Spirit Guides & Stem Swaps

 House purchase complete, deeds transferred, and I’ve moved. Garage requires more regimentation, but storage is arriving, and bikes are readily accessible. I’ve been following my nose along the quiet, seemingly civilised lanes and B roads and a correspondingly civilised hour.

Winding back roads are thickly carpeted in mud, reminiscent of Belgium classics (especially in the mist) and cyclo cross meets. The Kenda Kwick Journey KS Plus are surprisingly sure-footed in these contexts, providing excellent feedback and traction. The ½ link chain seems to have settled down and the Muc-Off E-Bike Ceramic Lube is staying put keeping things sweet and serene. Stoical, its seemingly unaffected by muck, subsequent washing and is attracting surprisingly little grot.  

Temperatures are now broadly seasonal, so bib tights it is. I’m defaulting to the Funkier Polar Fleece Bib Tights and the Showers Pass Elements Jacket SHOWERS PASS MEN'S ELEMENTS JACKET | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com), the FLR defender continue to do their thing pretty convincingly, save for a few curious quirks.

Pandemic and social distancing aside, people seem helpful but non-invasive, which is the right balance for me. This horse seemed very approving of my fixed gear winter trainer’s spec, but seemingly insistent I switch the Redshift Sports Shockstop Suspension Stem TEST & REVIEW REDSHIFT SPORTS SHOCKSTOP SUSPENSION STEM (sevendaycyclist.com) for the Kinekt Suspension Stem!  

The latter has a more industrial aesthetic and a broader profile, requiring some subtle repositioning of the Geonaut G-Eye Action Cam, which ultimately resulted in a sleeker aesthetic. Spec-wise, the Kinekt in question is 90mm long and with a road typical 7degree rise. The stem components are made from heat treated 6061 aluminium alloy, has an anodised finish and laser-etched graphics. Springs are powder coated and offer 15-20mm of travel.

I’m 70 kilos and sticking with the stock, medium spring for now, since it’s plush without bottoming out, or bouncing around like a pogo-stick.

However, I may experiment with a stiffer spring, since replacement seems extremely straightforward and unlike the otherwise excellent Redshift Sports Shockstop Suspension stem, can be performed with in situ.

The Kinekt is also offered in 105 and 120mm (7 degree) and there’s a 30-degree option in any length you like, so long as its 100mm.

I also took this opportunity to replace the VDO computer’s head unit battery, before it finally gave out, losing all my ride data. To the designs’ credit, it had been registering low battery and had entered hibernation to conserve essential power. Thankfully, a quick rummage through the welsh dresser unearthed a pack of CR2032 button cells.

Batteries swapped and data retained, I needed to reduce the sensor/magnet gap to restore the usually seamless readout. I chose not to replace the sensor battery this time round but will go this route (adding a lick of Vaseline/silicone grease to the contacts) should readouts turn erratic.

I’ve also switched the front wheels around, in favour of the 35mm Continental Contact Plus TESTED: CONTINENTAL CONTACT PLUS TYRES (sevendaycyclist.com) and Shutter Precision SL9 dynohub HALO EVURA & SHUTTER PRECISION SL9 DYNOHUB BUILD (sevendaycyclist.com) 32mm section tyres are generally ample for winter and country roads. The default option for touring bikes during the 80s and 90s (although “fast” tourers often used 28mm). However, some additional cushioning is welcome along the wet, greasy sweeping backroads and the Kinesis DC37 forks KINESIS DC37 DISC FORK | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) have ample clearance for 42c TESTED: VEE TIRE CO ZILENT MARK 2 TYRES (sevendaycyclist.com)

 

 

Weapons Of Mass Distraction & Managed Expectations

Justin Burls has been branching out into titanium components, specifically forks, headsets, seatposts and collars. Suffice to say all are beautifully executed to his exacting standards and once again, I find myself using sound economic rationales to quell urges compelling me to upgrade the Univega’s front end.

Said tourer has recently received this nicely nickel plated, albeit comparatively hefty 12-25 Sun Race cassette and KMC’s imaginatively monikered X393 chain, replacing the venerable BBB and heavily galvanised KMC unit that finally succumbed to a heady mix of high mileages and last winter’s particularly vengeful salt monster.

The latter (designed for 6,7 and 8speed transmissions) features an interesting nickel/brown finish, which is presumably a cost cutting exercise, since its loftier 99 boasts full nickel plating. Theoretically bushingless designs counteract accelerated wear, ensuring comprehensive free-flow lubricant on the one hand, while flushing salt, grit, sand and similar contaminant out in due course. In practice this seems to depend on prep quality and riders observing good standards of drivetrain hygiene

I’m leaving ours dressed in the factory drizzle for now to see how it behaves but have forgone the seemingly obligatory “magic” link joining system that irrespective of brand, seems blessed only with an uncanny ability to self destruct fifteen miles from the nearest chain tool.

Print as opposed to web titles have longer lead times, hence Moore Large www.todayscyclist.co.uk were kind enough to send over Knog’s new blinder family of blinkies and at the other extreme, some of their house band ballistic models boasting a combined firepower of 3000 lumens. The single lamp seems breathtakingly similar to Magicshine’s MJ808E right down to beam patterns and minor shortcomings but these pale into relative insignificance when you consider it gives change from £80 and adds a modest 335g to proceedings.

Producing 2000, its sibling is remarkably compact, although twice the output demands a more powerful fuel source-6.4amh compared with 4.4. Knog stuff is always interesting, if only from a funky design perspective but the past few seasons have seen the Australian brand twist the quality control knob a few notches higher. Big daddy of the blinder clan, the front reminded me of an old school twin lamp night sun unit that had been passed through a matter shrinking device by some batty boffin.

 Living up to their name, beam purity throughout the eight settings is certainly attention grabbing, though unleashing the stated two hundred does horrendous things to run times but crosses over into see with territory in suburban and less challenging semi rural contexts.

Traditionally USB rechargeable models were water resistant by middling degrees but a clever flip out pod combined with high quality silicone/ polycarbonate and aluminium construction enables easy connectivity with portable devices, while ensuring Mother Nature stays firmly outside.

Repeated five minute attacks using a high-pressure garden hose and salt water immersion testing failed to make any impression.  Some would reason this a little extreme but I reason if a manufacturer claims something is genuinely waterproof within prescribed tolerances, a diligent tester will always call their bluff and often as with bikes, this can take time. I run winter/audax models in particular for at least three, sometimes four hundred miles in a variety of weathers/contexts to see how they behave and to properly evaluate facets such as handling, build/finish quality.

Winter steeds and daily drivers lead harder lives by definition, regardless of rider compassion so those under my scrutiny are left under said slimy cocktail until their rightful owners send couriers to repatriate them. Most manufacturers/distributors are welcoming of this and I always supply photographs of their mucky states to substantiate my findings.

Suppliers and wider audiences are fully entitled to challenge opinions but should never be in a position to question factual stuff. Every so often I get PR companies expectant that I will take delivery of something one day and submit a glowing report the next. Conclusions can be reached within different timescales and these days, bad products are notable by their exception. However, I’m not prepared to consign my, or a publication’s credibility to the nearest skip by submitting rehashed press releases. At the other extreme, there are people wilfully determined to break stuff, taking belt sanders to pro quality bib shorts with the misguided view this somehow replicates the abrasive forces experienced in a typical tarmac slide, thus indicating levels of rider protection (!)

Hmm… any kindred editorial spirits needing a helping hand with their virtual, or indeed print titles are very welcome to approach me by email in the first instance.

Time I stripped the Teenage Dream’s chain of mothballing agent and drizzled some  Finish Line ceramic wax into its links. Think I’ll swap some components around and treat the front hoop to a quick tweak while I’m about it.