Spring- Sunrise & Strip-downs

  

Yes, inspiration doesn't just strike in the saddle-the small house is another chamber of innovation, and Eureka moments. I discarded the hard-working but progressively deteriorating SKS Blumels Shiny Mudguards SKS BLUEMELS SHINY MUDGUARDS | cycling, but not ususally racing (sevendaycyclist.com), and gave the frameset a deep clean. A good polish and rear wheel switch followed, and I also took delivery of this Mud hugger guard.  

I’d tested their gravel hugger cousins MUD HUGGER GRAVEL HUGGER MUDGURADS | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and remain impressed with their build quality and coverage. Obviously, protection doesn’t rival that of full length, traditional chrome plastics but it does broaden Ursula’s off-road potential and indeed, tyre choice. I could, for example, run the Schwalbe Ice Spiker Pro albe Ice Spiker Pro Tyres | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) comfortably at the rear.   

Now, look closely and I’ve had to trim the mounts since it was fouling the fork’s cantilever mounts. I initially mounted them with two cable ties each side- a 4.8mm and two slightly thinner OEM. I ultimately switched these for two 7.6mm example for improved, vise-like grip.  

 

The Mud hugger would also allow bigger section, trail-orientated rubber and exploit the machine’s true off-road potential. No rear guard? Mud Hugger are designed as disc-specific, so incompatible with Ursula’s rear triangle.  Traditionally I’ve not taken to clip-on MTB guards, save for the legendary Crud models.  Others have either had an unappealing aesthetic and/or tended to rotate and ultimately, warp and fail.  I have something planned on the tyre front but will leave you guessing for now.  

I was still testing the Weldtite Bike Cleaner Concentrate and was getting a funny feeling about the XT hub’s freehub, so this presented an obvious opportunity to remove and the cassette, strip and inspect the freehub and upgrade the bearings.  

Everything released nicely-not surprising, given I’d not long stripped and re-greased the bearings with Juice Lubes Bearing Grease. The freehub seemed fine-I just wiped with a clean rag and drizzled some Peaty’s Speed Grease PEATY'S SPEED GREASE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) into the freehub bearings and threaded fastener.  

For the bearings, I went for something a little thicker, but lighter than the Juice Lubes Bearing Juice. Muc-Off Bio Grease TESTED : MUC-OFF BIO GREASE (sevendaycyclist.com) was to hand and in my experience, is reassuringly durable.  

Little and often maintenance is the best way of staying on the road or trails and breakdowns/component failure and costs to a minimum. However, things are a little more nuanced than this. I (and many other riders) run two sets of wheels on their daily drivers/working bikes, meaning I can switch while I service and to a greater extent take more time, should components require replacement, or similar service staller strike.  

Similarly, there is a point where the convenience, economy and satisfaction of working on our machines (be they bicycles, motorcycles, cars, boats etc) can tip over into an all-consuming orgy of continuous improvement. Time, other duties all evaporate in the quest to metaphorically (and sometimes literally) “tune beyond perfection”. That’s fun and resonates very deeply with me. However, when it comes to everyday maintenance and overhaul, tasks are best confined to certain, disciplined timescales.   

Plan ahead, be organised, have the correct tools to hand and quit while you’re genuinely ahead. Maintenance courses can be a sensible investment if you’re a beginner, or just looking to improve. There’s always something to learn and skilled instructors to guide and inspire confidence.   

Conditions have felt a little more spring-like, not that I’ve brought out the ¾ lengths and lightweight, long-sleeve jerseys just yet. I have regrettably had to pension off the Altura Night Vision Waterproof Gloves, which had done around 35,000miles (about 56327.04 km) over the last 5 years.  

Again, with heavy heart, I also consigned a pair of the brands’ bib tights to the bin. The pad was past its prime and the Lycra was also showing signs of abrasion damage, so thanked and read their last rites. Talking of reading, here’s a guide to the river Rhone Cycle Route THE RIVER RHONE CYCLE ROUTE GUIDE REVIEW (sevendaycyclist.com)  

 

Riding Out & Letting Rip

  

Progressively lighter mornings have meant I’ve switched from the mighty Sigma Buster HL 2000 SIGMA SPORT BUSTER HL 2000 | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com), to a compact Ravemen torch slipped into a jersey, or gilet pocket (for roadside inspections).   

Lighter Abus lid, especially since I spend more time on the Holdsworth and Teenage Dream. MTB biased lids, though aesthetically fine on a cross, touring, or gravel bike look weird on pure road bikes.  

5 am starts have been a theme for the past two years but have often proved the best move, in the event of poor sleep and/or periodic nightmares. While matters have been explored and addressed. I retain a small but significant and seemingly permanent disconnect from the civilian world. We have a right to our feelings; we do not have a right to negatively project them upon others. Riding as therapy is a common theme. Simon Parker is another author exploring his own journeyRIDING OUT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

The Motoverde PTFE chain lube continues to impress with its longevity and staying prowess. 500 miles down the line, it behaves like a middleweight wet lube, with similar cleanliness, although conditions have been relatively dry, so I'd expect at least 700, from a single helping. Lots of brands suggest their chain lubes are also suitable for cables and other surfaces, which isn't always so. Thankfully, the Motoverde is keeping inner wires happy, ditto cleat hardware (although grease would be my default, especially during the winter months.) 

Not that I’ve needed to, but Motoverde confirmed my suspicions that it shouldn’t be topped up. Rather, drivetrain components should be thoroughly cleaned with Motoverde Drivetrain Cleaner Motoverde Drivetrain Cleaner | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com), or indeed, your stripper of choice, first. Introducing the chain checker confirms the KMC chain remains in good health. While searching for the crown race tool, I uncovered a couple of replacements, which was another welcome surprise.  

The ORP Smart horn TESTED: ORP SMART HORN (sevendaycyclist.com) has been playing flashing companion to the K-lite Bike Packer Pro dynamo- just to announce my presence to other early risers, before the lamp kicks in.  

Not needed to deploy the horn function (not sure if rabbits or red deer would respond positively to it, either). True, the Spyre SLC/ Swiss Stop Swiss Stop Catalyst Disc Rotor | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) braking upgrades certainly help on the aversion front. I’m pleased to report the Tektro RL340 are fully compatible, and I won’t be switching to a V brake compatible model.

I've adjusted the cable tension very slightly, due to periodic binding issues and added an additional strip of  Zefal Skin Armor ZEFAL SKIN ARMOR ROLL | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) on the fork leg, to prevent cable rub induced paint damage. I’ve also switched the Velo Orange Rubbery Bar Tape VELO ORANGE RUBBERY BAR TAPE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and Ciclovation Grind Touch CICLOVATION GRIND TOUCH BAR TAPE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) for this 3.5mm thick Ergon Bar Tape Gravel. 

The Holdsworth and Teenage Dream’s dual-pivot Miche calipers are also extremely efficient stoppers and (especially with the upgraded front pads) I’d not revert to period-authentic single pivot designs, including the original Campagnolo Athena- much as I love their aesthetic.   

Though conditions are increasingly spring like, dawn and evenings can be tricky, so Oxford Venture Jacket OXFORD VENTURE JACKET | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and a lightweight cap are my defaults. I’m a big fan of the Buff Pack Bike Cap BUFF PACK BIKE CAP | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) both have the advantage of packing very small, so can be slipped into jersey pockets, if not required.   

Lusso Pain Cave Summer Cap is my next in line. Both feature generous peaks to protect from the sun’s glare. I also own a more traditional Buff with a peak, which was arguably a little more versatile.   

These are great for children, protecting them from wind, chill and intense sun, given these will easily cover the neck.  The Venture jacket also has a hood, one of the few I’m really taken with. However, if you’re not, a water repellent model, such as this Prendas Ciclismo Lisboa Waterproof Cycling Cap PRENDAS CICLISMO LISBOA WATERPROOF CAP | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)