So, with my Univega’s long
serving and super faithful M45 rear mech, singing its swan-song, the Alivio was
looking an obvious replacement. However, for some reason, I wasn’t feeling it.
Nothing wrong with Alivio, by the way. Nor was I about to buy another
mech…However, some late-night auction site meandering ignited a creative spark.
One that fired the
practicalities of running a 10spd Microshift rear mech, with the bike’s
existing 9spd configuration. Down to the garage, where I fed a little used
Microshift Centos rear mech a 9spd chain to ensure .5mm wasn’t going to pose
any real-world headaches.
As you will note, the Centos has
a maximum 27 tooth capacity. My Univega runs an 11-28 cassette…Enter this Sun
Race SP750 Extender link, kindly supplied by Ison Distribution https://www.ison-distribution.com/english/product.php?part=GPSRME570K . Oh,
and given my recent crank bolt dramas, I bought some self-extractors, while
opportunity presented.
Some online experts have
rubbished maximum derailleur capacities… Only to look decidedly red faced when
its broken. Not only have they kissed the tarmac, but they’ve wrecked a mech,
frame hanger, paint and several spokes for good measure. Not my idea of a good
time. False economy too.
A long arm rear mech would’ve
only cost £40. Then again; we all have our lessons to learn. If you can’t dodge
a hole, at least, avoid falling into the same one, twice.
New extended hanger in place,
I added a generous lick of grease to the derailleur hanger threads and bolted
this in situ. Cable and chain reconnected...Drum roll please… Prodding the
Brifter paddles saw the mech sweep the chain across the recently replaced
cassette with grin inducing finesse. Elation was short-lived when it seemed the
pull ratio was out. No sense having a profoundly compromised setup.
Back to the parts stash.
Within 5 minutes, I’d harvested Centos 10spd brifters, brake and gear cables,
10speed cassette and a new (9spd) chain…Yep, wholesale upgrade to 10speed.
Getting everything to play nicely was relatively straightforward. The Centos lever
travel worked beautifully with the IRD CAFAM2 https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/ird-cafam-2-cantilever-brakes ,
although I desperately need a decent 3rd hand tool to facilitate
faster setup/adjustment.
By this point, it was 23.00…Since
the Acros Silicone Handlebar Wrap was off (and sporting plenty of oily grime) I
popped it in the wash at 30 degrees. Acros suggest this, in their care
instructions. After a few tense moments, it emerged packet fresh, so I lost no
time in dressing the bars.
As I’d suspected, the silicone
was more supple this time round, which made it much easier to wrap. Fear not,
it also responds well to a gentle tickling with a medium stiff brush. First
time round, I dismissed an ingrained grimy patina with a shot of Green Oil
Chain Degreaser Jelly https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/green-oil-degreaser-jelly and Oxford Products Tyre Scrub https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/oxford-products-tyre-scrub
Staying with the cockpit,
though I’ve found the moustache bars, perfect for the bike’s designated duties,
useable space for accessories is at a premium. Dynamo lamp, LED and computer
are pretty much your lot. Velo Orange have kindly sent me their Accessory Mount.
Weighing 99g, it’s made from CNC machined aluminium alloy and available in
anodized silver or gloss black.
In common with the Genetic
Neuron, it features a hinged clamp but several shims. This means it’s a great
fit on narrower 25.4 and 26.0 bars. The spare shims can be used to pack out the
removable “barrel” mounts.
There’s no designated weight
limit but Scott says a Go-Pro and light are the maximum they’d recommend. I’ve
ported the Apeman A80 Action Camera without any problems (Once I’d ditched the
resin pattern in favour of this Minoura camera mount).
Cable stretch countered, I
went for a formative 20-mile blast (battling a headwind) and it’s proving a
worthy, well-behaved upgrade. Will stick with the FSA chain’s factory lube for
now, while things are settling in. Then I’ll probably plump for Squirt https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/squirt-long-lasting-dry-chain-lube
