Regina & Revision

 Knowing there would be some lead time before the Park Tool materialised, I took the opportunity to periodically flush the freewheel with PTFE spray, leaving it resting, allowing the lube to seep deep inside. Theoretically, this gives best change of release with minimal to moderate effort.  

The tool is coming from Germany since UK suppliers were talking in terms of 5 weeks. Recent transactions with mainland Europe suggest 10 days, although I won’t be holding my breath and I’m also hoping not to be hit with an unexpected (and unwelcome) import charge, since the UK is no longer part of the single market...Something that is having a catastrophic effect upon many businesses and leading to wider shortages, which are thus far, largely masked by the pandemic.  

Re-greasing the hub threads and skewers, with a compatible grease is a given. Lithium pastes may cling on but will lead to galvanic corrosion (seizure) later down the line. Depending on the quality, lithium pastes can also turn a little “clumpy” over time.  

That said; they still have some merit in old-fashioned cup n’ cone hubs, which would include the Athena. However, Park will be doing these duties. Partly as it needs using up and I’m trying to avoid having too many opened greases hanging around-stock rotation you might say.  

My other defaults are Muc-Off Bio grease TESTED : MUC-OFF BIO GREASE (sevendaycyclist.com) and Green Oil Eco Grease TWELVE MONTH TEST: GREEN OIL ECO GREASE (sevendaycyclist.com), which is reassuringly stiff (long-lasting) for an eco-blend. On par with those infused with PTFE but harmless to seals and other, rubberised components.  

Grease guns are the neatest, cleanest way of delivering lube to surfaces, although sometimes it’s easier to apply via examination gloves, say in cold weather when some formulas assume a thicker, less mobile consistency. 

Thus far, the Bat Wax is proving temperature stable and remains very clean, on both fixed and Ursula, which is pleasing. Miles per application also seems favourable, by genre standards, although miles are suggesting topping up little and often (weekly) gets the very best from it.  

In “Oh well, might as well” mode, I decided to strip the Teenage Dream’s chain and drive side crank, since these were sporting a surprisingly tenacious residual glaze-the remnants of a ceramic wax lube. Being a petrochemical blend, I would need to strip it anyway. Another little job off the list.  

The square taper Campagnolo crankset literally popped off the taper and plenty of grease remained on the bolt threads. These were several years old and otherwise untouched, which illustrates how often I ride it in the rain.  

Those couple of drops on the Kinekt 2.1 Suspension seat post KINEKT 2.1 SUSPENSION SEAT POST | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) also seem to be keeping its moving parts quiet and sweet.  Talking of which, though roads in my locale are quieter and crucially, less frenetic than other parts of the UK, there’s been a steady increase in traffic as the lockdown restrictions remained and are now steadily relaxing.  

Though caution and critical thinking need to be deployed when watching footage, regrettably a third lockdown is on the cards. Open borders and the novelty of public spaces, such as pubs and bars reopening are an incendiary mix, least since alcohol and social distancing seem mutually incompatible.  

A few months regular service and I’ve reached my conclusions re the Zefal Adventure R11 Waterproof Saddlebag ZEFAL ADVENTURE R11 WATERPROOF SADDLEBAG | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) switching to the Kinekt Waterproof Seat PackKINEKT WATERPROOF SADDLE BAG | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com), I was surprised to discover the Kinekt 2.1 had left a noticeable calling card on the Zefal’s sturdy fabric, suggesting there’s a sound argument for suspension specific luggage, or at least checking compatibility with closer scrutiny.  

Rule of thumb, based upon long-term pairings with suspension posts, suggests supple fabrics that can assume the suspension components’ profile fare better than laminated/ TPU types.   

 

Saving My Maracas

Phantom squeaks have been a recurrent theme, these past weeks. Having confirmed my Univega’s Bottom bracket, left crank wasn’t on the eve of expiry, I relaxed and racked up another 200miles.

SQR brackets can be subject to a fair bit of stress-10kilos, potentially. However, they mustn’t be torqued too tight.

I decided the bracket needed moving upwards, closer to the post cradle. Part of this was aesthetic-closing the gap. However, upon removing the titanium post, I discovered (with a mix of surprise and horror) it had developed a very clear crease, which suggested failure, and with it, possible impalement.

Not something I was prepared to ignore. Decent quality posts are either 27.2 or 31.8 these days. Standardisation of this kind is generally a good thing. Keeps manufacturing costs lower and ultimately, this is reflected in prices, for the end consumer.   

However, my Univega was manufactured in 1996, when 26.0, 26,4 and 26.8 were quite common. These days, its still possible to get posts in these diameters but, these are often quite crude, and relatively hefty. There are still some titanium/similar exotica floating about online. However, as attached as I am, to the “Old girl” economics are significant, in principle and practice.

A decent 6061 post will hold the saddle up, just with a minor weight penalty. Choice was boiling down to another BBB Skyscraper. (400mm long, nice aesthetics and low weight) or a similarly worthy System EX… Then along came this Selcof… Bankrupt stock and a penny shy of £10- half the price. Decision made. 

I really rate the SQR system. However, its worth making a shim from old inner tube, to protect hosts from being scratched by the aluminium clips.

Black anodised, and dun finishes are particularly vulnerable to this sort of cosmetic damage. A straight sleeve. made from inner tube offcut worked fine.  

The post has been topped off with a Selle Italia sport gel flow saddle, which arrived for testing. I’ve found it tricky, getting a perch that really suits my derriere, on the Univega, in its present guise.

Ironically, given the bike’s relatively upright configuration, an ordinarily perfect 143mm with tends to chafe my inner thigh. The Selle Italia Sport Gel is 270mm long, 140mm wide. Narrower than might be expected, of a model claimed to offer high level performance to “occasional riders for whom time on the bike can be scarce. The Sport Gel Flow strikes the perfect balance between sporty design and total comfort, the best way to enhance your riding experience”. 

400 mixed terrain miles should give me much better insight but forty miles in, the gel padding density, shape and FEC alloy rails are a proving a good fit.   I’ve also received this Easton Pin Line EVA foam road bar tape, for testing. The Tubby tourer seems a good fit, for these duties.

The Microshift M45 rear mech is still doing the business, six years down the line. There’s little obvious “slop”, either which comes as a pleasant surprise, although there are traces of the salt monster’s caustic tongue, along the painted steel cage. I can see something like Shimano Alivio M4000 Shadow replacing it, when time comes.

As for my beloved fixed, I’ve exchanged the Axiom Grand Fondo wedge pack, for this Carradice SQR tour, which has been in my possession, some eighteen years. The SQR tour is made from waxed cotton duck, a very hard wearing, waterproof fabric. However, it’s less convenient to clean, compared with the Carradry’s ultrasonically welded PVC.

Reverting to this old friend meant forgoing my fixed gear winter/trainer’s post mounted guard. However, this isn’t a big sacrifice, given the Tour’s wide profile and partially laminated bottom, offers decent protection from rain and spray.

On the subject of grotty stuff, Steve’s reached his conclusions, regarding Oxford Product’s Mint bike wash https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/oxford-mint-bike-wash   and I’ve generally been impressed by their torque workshop stand. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/oxford-torque-workshop-stand   

Oh, and this bike beautifying bundle has just arrived from Velo 21.

Swapping, Selling & Getting One’s Leg Over

After last week’s forward planning and kit harvesting; I’ve been busy with the post production phase of a Punjabi wedding; burning them to disc for the brides’ family. 

The Univega’s 2x9 cut down continues to delight, ditto the Avid shorty 4.

Minor cable stretch corrected, grabbing a handful of front lever delivers satisfying amounts of bite. Yet to receive the free parable T2 http://www.cyclemiles.co.uk/shop/blow-the-budget/t2-single-wheel-bicycle-trailer/ but bombing missions along 1in7s with this store branded Yak homage en tow suggests I’ve got the mix right.

Now; I really like the free parable cleat system, allowing the cage to be clipped on/off at will but it’s proved incompatible with pump brackets. Hence, for several weeks mine cadged a lift in the tubby tourer’s Axiom Gran Fondo pack.

The arrival of this surprisingly Tardis-like, passport priority quick release wedge pack put paid to that and demanded a rethink of bottle geography. Fitting two bottles in the main triangle of smaller semi/compact geometry frames can require lateral thought.

Side entry cages are my default solution, although in this instance, a quick game of musical cages saw adjustable Topeak Shuttle cage and pump mounts on the upper set of down-tube bosses. Moments later; that Unich midi pump was riding shotgun once more.

With careful organisation, the passport priority quick release seat pack will manage pretty much everything the Axiom did-two multi-tools, tyre levers, spare 26x1.95 goo filled tube, patch kit Co2 inflator and cartridge. Admittedly, we are talking full to the gills but not enough to put strain on the zipper.

It’s made from rugged waterproof polyester with semi-rigid internal base. Stitched construction renders it water repellent but thus far, this should only be an issue for hardcore trail riding, or those determined to shun mudguards on the wettest days.

While continuing a rationalisation of my parts bin, I happened upon these older aluminium bodied time; so swapped its resin bodied ATAC 4 over to the teenage dream. Shimming the makeshift mudguard mount brackets with scraps of old inner tube has also cured minor, though irritating chatter over roughly surfaced tarmac and of course, unmade roads.   

Back to the test goodies, this Fizik Antares R5 Kium road saddle was another highlight for my discerning derriere. Titanium alloy rails, carbon composite base 205g... An odd choice for the Tubby tourer, though having fallen for Selle Italia’s Flyte and similarly minimalist models during the late 90s, I thought I’d strike a comparison.

Somewhat predictably, the more upright stance places much greater weight on the saddle; so even allowing for the shells’ inbuilt damping and springy (but not whippy, rails) 100miles in and things turned decidedly uncomfortable.

I’ve reverted to this relatively broad, though medium density, gel impregnated Selle Royale with cro-moly rails; something of a departure, though arguably more comfortable than the carbon railed turbo matic that usually graces its BBB skyscraper.  Switching the Antares to the Holdsworth, Teenage dream and other road configurations-its intended genre; my buttocks are singing a much sweeter tune.    

Staying with this region but at the other end of the price spectrum; some bargain in-house shorts, jackets and jerseys from big sports and supermarket retailers have also been gracing my battered body.

These aren’t for Seven Day Cyclist; rather another highly respected publication who I write for under a pseudonym. It probably goes without saying that I love all kinds of machines and equipment. From pared to the essentials carbon exotica to fully-faired recumbent trikes, tandems/specialist builds and most things in-between.

However, at SDC, we have a particular nose for lightweight, practical, well-equipped yet fun-to-ride workhorses. In the literal sense, a commuter can take any guise you like. Admittedly, most of my willing Dobbins have been mtb or tourer based, especially in the concrete jungles but I’ve used more traditional fixed/ geared trainers to good effect when covering longer distances.  

Charge Grater 2 has certainly fired our imagination for this very reason. Described as a hybrid; which it is in the literal sense, I’ve shied away from the term given its connotations of lower end sit up n’ beg 700c builds that came along in the early 90s and overshadowed some very capable commu-tourers...

2x9 transmission, disc brakes, full guards, flat bars- we’re in decent commuter, straight from the box territory. Have had a quick word; Charge suggested they’d be happy for us to have a play but waiting for their distributors to give the final nod. WD40 also like what they see-they’re sending us samples from their GT85 range of lubes, polishes, degreasers and bike wash.