Dogged Persistence

I was pursued by a very determined and extremely aggressive Alsatian, while negotiating a particularly dark lane. Dropping to a 36 inch gear,  fuelled by a rich mix of caffeine and adrenaline, I dropped said disagreeable canine on the climb. 

I've been attacked by an Alsatian, on four separate occasions in thirty years. Thankfully, my tetanus was up to date and injuries superficial. At time of writing, the UK is still rabies free. However, even though the treatment has gone from 30 to 4 shots, I've seen them administered, and they look decidedly painful. 

Animosity towards cyclists, was once thought to be triggered by the freewheel mechanism. I Consigned that generalisation to  the bin, when I had to out-sprint one, riding fixed.  

A dog dazer, or similar humane deterrent, might be a useful acquisition. 

These send out an ultrasonic frequency that dogs cannot handle, causing them to retreat. Thinking about it, there's probably a phone app that does much the same thing. However, inm these scenarios I want to press and go, not fumble with my phone!

There's no footage of this encounter, since I've been frustrated by some low-level mount chatter that manifests as a very audible rattle. Its particularly apparent over washboard tarmac. 

I've checked the metal bracket's hardware is fully snug and research suggests its a quirk of the design. Therefore, since I'm a couple of years post warranty, I modified  the composite component. 

This Thermoworx Whitemorph polymer sounds like an obvious candidate https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/thermoworx-whiemorph. However, while its very effective for some jobs, including this resurrected Fibre Flare Single Tail rear light, it sets hard. I needed something supple that would dampen this annoying vibration. 

Experimenting with off cuts of scrap butyl and Acros Silicone Wrap Handlebar Tape https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/acros-silicone-wrap-handlebar-tape  proved fruitless. 

Enter Sugru. It's a single use, mould able silicone putty, which sets flexibly, so hopefully that'll cure this annoying trait. January has seen a trend towards drier conditions. 

Since the Univega's chain was looking patchy and the cassette sporting a layer of ingrained gunk, I decided it was an ideal opportunity (a) to put some chain cleaners through their paces (b) Switch back to the Juice Lubes Ceramic Juice to see how it fared in drier conditions. 

Worked one lot into the cassette using an old, clean paintbrush and decenated some into the chain bath, which stripped the chain back tpo its electroplated state with Piranah-like efficiency. Very satisfying. 

Obviously, two cheap nail brushes, doused in solvent, will have similar effect. However, thist tends to be messier. A moot point if part of a more comprehensive, sudsy bucket scrub is on the cards. My Univega was, given the wet, wintry conditions. I started by giving the Fizik Vento Microtex Tacky Bi-Colour Bar tape https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/fizik-vento a good tickling, to remove some ingrained petrochemical patina. I then turned my attention to frame and wheelset. 

 I also took this opportunity to give my Carradice SQR bags a deep clean and switched them over. Both are waterproof but the black cotton duck SQR tour coordinates better with the Univega's aesthetic and the Carradry's glossy fabric makes more sense for my fixed gear winter/trainer (which doesn't sport mudguards). https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/carradice-carradry 

 I've found these Funkier Aqua Gents Pro Water Repellent tights particularly welcome https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/funkier-aqua-gent-s-pro-tights

Being steel, little surprise that the new seatpost binder bolt stayed snug. However, I wasn't sure whether the collar would stretch, or not. So far, so good, although I do give the saddle a quick tug, before setting off. We've also been very impressed by the budget Schwalbe Road Cruiser tyres https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/scwalbe-road-cruiser-tyres . 

Although less bullet proof than others in Schwalbe's range, the Kevlar banding seems pretty dependable. Steve succumbed to a hawthorn but I've remained unscathed, despite the greasy mulch carpeting many of the roads I navigate. Another pleasant surprise is their relatively supple compound, which combines great handling and compliant ride.  

New Guards & Big Flaps

Ended up stripping the Univega of the mighty Tortec chrome plastics, while I waited for these superbly solid SKS BLUEMELS SHINY 26″ 60 BLACK SET to arrive. Good thing I did too, since the front was one rattle away from falling atop the tyre, and launching me over the bars.

Sans guards it has a very rugged, raw simplicity. Arguably closest to the original 80's concept that fired my teenage imagination, its trail potential was fully realised, along with some seriously big grins for a few evenings. 

The first was quite cold, frosty, although rains returned the following two nights. Thankfully I've been testing these Funkier Aqua Water Repellent Tights. Very welcome (Competent too, especially considering the asking price (£74). 

Talking of the 80's, though frame fit pumps have largely disappeared (thanks in no small part to compact geometry framesets, and mountain biking's other influences) Zefal HPX High Pressure Frame Pump remains quite relevant. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/zefal-hpx-frame-pump 

I returned from Tuesday night's mud spattered meander to find the SKS guards waiting. 

Not the sort of job I wanted to embark on, then. Wednesday morning came and I wasted no time in un-boxing and weighing the guards, which are 50g lighter than the Tortec. 

Next my beloved tubby tourer was popped in the workstand, stripped of wheels and given a rich, sudsy bucket wash. 

Rinsed and dried, I turned my attentions to the front guard. Fitting mudguards can prove fiddly, rather than difficult. In this instance, it's complicated by my preference- a Gusset Uni Head system, rather than the Star Frangled Nut (SFN). 

Now, these might carry a weight penalty over the humble SFN, or expandable wedge type systems. However, they offer improved security. I've never had one work loose and they're also reckoned to keep things together, in the event of a steerer crisis. One of many experiences I would like to keep academic. 

However, it does preclude attaching mudguards via the fork drilling. I judiciously cut out the riveted stainless steel mount, using a hot blade. Given the quality of chrome plastics, and valuing my own digits, this had to be done in three stages. 

Having established the uni-head's bottom nut would slide snugly through the hole, I began bolting the guards in situ. Measure twice cut once when tackling the stays but otherwise everything bolted together smoothly, sans faff.

Achieving graceful, flowing lines is very simple with this calibre of mudguard too. 90, rattle free miles in, and despite the absence of mudflaps coverage is surprisingly good. Nonetheless, presented with a scrap Panaracer tyre, I decided to cut and fashion a set. 

Arguably pop-riveting would've been the neatest method but I settled on a high-strength glue, left clamped and curing for 24 hours. Though not a precision cut, they're neat enough and I've been refining things, gently sanding excess glue-at least where it can be seen. Besides, blasted with dodgy looking water, diarrhoea like mud and other greasy midwinter muck, they'll blend in nicely!  

Talking of which, the Weldtite TF2 Performance all weather lubricant https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/weldtite-tf2-performance-all-weather has fared much better than the Juice Lube Ceramic Juice Chain Lube in comparable conditions. 

The Ceramic Juice hit 185 before the dreaded squeak struck but I should point out, its actually blended for dry to moist, rather than wet weather. 

Therefore, I will reserve judgement and resume testing once (some might say, if) we get a decent dry spell. Meantime, I've switched to their Viking Juice, which they say, is the most durable of their range. 

Application is reminiscent of early ceramic blends in the sense its applied in stages. Whereas some required you to ride around, before adding a final layer, Viking Juice takes but a few minutes. 

Between 2 and 4 coats are recommended, so having established we're in the depths of winter, I've gone the whole hog. 

Its a really runny formula too, designed to seep deep within the chain, so keep some clean rag handy and resist any urges to apply indoors. My Univega's drive train feels suitably frisky but staying prowess is another thing entirely. 

Been rather impressed by their JL69 Bike Maintenance Spray, which seems versatile, durable and very competitively priced. Cleat/mechanisms, locks, cables and jockey wheels have all cheered up with a squirt. Electroplated Allen bolts and similar fasteners have also remained taint free.  

Been rather impressed by this Naked Bikes Pro Wax Special Edition, too. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/naked-bikes-pro-wax-special-edition  . Though hardly cheap, the quality and durability of finish is very impressive. A Christmas gift idea, for the rider who is tricky to buy for.