Meandering

With deadlines under control, I took a few days' break to follow other avenues, both written and photographic, to stimulate and inspire. Riding is obviously, a way of life, so I’ve been testing products, just varying routes and distances more readily since time permits. I was horrified to learn of an acquaintances’ accident.

I say accident but as a definition, we’re talking about an event, or incident that couldn’t reasonably be expected. This could be more accurately described as driver negligence. He was struck by a young woman, driving a Renault Clio, who clearly wasn’t looking for him and his beloved Dawes Galaxy.  

According to police, Geoff was lucky to be alive, and I am relieved to hear he is recovering well. However, while this is the crucial element, his beloved Dawes Galaxy’s frameset was beyond economic repair. Damage to the head tube and other misalignment that could result in complete failure and ultimately prove fatal.  

On the one hand, bent metal can always be repaired, or in this instance, replaced. However, it serves to illustrate the fierce bond that we form with our machines. He’s using this recovery time to consider his options but is drawn to the Ridgeback range of tourers. I’m similarly drawn to their range of innovative and less traditional mile munchers.

His insurance will bill hers and hopefully, he’ll have a new machine and renewed mojo very shortly. Geoff’s account was terrifying and frankly, left me feeling cold. As for the driver, well she’s compelled to participate in a driving awareness course.  

Giving my four-Paneth and allowing for those knee-jerk, emotive flashes, education/correction must be the more positive outcome. Hopefully, this will be resolved in Geoff’s favour very soon.  

Yet another illustration of how life can change in an instant, so I’ve never understood why people behave so badly. Drama for me, belongs in stories and films. I have a pronounced aversion to those people who create and moreover, thrive on drama, or indeed otherwise negatively affect my energies, or sense of well-being.  

I have switched the fixed gear winter trainer’s Shutter Precision SL9 HALO CLASSIC RIM & SHUTTER PRECISION DYNOHUB DISC WHEEL BUILD (sevendaycyclist.com) and Ursula’s Shimano Alfine hub dynamo Shimano Alfine UR700 Hub Dynamo | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) rotors for these Swiss Stop. Weighing 138g apiece, I’m keen to see how well they’ll last, compared with the Shimano, Avid and TRP models I’ve used long-term in the past, not to mention their supposedly superior stopping prowess.  

I needed to snug the System Ex Security Skewer SYSTEM EX SECURITY SKEWERS | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) tighter and tweak the TRP SPYRE SLC caliper very slightly. I was experiencing some minor but extremely annoying rotor rub when climbing out of the saddle. That's the purpose of shakedown rides, afterall. No such issue with Ursula, which I think is attributable to the steel fork blades/ends, although, as with the fixed gear winter trainer, I still needed to slacken and realign the caliper.  

I’ve also switched to the Motoverde PTFE chain lube, since the Z1 was looking a little thirsty after several hundred miles on a single helping of The Bike Medicine Purple Extreme | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) . This induced a wheel switch and presented opportunity to snug the Halo Fix-G hub’s lock-ring down again. This seems necessary, evert every 300 miles or so, at present.   

The Shutter Precision PD8 hub and Halo White Line hoop HALO CLASSIC RIM & SHUTTER PRECISION DYNOHUB DISC WHEEL BUILD (sevendaycyclist.com) have been passed to Mick Madgett for lacing and building, since time allowed. We’ve been sent a few books recently, which is nice. I’ve always been a big fan of Sam Tracey’s book “Bicycle! A Repair & Maintenance Manifesto”. PM Press sent us the second edition and Steve was similarly endeared BICYCLE! | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

Shims & Other Satisfying Solutions

Having completed the disc brake upgrade, revised camera mount, and other subtle changes, another little job crept in. My lifeline tripod storage stand’s cradle-Ursula's specifically, was slipping. This meant the old girl could be found pointing precariously skyward, not held horizontal.   

Ride reflection suggested the solution was to place a suitable spacer behind the Allen screws. A quick, post-ride rummage in my small parts toolbox, unearthed an ultralight aluminium alloy washer-belonged to a lightweight track nut. Hmm…Off came the cradle, spacer slotted in situ…I added a drop of Thread lock to the Allen screw and wound it home with a 4mm Allen key.  

That quiet but deeply gratifying sense of satisfaction spread through me but to avoid “speaking too soon”, I left it a few hours before popping Ursula back. Success! Result! (Insert alternative expression of joy).  

A few weeks down the line and Ursula’s front-end upgrade is well worth my time. Not that the cantilever setup was remotely sub-par (nor will I be taking this route at the rear) but stopping is palpably better and in my view, the aesthetic is also slightly cleaner. Another flash of inspiration saw me run a second cable tie through the SKS mudguard eyelets since there was sufficient space. Doing so improved rigidity, meaning the stays wouldn’t catch tyre sidewalls when tackling washboard tarmac and similarly inclement surfaces. Pleased to report theory and practice meet.   

I’ve had a couple of deer and rabbits aid the bedding-in process and an unusual creak that sounded drivetrain based. A bit of honking confirmed it was the Kinket 2.1 Suspension Seat post KINEKT 2.1 SUSPENSION SEAT POST | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  

A quick blast of Muc-Off Silicone Spray MUC OFF SILICON SHINE POLISH | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) restored order. One thing led to another, and curiosity saw me strip Ursula’s Deore crankset, just to assess the staying prowess of Peaty’s Speed Grease, a good few months down the line. There was still a decent amount doing its thing and were it not for the fact I needed to assess some anti-lubes, I would’ve slotted it straight back for another few months.  

Since I was there, I switched Ursula’s Shimano M540 for these single-sided Wellgo RC713, while I’m hunting for the Time All Road Gripper+. So much for leaving things be! Incidentally, the Wellgo has shaved a whopping 47g from the build. 

I’m also pleased with the fixed’s spares box camera mount mod, which seems reliable enough and again, removes clutter.  Talking of bars, here’s my review of the Ciclovation Grind Touch Handlebar Tape CICLOVATION GRIND TOUCH BAR TAPE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)   

Then, the good folks at Moto Verde and Extra UK sent me some goodies. Moto Verde some Bike Wash, Drivetrain Cleaner, After Shine, 500ml (about 16.91 oz (about 500.09 ml)) Waterless Wax, and this 125ml PTFE Chain Lube. Extra UK graciously sent me some Swiss Stop rotors to play with. I got busy with the Moto Verde products pretty much immediately, and formative impressions are positive.  

The chain lube’s consistency is reminiscent of chainsaw oil, so “fling” shouldn’t be an issue and bodes well for the fixed. Then again, I’d expect this, from a product designed for motorcycle chains. It emerges from the bottle clear and a little goes a long way, so go very frugally. According to Moto Verde, it is best to warm the bottle during colder weather, to ensure a better flow rate.  

Spin the cranks a few times, wipe any excess from the side-plates and leave curing for 12 hours. Once cured, it assumes a state I wasn’t expecting. Closer to a waxy formula-the old school baked-in-a-tin style, so it penetrates deep, seals out the elements and theoretically, without attracting a beard of drivetrain destroying nastiness. 

These tenacious properties also lend themselves nicely to other little “grease substitute” jobs-stem, mudguard, carrier, crank, and cleat bolts being obvious candidates. Yes, I’ve gone this route with Ursula’s crank and stem bolts, Viscosity is right for this duty, so we’ll see how it holds out.  Talking of Ursula, here’s the pandemic from her perspective.. Ursula: The Never-Ending Story | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)