Moons & Floods

 

The postman brought me some interesting goodies to keep me out of mischief. This Moon Helix Pro W (W denotes white) being one of them. It’s a 5-mode contingency/town light boasting a maximum output of 250 lumens, sensored (stop-go), and intelligent output technology.  

Middle of the Helix family of front lights, there’s a Helix Lite-W, delivering 150 lumens, while the Helix Max pumps out a cited 350lumens and run times between 2.15 and 170 hours, depending on mode (in my experience, factors such as temperature also have an influence). The Pro supposedly delivers 2.15 to 142hours, from the lithium polymer cell. Would be interesting to test the rear counterparts, which look very impressive. Despite the relatively flat profile, the lens casts a broad arc of light  

IPX7 for weatherproofing should mean it survives all but full blown, sustained immersion too- I've not had any issues with the recent biblical rains and flooded roads. Anyhow, just need to keep subjecting it to the real world. It also has a 150-lumen rear counterpart, which looks interesting. The instructions recommend not fitting it close to a wireless computer, which wasn’t a complete surprise, but I wondered whether this referred to the head unit, or the fork sensor.  

For the time being, I’ve positioned ours on the fork leg, which hasn’t induced any weird readouts and I’ll move it to the bars and possibly a head tube in due course. There’s a wealth of clever functions- an auto mode that selects the right output for conditions, theoretically maximising run times, a locking mode so the switch doesn’t get accidentally triggered when bouncing around in the bottom of a bag, pocket etc.  

Auto Safe mode is basically a limp home setting. A reserve of 45 minutes on the lowest mode gives a sporting chance of getting home illuminated but try not to go this route too often- aside from the obvious safety element, it’ll also do nasty things to the battery’s service life.     

Talking of rear lights, the Ravemen TR200’s Ravemen TR200 Rear Light | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) bracket mysteriously expired, causing the light to tinkle across the tarmac.

It was the latter sound that alerted me and I U-turned. Thankfully, the TR200 was obvious and no-one else around. I tucked it into my middle jersey pocket and spun home. Mercifully I had a replacement mount in the spares box.  

Losing any light is never good but I am particularly taken by the TR200’s balance of power, presence, and relative frugality. 

  

Just before Storm Ciaron struck, the Schwalbe Smart Sam succumbed to a second sharp, funnily enough along the same section of very muddy, slippery backroad. Blowouts are rare, and this followed the slow, sinking hiss narrative. No biggie, I’ll just pull over to the verge, swap tubes, pop on the CO2 cartridge and head off again...   

Tyre OK, in went the spare tube, tyre seated properly. Alas, the CO2 cartridge discharged itself in chaotic fits and starts, while the tyre remained firmly flaccid. This is why you always carry a reliable pump.  

Off came the Topeak Gravel 2 Stage Mini Pump Topeak Gravel 2 Stage Mini Pump | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and ten minutes later, we were headed home, the wind swirling and ruffling the otherwise snug Oxford Venture Jacket OXFORD VENTURE JACKET | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) which is still a favourite of mine, thanks to the fit, retro-reflective detailing, removable hood, and deep breast pocket-perfect for stowing my long zoom compact camera within easy reach.  

Mercifully, the flooded sections haven’t been deep enough to engulf hubs but a good test of chain lube, waterproof socks, and footwear. Though not waterproof, Steve’s been impressed by these Fizik Winter Cycling Socks Fizik Winter Cycling Socks | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

Not hard to see why I’ve stuck to Ursula. Sealed bearings are designed to resist the pressures of puddles and garden hoses but it’s good practice to give bikes a mile or so a mile or so to purge any residual moisture. 

Conditions have been sufficiently wet n’ wild to tax the Zefal Extra Wet Nano Tech Ceramic Chain Lube ZEFAL EXTRA WET NANO CERAMIC CHAIN LUBE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) A blend that has otherwise fended off the typical British winter for up to 495miles. I may need to find the Weldtite Extreme Wet WELDTITE TF2 EXTREME WET CHAIN LUBRICANT (sevendaycyclist.com)  should the waterlogged theme continue much longer.  We must also spare a thought for those who have experienced considerable loss and damage. I'll close here with Steve's review of These Chiba gloves Chiba Bioxcell Winter Warm-Line Gloves | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  

 

Inflated Egos & Lowered Expectations

 

If there’s someone you know who loves you but is taking it all for granted, they may lose you someday... Bread’s “Everything I Own” (Covered by Boy George and others) reworked -a song resonated very strongly with me for a good 35 years. The years have taught resilience and self-reliance. Sometimes very brutally. A few have come to my rescue in ways I cannot begin to repay-at least not like-for-like but otherwise, I have a fiercely independent, survival streak. One that serves me very well, thank you.  

Given last week’s “ordeal” I was rather touched to discover Extra UK Extra UK had sent me this Topeak Road Master Blaster model, a traditional frame fit reckoned capable of an eye-watering, bicep-busting 160psi. It also mounts nicely along the top tube, sheltered from the silt, water and generic ruinous nastiness.  

They also sent me the Topeak Nanomaster Duo Fixer CO2 cartridge kit, which will hopefully help with the rapid get up n’ go following those hopefully infrequent flats. Most reading this will undoubtedly be quick to point out Co2 escapes butyl faster, so there’s a good chance the tyre will be pancake flat come the next day. Don’t panic, whip out the track pump (or bike-mounted inflator, if you’re mid-tour/bike packing escape.) and inflate to taste.   

Talking tyres, I’m looking forward to exploring some of the more technical forest trails, bridlepaths and unmade roads with the Maxxis Ikon, when they arrive. Not to mention seeing how well the Mud Hugger Evo and budget rear guard perform in these contexts.  

Both have met my expectations thus far and the former’s low-slung aesthetic belies decent mud clearance and I’m not expecting any clogging hassles. The wallet-friendly rear hasn’t turned to blancmange either but then, given its price, I had lower expectations.  Closer inspection revealed the Axiom Oceanwave City+ Seat Bag AXIOM OCEANWAVE CITY+ SEAT BAG | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) had been aligned slightly downward, rather than being level, so took this opportunity to correct. An easy job, thanks to the Rixen Kaul  

I’m also keen to try the 700x32c Maxxis Re-Fuse-on my fixed gear winter/trainer. Allegedly they “refuse to puncture”. Specification promises good wear and puncture resistance.  

The 60tpi single compound casings employ the brands’ silk-shield technology (used in the Overdrive Excel) runs bead to bead and is boosted by an aramid layer.  

Will be interesting to see how they compare alongside old favourites such as the Kenda  Kwick Journey KS Plus Tyres KENDA KWICK JOURNEY TYRES | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com).  the Kenda is cheaper and “only” feature a 5mm (about 0.2 in) puncture repelling belt along the centre strip, but I only succumbed once in several thousand miles. 

1200 miles down the line, I’ve hit my third puncture with the Maxxis Overdrive Excel Maxxis Overdrive Excel Tyre | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) in fairness, the two were on the same occasions and caused by very sharp flints that had pierced front and rear casings. I pulled these free and superglued the cuts. Replaced the tubes with fresh and repaired the wounded, consigning them to spares.  

When it comes to winter, working and competition bikes, reliability is paramount- Sunny days playthings and other “best” bikes are a little more nuanced perhaps. Talking of which, I’m hoping the weather and infrastructure are going to improve, so I can get some miles in with the Teenage Dream and the recently mounted CST Cito. It’s still rather soggy, changeable at best.  

I’d crossed the 480-mile mark with the Zefal, before replenishment called (which is around 200 miles more than the Muc-off Wet lube in comparable contexts). Now it shouldn’t be inferred that the Muc-Off is a poor lube-it's not, rather it serves to illustrate the difference between a most conditions, year-round “every person” wet formula and a hell n’ high water blend.  

This coincided with the two flats, and I took this opportunity to give Ursula a good clean and strip the residual Zefal in favour of the Motoverde  PTFE Chain Lube Motoverde PTFE Chain Lube | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  However, headed off-road, I’d shy away from river crossings and waterways, since PTFE and similar forever chemicals are very harmful to aquatic life and the ecosystem generally. Talking of bike cleaning, here’s my review of the Finish Line Easy Pro Five Brush Set Finish Line Easy Pro Five Brush Set | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

Bob Elliot & Co have sent me these FLR F70 PRO MTB 250 and appropriate, given the mtb theme Safety Labs E-Bahn 2.0 'MIPS' Urban Inmold Helmet in Black. It will be interesting to see how this compares to the Lazer Chameleon Lazer Chameleon Helmet | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)