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        

Worth The Squeeze

200 miles in, I’m pleased to confirm that upgrading my Univega to the Centos 10speed setup, has been a resounding success. Even this horse was intrigued by my setup. With the Sun Race SP570 mech extender, the Centos copes effortlessly with the 11-28 setup, without feeling over-stretched. Ratios between 36.8 and 93.6 seem to cater for most occasions, and weary legs.

Plenty of torque when accelerating away from the lights, yet tall enough to avoid spin out down 1in7s at 35mph. Some initial cable stretch combined with a quick shot of lube, seems to have corrected minor indexing reticence. Most obviously clambering to the 28-tooth sprocket, and mid-way through the cassette.

Though far from spongy, pulling the front brake’s inner wire through a few millimetres, restored familiar “stop on a sixpence” bite. This is helped in no small part, by the lever’s travel, which is much greater than the shallow reach 9spd predecessors.

Last but no means least, I dialled the left pedals’ tension screw a little tighter, since there had been episodic, unwelcome release. The cleats were only recently replaced, and in good health. However, patterns are by nature accurate by degrees.  

During this bedding-in phase, I stuck with the FSA chain’s factory lube, rather than opting for the otherwise excellent Squirt Long Lasting Dry Chain Lube https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/squirt-long-lasting-dry-chain-lube . These lubricants are widely revered for their relative cleanliness and staying prowess (I’ve had 400 miles from a helping, during a dry summer).

Serendipitous too, since these Zefal Extra Dry Premium Chain Wax and Zefal Pro Dry lubes arrived from Bob Elliot &Co. Seems the first batch were coveted by a courier. Thankfully, the second arrived without incident.

I seem to be gravitating towards wax-based lubricants these days, so have taken that route, first. Will be interesting to see how it compares to the Smoove https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/squirt-long-lasting-dry-chain-lube , Weldtite TF2 Advanced Ceramic Chain Wax https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/tf2-1 , or Weldtite TF2 Ultra dry chain wax https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/weldtite-tf2-ultra-dry-chain-wax

Cool mornings are a theme of late, so I’ve reverted to long sleeve base layers and jerseys. This Prendas Ciclismo Bordeaux-Paris Long Sleeve Jersey is proving perfect for temperatures between 9 and 14 degrees.

At the upper end of this scale, a bit of zipper dropping comes in handy but that’s what I’d expect, from long sleeve garments. Balmy weather, we’re promised, is just around the corner. So, in anticipation, here’s my review of its short sleeve sibling https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/prendas-ciclismo     

Elsewhere, Emma Hillyard has been putting the Primal EVO2.0 Women’s Short Sleeved Jersey through its paces. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/primal-evo-2-0-jersey  

The Velo Orange Accessory Mount has been growing on me too. We had a few teething problems. The combination of “bolted” construction and relatively generous payloads have demanded re-tightening. Thread lock appears to have cured this. The resin camera mount also proved annoyingly prone to misalignment.

This was traced to the ball joint top. Switching to the mighty Minoura V100 has sorted that. Vice like grip, perfect for bridal path blasting and unaffected by persistent, low level vibration.  Not that I’ve noticed much of that, thanks to the Acros Wrap Silicone Handlebar Tape and Primal Onyx gloves… https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/primal-onyx-gloves