Fast Tangos & Old Faithfuls

 I wanted to get a few last rides in on the Holdsworth and Teenage Dream. Having played around with spacers, I found myself giving the bike a thorough washing and hard paste waxing. This led to me switching its tired looking Guee Silicone bar wrap for the T-One Mr Fantastic Handlebar Tape T-ONE MR FANTASTIC HANDLEBAR TAPE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) Given my 5am riding schedule, I had rummage around the lighting box and found this Cat-Eye Volt 1700.  

The full 1700 is arguably overkill, even for these backroads (although nice to have, especially when things turn misty) and I would’ve preferred a 1100lumen setting to staircase down to. However, it goes from 1700 to 500lumen, which is too steep a drop for navigating.  

Up the rear, I’ve gone for this Moon Shield Rear Light, which is another very potent model and one that I’m genuinely very fond of. During the cleaning phase, I stripped the existing wax lube and though tempted to go the Muc Off Ludicrous AF route, opted for a light helping of Peaty’s Link Lube Premium All-Weather PEATY'S LINK LUBE PREMIUM ALL WEATHER | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

After some deliberation, rather than switch the Cat-Eye between bikes, I decided to partner the Ravemen CR600 to its LR500S RAVEMEN LR500S FRONT LIGHT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) cousin, generating 1100 lumens all told. 

The latter’s beam quality is far mightier than the 500lumens might imply, too.  To my surprise, Ursula’s shifting had gone off the boil again, particularly midway across the cassette. Despite close, methodical scrutiny and the root cause elusive but pruning the chain by two links and replacing the shift cable proved the cure.  

Disappointing given I’d only had eight weeks from that inner cable. I ordered a few replacements since these are staples and though there’s never a good time for failure, it usually strikes at the least opportune moment.  

Keeping them clean and lightly lubed with GT85GT85 ALL PURPOSE LUBRICANT (sevendaycyclist.com), or similar maintenance spray certainly helps-particularly through winter but the gritty, grotty weather will still shorten their life. Heavy duty PTFE sprays have their merits but if you must go this route, apply once. Repeated applications will slowly result in a PTFE “fatberg”.   

Inner wires are cheap to replace, so change a daily driver’s seasonally and buy stainless where you can. 

It’s now palpably colder and darker in the mornings- its struggling to double figures, so I’ve switched to the ¾ length bibs and long sleeve jerseys. Middleweight fare for now, and I’m still defaulting to the cheap but very cheerful Passport Crochet Back Cycling MittsTEST & REVIEW: PASSPORT CROCHET BACK CYCLING MITTS (sevendaycyclist.com) That said; stronger winds and falling leaves are nudging me to dig out lightweight full-finger gloves, such as these Specialized, or the Oxford North Shore Gloves OXFORD NORTH SHORE GLOVES | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  

Not to mention a thicker, water-resistant cap, I’m still a fan of Prendas Ciclismo  Lisboa Waterproof Cycling Cap PRENDAS CICLISMO LISBOA WATERPROOF CAP | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  

While rooting through some light boxes, trying to locate a high-power compact light for the Teenage Dream, I unearthed this now discontinued Xeccon Mars 60 COB Rear Light TESTED: XECCON MARS 60 COB REAR LIGHT (sevendaycyclist.com) A light that might be a little quirky but one I’m still very endeared to .

Nite Rider Solas 30 Rear Light is another rear light falling into this category and mine’s still going strong over five years later.    Talking of which, we’re big fans of E-bikes. To clarify, they may not be my passion, let alone my area of expertise but there’s a lot to like. Contemporary machines making cycling accessible to new audiences.  

Electric-assist cargo bikes are increasingly a viable alternative to small vans, especially in congested town and city centres. Commuting on an e-bike can be more practical than a traditional bicycle, dressed in formal office, or more casual threads, running utility and bike-as-car errands.  

E-assist also ensures older, or more vulnerable riders can enjoy longer distance rides, with a little assistance, as and if required. Steve and his family has enjoyed their time with this model FREEDOM BY DESIGN | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)   

  

Wet n' Wild

Wet roads increase the risk of punctures. Clearly, I was tempting fate by saying the 32mm Tioga City Slicker had only succumbed to a single flat. As of last Monday night, the running total, is two. Impressive though, given their mileage and lack of puncture repelling belt. 

Something sharp and thorny had worked inside, while racing along the sweeping, waterlogged lanes. This grazed the tube, inducing loss of pressure one mile from home. Mercifully, despite the water amplified hiss, deflation was at snail’s pace, so I made it back without incident, and with 45psi remaining. 

This prompted close scrutiny of butyl stock. Ultimately, I needed to cull several but was able to patch the wounded tube and had two serviceable 700x28-35c, and a virgin 700x35/42. These were quickly ported over to my Carradice SQR Tour bag. Sometimes it’s about using what you’ve got. I’ll replenish when a decent wholesale deal presents. 

I also switched the City Slicker for The Vee Tire Co Zilent MK2 https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/vee-tire-co-zilent-mark-2-tyres, which were introduced with stronger sidewalls. Seems some folks loved the originals so much, they deployed them as laden touring rubber. No such stresses on my fixed gear winter/trainer and in some respects, they’re a little portly. 

That said; they roll much quicker than a 38mm 997g tyre might imply and a 5mm aramid centre strip adds confidence. Similar genre of tyre to the rear’s long serving Schwalbe Marathon GT https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/schwalbe-marathon-gt-tyres . 

Though I love the changing seasons and night riding specifically, shorter daylight means dependability trumps exotica. As with location-based photo-shoots, its imperative rider and machine return home without incident. 

Therefore, a more time-efficient, disciplined approach to maintenance. Heavier duty tyres, chain lubes, backup lighting, Co2 cartridges and decent pump being good bets. Throw in a tyre boot, patch kit, change of socks, gloves and Buff type “tube” and you’ve the basics covered. Talking of which, I’ve reached my conclusions regarding the Follow Hollow Alpaca Socks https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/follow-hollow-men-s-alpaca-socks .

The Zefal Pro Wet Chain Lube is showing little signs of waning, despite the weather, which is quite impressive. Like other, dare I say, more traditional wet blends it’s tacky to touch. Transfer to skin and clothing is moderate. 

In terms of rider dressage, Pro Viz have also sent me their 360+ jacket. Typical of most at this price point, it’s a polyester blend with breathability and waterproofing ratings of 10,000+gm and 10,000mm. Its seam sealed, has a fleece lined collar to retain warmth and stop wet stuff, from trickling inside. 

Sensible range of pockets too, which is welcome. Then of course there’s the retro-reflective layer that’s grey by day but brilliant white by night, when graced by vehicle, or street lighting.  Steve’s been busy putting Showers Pass Skyline Trousers https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/showers-pass-skyline-trousers  to the test.

Talking of lighting, I’ve done 100 miles with the K-Lite Bikepacker Pro V2 and it’s another lovely model that loses little to its Ultra siblings-at least for road riding. It doesn’t quite stop SUVs in their tracks, or cause them to flash their lights, and I reckon the full 1300lumens comes on tap at 15mph (rather than the 11.18 suggested). 

Sensibly, it runs the same switchgear and yes, you can whip in the USB charger and refuel blinkies, phones/other gizmos on the go.  

 See Sense Have sent me their ICON2 rear light, which is so much more than just a super powerful, tuneable rear light. Though fascinated and rightly intrigued by smart technology, I’m slightly wary of things that are connected via apps and internet. That established, with the app downloaded, the unit can record all sorts of data, including theft, road surface quality and an array of other information. 

It’s also proving extremely solid. I decided to mount ours to my SQR bag, using their clothing clip (Jemma at See Sense warned me against this, given the Icon2 is heavier than previous incarnations…)

It subsequently ejected along some washboard tarmac. Took a direct hit, bouncing along the dimpled asphalt. I needn’t’ve worried. Build quality is superb and there wasn’t a mark on it.

Here’s our general overview of LED safety lights https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/in-the-blink-of-an-eye

    

Buxom Bars & Lighter Lubes

These Soma Fabrications Condor flared drop bars arrived among a consignment of delightful Soma goodies. Now, I like big flared drops for cross and other, dirt biased riding. WTB mountain drop and On-One Midge being my two, favourite patterns.

The condor is made from shot-peened 6061 T6 aluminium alloy. I’m deceptively broad across the shoulder for my height and build, so have gone for the extra-large (44/49cm), still slightly narrower than the Midge.

However, the medium is 40/45cm, large 42/47cm. The smaller number denotes the c-c width i.e. measured between the hoods.  Look closer and you’ll notice it’s pattern is a hybrid of riser and compact drop bar.

Now, in common with the other two, the condor’s shallow drop supposedly allows more time riding the drops.  Little surprise that they’re marketed at touring, bike packing and gravel riding audiences.

Apparently, rotating them accentuates certain characteristics to suit personal preference. I deliberately avoided my “Child at Easter” urges to strip and fit, to my fixed gear winter/trainer’s cockpit- immediately.

I had higher priorities and wanted to avoid (a) Rushing the fit (b) forgetting to weigh them and having to strip bar tape, brake levers, lighting and other goodies, later. Soma cite the weight as 320g, ours tipped the scales at 348g.

I’m generally indifferent to black/dun finishes. Thankfully and in common with the WTB, this is a good quality one. The sort that resists accidental marking, say when fitting/adjusting brake levers, rotating them in the stem.

Any adjustment/component change tends to feel different, often an improvement psychologically. Formative impressions are of a higher position, my hands defaulting to the drops, as opposed to cruising atop the hoods.

Not that the oversized midge could be described as springy, However, the Condor’s increased rigidity is very apparent, especially when climbing out of the saddle. Powering up a climb, superior stiffness permits effort to be channelled into cadence, which can make all the difference, when you’re forced to rely on a single gear ratio.

The Condor’s curved, swoopy profiles still offer a reasonable amount of useable parking space for lights, computer, action camera etc. However, the Trelock Ls960i switch https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/trelock-ls960i-dynamo-front-light isn’t oversized. Thus, it needs to sit where the bar narrows and consequently, at a slight angle. Operationally, this isn’t an issue but something to consider, if you’re porting clamps/brackets of similar diameter over.

The inexpensive, though high performing BBB BHT 14 flexribbon gel bar tape https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/bbb-bht-14-flexribbon-gel-bar-tape  could’ve been reused but I had some very fetching Lizard Skins DSP 2.5mm, doing something close to nothing.

They grey swirl effect also compliments the build’s colour scheme handsomely.  A phantom squeak was traced to the otherwise loveable Revolution Ritchey copies, so a quick game of lucky dip in the spares drawer, sees them substituted for these single-sided Shimano PD A520 pedals. Tiagra by another name, these are a sporty platform type. Greater support but without the ground clearance hassles and the versatility offered by recessed SPD cleats.  

Holdsworth aside, all my fleet feature slightly flared drops. This sea change started when I was introduced to the On-One midge back in 2005. This wasn’t love at first feel but within a matter of rides, I was warming to them.

Upgrading to the increasingly standard (oversized) diameter was a good move. The 25.4, though great for drop bar retro mtb builds/conversions, felt whippy by comparison. I sold these on to a good home, 18months back.

Leverage and to some extent control, are the main benefits of a wider/flared bar. Hence their particular appeal, on a rough stuff tourer cum trailer tug. However, they also open the chest cavity, which is quite helpful when tackling steeper ascents, especially on the fixed.

https://www.facebook.com/Sevendaycyclistmagazine/videos/1874477312583191/

The wild and weird weather hasn’t relented on these shores, which is perfect for testing tyres., chain lubes, mudguards and pretty much anything else, really. Talking of which; I’ve racked up 225 extremely wet miles from a single application of Finish Line Ceramic wet.

 

 

Thankfully, it can be reapplied with minimal prep and without curing period. A definite plus, should topping up be required mid ride, or needing to head out, sharpish. However, since the weather is turning milder, more spring-like, I have switched to Finish Line 1step cleaner and lubricant.

I’ve used its aerosol variant in the past to reasonable effect. Convenience is the main draw. The solvent component will consume any residual chain lubricant (although some stiffer ceramic/wet formulas require a more voracious solvent cleaning first).

When this evaporates, the low friction lubricant layer is left behind. Aerosols use a solvent to make them sprayable, coupled with a butane propellent. Great for channelling it into those hard to reach areas, such as sticky mechanisms/cables, or even loosening rusted/lightly corroded contact points.

The bottle version requires a swift shake to mix the formula and chains a quick wipe afterward. Despite being a dropper type, the super runny mixture means it will go everywhere and is best deployed using their no drip chain luber. Doubling up i.e. leaving it a few minutes between coats, adds a more substantial and ultimately durable layer.  

Forget about cheeky topping up indoors, for this and very flammable, reasons. If you have pets, or small children, wash down any residual stuff too. While cats in particular, will give anything noxious, or petrochemical based a wide berth, they can still succumb to poisoning. The most common cause being traces of product sticking to their fur. Cats will lick this, ingesting the poison and can be fatal.    

I found the Crankalicious pineapple crush concentrate, agitated with a stiff bristled brush perfect for speedy dismissal.    

Looking forward to bringing the Holdsworth out of hibernation over the coming weeks. Feeling the need for some serious, flat out, point to point blasts.