Wouldn't You Know It

 

Having replenished the grease and attached the Ritchey WCS perch, I decided the USE Sumo post should sit pride of place in the fixed gear winter/trainer. Everything slid together effortlessly, thanks to the precision USE shim. I ported the Klick fix mount over the WCS rails, checked everything was at the correct height, correctly aligned and torqued before reattaching the Axiom City Plus. Talking of fitting and switching contact points, here’s my review of the Oxford Mint Assembly Grease Oxford Mint Assembly Grease | cycling-not-racing 

 

I needed to drop Denise's post by a few millimetres, since my leg was extended too far and quick dab downs were also less predictable. Timely too since I met a boisterous young Alsatian called “Cooper” off the lead and whose owners seemed casually disinterested. I was immediately reminded of Richard Ballantine’s remarks about dogs and other creatures of the field and air being a menace to the cyclist... 

 

Cooper eventually trotted off with the couple. I’d dismounted at this point, resting Denise against the tree by her bars, so no danger of being knocked off by a hound high on life. I’d been bitten by an Alsatian on two separate occasions during my adult life, so though not fearful, I’m very mindful. My silence was also a quiet contempt for the owners and their elected indifference.   

 

I stood reflecting on the 120tpi WTB Nano’s performance, relative to their 60tpi stablemates, my decision to drop the saddle height before heading out and my continued appreciation of the Gorewear C5 GORE-TEX Thermo Gloves. I’ve also switched over to Tubolite TPU tubes and decided I wanted greater cornering prowess, so switched the Shimano PD ED500 pedals Shimano PD ED 500 Pedals | cycling-not-racing for the Wellgo MO94B WELLGO MO94B SPD PEDALS | cycling-not-racing  which also represents a181g weight saving.  

 

Back in the saddle, I scooted off and hustled along the newly muddied lane and found myself concluding the Ergon SR All Road Core Comp Ergon SR All Road Core Comp Saddle Men | cycling-not-racing is genuinely more comfortable than the more basic (but still excellent) All Road Ergon SR All Road Men’s Saddle | cycling-not-racing  Other dogs and their owners were far more gracious, dare I say emotionally intelligent and received a suitably cordial greeting as we passed.  

 

Another thing I had been conscious of is some swaying of the Topeak Backloader. I’ve bund some old inner tube around the post with the hope of minimising any bob, or sway, while simultaneously protecting the USE SX posts’ anodised finish. Post mounted luggage of this kind is designed for bulky but crucially light loads and riders with any experience will mount heavier items low. I’ve followed this narrative, as you’d hope. I’ve stashed several tubes, Muc-Off Pump, small multi tool and CycPlus AS2 Pro Max E.Pump CycPlus AS2 Pro Max E.Pump | cycling-not-racing inflator which is well within the acceptable and indeed, maximum payload. Now, I’m quick to confirm this is minor sway, not samba dancing. Despite substantial Velcro closures, uber litre designs are prone to sway, due in part to length and their lofty position- the main reason I err away from them.  

 

Dynamos rule the roost when it comes to my four seasons’ bikes, but I always carry a compact rechargeable light as backing singer/backup. I was suitably impressed with Ravemen LR 1000Ravemen LR 1000 Curved Lens Front Light | cycling-not-racing and was curious about the brands K series. Enter the most powerful 1800lumen unit here. There are some obvious similarities with the LR1600, most obviously, the sensored technology. In this instance, its two tiered and incorporates AI (Artificial intelligence). The daytime running mode will select the intensity it feels appropriate, while the AI learns the lighting conditions on your routes and tailors things between 100 and 180-lumens accordingly.  

 

Obviously, the wireless remote means you’re not beholden and can override to taste. Then of course, there are the features we’ve come to expect from Ravemen. IPX7 for weatherproofing, solid CNC machined casing and the ability to charge phones and similar gizmos from the port and you can also plug in a power bank, should reserves dwindle. In common with some of the smaller LR family, I’m not completely taken with the mount.  

 

By no means poor, it's quick to whip on/off, which is convenient for commuting and other contexts where bikes can be unattended for periods of time. However, on balance I prefer the more substantial versions employing Allen keys common to the PR series and LR1600 Ravemen LR1600 Front Light | cycling-not-racing.          

       

What of the 120tpi Nano, then...Well, I’ve noticed their improved compliance over their otherwise likeable 60tpi counterparts, switching to a TPU tube up front has also brought some tangible benefits on the compliance front, especially at the higher end of their 50psi pressure range. The Nano aren’t intended for gloopy mud synonymous with a British, or indeed, Belgian winter cross meet but seem to behave in excellent proportion across moderate, greasy mud.  I'll close for now with my review of The MagicshineSeeMee100AD Radar Detection Tail Light Magicshine SeeMee 100 Tail Light | cycling-not-racing    

Urges...The Digital Devil Made Me Do It

 

 

While engaged in an orgy of online Christmas shopping before prices, availability and other headaches start kicking in, a USE SUMO post snared my attention-New Old Stock, and the starting bid was £20.  

This was want, not need, so I wasn’t going to engage in a bidding war. Serendipity saw I was the only bidder, leaving me convinced it was meant to be mine. I had also been quick to check, while watching the auction, that I could acquire a suitable shim and at the right price. No room for “White Elephants”.  

Fortunately, these were still readily available, so £33 all told, including postage. I’d decided I’d go the 27.2 shim route and had earmarked it for the fixed gear winter/trainer, since I was happy with Ursula’s Kinekt 2.1 KINEKT 2.1 SUSPENSION SEAT POST | cycling-not-racing and Denise’s USE SX. I’m certainly not going the “boing” route with traditional pared to the essential's road build. The Sumo, in common with the SX and Redshift Sports has a preload tucked within the post, requiring removal to set, or adjust the degree of bounce but arguably a cleaner aesthetic.  

Given it had been in storage for some time, I suspected any grease had degraded to the point of being ineffectual, so took the opportunity to clean the spring and elastomer components and delivering some Peaty’s Speed Grease inside to lightly lubricate. I was tempted to go for the strawberry jam flavour of Muc-Off Bio Grease, but I’ve been impressed by how well the Peaty’s perked up the SX fitted to Denise.  

In common with the SX, I found the saddle cradle something of a faff and not something you’d want to approach in a rush, yet dependable enough. I’ve added a lick of Oxford Mint Assembly Grease to the fasteners before snugging everything tight with my torque wrench. 

I’ve switched the Ritchey WCS saddle from the Carbon Cycles eXotic Carbon Ti Seatpost Carbon Cycles eXotic Carbon Ti Sea | cycling-not-racing and left the Selle Royal Respiro Sport (281x143mm, in case anyone wondered) adorning the Cane Creek, should I feel the urge to switch things around again.   

While uncovering and fitting the Schwalbe Ice Spiker Pro Schwalbe Ice Spiker Pro Tyres | cycling-not-racing to Ursula’s Ryde XT and Ryde SP SD8 SHUTTER PRECISION SD8 HUB DYNAMO | cycling-not-racing wheels, I happened upon a pair of Schwalbe Marathon Winter Spikes 700x35c, which would comfortably fit Denise’s clearances should we suddenly get another “Beast from The East” or prolonged period of icy, slippery weather in the coming months.  

Chances are, I’d simply stick to Ursula for such a period, but it’s nice to have the option, especially if I’m testing kit, or just fancy taking Denise out. These were the base model with 120spikes, which still gives some definite bite. I also had some Continental Nordic Spike (120 spikes) which are another reliable choice but at 42mm, the absolute comfortable limit for Denise.    

Given a choice in these matters 35-37mm is my preference since you’ll need clearance for snow, slush and slurry. 120 spikes are at the lower end of the spectrum, 240 is my benchmark for snowier conditions and/or deeply impacted ice but 120 still offer dependable bite on slippery surfaces.  

Kenda Klondike is another long-standing studded choice. The 700x35c feature 30tpi casings and 100 studs, which again, are a better bet for when its icy, rather than snowy. There’s a 26x2.10 version with 252 spikes and a 26x2.35 with 400, which would be an interesting comparator to the Schwalbe Ice Spiker Pro Schwalbe Ice Spiker Pro Tyres | cycling-not-racing  There’s still a few helpings of WTB lube left, so I’m staying with it for now but will probably reach for the Peaty’ Link Lube Premium All Weather PEATY'S LINK LUBE PREMIUM ALL WEATHER | cycling-not-racing since I want chains fed something stoical, yet still relatively clean running.    

The roads remain very muddy and the trails less so, although I’ve stuck to the mighty Shimano MW7 booties, which continue to impress with their efficient power transfer, temperature management and water resistance. Shimano MW7 (MW702) Gore Tex MTB Shoes | cycling-not-racing 

I’ve erred toward waterproof socks more often now the seasons changing and leaves carpet lanes and trails. I’m also increasingly endeared to the Gorewear C5 gloves. I’d experienced some unexpected discomfort in the left hand, but this tempered after 60 miles or so, suggesting the padding settles given a bit of time.  

A relief too, given the asking price. However, doing an impressive job of keeping vibration, chill and wet firmly locked out. Oh, but wait a moment, they’re not waterproof in the submersible sense, so if you’ve jettisoned a bottle and it’s landed in a stream, you’ll get a soggy hand retrieving it. Though not as nimble as some, for a deep winter glove, they’re surprisingly dextrous. I keep coming back to the old saying “No such thing as the wrong weather, just the wrong kit”. On that note, here's Magicshine's Black Friday PromoBike Cycling Lights & Gears for Night Riding | Magicshine – Magicshine Lighting