Shakedown Ride

 

Sunday morning at 6am, I snuck out to the garage, emerging stealthily with the Teenage Dream, just as I did during the summer of ‘91. Minutes later, I was enjoying the responsive zing of the thin-walled steel tubeset. The Knog/Decathlon Frankenputer was clocking a steady 19.6mph and braking, though progressive was refreshingly sharp.  

A big, fly-catching grin followed for the 20-mile loop. Only the BBB mudguards and PDW pump bracket required adjustment, although I noted the Lezyne pump’s tendency to slither downwards, perilously close to the chainring, so the PDW mount had to go-substituted for a Syncros unit holidaying in my Bodge box. This also features a rubber strap for belt n’ braces, vibration cheating security. I also needed to pull the Moon Meteor strap a little tighter around the Salsa Bell lap bars, to prevent its incremental rotation.   

Switch and minor tweaks complete, bike safely away. I turned my attention to Ursula’s drivetrain. Shifting had gone “off”- phantom shifts and hesitancy being the main symptoms. Chain was still in good shape but the derailleur’s inner wire was showing some external signs of fraying, so I replaced this, and the housing, which had developed a very slight kink. 

 

Stripping these, I discovered the inner was a few shifts from expiry and was essentially held together by a PTFE “fatball” or clot, which can develop over time, using the heavier duty maintenance sprays. 

The Rear mech was also sporting impacted waxy colic, which took several helpings of solvent and enthused scrubbing to shift. Note to self... treat the spring, pivots and cables to GT85 and leave the heavier duty PTFE sprays for recessed Allen heads, cleat and locking mechanisms. The chain has been fed a light helping of Weldtite Ceramic Lube WELDTITE CERAMIC LUBE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com), which is defined as an “all weather” formula and in my experience, a decent staple.        

Shifting back on song, I turned my attention to my fixed gear winter trainer. I’d left the Kinekt 2.1 Aluminium suspension seatpostKINEKT 2.1 SUSPENSION SEAT POST | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) in situ since November and thought it was time to remove and re-grease. One thing led to another, and I reverted to Cane Creek’s excellent Thudbuster ST, the G4 in this instance, which features 50mm of travel, easily switched elastomers (press-fit, tool-free). This also cured a slightly annoying creak- the Kinekt seems to require the periodic helping of composite/rubber-friendly grease.  

Not that the Kinekt could ever be described as a pogo stick, the G4’s bob is less obvious but equally effective. It’s also saved 92g, although this wasn’t on my agenda. I’m also pleased to note that ACF50 used in place of grease has done an excellent job of protecting against corrosion.  

Slackening the seat collar bolt, the Kinekt slid out with buttery finesse. Impressive, given the months exposure to wet roads, snow, ice, and frequent sudsy bucket washes. I’ve been defaulting to Green Oil Eco Grease TWELVE MONTH TEST: GREEN OIL ECO GREASE (sevendaycyclist.com), primarily since it’s compatible with all surfaces and loosely on par with the bog-standard PTFE types in the durability stakes.  

Little surprise that the Kinekt Waterproof Saddle Bag KINEKT WATERPROOF SADDLE BAG | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) is an equally good fit. I just needed to pull the straps a little tighter, which is no hardship.     

I’ve been watching the steady implosion of UK industries and it is very clear that stable and skilled jobs are continuing to decline. Honda is leaving Swindon in a matter of weeks and being replaced by a warehouse. Now, work in car plants, at least on the lines is at best semi-skilled. However, its comparatively well paid, warehouse jobs are not.  

Having watched various cornerstones of the British economy disappear (mining, shipbuilding and manufacturing being three that immediately spring to mind). 

Highly skilled people tended to fare much better and could port their skillset to other industries. In the late 90s, Lifelong learning became a buzzword and lifelong learning accounts were a means by which those who had been “left behind” could secure academic and vocational skills/qualifications. It didn’t quite pan out that way.  

However, the concept of lifelong skills development has always been ingrained within me. The pandemic has also turned this up a notch. There are lots of free resources around. 

 

Even if these don’t have an obvious economic benefit, the more skills we can cultivate, the greater our autonomy. Predictably, frame-building courses have often captured my imagination but more recently, a less prescriptive machinists/ paint spraying/similar course has superseded this.      

 

Knowing The Score

Returning from some mixed terrain escapes on Ursula, I took the opportunity to check the fleet’s tyre pressures and other little “while I’m here” once-overs. Spinning my fixed gear winter/trainer’s front wheel revealed a warped disc rotor. It was also showing some tell-tale signs of scoring, resultant from unchecked pad wear. Wet, gritty conditions can chomp through seemingly serviceable pads with ruthless efficiency. Keep a spare set handy and re-order when you switch to those.    

Thankfully, I had a replacement rotor in stock. Laying both flat on the workbench confirmed the old Clarkes Rotor was showing some small but definite warping. I switched the two and instantly, the issue resolved. The old rotor was consigned to the recycling. I also confirmed that I had a replacement set of pads waiting in the wings.  

Tyre pressures checked and wheel(s) repatriated, I turned my attention to Ursula’s drivetrain, which was looking decidedly scuzzy, given a couple of weeks spent navigating wet, singletrack lanes and bridle path. Perfect for testing some more degreaser sprays. Waxy-type lubes, rather like other waxy products can become quite congealed, thus unexpectedly tenacious.  

Aside from the chain’s side plates, it usually collects around the front ring(s) derailleur cages and jockey wheels. This is where cassette claws (and similarly invasive scrubbers) come in handy- combing out the lion’s share of gunk, so your chosen de-greaser strips with greatest efficiency. Blends such as this Motorex, Muc-Off, and Weldtite Jet Blast Degreaser will all induce rapid melting and are time savers but won’t shift this in a single hit. 

Elsewhere, my fixed gear winter/trainer’s cockpit reshuffle has proven a winner all round for me. Time well spent, although I had to stop and snug the Campark V40 waterproof housing hardware down Facebook. I’ve also decided to switch lamps over i.e., the Bikepacker Ultra to Ursula and its new, low drag counterpart over to my fixed gear winter/trainer.  

A couple of weeks down the line, the K-Lite low drag dynamo has proven this latter quality and I want to see just how much difference, the benefits and indeed, any limitations of this version. Not that drag has ever been an issue with the K-Lite family and I’ve lived with them for many thousands of miles. However, this drop in resistance seems to result in even greater, palpable reward. Over a familiar 12-mile loop, I’ve maintained 20mph, as distinct from a very respectable 18.6 with the sibling units switched on.    

While switching things around, I decided to look more closely at the new K-lite mounts and I plumped for a Go-Pro pattern for Ursula’s Velo Orange Handlebar Accessory Mount VELO ORANGE HANDLEBAR ACCESSORY MOUNT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and once again, re-thought my fixed gear winter trainer’s set up. This time, I’ve moved the switch to the Genetic accessory mount, besides the VDO computer-checking to ensure it didn’t interfere with the wireless signal. No issues so out came the cable ties, and everything was tethered firmly in situ.  

I’d toyed (and investigated) mounting the switch atop the Redshift Sports Shockstop Suspension Stem TEST & REVIEW REDSHIFT SPORTS SHOCKSTOP SUSPENSION STEM (sevendaycyclist.com) but the flat profile precluded pleasing effect. The idea to switch to another stem was extinguished, just as soon as it arrived. Anyhow, said brain fart aside, I’m pleased with the result and will resume testing.  Now the weather has finally become aligned with early summer, I’ve been enjoying the Teenage Dream’s charms, in the Sunday best sense1991 ROAD BIKE REVAMP | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com). Ursula and fixed gear winter/trainer are still doing the daily driver mileage. I’m still running the Bat Wax Lube on the fixed but when it comes to Ursula, can’t seem to settle on a wet, dry, or wax type, given the still changeable weather.