Rub a Dub Dub My Bike Needs (Another) Good Scrub...

I returned from another water-logged blast and concluded it was time to get busy with the M16 Podium stage system kit. I’d allowed my cross-inspired fixer to become right royally encrusted in a week’s worth of silty gunk.

Wheels out for a deep clean, this was the moment to swap the superb Schwalbe Marathon GT for some much lighter 30mm, 120tpi Vee rubber Rolldiac.Yes, I was very excited and judging by the barking frenzy, so were the neighbour’s miniature Schnauzers. Either that; or they were begging their master to toss them a Marlboro.  

First up,  frame, transmission and contact points received a quick, cold-water rinse over before  I engulfed the bike under a richly deserved helping of that visibly subdued Extreme bike cleaner This was left marinating a few minutes  while I rounded up buckets and brushes, singing that Prince Buster classic “Whine or grine”. 

Afterall, if you have your brush, you can avoid the rush… As per the Univega, impacted grot literally fell away come the first  hint of a saturated sponge. More intimate areas were coaxed clean using the Pedros’ large frame and wheel brush https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/pedros-pro-brush-kit

 

God had decided to take an extended break from washing his two-wheeled fleet on Wednesday afternoon, so I progressed to the Pro Finish #2. This is basically a base coat wax, which will also consume any residual grime-spent chain lube and similar spots missed during the first stage. 

With that buffed; for the grand finale’ I applied their helmet & bike guard, which being completely free of silicone, can apparently be delivered to discs and other braking surfaces.

Calling their bluff, I did just that. 

 Inflated to 125psi (The Rollidac are good for 145, if you must), I reinstated the wheels, adjusted chain tension and gave the links a cursory cat-lick to purge any gritty contaminant. Slightly congealed TF2 extreme clung to rollers, and may last through to April and beyond. By that point, I’ll top up, or strip in favour of something lighter.

 I wasn’t remotely surprised by the pregnant pause as I progressively engaged the Tektro lever while trundling along at 5mph. Lever fully home while riding another hundred metres restored the stoppers original prowess. Therefore, minimise contact and test your brakes a few times before joining the Queen’s highway.

A quick drop of Green Oil slip https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/green-oil-slip-eco-lubricant  to cleat mechanisms and the Thudbuster’s bushings concluded the morning’s fun. I popped said machine and tooling away and returned indoors. 

Talking of green oil, they’ve just launched a kickstarter campaign to get their PTFE free maintenance spray into production. PTFE and its branded derivatives is used in all manner of non-stick applications from industrial lubricants through to cookware. Great for moving parts but particularly toxic to aquatic life and not particularly kind to us either. 

As with exposure to other chemicals, there are supposedly parameters of safety. Delivering a quick, shot of PTFE fortified lube to cables, cleat/derailleur mechanisms, locks etc presents minimal risk to us. 

Similarly, the occasional engine oil and filter change won’t greatly increase a motorcycle or car enthusiast’s risk of contracting serious dermatological condition or cancer. Provided of course, examination gloves and other preventative measures are taken… 

Pro mechanics who regularly ingest PTFE products orally, or through the skin do. We’re really looking forward to getting our hands on the Eco Spray lube. 

So, back to those those curiously named Vee Rubber. These feature a very subtle, dimpled tread reminiscent of a cross tyre that’s been sanded almost pancake flat at 667g per pair, they’re lighter than a single Schwalbe, although still promise optimum grip and longevity. 

The supple casings boast a very thin Aramid belt, which will hopefully deflect the most common invaders, although I’m not expecting the Marathon GT’s almost bullet-proof dependability…I’ve had one epic “Gunshot” blow-out (during our maiden voyage), literally tore the tube wall clean open! Good thing I packed that little Zefal pump too, since my Co2 inflator saw fit to prematurely jettison. We’ll see what the next few hundred miles bring before forming any firm conclusions.      

Lastly a seat post update.  After some problems with an online retailer busting the MT3 live centre component during the pick n’ pack phase, we’ve had a Eureka moment with the ti post project.....More next week. In the meantime, if wet legs on tour, or sullied office smarts are spoiling your commute, these Pro-Viz might be a winner  https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/proviz-nightrider-waterproof-trouse 

Blow Out Sale!!!

"Funny expression that one, especially when it’s used by bike retailers. Why would anyone want a blow-out?!!!!!" my mind raced, as pressure roared from the Univega’s Vittoria Street runner and we squirmed into the bend. Luckily I was able to tame the samba-dancing front end and drew to a dignified halt.

Flaccid tube removed from the comfort of a churchyard bench, the otherwise dependable semi-slicks’ centre strip was absolutely peppered with deeply embedded thorn cuttings. 

Exorcised with the steely determination of a teenager squeezing a puss leaden pimple, I made a note to pack tweezers, which would hopefully make any future purging a whole heap easier.

New tube in place and pressure restored with the surprisingly efficient Lezyne mini pump, I reinstated the wheel and whizzed the final mile or so home. I like the convenience of CO2 inflators, especially when its cold but always carry a decent pump as back up.

Damage sustained by the Street runner rendered it scrap, so I resurrected another Panaracer RIBMORE from the tyre rack. Spotting a sharp flint peaking out from one of the water-chanelling grooves, I purged, then plugged the hole with gel-type glue.

Tube stocks weren’t nearly so healthy, so I ordered another small batch of 26x1.75 via smartphone.

This also proved the perfect opportunity to install some Kryptonite Wheel Boltz. These are part of the security brands’ gravity range. Gravity in this instance, refers to the use of a pin mechanism, engineered only to release with the bike upside down.

Obviously, this makes tackling flats and similar roadside mechanicals, requiring wheel removal less convenient. Designed as secondary security, used in conjunction with a suitable lock, I'm curious why Kryptonite has taken the 5mm Allen, rather than Torx route. 

Both are common sights on better equipped multi-tools but turn out an opportunist tea leaf's pockets and chances are, you'll find a set of Allen keys. 

To date, Atomic 22 tribe is the only system I would risk forgoing a second lock with. Budget models were easily foiled using beefy pliers but might be fine for quick stop-offs at the bank/off licence. That said; ideally a decent security system should defeat potential crooks on looks alone. Otherwise, even if they can't foil your defences, frustration might lead them to destroy your bike out of sheer spite.

Hard core, organised criminals with vans will carry a full compliment of power tools and other brute force technology. These will generate quite a bit of noise, presenting a greater risk of them getting caught. Others  tend to have one tool for defeating a specific genre of lock. All things being equal, chances are they’ll walk on, when faced with both armored cable and U lock.

Talking of tooling, John Moss is just awaiting a final component for his lathe. Once that arrives, we're all systems go and the posts diameter can be reduced...  

Constant exposure to water logged back roads meant washing the Univega would've been pointless, so I deliberately allowed the fork legs, chainstays and rear triangle to get covered in acres of slimy crap. Fortunately, a big box of test goodies arriving on Thursday, included  M16 extreme bike clean and pro finish#2.

The former’s pale blue consistency looks like car screen wash but with a much nicer fragrance. Crucially, it shifted that accumulated grot with nominal effort. Speed freaks should note, the bike wash needs three minutes standing time, ten times longer than some popular pink brews.

This is still two minutes less than my present favourite, Pro Green MX formula https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/pro-green-mx-triple-pack . By the time I'd rounded up bucket, sponge and brushes, the witches brew of residual chain lube, impacted silty dirt and yes, waxy frame preserve pretty much slithered away on contact.

The inner chainstays still needed a soft brush tickling to tease some impacted stuff out but so far, I'm impressed. The pro finish counterpart is similarly easy to use, although unlike the Pro Green, it needs buffing with a bit of kitchen roll/ old, lint free sock/ microfiber cloth. No more demanding than beeswax furniture polishes, mind. All will be revealed in the coming weeks...

Random Tandem

It’s been a roller coaster week. A full cable refit to Graham’s recently refinished mid 90’s Timberline concluded my test of those Super B TB-WC30 Pro Cable Cutters https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/super-b-tb-wc30-pro-cable-cutters. I was also rather excited by a freshly blasted racing tandem that prepped and plugged, ready for a zinc rich epoxy base coat.

Turns out it’s an early 1950’s Rory O’Brien. Part of the refurb involved removing braze-ons, including the bottle bosses, which struck me as a curious move-even if the machine was being used for short-distance TTs.  

While the forks follow the traditional lugged and brazed construction, the frame is beautifully fillet brazed. Some would say this was an obvious choice for a pared to the essentials race rocket for two, saving precious grams and making it harder to disguise poor workmanship.

Urban myth, on both counts; though not commonly practiced during this frame’s era, TIG welding still translates into a lighter build, saving approximately 340g on a typical tandem frameset.

Fillet brazing is a process where brass is built up in layers, forming a very strong, uniform bond.  A frame constructed this way stands a better chance of survival following a collision with a tree, or parked car.

Talking of cars, anything other than fusion welding will signal MOT failure but a decent coachbuilder could successfully join two old school Jaguars together without any fear of failure. Motorcycle frames were also fabricated using this method.  

Being more labour intensive, there’s a cost implication but less competent/experienced builders can still get away with sloppy work. Done properly, large, smooth even fillets are all you’ll see. Be wary of overbite (where the tube has been filed at the fillet). This creates a stress point, which can result in premature and potentially fatal frame failure.  

John Moss has been focusing upon getting the Mango’s Di2 and Alfine hub combo harmonious but a conversation about machine shops and this Chinese made titanium seat post ignited his curiosity. Staying wit the Di2, he’s been having problems getting the shifters to communicate as he’d hoped with the 11spd Alfine hub. John’s career as a highly skilled technician means he loves to diagnose, fault find and continuously improve equipment.

I explained I had a 27.2 Ti post doing something nothing close to nothing and was toying with the idea of having it machined down to 26.0. This could then replace the Univega’s otherwise likeable BBB skyscraper. After some calculations and precision measurements, he calculated with a carbide tip, he could shave 136mm from the bottom, thus it would slide securely into the tubby tourer’s seat tube. Modern social history, human geography and industrial decline are subjects that have always fascinated me. Most cities have their no-go districts, or at least those with ill-repute.

Hillfields in Coventry has an unenviable reputation for being the city’s red-light district. Levels of deprivation are high, just as some inner London Boroughs including Hackney (despite the latter’s superficial gentrification, some might say, socio-economic cleansing).

However, it’s renown for being the region’s red-light area, drugs and associated criminal activity being consequently rife. I had always presumed this had been a relatively recent phenomenon, a’la Dagenham intensifying when the car factories and similar business left.

Anecdotally John and several other reliable sources refute my hypothesis. I’ve heard tales from the 1950s of organised criminal activity, including protection rackets, money laundering and of course, drugs. During the 1950s a smartly dressed young man walked into a Café’ and was greeted with smiles and warm acknowledgement.

A few minutes later, a woman running said eatery heard a scream and discovered the young man’s throat had been slit-in road daylight. She called for an ambulance and applied pressure to the wound using a clean tea-towel until paramedics arrived. The man survived.     

Conversation with Graham at Maldon Shot blasting & Powder Coating suggested painting the exposed section satin black wouldn’t be an issue either. It was decided that because of the metal’s characteristics, attempting to blast the surface (giving the paint fighting chance of staying put) was a non-starter, so he’d use an acid etch primer instead...Stay tuned…

Taking the Biscuit

No, thankfully, I was able to hold onto these Cappuccino flavoured offerings to complement my diesel strength coffee consumption. I’m referring to some time wasting charlatans who were on a fishing expedition, rather than intending to purchase skills and services. They will be receiving an expenses invoice in the coming days. I’ve never suffered fools gladly and have no intention of starting now.

Milder temperatures have seen roads saturated as water oozes from swollen ditches and boggy farmland-ideal conditions for overshoes and other weather cheating kit. The TF2 extreme wet is staying put, although migrating to the outer links, which I have now concluded is largely attributable to my fixer’s stainless steel KMC X1 chain...

True, lubes tend to collect along a chain’s side plates but regardless of their characteristics, this is much less apparent on standard nickel plated or even, galvanised models. Moan aside, there’s been no call for topping up, or indeed, cleansing the side plates as yet.   

I have nothing against the turbo trainer per se. When I led a strictly road biased diet, I spent many winter hours whirring away at 6am on a simple, 5012 blue powder coated Tacx fan cooled unit. Well made, albeit crude and noisy, timber framed outbuildings amplified my efforts to the extent extremely tolerant neighbours asked if I was running a diesel generator.

One was a life-long distance road runner, so could empathise with this particular hamster on his wheel. On other occasions, there was something to be said for sitting in the garage, whirring away with the door open for ventilation and watching the horizontal rain.   

Walkman and turbo-trainer tapes coaxed me into the zone and kept me there.  Sweat nets, periodic re-greasing of contact points and regular waxing kept rider-generated coolant from inducing component seizures and frame damage.

A great outlet for “A” level and similar angst...These days, even budget lights can seemingly turn night into day, although the quality of output varies greatly. While there’s no doubt we get considerably more light for our money, the old adage of getting what you pay for remains unchanged.

Back then LEDs hadn’t hit the UK scene, so aside from hefty Lead acid systems; most lights were of the halogen glimmer type. This included the Union bottle (tyre driven) dynamo system used on my Holdsworhy Butler working bike that ferried me back and forth from FE college. Nonetheless, there was something distinctly satisfying about generating my own light; I saved a ton of cash on batteries too.  

I’d always been smitten with mountain biking but as the 90’s progressed, there was quite a bit of dirt in my riding diet and less call for riding inside.

I always liked the sense of escape, the ability to explore muddy backwaters, forests and fields. A more relaxed,” taking our fun seriously” ethos lured me into competition. During this time, cyclo cross became more mainstream with several mountain bike brands, including Kona getting in on the act.

The short racing season and the machine’s geometry mean that ‘crossers make brilliant four seasons’ working bikes. The internet was also becoming increasingly ubiquitous, meaning easier acquisition of spiked tyres and other goodies, once restricted to US/Canada and Scandinavian audiences. 

Therefore, winter became something to rejoice in. Add product testing into the mix and there’s all the incentive you could want for venturing out.           

Continuing this theme, we’ve a six month test of BTwin 700 cold weather cycling gloves http://www.sevendaycyclist.com/btwin-700-cold-weather-gloves and an interview with cyclo cross legend Mick Ives who, at 78 will be riding this years 100^th Giro d’italia http://www.sevendaycyclist.com/mick-ives-rides-again .

Hmm, talking of incentive, with the Univega’s metamorphosis complete, I feel another project coming on. A revision of, rather than addition to the fleet, seems to involve a disc up front and gravel bike flavour. Despite the blurring of genres, I’m of the opinion that there comes a point where a cross country mountain bike trumps the gravel bike when the going gets really gloopy.

Neither am I convinced the complication and additional weight of suspension to said ‘cross derivative will genuinely bridge this gap. In any case, my revision will remain little more than a component list and design concept until I have secured a move and shifted some unwanted stuff...  

Steve has been reflecting on his freshly enamelled bespoke steel tourer and its spec. From the joys of 853 tubing, mechanical disc brakes and full compliment of braze-ons to the trial and error stuff that only becomes apparent mid-way through.

Plenty of people can build frames by numbers in their/mate’s garage but when problems present, only a seasoned frame builder’s skill and lateral thought can arrive at a satisfactory solution. http://www.sevendaycyclist.com/going-bespoke-tech-stuff

On that note, I’m off to top up the Univega’s Waxoyl...          

Midwinter Blues...

Midwinter and its gloom can be tricky customers but I have the lanes largely to myself, all the head-space I could need.

Stout tyres, mudguards and stocky chain lubes, coupled with regular post ride, freshwater rinses keep bikes happy and reliable. Perpetual rains have dismissed space age favourites from the fixed’s stainless steel KMC chain in a modest 225 miles. I’ve resurrected Weldtite TF2 Extreme wet, which is holding up pretty well, without harbouring too much crap.  

To conserve supplies of expensive, space-age wax polishes during the slushy season, I’ve reverted to car wash n’ wax formulas. 1-litre bottles of these foaming elixirs can be bought along with a water guzzling sponge for £2.50 from discount/car accessory shops. Most do the 2in1 cleaning and protecting job pretty convincingly, conserving valuable time into the bargain.

Decent layers, tights, jackets, gloves and overshoes maintain my inner smile. Yes, like Charlie Watts and many Moscovites, I give little away. I will wave, or nod as we pass but that’s about it.

Don’t take it to heart, I’m just enjoying some quiet time, mulling things over, escaping the torrent of calls from ambulance chasers and inept telesales people. I appreciate you are just doing your job and will deliver my rejections graciously. 

However, I don't wish to sue anyone for medical negligence, I've not had a hernia, I don't want a combi-boiler, thirteen brides from Ukraine (Or I might be needing the erectile dysfunction meds offered with disturbing regularity). An all expenses paid trip to the former Soviet states and the opportunity to photograph its abandoned military/industrial sites, would be welcomed.

On the extremities front, there’s plenty of Hi-Viz yellow to burn through the darkest of cobalt skies. I’ve Grip Grab hi-vis Hurricane gloves and for feet, these Ale shoe-covers with retro-reflective detailing. Designed primarily for sleeker race slippers, I was pleasantly surprised to discover (albeit with a bit of gentle persuasion) they'll entertain wider profile mtb and trainer type commuter/touring shoes too.

The Grip Grab gloves follow a most conditions narrative. A shorter cuff means they need tucking beneath the cuffs for a decent seal this time of year but won't look odd in mid-March when it's often temperate enough for a long sleeve base and mid-layer.

Talking of which, these are designed specifically for temperatures between +5 and 15 degrees, which caters for most contexts between September and March on these shores, although frankly, by the time the mercury is inching into double figures, I’m looking toward mitts or very thin mtb full-finger fare.

The emphasis here is water and wind resistance but for the most part, this strikes a decent compromise for general riding. I’ve been belting along comfortably for a couple of hours with the temperature struggling into single figures. 

Hands and to a lesser extent feet (Unless you are free-wheeling for long periods) are the first parts the brain shuts down to conserve energy. During one particularly cold mid-afternoon blast, I was conscious of the bitter arctic wind permeating the wind repellant membrane.Thankfully, this was fleeting and the 90minute ride remained enjoyable. 

Tech-friendly, silicone detailed digits pretty much mandatory these days. I’ve had no problems taking photos, popping lights on/off, rummaging around for keys, energy bars etc without removal.Optimum dexterity means a super-precise fit. I've had other Grip-Grab gloves so this didn't come as a surprise, although something of a culture shock if you're used to other brands'.  

Thankfully; 400 miles in those Schwalbe Marathon GT haven’t missed a beat; let alone succumbed to a flat.

Neoprene can be very useful when it’s really cold AND wet; since it insulates against the chill.However, they’re not my first options, since I don’t like their soggy, clammy feel. That goes for hands and feet. 

At the other end of the price spectrum, I’m also lucky enough to be testing this Showers Pass Torch jacket, which is very well equipped and aimed at similar audiences i.e. road, commuting and touring.

Experience leads me to suggest, satisfying all three groups is a tall order. Take commuting, for example. Some folks do bike as car runs-say 2-3 miles at a modest 12mph, or so, others 25mile round trips at a steady 20mph.

As I’d expect from a jacket commanding over £200, it’s made from a 3 layer, breathable rip-stop “Elite” fabric. Taped seams and YKK Aquaguard Vislon front zipper should keep monsoon rains firmly outside, while zippered side and shoulder panels provide physical ventilation.

There is also the option of adding an aftermarket hood (not really my thing, simply on the grounds hoods tend to compromise vision). Brushed lining provides comfort and warmth when the mercury slides

The main body features an attractive retro-reflective reflective map design along with day glow panels and four, removable button type “beacon” lights. These have three flashing modes are conspire with the other features to maximise visibility in all conditions. There are two sensibly sized pockets. My favourite. The "nelson" up front will gobble a 5inch smartphone and a thin, freelancer's wallet, or long zoom travel compact camera. 

The rear's diagonal poacher is also sensible. Easily accessed, I've had no problems stuffing bananas, Jailors bunch of keys and spare tube inside but it doesn't encourage over-stuffing, causing it to sag and bounce like an over-excited Labrador puppy.

An LED loop provides another lighting option at driver eye-level. So far, it’s performing well on most fronts and in temperatures ranging from 3-4 degrees. Forecasters are promising a seriously vengeful twist in the coming days, which shouldn’t call its bluff... Only one way to find out. Hmm, it's snowing now, so I'll switch to the Univega and those spiked  Schwalbe Winter tyres.