Good Housekeeping

 

No, not that one, I am of course referring to keeping drivetrains sludge-free and lightly lubed. I’ve decided since it’s been milder and drier to dress Ursula’s chain in the NZero Wax. OK, so the arrival of this Muc Off Chain Cleaner brush influenced this decision.  

The fixed’s Z1 is still sporting a healthy amount of NZ wet lube- impressive, given the typically wet conditions. I’ll be sticking with it for now and for the Z1’s life. I’ll then switch to the Gusset S-link and possibly something lighter. However, I’m becoming increasingly enamoured to the NZero Wet lube.    

In common with other wet blends in these, the lube has been migrating towards the outer plates. However. I was surprised to find in drier contexts this has fallen away. Much like a traditional wax formula. It is suitably stubborn-I'm past the 200-mile marker despite the onslaught of filthy, flooded roads. Transfer to hands is very easy, and removal equally stubborn, however. Something I was reminded of while adjusting the fixed’s chain tension. For this reason, pack disposable/ mechanics gloves in case you should need to fix a flat, or some other mechanical by the road, or trailside.   

I’m happy to feed the Holdsworth’s KMC chain wax formulas since it’s a summer/sunny days’ build, and in the heat, waxes tend to melt deep into the rollers, then flake off.  

Dry lubes and waxes can also prove useful on bikes in storage, preventing corrosion, without attracting dirt. Teenage Dream and Holdsworth’s chains have remained blemish-free and dressed in a protective glaze. For these reasons, they’re also good choices for bikes serving on indoor trainers. I’ve heard stories of wax lubes being at the root of component demise-chains gnawing through derailleur cages.  

I’ve never seen it myself but that’s not to say it doesn’t happen. However, I’m of the belief this resulted from a cook-up, home-brewed formula. I’m thinking paraffin, Xylene, and similar base components, which have assumed too thick a consistency. Too early to comment on the NZero Wax’s staying prowess but I’m finding some definite appeal in the curing speed and cleanliness.  I’ve also received these Blub wax and ceramic lubes for testing, so there may be a lot of competition and it will theoretically keep me out of mischief for a little bit.   

Then of course, there are drier blends such as the Momum MIC Wax Momum MIC Wax Lube | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com). These tend to run cleaner and are closer in nature to dry lubes, albeit more durable, so my preference for a potentially changeable spring and summer, where I want a lube to run clean, but also stay put. This is also quite welcome if you’ve put a summer bike in storage.    

Stout lubes and tyres are not the only considerations when it comes to enjoying winter and early season riding but dependability goes a long way.  

I also found an opportunity to inspect and ultimately re-grease Ursula’s Cirrus Cycles Kinekt2.1 Suspension Seat post KINEKT 2.1 SUSPENSION SEAT POST | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and the seat collar binder bolt. I blasted a little HC-B1 inside the seat tube and treated the chainstay bridge chip to some high-build primer. The rear fender is functional but a likely candidate for upgrade, although contemporary designs are intended for framesets with disc, not cantilever mounts 

The Pirelli Angel DT Urban Tyre Pirelli Angel DT Urban Tyre | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) have proven themselves in some challenging contexts and the puncture-repelling belt has been effective despite mud, thorns and hedge clippings. It’s not a substitute for good maintenance or weekly once-overs, mind.   

Check spare tubes, pumps, patch kits and other spares, or regret it when you’re in the arse end of nowhere. I like Topeak products per se but am particularly fond of the Topeak Uni Super Tourist DX rack and this Topeak  Road Master Blaster Frame Fit Pump Topeak Road Master Blaster Frame Pump | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) .  

Talking of racks, the Topeak MTX Trunk Dry Bag continues to impress with its refinement and weatherproofing. The semi-rigid foam insert has also proved highly effective at damping vibration-I've brought eggs mid-ride and returned with them intact. That said; I wouldn’t be toting cameras and other sensitive electricals in there- that goes for all rack-top models. Lined bar bags are the best hosts for cameras.  

Right kit for the wrong weather

Wet and windy has been February’s flavour, so I’ve been erring towards water-repelling lubes, greases and clothing. Opportunity presented, so I re-greased the fixed gear winter/trainer’s Aheadset with the Wolf Tooth Performance Grease. The Juice Lubes Bearing Juice stubbornly clung to the lower race and cartridge bearing but service intervals are there for a reason.  

Re-packed, steering felt buttery smooth and protected. While rummaging for some clean rag, I resurrected a drivetrain cleaner and frameset polish. Given the bike was sporting a fair bit of grot, I liberally blasted drivetrain liberally, allowing it the designated few minutes standing time before rinsing with fresh water and treating the bike to a quick wash n’ wax.  

I’d just received some Nzero  Organic Wet and Organic Wax Lube, so decided I’d drizzle a little into the KMC Z1 EPT chain. The rich honey colour and viscosity reminded me of the Chain L High Mileage Formula Chain Oil, CHAIN L HIGH MILEAGE FORMULA CHAIN OIL | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  and I applied with similar frugality, giving the side plates a quick cat-lick afterward.  

I was slightly surprised to discover NZero recommends the wet be allowed to cure overnight, less so to discover the dry only required 30 minutes or so. Some other formulas including Momum MIC Dry cure in similar timescales, although traditionally wax-type blends have needed upwards of a few hours.  

I’ll keep feeding the fixed a wet lube and will alternate Ursula between the NZero Wet and its wax counterpart (a) because I’m testing the and am curious to see how well the wax will hold out in middling winter/early season conditions.  

Wax formulas, due in part to their cleanliness make particularly good candidates for cables, I’d forgotten how well-engineered the MKS NJS Chain Tugs are and how well they tension the chain-even compared with some mid-price favourites. Should’ve known better and taken that route first time round but still, lesson learned, and the others are still very serviceable.  

 

Wet weather signalled prompt return to the Shimano MW501, Shimano MW501 Dry Shield SPD MTB Shoes | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and I’ve alternated between the Showers Pass Elements SHOWERS PASS MEN'S ELEMENTS JACKET | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and Madison Roam 2.5-layer jacket Madison Roam 2.5 Layer Waterproof Jacket | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com).  

I returned from running a few errands in Meg, (the long-serving and much-loved Micra) to find the DPD man strolling up the drive with this Topeak MTX Trunk Dry Bag. At 1.1 kilos, it feels bombproof, seems as waterproof as most of us will ever need, and is extremely well made. Materials-wise, we’re talking 420/840 denier waterproof nylon with sonically welded seams.  

There are two zippered compartments running shotgun and internally an EVA foam base with dividers to insulate against vibration and of course, the toolkit jingle. A shoulder strap makes for convenient porting sans bike and the Quick Track System means it slots directly and very securely into compatible Topeak racks, such as this Topeak Uni Super Tourist DX. If you don’t want to be tethered to a system and prefer to swap luggage around, you’ll need to look at other models within the family.  

Summer caps might sound an odd choice for the early season. However, the seasons are no longer so predictable. As climate specialists have been predicting for many years, the winters have predominantly become milder and wetter, albeit with interludes of snow and ice. Changeable contexts mean I alternate between traditional winter weight “Belgian” designs, highly water repellent, breathable models, such as these Showers Pass.  

However, when temperatures creep into double figures and wind chill isn’t a factor, I find thinner models including this and the long-serving Buff a much better fit.  Especially given I’m blessed with a decent shock of hair. Peaks need to shelter eyes from the sun, gusty winds and other airborne contaminant but without impairing vision.  

All these described fall into this category and fit unobtrusively beneath helmets of various genres. Generous peaks also protect exposed areas, such as the neck from strong sun. One of the reasons I always kept a spare cap handy when Joshua was small and along for the ride, on his tagalong. 

I contemplate many things from the saddle, aside from that which might be immediately obvious. Riding had always been a form of escape for me. Free the body, free the mind. I was a child but remember the miner’s strike very well. It signified a much wider turbulence as old industries failed, factories folded, taking communities with them. The focus is often around a certain plant e.g. Ford’s Dagenham body plant, which pretty much closed 24 years ago.  

There’s a sense of myopia that strikes. People focusing on jobs lost at that specific employer, without giving a thought to the wider and equally serious implications that surround the closure of large, or main employers.  The implications for suppliers, café’s, pubs, small shops and similar small business lost in the malaise. It’s easy to appreciate Orwell’s dystopian vision in 1984 but rather like traditional Marxism, his notion of authoritarian control did not consider authoritarian populism, and consent fuelled by propaganda.

Conspiracy theorists spinning yarns about people being microchipped through vaccines fail to recognise that people willingly jettison their privacy and data through open social media accounts. Then of course, there are major footprints left through other, unfiltered online activity, apps, loyalty cards etc. Siri, Amazon Echo and Google Echo anyone?