Strip n’ Sniff

No, things haven’t taken a sordid turn. If you’ve come looking for that, I’m delighted to disappoint. Having swapped the dynohub wheels over, I decided it was time to strip, inspect and ultimately re pack, my fixed gear winter/trainer's headset. Park PPL1 polylube is a tried and trusted formula, well suited to these applications. An obvious choice too, since it was already plugged into my grease gun.

One thing led to another and I exchanged its Torus Titanium stem https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/torus-titanium-stem  , for The Redshift Sports Shockstop Suspension unit https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/red . Timely too, since the titanium stem and Soma bars had formed a surprisingly stubborn union. For some reason, I’d forgotten the all-important, light coating of assembly paste…

Thankfully the Gods of galvanic seizure were feeling merciful and the swap straightforward. Trench helmet is another thing that doesn’t strike very often but I had been haunted by a faintly funky odour. While tethering this Sigma Buster 700 front light, to my Bontrager helmet, said funk was attributable to the lid’s padding.

Off to the elderly Miele it went!

The Buster is proving an interesting light. A little under-powered on paper, for serious backroad, let alone trail antics. However, the actual beam quality is good enough (as a sole source) for rural navigation at 17/18mph on a clear night and seemingly, a big step up from its predecessor. Four modes might not get pules racing, given the race for tunability.

However, they’re easy to locate. Standard is 350lumens, certainly enough to be seen with and adequate for navigating less taxing, semi-rural roads. Low is 170 lumens, which is sensible for the suburbs and town (assuming you didn’t want to slip into flashing).

Flashing is impressive too, easily good enough for use as a daylight running mode.  The ability to “dip” straight down from 700 to 170 lumens, with a quick, double prod of the switch cum battery life indicator, is another definite plus. Composite construction saves a few grams, so its less obtrusive than some, worn atop a helmet.

In this context, it’s proving a welcome, compliment to my Univega’s Shimano Ultegra/ Exposure Revo MK1 dynamo setup. The Revo produces a very credible 800lumens, at relatively low speeds. In fact, its probably the only dynamo lamp, good enough for moderate trail duties. Or at least, the only one I have come across to date.

Temperatures are turning more typically autumnal range and my middleweight winter tights are becoming a more frequent sight. Issues of Tendonitis etc aside, to some extent, legs (especially when riding fixed) are perpetually in motion.

Blood’s circulating nicely, and (assuming it’s not raining dogs, or dipping below single figures) we’re still temperate. 

Hands, head and torso are relatively static, so layering/warmth is more critical here. Steve (co-editor) has been very impressed with Stolen Goat Climb & Conquer Grid Winter Jacket https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/stolen-goat    Recent weeks have proved mild enough for me to chase along the lanes in long sleeve base-layer and technical jackets, sometimes a gilet has been sufficient.

Late October, through to mid- November, it hasn’t dipped below 13 degrees in these parts. That said; I’ve opted for full finger gloves and with some minor misgivings, these Lusso Windtex Terrain Red gloves are delighting my digits.  

Windproof, water resistant and breathable, they’re reckoned to deliver in temperatures between 0 and 14 degrees. A tall order and one begging for bluff-calling. I always prefer garments (gloves in particular) that are weather resistant but wick fast, over “impervious designs”.

Same goes for socks, which in my experience results in athlete’s foot and similar fungal nasties. Unpleasant but caught quickly, easily dismissed by pouring alcohol-based mouthwash over the affected areas. Talking of socks and with Christmas just around the corner, Steve’s been pleasantly surprised by these https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/bridgedale-waterproof-socks   

I also unearthed these Scott sport/casual SPD shoes and this Pro “Sleeping” hub while on another mission. Extensive mesh precludes the Scott’s service, for a while but the “sleeping hub” will come in handy during deep cleans and other jobs, dictating wheel removal.

Finally, an update on the “Motor oil challenge”. True to expectation, the 5W/40 is collecting a bit more gunk and grime, compared with more sophisticated ceramic types. However, nothing a weekly cat-lick of the side plates, doesn’t sort. Its also a necessary duty, with more traditional, hell n’ high water, bike specific wet lubes, including Weldtite TF2 Extreme wet https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/weldtite-tf2-extreme-wet-chain-lubr

Tight Fits

¾ lengths, tights and fluro training jackets have been the order of this week thanks to falling temperatures, cobalt skies and regular cloudburst. These GT are old favourites, staples, entering their fourteenth year of service. Had a sibling pair, though these were written off during a  tangle with terra-firma  back in December 2001.

After some further deliberation and experimentation, I’ve acquired a remote trigger for the Geonaute, thus overcoming the push button lottery when seeking to capture short action sequences.

This is a genuine part-I’ve had mixed results pairing pattern triggers and still cameras, so wasn’t prepared to risk buying twice and wasting money.  A receptive range of five metres gives plenty of scope.

Handlebar was the most obvious choice but since I regularly alternate between fixer and tubby tourer (let alone test mounts), tethering via crocodile clip to nelson/breast pockets of my various technical jackets seemed a better solution.

This avoids potential interference with wireless computers and makes best use of said action cam’s user friendly features. Therefore, £12 well spent, bringing the running total to £162. Question is; can I resist further, organic upgrading-bolt on playback screens, spare Li-on cells and similar goodies? 

Frankly, it’s a matter of reining myself in and maximising its existing potential.

While primarily purchased with a positive ride-capturing mind-set, it would appear road users of all denominations are increasingly acquiring action cams to demonstrate poor/dangerous road craft and mitigate themselves from any wrong-doing.

Anecdotally, the past few outings suggest drivers are more aware of the helmet mounting, thus overtake and generally behave more graciously, though there remains a hardcore of “punishment passers” and not just cars/commercial vehicles.

Curiously enough, some lone riders sporting club colours have literally overtaken within a hairs’ breadth of my elbow, despite turning a steady 18-20mph and clear, wide roads. Thankfully, they’re very much the exception and usually strike when I’m aboard the Univega…

Frankly, policing other people’s behaviour, or discussing the finer points of road etiquette aren’t my fortes, thus I simply respond with a polite, cheery greeting and hustle along at 80-90rpm.  

By contrast, I’m drawn to other people’s lighting systems-blinkies in particular have a really hypnotic effect along unlit roads characterised by dense, overhanging forestry.  

Driving home at dusk the other evening, I slowed behind a rider winching himself along the intensifying incline. Dropping the KA into second and easing past with a ten foot gap, I admired the 29er but was most captivated by the pulsing of his high power lamp.

Indicating and gradually easing back to the left, glancing in the rear view mirror confirmed they were using either a Magic Shine MJ808-E, or One23 Extreme Bright 1000-my fixer’s default see-by winter lamp.

Despite a slightly low-rent lens and reflector, its’ surprising just how spellbinding this sort of output is and how effectively the aluminium headlamp diffuses glare. Some uber systems can be painfully uncomfortable for the rider, let alone other road users or small mammals.

Nonetheless, I’ve resurrected its 2000lumen sibling, which also offers phenomenal bang for very modest buck. However, my sample was let down by a slightly whippy bracket that chattered annoyingly over washboard tarmac. Introducing some silicone putty to proceedings has cured this particular ill.

Talking of lights, while my latest temp gig keeps the lights on and cupboards relatively full, it’s not “feeding my soul” and fuelling some underlying frustrations. Therefore, the solution lies in a creative role capable of nurturing existing soils. 

Staffer’s jobs, let alone anything contract or part time have become rare as hen’s teeth. Time for some serious miles to stimulate lateral thought and those all important reactive sparks...