Filth, Flats & Fatter Tyres

November has crept in stealthily. Temperatures struggle to reach double figures, skies are sombre, and the roads are strewn in a mucky slurry. The sort that sticks to frames and tyres, encouraging flints and other sharps to burrow inside, inducing flats. I’ve had three in as many rides.  

Two post ride-one apiece up front in the 28mm CST Czar and Vittoria Roubino Pro Control Graphene 2.0 Vittoria Rubino Pro Control Graphene 2.0 | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and most recently, the rear Vittoria on the return leg, 2 miles from home at 5.30 am. Presented the opportunity to see how conducive the Shimano RX6 shoes were to running in- well, as it happens.  

While running alongside my fixed gear trainer, I pondered the solution and concluded I’d go for the Kenda Kwick Journey KS Plus KENDA KWICK JOURNEY TYRES | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) on both rear halo hoops (since the frame’s rear triangle will only accept 32mm and mudguards. OK, 35mm at a pinch.) and the Vittoria Adventure Tech Tyres. These carry a joint weight penalty close to a kilo.  

However, both roll remarkably well and have excellent puncture resistance, albeit their puncture-repelling belts (5mm and 3mm respectively) only cover the centre strips. Obviously, tyres need to roll and handle in decent proportion, but reliability is imperative. There's nothing more morale-sapping than a series of flats in freezing rain, miles from home.  

Or, for that matter, a long walk home. I carry at least two new tubes and a patched spare. CO2 inflator and cartridges save time, although a decent pump should never be overlooked.  I also like to keep these close to hand, and easily accessible. Small bar bags, tool bottles can be more convenient than the wedge pack (although I tend to distribute kit evenly across the three).  

Oxford Products have sent us their Evo Aqua Adventure range of luggage. Following the access narrative, I’ve gone for their top tube bag. It’s made from 400 denier Rip stop TPU, features welded seams and is weather resistant to IPX6.  

1.5 litre carrying capacity, which is generous. “Bolt on” packs like the Apidura that tether to a frame’s bosses (or via these Tektro Versa mounts) are the most secure, overcoming any risk of movement, especially when filled close to capacity. Some pedalling styles can also result in occasional knee contact, which is another consideration when choosing one. On the stability front, some Velcro models favour larger diameter/ flatter profiled top tubes. Only time and miles will tell but giving change from £20, the EVO Acqua looks a good deal. 

   

Thankfully, temperatures have held around 2-3 degrees overnight, so I haven’t shod Ursula with spikes just yet. I have mounted one to the Alfine dyno hub Shimano Alfine UR700 Hub Dynamo | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) wheel in anticipation- makes switches faster later down the line.  

I also took the opportunity to strip the old girl’s Deore Crankset and trailer wheel, replacing the Peaty’s Speed Grease PEATY'S SPEED GREASE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) with some Juice Lubes Bearing Juice. A synthetic grease blended specifically for, er bearings.  

It’s thick and tacky, so great for packing hubs, headsets, bottom brackets and pedals. It’s also apparently tested to marine standards (meaning excellent adhesion and sealing properties) and suitable for contact points.  

However, something like Park Poly lube PPL1000 TESTED: PARK TOOL POLYLUBE 1000 LUBRICANT FOR BICYCLES (sevendaycyclist.com) or Peaty’s Bicycle Assembly Grease PEATY'S BICYCLE ASSEMBLY GREASE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) is a better bet for threaded components. There was a surprising amount of Speed Grease clinging to the Deore axle, and a liberal helping of degreaser was needed to strip it convincingly, too.

Continuing my prevention better than cure narrative, I wanted to get these jobs done before winter got one step ahead.  Right, while I contemplate a chain replacement, I’ll leave you with my review of the Infini Tron Infini Tron Rear Light | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)

Navigating The Maddening Crowd

With lockdown long since imploding and societal angst seemingly accelerating several notches, I’ve resumed a state of hyper-vigilance on the roads-on two wheels and four. No sooner had the old Scott shoes imploded and I switched to the legendary Quoc Pham Tourer, my kettle followed suit.

  

Thankfully, I found a passable spare, while waiting for this red replacement to materialise.. Bob Elliot & Co graciously sent me some of their own brand tooling and these FLR Rexston Active Touring Trail shoes.  

The latter are a wallet-friendly design with a seemingly rugged synthetic upper with lace and a Velcro closure to keep the former neatly tamed and out of the transmission. Glossy synthetic uppers should prove easier to clean and are a much better bet than Cordura Nylon types traditionally used on street-styled trainer types.  

Mesh vents will hopefully permit a cooling free flow of air. The sole is reinforced nylon- what 

I’d expect from a trail/tour type model and moreover, this price point. Formative impressions suggest they’ve less rigidity than the Quoc Pham, but it will be interesting to see how they’ll compare with these Triban, in terms of power transfer.  

They’ll be my default, riding the Univega, the Quoc Pham, on the fixed. I’ve added a fresh set of cleats too since the only free set were Wellgo, which now seem incompatible with contemporary Shimano (although Shimano work just fine with Wellgo).  Here’s an overview, if you’re new to riding and considering going clipless https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/stepping-in-a-guide-to-going-cliple    

Was rather surprised to discover the Univega’s rear Continental Contact Reflex Tyre pancake flat. Whipping the tune out revealed a very tiny puncture wound. Nowhere near the valve, or seam, so easily patched and back in the wedge pack.  

I took this opportunity to clean the bikes’ rear triangle, using the Tru Tension Cycle Snow Foam, nip the mudguard’s chainstay bridge bolt tight and feed some Muc Off tyre sealant inside the tube. This also served to cement just how clean the Tru Tension Banana slip Tungsten All Weather Lube is to touch.  

Yes, its tacky but there’s been no annoying transfer to hands and consequently everything they encounter.   Its wet counterpart also continues to impress me on the friction and cleanliness fronts Now, long term life with the Acros Silicone Bar Wrap is also very favourable and the wrap seems very durable.  

However, the matt, embossed texture means that grimy patina, say following some fettling and indeed a roadside mechanical. It responds very well to machine washing but that’s not always convenient, let alone desirable. Sudsy bucket solutions and medium-stiff brushes will dismiss the worst of oily petrochemical spatter but still looks jaded. Enter the Tru Tension Monkey Juice Gel Bike Cleaner.  

Aside from the slightly synthetic banana odour and colour, the gel is designed to cling to the surface, thus giving the chemicals longer to break the grime down, on a molecular level. 3minute recommended standing times are also longer than the blow n’ go blends, although not unheard of. Thus far, given a medium-stiff bristle tickling, two minutes in, dirt and grime fell away, come the first warm water rinse.          

Elsewhere I’ve had to employ some lateral thought and these Topeak gizmos to attach this rather fetching Apidura Racing Bolt-On Top Tube Pack. One of my minor bugbears with traditional top tube/frame bags, is their tendency to rotate and leave “tan lines” in the lacquer/paintwork. Bolting to the frame is the obvious means of swerving this issue. However, my fixed gear winter/trainer (nor any of my fleet, for that matter) isn’t blessed with this feature...

  

Therefore, after a few minutes lateral thought I decided a modern composite band on interface would subvert this issue. Hence, I opted for another set of the Topeak Versa mount, which will comfortably handle the payloads involved.