Levelling Out

I’ve been trying (and largely succeeding) to avoid the increasingly maddening crowds who have increasingly flooded the roads since a relaxed lockdown was engaged here in the UK. The swing to much warmer weather has certainly encouraged this. Several coastal towns have found themselves inundated with visitors who clearly felt, that social distancing is no longer relevant.  

Thankfully, I’ve been getting the miles in, while most folks were fast asleep in bed. 1150 miles in and the Cycles Berthoud Leather Saddle is much closer to my ideal but there’s a very discernable difference when I hop back on my fixed gear winter/trainer’s Swift pattern.   

The eagle-eyed of you will also notice I’ve lost the mighty SQR Tour and gone back to this Dill Pickle Store Custom wedge pack. Opportunity presented and it saves a whole heap of grams, but I do love the SQR Tour and will doubtless revert, in due course. The Dill Pickle will swallow two tubes, assorted tyre levers, Passport CDW20 multi-tool https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/passport-cdw-multitool and other essentials.  

There’s ample room in the external mesh pockets for any overspill. Staying with multi-tools a moment, these can feel a little generic sometimes but every so often someone comes along with something a bit different. I was sent this 20 function Merida recently. 20 functions conjure up pocket workshops. No bad thing, especially if you’re looking for something that will cover most bases.  

However, they can feel overburdened, dare I say generic. The Merida is very different. Yes, there are the usual collection of Allen and Torx keys, pad spreader, Philips driver and tyre lever. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the inclusion of a valve adaptor.  

Arguably not something you’d use too frequently but a godsend, should you need to inflate a Presta valve, from a garage airline. Measuring 7.4x5.2cm, its compact but also refreshingly nimble in confined spaces- bottle cage hardware on smaller semi/compact geometry framesets being prime examples.              

Not surprised to have exceeded 300 miles on a single helping of the Weldtite TF2 Ultra Dry Chain Wax https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/weldtite-tf2-ultra-dry-chain-wax, despite some occasionally damp outings. Reckon I’ll get 400 before it’ll need replenishment. Chain is still in good health, with nominal wear, several weeks and 700 miles in.   

I’m also forming a very firm bond with the Cane Creek Thudbuster STG4 Seatpost, although this should come as little surprise, given I’m a big fan of the design. For the uninitiated, this employs parallel linkages and keeps the post in the direct path of the rear wheel.  

I.e. As a bump shoves the bike’s rear wheel, the post reacts downward and rearward, theoretically absorbing force at the same rate, thus progressive and without saddle movement. No issues with maintaining a swift and efficient cadence. The stock medium elastomer also seems absolutely bang-on for my 70 kilos, although these are very easily swapped, sans tools.

  

Simply press the centre until it pops out, then pop in the firmer or softer counterparts. In my experience, elastomers like a quick lick of rubber-friendly grease-silicone based products, including Muc-Off Silicon Shine https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/muc-off-silicone-shine-polish will also keep them happy. In terms of grease, those designed for elastomer forks are an obvious choice, although Green Oil Eco Grease  https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/green-oil-ecogrease-long-ter-test or Pure Bike Grease https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/pure-bike-grease are good alternatives.  

The pure is also has a very nice (low viscosity) flow rate, meaning it’s easier to apply. Avoid old fashioned petrochemical greases, since these will eat, or otherwise ruin rubberised components. 

The same goes for automotive products, such as Castrol Red Rubber Grease, which was touted in some circles as being a cheaper alternative, rivalling Judy Butter and other bike-specific blends... 

Hmm, it may well have been adequate for a BSA Bantam but caused the Kebab type fork elastomers to swell and distort like an over-cooked, tinned hot dog.         

Optimal...

The lockdown is showing obvious signs of recession, although outside of certain hours, the roads remain refreshingly silent. Another week, a further 150 miles drumming my shape into the Univega’s saddle, while enjoying the more willing persona and supple ride quality, provided by those aptly named Continental Speed Reflex tyres.  

I’d also set aside some time to dial in the shifting (which wasn’t quite so precise at the lower half the cassette), then craft some custom paint protection using the Zefal Frame Armor. Rubberised cable buffers have greatly reduced the dreaded cable rub and my fleet has very thick, powder-coated finishes.

  

However, grit and oily contaminant can get lodged between the frame and soft polymer cuff, gnawing away at the lacquer and colour coats, albeit at a comparatively pedestrian rate.  

Pre-cut sticker sets have been around for donkeys and the more expensive versions are not only thick but employ strong adhesives. The sort highly resistant to solvents, oils, UV light and frequent washing. High-quality workshop type rolls are the most cost-effective options. They also permit custom shapes. The trade-off being achieving this demands a methodical, unhurried approach.  

Whether you’re applying these, or pre-cut types, give the frameset a sudsy bucket wash, then designated areas a quick rub with an alcohol-based wipe. This will remove anything dirty oily/waxy that would otherwise impair adhesion. 

I’ve also applied a strip to the underside of my fixed gear winter/trainer’s downtube since opportunity presented. Placing a strip here is a good move, even on a mountain bike using a crud catcher style guard, since the zip ties securing them can slip/move gnawing into the frame finish, over time. Especially when wet, gritty mud’s thrown into the equation 

Staying with the fixed, I’ve switched to the 32mm Kenda Kwick Journey KS Plus-wholesale. Much roomier around the rear triangle (Not that 35mm was problematic, per se) and true to their moniker, noticeably livelier, than the otherwise likable and very dependable VEE Tire Co Zilent https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/vee-tire-co-zilent-mark-2-tyres.  

This also brings the gearing down a fraction, to 75.6 inches, which is also more manageable in less fluid traffic and when climbing.  The 5mm thick puncture repelling strip doesn’t run bead to bead, which hasn’t proved problematic thus far and may also account for the friskier persona.  

However, we’ve passed hedge clipping season and wet, slimy winter roads might reveal some vulnerabilities.      Those looking for a budget digital pressure gauge might find this Lifeline Digital Pressure gauge fits the bill https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/lifeline-digital-pressure-gauge 

32mm was once the preserve of traditional touring and off duty ‘cross bikes but allowing for the trend towards bigger sections (I’m more inclined toward a 700x38c for road-biased touring)  it still strikes a good balance between speed and comfort, especially given the UK’s patchwork infrastructure. Talking of which, I’ve just received this latest incarnation of the Cane Creek Thudbuster.  

Specifically, the Cane Creek Thudbuster ST G4. The latter denoting 4th generation. The Thudbuster ST https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/cane-creek-thudbuster-suspensuin-se had a phenomenally long run and still has a lot of merit, especially on older, higher-end cross country mountain bikes. Not least since it's available in more sizes, with shims to bridge the gaps.  

This time around, it's only available in 27.2 or 30.9 and 31.6mm. (There are also two lengths-345mm for 27.2 and 375mm for 30.9 and 31.6mm). However, they’ve updated the linkage design. Elastomers are more easily swapped around, and it theoretically caters for riders up to 350lb.  

I say theoretically since the saddle clamp is a single bolt affair. A moot pint for a 70 old kilo “whippet” but experience suggests riders teetering around the 110-kilo mark might notice some saddle-rail creep. In terms of travel, the G4 has 50mm. 17mm more than the long-serving ST and 15mm more than the Redshift Shock stop Suspension post, presently pride of place on my Holdsworth. I’ve had to forgo the Carradice Carradry SQR bag https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/carradice-carradry 

But thankfully, this Altura Aero Post Pack was doing something close to nothing and capacity aside, the powder-coated aluminium alloy frame keeps it away from the post, thus solving potential compatibility hassles. Of course, you could always go the rider mounted route, for commuting and light trail duties. Oxford Aqua Evo 12 Litre Backpack is a lightweight and genuinely waterproof option. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/oxford-aqua-evo-12-litre-backpack