Paradoxes & Pleasant Surprises

 I was trained as a journalist. In a cycling context, I review products and write technical features. I am not an influencer in the commonly accepted social media sense. Nor do I wish to be. My work is impartial, based upon real-world mileage and experience. I genuinely care whether stuff works and is fair value. I don’t write advertorials.

Though I’ve always wanted my work to be recognised for its merit, I’m a very private person preferring to be “behind the scenes”.       

Funny then, for a man purportedly not wanting to draw attention to himself, that I’ve been so drawn to Kostume’s jersey and cap. These are limited edition prints (in this instance the #Edit002 created by Alice Irwin) produced in small batches. Theoretically great for quality control, compared with mass production, although this, and the quality is reflected in the pricing.  

They’re made from recycled polyester and compared with other, likeable recycled models, they don’t feel synthetic-even when worn directly against the skin.  The Jersey features six pockets, which again are sensibly engineered and don’t sag, or bob around when laden with bottles and similar goodies. Arguably the effect, though unisex has a pink narrative, which I appear able to carry off. A combination of skin tone and being secure in my masculinity, perhaps.  

Then, of course, there’s been more lighting and tyres. I’m trying to get as many miles as possible aboard the Holdsworth and Teenage Dream while the balmier conditions allow. Doing so has also presented the opportunity to touch up Ursula’s mudguard eyelets- a light coat of high-build “marine” primer for a smooth surface and sharp effect when the Humbrol enamel’s applied.  

Everything cures nicely this side of September, too. I also took that opportunity to inspect and ultimately replace the brake pads. I went for some baseline Shimano as that’s what I had in stock, but I’ve taken this cue to order some more of the Disco Brakes Pads, which have impressed me (and Steve) DiscoBrakes Sintered Brake Pads | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) with their durability and stopping prowess.  This Birman Chain Checker had also come my way, presenting the ideal opportunity to check Ursula and Teenage Dream’s chains.  

Ursula’s had only just been replaced but I was beginning to wonder how much life the Teenage Dream’s Sachs had. It registered   .5, which would be pension day for an 11/12 speed but late middle age for a 6spd (should be retired at .8). I’m confident I’ll get through the summer and replace to coincide with seasonal hibernation.      

Mornings, or dawns are becoming later, so I’m now heading out with a proper front light. Until recently, I’ve been running the Holdsworth’s Magicshine Ray 2600 in flashing, it’s See Mee 150 cousin behind.  

I’ve received a Ravemen PR2000, which pumps out 1000 lumens in the highest “road” mode, 2000 in the dual flood/spot mtb setting, although this obviously has an impact on run times. Thankfully, the PR2000 comes with a wireless remote, seemingly identical to that employed by its LR1600 cousin, meaning switching modes is easy on the fly.  

I was pleasantly surprised to find they weren’t interchangeable and those of us having visions of being able to hijack a fellow rider’s light, say on a training ride, will be disappointed.  

Interestingly, the mid (500lumens) has been fine for 5am onwards and once dawn has properly broken, I’ve switched to the 500lumen rapid flash as it gives excellent presence and reassuringly frugal.  Time and miles will tell but Ravemen’s build, and quality control has always impressed me. The PR2000 meets IPX8 for weatherproofing, which bodes well for winter’s worst-especially off-road.   

Clinging limpet fashion to the Holdsworth’s pencil-thin seat stay is an Infini Sword Super Bright 30COB Rear Light. The Sword has been around for a few years now but still seems truly relevant. 50 lumens aren’t uncommon these days but there are sensible modes for most riding contexts and two super frugal flashing modes. According to Infini, they’ll do 200 hours from a full, two-hour charge. Again, we’ll see... 

Rubber-wise, the Schwalbe Smart Sam have arrived for Ursula and Hutchinson are sending me their Challenger which comes in tubed and tubeless versions and is reckoned to return 5,000km and 10,000km respectively without any loss of performance, or indeed puncture resistance (which, in my experience can wane, towards the end). Holdsworth and fixed-gear winter/trainer’s rear wheels seem the most obvious hosts...  

 

Bearings & Bright Lights...

 No sooner had I tweaked Ursula’s Hollowtech II bottom bracket bearings, the rear XT hub came out in sympathy. I’d been bombing along the backroads and trails, getting some decent miles on the Maxxis Ikon...Came home, rested the bike down and felt some slop. Gripping the rear wheel between thumb and forefinger confirmed this.  

Time was at a premium, so (before I started catastrophising and tearing everything down, replacing freehub bodies etc), the obvious thing to do was switch over to the Ryde Halo Spin Doctor combo, and then inspect the XT at a more convenient moment.  

Wheel swap and cursory inspections complete, now was the time to tweak the fixed gear winter/trainer’s chain tension-the “oh well, might as well, since I’m here” mindset.  Later inspection with a relatively calm mind confirmed it was just a matter of whipping out the 15mm cone and 17mm spanners and dialling everything snug.  

Oodles of grease clinging to the balls and races, locking the elements out. In my experience, Juice Lubes Bearing Juice is particularly good for hubs as they’re always turning. I’ve found it temperature sensitive, so in common with Green Oil Eco Grease can congeal a little when the temperature’s tanking, meaning headset bearings can feel like they’ve too much preload. At the other extreme, it assumes a lower viscosity and buttery smooth when temperatures hit the mid-twenties. An observation, rather than a criticism.  

Anyhow, the slop was easily corrected by loosening the locknut and snugging the cone tighter. Bearings were only replaced in April, races were good, and I double-checked the freehub, since I was about it. No obvious signs of wear there, either. I revisited things the next morning, tightened the cone fractionally, holding it in place while winding the locknut tight. Back went the cassette and lockring.  

A final neurotic turn and tug of the bearings, job done.  Anyhow, since I’d switched to the Halo Spin Dr, which is a lovely hub, I’ll leave the Ryde/Spin Doctor wheel in situ. Schwalbe are sending me their Smart Sam tyres for testing. It’ll be interesting to see how they compare with the Maxxis Ikon.  

The Smart Sam are another cross-country tyre that’s been around a while and reckoned a competent all-rounder with decent rolling resistance on tarmac too, courtesy of the centre strip. Once upon a time, dual-purpose tyres were the worst of both worlds, ponderous on the road and toothless I the dirt. There’s obviously an element of compromise to be expected but they, like the Ikon, sound close to my particular mixed terrain niche.  

Talking temperatures and seasons, the nights are just beginning to draw, dare I say, sneak in a bit now and my attention is turning to new season lighting. I’m very impressed by Ravemen and their TR200 Rear Light. It’s a six-mode, sensored model producing a maximum of 200lumens. Braking functions have been a thing for a good few years now and predictably, have come a long way. Now, “braking” is a debated term.  

Accelerometer is probably closer to the mark as the internal sensor triggers the light when it identifies a drop in pace, or vibration. Earlier designs (c. 2017) were too sensitive and so triggered readily, which had a palpably negative effect upon battery life. This was particularly clear on sharp ascents, or when grinding along with a laden trailer en tow. I’ve noted tangible improvements in the past two years.  

I’ve a soft spot for Ravemen CLO6 Sensored Rear Light RAVEMEN CL06 SENSORED REAR LIGHT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) , BBB Signal Brake Rear Light, Magicshine See Mee 2000 Version2. Then of course,  Ravemen TR500 USB Rechargeable Rear Light (500lumens) Ravemen TR500 Rear Light | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) which is in my view, particularly useful for trailers/tagalongs, tandems and other specialist builds.  

Back to the TR200, it has three steady and three flashing modes.  40, 20 and 5 lumens and a 200-day flash, flanked by 100-lumen rapid and slow flashing modes. Interestingly, the “braking” function is 100, not the 200lumens and is triggered for two seconds when it senses a loss of tempo.  

Run times on paper, seem favourable and there’s an auto kick down to the 5lumen steady, which is a welcome touch. The 260-degree lens with central convex and 4 LEDs bode well for presence and IPX6 should keep the elements at bay. Time and miles will tell...