Command Centre

Having recovered from crank extracting efforts, I switched to my Univega and away from the increasingly maddening crowd. An ideal opportunity to see how well Squirt Chain Lube copes, in changeable conditions. This Apeman A80 Action camera had also arrived for testing. Initial impressions are favourable, relative to price point.

It seems intuitive to use, and image quality broadly comparable, with this Geonaute I’ve owned for a few years.  The Apeman A80 comes with a lot, as standard, including 2^nd battery, weatherproof casing and several mounting options. I’ve opted to fit ours via this nicely finished Minoura VC100 Quick Release Camera Mount. Works well with compact cameras and Go-Pro homages.

This Genetic Neuron Accessory Bar arrived and prompted some tidying of my fixed gear winter/trainer’s cockpit. The old resin accessory mount had served me well, but was slowly falling apart and ultimately, consuming unnecessary space.

I simply mounted the Trelock LS906 Bike-I PRIO Dynamo Front Light https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/trelock-ls906-dynamo-front-light  and bracket to the Soma Condor 2 bars https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/soma-condor-2-shallow-drop-bars , then ported “Frankenpute” and Xeccon Spear 900 front light https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/xeccon-spear-900-front-light  aboard the CNC machined Genetic. The 22.5mm bar is designed to accommodate computers/GPS and other “lightweight” accessories.

In real terms, it seems perfectly happy with a 200g payload. Standards of construction and detailing are impressive, especially for the money. CNC machining and anodised finish aside, it comes complete with aluminium spacers (rather than the crude, but generally effective rubber type), to achieve rock solid, scratch-free tenure to 26.0 bars.

Alas, my beloved Frankenpute, then decided it no longer wanted to live. Mysteriously ejecting itself from its mounting bracket, and beneath a following SUV. Sentimental soul I am, I retrieved what remained and was astonished to discover some functionality.

A few days later, this very simple, lollipop shaped Cat Eye Quick Computer arrived for review.  Professionally, I’m interested in the latest “Make the tea” technology but personally, lean towards simpler stuff.

The Quick is a five function, wireless model. We’re talking current, average and maximum speed, trip distance, total distance, total distance, moving time, and clock.

I’ve had plenty capable of scrutinising every scrap of ride data, and I understand how useful that can be. However, though I love riding, racing hasn’t been part of that diet some years.

So then, the Genetic Tibia Track Cranks. Well, any component change generally makes a bike feel different. Ours were the 165mm versions but there are 170 and 175mm alternatives.

These are arguably better suited to taller riders and/or road biased builds. With this in mind; my working fixed, originally sported 175mm SRAM cranks. Given the frame’s lofty bottom bracket, spirited cornering didn’t lead to “grounding” or similar fun-disruptive nastiness.

Some studies suggest moving to a shorter crank, can improve comfort. These cite reduced scope of motion at the knee, hips and lower back. Sounds good to me, all things being equal.

However, if you’re not sure, or suffering discomfort, go for a bike fitting consultation and solicit medical advice/as appropriate.

I wasn’t surprised to find myself turning a slightly higher cadence during my formative twenty-mile test runs. Neither do I run knee-popping ratios, in any case. Nonetheless, a good fit, now feels that bit better. Not that I have any intention of wholesale fleet conversion.

Squirt chain lube is proving clean and relatively stoical. Both tubby tourer and fixed gear winter/trainer are still on their first helping, 180 miles in. To be frank, given the relatively dry climate these past few weeks, I’d expect even the most basic formulas to last 200miles.

However, cleanliness seems excellent, with little evidence of contaminant. In common with other emulsion types, I wasn’t surprised to discover my Univega’s cassette cultivating a waxy patina. One that will hopefully, protect the bright electroplating from light tarnish and can be reclaimed by the chain in due course.

Despite incessant promises of balmy days, the mercury is still struggling to nudge 12/13 degrees during the day, so I’ll have to wait before I can do these Primal Onyx aero gloves justice.

Rings & Ratios

My Univega’s gearing has always been something of a compromise, since 2017’s new paint and 1X9 makeover. A 34-tooth ring and 11-30 cassette would’ve been too low.

The 44x11-28 gives a range between 103 and 40.5 inches, which is generally practical for road duties, although, I’ve missed the additional torque offered by the 30- tooth sprocket. Especially when climbing a 1 in 7 and battling a headwind. Plenty of the latter, this past fortnight, or so.

Having just replaced the chain and cassette, buying another would’ve been silly, so I turned my attention to the front ring. 94 BCD…Nothing suitable “in stock” but a witching hour wander round the web, unearthed a black 42 tooth Talon for £9.99.  Apparently, these had been purchased from the distributor, in huge quantities and originally retailed at £35 apiece.

I was relieved to discover the old Shimano ring’s mounting hardware released with minimal effort. Moreover, though most patterns are accurate these days, I was pleased by the Talon’s fit. Anti-seize on the crank bolts, snug tight with a long 5mm Allen key-sorted.

Gearing now ranges from 98.3 and 38.6 inches without major jumps (38.6, 45.1,51.5, 60.1,67.6,77.3, 83.2,90.1, 98.3).

Arguably a 40 would’ve been better still, offering a 36.8-inch bottom gear. However, I’m not going to lose any sleep over it and will probably switch to a 11-30 cassette, next time round.

Continuing this theme, I’ve been fortunate enough to receive some lovely Genetic Tibia track cranks (and Tibia 7075 T6 ring). The cranks are JIS (Japanese Industry Standard) rather than ISO. Indeed, to my knowledge, this is comparatively rare. Though not overly problematic in the general sense, its worth noting that ISO tapers are slightly longer than JIS. This means you will need to buy another bottom bracket, to achieve correct chainline.

I was sent the 165mm arms. 5mm shorter than the System EX Track https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/system-ex-crankset , I suspect these were selected because of the road bike designation. My working fixed has a relatively tall bottom bracket, so less problematic (The original build had 175mm arms) but shorter arms provide additional cornering clearance on a conversion. I simply raised the saddle by 5mm to compensate.

Shimano’s UN55 is ideal (read all you need) for these duties. Inexpensive, the sealed cartridge bearings have been known to reach 10,000 miles, before slop sets in. The existing unit is still in rude health.

However, rude, agricultural language followed when I tried to remove the long standing, and very likable System EX. Self Extracting crank bolts are an absolute godsend. Univega and working fixed do not feature these, but their cranks are seldom removed.

Save for bottom bracket replacement, and periodic re-greasing of the bolts. On this occasion, after 29 years, my Sugino crank extractor finally died. Stripped tool threads meant it couldn’t divorce arms from tapers.

Enter this cheap, but cheerful X tools replacement, which arrived the very next day. Credit where due, it did the job handsomely. Nonetheless, prising those cranks from their tapers, still required copious amounts of penetrant spray, a very long 8mm Allen key and the sort of primal grunting more commonly associated with a labour ward.

Now, I don’t grease tapers but the bolts themselves were given a liberal helping of Park PPL-1. Ditto the reinstated ISSI pedals. The 44 tooth Genetic ring keeps gearing at 78.3 inches.

Taller than text book perhaps but avoids knee trouble, yet tall enough to dodge comical, warp-speed spin out along 1in7s. The new setup weighs 717g (48g heavier than the System EX) but I’m suspecting there will be other, tangible benefits…

Revisions

Chain and cassette replaced, I still had a good 250 miles or so to go before nearing anything like a conclusion regarding the Halo Fixed G hub and fat cog system. Wet, greasy lanes with waterlogged sections, mulched equine dung were perfect and rather welcome, given the mild February we’d been experiencing. A subtle “phantom” squeak permeated my serenity. Snugging the track nuts and 8mm crank bolts down proved the antidote.

This gold anodized Halo skewer presented itself, so I thought “why not”. Cured some very minor pad rub, which pipped up, when I was out of the saddle, and dancing up the climbs. Disc rotor was true, cables and callipers were correctly adjusted, and everything behaved impeccably on the workstand (doesn’t it always?).

Therefore, perhaps a tighter union at the dropouts…Niggle, and episodic tinkle muted.  The passport anti rust single speed chain continues to do its thing silently, and the galvanised surface does an excellent job of retaining lubricant.

I was a little surprised to discover some orange taint. Especially since Weldtite TF2 extreme wet lube https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/weldtite-tf2-extreme-wet-chain-lubr  is one of the most tenacious (albeit not the cleanest) wet lubes I’ve used to date.  

The watery corrosion vanished, upon contact with a clean rag. Some Squirt chain lube arrived for testing, so I treated the transmission to some Green Oil chain degreaser jelly, as part of a sudsy bucket spruce-up. Talking of which, Steve’s been putting Silkolene wash off, to the test https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/silkolene-wash-off

A reminder that Spring can still prove very wet and mucky, so I’ll leave the KMC dressed in its factory lube. Once that’s thinning, I’ll swap to the Squirt. Dressing appropriately for the changeable conditions, is another challenge.  Thankfully, softshell jerseys and ¾ lengths with water repelling top layers plug the gap.

Early morning outings are still quite chill too. I’ve always found this very refreshing and for the time being, I’m still sporting a “Belgian style” cap beneath my lid and Oxford Bright 4.0 gloves https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/oxford-1 . I pack a buff and the Oxford bright waterproof cycle gloves 3.0 https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/oxford-bright-3-0-gloves  on longer rides, when temperatures can climb into the low teens.   

Full length guards make a world of difference, keeping bike and rider, presentable. Cue the Univega and putting miles on the Selle Italia Sport Gel Flow FEC-Alloy saddle.

Thus far, its proving music to one’s derriere, whether I’ve been cruising along the asphalt, or tackling more technical terrain. Soft, yet supportive, which can be a very difficult balance to strike.

The relatively narrow profile is also very conducive to fast tempos, although I’m generally cruising along at 85-90rpm. Another intermittent phantom squeak (traced to the M45’s jockey wheels), prompted me to carry a small dropper bottle of simple lube.

Saddles and pedals are the first components I replace, on off the peg bikes (purchased, rather than tested). The Inbred, fitted to my stock MKII Ilpompino, was a notable exception. It eventually migrated to my MTB based crosser, with similarly pleasing results.

That had 46cm road drops, which were up to the job in the “Use what you got” tradition. It was On-One Midge drops, that really turned me on to the big, swoopy sort. The 25.4mm versions were a bit whippy but the 31.8 firmed things up a treat.

WTB Mountain drop bars are another firm favourite of mine. Especially for a rough stuff tourer, or tagalong/trailer tug, although to my knowledge, they’re no longer made. No surprise then, that I was generally impressed by Soma Fabrications Condor https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/soma .

Something of a talking point, the shape generally suited me. However, the original pastern had some drawbacks. Soma have revised the shape. The MK2’s top sections are also straighter, allowing easy fitment/alignment of lights, and more hand space. That said; drops and hoods, are my go-to defaults.

Speaking of revision, it’s been a good few years since I towed Joshua behind, on the tagalong. He turned 16 this week and will be sitting his GCSEs this summer. That chapter of my life remains ingrained, almost thirty years hence.

Provisional places on courses at FE college. The opportunity to study subjects I was interested in, focused my mind. Riding kept me sane in between revision, exams and anxiously awaiting results. Whether examinations, is the best means of assessing knowledge, or competence, is somewhat debateable.

Nonetheless, undertaking previous papers, to strict exam conditions, will hone these skills, and is, like time trialling-the race of truth. It will reveal where your weaknesses, and gaps in your knowledge lie. Everyone’s different but don’t sit more than two “mocks” per day, tops.

Remain structured, it’s easy to kid yourself your knowledge is better than it really is. Or, at the other extreme, hammer yourself into the ground. Papers aside, set revision in two-hour blocks, and slot in regular food and sanity breaks.  

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.