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)