Ringing the Changes

  

Having swapped the Mirage for the carbon with Middleburn and Campagnolo Record, I have saved 83g, which was less than I’d expected but saving grams wasn’t the primary, or indeed, original mission.  

Having bolted the rings together and snugging them down “blind” the first sticking point was discovering the Xenon did not employ self-extracting crank bolts, necessitating a quick root around for the crank puller. Not a hardship, but it was not where I’d expected to find it.  

I toyed with treating myself to a Park CCP-22 complete with integrated handle, since Holdsworth, Fixed Gear Winter/Trainer also use square taper cranks (although the Holdswoth’s Stronglight employ self-extracting bolts). However, by and large crank removal is rare and usually coincides with bottom bracket replacement (between 6,000 and 10,000 miles, depending on what fit n’ forget-sealed model I’d gone for).

  

Extractor found; the Xenon literally popped off their tapers-hardly surprising but welcome. A quick tug of the ACOR cartridge bottom bracket also ruled out any slop or grumbling. I might go for something lighter when these strike. Something with a carbon fibre spacer, alloy cups would save a few grams... Back to the crankset.   

Slid on the tapers, I found myself needing to raise the front Victory mech up a few millimetres and for some reason, it got the sulks. Nice new cranks, lovely new rings, what’s going on here???? I mused... 

Hmm, a new cable might sort things- costs pennies and I had a few in. Yup...the new cable sorted matters and the cage was swinging the Sachs chain snappily to and fro. I pruned the cable, leaving a little to subvert potential stretch overnight. Checking the Sachs chain while I was there confirmed it was in good health (although I had a KMC in stock, since these things usually expire at the least convenient moment).  

Continuing the weight saving, knee-friendly theme, I slipped some Peaty’s Bicycle Assembly Grease on the threads and whizzed Time ATAC in- the resin, rather than aluminium bodied versions. A quick once-over of the crank bolts and chain rings the following morning, shifting checked, I topped up the CST Cito CST Cito Folding Tyre | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) with the SKS Air-X-Plorer Digi Floor Pump 10.0 SKS Air-X-Plorer Digi Floor Pump | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and popped it away ready for a shakedown ride the following morning.    

Wetter weather and the urge to explore green lanes and bridleways has meant Ursula and I have been out to play a fair bit, too. I’m warming to the Maxxis Ikon in these contexts. As I’d expect from a small block model, they’re less ponderous than a more aggressive trail tyre on metalled roads and come into their own along dry singletrack-plenty of smiles per mile. 

 

Despite being the baseline version, the ride is compliant and I’m yet to flat. Kenda Small Block 8 were quicker off the mark and a bit livelier but also more prone to flats. Elsewhere, I’ve gone for Muc Off Dry lube, which is keeping the chain clean and returning reasonable miles per application. It’s also been the ideal opportunity to see how the Madison Roam perform off road proper.  

Time also allowed me to replace the fixed’s Stronglight in favour of the FSA Orbit MX. The latter’s stack height is a little taller-only by 5mm and easily solved by dropping a spacer. When it comes to headsets, stoicism is my default grease-wise. I want the stuff to say put, keep the bearings slick and corrosion-free. Now, the MX is also blessed with seals, which is nice. It’s another reason to avoid lithium or PTFE-based greases since these could cause perishing.  

Some lighter middleweight preps, including Muc-Off Bio Grease and Green Oil Eco grease hold their own surprisingly well, too TWELVE MONTH TEST: GREEN OIL ECO GREASE (sevendaycyclist.com) Flying in the face of this, I found myself pondering Peaty’s Speed Grease PEATY'S SPEED GREASE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com), for the last word in buttery smooth, friction busting lubrication. Ultimately, I’ve decided treating the bottom race with Juice Lubes Bearing Juice and the upper race with Peaty’s Speed Grease was the best compromise.  

Boosting my Fibre Intake

 No, I’ve not upped my six Weetabix breakfast habit, rather carbon fibre/composites. As I’ve said before, beyond a certain time, an idea can become the only idea. In this instance, we’re talking carbon fibre cranks that a well-known online auction site’s algorithm reasoned I would be seduced by.  

Sensibly priced, 172.5mm long, and square taper, they’re clearly made in the Far East, which in some respects goes against the European narrative. I can always switch to either of the Campagnolo cranks and the rings too. Besides, they were from a reputable, long-established, Yorkshire-based supplier.  

Talking rings, I decided the OEM 53/39 pair were best consigned to the spares/bin. Worn rings aren’t going to do anything for shifting, or drivetrain health.  Chain ring bolts proved a little arthritic and stubborn- I'd toyed with the idea of introducing some penetrant spray, but a longer 5mm Allen key broke them free.  

Traditionally, I’ve always mounted rings with grease to get them nice, snug and weatherproof. Marine greases being my specific default, although I’ve also been known to employ those fortified with our old friend/foe, PTFE. In a pinch, a syrupy wet chain lube, or 10w/40 motor oil will suffice. Lithium types are durable but best avoided unless bolts and rings are of the same material. 

I’d no intention of re-using them but kept them by, since you never know...This presented ideal opportunity to thoroughly clean and inspect the arms and spider. These were in great shape. I gave both a quick waxing and placed some Zefal Skin Armor ZEFAL SKIN ARMOR ROLL | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  on the arms where there had been some faint misting in the lacquer-heel marks. Prevention is always better than cure and now was the time.  

I had this nice, shop soiled 53tooth Middleburn ring. So began the hunt for a suitable 36, 38, or indeed, 39 tooth inner. I thought I’d struck gold, rifling through one of the spares boxes but it turned out to be 130bcd. Then along came this NOS 42tooth 10speed Campagnolo Record. Bankrupt stock, so very keenly priced. 42 sounds a bit old school, dare I say passe’ but being as I’ve gone the 14-24 route at the rear, I’ll probably get more use out of a 42, rather than 39. Decision made.  

I’ve reached for Peaty’s Bicycle Assembly Grease PEATY'S BICYCLE ASSEMBLY GREASE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com), since it’s a good all-rounder with decent staying prowess. I had contemplated using thread lock but though I’ve needed to snug chain ring bolts every so often, in 37 years, I’ve never had some slacken to that extent. As a rough and ready, Cro-moly bolts should be tightened between 12 and 14nm, aluminium alloys 8-9.  

I’d been experiencing some discomfort with Ursula’s Respiro saddle, so decided I’d switch back to the Selle San Marco Concor Super Corsa. This also revealed the saddle was slightly misaligned, doubtless explaining the original discomfort. Either way, the Super Corsa provides a little extra support. I whizzed the carbon-railed Selle Italia Turbomatic Gel Flow Team atop the fixed gear winter/trainer’s inline Genetic SyngenicTEST & REVIEW: GENETIC SYNGENIC SEATPOST (sevendaycyclist.com) post, raised it by a few millimetres and saved 63g into the bargain. I also noticed the rear cradle bolt had slackened a little, which may account for a slightly disconcerting and intermittent phantom creak that snuck in a week previously.  

 

While I was there. I decided now was the time to switch the KMC S1 for the brands’ Z1.  I’d toyed with leaving the S1 in situ, changing when the present helping of ultra-stoical Motoverde PTFE Chain Lube Motoverde PTFE Chain Lube | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) needed replenishment. The Motoverde PTFE Chain Lube is not of the “top up” type, rather requires stripping “dinner plate” clean before a new application. It was a post-ride switch, and the weather was turning a little bandit, so I dismissed the Z1’s factory lube with a rag dipped in white spirit, rather than something potent but requiring cold water rinsing.  

I also noticed some premature wear with the Stronglight headset, which I attribute to a rogue unit, bought online from an unknown supplier, rather than from a regular, reputable one. Mutters something about all that glitters, false economy etc. I’ve gone for an FSA Orbit MX, also with cartridge bearings, rather than another Stronglight. I’d run an Orbit with bottom race cartridge bearing and caged balls up top, trouble-free for several years, so I’m hoping it’ll be a similar story. While I await its arrival, I’ll end here with a book review  The Road Book 1989 | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)