Autumn progresses, so with the
fleet prepped, it was time to bung gilets and other seasonally appropriate
riding attire that had been hibernating in various drawers, in the wash. Base layers, gilets, arm warmers, ¾
lengths…bar tape, cargo nets… Yes, I uncovered the cargo net while hoovering
out the garage and investigating some corners.
Cargo nets are really useful for capturing overspill that might not fit into a pannier or rack top bag- particularly useful for awkward items, such as balls, helmet, mangos, melons, clothes, or ensuring provisions don’t escape from an open top basket. Think this one’s a Delta, but Topeak and several other brands produce them. Both net and bar cape emerged pristine from their 30-degree machine wash. The MW7 bootiesShimano MW7 (MW702) Gore Tex MTB Shoes | cycling-not-racing also got a good scrub, since I’d been a little remiss on this front-beyond testing, not my usual approach to kit.
I’ve switched to Muffin, given
the more changeable weather and of course, to play with the Sigma Buster 1600
and the RL150 pairing now the nights are sunrise is slower to arrive. In common
with the Magicshine Hori 1300 Magicshine
HORI 1300 Front Light | cycling-not-racing , Magicshine Evo 1700 Underneath
Mounted Bike Light Magicshine
Evo 1700 Underneath Light | cycling-not-racing and the Gaciron Cetus 1700,
there are a sensible staircasing of modes, catering for most riding contexts.
I’ve switched Muffin back to the
recently re-greased Shimano M540 since they (and indeed, other dual sided
designs) are the most practical options for swift re-engagement. That said, the
PDES600 Shimano
PD ES 600 SPD Pedal | cycling-not-racing and A520 remain good bets, if you
wanted a road specific, single-sided design. Packing them with a suitably stiff
grease also helps with weighting, meaning it's easier to clip in. I’m
still running Muffin’s Izumi chain on the Weldtite Wax lube, since I’ve not had
reason to change and I’m very taken with the cleanliness and low friction. I
also tweaked the chain tension very slightly, suggesting some very minor wear.
Nothing I was going to get excited by, although chain health is less of an
exact science, compared 3/32, so I’ll be keeping a closer eye on things.
This brings me nicely to the Zefal Pro II
Grease, which seems to be holding out very well against sudsy bucket washes and
moving components seem buttery smooth, which bodes particularly well for
winter, and I'm pleased to note that to date, it hasn't done anything nasty to
seals, or composite components. Again, I’ll reserve judgement until
mid-November or so, when the elements have been a bit harsher and possibly to
coincide with a bottom bracket upgrade.
Headsets, hubs and bottom
brackets benefit from stiff greases and good weather sealing, although in
fairness, most seem to solider on very reliably and then unexpectedly get the
grumbles. Usually at the least convenient moments! For context, I’ve had a titanium Hollowtech II
pattern and Tiagra do precisely this, same story with the UN55 cartridge type.
One thing I will not be reserving judgement around is the seemingly limitless plastic patriotism and flag shagging engulfing certain sectors of the public consciousness. From an academic perspective, it illustrates how people are so readily mobilised and moulded into false narratives, replicating that which swept Europe during the mid-1930s. From a pragmatic viewpoint, true patriots help within their communities, whether it be painting a community centre, litter picking, helping a neighbour, or helping someone who is struggling. Not for validation, or self-promotion, but because they genuinely care about others, seek to build people up, and bring them along.
