Darker Side

Daylight is becoming increasingly short and brings a mix of pros and cons. Great for testing lighting, but also other products- from chain lubes to socks, shoes, tyres and indeed clothing. The farmers are doing their best to fill in the crumbling infrastructure with mud, dung, and similar mucky, slimy infusions, so I’m defaulting to Ursula, since this also means I can roam, exploring the many bridleways and green lanes dotted around.  

Escape has always been a central narrative of my riding- free the body, free the mind. I think quite deeply, which is a double-edged sword and the inner dialogue during some rides-where I’m putting things into perspective, or mentally drafting a script would chill some. Thirty years on, there are a few things that still haunt me. We cannot change our pasts, only our relationships to them.  Either way, I’m usually returning with a big inner grin and renewed sense of purpose, so not cause for concern.  

1,000miles (about 1609.34 km) later and according to the Birzman chain checker the KMC is due for retirement-I'd bargained on November, so I’ve parked the 106 link, pre-cut unit in an obvious place. Hopefully see me through to March, mileage and conditions allowing, obviously. I’ve decided the Muc-Off –50 degrees chain lube will remain my default.  

Switching to the 145mm wide BBB Echelon saddle was an inspired choice, serving me well on and off road. I'm always banging on about simple and rugged being a recipe for reliability during the darker months and sometimes this goes for things like lights too. Topeak Redlite Aero 30Cd USB Rechargeable Rear light has been around for a few seasons but is a prime example of this principle. It’s bright but only has two modes-constant and flashing. No need for memory functions-I'd go for constant through built-up areas and on group rides, flashing in the sticks. Simple.  

This supposedly translates into 10.5 and 40 hours from a full charge (There’s also an AAA-fuelled cousin, should you prefer to ditch the ubiquitous micro-USB cable). The three super-bright LEDS also have a slightly old-school feel but coupled with the lenses’ surface area translates into a surprisingly bright arc of light. 

 

Not sure about the aero credentials but it will accommodate round or aero posts, pencil-thin seat stays, helmet mounting too. IPX4 might be lower on the winter cheating scale but shouldn’t be an issue with full-length mudguards (fenders) and/or periodic shots of Joker 440 Motorex Joker 440 | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) or WD40 to the charge port.  

For now, its sitting low on Ursula’s seat stays, so we’ll see how it fares in the coming weeks and months.  Fancy something more exotic, here's Steve’s review of this Exposure Boost-R ReAkt & Peloton Rear Light https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/exposure-boost-r-reakt-peleton-rear-li 

 

Topeak's Redlite Mega is still serving me well a decade down the line. Mine runs off 2 AAA cells. Great for touring, since they’re easily found, pretty much anywhere, assuming you’ve forgotten to pack spares. There’s also one with a rechargeable lithium-ion cell. Both boast 72 cd output, employs 5 LEDs- a 1 high flux red LED and a further four-two red, two yellow.  

Five modes include a nice hybrid (steady/flashing) although there’s no memory function. In common with the Redlite Aero, it has impressive run times- 44 and 89 hours (50 and 100 cited). Of the two, the Mega would be my choice for recumbents, tandems and trailers. 

    

Temperatures until now, have been uncharacteristically warm for this time of year. Even at 5am, I’m typically dressed in ¾ lengths (sometimes bib shorts Madison Roam Men's Cargo Bib Shorts | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)) short sleeve jersey, base layer and thinner full finger gloves, such as these Madison Roam News about Seven Day Cyclist  

Saddleback, Castelli’s UK distributor has just sent me the Italian marque’s Perfetto ROS Glove, which is a thin pile design using Gore Tex Infinium Wind Stopper fabric. Detailing is to a high standard, but no less than I’d expect at this end of the market. They’re a very snug fit for precise control and nimble digits.  

Fleece lining for comfort, there are silicone grippers for extra purchase, touch screen compatible fingertips, and their Castelli Damping System (CDS) designed to protect the median nerve.  Windproofing seems excellent but miles and more wintry conditions will reveal just how water-resistant they are. I'll close with my review of the Ravemen PR2000 Wireless Switch Control Headlight Ravemen PR2000 Wireless Headlight | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

 

Smart Sam Succumbs...

The rains came and with a vengeance, but this was a refreshing contrast to the heat of recent weeks. It also presented an ideal opportunity to assess The Schwalbe Smart Sam’s wet weather competence.  

Swooshing through the standing water and slippery mud, I was reassured by their sure-footedness, simultaneously annoyed that I’d decided against waterproof socks but thankful I’d donned the lightweight but effective Madison Road Race Super Light Men’s Waterproof Softshell Jacket Madison Road Race Jacket | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) before heading out. A few hundred miles down the line, I’m forming the opinion that the Smart Sam are very capable “all-terrain” tyres that are surprisingly swift over metalled roads, while still delivering over unmade roads and hardpack.  

Their performance reminds me of WTB Allterrainasaurus (now the “All Terrain”)- I ran a set of 26x1.5 on my drop bar cyclo cross/mtb Frankenbike some twenty odd years back. Relatively quick and surprisingly compliant for a 30tpi casing, they were perfect for my commute through inner city London with genuine off-road potential- hard pack, dirt road, canal path etc.   

The Smart Sam’s 60tpi casings predictably give a plusher ride and are better off road, provided things don’t get boggy. I'd be looking towards something more aggressive for British trails in mid-winter and they’re a competition tyre but sporty enough without being ponderous, or noisy on the road.  

Until this point, puncture resistance had been reassuringly good. Cue a slimy, slippery lane at 530am and a very audible “Pop!” coupled with a similarly aggressive loss of pressure. Pulling over, a rogue hedge clipping proved the culprit.

Of course, rains joined the gloom, but thankfully I had the Ravemen PR1200 Dual Lens Front Light to work by RAVEMEN PR 1200 DUAL LENS FRONT LIGHT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and of course, spare tube and Topeak Gravel 2 Stage Mini Pump Topeak Gravel 2 Stage Mini Pump | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) to spare me the seven mile walk home.   

I’ve always had a soft spot for Topeak. Products are decent quality but over the years, it's their innovative design that has captured my imagination. Back home, I took the opportunity to give Ursula a good sudsy bucket wash and once-over.

Replenished the spare tube, added a Co2 inflator/cartridges and patched the wounded butyl. I was a little shocked by how deeply the clipping had cut into the tyre’s shoulder. Not deep enough for a boot but a liberal helping of superglue, which of course, I had run out of. I reverted to the Maxxis Ikon Maxxis Ikon Tyres | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)   

Timely too that some interesting products from Topeak have just arrived for testing.  I don’t obsess about “wasted” space on a bike but I’m fond of making clever use of it. Take Hollowtech II cranks for example.

The hollow section is an excellent host for water and other dodgy stuff, but it also presents a useful stash point for a multitool. I am still quite taken with this Torque Covert TORQUE COVERT 7 CRANK MULTI TOOL | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  although the magnet could be stronger and while the electroplated tooling is decent quality, it tended to show signs of the dreaded taint through a wet winter. 

 

Against this backdrop, I was pleased to receive this Topeak Hide N’ Tool. Another 7-function model, at £57.99 it's a good bit dearer than the Torque so it’ll be interesting to see how they compare and whether the Topeak’s on-paper refinements make a difference in practice.   

Portable quick tune-up stands are another useful addition to the workshop. Static models can be had for as little as £10. Or indeed, you could make one from scrap metal, a MIG welder and leftover paint. Either way, I’ve had a couple of cheapies and found them great for tuning derailleurs and other little jobs where you need the rear wheel held off the ground.  

They also double as useful storage stands. Cheaper models tend to be less stable, which can be annoying/frustrating. Enter another Topeak solution, the Topeak Flashstand e Up. Designed to handle e-bikes up to 30 kilos, it bodes well for other, heavier solos or specialist builds. It also folds, which is another nice feature.     

There’s talk of another “Beast from The East” promising months of snowfall, which will mean a switch to the Schwalbe Ice Spiker Pro  Schwalbe Ice Spiker Pro Tyres | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) . 140,000 miles together, Ursula is close to a cherished, though certainly not pampered pet. So many memories crafted together through hell and high water. Trailer lugging, hauling Joshua on his tagalong.

A broad spread of gears for grinding, cruising and bombing, huge tyre clearances (and choice of tyres), dynamo lighting... It’s not difficult to see why I’ve defaulted to her as my daily driver/working bike, especially through winter’s worst.  John Moss has taken the decision, after much soul searching to part with his Sinner Mango Tour Velomobile. Genuinely interested parties should contact me in the first instance.