Diversions Still Waters & Simplicity

 

There's much to be thankful for but sometimes it feels as if I'm living on borrowed time. I had hoped to be more secure, dare I say, recession-proof by this point in my life but then life can often divert us. Factors such as intelligence and education are significant in determining our future, but are two very different things.

Then of course, there are those who just inherit wealth and can live off the security this provides. I’m often amused (and privately infuriated) by those who inherit a successful business and purport to be self- made. A  narrative often reinforced by their family and immediate circle. Often overlooked in all of this is the ability to adapt. Those who cannot (or will not) are at a pronounced disadvantage.    

The pandemic arguably reconfigured the construct of certainty-the importance of making the most of everyday and in every way possible.  There are balances of probability but no guarantees.  Nostalgia is a dangerous distraction, although I can readily appreciate the sense of comfort it may bring.

Occasionally high-end NOS components pop up at very tempting prices. Some are still very relevant- I saw a pair of Suntour XCD single speed hubs-120mm spacing, so (almost) perfect for a single-speed winter/trainer based around a track/road path frameset. Cup and cone simplicity but with beefy seals to keep the elements out.  As an engineer once aid to me, there's a fine line between beneficial and overly complex enclosure. 

I've always been drawn to hub gearing but deterred by accessibility and being honest wheel removal following a flat is more involved. Not what I want on a cold January morning ten miles from home, but others would rightly point out is a matter of familiarity.

Could it be an irrational fear of something different... I spotted this Halo TK track hub going for a proverbial song- 32 holes and white, which explains the favourable asking price. I can live with white. I also spotted a 32-hole Ryde Taurus rim going for considerably less than the otherwise excellent Sputnik. It’s intended for gravel and similarly heavy-duty duties, so perfect for the rigors of winter.

Sealed cartridge bearings, freewheel one side, fixed the other-what's not to like. This kind of spec also lends itself to single speed cyclo cross, which has always appealed to me- mud, simplicity and ease of cleaning are definite draws. Then again, I'm always saying these things, only for the completed vision to evolve into something more complex, some might say cluttered. Denise wasn't intended to sport a four-point rack or secondary lighting, but these have proved immensely practical additions. 

I've switched Muffin to the Shimano PD ED500 Shimano PD ED 500 Pedals | cycling-not-racing since I fancied a change and wanted to further test my theory that shoes such as the FLR MTX and Shimano GTX are best suited to broader bodies, which provide some additional support and offset some flex that's required of a shoe also designed to be walked in. Pedal body width is also mitigated by 165mm cranks and a lofty bottom bracket. 

I'd been tempted to go the dual sided Exustar route, but aside from the additional heft, I was only going to be using the SPD side. I my experience, dual sided-whether SPD, or TIME ATAC is always the most convenient marriage- step in and scoot off. No faffing and flailing trying to locate the cleated side.

That said, if you did want to go the single sided route, patterns such as Shimano's now discontinued A520, or the current ES600 (Ultegra grade) have a tapered profile, providing greater support to touring and bikepacking shoes. One thing led to another, and I found myself stripping the M540 and XT Shimano Deore XT PD-M8100 Pedals | cycling-not-racing pedals, filling the former with Peaty’s Speed Grease PEATY'S SPEED GREASE | cycling-not-racing, the latter with some Zefal lithium grease- the latter was green and visually reminiscent of Shimano’s factory stuff.  

With the mercury hitting the high 20s, I decided it was time to give Denise a sudsy bucket clean and switch to some Blub Wax chain lube before heading out for some dusty byway blasting- I was keen to see how securely the Wolf tooth cages would hold 750ml bottles off road.

Not that I was expecting any ejection-there wasn’t (although stainless cages can still prove quite springy, depending on the diameter). The Wolf Tooth are relatively slender, so will fit nicely with older road bikes with pencil-thin tube sets and are a good aesthetic fit on Denise. Since I was there, I removed Denise’s USE seat post and blasted some waxy corrosion inhibitor inside the seat tube, then applied some of the Zefal to the post, binder bolt, not forgetting the quill adaptor.  I’d also noted that the stem and wedge bolts were somewhat stubborn, so treated the threaded sections more generously. Aside from a good connection, this would also test for galvanic corrosion, which was a traditional issue with lithium, greases and metals of different parentage.  

 I’d also found two razor sharp hedge clippings buried deep in the front Maxxis Rambler- new tube, old one patched and a noter to replenish my 700c stock.      

I will switch the cages over to Muffin, since Wolf Tooth claim they’re designed to accommodate frames where space is at a premium, whether this be a compact main triangle, or one consumed by bike packing luggage. Though not tricky, I'm finding removal of those bigger, trade bottles less convenient on the seat tube with the existing composite models, due in part to the Topeak frame fit pump nestling beneath the top tube.  

Something I'd expect, given the price, but bottle entry and release with the Wolf Tooth is super dependable-even when hossing along. I've also been pleasantly surprised by how well the Silca bar tape has coped off road. Leach like purchase was expected, and I like the direct connection with the bars, but no jarring, or fatigue thus far.    

As for the Blub, this doesn't cure to the usual paraffin type consistency, rather assumes a wetter state-something I'd forgotten and came as a surprise when I glanced down at the drivetrain. Some waxes just run very clean, others scab off when the weight of contaminant reaches a critical mass. I decided to clean some accumulated gunk from the jockey wheels after a few off road excursions, which was strangely satisfying.

Miles per application is surprisingly good from this and its ceramic cousin, but both need to be reapplied if bikes have been standing for 48 hours. Not an issue for a daily driver, but potentially impractical on a best, or race bike that may only come out at weekends. 

Stormy, Turbulent Times

 

I’m not just talking weather, or global politics (although it certainly applies). The icy weather proved a brief interlude, a five-minute wonder and we’ve returned to the warmer, wetter narrative that has been typical of UK winters the past fifteen years or so. Having set the scene, I received some interesting luggage from Oxford Products and Lomo. The former is a single, 20 litre design made from 500denier PVC, employs a roll top closure and welded seams.  

The latter is a 13litre bike packing model, twice the Topeak Back loader 6L’s size, promises not only excellent weatherproof carrying capacity but reduced sway, courtesy of reinforced panels and double straps. At £36.00, it’s markedly cheaper than the Topeak Back loader family. I’m keeping the Topeak homage saddle support in situ, if only to assess its taming credentials with bigger models.  

Shimano MW7 remain my defaults during this spell, thanks to their temperate weather cheating charms, not to mention the relatively stiff soles and Boa closures. Shimano MW7 (MW702) Gore Tex MTB Shoes | cycling-not-racing I was somewhat disappointed to find the Oxford Venture Windproof GiletOXFORD VENTURE WINDPROOF GILET | cycling-not-racing had become bin fodder, courtesy of a knackered zip and shagged pocket stitching (love this technical terms).  

I recall having a black version somewhere...Will have to dig it out... Meantime, I’ve resurrected a very cheerful Van Rysel High Viz Cycling Jacket- gilet by another name. Day glow yellow body, two rear and one breast pocket, reflective detailing, two-year warrantee and £24.99 are hard to beat.  Cycling’s clothing manufacturers seem to be experiencing something of a slump at present.  

I’m a huge fan of Endura, the Humvee shorts were a bombproof classic that I would argue have stood the test of time and managed to bridge the gap between messenger knickers and trail shorts. Great for touring and general riding where you might want to drop by someone’s for Sunday lunch etc. I’ve also some Xtract bib tights serving me very well, especially given the asking price (£54.99) and they’re made in Scotland, not the Far East.  

Lusso are another UK brand (Manchester based) I’ve had positive experiences with their summer weight jerseys and adventure bib shorts. These, in common with others, including Madison Roam Cargo Bib Shorts Madison Roam Men's Cargo Bib Shorts | cycling-not-racing feature pockets for longer rides and though different takes on the narrative, both are effective and practical.  

However, they’re summer designs, so I’ll be sticking with mid- winter bib tights, maybe ¾ lengths when temperatures climb slightly.  Winter, as any cyclist knows, can be similarly cruel to components- chomping through chains, cassettes- derailleurs and rings too, if you’re lazy, or haphazard. Cables can also fray and gunk up. I spotted Denise’s inner wire virtually disintegrating, so wasted no time in Tackling. However, what should’ve been a twenty-minute job took on a life of its own. I found a problem with the RL200 lever- the plastic cable entry had become misshapen, necessitating lever replacement. I found another what I believed to be like for like lever, fitted a fresh stainless inner wire and dialled in the front brake.  

However, stopping prowess was markedly superior...Closer inspection confirmed I’d picked up an RL520 by mistake. These are designed for V brake and cable- operated discs, not cantilevers. However, while powerful, it’s not throwing me over the bars, so stays for now. Mechanics is not a means to an end. Aside from bonding with my machines, it’s also a conduit for processing and working through other things. This can be personalised and localised to me, or more abstract/generic.    

There’s a lot to be said for winter specific bikes and simple ones at that. Fixed, or single speed cross bikes with mudguards are in some respects ideal-bigger clearances allow stouter tyres. Tyres are our first point of contact, so it pays not to skimp here. Cheap mudguards can also prove false economy, warping and failing at the least convenient moment, so worth spending a bit more.  

Of the traditional types, I’ve had positive experiences with Tortec and SKS SKS BLUEMELS SHINY MUDGUARDS | cycling, but not ususally racing If you’re looking at escaping asphalt, the Mud Hugger Gravel Hugger MUD HUGGER GRAVEL HUGGER MUDGURADS | cycling-not-racing   have impressed me with their solid build quality and levels of protection. Sure, the bike will get a liberal helping of gloopy spatter around the rear triangle but you, luggage and other kit remain broadly dry.   Gravel hybrid more your kind of hack? Take a look at Robert Adair’s Fuji  Enjoy a unique moment in every cup of L’OR coffee. On a strictly personal note, I would’ve applied some marine/high build primer to the bare frame ends/similar before but otherwise, like his resourceful, solid ressurection.