Puddle Muddle

 

The weather has turned wintry over the past week and for the most part, I’ve been enjoying the changes and minor challenges it presents. Forecasts had threatened but thankfully not delivered ice. I set out on Friday morning a little later than usual for a longer meander around the lanes.

Harsh winds, sleet and snow showers greeted me as I warmed up along the winding descent. I’d opted for these Primal Dawn Men’s Bib Knickers BUFF PACK BIKE CAP | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and Oxford Products Ox socks OXFORD OX SOCKS | cycling, but not usually racing (sevendaycyclist.com). Up top I opted for a short sleeve base layer with windproof panel, long sleeve jersey and technical jacket. For some reason, I switched gloves and meant to grab my Belgian style cap but stuck with the Buff Pack Bike Cap BUFF PACK BIKE CAP | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com).  Perfect conditions for evaluating the FLR defender.

On the outward leg, roads were wet, greasy but I quickly upped the tempo and cruised along. Ten miles in a flooded causeway and seemingly stranded Audi signalled a quick U-turn and alternative route. Checking the fixed’s chain revealed a stubborn but increasingly filmy layer of Muc-Off ebike Wet weather Ceramic Chain Lube and I was yet to be serenaded by the faint metallic tinkling, so charged up another climb and along some very windswept, lonely lanes.

Three miles from home and the narrow lane had become a river. Calve-deep by the time I’d done a proper risk assessment. Riding was too risky, so I shouldered the bike and trotted through cyclo-cross stylee.

Two miles later and I was home. Soggy but relatively warm feet meant I treated the bike to a thorough wash, and I stripped the chain of the residual lube and embedded gunk. In fairness, this particular wet ceramic doesn’t overly attract drivetrain gobbling muck but there’s no sense allowing it to reach that stage, especially since the bike needed washing anyhow.

One thing lead to another and I decided to swap the excellent Redshift Sports Shockstop Suspension Seatpost REDSHIFT SHOCKSTOP SUSPENSION SEATPOST | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) for the Kinekt 2.1 seat post (with a long Cane Creek 25.4-27.2 shim not the 25.4-26.6mm, pictured) and this bespoke Dill Pickle Store Bag that has been doing the rounds, very capably for a few years.  

Shims have a slightly dubious reputation in some circles and having witnessed some frame popping caused by the very minimalist designs, back in the early-mid 90s, can appreciate why. If you are going this route, spend a tenner and get something decent. People risking a decent frame for the sake of a few quid astound me.  I would not go this route with carbon-posts, let alone framesets.

The Cane Creek shim is 100mm long, and very nicely machined, which should eliminate risk of additional stress being placed upon the seat tube, especially, since there’s ample post inside the frame. I’ve used a light grease between post and shim, shim and seat tube. To avoid the risk of galvanic corrosion, between an alloy sleeve and steel frameset, go for a synthetic, or PTFE infused, rather than lithium-based prep. 

Talking of lubes, I was also stunned to discover a phantom creak. I initially attributed this to the front hoop’s q/release having worked loose, permitting minor movement of the wheel, causing the rotor to catch the pads. To my astonishment, said sound was traced to the Kinekt stem. This seemed to ease out, as the miles progressed, silence restored of its own accord some five miles later. However, I’ve since added a precautionary drop of Green Oil Slip Eco Lube GREEN OIL SLIP ECO LUBRICANT (sevendaycyclist.com) to the unit’s linkages.

 I’ve also switched to the Halo White Line and Shutter Precision PD8 wheel  HALO CLASSIC RIM & SHUTTER PRECISION DYNOHUB DISC WHEEL BUILD (sevendaycyclist.com) and shod it with the 38mm Vee Tire Co Zilent MK2 Tyre up front TESTED: VEE TIRE CO ZILENT MARK 2 TYRES (sevendaycyclist.com)   Chain lightly lubed, a quick shot of maintenance spray on cables and cleat mechanisms-job done and warm bath for me, before I ran the cold gauntlet.  Talking of which, Steve has been impressed with these Showers Pass Crosspoint GlovesSHOWERS PASS CROSSPOINT GLOVES | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) . More next week..

 

 

Fine Tuning, Neurosis & Touch Ups

 November nearing its swansong and its remaining unexpectedly mild (save for a few, very cold starts). Strange then, that I should switch to the FLR Defender Winter Booties. However, UK winters err on the wet, rather than bitterly cold and I also want to see how they regulate temperature in milder weather. Before I went into temporary exile, I collected some packet fresh consumables, including these Look Cleats.

Marked “Easy Release”; these follow the Shimano SPD pattern and came with the Look Geo Trekking Pedals I was testing this time in 2019. Since the Shimano and Wellgo bolted to my shoes were fully compatible, I had put the Look on ice. In my experience, even the more basic patterns return a decent mileage. However, they tend to expire at the least convenient moments, especially in winter.

I introduced these with the Zefal Extra Wet Nano Ceramic Chain Lube. Grease is more stoical but heavier duty wet lubes make convenient and passable substitutes. Just remember to strip and re-lubricate more frequently-at least every three months. Otherwise, you’ll be reaching for penetrant sprays, or resorting to more extreme measures, such as drilling them out…

The thicker soles common to this genre of boot may mean raising the saddle a few millimetres to compensate. I chose to perform this move post-ride and the binder bolt chose that precise moment to expire. Being specific, it seems the collar’s aluminium thread had stripped its threads at a crucial point.

The balance of blame lies solely at my door-overtightened due to neurosis and forgoing a torque wrench. Thank heavens for the internet and next day delivery.

Given this incurred a £4 charge, I decided to buy two of these Brand X (one as a spare, just in case. I also have a blue Salsa lip-lock in storage). Muc Off Mechanics Gloves MUC-OFF MECHANICS GLOVES | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) donned, I gave the frame’s seat tube a quick blast of maintenance spray, gently splayed the clamp and eased it in situ.

The former added some slip, thus reducing the risk of scratched paintwork. Treated the post to a quick lick of Muc-Off Bio Grease TESTED : MUC-OFF BIO GREASE (sevendaycyclist.com)  since I was there, reinstated everything and snugged the collar bolt tight, resisting any neurotic urges.

Though the Univega’s Interpon 601 powder coat cream finish After The Gritters Went Home | Seven Day Cyclist is incredibly tough and well applied, it’s not completely bullet-proof (no finish is) and there are a couple of small chips.

One along the chainstay and another on the right-hand seat stay. My initial drift was towards Revel/Humbrol type hobby enamels but these looked to be a shade or two out, which is no use. I’d be better off applying a primer coat to protect the metal and waiting for the right match. As I was wandering around the web for something else, a 30ml RAL9001 cream bottle turned up at a very keen price, so I wasted no time in buying.  

Curing times are cited as being 2hours between coats. Two or three thin coats are always better than a single, thick one. Wherever possibly, leave these overnight and then add subsequent coats the next day. Ideally, leave a further 24hours. In short, best done during a time when that bike is enjoying some well-deserved rest.

Elsewhere, the Zefal Z Adventure Z5 continues to impress with its blend of rugged, motion free tenure and simple, sturdy mounting. Steve’s also been impressed with the BTR Water Resistant Handlebar Bag BTR WATER RESISTANT HANDLEBAR BAG | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  

I’ll close this entry with some photos of my thankfully, temporary exile…Better organise some bike storage for my new permanent home, before demand spikes and delivery times extend, given the seasonal rush.    

November nearing its swansong and its remaining unexpectedly mild (save for a few, very cold starts). Strange then, that I should switch to the FLR Defender Winter Booties. However, UK winters err on the wet, rather than bitterly cold and I also want to see how they regulate temperature in milder weather. Before I went into temporary exile, I collected some packet fresh consumables, including these Look Cleats.

Marked “Easy Release”; these follow the Shimano SPD pattern and came with the Look Geo Trekking Pedals I was testing this time in 2019. Since the Shimano and Wellgo bolted to my shoes were fully compatible, I had put the Look on ice. In my experience, even the more basic patterns return a decent mileage. However, they tend to expire at the least convenient moments, especially in winter.

I introduced these with the Zefal Extra Wet Nano Ceramic Chain Lube. Grease is more stoical but heavier duty wet lubes make convenient and passable substitutes. Just remember to strip and re-lubricate more frequently-at least every three months. Otherwise, you’ll be reaching for penetrant sprays, or resorting to more extreme measures, such as drilling them out…

The thicker soles common to this genre of boot may mean raising the saddle a few millimetres to compensate. I chose to perform this move post-ride and the binder bolt chose that precise moment to expire. Being specific, it seems the collar’s aluminium thread had stripped its threads at a crucial point.

The balance of blame lies solely at my door-overtightened due to neurosis and forgoing a torque wrench. Thank heavens for the internet and next day delivery.

Given this incurred a £4 charge, I decided to buy two of these Brand X (one as a spare, just in case. I also have a blue Salsa lip-lock in storage). Muc Off Mechanics Gloves MUC-OFF MECHANICS GLOVES | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) donned, I gave the frame’s seat tube a quick blast of maintenance spray, gently splayed the clamp and eased it in situ.

The former added some slip, thus reducing the risk of scratched paintwork. Treated the post to a quick lick of Muc-Off Bio Grease TESTED : MUC-OFF BIO GREASE (sevendaycyclist.com)  since I was there, reinstated everything and snugged the collar bolt tight, resisting any neurotic urges.

Though the Univega’s Interpon 601 powder coat cream finish After The Gritters Went Home | Seven Day Cyclist is incredibly tough and well applied, it’s not completely bullet-proof (no finish is) and there are a couple of small chips.

One along the chainstay and another on the right-hand seat stay. My initial drift was towards Revel/Humbrol type hobby enamels but these looked to be a shade or two out, which is no use. I’d be better off applying a primer coat to protect the metal and waiting for the right match. As I was wandering around the web for something else, a 30ml RAL9001 cream bottle turned up at a very keen price, so I wasted no time in buying.  

Curing times are cited as being 2hours between coats. Two or three thin coats are always better than a single, thick one. Wherever possibly, leave these overnight and then add subsequent coats the next day. Ideally, leave a further 24hours. In short, best done during a time when that bike is enjoying some well-deserved rest.

Elsewhere, the Zefal Z Adventure Z5 continues to impress with its blend of rugged, motion free tenure and simple, sturdy mounting. Steve’s also been impressed with the BTR Water Resistant Handlebar Bag BTR WATER RESISTANT HANDLEBAR BAG | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  

I’ll close this entry with some photos of my thankfully, temporary exile…Better organise some bike storage for my new permanent home, before demand spikes and delivery times extend, given the seasonal rush.