Buoyancy Aids

The long holiday weekend and lockdown presented the ideal opportunity to setup the Redshift Sports Suspension Seatpost and take the Holdsworth for a 7am blast, on Easter Saturday. 20 miles confirmed that I’d set the saddle height just a fraction too high, putting unwelcome strain on my knee joints. However, my pre-load guesstimate was bang on.  

A gentle, progressive sag and return, no power-sapping “Pogo stick” bounce… I slid a 5mm hex key in the binder bolt, then eased the post down by 4mm-perfect. Balmy weather turned Bandit by the mid-afternoon, so I’ve switched back to my Univega for daily social distancing. The weather has veered between 20 degrees and a blustery 10. Conditions that call for a more flexible approach, in terms of clothing. 

Early mornings have been the order of my routine. Therefore, three quarter lengths such as these Primal are perfect. Cooler and I default to a long sleeve base layer and a jersey cum jacket. Milder, I reach for a middleweight training jersey, such as this Prendas Ciclismo Paris Bordeaux Long Sleeve Jersey https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/prendas-ciclismo-long-sleeve-jersey. 

Just now, I’m staying with full finger gloves and alternating between the buff cap (photo) and This Scimitar Recycled Neck warmer, which, rather like the Original Buff can be worn in several ways. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/scimitar-recycled-neck-warmer  

Despite a generous thatch, I’m finding the Buff Cap a little too airy when battling icy blasts, leading to the occasional “ice cream” headache when scorching along exposed descents. 

Nonetheless, in milder weather, it seems a superior alternative to the traditional race cap. 10 days in, it’s still smelling refreshingly fragrant too... These are also easier to shove in a jersey pocket, when not required.   

30 years back, I was rotating my oval rings and indeed, pouring scorn on the concept. Fast forward to the present, I’d never suggest going oval across the fleet, or otherwise proclaim elliptical as the Holy Grail. In some instances, those running a front mech may need to raise theirs and make similar, small adjustments.  

However, the 15% ovality and 38 tooth Raval ring has certainly transformed my Univega’s gearing from nearly-there, to tailor-made. There is a slight period of adjustment in muscle timing but it’s loosely comparable with that experienced, switching between fixed and freewheel transmissions.  

I’m also trying to steamroller my butt’s specific contours into THAT saddle.  

It had fooled me into a false sense of security after a few hundred. One that was only realised when I switched to my fixed gear winter trainer and the Swift pattern (that has been sat on for many thousand miles). On current progress I’m reckoning a further 300 miles should prove the turning point.   

Despite my best efforts, the Tom Tom Bandit Action Camera Bracket’s infuriating low-level rattle has returned, along with some slippage. I tried to bolster the bracket’s ball joint with Thermoworx Whitemorph https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/thermoworx-whiemorph  but it’s not held firm. Helmet rather than bar mounting may be the only solution.   

As an interim measure, I have resurrected this Geonaute G-Eye2. It’s a 1080HD Go-Pro homage, with some nice features, although it’s not as comprehensive, or user-friendly as the Aperman A80 4K Action Camera https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/apeman. The lack of a preview screen is another minor niggle of mine, but preferable to the Bandit’s noisy and slightly sloppy bar mount. Looks like it should cadge a lift on a Go-Pro type bar/stem face mount, much neater... 

Elsewhere, I’ve concluded switching to the Vee Rubber Zilent, on my fixed gear winter/trainer was a smart move.   Steve’s been relatively impressed by these inexpensive Lifeline Essential Armour Commuter tyres. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/lifeline-essential-armour-commuter   

Superficially, they are clear nods toward Schwalbe Marathon Plus https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/schwalbe-marathon-plus-tyres and none the worse for it, although you’re limited to 700x32 or 35mm widths.   

I’ve also invested in this fresh batch of tubes too. Well, at 99p each, it would’ve been rude (not to mention silly) not to! 

Ticking Over

The recent pandemic has become a tangible reality, rather than a George A Romero, or David Cronenberg abstract.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSMuwejjiGs&t=1608s 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jV_xEwb0ZiQ&t=235s 

While certain sections of the British Public continue to stockpile toilet rolls and canned foods, others have suggested, with some plausibility that this is an illustration of Brexit induced delays and shortages.  

We’ve certainly found acquiring test products/similar from mainland Europe that bit slower in the past week, or so.  Italy came as no surprise, given that nation’s intensive quarantine policy but it seems to be coursing through other countries too. 

Striking a balance and taking sensible precautions, without succumbing to hysteria is always difficult. Current thinking suggests cyclists should observe a metre’s distance between each other to prevent viral transmission. I’ve also had work (and therefore, income) postponed due to client fears.  

Fully understandable, given the circumstances and I wasn’t overly endeared to the prospect of travelling into the capital for a business meeting on Wednesday. Nonetheless, life without some element of risk is no life at all. 

Back in the saddle, I’ve remained glued to my Univega for several reasons. Primarily since I’ve been breaking in the GB Solour saddle. Much as I thought, after 250 miles and regular feeding, it had more or less assumed my shape.  

Despite being pre-softened, my inner thighs (rather than sit-bones) were slightly vocal about this rite of passage. I’ve broken in four, maybe five traditional leather saddles in my riding career and its much the same experience. As I’ve said in previous entries, some adapt quicker than others, regardless of technique and this id down to the hide’s density. 

The early season has the potential to be very changeable, although it's actually not overly tricky to dress for. ¾ lengths are my default choice of legwear, catering for temperatures between 7 and 14-15 degrees equally well. I also tend to turn a relatively high cadence and a moderate gear, which helps with circulation and ultimately maintaining and ambient temperature. 

I’m not one of for overshoes, although recognise they do a good job of keeping wearer temperate and dry, while protecting expensive shoes from the crap that’s still lining the roads. Although the infrastructure is decidedly battle-scarred, given the perpetual rains and subsequent flooding.  

Right now, it’s too warm for booties, so I’m sticking with these Triban 520 shoes and alternating between “winter weight” socks, such as these Prendas Ciclismo Winter Coolmax Socks https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/prendas-ciclismo-coolmax-winter-cyc and Oxford Ox Socks https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/oxford-ox-socks.  

Hands and feet are the first things the body diverts from to conserve warmth and function; hence I stick with middleweight, water repellent full-finger designs.  

A long sleeve base layer and a jersey cum jacket cater for chillier rides (between 4 and 10 degrees), or I might switch to a short sleeve base layer, long sleeve jersey and a thin gilet on top, just to keep unexpected chill and light showers from causing mischief. Easter can still turn bandit weather-wise but I’m usually favouring multi- purpose “Neck Warmer” type garments over a skull-cap.       

Now, no sooner had I finished testing those Wellgo MO94B https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/wellgo-m094 , which are continuing to hold up very well. Though a clear nod in the direction of Shimano M540, the silver ED finish is very good and I also like the 15mm wrench platform, which the M540 and some other, direct homages lack.  

As I’ve said before, there shouldn’t be any issue removing pedals that have been properly, and periodically re-greased. 

However, long-handled pedal spanners make short work of stubborn/partially seized pairings (but remember a good penetrant spray or failing that, a spray lubricant (such as Juice Lubes JL69 Bike Maintenance Spray https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/juice-lubes-jl ) to prevent soft aluminium alloy crank threads getting stripped).  

Talking of strips, I decided my fixed gear winter trainer needed a deep clean and polish. Off came the crud catcher and caked-on organic grime was dismissed and the frame given a generous helping of Naked Bikes Pro Wax Special Edition https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/naked-bikes-pro-wax-special-edition to nourish and protect the powder-coated finish.  

Though very tough finish, using premium quality paint, it still likes a little help to win against the elements. I also found a matching replacement hood for the dummy brake lever. (It was hibernating in my KA’s boot and unearthed while swapping to the spare wheel following a flat) so took that opportunity to replace this for improved aesthetics. 

Elsewhere, I’ve reached my conclusions regarding the Genetic D-Riser 4 bars https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/riser-4-handlebars and during this period of “social distancing” time to mend, or modify some kit, perhaps...https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/sugru-mouldable-glue-original-formu