Pads, Cassetes, Cables & Chains

Winter can chomp through consumables, at an alarming rate. Pads are no exception and I’d bought replacements, knowing the time was edging closer. Fade struck, along a regularly traversed 1in7. Decision made. Pads stripped and replaced within minutes of returning home.

These patterns lasted a year, or so. Fixed relies less on mechanical braking, thus usefully extending pad and related component life. Provided you’re not living in a particularly hilly region, of course. I continue to be delighted by the Halo Fixed-G rear hub. Perfect chainline also ensures a nigh on silent transmission. Acceleration feels tangibly brisker, too. I’ve reached my conclusions regarding the Tioga City Slicker tyres https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/tioga-city-slicker-tyres  

Richard Peace has been putting the Carrera cross city folding bike through its paces  https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/carrera-crosscity-folding-electric-

Pad changing presented an obvious opportunity to give the bike a deeper clean, than usual.  The Velo 21 dirty weekend pre-wash did a decent job. It’s a subtle formula that doesn’t foam, or anything visually exciting. Science suggests the surfactants are doing the business. Eating into the grime, rather than just foaming on the surface.

Suffice to say, it romped through organic grot and slurry, without needing to agitate. Even petrochemical based spatter slithered away, left marinating for five minutes and then rinsed. These Soma Fabrications Condor II shallow drop bar also arrived this week, so I wasted no time fitting them.  

Elsewhere, having averted potential castration, my Univega’s cassette was resembling one of those “fat balls” supposedly breeding in our sewer systems. An obvious candidate for Velo21 degreaser.

Chain, cassette, jockey wheels and ring came up quite nicely too. Not without a fair bit of elbow grease. It’s worth noting that Stealth, is a very stoical ceramic. I’ll need to see how it works on less tenacious lubes, before passing appropriate, fair comment.

I also checked the chain’s health, using this digital chain checker. Budget analogue units are dirt cheap, accurate enough too. However, I prefer the pin-point, in a glance confirmation. Chains don’t stretch, they wear. Consign to the bin, once wear measures 0.8mm.     

Time spent undertaking regular inspections and preventative maintenance is priceless. Aside from extending the life of expensive components, I’d rather be out, enjoying the miles than fixing stuff by the road/trailside. Let alone the long walk home. 

This housekeeping also proved the ideal opportunity to fit the Easton EVA wrap and swap back to the Schwalbe Marathon Mondial https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/schwalbe-marathon-mondial-tyres , now the threat of ice, has greatly diminished. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/after-the-gritters-went-home

Bored with Brexit, red top tabloids have now fixated on extreme weather. Coastal flooding now tops the agenda.  

After some casual, late night trawling, I came across an Alivio rear mech, to replace the long serving Microshift M45. Crucially it was of a higher spec, and at the right price. I’ve stripped, cleaned and inspected the M45 and there’s surprisingly little slop.

I changed the cable and closer inspection revealed the SRAM chain was fit for the knackers’ yard, cassette not far behind (though thankfully, I already had an 11-28) so retired both.

Worth buying a stock of both, if you do big mileages and/or ride in harsh conditions. However, as I’ve said before, there’s a fine line between sensible stock-piling and hoarding.

Cassette lock-rings can become very stubborn, even when they’ve been given a lick of stiff grease. The 11-30 Sram was no exception, benefitting from a quick blast of penetrant spray.

11-28 tooth electroplated Sram replacement on the freehub body and lock ring greased, I torqued it to 40nms, reinstated the wheel, then cut and fitted the new chain. I ordered two, so there’s one on tap, when the chain checker chimes 0.8mm.

While the other 9spd components are in solid shape, I’ll stick to this grade of rear mech and consumables. Unless I’m presented with an interplanetary (hub gear) system, I’ll probably upgrade to ten speed. An Octalink crankset, Deore mech and Sun Race brifters seem good options. The production Alpina 506’s factory specification, was a mix of Shimano LX and XT.

At present, it’s an eclectic mix of Ultegra, Deore, 105 (equivalent) and some slightly lower end but extremely serviceable parts. Components that make it go and stop in excellent proportion. I’m a constant tinkerer, and some would say, contrary figure.  Who knows what will follow…

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.

Silence is Golden

Icy weather in remission, it was time to switch back to my beloved fixed. I’d also received this rather nice Fizi’k Vento Solocush tacky handlebar tape, and a Tioga city slicker (700x32c) tyre. The Fizi’k Vento Solocush Tacky handlebar tape, is reminiscent of other tacky, polymer based tapes. Including Lizard Skins DSP bar tape https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/lizard-skins-dsp.

I wasn’t expecting the additional .2mm density to have much impact, especially when dressing the bars. However, it required a firm, consistent approach to achieve aesthetically pleasing results. In common with similar tapes, it was very tolerant of being rewound, which was welcomed.

These sorts of finishes require more delicate cleansing (no harsh chemicals, or brushes for that matter). Otherwise, you’ll strip the non-slip layer. I was also surprised by how readily minor traces of dirt/oil and grease transferred. So, best to wear/change examination gloves, if new tape coincides with more generic servicing/repair.  

Plenty of additional incentive to get out along the lanes. However, I have noticed a palpable and pronounced surge in aggression-across the board. 

Observation and first-hand experience, on two wheels and four, leads me to hypothesise people are increasingly angry and entitled. This leads to an emotionally immature, and extremely dangerous “might is right” mindset. Rather than considered, cooperative and intelligent approach to road use.

I have often wondered whether this has any connection to a wider sense of societal angst and popularist politics. Popularism can be defined in a multitude of ways. For me, it describes a knee jerk, simplistic, emotional responses to complex issues. 

Popularist ideologies appeal to those, who know nothing about the world, are disinterested in exploring possibilities and simply want these prejudices validated.

Talking of prejudices, while in the midlands, collecting my wheel, from John Moss, I suddenly got thinking about my Univega’s mysterious (phantom) creak. Bottom bracket replacement sounded like a reasonable starting point.

Then I got to thinking along other lines. Firstly, the idea that the left-hand crank might be the culprit. Perhaps the alloy taper had warped slightly, preventing it from staying snug on the arm. This prompted one of those infamous, late evening trawls of the online auction sites, searching for a suitable replacement crankset, at the right price…

Having placed a couple of (mercifully) unsuccessful bids, I then reflected upon recent changes. Pedals being the only component switches. So, I reverted to the venerable Ritchey patterns, gave the crank bolts another quick check, then headed out for another twenty-mile blast.  Smooth, progressive silence

This appears to have cured the problem, so, being a perpetual fettler, I am, I’ve swapped to these Wellgo RC713, which offer excellent ground clearance and surprising amounts of support, even on longer outings. However, there’s no doubting double sided designs have a slight edge, at the traffic light grand prix.  

I was tempted to swap to a rather nice set of single sided Time. However, these would require swapping over to the time cleats. Sticking with SPD means I can alternate between fixed gear ‘crosser and Univega, without having to consider footwear choices.

Back on the fixed, I was enjoying some headspace along the lanes, when a mile from home, a slow rear puncture struck. I was able to creep the final half mile, on 35psi. The Gods had decided it was time to instate the Halo track HG wheel, built by John Moss. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/love-resurrection-john-moss-s-tandem 

Now, there’s a lot to be said about this hub. One side is threaded for a conventional track sprocket and lock-ring. Bearing quality and weather sealing are also very high, well suited to the real world. In this instance, hollow Cro-moly axles turn on super smooth, Japanese bearings.

Refined and very reliable but nothing out of the ordinary… However, the other features an HG cassette type body, designed for Halo’s dedicated 7mm sprockets. These slot on the splines and are locked in situ, using a traditional Shimano type tool. No need for chain whips and primal grunting.

Yes, traditional HG sprockets may fit…

However, they will wear through the splines. You have been warned. It will accept sprockets between 12 and 20 teeth. Caters for pancake flat, hillier regions, or indeed, trail duty too.

The other significant feature is the ability to get chainline absolutely bang-on (between 41 and 52mm). This is particularly significant on conversions, which have generally required bevelled sprockets to compensate.  

I gauged spacing by studying that of the Aerorage wheel. Panned out exactly as I’d hoped. Sliding the 15tooth sprocket home, I added a moderate lick of grease to the lock-ring.

Snugged tight, I mounted Schwalbe rim tape and their 35mm Marathon GT tyre. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/schwalbe-marathon-gt-tyres  I wanted something super dependable but relatively sprightly. The GT roll a lot faster, and smoother than their weight and profiles suggest. Looks like a great package and one I can’t wait to get testing!

Phantom Squeaks & SQR

There’s a natural rhythm  to our machines, and we quickly cultivate an ear for anything different. You know the ones. Intermittent clicks, squeaks, rattles that induce in-the-saddle diagnostics. 

Dancing on the pedals, while climbing to rule out a poorly pedal, grumbling bottom bracket, loose crank…No, Hmmm, hope that’s not the free/hub…Stop, waggle, probe. Nothing… UN55 bottom bracket seemed fine, bars snug, ditto mudguard hardware. 

Every few rotations of the crank, came a dull, faint clicking. Loose seat post clamp? Subtle bouncing on the saddle, dismissed this idea. Coasting suggested the Deore hub wasn’t heading for oblivion, either-mercifully. 

Final climb reduced potential culprits to pedal, or crank. Sure enough, introducing my workshop length 8mm into the left-hand arm, revealed the bolt was a little loose-hence the creak. I was four complete turns before it wound drum tight. 

This also prompted a quick tweak of cockpit, saddle and mudguard fasteners. Oh, and a pedal swap for good measure. Celebrations proved a little previous. The following day, we were battling high winds, when click, click…Bong! Yep, the ultra-reliable UN55 cartridge bottom bracket, had finally got the grumbles.   

Ironically enough, this Cyclo 20 function multi tool arrived, shortly after. There’s a temptation to suggest more is better, when it comes to functions. However, usability is another big factor, especially when tackling adjustments/repairs by the road and trail side. 

These feature long tool bits, great for torque and/or stubborn fasteners, there’s a chain tool, and integral tyre lever, should you forget to pack one. 

I’m pleased to note this features a 15mm wrench, for solid axles. However, sometimes, smaller S shaped keys are more convenient for tighter spaces. Including mudguard bridge bolts, saddle clamp fasteners etc. 

Once upon a time, panniers were my default for day rides, touring, commuting and indeed, tag along tugging. In the latter contexts, the attraction is obvious. Tools, spare tubes, spare clothes, cakes, big “F*ck off” lock. Bananas, cake and other snacks are easily carried.

Room for extra clothes, should temperature and weather generally change, one way, or the other. Oh, and I could always swing by the supermarket and collect some basics, en route home. 

Not everyone wants to be encumbered by a rack and I’ve become a real fan of Carradice’s SQR system which allows compatible luggage to be whipped on/off. A ten-kilo maximum payload is great for day rides, Audax, commuting and possibly, weekend touring. 

I’ve run their cotton duck SQR tour, on and off, for 18 years. So, I was delighted to receive their Carradry SQR bag. This is an expandable system (14-18.5 litres), which on paper, should rival a small/medium sized pannier.  

One of the main advantages to this system, over a pannier, when commuting in congested traffic, is the ability to sneak through gaps more readily. Messenger bags, rucksacks and similar rider-mounted luggage can be a serious boon. Especially for hauling laptops, folders and similar valuables/delicates and for short distances. However, I prefer bikes to do the carrying. 

While the mighty Cotton Duck is certainly waterproof, it’s a little trickier to wipe clean (even though the undersides feature a protective laminate, to protect the base from mucky water). The sonically welded fabric, only requires a damp-cloth onceover. The other thing I love about the SQR system is its rigidity. 

Climb out of the saddle and it doesn’t bob around like the proverbial playful Lab.  The one problem with this system, in my experience is its incompatible with post mounted trailer/tagalong. 

Although frankly, I’d always opt for a chainstay mounted hitch, their lower centre of gravity has much less impact upon the bike’s handling. 

About posts; I’d only tether anything of this genre, to metal models. Oh, and you also need a healthy amount of seat post showing, for the SQR hitch. I’ve had to move this Lightrider PHASE light to the seatstay https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/lightrider-phase-rear-light

Wedge packs, such as this Axiom Grand Fondo are my limit, for carbon composites. Afterall, there’s a reason why we use gripper pastes and lower torque, when fitting.  Right, apparently John’s finished the Halo wheel build, so I'm off to have a look...

Getting A Grip

Well, after several months of build-up, the slippery stuff has finally arrived and with it, Schwalbe Marathon Winter Plus tyres. These are a spiked/studded tyre, designed to offer traction on snowy/icy surfaces, hence the term winter, as distinct from “snow”.

I’ve run the more basic winter versions for some years, with excellent results. They’ve allowed me to escape indoor trainer slavery, get out when roads would be otherwise hazardous, or dangerous).

However, while I’ve never succumbed to a slide, or more serious spill, last year’s deeper, impacted snow, taxed the 120 spikes. The Winter plus have these organised along a wider surface area, theoretically providing better bite, especially when cornering.

In common with their siblings, the tread pattern is designed to sweep away the snow, while spikes bite into the ice beneath, delivering traction. However, bed the spikes in, on snow free roads for at least 25miles.

Otherwise, if you skip straight to snow, you run the very real risk of those tungsten spikes being plucked out. 500 or so, winter miles will reveal just how superior these are, compared with their more basic, yet dependable siblings. I’m looking forward to this supposedly savage and persistent cold snap. Steve’s been impressed by these Good Year Transit speed tyres https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/oodyear-transit-speed-wired-tyre

I like the changing seasons and I have always enjoyed riding in the cold, provided I’ve donned the right kit. I favour ¾ lengths, over tights unless the mercury/windchill tumbles to minus figures.

However, paired with longer socks and my long serving Lake winter booties, these Primal Dawn Men’s Bib Tights https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/primal-dawn-men-s-bib-knickers  have delivered.

I’m also pleased that the liners have solved my problem of numb, tingly digits on longer, faster outings.  As luck, some might say irony would have it, these slightly thicker, Madison liners also rematerialized.

Staying with temperate, my sibling gifted me this rather nice Thermos flask at Christmas. A very welcome gift, especially when shooting on location, with models. Studying its’ profile, my brains circuits started whirring…

Would this fit into my Univega’s BBB fuel tank?

No; was the short answer but it proved fully compatible with this composite Topeak. Five minutes (and a dab of grease, on the fasteners) later, I’d switched them. Little, flashes of inspiration that can bring on a contented smile.

I’ve also gone retro and refitted these original Shimano SPD. Hailing from 1990, they belonged to Lottie, a much-loved Kona Lavadome. The Kona was gifted to me, by its original owner, in October 1994. He couldn’t ride anymore, knew I’d always coveted it and that I’d love it dearly, which I did.

The pedals were then passed to my Univega, at its conception, in 1999.

Mysteriously the boa dial on my beloved Lake winter booties broke sometime during Wednesday’s blast.

Tired of losing essential fasteners beneath the tumble drier, or within the lawn, I’ve finally invested in a magnetic tool bowl/tray. Not sure what took me so long, but it’ll save time and stress, trying to locate tiny but crucial screws/Allen screws, cir clips etc.

John Moss has graciously agreed to build the Halo hub into a wheel, so I dropped Mavic Open Pro hoop, hub and halo spokes, with him. Looking forward to seeing, not to mention, testing the complete wheel.

Lots has been said about lubes https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/blank-ao363  and I’ve finally reached the end of my (alternative) wet lube challenge, which pitted basic 5w/40 motor oil against chainsaw oil.

Spoiler alert. If extreme cheapness, is your bottom-line definition of value, then the 5w40 will get your vote. However, the chainsaw oil is closest to a bike-specific wet lube, in terms of characteristics.  https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/cheap-as-chips-chain-lubes

Conclusions reached; I’ve stripped my Univega’s chain and cassette of existing gunk, then gone over to Fenwick’s Stealth Road Lubricant. Primarily as there was a nearly empty bottle adorning the shelves. It’s also very clean, durable and has short curing times.  

I’ve also added some to its steel derailleur cage, which had also turned a little orange in places, thanks to the salt monster. Maybe a light, filmy coating of this Muc Off Sweat Protect will prove a better solution. It seems very effective on electroplated brightwork and those lightly (read annoyingly) tarnished fasteners.

Last but not least, we’ve also reached our conclusions concerning the Passport Elements anti-rust single speed chain https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/passport-elements-single-speed-chai