Spirit Guides & Stem Swaps

 House purchase complete, deeds transferred, and I’ve moved. Garage requires more regimentation, but storage is arriving, and bikes are readily accessible. I’ve been following my nose along the quiet, seemingly civilised lanes and B roads and a correspondingly civilised hour.

Winding back roads are thickly carpeted in mud, reminiscent of Belgium classics (especially in the mist) and cyclo cross meets. The Kenda Kwick Journey KS Plus are surprisingly sure-footed in these contexts, providing excellent feedback and traction. The ½ link chain seems to have settled down and the Muc-Off E-Bike Ceramic Lube is staying put keeping things sweet and serene. Stoical, its seemingly unaffected by muck, subsequent washing and is attracting surprisingly little grot.  

Temperatures are now broadly seasonal, so bib tights it is. I’m defaulting to the Funkier Polar Fleece Bib Tights and the Showers Pass Elements Jacket SHOWERS PASS MEN'S ELEMENTS JACKET | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com), the FLR defender continue to do their thing pretty convincingly, save for a few curious quirks.

Pandemic and social distancing aside, people seem helpful but non-invasive, which is the right balance for me. This horse seemed very approving of my fixed gear winter trainer’s spec, but seemingly insistent I switch the Redshift Sports Shockstop Suspension Stem TEST & REVIEW REDSHIFT SPORTS SHOCKSTOP SUSPENSION STEM (sevendaycyclist.com) for the Kinekt Suspension Stem!  

The latter has a more industrial aesthetic and a broader profile, requiring some subtle repositioning of the Geonaut G-Eye Action Cam, which ultimately resulted in a sleeker aesthetic. Spec-wise, the Kinekt in question is 90mm long and with a road typical 7degree rise. The stem components are made from heat treated 6061 aluminium alloy, has an anodised finish and laser-etched graphics. Springs are powder coated and offer 15-20mm of travel.

I’m 70 kilos and sticking with the stock, medium spring for now, since it’s plush without bottoming out, or bouncing around like a pogo-stick.

However, I may experiment with a stiffer spring, since replacement seems extremely straightforward and unlike the otherwise excellent Redshift Sports Shockstop Suspension stem, can be performed with in situ.

The Kinekt is also offered in 105 and 120mm (7 degree) and there’s a 30-degree option in any length you like, so long as its 100mm.

I also took this opportunity to replace the VDO computer’s head unit battery, before it finally gave out, losing all my ride data. To the designs’ credit, it had been registering low battery and had entered hibernation to conserve essential power. Thankfully, a quick rummage through the welsh dresser unearthed a pack of CR2032 button cells.

Batteries swapped and data retained, I needed to reduce the sensor/magnet gap to restore the usually seamless readout. I chose not to replace the sensor battery this time round but will go this route (adding a lick of Vaseline/silicone grease to the contacts) should readouts turn erratic.

I’ve also switched the front wheels around, in favour of the 35mm Continental Contact Plus TESTED: CONTINENTAL CONTACT PLUS TYRES (sevendaycyclist.com) and Shutter Precision SL9 dynohub HALO EVURA & SHUTTER PRECISION SL9 DYNOHUB BUILD (sevendaycyclist.com) 32mm section tyres are generally ample for winter and country roads. The default option for touring bikes during the 80s and 90s (although “fast” tourers often used 28mm). However, some additional cushioning is welcome along the wet, greasy sweeping backroads and the Kinesis DC37 forks KINESIS DC37 DISC FORK | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) have ample clearance for 42c TESTED: VEE TIRE CO ZILENT MARK 2 TYRES (sevendaycyclist.com)

 

 

Snow Joke!

Staying upright in winter can be a significant challenge. Even if the snowman hasn’t brought the white stuff, black and sheet ice can provide the wrong sort of excitement. I even witnessed a horse losing traction along the backroads this week.

Yes, the past ten days or so have been perfect excuses for hibernating, or whirring away hamster fashion on the indoor trainer.  However, they’ve also presented an ideal opportunity to whip on spiked tyres and explore.

In this instance, I’ve been using Continental’s long running Nordic spike 120. 120 denotes the number of tungsten carbide spikes.

These are the 42mm (1.6 inch) 700c versions, which shouldn’t present much difficulty clearance-wise, with the latest generation of disc braked adventure touring Lorries, or gravel builds.

Pure breed crossers will definitely call for the measuring tape and a pause for thought-especially at the rear triangle. My beloved fixed gear winter/trainer’s rear triangle prohibits this and the 35mm Schwalbe Marathon Winter. Although a pairing is preferable, running a spiked tyre up front certainly makes a big difference to grip.

Just like any other tyre, spiked/studded versions come in different guises, depending on price and intended use.

While both the Schwalbe and Continental use sturdy wire bead casings that will slip aboard deep section rims pretty effortlessly, their tread and design and purposes are actually very different. Yes, both tread patterns scoop away the snow, the spikes then biting into the ice beneath, providing the traction.

However, while I’ve been able to go pretty much anywhere and at a decent pace with the Schwalbe, the 120 stud versions of Continental’s Nordic Spike are positioned along the shoulders.

This makes for swifter progress but favours less extreme, tarmac biased riding. Think slippery suburbs, rather than heavily carpeted lanes, backroads and forest trails. I’d be interested to see how their 240 spiked siblings compare against Schwalbe Marathon Winter.

Whatever model you’re plumping for, it’s worth remembering that while all will deliver reasonable performance on clear asphalt.t roads, bereft of snow and ice, the tread pattern and spikes will result in a degree of resistance.

Not to mention road noise. Both can be annoying but something I’m happy to live with during dicey times-infinitely preferable to coming off and potentially damaging expensive components, or breaking bones.

It’s also worth remembering that some countries recognise e-bikes as powered vehicles. Studded tyres are prohibited on some public roads on the grounds they damage road surfaces.

For this reason, though a faff, it’s worth double checking the law in your country/state before shelling out.  New to riding in and through winter? Have a look at our overviews https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/winter-wonderland-one

Speaking of grip, we’ve reached our conclusion regarding BBB’s flexribbon bar tape and I’ve been pleasantly surprised when everything (although particularly the asking price) is taken into account https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/bbb-bht-14-flexribbon-gel-bar-tape

Lubricants also need to strike a between staying prowess and cleanliness. Wiping down the side-plates weekly to remove ingrained, drivetrain consuming contaminant, is pretty mandatory for traditional wet formulas. Some riders, usually those who consider price to be the determining factor, regarding anything other than 10w/40 motor oil as “snake oil”.

On the plus side it’s cheap, plentiful and works well enough. However, I’ve tested a fair few bike specific wet lubes over the years and found several at different price points that run cleaner and last a fair bit longer too.

It’s too early to say whether the Nasty lube that arrived a couple of entries back will rival Weldtite Tf2 extreme wet https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/weldtite-tf2-extreme-wet-chain-lubr . Mind you, a little seems to be going a very long way and I’ve been traversing some very wet roads these past three hundred miles.

Right, well, after a filthy week’s testing, time I treated my beloved workhorse to a cold water rinse and sudsy bucket wash. Will treat it to this Soma Fabrication Shikoro armoured speed tyre up front and A Soma fabrications Supple Vitesse (700x33c) at the rear. www.somafab.com

Happy Christmas!