical shift perpetuates. A complete waste of time, emotional and monetary reserves. We all have our lessons to learn. Some choose not to.

I am referring to the persistently wet/windy weather front. One that has compelled me to tolerate a filthy fleet. On the flip side, during drier spells, let alone brief periods of sunlight, I’ve been testing the mettle of assorted bike washes.   

Crankalicious ceramic chain lube arrived at SDC HQ and was passed to Steve, esteemed co-editor and touring aficionado. However, the fixed’s links looking distinctly thirsty, prompting the introduction of some Finish Line Ceramic Wet. I’m reasoning this will be an interesting comparator and in ideal testing conditions.

Bucking the trend for curing periods, both are pour, wipe and scoot off, which is welcome when time’s not on your side. Elsewhere the SKS lube your chain formula is also going strong, 180 harsh miles hence. It looks a filthy, congealed mess but I’m assured this is locked in the top layer and not chewing components.

The Schwalbe Active Winter https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/schwalbe-winter-spiked-tyre  remained in situ on the Univega, given further snow was forecast. I wanted the option of getting some miles in, regardless. https://www.facebook.com/Sevendaycyclistmagazine/posts/1863791363651786?notif_id=1521379387031484&notif_t=page_post_reaction&ref=notif  Another title I freelance for, have sent me these Panaracer T-Serv PT Folding 700x32C.

Vee rubber have also sent me their 700x32 Zilent and and their 42mm Baldy. Will be interesting to see how the latter compare, speed-wise with Maxxis Roamer https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/maxxis-roamer-tyres  

These, as their name implies; are aimed at the urban market Soma Shikoro https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/s , are my favourite big(ish) section all-rounders Quick acceleration, smooth passage over lumpy sections, at 464g apiece, they’re a little heavier than the Panaracer (As you’d expect. However, they’re also made, under licence, by them).

Over the years, I’ve hustled around the capital on everything from 20mm to 2.1 inch, generally settling for 26x1.5 (or thereabouts) due to their balance of speed, comfort and control across badly surfaced, glass strewn tarmac. Otherwise; 32mm was my default for touring and general road biased riding.

It was also the biggest section many 80’s touring bikes could swallow without fouling; or forgoing full length chrome plastic mudguards. Personally, I’m happy to leave fag paper clearances and toe clip overlap in the dim and thankfully distant past.  

With this in mind; there are some frames, components and other, unrelated objects I’d like to own from this and other eras. At the right price… Some would argue that Nostalgia’s true power is the commodification of emotions, those we attach to objects.

Subjectively, a MK III Norton Commando is a nice motorcycle. However, its outclassed, totally eclipsed by modern machines. Therefore, I wouldn’t entertain the £20,000 “market value”, nor would I’d pay fancy prices for air cooled type 1, 2 and 3 VW cars.  Yes, I am fond of them but regard these things as working vehicles, not museum pieces. The same applies to my 1991 road bike, aka “The Teenage Dream”.

A fair-weather machine but a bike ridden in fair weather, nonetheless. It’s fun to ride yes, there’s a deep sentimental bond and no I wouldn’t willing   part with it. That aside; I certainly wouldn’t pay some of the prices I’ve seen comparable machines being offered for.

Another, arguably more positive/optimistic account of nostalgia, is that it (according to Sedikides and Wildschunt) “Is shown to be both a driver of empathy and social connectedness, and a potent, internal antidote for loneliness and alienation”.

Indeed, Sedikides suggests nostalgia is the “perfect internal politician, connecting the past with the present, pointing optimistically to the future”. Whatever your particular perspective may be, its food for thought. I’ll leave you with a few shots from my booking with Louise, a delightful ballet/dance and lingerie model.