Fluke & Fortune

I was doing a light swap, since the little Topeak Taillux 30 was begging for a charge, come the close of our ride. I switched to its 100lumen sibling TOPEAK TAILLUX 100 REAR LIGHT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com). While I was rooting around for the bigger Topeak, I noticed a Garmin type front mount belonging to a Magicshine light and suddenly had the notion that it might be a good cure for the rattly See Sense Beam+ mount.   

I was pleased to discover this sorted the issue (although See Sense and I were of the belief this was just a rogue mount). Silent and rattle-free. Sometimes it’s the little things that bring the biggest grins. However, rubber straps tend to require judicious force to get them rock steady on the bars.  

They may seem immobile at first but creep given a few miles, especially subjected to low level vibration. Washboard tarmac, rumble strips (the sort designed to reduce speed and therefore, calm traffic speed) being prime examples. I’m hoping this shim might be the way forward... 

This discovery coincided with the arrival of these Ergon BT Ortho Cell Pad Set. These are strips of 2.5mm thick foam padding designed to reduce discomfort from low-level vibration.

Unlike some “military grade” products, there’s no trade-off in terms of aesthetic.  

This is a definite plus, especially if you’re dressing the bars of a mile-munching classic with pencil thin steel tubing.

Ursula is arguably at the opposite end of this spectrum. The foam itself seems unaffected by cold, at least when fitted. Though fitting was hardly taxing, getting the strips to mould and sit nicely required gentle warming from a hairdryer.  

I suspect this was attributable to the air temperature (struggling to minus 2 and I suspect a non-issue when temperatures hit the low teens).  Thus far, the foam pads seem to offer some additional damping but it’s also worth noting that I’ve been wearing liner gloves beneath the Altura.  

 

 Seeing Sense Again.  

Mount aside, I’m endeared to the Beam+, its intelligent features and impressive run times. 400 icy, wintry miles down the line and I’m warming to the Muc Off All Weather Lube, which is staying put better than I’d expected, given the suggestion it might need reapplication in wet conditions. Contexts, which will find a chink, or fault in a product, sometimes with unwelcome ease. 

January marked the 24th year of me spotting Ursula in Bob’s window- frame and fork £125. Much has changed, much has been worn out and upgraded but the old girl remains true to my original vision.   

I’ve stuck with the 11-25 setup (Two Shimano Tiagra Cassettes), since these were heavily discounted and will switch to the similarly inexpensive 11-28, when the freshly fitted KMC chain wears out.

   

I’ve been so thankful for the Schwalbe Ice Spiker Pro’s 360 spikes, which really inspire confidence across thick ice. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/schwalbe-ice-spiker-pro-tyres  The Schwalbe Winter Plus’ 240 are very dependable but the Ice Spiker Pro bite in contexts where I’ve felt a momentary pause from the 240. Not enough to cause problems, or anxiety. More a gentle nudge, which keeps my senses primed and speed in check- typically into the bends.  

Despite biblical warnings from some “newspapers” the bitterly cold snap passed, and I was able to switch back to the SP SD8 and XT wheels shod with the Maxxis Overdrive Excel. I needed to see how the freshly repacked hubs compared and to get some more miles in, with the Maxxis.  

Hubs are buttery smooth and silent.  The Overdrive Excel are brisk and engaging tyres with a bit more zing, though no loss of puncture resistance compared with some iconic favourites. Whether this puncture resistance will prove consistent, up until the point they’re worn out, remains to be seen.  

50-55psi seems optimal when it comes to speed, compliance and grip and phrases like trekking, or hybrid are a little open to interpretation. Personally, I’d say they’re more versatile than the semi-slicks many of us shod our tarmac bound mtbs with during the late 90s and early 2000s, but hardpack and unmade roads are the limits of their off-road capabilities. The maximum payloads are 90 kilos for the 26x2.0, which for someone of my 70-kilo build, gives scope for lightweight/weekend touring.  I'll hold off any firm conclusions for another 200 miles but I'm growing very attached to their quick, yet dependable personas  

 

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.