Das ist es

 

Winter is hard on everything, even the best maintained and prepared bicycles, motorcycles, cars etc. demand more owner involvement. Following my undignified, but thankfully inexpensive encounter with sheet ice, I’ve stuck with Ursula and spikes. It was tempting to shod Denise with the Schwalbe Marathon Winter, but conditions were too icy for the 120 spikes.  

Sure, they’d offer a decent amount of grip in less challenging conditions but waterlogged roads that had turned to sheet ice will fox mid- point 240 spikes. Even with 362 spikes, I was incredibly focused along one particular descent, holding the right (front) lever tentatively to scrub off some speed and stabilise but I didn’t deviate from my line and was hyper vigilant, especially entering the left-hand bend. No issues, no bib short soiling, but I didn’t want another tangle with terra firma. Subsequent outings saw me take the longer, flatter route home.  

Having heard of my tumble and trashed tights, Saddleback graciously sent me these Castelli Espresso tights and jacket, which was very welcome, and I was deeply touched. I’d received and fitted the been giving the non-aero lever idea some thought and decided there was some merit in doing so, but restraint was key just now. Not least as someone felt themselves more entitled to my bank account than I. Thankfully my bank’s fraud team were quick to curtail this, but no-one thought to tell me, while I stood in line at the supermarket’s self-checkout.   

I’d decided if I was taking the non-aero lever route, I’d pop them on the WTB mtb drop bars and do a wholesale swap sometime, most likely coinciding with cable replacement. Otherwise, it’s just change for changes sake. 

While replacing Denise’s RL520 lever, I then discovered the derailleur inner wire had exploded into one massive fray, calling for replacement. Logic would suggest then was also the time to perform a switch. However, it was minus 2 and by the time I’d conducted lever surgery and redressed the bars, my fingers were rapidly losing sensation. Best to quit, while ahead rather than soldier on at that point.  

Milder temperatures saw this job completed in a matter of minutes the following day. The new brake inner wire had also stretched very slightly, but I’d noted the CX50 brake pads were running a little low, so I switched these, before pulling the inner wire through. Another illustration of winter being hard on components, so always best to keep a few in stock and coordinate replacement before they wear out.   

Ursula’s chain was looking thirsty, so I ultimately gave both bikes a deep, sudsy bucket clean, degreased Ursula’s drivetrain using the Finish Line Grunge Brush Solo Finish Line Grunge Brush Solo | cycling-not-racing, checked chain health-.25, which was a pleasant surprise and possibly due in part to the use of cleaner lubes-the Wolf Tooth WT-1 All Conditions LubeWolf Tooth WT-1 All Conditions Chain Lub | cycling-not-racing in particular. I’ve gone the Peaty’s Link Lube Premium All Weather PEATY'S LINK LUBE PREMIUM ALL WEATHER | cycling-not-racing.  

I’d switched to Ursula’s other XT wheel, having discovered the Ryde/XT had some play in the bearings, which I didn’t have time to tackle. A few days down the line and with some quiet time, I removed the cassette and tackled the cones. This is a very subtle adjustment and can be a little fiddly.  

I got things close and then whipped two 17mm spanners on the locknuts tightening them both simultaneously, thus ensuring both sides tension evenly, saving time and faff. A quick double check, then back went the cassette-another little job off the list. There was ample Oxford Mint Assembly Grease Oxford Mint Assembly Grease | cycling-not-racing clinging to the freehub splines, so no need to replenish.  I’ve been sent these Silca Gear Wipes, which seem a great workshop standby for all sorts of generic cleaning duties.  

£30 buys 110 wipes, which I’m told remove dirt, grease, oil and sweat from frames, components. There are two sides. One for polishing, the other for scrubbing. The polishing side is supposedly safe on frame finishes, including matts, which can be trickier customers to care for. The rougher side is for purging grease, oil and gunk from drivetrains and other areas of impacted grime-white bar wraps being prime candidates. Given the season, it’ll be very interesting to see how effective they are.    

I’d been tempted to pop out on the fixed since temperatures had thawed for successive days, but the mercury was sliding again, and my scabbed forearm and knee tempered such temptations. However, I’d reached my conclusions regarding the Topeak Uni Super Tourist 2.0 Non-Disc Rack  Topeak Uni SuperTourist 2.0 NonDisc Rack | cycling-not-racing 

 

Rubber Up. The Man Who Fell to Earth

 

No sooner had the snow fallen, temperatures rocketed, inducing a rapid thaw. Howling winds and torrential rain followed. Perfect conditions for switching from Ursula to Denise for some more, foul weather testing of the Wolf Tooth Supple Bar Tape and Lomo 13 litre Bikepacking Seat pack. Or so I thought. However, this is a cautionary tale regarding thermometers and internet weather forecasts. According to my devices, it hadn’t hit zero overnight. A few miles into the ride, I entered a bend and hit a stretch of sheet ice, taking us “rubber up”.  

Mercifully, nothing more serious than damaged Lycra and a trashed right hand RL520 lever. Having returned from the 15-mile loop, I wasted no time ordering a replacement pair, since I only had a couple of left-handed Tektro in the spares box. £20 all told but I could’ve done without it, especially given the time of year.  I’d also toyed with going the retro, non-aero route.  

On the one hand, this would make for easier cable replacement but would also mean unnecessary outlay. I’m not paying retro prices either (although suspect I may have a set of Campagnolo Athena that are reversible-new hoods are all I’d need). I’d also seen some Dia Compe 204 with integral quick release for £28.   

These good ideas cum rabbit holes can prove time consuming and ultimately, uneconomic.  Besides, effective repair was simply a question of undoing the inner wire, peeling back the bar tape and removing the broken lever, salvaging hoods and other parts as spares.    

I’d been on plenty of soggy outings with the Lomo and found it highly weather resistant but while the 5mm Wolf Tooth Supple Bar Tape has proven incredibly effective at isolating against road and trail buzz, I hadn’t been able to assess its wet weather prowess.  

I wasn’t surprised to discover, like most silicones grip and tenure are superb. Leach-like, but without the “gripping flypaper” sensation. Obviously, gloves with silicone imprinted palms are the ideal marriage, but traditional palms-synthetic, or leather come a close second.  

I’m also forming the conclusion that while offering excellent damping properties, without unduly muting connection, being 5mm thick, it could prove too bulky for smaller hands. As the photo illustrates, it also survived our tumble with terra firma completely unscathed.   

The wet, wintry conditions had finally licked Denise’s chain clean, so I went the full blown, bars to tyres deep clean route, stripping the residual WTB, degreasing and drying before reaching for the Peaty’s Link Lube Premium All Weather PEATY'S LINK LUBE PREMIUM ALL WEATHER | cycling-not-racing   

Staying with contact points, I read a comment recently regarding quill to Ahead converters and specifically, why people still use them. Sure, they can seize if not greased properly and the guest stem needs to be snugged very tight but they’re also a very inexpensive way of running a modern stem on an older bike.   

Denise Gravel on A Dustbowl Budget PT V Lesson | cycling-not-racing sports one and thus far, its proving dependable. Admittedly, I have used a suitably stiff grease- Oxford Mint Assembly Grease Oxford Mint Assembly Grease | cycling-not-racing and check it periodically to ensure nothing’s turning arthritic. Judging by the pedal threads and fasteners, it’s both highly water and wash-off resistant.   

Having the steerer tube cut and replaced a ’la the Holdsworth Oldie But Goodie: Fork Repair & Revision | cycling-not-racing is arguably a more reliable method but will require a compatible Aheadset, which are getting trickier to find. Unlike replacing the fork steerer, there’s no risk of cracking the fork crown and paint stands a sporting chance of remaining intact too. Other folks will cite period authenticity, and I can also empathise with this school. However, in the latter context, it's easily reversed.  

Talking of bulk, while I’m fond of the Lomo, for everyday duties, I’m drawn to something smaller. A quick rummage in the rafters unearthed this Zefal Adventure R11 Waterproof Saddlebag ZEFAL ADVENTURE R11 WATERPROOF SADDLEBAG | cycling-not-racing, which is surprisingly rigid and sway-free, despite employing a single Velcro post strap. No issues with fouling the seat post since the USE SX’s bouncy bits are neatly tucked away inside.  

The Passport Bike Packing Seat Pack PASSPORT CYCLES BIKEPACKING SEAT PACK | cycling-not-racing is likely to make a return, and it should also play nicely with the USE SX seat post, but Topeak’s UK importer has sent me the brand’s  Backloader Wishbone.  

It has a maximum payload of 2kilos, so not quite a panacea, but looks much better engineered than the auction site special (although arguably it should be, being three times the homage’s ticket price). Will be interesting to see how much well it tames sway with the 6litre back loader Topeak Back Loader Seat Pack | cycling-not-racing and indeed, some bigger models.