Hedging Bets

 

Yet again, the UK is being promised Iceman’s imminent return to the UK. I’m of the opinion that it's another distraction from the nation's bigger issues by client media. That said; complacency’s not my speed and now was the time to inspect the Ryde/Halo Spin Doctor’s punctured Schwalbe Winter (240).  

The hole proved elusive- it was a modest, yet surprisingly deep cut, reminiscent of that which struck their Marathon 365 cousins. It hadn’t pierced the breaker, so it was filled with superglue, and I put a fresh tube in, repairing and resigning the butyl to spare status. Easily fixed with the smallest patch.  

The Rema Tip Top TTO2 is basically my first choice- some including (Hutchinson and Cure C Cure) come close but can’t quite match the Rema Tip Top for reliability. Reflecting on things, the tube had succumbed to a graze, and I strongly suspect a premium grade wouldn’t and I'd just need to plug the tyre with glue.  

Staying with this wheelset, I’m really taken with the Halo Spin Doctor hub- its slick, refined and feels bulletproof. It runs on 6000 and 6200 bearings, rather than the ¼ inch balls employed by the Shimano XT and Deore units I’ve overhauled recently.  

Unlike the Halo Fixed-G, the Spin Doctor does not use circlips which require dedicated pliers when stripping and replacing the bearings. I’m nowhere near that stage where anything needs servicing but wanted to check before overhaul’s needed. 

I took that opportunity to strip the cassette of some accumulated lube, which would prove incompatible with the Weldtite   

I remain fond of the Axiom Monsoon Oceanwave City+ AXIOM OCEANWAVE CITY+ SEAT BAG | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) but, even allowing for the integrated cargo net, the single compartment means accessing tools, tubes, and indeed, gloves, micro jackets et al. can be inconvenient.  

Talking of gloves, these Altura Night Vision Waterproof Gloves are still soldiering on 6 years and around 25,000 miles (about 40233.6 km) later, although they are starting to look just a little characterful in places. Their adjustable Velcro cuffs are starting to peel away and there’s a decent amount of patina but, they’ll accommodate liner gloves when it's bitterly cold, and though dexterity can’t match some, but I’m firmly attached to them.  

Come to think of it. I’ve always been fond of Altura’s range from clothing to luggage- well-designed and competitively priced, in my experience. These Carnac Reflective Crab Hand Winter Gloves landed on my desk. Reckoned waterproof, breathable, and only for single-digit rides. Crab/lobster types tend to be toasty but require removal for anything resembling a mechanical.  Calling their bluff, I headed out for a quick, breezy 20-miles, temperature around 8 degrees. They were warmer than I'd typically use in these temperatures but hardly clammy. Dexterity is also better than I've come to expect from the breed.  

Plenty of freezing fog around in the early hours and I’ve tended to default to three layers, rather than the long-sleeve base and jersey cum jacket layer atop.  

Commonly it’s an Altura Night Vision Long Sleeve Jersey, which has served me well since 2010, (or, if it's bitter, a thermal Funkier), and the Dhb Flashlight Force Waterproof Jacket. This is no longer made but has acres of retro-reflective detailing, waterproofing, and breathability ratings of 20,000 and 15,000, respectively. Well-positioned and sensibly sized pockets too- including a breast, two hips, and the classic, zippered poacher are another boon.

Obviously and unlike the Oxford Venture OXFORD VENTURE JACKET | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and 7Mesh Cypress Hybrid 7mesh Cypress Hybrid Cycling Jacket | Seven Day Cyclist jackets it’s not the sort you’d pack down into a jersey pocket. When it turns slightly milder and drier, I reach for a budget BTwin500 Warm Cycling Jacket or Pearson Red Adventure Long Sleeve Cycling Jersey. The Pearson is £150 and great for dry-ish weather and temperatures between 3 and 12 degrees. Pockets are plentiful.  

There are two on the breast, a poacher at the back with one intended for a mini/midi pump. On the other side, there’s a sturdy LED tab-another nice touch. It’s designed with gravel audiences in mind and reckoned capable of withstanding tangles with hawthorn bushes. These qualities lend it nicely to general off-season riding and touring.  

While hunting for packet fresh butyl (I didn’t want to raid the spare just in case I forgot to replenish it. Besides, it’s very much a get-you-home, not a premium tube). I found this 20-function Merida multi-tool, which I’ve packed, along with some other essentials into a zippered cage caddy for easy, mid-ride access. Functions include a comprehensive range of Allen Keys (2,2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 10mm). Then, of course, there are the T10 and T25 Trox keys, a Philips screwdriver, a pad spreader, and spoke keys.  

No chain tool and I’m not keen on steel tyre levers. Hence two Pedro's joined the party. New tube too, while it crossed my mind. More interesting is the Presta/Schrader valve converter, which can be genuinely handy. You might have a trailer or tag along with a Schrader valve or find your Presta pump’s given out at the worst possible moment and there’s a garage air line. Elsewhere, I've returned to the Ravemen TR500 rear light Ravemen TR500 Rear Light | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  and finalised my thoughts regarding the See Sense Beam+ See Sense Beam+ Front Light | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)

Goldilocks Moments

Maintenance is a core component of riding. Little adjustments and checks keep things sweet and mean more time in the saddle, rather than on the workbench. I was switching Ursula’s wheels back to the Maxxis and suddenly felt compelled to check my fixed gear winter trainer’s CST Pika Gravel Tyres CST Pika Gravel Tyres | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com).  

The front was decidedly soft, much softer than I’d expect after a fortnight on the hook.  I initially thought this might be a quirk of the Pirelli Centurato Reinforced Smart Tube. PIRELLI CENTURATO REINFORCED SMART TUBE (sevendaycyclist.com) but 20 strokes of the track pump later, an audible hiss confirmed a slow flat. Usual checks- rim tape, foreign objects in the casing. Ruled those out and popped in a box fresh butyl tube.  

Wheel reinstated, tyre inflated, brake checked, and skewer tightened to 9nm, I topped up the Motoverde PTFE chain lube. Next, I decided the fork's “low rider” drillings needed plugging if only to keep the aluminium alloy inserts from corrosion. Thought the red anodised bottle screws I’d picked up for a song would do nicely.  

A lick of Peaty’s Bicycle Assembly Grease PEATY'S BICYCLE ASSEMBLY GREASE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) on the threads, I whizzed them home-just right-the Goldilocks moment.  

See Sense had sent me another mount for the Beam+, so I decided the fixed should receive that, Ursula would stick with the Magicshine. So far, the replacement feels a precise fit, suggesting the original was just a rogue sample. 

 

The Beam+ puts out 1500 lumens and is more compact (though not radically so) than the Ravemen LR1600 Ravemen LR1600 Front Light | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com), which I’m a huge fan of. Direct comparisons are a little tricky, unfair even, since the Beam+ can be further tuned by a downloadable app, which enables the light to alter output to suit conditions, theoretically giving the best return of visibility and navigational prowess and of course, battery life.  

I’ve been astounded by just how long the battery has lasted, between charges- 40 hours on the reactive flash, which has been my default, since I’ve been pairing it with the K-Lite Dynamos- even then, it hadn’t dipped to red, which gives an hour's grace, before powering down.   

The light’s sensor also seems more accurate than most- reading conditions and adjusting light accordingly- picks up when it senses vehicle lights, road signs and similar, which is great when you’re tackling roundabouts or entering the flow of traffic.   

The app can also alert a designated emergency contact, in the event of it sensing a crash. It will also send an alert if it senses the bike being moved, which is another useful feature.  

 

Having run the Muc-Off All Weather Lube until it had reached a filmy state- 500 miles through a salty, wintery January, I decided it was time to give Ursula a good wash. In common with some others, The All-Weather Lube requires stripping, then reapplication- it can’t (or at least, shouldn’t) be topped up like an old-fashioned middleweight.  

Despite the filmy state, it was holding back the dreaded taint, save for the side plates, obviously. Out came the Weldtite Bike Cleaner, bucket and the dregs of some degreasers that needed using up. This was also the opportunity to see how the Weldtite Rapid Ceramic Shield would perform on Ursula’s cream powder coat finish, which wasn’t treated to a clear coat...After The Gritters Went Home | Seven Day Cyclist 

February can be a tricky month weather-wise (ask my mother who delivered a sibling during the UK’s winter of discontent in February 1979) and after a quiet lull, the temperature has dropped quite sharply, so the salt-spreading fairies have been busy again.  Ditto hedge clipping, so I’ve been pleased (dare I say, relieved) to discover the Maxxis Overdrive Excel holding their own, even in minus 3, the lanes littered with iced mud. I’d also dialled the Disco Brakes Semi-Metallic Pads Disco Disc Brake Pads and Wavey Rotors | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) a fraction closer, which gave already dependable stopping a boost.   

 

Back to tyres, Steve’s been impressed with the CST Czar CST Czar Tyres | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  

The Rapid Ceramic Shield also seems to be holding its own, preventing dirt and other stuff clinging to Ursula’s tubes. I’m trying to get a handle on its alchemy, but it doesn’t appear to contain silicones, like some protectant formulas can. 

Continuing the Weldtite theme, I went for their Performance All Weather Lube TF2 PERFORMANCE ALL WEATHER LUBRICANT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com), since in my experience, it’s a good middleweight choice.  

Doing well, I decided a stem spacer switch, to move the See Sense Beam+ and K-lite dynamo switch K LITE BIKEPACKER PRO V2 FRONT LIGHT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) for a cleaner aesthetic. For the time being, I’m forgoing the bar cam until I can find a suitably tidy alternative mount. I’m sure I’ve a suitable candidate somewhere... Meantime, here’s my review of the Madison Road Race Super Light Men’s Waterproof Softshell Jacket Madison Road Race Jacket | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)