Balls Greased & Thighs Chafed

One thing led to another, and with the fresh spare wheel built for Ursula, it was time for a tear down of the Rigida Sputnik/Shimano XT M756 hub. It has served for nigh on two years without a break. I ordered another set of balls and did a double check of the manual to familiarise myself with any potential differences (between it and the lowlier Deore).   

Same modus operandi 15mm cone spanner, 17mm locknut. I had toyed with the idea of packing the fresh bearings with Peaty’s Speed Grease PEATY'S SPEED GREASE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) which is more durable than a low friction formula might imply.  

Cassette slipped off easily since I’d applied a liberal amount of Park Tool Poly lube 1000 grease TESTED: PARK TOOL POLYLUBE 1000 LUBRICANT FOR BICYCLES (sevendaycyclist.com) to the lockring. Opinions vary regarding greasing the freehub splines. Slathering them in thick grease is not the way forward.  

Some suggest copper grease, but this can also become a horrible mess, given a few months-especially during winter. Summer bikes can forgo this altogether. I opt for a few localised spots of grease, which should rule out creaking and keeps the elements at bay, without attracting too much crap. 

Talking of which, I was surprised to find that while the factory grease had turned to a fluid state, there was still a decent amount protecting the hub and bearings. Components stripped, degreased and examined, all were in good shape, so I decided to re-grease and reassemble, leaving the new balls for another time. 

It was minus 2 and the Juice Lubes Bearing Juice seems tricky to apply when the mercury’s tanking. I was tempted to reach for some Muc Off Bio Grease TESTED : MUC-OFF BIO GREASE (sevendaycyclist.com). However, I stuck with Juice Lubes Bearing Juice, since it’s intended specifically for bearings. Given the temperature, I brushed it into the races, carefully repatriated the bearings and then added a further layer of grease atop.

Axle back, cones snug, washer and locknut added, I gave things a quick, cursory spin. Buttery smooth-yay! 

I’d intended to swap wheels in any case, given the weather was turning bandit again. More ice, snow and similarly wintry stuff. The new Halo/Ryde and Shimano Alfine/Ryde Andra40 Shimano Alfine UR700 Hub Dynamo | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) wheels were shod with spikes in preparation.

Forecast was –5 on some days, so an opportunity to give the fixed gear winter trainer a good clean and switch to Ursula.  It was the ideal opportunity to get busy with some of the Weldtite Deluxe Bike Care Kit.  I had also succumbed to some painful chafing on my right thigh, which I initially drew a blank with. Thought it must’ve been a seam but while working around the bike, discovered a blood stain on the zipper of the Kinekt bag, suggesting my inner thigh had been brushing it.  

I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the soft brush, which is relatively slender and for these reasons, nimbler than those with big surface areas. The Bike Wash also seems surprisingly efficient on heavily solid, ingrained muck. Spray on, leave a minute and then rinse with lukewarm water. This on the downtube literally slithered away with the first tickling from the bristle plot. I also took the opportunity to apply their Rapid Ceramic Shield, since it was part of the kit and I’d been sent some to test. It works like a wipe-on lacquer to seal out the elements.  

Simply spray into a damp micro fibre cloth, work into the frameset and components (avoiding the saddle, brakes and bar tape), then buff with a fresh cloth. Claimed safe on matt, satin, gloss, and natural/raw finishes.  

Once cured, theoretically wet, oils, sap, and similar stuff can’t adhere, keeping the bike cleaner longer. I’m hoping it delivers, given the forecast. Will be interesting to see how it compares with others, in terms of economy and staying prowess. I applied ours to the damp frame and then worked into the bike using the cloth, just to see if doing so made any difference.   

Weather forecasts were bang on and true to form, plenty of ice and an air temperature of minus 4. Thermal base layer, mid, and an old faithful wind and waterproof technical jacket. “Belgian” cap beneath a Bell Sweep lid, liner gloves, and some Altura Night Vision old faithfuls atop.  For the legs, thermal tights, Merino socks, and the Shimano RX600 Gravel Shoes Shimano SH RX600 Gravel Cycling Shoes | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com).

Temperate, especially when turning a decent cadence, but there’s always the possibility of a roadside mechanical, which can prove uncomfortable, especially if it means gloves must come off. Talking of which, I also err towards a backup AAA-fuelled light, just in case the freezing temperatures have a negative effect on rechargeable Lithium Ion/Polymer cells.  

As I’ve said before, I’m not sold on magic links, and it was the first outing with Ursula’s new KMC chain. Rationally, there’s no reason to think it would give any issues, but humans are not rational. Thankfully, this was all academic and I was able to cruise along in comfort and enjoy the silence- interrupted oddly enough by the lovely whirr of the Halo Spin Doctor hub and the appearance of a solitary gritting lorry 2 miles from home.  

Minority Report (Pain in the Arse)

 

I have always been something of a minority and that doesn’t overly bother me, in any respect. Despite the very welcome resurgence in popularity, cycling remains a minority or less mainstream activity here in the UK.  

The same goes for several interests and passions I hold dear. I’ve touched on this and my introversion before. In commercial (and indeed other social contexts) I am perfectly capable. Borderline loquacious, given the right variables. However, I deftly swerve introspection and beyond the quality of my work, feel no need to seek attention.  

Provided I’ve done nothing to elicit a negative experience, I care little about whether people like me or not. Something I find very empowering and I’m very selective about those I allow beyond my veneer. Those who genuinely know me, describe me as a unique person, an acquired taste. I’d much sooner this, than a two-dimensional cardboard cut-out.  

January can be a long, austere month. Long forgotten are December’s festivities and cosy glow, often replaced by dull skies, unexpected expenditure and longing. Distractions can also take hold. These are fine, so long as they don't detract from physical, mental or emotional energies that would be better employed elsewhere. This typically strikes me in the workshop. Left unchecked, experimentation with gearing and other component changes can develop lives of their own. I’ll just...Is an extremely dangerous thought. One that can see ideas rapidly assuming lives of their own.  

Yes, winter can be a pain in the arse... 

Having ruled out saddle misalignments and similar issues, I am doing some trial-and-error miles with fresh longs and pads. My hypothesis is that some favourite bib tights and ¾ lengths are coming to the end of their service life, resulting in discomfort. 

  

While I felt able and had the grease out, I decided it was time to give my fixed gear winter/trainer a seriously good wash and perform the fork switch. I’ve stuck with the TRP Spyre SLC calliper for now since it was just a question of switching it over and the existing cable was fine. Annoyingly, unlike the basic Spyre, the SLC’s clamp seems more prone to fraying inner wires. Especially since I’ve always used a correctly calibrated torque wrench to snug everything down.  

Mercifully, the fork switch was plain sailing. I decided not to prune the steerer any shorter and simply added another 5mm spacer. I also gave the Stronglight headset bearings a clean and liberal helping of Juice Lubes Bearing Juice. This is closer to a putty than a traditional grease.  

Buttery smooth, friction is higher compared with preps like Park Tool Poly lube 1000 TESTED: PARK TOOL POLYLUBE 1000 LUBRICANT FOR BICYCLES (sevendaycyclist.com), not to mention, Peaty’s Speed Grease PEATY'S SPEED GREASE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com). However, during the depths of winter, I’m more concerned with a grease’s ability to protect against water, ingress and corrosion.  

Closer inspection revealed some structural deterioration of the Kinesis fork. I whipped out the hacksaw and cut it up before I forgot about this and inadvertently passed it to a friend.  

Credit where it’s due, this took more effort than I was expecting. I’ve kept the crown and steerer, so it will live on as a drift for headset cups etc, since (a) waste not, want not (b) I believe my scrap piece of downtube met the skip during 2020’s pre-move, garage rationalisation.   

Since I was there, I switched to the Halo White Line/PD8 HALO CLASSIC RIM & SHUTTER PRECISION DYNOHUB DISC WHEEL BUILD (sevendaycyclist.com) wheel, with the CST Pika tyre, for aesthetic uniformity and improved clearance. I was surprised to discover the rim shod with a narrow, 559 (mtb) rim tape, not the 622 I’d expected to see. Testament to Schwalbe that it’s stretched so far without snapping or losing shape.  

The new fork is closer to a traditional cyclocross design, with slightly tighter clearances than the DC7 it replaces. 35mm tyres. If you’re prepared to ditch a front guard, 38 tops.  

Fixed gear winter/trainer freshly washed and waxed, it was time to pop it away and go for a formative shakedown ride the following morning. Unforgiving headwind aside, the fixed flew and everything felt exactly as it should, especially at the front end. Fate intervened in a positive sense, again. Talking of which, here’s my review of the Vecnum FreeQuence Suspension Stem https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/vecnum-freeqence-suspension-stem 

Roads and clear, starry skies to myself (save for the odd rabbit) I just sat back and cruised as fast as my legs could carry me- ejecting meaty chunks of phlegm as need presented. I am strong but vulnerable to chest infections, which linger painfully- long after the other markers of cold, or flu have passed. 

 

I am also very aware that old practices such as “running a cold out on the road” are potentially extremely dangerous. Certainly not something I’d advocate, but I do find that having recovered from a lurgi, riding is a great expectorant. Stubborn, residual nastiness that otherwise lingers and settles on my chest, shifts and is more readily expelled.  

Not something I’d want to subject others to, but fine on solo outings. Given the typically wet, mucky conditions, I was rather pleased Weldtite sent me this fabulous bundle of bike cleaning and protectant goodies, for testing. Oh, and here’s my review of the CST Pika Gravel Tyres CST Pika Gravel Tyres | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)