Frozen Frolics

Forecasters have been promising wild and wintry conditions here in the UK.  Gritters were certainly out in force. Add indecisive models to the mix and it’ll be no surprise that I’ve swung a leg over my Univega and busied myself with some intensive kit testing.

I should point out, most models I liaise with (such as Karen, photographed here) are consistent, reliable, professional and ultimately delightful. There are always exceptions, as per any trade/profession. I am very adept at reading people and anyone presenting “red flags” of any description, is swerved, like a pothole.

Dry/wax lubes might sound like an odd choice for chains and other moving parts and though not perfect, the Smoove Universal chain lube is certainly among the most stoical I’ve come across in grotty weather https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/smoove-universal-chain-lube . I’ve swapped over to the lighter weight TF2 Ultra dry chain wax https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/weldtite-tf2-ultra-dry-chain-wax to see how that copes with mid-winter. 

An intermittent phantom squeak, prompted some more stripping and component swapping. The phantom in this instance, turned out to be loose cranks. I stripped the 8mm bolts and re-lubed using Finish line wet. Decent quality wet lubes, also double as excellent grease substitutes, on threaded fasteners.

Chain-ring bolts received the same treatment, since I was there. Shimano A530 pedals were substituted, for these Ritchey lookalike XTC, which have proven tough n’ dependable. Being able to clip in and power away pretty much instantly is another definite draw, over the otherwise agreeable platform/SPD patterns.   

There are several things that take the struggle out of winter riding. First and foremost reliability. Being plagued by punctures miles from home on cold, dark, rainy nights isn’t my idea of fun. Let alone if I’m hauling a week’s worth of shopping back from the supermarket. 

I’ve a soft spot for Kenda’s relatively frisky, uni-directional small block 8. However, the lack of aramid/similar belting means it’s more susceptible to thorns, flints and similarly invasive sharps.

I was going to switch to the Schwalbe Marathon GT 365 https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/schwalbe-marathon-gt365-tyre  last puncture but held fire. (Vee Rubber are due to send us some interesting models for testing).

Chickens and roosting sprung to mind, while riding the crest of a slow-puncture wave. This struck along a deserted lane, exactly fourteen days and almost to the hour, hence.  

No rain but a very strong, blustery crosswind, depleting my reserves and bringing the temperature closer to -2. Another shrewd move during the colder months/early Spring-packing additional layers, in case the mercury should slide, or delays/detours present. 

Ten minutes and some cursing later, tube swapped, wheel reinstated with 50psi and we were homeward bound. Three miles or so later, I was flagged down by a long wheelbase Mercedes Sprinter van…

Transpired the driver, a young Polish man was lost on his multi-drop round. Having experienced the misery of multi-drop myself, I took pity on him but didn’t recognise the address on his job sheet. The irony was, he seemed colder than me! No such thing as the wrong weather, just inappropriate kit... 

Elsewhere, John Moss wants his Sinner Mango’s body refinished in a retro-reflective signal yellow. Wet spray 2pac is the obvious choice, given its carbon fibre.

However, preparation is the tricky part. I reached out to Carbon Bike repair in Leatherhead https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/a-visit-to-carbon-fibre-bike-repair  and another in the midlands, to see if they’d help. John’s after a retro-reflective effect, the sort used on vehicle licence plates. Signal yellow with a sparkle lacquer top coat is our starting point, prior to professional guidance.

Talking more generally about these things, while the body provides fantastic protection from the elements per se, akin to glass fibre cars, the occupant can get a full “cauldron” experience i.e. freezing cold in winter, roasting hot in spring/summer. Going off tangent, I’ve long had a yearning for a Lomax; the 2CV based kit car/trike. Incredibly simple, robust and inexpensive to run/maintain. However, sporting glass fibre bodies, air conditioning would be a must.

Lotions, Potions & Lessons

A cold and icy start to February, has spelled Univega. The tubby tourer’s blend of big tyres, full length guards wide gearing and more upright stance, is particularly welcome in these conditions.

Pot-holes, spilt derv also fuel my desires to detour via unmade roads and green lanes. Escaping the increasingly maddening crowd is another peripheral bonus.
 

Prevention is always more convenient, not to mention, cheaper than cure.

Coinciding with a weekly sudsy bucket clean, I stripped its chain and cassette of waxy, congealed beard using Green Oil Agent apple degreaser and Duck Smart the black stuff chain degreaser. Both require five minutes standing time but the mixture of citrus and plant-based ethanol is ruthlessly efficient.

So much so, that chains, cassettes and anything else, should be stripped and placed in a suitable receptacle. I’ve seen it consume supermarket ice cream tubs, rubberised components and bite into anodised/painted surfaces too. In this instance,

I removed the rear wheel and basted a couple of light coats into the nickel-plated cassette. Avoiding unwanted contact with seals and painted surfaces. Agitating the mix with a stiff bristled brush after 3minutes, flushing through with tepid water on the stroke of 5.

The black stuff is gentler, thus making safer transition to more generic grot busting-bar wrap, saddle covers and faux leather shoes being the most obvious candidates. Compared with green oil’s chain cleaner jelly, it requires more concerted/repeat applications to shift middleweight lubes, let alone the more stubborn wet/ceramics.  

Galvanic seizures (Where materials of different parentage corrode together) are another potential nightmare. Several months in, I decided to inspect said machine’s Titanium post. I’d applied Green Oil eco-grease https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/green-oil-ecogrease-long-ter-test?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_HzseyRI7TPke0IAp4p5LCPqksuJyh1ic29yvU2TfegmE7GxMZyflTS8NQ2cQGf1mHF6nxIA7ChkaUFGG7eBhKXklWzmmndMucOwAj8_R0VAjNHKI&_hsmi=55822957&utm_campaign=Private%2BGroups&utm_content=55822957&utm_medium=email&utm_source=hs_email  several months previously but with the binder bolt undone, it was clear replenishment was due.

A liberal helping of Park PPL-1 seemed the most stoical option. Seeing as the Passport wedge pack was also showing signs of fatigue, I resurrected this Altura Aero post pack. More than roomy enough for a day ride, right down to food and spare layers. A three-kilo maximum payload is pretty good-means a decent lock can join the party while two pockets riding shotgun either side provide neat parking for tubes, Co2 cartridges.

The SQR bracket makes for convenient whipping on/off and means I can swap over to my boxier cotton duck Carradice with no effort/alteration. 

Talking of resurrection, while I was rummaging in the spares drawers, some old but much-loved Ritchey pattern SPDs emerged-perfect for my cross inspired fixed, since they mean I can ride wearing those Lake booties.

Dynamo lamp and switch gear was also bundled up in a padded envelope and left with John Moss. Cursory inspection confirmed it was a short in the system-water had infiltrated the plug. Minutes later, he’d stripped the wiring back, trimmed it to length. Refitting was equally precise.

He’s pulled the outer wires further into the port for a better seal, although (as he was quick to point out), silicone grease would be a shrewd move. Interesting that the Exposure Revo has never missed a beat, regardless of how grotty the weather got.

Returning my attentions to the drivetrains, I cleaned and replenished Smoove universal chain lube and took the Weldtite Tf2 ultra dry wax https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/weldtite-tf2-ultra-dry-chain-wax  route with the Univega. 

The latter mightn’t be the most obvious choice, given the time of year. However, cleaner lube means a cleaner drivetrain, albeit with more frequent application. Besides, but I’m keen to see how it holds up in harsher conditions and now’s as good a time as any.  Hmm, speaking of opportunities, now would be a good time to start brewing my own…

In the meantime, SKS’ range of bike potions have just arrived. We have a bike wash, bike wax, some PTFE infused spray and a tyre sealant. Looking forward to seeing how these compare with some iconic workshop staples.

Warm Studio, Wintry Roads

Another week, another great studio shoot with an experienced and extremely professional model.  Thankfully, I am yet to work with someone, who is anything other than consummately professional and conscientious.
 

Mind you, I scrutinise people’s pre-shoot communication very carefully. I’ve graciously declined anyone, who presents as unprofessional, or makes me feel uncomfortable. This goes for studios and photographers too. I have a very open mind, when it comes to projects but am very discerning, about those I put my name to. 

Thursday’s studio was an old converted mill, with large windows- copious amounts of natural light. Perfect, given Karen is 6ft2 and I wanted a softer feel to our images.

Back in the saddle and the wintry conditions are ideal testing ground, specifically chain/lubes/protectants, lighting and of course, tyres.

The Soma Shikoro continue to deliver leach-like contact, even across increasingly icy roads, although if things turn harsher still, I am likely to switch exclusively to the Univega.  

I’ve been toying with the idea of switching back, from the fixed’s HT Leopard 878 https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/ht-leopard-878-clipless-pedals  to SPDs, if only so I can use my Lake booties.

Some riders like overshoes and there’s a lot to be said in their favour, particularly if you’re riding in race slippers with acres of mesh ventilation. However, I find them a faff, whereas winter booties are plug n’ play simple.

Exposed to a diet of waterlogged, gritty lanes, the Smoove universal chain lube is proving surprisingly resilient. Not on par with traditional wet formulas, such as Nasty lube Siberian https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/nasty-lube-siberian-chain-lube  or Weldtite TF2 extreme wet https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/weldtite-tf2-extreme-wet-chain-lubr . Nonetheless, even with the minimum 1hour curing period, the Smoove racked up 118 mixed terrain miles from a single application.

Putting this into context, other emulsion types have managed 60-80 in similar conditions. That’s allowing them a full 8 hours curing, at room temperature. Smoove doesn’t flake, at least not in the same manner as more traditional emulsions/waxes. However, there are traces of spent goo, around the rings and outer links.
 

Cleanliness and low friction are their main draws for me. On the flip side, these lack the “jack of all trades” versatility of more traditional formulas. Aside from some ultra-sophisticated blends, wet lubes also serve as very effective grease substitutes. Think fasteners, not bottom bracket shells, derailleur hangers and other threaded sections.

Talking of which, leaving bikes filthy tends to go against my little n’ often cleaning philosophy but essential when evaluating the staying prowess of waxes and other protectant formulas.

Despite being water-based, the Crankalicious Enduro frame sealant is also doing an excellent job of preventing more tenacious muck from adhering to my fixed gear winter/trainer’s tubes.

It’s a protectant product, designed to provide a lasting, lacquer-like barrier. It differs from polymer type waxes in that it won’t beautify glossy finishes, or mask minor swirls. However, there are no solvents to break down, or otherwise impair these products when the enduro is applied atop.

The sharp eyed among you will have noted my working fixed has shed its dynamo lamp. Partly because another publication sent me an 800lumen rechargeable unit to test but also because of a sudden and inexplicable front light failure. I am hoping this is something simple, such as wounded wiring, rather than the switch, or more complex problem. Strange though...

With the exception of an old halogen setup run on an old Gitane tandem 25 years back, my systems, hub or tyre driven have never missed a beat. My working fixed serves year-round, hell n’ high water, I never use anything more invasive than a jumbo car sponge and bucket of warm, sudsy water to purge the grot, So I’d be very surprised if anything has breached the seals/seeped inside. Watch this space….

Core, smoothly does it!

Had the privilege of attending this year’s Core Bike Show and there was a fair bit to see. 1x11 configurations continue to rule the roost, especially when it comes to Gravel/Adventure and backpacking builds. Cassettes too were getting wider, dare I say bigger.

Keeping a wide-range touring/mtb triple happy and obedient year round is something of a chore. These from hope certainly caught my eye. Finish aside, there’s even a 42 tooth-something I’d more commonly associate with tandems, recumbents and similarly specialist builds. Enough grunt for winching heavy laden touring trailers (or young tag-along pilots) up silly gradients without popping knees-Yay!

Cyclo cross bikes, at least those with less specialist personas, have long made excellent all-rounders, from winter trainers to light tourers. However, this has given rise to two tribes. The first, civilian, domesticated and extremely practical daily drivers and at the other extreme, gravel/bike packing. That said front mechs and belt drives haven’t disappeared.

Retro remains popular. I personally like it when older fashioned concepts return with a modern twist and less “classic” pricing. If you can drag yourself away from pencil thin stays, dripping in chrome you’ll also notice a centre-pull brakeset on this tourer.

Back in the South…

With the nasty lube Siberian reduced to a filmy state, it was time to strip the remnants from Univega and cross inspired fixed’s chains. This also coincided with the arrival of Duck Smart the black stuff chain cleaner.

In common with Green Oil degreaser jelly https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/green-oil-degreaser-jelly its’ a gel, so has the potential to double rather nicely as a generic degreaser. There’s also less wastage compared with a traditional solvent based stripper, although demands 5minutes marinating time before rinsing (and in some instances, reapplication).

A minor point, since I was giving my working fixed a good sudsy bucket pampering. This was followed by a liberal helping of some Crankalicious Enduro frame sealant.

Next came the Smoove universal chain lube. Now, this, like many others requires a curing period. Ideally, overnight but Smoove says it can be ride ready in an hour.

Potentially music to the ears of commuters prone to manic Mondays- drizzle some on first thing, don togs and be out the door after breakfast. With this in mind, I went said route with the Univega, to see if I could call Smoove’s bluff.

First impressions were similar to that of Motorex dry and my hunch that, curing aside, both work to the same principle. Unlike the wax/emulsion types that flake away, taking accumulated contaminant along with them, these trap grime in the top layer. It may assume a scuzzy grey/black but crap cannot work into the chain and become a fearsomely efficient grinding paste. So goes the theory at least.

I was expecting a slick, low friction middleweight and that’s how it’s behaved, several rides in. However, our maiden voyage coincided with fierce crosswinds and the Univega’s rear Kenda succumbing to a slow puncture. The sort where you reckon something’s a bit off, into the bend, so you stop pinch the casing…

Yup, suspicions confirmed. Time to swap the tube. Wheel out, last spare tube primed, I whipped out the wounded butyl. Sweeping the Kenda’s casing for foreign objects, expecting to find a thorn/hedge clipping-nothing…

During this period, groups of riders, including couples on tandems called over as they passed- I confirmed all was well and thanked them. Tube in, wishing I’d a CO2 inflator and cartridges handy, I was just grateful for the Lezyne mini pump’s smooth, predictable delivery.

Another rider stopped, apparently for a yarn.

Ten minutes in, I was getting progressively colder, despite long sleeve base layer, winter weight jersey cum jacket, waterproof breathable shell, thermal bib tights, gloves and booties. Seems he was a newbie. I was stunned to learn that his new top tube bag was bare-he was out without any means of rescuing himself, which seemed foolhardy at best.

Chill biting harder than ever, I suggested he invest in at least two spare tubes, multi tool, patch kit, pump and tyre levers. This way, he’d stand a sporting chance of getting going again. Strangely enough, my Cat-Eye blinky had jettisoned, although I was able to retrieve before it was crushed under the wheels of a Nissan Duke.

40psi (or thereabouts) and wheel reinstated, I span a lower gear to warm up. Infinitely preferable to a long walk home and a reminder to replenish the wedge pack. Budget tubes are generally speaking, fine for roadside rescue duty but branded butyl respond better to patching.    

Elsewhere, my patience finally evaporated with a well-known car insurer. Their abysmal customer service and palpable disinterest (in pursuing a case involving a foreign haulier), saw me turn to Chris Knott’s Car insurance 4 cyclists’ https://www.carinsurance4cyclists.com/  Even in light of the pending claim, my premium was still less than half that quoted by my original insurer. Decision made.   

Gravelly Patter &Model Behaviour

Had another extremely pleasant and productive photoshoot last week, this time at Studio Six in Writtle https://studiosixchelmsfordhire.wordpress.com/2015/06/24/studio-six-website-is-up-and-running-well-not-quite-but-this-will-do-nicely-until-it-is/ .  Well-equipped and spacious, Kathleen was the perfect host on hand with tea and skilled studio support.

Sony A6000 played nicely with remote flash triggers, suggesting it’s a temperamental streak with the older Alpha bodies. I’ve another studio shoot lined up after the core bike show and a February (location) gig in Peterborough.

Building rapport and communication are crucial to a comfortable experience and ultimately, high quality images. In the main, experienced professional models have required very little direction and during the first hour, I prefer them to lead. Past this point, a more experimental, collaborative flavour takes hold.

My stance is to communicate in detail, the moment a shoot is booked, developing rapport and a clear understanding of both model and photographer. This preparation avoids ambiguity and establishes the other’s comfort zones. References certainly help but life experience and a highly attune intuition are equally important.

Legally, in a shoot where the model is paid, images I take are my property and can be used accordingly. However, I work with the model and will only release/use those that both parties are comfortable with.

I read people very quickly and politely swerve those, who raise red flags. Safety for model and myself are paramount. I will never work alone-a third party (ideally neutral and female) must always be present. Again, I graciously decline anyone indicating resistance, or failing to grasp my reasons for doing so.

I’ve also been approached by Instagram “influencers” offering me the “opportunity” of exposure i.e. I chauffeur them to locations, shoot all day, hand them the unedited images afterward, cannot add any watermarks, or indeed receive public credit…

As a marketing case study, yes, there’s a lot to be learned from them. However, anyone buying into this “Power of Social media exposure” line with no money, credits, or rights is genuinely stupid.

By contrast, TFP (Trade for portfolio), where both parties exchange skills and time is perfectly acceptable, in certain circumstances.  Just as “You do the plumbing for my extension, I’ll plaster your walls” might be.

Sabre tooth man flu in remission, fettling also resumed. Soma fabrications Shikoro tyres came up at 36mm when I measured the front (at 85psi), suggesting the Ilpompino’s rear triangle might also swallow one without tickling the chainstays...

Lo and behold, it did. Admittedly clearance was as close as I’d feel comfortable with but acceptable, nonetheless. I also discovered a couple of spare Co2 cartridges, which were added to the wedge pack before distraction took me in another direction.

I’ve also resurrected a Zefal Z console front pack and tethered it to the Univega’s top tube. Decided carrying some additional spare butyl was a good idea and while it’s perfectly possible/acceptable, to stuff ‘em in a jersey pocket, I prefer to keep a couple on the bike. No danger of discovering they’re in the other jacket when you’re miles from base on a cold and rainy night…

A 90minute celebratory blast along the backroads and singletrack lanes last Sunday morning quashed any concerns and brought a big grin to my previously forlorn expression.

At 464g apiece, they’re a good deal lighter than the Schwalbe Marathon GT staples. This was very apparent when accelerating. Even pushing them hard along slimy sections, with 90psi in each, the supple casings just bit deeper, providing oodles of grip.

Look closely at the dimpled tread. This doesn’t add anything to performance in the latter context, rather is designed to protect against flints and similar sharps. More to this than marketing puff, if the past 100 mixed terrain miles are anything to go by.

On the subject of tyres, the recent slippery conditions and increasingly poor road surfaces (I’ve literally seen holes opening up in front of me)  have presented the ideal opportunity to see how well the Schwalbe Marathon 365 live up to their name.   https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/schwalbe-marathon-gt-365-tyres-in-w

As for the nasty lube. Well that has clung on, come hell and hell water-400 road miles between reapplications is very reasonable. It’s remained relatively clean by wet, petrochemical standards, so less call for cleaning the outer plates. There are some riders who will pour scorn on any bike specific chain lube. Chainsaw oil is a particularly good substitute, alongside 10w/40 motor oils.

However, don’t make the mistake of thinking this applies to all engine oils. Modern petrol and diesel variants are developed with sophisticated detergents, designed to clean deposit and regenerate, under pressure of the fuel pump.

Drizzle these on your bike’s chain and it will be serene to start with. In as little as 35miles, chances are those additives will have stripped the lubricant layer, resulting in that familiar, thirsty tinkling.

I’ve tested a lot of lubes over the years and have some very firm favourites, although I’m yet to find one that is perfect for all conditions/contexts. I like clean formulas, so have high hopes for this Smoove Universal chain lube, which reached us in spite of the seasonal postal pilfering. Now, judging by the latest forecasts, I might be whipping those spiked tyres back on…