Smaller Buster, Slacker Chains & Bigger Tyres

 

I've also been playing with Sigma's smaller, 110 lumen Buster. Output is good, although I'd steer you toward the 1600 Sigma Buster 1600 & RL150 Light Set | cycling-not-racing or HL2000 since these have more bite and in the latter's case, longer run times courtesy of the external battery. The HL2000 SIGMA SPORT BUSTER HL 2000 | cycling-not-racing also comes with a remote as standard.  That out of the way, the Buster 1100 still offers a good spread of modes for general riding and the flashing modes are both frugal and eye catching-

Seemed to upset an Audi driver, which was ironic, given I am regularly dazzled by the intensity of Audi and other contemporary vehicle headlights, typically in the driver's seat but also the saddle. This despite sophisticated sensor technology that supposedly automatically adjusting to prevent dazzling and related hazards. I suspect the sensors will improve as time progresses, but I find their real-world performance a little erratic at present. 

While I was awaiting the arrival of the Garmin pattern mounts, I discovered another suitable design while hunting for something else. Was bound to happen-these things always materialise when we’re not looking for them. It was the “Goldilocks” length-long enough not to foul the Sigma Buster HL1100, while positioning the Coospo CS600 at the right angle I ported the head unit over from Denise. I’ve also left the old school Giant computer adorning Denise’s Genetic Diversion drops and fork leg, so I can always keep an overview of speed, distance and similar.  Those little victories…

Chain tension is a hotly debated topic in fixed gear circles. I'd left a couple of extra links and opted for slightly less tension with Muffin's new KMC. Not that the Izumi was unduly tight, but this has rewarded with slightly greater efficiency. The KMC Go Wax lube is also continuing the serene theme.

Greater clearance between rear tyre and seat tube is another benefit. I've gone for the 42mm Contact plus at the rear, which is a really solid, comfortable tyre, sticking with a 38mm Vittoria Adventure tech up front. I might go for a 42mm Vee Tire Co Zilent TEST & REVIEW VEE TIRE CO ZILENT TYRES when the Continental finally shows signs of wear. The original Zilent weren't intended for touring, but proved popular with this audience, so Vee Tyre Co reinforced the sidewalls on the MK II TESTED: VEE TIRE CO ZILENT MARK 2 TYRES

Despite "only" having a puncture repelling centre-strip, the 38mm Vittoria Adventure Tech are proving very reliable and, like the Continental, quicker than might be expected, given their girth. The 5mm puncture repelling belt is reminiscent of that employed in the Kenda Kwik Journey KENDA KWICK JOURNEY TYRES | cycling-not-racing but the Vittoria feel more supple and compliant.

There is sufficient clearance at the front for 42mm- I parked a Maxxis Roamer TESTED : MAXXIS ROAMER TYRES.   there during the summer but sought greater dependability during the darker months. Winter is hard on rider, drivetrain components, wheels and tyres, but with proper prep and the right kit, it can be a whole lot of fun, too.

For three seasons riding, I find ¾ lengths ideal, or at least cover most bases, protecting knees from chill and just long enough to provide a good seal with longer socks. I often pair with longer waterproof socks, such as these Muc-Off. Whisper it, since some consider it a genre faux pas, but I also find them and their extended coverage very practical for off road excursions.

Having given Muffin a good sudsy bucket clean and addressed some slippage of the T-One Mr Fantastic Handlebar tape T-ONE MR FANTASTIC HANDLEBAR TAPE | cycling-not-racing, I topped up the KMC GO and  installed the composite Garmin mount  to Ursula’s Velo Orange Handlebar Accessory Mount VELO ORANGE HANDLEBAR ACCESSORY MOUNT | cycling-not-racing, which necessitated removing the Ravemen XR 6000 Ravemen XR6000 Front Light | cycling-not-racing but this is less problematic as we enter the lighter months.

Besides, I could always switch to the Sigma Buster HL2000 SIGMA SPORT BUSTER HL 2000 | cycling-not-racing and helmet mounting for rides on the wilder side. Helmet life and when to chuck them is a hotly debated topic. However, I’ve retired a few that have served eight years or so. I no longer trusted their integrity and in a couple of instances, adjustment dials were getting sloppy. I’m not going to argue with someone who disagrees with me on this front. I’ve worked with acquired brain injury and similar neurological conditions in the past and their impact upon people’s lives have certainly left an impression.

 During this episode of impromptu spring cleaning, I also took this opportunity to remove the seat post and check the grease’s tenure. This in turn prompted me to blast a little more corrosion inhibitor inside the seat tube.

As miles and familiarity with the Coospo CS600 increase, I’m discovering some minor niggles. Communication with the touch screen appears hit n’ miss wearing full finger gloves-even those with extensive silicone detailing, but I’ll try some others to see if this is an isolated, or consistent issue.

The auto backlight and similar sensored functions perform very reliably and while the anti-glare display is consistently good, the radar graphics are definitely sharper after dark.

 

Too Much Pressure

Despite the best efforts of Jacob Rees Mogg, SKS in Germany (those people responsible for arguably the finest full length, chrome plastic mudguards) were able to get this Air-X-Plorer Digi 10.1 Track Pump to my door in a matter of weeks.  

However, unless the UK rejoins the customs union shortly, this may not be so easy later down the line. Against this backdrop, I snapped up some SKS guards that were going seriously cheap (along with some other little sundries, while I was there and to justify the flat-fee postage).  It shouldn’t be inferred that Ursula’s SKS Blumels Shiny SKS BLUEMELS SHINY MUDGUARDS | cycling, but not ususally racing (sevendaycyclist.com) are in anything but rude health. However, at that price, I’d be a fool not to, and save ‘em for a rainy day.  

In a fit of pique, I decided to bolt some Shimano MT cleats to these Shimano touring shoes, which I resurrected after several years on the subs bench.  Why? Well, I was curious to see how far soles and other tech have come along in the last 12 years, or so. Multi Release Cleats (denoted by an M) are, as their name implies are designed to allow disengagement from multiple angles.  

Traditional models, such as Shimano SM- SH51 are designed to release ONLY when the heel is moved outward. The multiple release can disengage in any direction, including tugging upward. I’ve not had any issues with unwanted release when gently pulling up on the pedals-even with the pedal spring tension set to minimum. Newbies might sound the most obvious audience but aside from being generally convenient, riders with less strength in their legs, or joints would also reap benefits.  

I’m still loving the Oxford Venture Jacket OXFORD VENTURE JACKET | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)- its lightweight, easily packable and great for those morning’s where it may not be raining, but intermittent blustery winds have an edge to them.  However, I decided it was time to add a zipper tag to the breast pocket, for easier access.  Retrieving my superzoom compact camera was becoming an awkward fumble and wasn’t going to have a happy ending.   

Drier weather has meant more weekend miles on the Teenage Dream. The long bank holiday weekend was perfect for this and hiking the saddle height by those few milimetres was an inspired move. However, I had just switched to this Eclipse Road 25 Tube inner tube, when I discovered a disconcerting bulge in the Vee Tire Co Rain Runner Clincher Tyre. 

 

Closer inspection confirmed it needed pensioning off. Fortunately, I had another 25mm Freedom Thick Slick resting quietly in a corner, so performed the switch. Eclipse tube safely instated; I was suitably impressed by the speed and ease at which the SKS delivered 110psi (the Thick Slick’s maximum pressure).  

Staying with rubber, here’s my review of the Vittoria Evolution Road Bike Tyres Vittoria Evolution Road Bike Tyre | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com). Both machines are running the Momum MIC Wax chain lube, which has held up surprisingly well by wax standards and along some very wet roads and yes, heavy rain, too. 440 mixed terrain, mixed weather miles before any telltale taint and tinkling.  

Incidentally, this can be replenished, without needing to strip the residual. Shake, drizzle in, leave to assume a glazed lacquer-like state, then scoot-off. On this basis, it’s looking a very viable choice for tourists (especially given there’s a 15ml option). Seems to be working rather well on cleat mechanisms too. 

Talking of scooting off, Steve’s been testing these 360 Dry Blue Ankle socks 360DRY BLUE ANKLE SOCKS | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

Though the two-wheeled fleet has a decent amount of waxy internal preserve sloshing around their inner sanctum, I like to have plenty lying around-especially to treat the KA and Micra underbody, so picked up a bargain candle, while doing the weekly Tour de Supermarche’ and ordered in two litres of solvent online, benefitting from the economies of scale.        

 

Star Fangled Nuts & More Aheadset Doings

I decided it was time to inspect the Holdsworth’s Saturn Aheadset, apply some fresh grease to the lower race, and tackle the compression wedge. I reckoned this wasn’t doing its job, permitting slow but steady play in the bearings.  Ultimately, switching to a Star Fangled Nut proved the way forward, since I had a 1inch in stock and the press tool.  

Time to review the stack of spacers too.  

Again, I had just the right number of silver 1mm, 1-inch units, bought when I was experimenting with the Shimano Zee crankset. Having instated the Star Fangled Nut, everything came together beautifully.  

Lashings of Park PPL-1 Grease TESTED: PARK TOOL POLYLUBE 1000 LUBRICANT FOR BICYCLES (sevendaycyclist.com) were applied to the Woodman Saturn Aheadset’s needle roller bearings, I slid the fork back into the Holdsworth’s headtube, added the spacers, the shim and torus titanium stem. One final black spacer, then popped the stem cap in situ.  

During this phase, I noticed the Jagwire Pro Road Cable TEST: JAGWIRE PRO ROAD BRAKE KIT (sevendaycyclist.com) outer had seen better days, so I switched that for a TRP outer, taking that opportunity to move the Tektro lever a few milimtres. Preload set, I reintroduced the front wheel, turned the bars and, brake engaged, tested for play...A fraction too snug, easily fixed by slackening the preload 1/8th of a turn. 

Bars aligned, I torqued the stem bolts to 6nms, pumped the brake lever a few times to check the Miche dual pivot calipers were engaging, and resetting-job done. Tyres inflated, fresh chain lube (Momum MIC Dry Lube, in case you were curious), a light waxing and fully prepped for a Sunday morning blast. Earlier in the week, it had been torrentially wet, so given the favourable forecast, I had been gagging to get out on my pared-to-the-essentials' sunny days’ plaything.  

Having let rip for 90 minutes, or so, immersed in the machine’s responsive, playful and yet dependable handling, I returned and decided it was time for another game of musical pedals. I switched the Shimano XT from fixed gear winter trainer, to Ursula, ED500 to fixed gear winter/trainer.   

It also coincided with an uncharacteristic and decidedly unsettling inability to disengage from the right-hand XT at the close of our last ride. The source of this potential embarrassment, a (very) loose cleat. Easily sorted, but I digress... 

Nothing to do with me being contrary, rather I needed to see how well the ED500 would fare in terms of ground clearance, on the fixed. 

Essentially a cyclocross bike with track ends and spacing, the bottom bracket is relatively tall, and I’ve had no grounding issues with 175mm cranks, in the past. The Genetic Tibia GENETIC TIBIA TRACK CRANKS & RING | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) are 172mm long, so wasn’t expecting any issues when it comes to more aggressive cornering. Appearances can be deceptive since the overall width isn’t radically different.  

However, I suspected there may be greater potential for clipping the ED500 on a particular tight corner-roundabouts being cases in point. In the real world and the last 100 miles or so, pairing the ED500 and fixed has been remarkably harmonious, dare I say inspired and not what I was expecting. Hmm, think they’ll stay.   

I’m also warming to these 360 Merino High Calf Socks. These, as their name implies, are a long waterproof breathable sock comprising of a merino outer a waterproof mid layer and a terry layer next to the skin.  

These aren’t cycling-specific and a little thicker than some but seem a great pairing with wider, mtb/gravel shoes, including these Shimano MT701 or the FLR Rexton Touring/Trail Shoe FLR REXSTON ACTIVE TOURING/TRAIL SHOE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) I’d witched to these following rains of biblical proportions, which was great for the garden, but meant very wet feet, wearing more traditional cycling socks-even with the Shimano MT701.

  

The 360 are proving incredibly comfortable, even in warmer conditions. They’re only intended to be washed by hand, which may be a deal-breaker for some. Mine accidentally found themselves doing a Tour De Samsung but thankfully have emerged unscathed-definitely luck, not judgement. Steve was also very taken with their blue ankle socks 360DRY BLUE ANKLE SOCKS | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) I’ve been quite taken with this Funkier Mirano Pro Short Sleeve Jersey Funkier Mirano Gents Short Sleeve Jersey | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)