Saving My Maracas

Phantom squeaks have been a recurrent theme, these past weeks. Having confirmed my Univega’s Bottom bracket, left crank wasn’t on the eve of expiry, I relaxed and racked up another 200miles.

SQR brackets can be subject to a fair bit of stress-10kilos, potentially. However, they mustn’t be torqued too tight.

I decided the bracket needed moving upwards, closer to the post cradle. Part of this was aesthetic-closing the gap. However, upon removing the titanium post, I discovered (with a mix of surprise and horror) it had developed a very clear crease, which suggested failure, and with it, possible impalement.

Not something I was prepared to ignore. Decent quality posts are either 27.2 or 31.8 these days. Standardisation of this kind is generally a good thing. Keeps manufacturing costs lower and ultimately, this is reflected in prices, for the end consumer.   

However, my Univega was manufactured in 1996, when 26.0, 26,4 and 26.8 were quite common. These days, its still possible to get posts in these diameters but, these are often quite crude, and relatively hefty. There are still some titanium/similar exotica floating about online. However, as attached as I am, to the “Old girl” economics are significant, in principle and practice.

A decent 6061 post will hold the saddle up, just with a minor weight penalty. Choice was boiling down to another BBB Skyscraper. (400mm long, nice aesthetics and low weight) or a similarly worthy System EX… Then along came this Selcof… Bankrupt stock and a penny shy of £10- half the price. Decision made. 

I really rate the SQR system. However, its worth making a shim from old inner tube, to protect hosts from being scratched by the aluminium clips.

Black anodised, and dun finishes are particularly vulnerable to this sort of cosmetic damage. A straight sleeve. made from inner tube offcut worked fine.  

The post has been topped off with a Selle Italia sport gel flow saddle, which arrived for testing. I’ve found it tricky, getting a perch that really suits my derriere, on the Univega, in its present guise.

Ironically, given the bike’s relatively upright configuration, an ordinarily perfect 143mm with tends to chafe my inner thigh. The Selle Italia Sport Gel is 270mm long, 140mm wide. Narrower than might be expected, of a model claimed to offer high level performance to “occasional riders for whom time on the bike can be scarce. The Sport Gel Flow strikes the perfect balance between sporty design and total comfort, the best way to enhance your riding experience”. 

400 mixed terrain miles should give me much better insight but forty miles in, the gel padding density, shape and FEC alloy rails are a proving a good fit.   I’ve also received this Easton Pin Line EVA foam road bar tape, for testing. The Tubby tourer seems a good fit, for these duties.

The Microshift M45 rear mech is still doing the business, six years down the line. There’s little obvious “slop”, either which comes as a pleasant surprise, although there are traces of the salt monster’s caustic tongue, along the painted steel cage. I can see something like Shimano Alivio M4000 Shadow replacing it, when time comes.

As for my beloved fixed, I’ve exchanged the Axiom Grand Fondo wedge pack, for this Carradice SQR tour, which has been in my possession, some eighteen years. The SQR tour is made from waxed cotton duck, a very hard wearing, waterproof fabric. However, it’s less convenient to clean, compared with the Carradry’s ultrasonically welded PVC.

Reverting to this old friend meant forgoing my fixed gear winter/trainer’s post mounted guard. However, this isn’t a big sacrifice, given the Tour’s wide profile and partially laminated bottom, offers decent protection from rain and spray.

On the subject of grotty stuff, Steve’s reached his conclusions, regarding Oxford Product’s Mint bike wash https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/oxford-mint-bike-wash   and I’ve generally been impressed by their torque workshop stand. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/oxford-torque-workshop-stand   

Oh, and this bike beautifying bundle has just arrived from Velo 21.

On your Marks, Get Set…Winter

Winter technically begins on the 21^st of December. While the weather follows the UK narrative (i.e. mild and wet), I’m prepping the fleet for the kind of apocalyptic conditions predicted by our red top, tabloid press. Talking of which, here’s our guide to winter, bike preparation https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/winter-wonderland-one

First up, I’ve replaced my fixed gear winter/trainer’s KMC Z1 inox https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/kmc-inox-chain  chain, which has served several thousand miles.

Why? Well I received this Passport Galvanised unit, which tips the scales, at a reassuringly substantial 309g. 133 less than the KMC. Weight wasn’t the motivating factor. Its also half the KMC’s asking price, so I’ll be keeping a watchful eye on longevity/durability.

I’ve used “rustless” galvanised designs to good effect, on my Univega. However, they still require regular, light lubrication. I also noticed a tendency for them to succumb to the dreaded orange taint, once the galvanised component, finally wore through. I say finally, since I racked up 2,000 wet, grotty miles from a budget 8spd model.

Nigh on dry from the packet ensures fitment was a very clear affair and proved the ideal opportunity, to start testing that chainsaw oil.

My hypothesis is that it will prove more durable, compared with the 5w/40. After 285 miles, that applied to the KMC was almost spent. However, my Univega’s electroplated Sram has cruised past 300 and at this rate, I reckon its good for another 150.

Obviously, snowy, slushy conditions may well reduce this. Its worth pointing out that the factory lubricant most chains are impregnated with, is similarly tenacious. Makes sense to run that, get your money’s worth and then use your chosen tipple.   

Workstands make maintenance and repair considerably easier, since machines are held securely, and at a convenient height.

Price dictates quality.

The needs of a home enthusiast, who may use theirs a few times each week, are different to the demands of a shop/pro mechanic. My lightweight Revolution (Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op) unit continues to serve me very well, after 10 years.

There’s some tell-tale flex, apparent when tackling high torque applications, such as bottom bracket replacement, or seized contact points. Otherwise, its solid, convenient, and very portable.

Oxford products have sent me their Torque Workshop Stand. This also retails at £99.99, employs a similar composite head but is considerably heavier.

This translates as superior rigidity. Ideal when tackling those more stubborn tasks. Less convenient for popping in the car, say for race day. Several weeks of intensive fettling will provide more tangible insight/conclusion.   

Now for the rider. Oxford also sent us these Bright Gloves 3.0. They’re a relatively slender, nimble waterproof design with a tech friendly index tip. I was slightly surprised to discover the gloves have an operating range of between +5 and 10 degrees, less than the Lusso I’ve been testing. On the other hand, its more typical of a milder, British winter. Oxford will be sending us the 4.0 too, which are theoretically windproof, too. 

Temperature is also a very personal thing.  An hour or so, at +4 hasn’t left me with chill hands but crosswinds and other factors may say different, especially on longer outings.

Some folks are more sensitive than others; or find temperature harder to regulate. Wind chill can render numbers academic. Dexterous digits are another definite plus when choosing winter gloves. I’ve had some “duvet” types, which have been blissfully comfortable, when the mercury’s slipping close to zero.

Unfortunately, a flat, mechanical, or phone call can dictate their removal, resulting in precisely the numbness, and cold they were intended to counter.

Staying with cold weather kit, Steve has also been very impressed by these Stolen Goat Deep winter Bib Tights https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/stolen-goat-deep-winter-bib-tights

So, thoughts turn to Christmas. Any of these make decent main/stocking filler presents but if you are struggling to buy for those riders in your life. The sort who appear to have everything, then how about the re-hook tool. Hardly essential but its designed to reclaim a dropped chain, reputedly in three seconds. No mess, no fuss. www.rehook.bike/guide

Alternatively, Stenning Photographic Offers high quality 100x100cm (Other sizes available on request) canvas prints  https://michael-stenning.format.com/store