I Go in Peace...

 

Chain casualties addressed, I was hoping that was the last bite winter was going to take out of their drivetrains and indeed, my wallet. I was relieved after the first 20-mile outing to note the shifting issue was resolved, everything just clicked up and down the cassette effortlessly-no call to fine tune the bar cons, or rear mech.  

 

Another little job off the list and my head. I’d dressed the chain in Peaty’s Link Lube Dry, which is essentially a waxy-type formula for dry weather-more suited to spring and summer. The conditions have since turned wetter and muddier-lanes resembling a cyclo cross course, seeing Denise and I blasted with cack. Great for testing stuff, but means regular sudsy washes- for bike and rider alike. Against this backdrop, I’ve stripped Denise’s chain bare using a Silca Gear Wipe and gone for some Peaty’s Link Lube All Weather.     

 

That formative ride on Ursula was characterised by thick, freezing fog, hence I'd gone for two rear lights and paired the K-Lite Bike packer Pro V2 K LITE BIKEPACKER PRO V2 FRONT LIGHT | cycling-not-racing dynamo lamp with the Ravemen XR6000 Ravemen XR6000 Front Light | cycling-not-racing  at 3000 lumens to cut through the gloom, especially since I wasn't wearing any day glow.  

 

I literally watched as the ice formed along the Madison waterproof jacket's sleeve and there was some palpable ice coating the lanes. A moot point with the Schwalbe Ice Spiker Pro Schwalbe Ice Spiker Pro Tyres | cycling-not-racing, which are definitely worth the additional grams in these contexts. Fingertips were nipped a little by the cold, but then it was zero and the Lomo aren't intended for the most bitter winter has to offer (although there's scope for liner type gloves).  

 

Subsequent rides were milder, at least numbers wise, taking icy roads from the equation but wind chill meant it felt closer to minus 2. I hadn’t gone the liner route at this point and despite this, the icy cross and headwinds presented more resistance than chill. I fell between sizes, so went larger, which was definitely the way forward. 

 

Once the temperature crept to 1 or 2 degrees above, they've proven very temperate. Waterproofing is in the showery to heavy rain sense, not submersion and I'm told the DWR coating will have to be replenished from time to time. It doesn't matter what type e.g. spray on, or wash-in but there's only need to do this when things start turning unexpectedly soggy.  

 

I'd much sooner garments that are highly water resistant and wick quickly, rather than a truly impervious, submersible design that became clammy and uncomfortable. Those with TPU linings being the biggest culprits. The padding density is bang on for my needs. Dexterous enough that I can tweak stuff by the roadside, rummage through pockets, wield tools such as this Feedback Sports Reflex Torque Bit Driver Feedback Sports Reflex Torque Bit Driver | cycling-not-racing, trusty superzoom compact camera, and lights. 

 

Extensive silicone detailing engulfs the palms and fingers, continuing this grippy narrative, regardless of whether it’s been dry and chill, or milder and soggy. Natural silicone wraps have been the most tenacious union, but they’re proving consistently good across the board. The huge terry pad is perfectly positioned for effortless taming of runny noses.           

 

No issues with commanding lighting, keys and similar stuff either, which is similarly welcome, and the long cuff ensures excellent overlap and therefore, weather sealing with jerseys and technical shells. On one bitterly cold (but not icy) outing on Denise, I happened to upset a woman walking her two dogs. Apparently, despite leaving ample space when passing she felt startled.  

 

Her rebuke though forthright was still very respectful, so I responded with a protected wave of acknowledgement/apology. I'm not in the business of upsetting or startling any other road users full stop. The Orp smart horn TESTED: ORP SMART HORN went straight back aboard Denise's Soma Condor bars and I was curious as to how well the pack leader of two small terriers might respond to this.  

 

Most pedestrians and dog walkers seem to appreciate the less aggressive sing-song tone (my default). In many regards, I hope I don't meet her again, since a gentler 56 decibels might well infuriate her. I have been pleasantly surprised by the Magicshine Allty 400.  

 

My riding environments dictate something brighter, but there are situations-say stretching a best bike’s legs on longer summer evenings, or cold, bright winter days. Contexts where you’re needing to be seen, rather than navigate.  The 400lumen flashing (day and night) modes are surprisingly effective and unsurprisingly, the most frugal. In common with other lights of this genre, run times in the highest, steady settings are rather modest. 1hr 35 (against the 1hr40 cited) from the full 400.

 

Weighing it Up

 

I'll attribute this to a midwinter lull, but eBay was trying to tempt me into indulging in some surplus stock gravel forks. 4130 throughout, sloping crown, assorted mounts, straight 1/18th steerer and assorted mounts. Clearance for 700x45c... Aside from not NEEDING them, they were raw, so would need painting, which adds to their cost. Being as I would need them powder coated; I'd be closer to £90 by the time everything had been considered.  

 

The fixed gear winter/trainer had a perfectly adequate carbon fork and replacing it (for the admittedly tempting Cro-moly set) would only buy bigger clearance and this wasn't strictly necessary since I'd settled on a more traditional road cum cross typical flavour and 32mm tyres. It would also add some grams. What had I really gained? Sometimes a bargain isn't that when you've weighed everything up- figuratively and literally. 

 

A prudent move too, since the fixed ate another KMC Z1, giving me cause to rethink my policy of running budget chains. Fixed though simple are highly stressed and require closer maintenance than the one cog setup might suggest. The most durable chains I've found to date are the Gusset S-link and KMC X1 stainless. However, both are relatively pricy and in the Gusset's case, hefty. I've decided to go the mid-point route and this Izumi 410.  

 

I'd been out during a particularly wet, grotty morning with various obstacles-looming potholes had my senses screaming with alarm and I was only just able to snatch the front end away at the last second-the gaping chasm would've spat me off, likely into the path of an oncoming vehicle. Composure regained; I cruised the remaining 15 miles at a steady tempo until noting the chain sliding off the rear sprocket and crawling off the front ring. Thankfully, it hadn't jammed but closer inspection revealed it was certainly beyond its prime, signalling imminent replacement. 

 

Waste not, want not...I switched the weary Z1 for one of the YBN that I'd bought for £2, if only to see how durable they were in comparison. Was it a question of having a bargain or getting what I paid for? I wasn't particularly confident, so decided to fit and leave dressed in the factory lube.  

 

Meantime, I've cut the Izumi down to length, so I can just join and adjust when opportunity presents.  I'd be alternating between Ursula and Denise for the coming weeks, depending on whether it was icy, or milder and mucky. Ursula’s KMC began kicking up, which initially had me believing the issue lay with the rear mech’s cable tension, but closer (roadside) inspection revealed splaying of two links, so having completed the ride more gingerly than typical, I switched to a fresh Z10. Presented ideal opportunity to clean out sludgy black stuff from the rear mech, rings and cassette. This was followed by a sudsy bucket deep clean- rid any road salt and similar caustic grot while opportunity presented. 

 

Talking of mucky, Steve was impressed by Portland Design Works Fender Bot PDW Fenderbot Tail Light | cycling-not-racing. As the name suggests, it's a AAA battery powered light affixing to the rear fender (mudguard). Its highly weatherproof, very bright, solidly made and not something an opportunist thief is going to half inch.    

 

Continuing the wintry theme, Robb from Lomo has sent me a pair of their winter gloves. These are a wind and waterproof softshell design with tech friendly rubberised fingers for grip and connectivity with phones and other touch screen devices. There’s a generous Terry thumb wipe, retro-reflective panelling and flat padded palms- no ulnar defending lumps, which can induce precisely the nagging tingling they’re intended to eliminate.    

 

These are a road design and subtle enough for other activities but there’s also a winter mountain bike counterpart. Lomo say these aren’t intended for winter’s most bitter outings. I’ve been out when it’s been close to zero and there was a little nagging chill around the fingertips but this evaporated when the wintry sun brought the mercury to 2 degrees or so.  

 

He's also sent me a pair of Lomo Zephyr panniers that look as if they could give the impressive Oxford Aqua 20 litre a good run for our hard-earned. Reckoned good for everything from soggy commutes to long haul, they’re made from 500denier PVC tarpaulin with RF welded seams and roll top closures. A twin pocket design ensures you can keep things easily segregated. It attaches to racks between 10 and 17mm courtesy of the Rixen Kaul type sprung clips and stabiliser leg. There’s also a webbed strap for easy carrying sans bike.  Right, I’ll close here with my review of the Castelli Espresso Air Jacket Castelli Espresso Air Jacket | cycling-not-racing