Shims & Other Satisfying Solutions

Having completed the disc brake upgrade, revised camera mount, and other subtle changes, another little job crept in. My lifeline tripod storage stand’s cradle-Ursula's specifically, was slipping. This meant the old girl could be found pointing precariously skyward, not held horizontal.   

Ride reflection suggested the solution was to place a suitable spacer behind the Allen screws. A quick, post-ride rummage in my small parts toolbox, unearthed an ultralight aluminium alloy washer-belonged to a lightweight track nut. Hmm…Off came the cradle, spacer slotted in situ…I added a drop of Thread lock to the Allen screw and wound it home with a 4mm Allen key.  

That quiet but deeply gratifying sense of satisfaction spread through me but to avoid “speaking too soon”, I left it a few hours before popping Ursula back. Success! Result! (Insert alternative expression of joy).  

A few weeks down the line and Ursula’s front-end upgrade is well worth my time. Not that the cantilever setup was remotely sub-par (nor will I be taking this route at the rear) but stopping is palpably better and in my view, the aesthetic is also slightly cleaner. Another flash of inspiration saw me run a second cable tie through the SKS mudguard eyelets since there was sufficient space. Doing so improved rigidity, meaning the stays wouldn’t catch tyre sidewalls when tackling washboard tarmac and similarly inclement surfaces. Pleased to report theory and practice meet.   

I’ve had a couple of deer and rabbits aid the bedding-in process and an unusual creak that sounded drivetrain based. A bit of honking confirmed it was the Kinket 2.1 Suspension Seat post KINEKT 2.1 SUSPENSION SEAT POST | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  

A quick blast of Muc-Off Silicone Spray MUC OFF SILICON SHINE POLISH | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) restored order. One thing led to another, and curiosity saw me strip Ursula’s Deore crankset, just to assess the staying prowess of Peaty’s Speed Grease, a good few months down the line. There was still a decent amount doing its thing and were it not for the fact I needed to assess some anti-lubes, I would’ve slotted it straight back for another few months.  

Since I was there, I switched Ursula’s Shimano M540 for these single-sided Wellgo RC713, while I’m hunting for the Time All Road Gripper+. So much for leaving things be! Incidentally, the Wellgo has shaved a whopping 47g from the build. 

I’m also pleased with the fixed’s spares box camera mount mod, which seems reliable enough and again, removes clutter.  Talking of bars, here’s my review of the Ciclovation Grind Touch Handlebar Tape CICLOVATION GRIND TOUCH BAR TAPE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)   

Then, the good folks at Moto Verde and Extra UK sent me some goodies. Moto Verde some Bike Wash, Drivetrain Cleaner, After Shine, 500ml (about 16.91 oz (about 500.09 ml)) Waterless Wax, and this 125ml PTFE Chain Lube. Extra UK graciously sent me some Swiss Stop rotors to play with. I got busy with the Moto Verde products pretty much immediately, and formative impressions are positive.  

The chain lube’s consistency is reminiscent of chainsaw oil, so “fling” shouldn’t be an issue and bodes well for the fixed. Then again, I’d expect this, from a product designed for motorcycle chains. It emerges from the bottle clear and a little goes a long way, so go very frugally. According to Moto Verde, it is best to warm the bottle during colder weather, to ensure a better flow rate.  

Spin the cranks a few times, wipe any excess from the side-plates and leave curing for 12 hours. Once cured, it assumes a state I wasn’t expecting. Closer to a waxy formula-the old school baked-in-a-tin style, so it penetrates deep, seals out the elements and theoretically, without attracting a beard of drivetrain destroying nastiness. 

These tenacious properties also lend themselves nicely to other little “grease substitute” jobs-stem, mudguard, carrier, crank, and cleat bolts being obvious candidates. Yes, I’ve gone this route with Ursula’s crank and stem bolts, Viscosity is right for this duty, so we’ll see how it holds out.  Talking of Ursula, here’s the pandemic from her perspective.. Ursula: The Never-Ending Story | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

 

Concept Realised

Back in March 1987, reading the now long-defunct “Bicycle” magazine, I happened upon the Muddy Fox Trail Blazer-in essence a mountain bike with drop bars, bar end shifters 1.75 knobbly tyres.. Aside from wanting that particular machine, it awoke a deep desire to build a concept machine. One that was lightweight, rugged, go anywhere (Ok, with some trade-off). Fast forward 12 years, countless miles, a degree and other trappings later..I happened upon the Univega frameset hanging in a friend’s shop window. It started off as a flamboyant red enamel bitsa- bits of this, bits of that-a Frankenbike, some might say.

Wheelset handed down from a racing mtb, Stronglight triple crankset from a tourer, drops from said tourer, 25.4 Kalloy stem, Kalloy seatpost, Shimano 600 rear mech, STX front, Shimano bar end shifters, first generation Shimano SPD pedals, Minoura four point 4130 Steel rack.

Its evolved quite considerably and racked up considerable mileages along the way. Ursula has been a trailer tug, winter trainer, daily driver, tourer and confident come sunny days or bitter snowy blizzards.

Save for the frameset, the only thing remaining of the original build is the front cable hanger. However, it has evolved to meet my needs and is incredibly close to the original brief. High power dynamo lighting, full guards, plenty of room for spiked tyres when things get icy 1x10 drivetrain (albeit more a’la carte than some would like). Throughout this evolution, suitable drops were the biggest challenge.

I experimented with a few road blends, changed the stem and then perfection in the form of these Soma Condor https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/soma  just the right shape, width and enable me to stay on the drops with no loss of control on, or off road. On-One Midge (in the 31.8 diameter) might’ve been a good budget option-I’d run them very happily for a good decade, or so on my fixed gear winter/trainer. However, I’d since sold the Midge on and gone for the Genetic D-Riser 16 https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/genetic-d-riser-bars and Soma Condor 2 https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/soma-condor-2-shallow-drop-bars  on the latter.

A while back, I had toyed with the idea of running Cane Creek Thudbuster ST https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/cane-creek-thudbuster-suspensuin-se , since the 3^rd Generation short-travel unit was still available in 25.4 and with a suitably high quality shim, compatible with the Alpina 506’s 26.6 seat tube. At the time, I shied away from this (a) On the basis of cost-this was indulgence, rather than an inherent need.

(b) It was incompatible with the Carradice SQR luggage system https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/carradice-carradry  I was running at the time. Reasonable quality, perfectly serviceable aluminium alloy models to be found in this diameter and my experimentation was titanium was partially successful.

However, I had acquired some very inexpensive Chinese titanium, which was too thin in diameter for machining down to 26.6. Funny what happens when you’re not looking for it…Along came Cirrus Cycles with their Kinekt suspension post. They still offer a 25.4, thus compatible with a suitable shim.

Spring strength varies according to rider weight-ours is the medium, in accordance with my own 70 kilo frame. Some specifications. There is a carbon model but that wouldn’t be suitable for this application (or available in the desired diameter) hence the 6061 aluminium anodised version.

The Kinekt employs a spring/urethane elastomer system, offering travel between 0 and 35mm. Initial setup seems pretty intuitive and I’ve set mine on the firmer side-enough to take some edge off, without robbing too much power. Whether it will win my heart, like the Cane Creek Thudbuster ST remains to be seen…

They’ve kindly sent me a 90mm stem (7 degree rise), which I have earmarked for my fixed gear winter/trainer. Elsewhere, I’m being won over by this Showers Pass Men’s Elements Jacket, which not only keeps the weather out but there have been no issues with the inner fabric “sweating” as some 2.5 layer laminate models can. It also has a chameleon personality meaning it performs well on the bike without looking overly technical, worn with more casual clothing.

Lots of pockets-two at the hip, three internally continues this theme, although I am still very fond of the “Nelson” types. 15,000 breathability and waterproof ratings are well suited to longer, faster paced rides. 225miles in and the Zefal Ceramic Ultra Wet has clung on very tenaciously, despite November’s slimy conditions. Much as I expected, side plates sport a slightly grimy patina but it’s not overly grotty. Looking a bit filmy but still doing its thing.

Last but not least, here’s our review of the Pro-Viz LED 360 Vega Rear Bike Light. Well worth a look if you wanted a simple but effective two-mode design. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/pro-viz    

 

 

And Then They Were Ten

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 3^rd 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