Pressing Ahead

 The announcement that the UK’s final lockdown restrictions will be extended by a further few weeks comes as little surprise. Lockdowns (at least in the context of a pandemic) are not engaged in response to the number of fatalities but rather, the acceleration of cases. Left unchecked, these would induce chaos, overloading hospitals and ultimately, the health service.   

Staying with a slightly political theme, President Biden’s gift of a bicycle to Boris Johnson was very interesting.  Interesting specification, too. From what I gather, the frameset is apparently based on their Tourlite, when it comes to geometry and shape, made from a mix of Columbus and Dedacciai tubing, not surprising given their quality. Components by contrast follow a distinctly American theme. 

 

• Hubs: White Industries Mi5 QR 

• Spokes: Wheelsmith 

• Rims: Velocity Quill 36 h 

• Tires: Schwalbe Lugano 2 700 x 32 

• Brakes: Avid Shorty Ultimate cantis 

• Brake levers: Velo Orange 

• Handlebars: Ahearn MAP 

• Headset: White Industries 

• Seatpost/Stem: Thomson Elite seatpost and X4 stem 

• Saddle: Selle anatomical X1 

• Crank: White Industries with 1X ring 

• Cassette: SRAM NX 

• Derailleur/Shifter: SRAM GX AXS derailleur and thumb shifter 

• Chain: SRAM 12 speed 

• Pedals: Volume Demolition 

• Bell: Spurcycle 

• Grips: Vans x ODI 

• Headbadge: Friendship Flag – Jen Green Headbadges 

• Bern Helmet 

 

I’m continuing to be impressed by the K-lite low drag lamp, which seems to regulate output by calculating speed via the hub and this appears consistent, whether it’s been paired to the Shimano Ultegra or Shutter Precision PD8. Greatest gains are felt with my fixed gear winter trainer, although the lack of resistance is also very palpable and welcome on my tubby tourer.  

However, the slower speed output of its Bike Packer Ultra siblings is a better fit for the old girl, since we’re often tackling more technical terrain and so I’m often bimbling along at a slower pace. It will come as little surprise that the Shutter Precision SL9 hub and the K-Lite Low Drag are arguably the optimal pairing.  

Back to the tubby tourer, I had to nip the cable ties a little tighter, since the lamp was creeping upwards on the Velo Orange mount. Talking of mounts, I also took a closer look at the Geonaute base. The threaded sleeve lacks a metal insert but it’s union with the Minoura VC 100 seems reliable enough.  

Traffic levels and general road user etiquette is generally much higher in this region than others I’ve lived, and ridden in. However, there is always an exception. For the most part, I employ cameras to capture the ride/events. However, there has been a more general trend in the UK for riders employing to capture bad/dangerous behaviour and low-level bullying/aggression.  

Examples include following very closely behind and sounding the horn, “punishment passes” I.e., passing willfully close. Though hardly scientific, Richard Ballantine had a remarkably accurate index for driver conduct in his Bicycle Books. One that has served me very well, over the last 35 years. I also hold car and other entitlements, do a fair bit of driving and have noticed a general trend for a lack of skill, substituted for aggression.  

Far from the maddening crowd, I’m continuing to bed-in the Teenage Dream. Most things have settled- down nicely, although I’ve needed to adjust the BBB mudguards (fenders) since they have proven susceptible to movement, thus catching the tyres. I’ve realigned both and glued the front in situ to subvert issues further down the line. Otherwise, it’s the spirited, engaging machine that had me smitten all those years ago.  

Back to the Geonaute, while the weather remains dry and summery, it will stay and when it’s not, I’ll switch to the Campark. Staying with summer, Steve’s been pleasantly surprised by this Funkier Airflow Cycling Jersey FUNKIER AIRFLOW CYCLING JERSEY | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and the Funkier Men’s F-Pro Gel Cycling Shorts .FUNKIER MEN'S F-PRO GEL CYCLING SHORTS | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) I’ve now switched from 3/4lengths, to bib shorts, even on early morning (6am) rides.  

I will need to acquire some more chains shortly, I’m down to the last two, one for my fixed and another ten speed Sram for the Univega. I’ll use what I’ve got for now, although I’ve never been sold on the quick link concept, especially when it comes to track/fixed drivetrains.  

I’m still feeding the fixed Bat Wax-its reasonably temperature stable, so isn’t turning into a mushy melted mess and the temperature’s holding steady at 23-25 degrees. Durability is also better than I’ve come to expect from more traditional wax formulas, in comparable conditions.   

Univega is still running the Weldtite Ceramic, just a lighter helping, although some others are due to arrive, which I will feed both chains, in due course. Spray chain lubes aren’t generally that impressive, although Steve’s been pleasantly surprised by this Dirt Doc Chain Lube DIRT DOC CHAIN LUBE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

Shakedown Ride

 

Sunday morning at 6am, I snuck out to the garage, emerging stealthily with the Teenage Dream, just as I did during the summer of ‘91. Minutes later, I was enjoying the responsive zing of the thin-walled steel tubeset. The Knog/Decathlon Frankenputer was clocking a steady 19.6mph and braking, though progressive was refreshingly sharp.  

A big, fly-catching grin followed for the 20-mile loop. Only the BBB mudguards and PDW pump bracket required adjustment, although I noted the Lezyne pump’s tendency to slither downwards, perilously close to the chainring, so the PDW mount had to go-substituted for a Syncros unit holidaying in my Bodge box. This also features a rubber strap for belt n’ braces, vibration cheating security. I also needed to pull the Moon Meteor strap a little tighter around the Salsa Bell lap bars, to prevent its incremental rotation.   

Switch and minor tweaks complete, bike safely away. I turned my attention to Ursula’s drivetrain. Shifting had gone “off”- phantom shifts and hesitancy being the main symptoms. Chain was still in good shape but the derailleur’s inner wire was showing some external signs of fraying, so I replaced this, and the housing, which had developed a very slight kink. 

 

Stripping these, I discovered the inner was a few shifts from expiry and was essentially held together by a PTFE “fatball” or clot, which can develop over time, using the heavier duty maintenance sprays. 

The Rear mech was also sporting impacted waxy colic, which took several helpings of solvent and enthused scrubbing to shift. Note to self... treat the spring, pivots and cables to GT85 and leave the heavier duty PTFE sprays for recessed Allen heads, cleat and locking mechanisms. The chain has been fed a light helping of Weldtite Ceramic Lube WELDTITE CERAMIC LUBE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com), which is defined as an “all weather” formula and in my experience, a decent staple.        

Shifting back on song, I turned my attention to my fixed gear winter trainer. I’d left the Kinekt 2.1 Aluminium suspension seatpostKINEKT 2.1 SUSPENSION SEAT POST | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) in situ since November and thought it was time to remove and re-grease. One thing led to another, and I reverted to Cane Creek’s excellent Thudbuster ST, the G4 in this instance, which features 50mm of travel, easily switched elastomers (press-fit, tool-free). This also cured a slightly annoying creak- the Kinekt seems to require the periodic helping of composite/rubber-friendly grease.  

Not that the Kinekt could ever be described as a pogo stick, the G4’s bob is less obvious but equally effective. It’s also saved 92g, although this wasn’t on my agenda. I’m also pleased to note that ACF50 used in place of grease has done an excellent job of protecting against corrosion.  

Slackening the seat collar bolt, the Kinekt slid out with buttery finesse. Impressive, given the months exposure to wet roads, snow, ice, and frequent sudsy bucket washes. I’ve been defaulting to Green Oil Eco Grease TWELVE MONTH TEST: GREEN OIL ECO GREASE (sevendaycyclist.com), primarily since it’s compatible with all surfaces and loosely on par with the bog-standard PTFE types in the durability stakes.  

Little surprise that the Kinekt Waterproof Saddle Bag KINEKT WATERPROOF SADDLE BAG | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) is an equally good fit. I just needed to pull the straps a little tighter, which is no hardship.     

I’ve been watching the steady implosion of UK industries and it is very clear that stable and skilled jobs are continuing to decline. Honda is leaving Swindon in a matter of weeks and being replaced by a warehouse. Now, work in car plants, at least on the lines is at best semi-skilled. However, its comparatively well paid, warehouse jobs are not.  

Having watched various cornerstones of the British economy disappear (mining, shipbuilding and manufacturing being three that immediately spring to mind). 

Highly skilled people tended to fare much better and could port their skillset to other industries. In the late 90s, Lifelong learning became a buzzword and lifelong learning accounts were a means by which those who had been “left behind” could secure academic and vocational skills/qualifications. It didn’t quite pan out that way.  

However, the concept of lifelong skills development has always been ingrained within me. The pandemic has also turned this up a notch. There are lots of free resources around. 

 

Even if these don’t have an obvious economic benefit, the more skills we can cultivate, the greater our autonomy. Predictably, frame-building courses have often captured my imagination but more recently, a less prescriptive machinists/ paint spraying/similar course has superseded this.