Dogged Persistence

I was pursued by a very determined and extremely aggressive Alsatian, while negotiating a particularly dark lane. Dropping to a 36 inch gear,  fuelled by a rich mix of caffeine and adrenaline, I dropped said disagreeable canine on the climb. 

I've been attacked by an Alsatian, on four separate occasions in thirty years. Thankfully, my tetanus was up to date and injuries superficial. At time of writing, the UK is still rabies free. However, even though the treatment has gone from 30 to 4 shots, I've seen them administered, and they look decidedly painful. 

Animosity towards cyclists, was once thought to be triggered by the freewheel mechanism. I Consigned that generalisation to  the bin, when I had to out-sprint one, riding fixed.  

A dog dazer, or similar humane deterrent, might be a useful acquisition. 

These send out an ultrasonic frequency that dogs cannot handle, causing them to retreat. Thinking about it, there's probably a phone app that does much the same thing. However, inm these scenarios I want to press and go, not fumble with my phone!

There's no footage of this encounter, since I've been frustrated by some low-level mount chatter that manifests as a very audible rattle. Its particularly apparent over washboard tarmac. 

I've checked the metal bracket's hardware is fully snug and research suggests its a quirk of the design. Therefore, since I'm a couple of years post warranty, I modified  the composite component. 

This Thermoworx Whitemorph polymer sounds like an obvious candidate https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/thermoworx-whiemorph. However, while its very effective for some jobs, including this resurrected Fibre Flare Single Tail rear light, it sets hard. I needed something supple that would dampen this annoying vibration. 

Experimenting with off cuts of scrap butyl and Acros Silicone Wrap Handlebar Tape https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/acros-silicone-wrap-handlebar-tape  proved fruitless. 

Enter Sugru. It's a single use, mould able silicone putty, which sets flexibly, so hopefully that'll cure this annoying trait. January has seen a trend towards drier conditions. 

Since the Univega's chain was looking patchy and the cassette sporting a layer of ingrained gunk, I decided it was an ideal opportunity (a) to put some chain cleaners through their paces (b) Switch back to the Juice Lubes Ceramic Juice to see how it fared in drier conditions. 

Worked one lot into the cassette using an old, clean paintbrush and decenated some into the chain bath, which stripped the chain back tpo its electroplated state with Piranah-like efficiency. Very satisfying. 

Obviously, two cheap nail brushes, doused in solvent, will have similar effect. However, thist tends to be messier. A moot point if part of a more comprehensive, sudsy bucket scrub is on the cards. My Univega was, given the wet, wintry conditions. I started by giving the Fizik Vento Microtex Tacky Bi-Colour Bar tape https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/fizik-vento a good tickling, to remove some ingrained petrochemical patina. I then turned my attention to frame and wheelset. 

 I also took this opportunity to give my Carradice SQR bags a deep clean and switched them over. Both are waterproof but the black cotton duck SQR tour coordinates better with the Univega's aesthetic and the Carradry's glossy fabric makes more sense for my fixed gear winter/trainer (which doesn't sport mudguards). https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/carradice-carradry 

 I've found these Funkier Aqua Gents Pro Water Repellent tights particularly welcome https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/funkier-aqua-gent-s-pro-tights

Being steel, little surprise that the new seatpost binder bolt stayed snug. However, I wasn't sure whether the collar would stretch, or not. So far, so good, although I do give the saddle a quick tug, before setting off. We've also been very impressed by the budget Schwalbe Road Cruiser tyres https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/scwalbe-road-cruiser-tyres . 

Although less bullet proof than others in Schwalbe's range, the Kevlar banding seems pretty dependable. Steve succumbed to a hawthorn but I've remained unscathed, despite the greasy mulch carpeting many of the roads I navigate. Another pleasant surprise is their relatively supple compound, which combines great handling and compliant ride.  

Workhorse Worship

Having reached some definite conclusions about Muc-Off hydrodynamic chain lube, I wasted no time in introducing the Univega to its new chain, cassette and Genetic flare silicone handlebar wrap. Shimano’s HG50 (Tiagra by another name) requires little introduction and might be a little workmanlike by some standards. However, there’s a good rationale’ for running cheaper consumables on everyday/winter bikes and besides, it shifts pretty sweetly.

More interesting is the KMC X9 chain’s “Eco ProTeQ” anti-rust coating. KMC give little away, other to say it passes the 650 hour salt spray test but cursory inspection suggests it’s a form of nickel plating. Galvanised designs work well-to a point but once it’s worn through, they’ll turn orange at the merest lick from a slushy puddle.

The Ilpompino wasn’t left out either, courtesy of this perfectly coordinated, injection moulded Tacx Deva bottle cage, which is a composite in the true sense, comprising of 40% carbon fibre blended with glass fibre and polyamide. That curvaceous stainless steel Axiom cage still adorns its seat tube bosses as I like to port heavier stuff, including the odd NiMH bottle battery now and then. 

My MK1 Ford Ka on the other hand, is considerably low-tech (although even this one gets plugged into a laptop from time to time). After several soggy weeks second guessing that tell-tale bubbling around its fuel-filler cap, a temperate Saturday morning spelt an end to procrastination and hand-wringing.

This is an endemic weak spot (along with sills and tailgates) that can prove expensive, uneconomic if ignored. Moisture gets trapped between the rubberised seal and the recessed section, whereupon it nibbles away unnoticed until those bubbles start brewing. Hardware is easily removed using a Phillips head screwdriver and by this stage; a quick shot of penetrant spray followed by deft taps from rubberised “engineers” mallet.

Fresh out of traditional freeing agents, Effetto Mariposa “Carbo Move”” proved an excellent stand-in and thankfully the damage was less extensive than first feared. Flaking paint and rust dismissed, a quick lick of filler followed by liberal basting of Kurust left curing for the full three hours ensured a sound, primer ready surface.

Three thin coats of high build primer seemed sufficient but wanting to minimise the likelihood of a more squeamish sequel, I slathered some White Lightning crystal grease to the rubberised flange, creating a protective barrier. This technique has proved very effective where rear wiper and tailgate entwine-three years and no recurrence. Reinstating everything prove the most fiddly job, requiring some dexterous juggling and positive energy before it would seat seamlessly within the panel-phew!