Pre-Hibernation Tweaks

 

I’ve been settling to some little jobs before Holdsworth, and Teenage Dream enter seasonal hibernation. I’ve decided to revise the Holdsworth’s stem spacer height and replace the budget expander wedge. I’ve also decided to switch the Teenage Dream’s rear tyre. While I love the Vee Tire Co Rain Runner infinity’s speed, they seem slightly susceptible to punctures, so I had a rummage in the rafters, hoping to find these Schwalbe Lugano TESTED: SHWALBE LUGANO ROAD CYCLING TYRES (sevendaycyclist.com)   

A little portlier and erring more towards commuting and winter training, but given my preference for dawn blasts, some additional reliability is welcome. Instead, I found a solitary 25mm Freedom Thick Slick (which the Holdsworth is shod with), so popped that on the rear. I would’ve preferred a matching set but aesthetic pedantry aside, some would argue this is another example of personalisation and for now, I’ll stick with that!   

I’m still researching potential replacement(s) for the Schwalbe Marathon Mondial Dual Defense, which have done 7,000miles and still going strong, although starting to show some formative signs of wear. There is a school of thought recommending alternating front and rear tyres for longevity.  

I can see the merits on paper. In practice this is a dubious practice-whipping a partially worn rear up front is inviting a very nasty face-plant on a wet, greasy ride. I will often switch the part worn front to the rear, to get my money’s worth, but then, a brand spanking new tyre goes up front! 

No sooner had I switched Ursula’s chain to the Peaty’s Link Lube Dry PEATYS LINK LUBE DRY CHAIN LUBE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) this Muc Off Ludicrous AF arrived in the post. Claimed to be the world fastest lube brewed for road, mtb and triathletes, it promises to perform in temperatures as low as minus 20, and extend chain life, so it will be interesting to see how the next few months pan out.  Typical of high-end lubes, chains need to be surgically clean before applying and Muc-Off recommends leaving it a full 24hours curing. 

 

One thing led to another (as it invariably does, with me) and before you know it, I’d whipped Ursula on the work stand, out came the rear wheel. Shifting had been slightly off again and I suspected this was down to the cassette's lockring working slightly loose. Snugged tight with trusty cassette tool, I also suspected, the microshift bar con needed to be dialed fractionally tighter- a slight, clockwise turn of my 4mm Allen key-sorted. Out came the sudsy bucket and sponge and the old girl was gleaming again.  

Chain, ring and cassette exorcised with solvent, I drizzled Muc-Off Ludicrus AF into the links. The Teenage Dream’s drivetrain received identical treatment, coinciding with the tyre swap and a review of the wedge pack. Dead CO2 cartridge was consigned to the bin and given the Uk’s present shortage of said gas, it might be a while before I acquire some more... I’ve also been witnessing extensive panic buying of fuel.  

Traffic backed up along the streets, reminiscent of the last fuel shortage, during the summer of 2000. In the corner of London where I was living, some people were actively trying to scale the tankers. On one occasion, I had two 20 litre MOD jerry cans full of leaded fuel for motorcycles (older Japanese machines, though designed for unleaded, had no problems with the more toxic blend).  

People were begging me to sell them it (some more aggressively than others). Leaded petrol is ruinous to catalytic converters, as several hapless people discovered, having filled their late-model Toyotas.  Whether the UK will assume a state of compulsory rationing, last experienced in the early 1970s remains to be seen.    

  

Back on two wheels, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the Sigma Infinity Rear LED Light SIGMA INFINITY REAR LED LIGHT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) it’s compact, bright and simple, with favourable run and charge times.  Those looking for a super potent rechargeable front light may like to take a look at The Ravemen PR2400 https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/ravemen-pr2400-front-light    

Darker, Cooler, Wetter

Continuing my theme of winter prep, I’ve received a set of these Mudhugger Gravel Hugger mudguards for testing. My fixed gear winter/trainer is the obvious candidate. Now, it sported traditional, full-length guards for several years. However, in common with Ursula, it runs the Gusset Headlock system rather than the star-fangled nut. This means the front guard needs to be drilled (so the threaded bolt can pass through), setting bearing tension and aligning the guard, first time round is something of a juggling act.  

Fine when set up, but on my fixed gear winter/trainer, the rear guard also needs to be drilled to mount to the wishbone, and tackling a rear puncture often requires loosening the stays. Sure, this is a relatively rare event, especially with tyres such as the Kenda  Kwick Journey KS Plus KENDA KWICK JOURNEY TYRES | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) but it’s not something I relish on cold, wet, gritty nights. Hence, clip-on designs are the way forward.  

Made from (material) the Gravel Hugger are incredibly convenient to install, although (and this goes for all this genre), a bit of “Helicopter Tape” (Thoughtfully Mudhugger have included some) or, in a pinch, good quality electrical tape prevents any potential abrasion of seat stay paintwork.  

The sort often caused by that infamous wet, gritty stuff I was talking about earlier. Crucially, there is a generous length at the rear to protect rider and machine from muck and spray. Back to full-length mudguards (fenders), it’s worth giving fasteners a quick lick of medium strength thread lock. Strong enough to prevent them shaking loose, and getting lost but permit straightforward, intentional disassembly. I’d also be inclined to give carrier, cantilever, and V brake bolts a very quick lick but swerve disc hardware.  

Now, many folks will point out that 26-inch wheels are old-fashioned, rather than “old school”. However, those of you are running an older mtb (s) as an asphalt commuter, or hardy winter bike may find 700c mudguards fit very well and offer superior protection, especially with big flaps, such as these   RAW Prismatic Reflective Yellow Mudflaps  RAW PRISMATIC REFLECTIVE MUDFLAPS | cycling, but not usually racing (sevendaycyclist.com)   

Elsewhere, while it's still been temperate enough for short sleeve summer weight jerseys, base layers and bib shorts-even at 5am, this isn’t likely to continue too much longer. Therefore, I stuff a micro jacket, or gilet into the bike-mounted luggage, rather than risk a lingering chest infection. The sort that leaves me coughing like a life-long chain-smoking welder. Some mornings have called for the Prendas Ciclismo Paris Bordeaux Long Sleeve Jersey PRENDAS CICLISMO LONG SLEEVE JERSEY | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

The Sigma Infinity continues to grow on me with its blend of prowess, simplicity, and frugality. Though lacking the outright punch of some big lumen flashers, it's surprisingly potent, especially in some seriously misty conditions. Ok, not quite “pea-soupers” or synonymous with the moors scenes in American Werewolf in London (which by the way, is one of my all-time favourite horror films.) 

Elsewhere, I was rather delighted to discover another roll of the fabulous Velo Orange Rubbery Baer Tape landing on my door. Conor reckoned his initial consignment had gone missing within the states, so very graciously sent another. I wasted no time in dressing the fixed’s bars. I regularly talk about chain lubes but until recently, have stuck with the factory stuff on Ursula’s latest KMC. Partly as I wanted to confirm that the cassette swap solved the mid-range remote shifting woes.  

For the record, the factory prep is very good and, in some instances, I’ve passed the 500-mile mark, during winter. Anyhow, 225 miles down the line, having returned from a 5 am “pea souper”, I decided the chain looked deceptively thirsty, so I found myself getting busy with the solvent bath. The oily residue clued me in, but there we are. Time being I’ve gone back to the Peaty’s LInk Lube Dry PEATYS LINK LUBE DRY CHAIN LUBE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) since conditions allow and for me at least, it’s a decent fair-weather default.