Tyres & Tweaks

 

I’d been contemplating tyres for the fixed gear winter/trainer, ahead of the darker months. Something Schwalbe but not too stodgy was my first thought, especially since 32mm is pretty much tops with guards-I could shoehorn 35mm at the rear with the Mudhugger Gravel Hugger guards MUD HUGGER GRAVEL HUGGER MUDGURADS | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com).  

 

A chance discussion with Saddleback, WTB’s UK distributor got in touch, inviting me to test WTB’s Exposure. They initially suggested the touriste cum all road typical 36mm but, given the clearances, we went for the 30mm. They’re also marketed as being for gravel bikes serving as tarmac tools, which on paper seems another good audience. 120tpi, dual compound casings bode well for supple ride quality and a decent turn of speed.  

 

Their SG2 puncture repelling tech runs bead to bead, designed to protect against nicks and more serious cuts which also bodes very well for general winter riding. Will be interesting to see how they compare to the 32mm Maxxis Refuse MAXXIS REFUSE TR FOLDING TYRE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com), after all, they’re also close comparators weight-wise.  

 

Even though the Halo White Line HALO CLASSIC RIM & SHUTTER PRECISION DYNOHUB DISC WHEEL BUILD (sevendaycyclist.com) aren’t duly deep, or wide, I’d been warned the Exposure would put up a fight and I went for a 700x23-28c tube to minimise the likelihood of pinch flats. To my astonishment, I was able to mount them speedily and using only my thumbs, although had the mighty Crank Brothers Speedier Lever ready, in anticipation. 

 

 Will be interesting to see how the Evolution stand up to winter, compared with the 60tpi, 700ish g genre I lean toward from November to March (or thereabouts). Kenda Kwick Journey KS Plus KENDA KWICK JOURNEY TYRES | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) have been the most durable of this genre, relatively swift too.  

 

Vittoria Adventure Tech are another surprise. 820g for a 700x38 is hefty (although still lighter than Schwalbe’s iconic Marathon Plus) and the 3mm puncture repelling belt only covers the centre strip. Nonetheless, they can be run at 85psi and feel surprisingly swift despite coarse 33tpi (Threads per inch) casings. CST Xpedium CST Xpedium Tyres | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) remain a firm favourite of mine if you’ve bigger clearances and to a lesser extent, a tighter budget.    

 

Staying with the themes of fixed and stubborn stuff, I’ve concluded the only option for splitting beefy track chains is this Cyclus Chain Rivet Pliers. Cobra had dropped theirs. The Cyclus are a fair bit dearer than the Cobra and though a worthwhile investment, it’s always prudent to watch the pennies. Besides, I’m replacing chains every two thousand miles, not daily.  

 

No sooner had these words been uttered, Saddleback invited me to test this Feedback Sports Chain Tool 3.0, which they say is the last shop grade chain tool I’ll ever need. Delighted to put these claims to the test. It does look and feel extremely well-engineered. Designed to chomp chains from 1 to 13 speeds. Bodies and pins eventually fail, in my experience, so I was pleased to see Feedback Sports offer inexpensive replacements.  

 

While dry and bright weather is a stable feature, I’ve been getting out on the Holdsworth, resulting in some minor tweaking of the saddle height and alignment of the down tube bottle cage, which was offending my sensibilities.  

 

Boiled down to a few millimetres in both cases and easily sorted with a 5 and 4mm Allen key. If only everything in life were that easily rectified... Well, good thing it’s not, otherwise we wouldn’t develop the resilience, coping mechanisms, creativity and general ability to overcome challenges and obstacles. 

 

I’d finally managed to organise the boxing and posting of Ursula. I’d a large box but needed to cut it down and essentially, engineer a new one, using copious amounts of duct tape. I was relieved to discover the box would just fit inside Meg, the mighty K11 Micra, rear seat down. Sent it 48 hours, insured to the hilt and the post office clerk was genuine and incredibly helpful.   

 

Closer inspection revealed more peeling paint around the bottom bracket shell and chainstay bridge. Now, my love and religious application of Waxoyl is widely known and there was plenty sloshing around the old girl’s inner sanctum. However, watching Paul Brodie’s channel Romax Rescue // Paul Brodie's Shop (youtube.com) 

 

I began wondering whether water had snuck in through the chainstay bridge, resulting in some undetected corrosion. Then again, as a club elder said to me as a thirteen-year-old we can convince ourselves of anything. I’ll leave that to Winston Vaz to assess. Main thing, the old girl’s makeover is underway.  

Temptations

 

Google and other search engines have been throwing all manner of temptations my way, although specifically older road fixed gear framesets from the 50s, through to the 80s. Some needing more work than others. The latest being a Geoffrey Butler made from 531 throughout, track ends, mudguard eyes etc- a very practical winter cum trainer but then I remind myself, I already have my beloved Holdsworth and a nice, fixed gear/winter trainer that has been refined and tailored to my tastes, so indulging would be precisely that an unnecessary indulgence.  

 

Left unchecked, window shopping is a dangerous thing, and the internet makes resistance all the harder Besides, I’ve got Ursula’s renewal to get on with before winter comes Since we’re on the subject, all our bikes become custom bikes in the end. Components wear and are replaced, depending on budget, personal taste, riding style. 

  

Sometimes we may upgrade, sometimes stick with the same grade of drivetrain, brakes etc, especially if a bike is being recommissioned as winter/trainer. I’ve said this before, but I’m more interested in the sometimes more eclectic but reciprocal collection of components on people’s working bikes, rather than packet fresh, top-drawer playthings.  

 

Same applied to motorcycles, although obviously, I can fully appreciate a sunny day’s, no expense spared plaything, bespoke tourer, tandem, tandem trike-whatever the build’s genre. As a childhood friend once commented, “Gotta have some want Mike, gotta indulge now and then.” Something my late father would also say and they’re right. The important thing is wanting what you have and enjoying it. 

  

Talking of the past, I recognised the name on an accountants office, it was from school. They had a very distinctive surname, so I was confident it was the same person. They had a beautiful Rosso Red and chrome Olmo that was also dripping in top- flight Campagnolo components when we were seventeen. I recall him out riding it on a slushy January afternoon in 1991-I was returning from a day at FE college on my workhorse Holdsworthy Butler (sans chrome and with dynamo, full length guards, 28mm tyres and rack).  

 

He and I weren’t close, just in the same form and frankly, for me, other than a pleasantry, or kind word, I’m not interested in talking with a stranger-unless it has some tangible relevance now. Smile, nod and move on.    That’s not to say my curiosity isn’t sparked from time to time. Someone may pass through my thoughts but again, these are shared, fleeting histories, nothing more.  

Whooosh! Back to 2024 and I’ve Ursula to package and send to Winston Vaz. I’ve also received these Grip Grab RC Max Short Finger Gloves, which promise to “excel in every aspect expected of summer cycling gloves”.  

Padding is a mix of high-density and memory foam, promising superior protection from vibration and general fatigue. The ventilated palms are a micro suede (synthetic to you and I), while the backs continue this narrative, comprising of an elasticated mesh. The formative, mixed terrain 200 miles have proven very favourable- I've only noticed them in the most positive sense.  Steve’s been impressed by these Sportful Matchy Gloves Sportful Matchy Gloves | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

There are many things my military motorcycle instructor said that have stayed with me. One was about eyes and that we only get one pair, so look after them. Decent quality glasses are our best defence against UV light, wind, dust, rain and of course, projectiles. I’ve been sent these.  

 

Magicshine are most commonly associated with lighting, so given their experience with optics, it’s not that much of a quantum leap. These feature Broad 6 base curve, photochromic lenses for improved peripheral protection, rubberised anti-slip nose, temple tips for optimal fit.  

 

The generous coverage seems to offer comprehensive protection and without attracting grime- the sort that transfers from fingers, along with the usual culprits- rain, spatter, and similar wet stuff. As I’m always saying everything feels “different” to begin with and the miles will reveal whether this difference is beneficial, detrimental, or something in between. I usually enjoy finding out. On that note, I’ll leave you with my review of the Maxxis Ravager Maxxis Ravager TR Tyres | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)