Hey Buster!

 My love of high-power dynamos is well documented, there’s a lot to be said for high-performance rechargeable lights. Not everyone wants the investment of a new hub, lamp and switchgear. Yes, it will repay the investment over time, quite quickly, if you’re a mile-munching tourist, or Audax rider. If this is your genre of riding, K-Lite Ultra Road LD Dynamo Bike Light K-LITE ULTRA LOW DRAG DYNAMO LIGHT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) is well worth a closer look.  

However, dynamo systems pose a significant outlay and in some, off road contexts, an uber lumen rechargeable has an edge-especially at slow speeds. I’ve spent the last few weeks racking up the miles on my fixed gear winter/trainer, enjoying its relatively lively, yet dependable handling. I was also assessing the Mud Hugger Gravel Hugger guards’ performance since conditions have been suitably autumnal. Not everyone will be endeared to their slightly industrial aesthetic, but I’ve grown to love them-in every respect. I’m also seriously taken with the KMC S1 chain, so much so, I’ve acquired another two, for later down the line.  

Given the wet, scuzzy roads, said machine was needing a good sudsy bucket wash, which it duly received, and I stripped the existing Peaty’s Link Lube in favour of Muc-Off Ludicrous AF, since I wanted to assess its characteristics on a fixed transmission, since some time trialists still compete on fixed gear.   

Given the conditions, brake pads are also wearing quite quickly. I’m hopeful the TRP Spyre SLC caliper will materialise shortly. Meantime, having retouched Ursula’s paint chip to the point of being undetectable, and resolving the stopping and shifting issues, we were ready to make the most of the cool, wet and dark mornings. I’ve also reached my conclusions regarding Axiom Oceanwave City+AXIOM OCEANWAVE CITY+ SEAT BAG | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

Oxford products www.oxfordproducts.com  sent me this Sigma Buster 2000... 

As the name suggests, top whack is 2000lumens but staircases sensibly, giving it good scope for different locales. 1300lumens is good enough for unlit lanes, 600 lumens are good enough for semi-rural work, without being oppressive through the suburbs, although, I’d still go for the 300 eco through built-up areas.  

There are helmet and bar mounting options and crucially, a bar-mounted wireless remote for easy mode switches. The battery pack can either be tethered to the frame, or when helmet-mounted, a jersey/jacket pocket Sigma suggests putting it in a rucksack, but I’m pleased to report, despite tipping the scales at 368g, it doesn’t bound around like a playful Labrador.  

I’ve been running its 700lumen sibling atop my long-serving Bell helmet for several weeks, after a couple of years hiatus and at 147g, it’s relatively unobtrusive. Sigma claims the Buster 2000 lamp weighs a mere 100g- (what by my scales). I was pleased to discover the Buster 2000 fully compatible with the 700’s mount), since that was already in situ. A bar-mounted remote is another definite boon, meaning effortless switching between modes.   

Run times are cited as between 2.5 and 20 hours. The latter refers to the pulsing and flashing modes but useful and welcome, nonetheless. Staying with Sigma, I’ve also grown fond of the Sigma BC9.16 ATS Wireless Cycle Computer SIGMA BC9.16 ATS WIRELESS CYCLE COMPUTER | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  

I’ve also received this Magicshine Ray 2600 Smart Remote Bike Light, which is a dual-lens model that looks a potentially close rival to Ravemen PR2400 front Light RAVEMEN PR2400 FRONT LIGHT (sevendaycyclist.com)  The  Ravemen is designed so you can plug in a “power bank” and extend run times, which can be a godsend in any context. However, the thing to keep in mind with high-power rechargeable lights per se, is they are designed for commuting and training in contexts where you don’t need the full output for too long. Great for escaping the suburbs and letting off some steam along the backroads.    

 

Making a Brake For It...

No sooner had I decided to upgrade my fixed gear winter trainer’s TRP Spyre brake caliper, I discovered Ursula’s brake pads decidedly thin again. Not down to rim ruining bare metal but certainly urging replacement. Left unchecked, pads can do nasty things to disc rotors and rim sidewalls. In common with chains and cables, regular inspection and replacement is good mechanical empathy and sound economics.  

As budget stoppers go, the Genetic CX Cantilevers TEST & REVIEW: GENETIC CX CANTILEVER BRAKES (sevendaycyclist.com) are cheerful. I had replaced the pads some months back and after some deliberation and seeing the price of compatible replacements, I decided I may as well upgrade to Shimano BR CX50. In my experience, the BR CX50 are trickier to set up “just so” but suitably progressive and excellent bite, which is what I need, especially since winter is coming. 

I had been tempted by the CX70, which are essentially Ultegra grade but for me the CX50 strikes the sweet spot between price and performance. Ah, but then said mighty stoppers didn’t arrive on time, which led me to think laterally. Another hunt through the pads and small parts compartment of my mighty cantilever toolbox reaped some reward.  

However, it was a case of close but no cigar on the pad compatibility front. Then I spotted some low-profile Tektro CR710 in decent shape, save for the pads. The workshop fairies came to the rescue, alerting me to packet-fresh, compatible pads. In the zone, one thing led to another... 

Cantilever posts cleaned with turpentine, treated to some Peaty’s Speed Grease PEATY'S SPEED GREASE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com), the Tektro were slipped in situ...  As a side note, the Peaty’s Speed Grease is holding up rather well, several months down the line, although I’ve erred in favour of its Assembly Grease PEATY'S BICYCLE ASSEMBLY GREASE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) stablemate for threaded parts and contact points. A drop of thread lock to the mounting bolts, everything was snugged to 6nm. I used the existing cable and switched to a sturdy pattern straddle wire. 

Pulled tight, pads correctly aligned, ten pumps of the Tektro RL340 lever confirmed everything was striking in perfect harmony-I just needed to draw the straddle wire through a little. Another neat feature of the CR710 is the barrel adjuster for quick adjustment. Now, the eagle-eyed among you will notice I’ve got the adjuster up-not “technically correct” but a deliberate action to suit me- I can reach it more readily and tweak, on the move if need arises... 

Seriously impressed with the modulation, feel, and mighty stopping prowess. (Two muntjac deer and a rabbit have confirmed this, beyond any doubt!) it’s also that oft-toted thing about bonding with your machine and staying with something until you’ve got it sussed. I also found two chains- a single-speed SRAM and another 10speed KMC, ready for next time.  

I’ll keep the Shimano CR50 handy but for now, the CR710 stays. Kept me out of mischief for a bit. Talking of which, I’ve already averted collision with two kamikaze muntjac deer that sprung strait into my path at 6am. Sunrise isn’t until 750, so, much of my riding is in the dark and wet roads.  

Hardly an issue given the prowess of the K-lite dynamo lamps, but these conditions ramp up the likelihood of puncturing. Regularly brushing tyre casings greatly improves the odds of averting a flat, since you’re shifting sharps before they get chance to burrow inside.  

Britain’s tabloid press had been promising snow by the close of October but I’m treating this as little more than a distraction from the present chaos. No urge to whip the Schwalbe WinterTESTED: SCHWALBE WINTER SPIKED TYRES (sevendaycyclist.com) from the rafters, just yet.   Sticking with the See Sense Handlebar Bag, on my fixed gear winter/trainer but I’m still very fond of the Craft Cadence Waterproof Handlebar bag CRAFT CADENCE WATERPROOF HANDLEBAR BAG | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com), so is Steve... Right, time to apply another light coat of Humbrol enamel to Ursula’s frame end, leave it 24 hours and repeat, if required...  

Braking For Cake : Stopping & Shortages

 

A couple of weeks spent solely on my fixed gear winter trainer has given me reason to reflect upon the specification. Small upgrades can often result in big gains. Having refitted the Mavic/Halo Fix G Track hub HALO FIX G TRACK HUB | Seven Day Cyclist Tourin Tests Commuting (which feels buttery smooth once more, courtesy of new cartridge bearings and liberal helpings of fresh grease), I’ve decided it’s time to upgrade the otherwise dependable TRP Spyre caliper, in favour of its SLC sibling. Both have been on the market since 2013/14. Proven technology, rather than talking points but I don’t want the additional complexity of hydraulics, or hybrid systems.  

Some would argue the latter are lower maintenance and no trickier to set up, maintain, and service. However, for the time being, familiarity wins. Covid induced shortages globally have hit the cycle industry quite hard, but the UK’s present increased insular, nationalistic stance means shortages across all sectors are here to stay.  

There’s a current romanticism about 1978/9’s winter of discontent doing the rounds, and the allegedly character-building wonders austerity offers. People with food and fuel insecurity are nothing to celebrate in my book.  

Anyhow, I digress... Even though I found an SLC caliper at a sensible price, having lain my virtual money down, I received a reply, telling me I must wait a few weeks for its arrival. Good thing it’s a planned upgrade, not urgent replacement. The faster one can stop, the faster one can ride... 

Though the Mud hugger Gravel hugger guard’s aesthetic will horrify some, I like their industrial lines, and crucially they work, keeping a surprising and very welcome amount of wet, greasy stuff off rider and bike. No rattling, or to date any sign of paint abrasion either. However, I’ve been quick to apply “helicopter” tape at any point resting against painted, or lacquered surfaces. 

During this pre-winter inspection, I also swapped the otherwise likeable Craft Cadence Bar Bag for the compact See Sense Handlebar Bag SEE SENSE HANDLEBAR BAG | cycling,-but-not-usually-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) since I fancied something more compact. Bigger capacities have a lot in their favour but some impact upon steering... The See Sense reclaims some bar space and forced me to do an inventory of tubes, CO2 cartridges and other little spares that can spell the difference between roadside rescue and the long walk home. Yes, that is still very much at the forefront of my mind.  

Touch-up paint is useful stuff to have waiting in the wings. High build phosphate primer well and truly cured, I’ve acquired oil-based hobby enamel and some brushes, so I can make good Ursula’s frame end. I added light blue, grey, white, and black to the order so there’s some in stock for the fixed gear winter/trainer, should need arise.  

 

The tubby tourer’s indexing is nigh on there, but not quite.  A quick tweak of the limit screws and tensioning proved the cure. 

I am also considering fitting an inline adjuster to the outer, where it exits the Velo Orange Rubbery Handlebar Tape VELO ORANGE RUBBERY BAR TAPE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com). In principle, this shouldn’t be necessary but in practice it may allow some very slight tweaking on the fly. Afterall, mountain bike shifters have them. Another advantage of bar cons, is the option of switching to friction mode, should indexing go way off track.