Summer's Slow Swansong

 Sunrise is progressively shy and I’m often out at 5am, which is perfect for testing lights. I’ve been gaining familiarity with the Sigma Blaze and Infinity rear lights. In terms of modes, these have a single, steady beam, reckoned visible to 500metres. The Blaze has an ambient light sensor, which will engage the light, to suit conditions-aside from the darker months, it will theoretically switch on when you’re riding through a tunnel/underpass.  

Now, StVZO (German lighting standards) dictate that lights cannot flash; hence these are steady only. The beam must also “cut off” at the top, which prevents approaching traffic from being dazzled- the same basic principle as dipped car lights. 

 

The Blaze features a “braking function” which engages all three diodes during the day, the lower two diodes at night. One press off the power button primes the ambient light mode, two presses gets you the night setting. Output is impressive, especially given the single, steady mode.  

In common with other lights with “braking” functions, this puts a big dent in the run times, especially when your route involves a few climbs and/or you’re hauling a trailer/tagalong.  I should also point out these are designed to be post, rather than frame-mounted but I’m keen to see if there’s any practical reason for not doing so.  

Lighting aside, while the days are sufficiently long, temperate and relatively dry, I’m trying to get some serious miles on the Teenage Dream, before it goes into seasonal hibernation, around mid-October. I’m using this time to prep my fixed gear winter/trainer and Ursula for the wetter, darker months when reliability is key.  

Both have been stripped and re-greased recently, so that’s one major bit of prep done. I also want to see how well the Peaty’s Speed GreasePEATY'S SPEED GREASE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and Bicycle Assembly Grease PEATY'S BICYCLE ASSEMBLY GREASE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  Then of course, I’ve recently overhauled Ursula’s drivetrain and cables, so aside from keeping an eye on the chain (which will almost inevitably wear faster, given the mix of stouter lubes, and wet, gritty lanes) tyres are the only other immediate consideration.  

Plan is to run the Marathon Mondial Double Defense Tyre until October, then switch to the Marathon GT365 TESTED: SCHWALBE MARATHON GT 365 TYRES WINTER UPDATE (sevendaycyclist.com).  Other possibilities include the 26x1.95 version of these Kenda Kwick Journey KS Plus KENDA KWICK JOURNEY TYRES | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) or their K935, at the right price. Talking of the Kenda Kwick Journey KS Plus, I may switch the fixed’s Bontrager in their favour.   

There is a lot to be said for building a machine solely for winter. Traditionally, this has followed the old road frameset built up with hand-me-down components narrative. There’s a lot to be said for this recycling. Older components that aren’t snappy enough for racing are usually, still very serviceable. Stouter tyres, full, or “race blade” type guards, fresh cables and bar tape, lights and with some basic care, it’ll protect you and your best bike(s) expensive components from wet, gritty, dark and destructive stuff.  

The flipside of the best bike, really. It only gets used for that season, so while arguably it sees the harshest weather, it isn’t necessarily hardest used. A four season’s bike by contrast is usually so versatile, they become year-round go-tos. Hence why most of my general riding is spread between Ursula and my fixed gear “cyclo crosser with track ends”   

On a very personal note, if I was going for a strictly winter build, I’d probably go for a single speed cyclocross route.  

Track ends, clearance for 700x42c, (probably 35mm default, such as the Kenda Kwick Journey KS Plus and buying more clearance should I want to run winter spikes when roads turn more spiteful than a tabloid headline) full-length mudguards, dyno hub powered front lighting.   

Charge Plug1 was a very fetching, sub £500 package and would’ve fitted this bill rather nicely. That said; though the semi-compact geometry frameset might’ve ticked all these boxes, the 6061 tubes and fork, might’ve been a little “direct”.  

Fixed and single speed drivetrains still need monitoring/inspection (I tend to get through a fixed chain in around 3,000miles) but much cheaper and simpler to keep happy, since there are fewer moving parts to wear out.  

However, as my beloved fixed gear winter/trainer proves, you’ll still need to keep an eye on cable and brake pad wear, even if you’re going the single stopper route. I also spotted some KMC chains going seriously cheap, so snapped them up and have only just needed to replenish the Peaty’s Link Lube All Weather- the original helping had gone way past the 500-mile marker. 

At the other end of a very different machine, I have received this Axiom Citypack 6+. It’s a quick-release system that mounts high up (beneath the saddle rails) but the similarities with the venerable SQR Tour pretty much end here.  

The outer fabric is made from recycled polyester with a waterproof polyurethane coating. More interesting and in keeping with Ursula’s compact geometry, it's intended to address limited wheel/frame clearance, or those who like rack top/trunk bags but don’t fancy being encumbered by a rack. 

Drivetrain Dramas & Rubbery Delights

 One thing led to another-we know how those sessions go. A chance inspection of Ursula’s chain revealed not one, but several crumbling links, which would explain some jumping at certain points along the cassette. Not the time I’d expected to replace it, but I decided this was the safest option, relegating the existing part-worn KMC to salvage/spares duties-into the SQR tour (via a resealable bag), it went.  

Now a skipping chain can be down to several things. Could be a stiff/damaged link, a worn cassette/sprocket, a kinked, or similarly worn cable, or a bent derailleur/hanger. I had recently replaced the inner and outer wire, we hadn’t been in a spill, so not a hanger issue.    

The Velo Orange Rubbery Bar tape is certainly making a positive impression.   

 

Reminiscent of the Lizard Skins DSP in terms of texture, it’s 3.5mm thick, yet weighs 147g (including plugs) and is markedly easier than most to wrap. I was seriously impressed by the Control Tech’s overall performance, but it wasn’t very malleable, thus required patience and very firm pressure to fit. No such problems with the Velo Orange and even the rubbery finishing strips were decent quality.   

Length is suitably generous too, a good six feet, so I had plenty left after dressing the Soma Condor 2. I was almost tempted to dress the right-hand chain stay, to protect it against accidental chain slap. However, this was a solution looking for a problem. I figured it would come in handy later down the line, so it went to the appropriate spares box.  I also decided to mix things up by switching from the K-Lite Bike Packer UltraK LITE BIKEPACKER ULTRA DYNAMO LIGHT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com), to the K-Lite Bike Packer Pro V2 K LITE BIKEPACKER PRO V2 FRONT LIGHT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

I am pleased, dare I say relieved that the new seat collar and binder bolt appear to have cured the fixed gear winter/trainer’s post slippage issue. 

Glad I bought another spare collar and hanger, since the price was keen, and these small parts always fail at the least opportune moment. The System EX Security SkewersSYSTEM EX SECURITY SKEWERS | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) have also been a useful addition. Sure, they’re not going to offer any real defence against a tea leaf wielding a 5mm Allen key, but they hold a disc wheel very securely, prevent opportunist theft and practical jokers.  

Cleats are another small but significant part that lead tough lives and only court attention when their hardware seizes, or they don’t engage/release reliably. I discovered two spare Shimano sets in the small parts drawer, while I was rooting around for post hardware. Existing cleats are OK, but I may pension off come October, as precautionary, seasonal maintenance.    

I also unearthed this Tern Vizy light, while rooting contemplating switching Ursula’s K-Lite Bike Packe Ultra for the Bike Packer Pro V2 K LITE BIKEPACKER PRO V2 FRONT LIGHT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) since I was in the mood for mixing things up a bit and maximising handlebar real-estate. The Vizy is an interesting concept light. It pumps out a maximum of 60 lumens and combines a rear light with a big red arc around the bike and rider.  

It lacks the outright presence of Magicshine See Me 200, (presently adorning my fixed gear winter/trainer’s right-hand seat stay) but still has some charm. I’ve chosen to post, rather than wishbone mount, since this seems to project the light’s arc most effectively, so for now, it stays.   

Peaty’s Link Lube wet continues to impress me with its staying prowess. I’m easily 500 miles in and there’s no call to top up the fixed’s KMC chain. Contaminant is moderate, although less than typical of wet types-wiping the side plates every week hasn’t been necessary to date, although the depths of November may say different.  I remain impressed with the Peaty's Speed Grease, too PEATY'S SPEED GREASE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

I was also searching for a VDO sensor, so I could pair the second M3.1 head unit and run it on Ursula. This proved truly elusive. However, a few days later, some Sigma goodies arrived for testing.   

The BC9.16 wireless computer is aimed at those riders seeking to improve fitness but without online connectivity. It has 11 functions- current speed, average speed, comparison of current/average speed, maximum speed, distance, total distance, ride time, total ride time, clock, calories and total calories burned. All I will need, save perhaps for a backlight.  I was suddenly struck by just how similar the mount and sensor were compared with the VDO M3, so I tried pairing the VDO head unit and sensor, without success but satisfied my curiosity. 

 

Then we have the German marques Blaze and Infinity Rear Lights. The Blaze promises visibility up to 500metres, daytime running modes and a “braking function”. The Infinity, promises 16hour run time, StVZO approval and claimed visibility to 500metres.  

Autumn is creeping ever closer.  With it, another sequence of shortages. The hospitality industry is not only struggling to find suitably qualified staff but supplies of beer and CO2 gas are also in increasingly short supply. This also bodes badly for welders/metal fabricators, since CO2 is a commonly used in shielding gas. Argon/CO2 being a blend I am particularly fond of.