Lotions, Potions & Lessons

A cold and icy start to February, has spelled Univega. The tubby tourer’s blend of big tyres, full length guards wide gearing and more upright stance, is particularly welcome in these conditions.

Pot-holes, spilt derv also fuel my desires to detour via unmade roads and green lanes. Escaping the increasingly maddening crowd is another peripheral bonus.
 

Prevention is always more convenient, not to mention, cheaper than cure.

Coinciding with a weekly sudsy bucket clean, I stripped its chain and cassette of waxy, congealed beard using Green Oil Agent apple degreaser and Duck Smart the black stuff chain degreaser. Both require five minutes standing time but the mixture of citrus and plant-based ethanol is ruthlessly efficient.

So much so, that chains, cassettes and anything else, should be stripped and placed in a suitable receptacle. I’ve seen it consume supermarket ice cream tubs, rubberised components and bite into anodised/painted surfaces too. In this instance,

I removed the rear wheel and basted a couple of light coats into the nickel-plated cassette. Avoiding unwanted contact with seals and painted surfaces. Agitating the mix with a stiff bristled brush after 3minutes, flushing through with tepid water on the stroke of 5.

The black stuff is gentler, thus making safer transition to more generic grot busting-bar wrap, saddle covers and faux leather shoes being the most obvious candidates. Compared with green oil’s chain cleaner jelly, it requires more concerted/repeat applications to shift middleweight lubes, let alone the more stubborn wet/ceramics.  

Galvanic seizures (Where materials of different parentage corrode together) are another potential nightmare. Several months in, I decided to inspect said machine’s Titanium post. I’d applied Green Oil eco-grease https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/green-oil-ecogrease-long-ter-test?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_HzseyRI7TPke0IAp4p5LCPqksuJyh1ic29yvU2TfegmE7GxMZyflTS8NQ2cQGf1mHF6nxIA7ChkaUFGG7eBhKXklWzmmndMucOwAj8_R0VAjNHKI&_hsmi=55822957&utm_campaign=Private%2BGroups&utm_content=55822957&utm_medium=email&utm_source=hs_email  several months previously but with the binder bolt undone, it was clear replenishment was due.

A liberal helping of Park PPL-1 seemed the most stoical option. Seeing as the Passport wedge pack was also showing signs of fatigue, I resurrected this Altura Aero post pack. More than roomy enough for a day ride, right down to food and spare layers. A three-kilo maximum payload is pretty good-means a decent lock can join the party while two pockets riding shotgun either side provide neat parking for tubes, Co2 cartridges.

The SQR bracket makes for convenient whipping on/off and means I can swap over to my boxier cotton duck Carradice with no effort/alteration. 

Talking of resurrection, while I was rummaging in the spares drawers, some old but much-loved Ritchey pattern SPDs emerged-perfect for my cross inspired fixed, since they mean I can ride wearing those Lake booties.

Dynamo lamp and switch gear was also bundled up in a padded envelope and left with John Moss. Cursory inspection confirmed it was a short in the system-water had infiltrated the plug. Minutes later, he’d stripped the wiring back, trimmed it to length. Refitting was equally precise.

He’s pulled the outer wires further into the port for a better seal, although (as he was quick to point out), silicone grease would be a shrewd move. Interesting that the Exposure Revo has never missed a beat, regardless of how grotty the weather got.

Returning my attentions to the drivetrains, I cleaned and replenished Smoove universal chain lube and took the Weldtite Tf2 ultra dry wax https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/weldtite-tf2-ultra-dry-chain-wax  route with the Univega. 

The latter mightn’t be the most obvious choice, given the time of year. However, cleaner lube means a cleaner drivetrain, albeit with more frequent application. Besides, but I’m keen to see how it holds up in harsher conditions and now’s as good a time as any.  Hmm, speaking of opportunities, now would be a good time to start brewing my own…

In the meantime, SKS’ range of bike potions have just arrived. We have a bike wash, bike wax, some PTFE infused spray and a tyre sealant. Looking forward to seeing how these compare with some iconic workshop staples.

Rub a Dub Dub My Bike Needs (Another) Good Scrub...

I returned from another water-logged blast and concluded it was time to get busy with the M16 Podium stage system kit. I’d allowed my cross-inspired fixer to become right royally encrusted in a week’s worth of silty gunk.

Wheels out for a deep clean, this was the moment to swap the superb Schwalbe Marathon GT for some much lighter 30mm, 120tpi Vee rubber Rolldiac.Yes, I was very excited and judging by the barking frenzy, so were the neighbour’s miniature Schnauzers. Either that; or they were begging their master to toss them a Marlboro.  

First up,  frame, transmission and contact points received a quick, cold-water rinse over before  I engulfed the bike under a richly deserved helping of that visibly subdued Extreme bike cleaner This was left marinating a few minutes  while I rounded up buckets and brushes, singing that Prince Buster classic “Whine or grine”. 

Afterall, if you have your brush, you can avoid the rush… As per the Univega, impacted grot literally fell away come the first  hint of a saturated sponge. More intimate areas were coaxed clean using the Pedros’ large frame and wheel brush https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/pedros-pro-brush-kit

 

God had decided to take an extended break from washing his two-wheeled fleet on Wednesday afternoon, so I progressed to the Pro Finish #2. This is basically a base coat wax, which will also consume any residual grime-spent chain lube and similar spots missed during the first stage. 

With that buffed; for the grand finale’ I applied their helmet & bike guard, which being completely free of silicone, can apparently be delivered to discs and other braking surfaces.

Calling their bluff, I did just that. 

 Inflated to 125psi (The Rollidac are good for 145, if you must), I reinstated the wheels, adjusted chain tension and gave the links a cursory cat-lick to purge any gritty contaminant. Slightly congealed TF2 extreme clung to rollers, and may last through to April and beyond. By that point, I’ll top up, or strip in favour of something lighter.

 I wasn’t remotely surprised by the pregnant pause as I progressively engaged the Tektro lever while trundling along at 5mph. Lever fully home while riding another hundred metres restored the stoppers original prowess. Therefore, minimise contact and test your brakes a few times before joining the Queen’s highway.

A quick drop of Green Oil slip https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/green-oil-slip-eco-lubricant  to cleat mechanisms and the Thudbuster’s bushings concluded the morning’s fun. I popped said machine and tooling away and returned indoors. 

Talking of green oil, they’ve just launched a kickstarter campaign to get their PTFE free maintenance spray into production. PTFE and its branded derivatives is used in all manner of non-stick applications from industrial lubricants through to cookware. Great for moving parts but particularly toxic to aquatic life and not particularly kind to us either. 

As with exposure to other chemicals, there are supposedly parameters of safety. Delivering a quick, shot of PTFE fortified lube to cables, cleat/derailleur mechanisms, locks etc presents minimal risk to us. 

Similarly, the occasional engine oil and filter change won’t greatly increase a motorcycle or car enthusiast’s risk of contracting serious dermatological condition or cancer. Provided of course, examination gloves and other preventative measures are taken… 

Pro mechanics who regularly ingest PTFE products orally, or through the skin do. We’re really looking forward to getting our hands on the Eco Spray lube. 

So, back to those those curiously named Vee Rubber. These feature a very subtle, dimpled tread reminiscent of a cross tyre that’s been sanded almost pancake flat at 667g per pair, they’re lighter than a single Schwalbe, although still promise optimum grip and longevity. 

The supple casings boast a very thin Aramid belt, which will hopefully deflect the most common invaders, although I’m not expecting the Marathon GT’s almost bullet-proof dependability…I’ve had one epic “Gunshot” blow-out (during our maiden voyage), literally tore the tube wall clean open! Good thing I packed that little Zefal pump too, since my Co2 inflator saw fit to prematurely jettison. We’ll see what the next few hundred miles bring before forming any firm conclusions.      

Lastly a seat post update.  After some problems with an online retailer busting the MT3 live centre component during the pick n’ pack phase, we’ve had a Eureka moment with the ti post project.....More next week. In the meantime, if wet legs on tour, or sullied office smarts are spoiling your commute, these Pro-Viz might be a winner  https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/proviz-nightrider-waterproof-trouse