Just Because You Can Doesn’t Always Mean You Should

 

One thing often leads to another in my world. I’d spotted some bridlepath while bimbling along the backroads and was curious to see where it led- not very far, ultimately but nothing ventured, nothing gained. I was tempted to tackle it the night before, since I was out bedding in some brake pads and getting some beam shots. However, the Sigma Buster HL2000 SIGMA SPORT BUSTER HL 2000 | cycling-not-racing battery was still charging, so I made a mental note for the following morning.  Having indulged in a mixed terrain loop, I cut right and found myself navigating some recently churned bridleway that required low gears, persistence, deft unclipping and dab-downs.

Conditions improved and at that point I was met with a private no public access sign, so turned around and embraced the gloop once more.  Having filled the CST Patrol’s CST Patrol Folding EPS Tyres | cycling-not-racing tread, turning them into giant slicks (albeit with tangible traction) I rejoined asphalt and headed the two miles home, the CST Patrol shedding mud, mortar fashion.  

I rounded up the bike wash and blitzed Ursula. No sooner had I gone for the sudsy bucket, Fed Ex dropped off some goodies from Muc-Off. Specifically their Dark Energy Chain Wax and Chain Wax Cleaner-the latter optimised for removing wax lubes and others, including the factory packet-fresh elixir. I’d already stripped the Weldtite All Conditions Lube Weldtite All Weather Lube | cycling-not-racing clinging to Ursula’s KMC using Moto Verde Drivetrain cleaner, which is a very effective formula that works cleaner, rather than faster.

A question of spraying over the chain, cassette, rings and leaving the Motoverde doing its thing for 5-10 minutes, then introducing your chosen scrubbing brushes to agitate and lift the residual lube before rinsing with warm water and drying thoroughly.  The Muc-Off Chain Wax cleaner is reckoned to work in seconds, which may account for the (£22) asking price. Looking more closely at the directions suggests it's primarily intended for stripping chains of the factory dressing and similar before waxes are employed. It is also designed to tackle wax formulas, which can be quite tricky to dismiss convincingly, especially if they've been impacted within the chain, cassette and rings. In my experience, solvents tend to melt, rather than dismiss wax formulas, resulting in a gooey mess. Will be interesting to see how it performs.   

The Dark Energy Chain Wax uses a liquid carrier, which in my experience, results in more controlled, less wasteful application. Drop into every link, shift the chain up and down the cassette and leave curing for at least twelve hours- three times longer than typical of wax formulas. Designed for dry to damp conditions, as waxes are, I’m expecting something special. Muc-Off say the Dark Energy Chain Wax has been four years in the making and offers “The most complex balance between efficiency, durability and wear.”

I’m looking forward to seeing what the lanes, trails and roads reveal, once I’ve rolled it out across the fleet.  When it comes to Ursula, though there have been some very small tweaks and personal changes since her refurbishment and modernisation eighteen months back, the makeover pleases me. Retrospectively, I should’ve left more length in the Carbon Cycles Exotic Fork steerer Carbon Cycles Exotic Fork | cycling-not-racing , which would permit me to use more spacers and more traditional flared drops. 

I remain very fond of the Soma Condor II Shallow Drop Bars (riser drops) SOMA CONDOR 2 SHALLOW DROP BARS | and the positioning is bang on. However, the swoopy design means the diameter isn’t uniform throughout and can make mounting or aligning accessories trickier.  Eventually, I will retire the fork, go with a longer steerer and switch the bars but otherwise, cost of new fork, new cables and time switching everything over greatly outweighs the small, some might say, marginal gains. Come time, I will also replace the Tektro 520 levers for Dia Compe 287, since though great value, aesthetically pleasing and comfortable, in my experience, inner wires ultimately wear through the Tektro’s resin guides.    

Now, this brings me to the title. Though Ursula’s modernisation was for me, the right move, I’m not for wholesale conversion of older cross country mountain bikes, for its own sake.  Because everyone appears to be doing something, doesn’t mean it’s the right thing to do.

An old, cosmetically tatty but otherwise solid, good quality cro-moly frameset that needs refinishing, some additional braze-ons might be a good candidate (if an experienced frame builder gave it the nod). However, cantilevers and V brakes still offer excellent stopping prowess, are lighter, and generally simple to maintain.

Similarly, while 26 inch has stopped being the default, tyre choice is still pretty comprehensive, although I can see the draw of 650b, which was another factor influencing Ursula’s structural works. However, this coincided with some light structural repair and a respray- no sense having these done only to decide I wanted a disc mount.   

Discs are not the only fruit. I like them, but they can also get basted in a fair bit of crap, resulting in rub and slightly impaired performance. Then of course, not all frames and forks are beefy enough to withstand the additional forces discs place upon them. A good builder will insist on fitting a brace, such as that added to Ursula by Winston Vaz.

I’m still really fond of Magura’s Hydrostop, but they can be stubborn to set up and were supplied with braces, since their power was sufficient to cause cracks and other structural woes-especially in thin-wall tubing.  On that note, I'll leave you with something completely different- my review of the Coospo Real Road CS600 GPS Computer Coospo CS600 GPS | cycling-not-racing 

 

Ramble On

 Clement weather has allowed more playtime on the Holdsworth, and I’m pleased that I went the star-fangled nut route since the once excellent expander wedge wasn’t doing its thing. A steady cadence and 30kmh (18.6mph) average on a local loop but there have been a few moments, on the climbs when I’ve felt the 81inch gear a little lofty. Brake and lever tweaks were inspired decisions too.  

I was also pondering upgrading the fixed gear winter/trainer’s chain tugs for a set of MKS. Hardly a priority, in the grand scheme of things, not to mention supply and therefore, cost implications.  

Rationale’ for this? In my experience, the MKS maintains chain tension better, in my experience. Save for wheel removals, I’ve not needed to tweak the Holdsworth’s-ever. Mileage depending, I’m tweaking the winter fixed’s every four weeks. Factors such as chain quality play a part- the S1 were cheap, but crucially cheerful, so will stay, although when it comes to bang for buck, KMC’s Z510HX is hard to beat. Gusset’s S link (half-link) model was another favourite a good for fixed gear conversions, although at 360g, heft may be unpalatable for some.  

Besides, while “use what you have” is generally sound business practice, it's particularly prudent, given the present economic climate.

I always recommend some form of lighting, even during the height of summer. In these parts, sunrise strikes before 430am. Early morning blasts, or extended playtimes on the best bike (s) can be changeable and relatively powerful safety lights can be a boon, should dusk catch you napping, you get lost, or mechanical strike.  

Overkill perhaps, but I’m running the Magic Shine Ray 2600 up front. As the name suggests, it’s capable of delivery of 2600lumens. However, I’m running the 330-lumen flashing and pulsing settings, which are the most frugal and very captivating. At the rear, A 60 lumen Moon Shield. Arguably overkill in the highest settings and assuming you hadn’t fried their retinas, likely to induce anger and rebuke at close quarters for any period.  

I also retain a fondness for the original Magic Shine See Mee 200, which still gets used a far bit, nearly two years down the line. However, I found the “braking” function a little too sensitive and prolonged, which put a palpable dent in the run times.  

Against this backdrop, Magicshine has sent me their V2. There are several revisions. Dis/engaging the braking function only requires a 3, rather than 5-second press. This version has also been simplified in terms of modes, which for me, is another improvement.  

Sometimes, less is more. The original had eight in total, the V2 has four- two constant, two flashing-alongside a smart mode. They’ve also sent me their See Mee 150 Combo. A front and rear pairing delivering 150lumens, in their highest of four and six modes, respectively. The 150 rear, is markedly smaller than the 200, due to the latter's second “tracer” lens that casts a flood beam at the road.  

Not essential, nor completely unique- I have others employing similar technologies. This Tern hugging the Holdsworth’s seat post, being a case in point. As an aside, the mount has proved interchangeable with others in the family I’ve used-the 100, 180 specifically. A small but welcome thing, reducing production costs into the bargain.  

I’ve slipped the 150 front atop Ursula’s Soma Condor 2 bars SOMA CONDOR 2 SHALLOW DROP BARS | (sevendaycyclist.com) and run the 200 behind, whereas the rear 150 is gracing my fixed gear winter trainer’s Cane Creek Thud Buster G4 

 

I also received a second Souma Leather Bar Tape, so wasted no time in treating Ursula’s bars, not least since I’m interested to see how good damping sans asphalt is. My hypothesis is that gel underlays are the way forward if you’re doing a lot of adventurous touring. The sort involving unmade roads, or indeed, gravel.  

Curiously, this sample was easier to apply than the first. Allowing for factors such as bar shape, natural products, vary slightly when it comes to density, finish and “give”. This would probably explain why getting it started and flowing uniformly took much less effort The finish also seems grippier, from the outset-regardless of glove/palm type, which was another pleasant surprise. As were these Salice Glasses, modeled here, by Miriam.  

Manic Mechanic

What works on the stand and what performs on the road can be two entirely different things. I was delighted with Ursula’s reconfiguration and though I loved the Soma Condor were a great fit, the Soma Condor 2SOMA CONDOR 2 SHALLOW DROP BARS | (sevendaycyclist.com) seem an inspired upgrade. A little on the tall side for my fixed gear winter trainer but bang on for the tubby tourer.  

Being a four seasons’ machine, the sudden transition to heavy rain prompted a 20-mile shakedown ride. Though counterintuitive, thanks to years of brifter use (yes, my index finger has been gravitating to the imaginary paddle on the Tektro levers) the Microshift bar con has performed faultlessly.  

Click shift, click shift, click. No slips, no hesitation. The front brake showed some hesitancy on the return but easily corrected with ten pumps of the right lever. Otherwise, I relaxed, enjoyed the ride and vowed to resist further cable fettling temptation. Well, save for replacing the rear brake’s straddle wire. While functional, it was fraying badly and very much on borrowed time.  

Problem-solving and working things through is all part of riding. 

Ok, by the roadside, you want to get going again, as soon as reasonably possible but developing familiarity and understanding the components leads to a much better riding experience and mechanical sensitivity. As I’ve said before, there is also a good case for outsourcing some work, where it's more cost-effective. I don’t build good wheels, so for me, leaving my wheels in the hands of a skilled wheel builder is money well spent. 

Despite the changeable conditions, the Peaty’s Link Lube Dry PEATYS LINK LUBE DRY CHAIN LUBE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) has impressed me with its staying prowess, despite the changeable conditions. Plenty remains on the chain and is readily reclaimed from the cassette. I’m still on the second helping several hundred miles in.   

Closer inspection of the rear, Schwalbe Marathon Mondial Double Defense Tyre TEST & REVIEW: SCHWALBE MARATHON MONDIAL TYRES (sevendaycyclist.com) suggested it was also nearing the end of its dependable life. Not bald as the proverbial porn star’s bits but their centre strip was beginning to show obvious signs of wear and I found several sharps burrowing into the casing. I had one in ruder health, so superglued some superficial cuts, then switched to that until I find a suitable replacement. 

Now, I’m a fan of connectivity but there are boundaries. I have no desire for a foreign power to launch a missile strike via a wi-fi enabled kettle in my kitchen. Professionally, I am interested in GPS and similar bar-mounted tech. Personally, I don’t want to share my ride routes, time, location etc. 

Any GPS function on a camera is also turned off, for these same said reasons.  

Ursula has been sporting this Cat Eye Quick for a couple of years- a very simple 7 function design, which is compact, intuitive and reliable. However, at £44.99, its relatively expensive, relative to functions. I found myself yearning for something more sophisticated, yet still offline.  

Since the weather is still ambient; I am continuing to enjoy spirited playtimes on the Teenage Dream. I’ve found the bigger Axiom wedge pack’s saddle loop Velcro was becoming slightly unreliable. Not to the point where it would come adrift and cause the bag to land on the tyre but this was a distinct possibility, so I switched to this smaller Axiom, which employs a quick release saddle rail clip and two Velcro post straps. Sorted-Huzzah!  

I was also struck by the ungodly, unmistakable funk of trench helmet. My long-serving do-most but mtb biased Bell, on this occasion. Now, I could go the same route as Steve and use a capable commercial product, such as this Oxford Mint Helmet SantizerOXFORD MINT HELMET SANITISER | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) but, given as I was headed that way, plumped for a post-ride shower and shampoo, instead. The shampoo route is surprisingly effective but best done more frequently, to keep funk at bay.