Gearing Up (& Fresh Grease) for a New Season

 

Ursula’s drivetrain purged with the NZero Bike DegreaserNZero Bike Degreaser | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com), new chain and other parts set aside, I’m awaiting a 100g (about 3.53 oz) tub of Oxford Mint Assembly grease ahead of the rebuild. Oxford describe it as “a high-performance red grease with pressure additives to provide excellent lubrication and dirt repellent properties”. The base is solvent refined mineral oil with a lithium complex thickener.   

In this instance, Oxford recommends it for low-speed applications, such as bicycle bearings and pivot points, which need low friction, while being highly resistant to the elements.  Synthetic blends are best for modern bikes where carbon and other composites are typical. Traditional lithium pastes are very stoical on old school cup and cone hubs, unsealed headsets etc.  

However, they will do very nasty things to rubberised components, including seals and encourage galvanic corrosion (where ferrous and non-ferrous components, such as aluminium alloy seat posts in steel frames get chemically welded to their hosts). If you’re only going to have one blend on the shelf, I’d go synthetic. Purpose specific blends are the way forward if you’re looking for the last word in performance.  

Assembly greases for contact points, bearing grease for hubs, headsets and pivot points. Ultra-low friction blends, such as Peaty’s Speed Grease PEATY'S SPEED GREASE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) are particularly good for competition riding, or summer bikes. Contexts where you really want to blast along and get every last benefit from that top drawer groupset.  

The speed Grease has also proven surprisingly stoical, clinging on through winter, although I’d still be inclined to strip and replenish every six months or so. Ok, so the darker months aren’t here just yet, but preparing for them makings riding more fun and breakdowns infrequent. Thus far, the Shutter Precision SL9 hub still sems in good health but I’m contemplating taking another direction before it does.  

Experience suggests it’s the sealed bearings that get the grumbles given 20,000miles or so and I’m edging towards that. The most obvious, dare I say cost effective solution is to have the SL9HALO EVURA & SHUTTER PRECISION SL9 DYNOHUB BUILD (sevendaycyclist.com) overhauled via Ison Distribution (their UK Importer) and have the silver anodised Shimano unit presently in hibernation, built into the existing Halo rim and have that as a dedicated front wheel for Denise...Waste not, want not, use what you got and er, rationalise the spares bin.    

Talking of which, I was eager to find a longer shim for Ursula’s Kinekt 2.1 seat postKINEKT 2.1 SUSPENSION SEAT POST | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com), since a longer unit should offer greater support to the post and ultimately, prove kinder to the frame. A cursory rummage through my small parts bin confirmed I had a Cane Creek unit, so another thing off my mental list and though always a worthy investment, I didn’t want to spend money unnecessarily, since insignificant amounts can quickly add up.   

Days are slipping towards autumn, which as I’ve said many times, remains a favourite season but also a reminder of how precious time is.  

Once the preserve of aspiration and optimism (embarking on a university degree and moving to London’s East End, meeting a woman who would ultimately come with me through thick n’ thin, hell and high water-seemingly unlimited horizons) The last fifteen years, autumn has been a reminder of how much I need to achieve. Never put off tomorrow what can be done today.  

This in mind, I’ve switched to racking up the miles wearing the Madison Flux mitts. They’re a little on the snug side, so I’d recommend paying particular, not cursory attention to their sizing chart. That aside, they’re proving competent, comfortable options-on and indeed, off road.        

I’ve also been contemplating cables ahead of Ursula’s rebuild and decided that, given we’re creeping toward the darker, wetter months I’d go for a sealed system, at least for the brakes. Extra UK has sent me Jagwire’s Road Elite. In common with other “sealed” systems, it employs a continuous, factory lubricated liner.  

This runs from the lever to calliper offers much greater protection from grit, grime and other performance robbing contaminant. The inner wires are also polymer coated for. However, these 2.4mm liners may not be universally compatible with frames and/or components. We shall see...  I’ll leave you with my review of Ergon SR All Road Core Comp Saddle Ergon SR All Road Core Comp Saddle Men | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

 

Timely Turnaround

 

Winston Vaz was able to start Ursula’s minor repairs and modernisation quicker than I was expecting. Transpired he was awaiting some components for a custom build, so unable to continue with this, he turned his attentions to Ursula. Having given the frame thorough inspection, he confirmed my suspicions about some hairline damage. This was around the seat collar but easily arrested by brazing a subtle reinforcing gusset. Another key point was retrofitting a rear disc brake mount and a brace. Disc brakes place greater strain, so some reinforcement is advisable, especially frames of this era.  

We also agreed on adding another cable guide for a good, clean cable run. There’s a reason skilled people say something and when I sense concern, or a desire to do something a certain way, I take heed. Winston seemed relieved that I wasn’t looking to cut corners. Doing so is false economy. These additions were straightforward, and Ursula was otherwise structurally sound.  

I suspected everything else was fine but asked Winston to check the threads and perform simple/minor repair without further reference to me. The following week, Ursula was ready for the blast cabinet. I’d been asked for a choice of three colours in case his powder coater didn’t have my first choice. This time round, it was squirrel grey (RAL 7000) Pale Green (RAL6027 seen here on this Dave Russell) and finally, Traffic Red (RAL3020).  

I wanted a tasteful, subtle colour that was also easily re-touched, should need arise. Winston called and said his finisher only had RAL7000 in a matt effect. Mario could apply a clear lacquer stove topcoat, which would be an acceptable solution, but a gloss powder coat was my preferred route. Therefore, I requested the next closest shade of grey.  

I continued to organise Ursula’s components and having spotted a new Stronglight aheadset at very tempting price, from a genuine source, indulged. Sure, I’ll keep the existing unit, possibly for spares but a good two years down the line, I’ll start afresh, rather than find myself stripping and replacing components a few months hence.  

Fearing I might’ve mislaid the STX front mech’s clamp bolt, I nipped over to Mick Madgett and bought a compatible fastener for the princely sum of a pound. Mick said 50p, but frankly, a good bike shop is worth their weight in gold, and I don’t mind pitching in a little more for their support.  

The nights were beginning to draw in very slightly and I’ve been getting as many miles in as possible with both pairs of Cycology Gloves, although the 8 days in particular, since summer is slowly announcing its subtle swansong. I’ve been impressed by the palm’s grip and the padding’s ability to diffuse vibration and generally provide comfort over longer distances.  

I’d also received these Madison Flux Performance Mitts and their Flux Waterproof trail Gloves. Staying with the waterproof theme, I’d also expressed an interest in testing Shimano MW7 booties to see how much better they’d perform, compared with the very competent MW5 I’d tested last winter Shimano MW501 Dry Shield SPD MTB Shoes | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)   

Elsewhere, having mounted the Magicshine EVO 1700, I began contemplating moving the Exposure Revo dynamo lamp beneath the bars for sleeker effect. Doing so wouldn’t affect the beam pattern and moreover, dazzle other road users, but may preclude some designs, or sizes of bar bag.  

Talking of bar bags, here’s Steve’s review of this Oxford T8 Handlebar bag & QR BracketOxford T8 Handlebar Bag and QR Bracket | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  I unplugged the cable and reached for the 4mm Allen key and switched everything round, torquing down to 3nm. Much happier with the aesthetic, although I’m now left with some added cable. Not an issue per se, not easily snagged, but I may prune a little when time allows.  

I like dedicated, fixed gear tools. Nothing worse than flatting in the arse end of nowhere, only to find you’ve not got a 15mm to tackle the track nuts. I used to carry a box/dumbbell spanner in the tool bag for tackling solid axles and other old school fasteners. They’d certainly get me out of a jam and were nicer to use than the pressed “giveaway” models (so called as they were given away with new bikes, Raleigh in particular).  

I remain very fond of the Pedro's Trixie, a 7-function design hailing from 2009. Mine has a matt black finish but I see black and silver chrome have joined the lineup.  At 18.7cm long and 5mm thick, there’s enough oomph and knuckle clearance. The latest version features 4 and 5mm hex, 8,9, 10 and 15mm box wrenches, lock ring spanner and bottle opener.  

For all its charms, I’d still be carrying another folding multi-tool for tackling recessed Allen and Torx fasteners. Same goes for this similarly well engineered Park SS-15. Tipping the scales at 159g, the SS prefix denotes single speed and the 15, 15mm. On the face of things, the Park is less comprehensive, but it also features an open 15mm end for pedals, a bottle opener and a tyre lever.  

It’s also quite a bit cheaper (£20.99 rrp against £34.99) which means there’s money for a budget multi-tool and basic resin tyre levers to go with the Park. Aside from 15mm single speed and fixed builds, the Park is also compatible with Alfine. There’s some suggestion the Park is designed with workshop and roadside duties in mind. I really appreciate the Pedro’s for roadside rescues but prefer to use a longer handled design for workshop duties. Time and testing will tell whether the Park will become my go-to...Concluding with tooling, here’s my review of the Finish Line Grunge Brush Solo Finish Line Grunge Brush Solo | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)