Ben Hur

 Life is continuously changing, evolving and thus we must adapt, accordingly. Bike Journalism/Kit testing aside, I am a fettler. My two-wheeled fleet is, to some extent always evolving. Not for change’s sake, or to fill a void in my life, rather ‘cos stuff wears out, or in some instances, breaks.

On other occasions, I ruminate on something, explore a few options, THEN decide on the solution(s). This avoids consumption of resources. Money, time, energy/labour and of course, storage.

To some extent, bikes are like relationships, as we mature and (hopefully) gain greater self-awareness, we understand what works for us. I am deeply attached to the Holdsworth and Teenage Dream. However, for general, everyday riding, something with ‘cross type geometry, clearances and indeed, big tyres, is my preference.

Life and people are here to teach us lessons, it is up to us, whether we heed, and learn from them. There are a wealth of people/personalities I navigate on a professional and personal basis. I am pleasantly indifferent to most, deeply attached to a few. There are people with enormous amounts to offer, but nothing good/right for me.

Another narrative, which has endured from my teens, is user-serviceability. Anything I own must be relatively straightforward to maintain properly, and to the highest standards. This also goes for cars, and motorcycles. Back then, the ability to braze/frame build was high on the list.

However, opportunity/finances never presented, and I’ve long recognised it’s a skill best outsourced to those with years of experience. I like welding. A semi-commercial MIG welder capable of taking commercial Argon/CO2 cylinders would be a sensible investment for light fabrication, repair etc.

Fully equipped workshops with TIG welders. Oxyacetylene, Jigs etc are not. A week’s frame building course, does not a master craftsperson, make “Building by numbers” is one thing, being able to problem solve and deliver impeccable results is something entirely different.

To paraphrase my late Grandfather (40 years welding experience, 6year apprentice trained) “Any fool can blast metal together. Making something stick, and moreover behave according to draft, is something entirely different.”  

I do share his somewhat surly and difficult charm, although would like to think I’m more moderate, dare I say agreeable, overall. Contexts established, I leave frame building/modification/repair to the likes of Lee Cooper, and Maldon Shot Blasting & Powder Coating. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/gravel-bike-on-a-budget 

So, with all this in mind. I was overtaken by one of THOSE urges. Pandora’s box sprung open and with it, the yearning for Titanium…Forks. Yes, for Ursula…Not that there’s anything particularly wrong with the existing “school chair” setup, with its beefy legs.

That said; they were aimed at the “Jump” market, so there’s a weight penalty, relative to the original triple butted uncrown, or something like Kona’s iconic Project II. A Chinese manufacturer got in touch, offering me a set with disc, cantilever and mudguard eyelets. £450 was an absolute deal-breaker. If something comes along, at the right price and specification, I’ll take a closer look.  

Elsewhere, I’ve resurrected my Revolution Cargo Trailer (Bob Yak homage) from hibernation. Its primarily been used, not for shopping/utilitarian purposes, but rather assessing the laden handling prowess of test bikes. It needed a good polish, which proved the perfect opportunity to test this Muc-Off Cherry Pop Silicone shine (I also took this opportunity to treat the Univega).

Silicones certainly add shine-especially to plastics. They also add lubricant to polymers/rubberised components, which is good for suspension components. However, unless used sparingly, silicones can also prove dirt traps. To assess this, I delivered ours directly to the trailer chassis, tourer via micro-fibre cloth.

For the time being, said trailer can follow behind my beloved tubby tourer, hauling various weights, to scrutinise gearing more critically-now the honeymoon period’s done. I have a few minor niggles with the Yak homage.

Firstly, the finish isn’t particularly good. Its not poor, rather softer than I’d expect. Once it gets tatty, I’ll get it blasted and powder coated. Similarly, though the wheel is identified as being 16x1.75, offer a branded slick/road version against it, and, nope.

Since its functional enough, I’ve decided to whip out the valve core and introduce some latex type, puncture sealing splooge. Aside from the obvious, I needed to use it up, and this seemed the obvious candidate.

Letting the bike do the lugging, is a golden rule of touring and longer commutes. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/tug-jobs However, depending on your payload, for shorter hauls, rider mounted luggage can be a boon, especially filtering through tighter gaps in traffic. Well-made messenger bags are old boots tough, (usually) weatherproof and ooze cool. Little surprise they’re so popular.

Statistically, many car journeys are less than 2.5 miles. Between this and 5 miles or so, messenger bags have a ln their favour. My Chrome Industries (model) is still serving me well, and Steve’s been putting this Chrome Modal Vale Sling Bag through its paces  https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/chrome  .

He’s been similarly impressed with this Carradice Kelbrook Satchel, which is made here, in the UK  https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/carradice-kelbrook-satchel

Remember Tomorrow

Widespread, seasonal resurfacing has turned local roads to gravel tracks. Perfect conditions for the Univega, and its Scwalbe Marathon Mondial tyres. Rubber designed for the demands of unmade roads and track, without feeling overly ponderous. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/schwalbe-marathon-mondial-tyres

Every so often, a rogue chipping will embed itself into the grooves, resulting in that faintly annoying, intermittent whirr, when you’ve reached smooth tarmac. However, I’ve appreciated their superior traction.

Full length chrome plastic guards are another boon in these contexts, protecting rider and paintwork from being shot-blasted by stray aggregate. Once these have been impacted by trucks, vans and similarly hefty vehicles, the roads will resemble a huge cat-litter tray.

At that point. I’ll switch back over to my fixed and 700x35c.  Meantime, these conditions have presented the ideal opportunity to reflect upon the build. Sheer mileage, in all conditions have meant a revolving door of components. Specifically, chains, cassettes, braking, cables, bearings.

Frame aside; only the front cable guide remains of the original build. Lighting and other accessories have evolved to meet need but ultimately, it has morphed into precisely the all-terrain machine I lusted (and day- dreamed over) during my school daze.

Arguably a custom build might be lighter, dare I say better and I occasionally toy with the idea of a titanium fork (At the right price) and even with the new 1x10 setup, there’s some very minor compromise. Nonetheless, compromises that can be eradicated with use.

A change of cassette-within 3,000 miles, front ring/both. Oh, and the new Microshift Centos setup is behaving impeccably, across the range. We’ve had some very wet spells recently, which has meant Steve’s been keeping these Oxford Bright 2.0 Overshoes close by. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/oxford-bright-2-0-overshoe , That said; I’ve opted for touring shoes and these Prendas Ciclismo Bordeaux-Paris Coolmax socks  https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/prendas-ciclismo-1

Wax type lubes have become much “stiffer”, so a more realistic option for more changeable conditions. Univega’s FSA chain dressed in the Zefal Extra Dry Premium Chain Wax, I managed forty-five miles along waterlogged roads, by which point, these had flushed the lubricant properties out, and the orange taint set in.

Interestingly, the Zefal is reckoned to cure, ride ready in an hour (4-8 is more typical in my experience). Potentially a practical choice for touring and commuting. Having dried the chain, I have since reintroduced three thin coats, leaving thirty minutes between each coat.

In common with other, low friction, super hygienic blends, such as Weldtite TF2 Ultra dry chain wax, it makes easy transition to Jockey wheels and other metal to metal interfaces. However, I don’t find wax, or emulsion types the best options for hesitant cleat/mechanisms.

This cured to a very rich, white state before turning a scuzzy black, within the first (predominantly dry) road miles. Once compounded with crap, it scabs away, leaving a protectant layer behind. Thus far, we’re only 65 miles in but this seems the way forward. 300 the number to beat https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/squirt-long-lasting-dry-chain-lube . Friction and cleanliness are pretty much what I’ve come to expect from this genre, so we’ll see.

 So, where does “Remember tomorrow” tie in with all this? I am referring to a song, from Iron Maiden’s first album. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RiWRHNXswQ  One that I acquired in 1990 (during the height of this bike lusting in class business.). I was sitting my GCSEs at the time and aside from all things two-wheeled, I was contemplating my life, love and the road to happiness-in a holistic sense.  

In some respects, it’s interesting to see where I have been, what I have done in the years since. 29 years hence, my son also finds himself at the close of his school career. Neither of us were “Star Students”, we certainly didn’t mirror the school’s definition.

Learning, attainment and development have always been held dear. However, school was not the right environment. I’m hoping he can plough through this final phase, secure his provisional college placements, and continue to expand his horizons. An end of an era too, for John & Jane’s Tandem Trike https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/love-resurrection-john-moss-s-tandem  After almost 40 years in their ownership, it’s found a new and hopefully, loving home. No, not with me. My elderly feline might move out in protest!

  

Worth The Squeeze

200 miles in, I’m pleased to confirm that upgrading my Univega to the Centos 10speed setup, has been a resounding success. Even this horse was intrigued by my setup. With the Sun Race SP570 mech extender, the Centos copes effortlessly with the 11-28 setup, without feeling over-stretched. Ratios between 36.8 and 93.6 seem to cater for most occasions, and weary legs.

Plenty of torque when accelerating away from the lights, yet tall enough to avoid spin out down 1in7s at 35mph. Some initial cable stretch combined with a quick shot of lube, seems to have corrected minor indexing reticence. Most obviously clambering to the 28-tooth sprocket, and mid-way through the cassette.

Though far from spongy, pulling the front brake’s inner wire through a few millimetres, restored familiar “stop on a sixpence” bite. This is helped in no small part, by the lever’s travel, which is much greater than the shallow reach 9spd predecessors.

Last but no means least, I dialled the left pedals’ tension screw a little tighter, since there had been episodic, unwelcome release. The cleats were only recently replaced, and in good health. However, patterns are by nature accurate by degrees.  

During this bedding-in phase, I stuck with the FSA chain’s factory lube, rather than opting for the otherwise excellent Squirt Long Lasting Dry Chain Lube https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/squirt-long-lasting-dry-chain-lube . These lubricants are widely revered for their relative cleanliness and staying prowess (I’ve had 400 miles from a helping, during a dry summer).

Serendipitous too, since these Zefal Extra Dry Premium Chain Wax and Zefal Pro Dry lubes arrived from Bob Elliot &Co. Seems the first batch were coveted by a courier. Thankfully, the second arrived without incident.

I seem to be gravitating towards wax-based lubricants these days, so have taken that route, first. Will be interesting to see how it compares to the Smoove https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/squirt-long-lasting-dry-chain-lube , Weldtite TF2 Advanced Ceramic Chain Wax https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/tf2-1 , or Weldtite TF2 Ultra dry chain wax https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/weldtite-tf2-ultra-dry-chain-wax

Cool mornings are a theme of late, so I’ve reverted to long sleeve base layers and jerseys. This Prendas Ciclismo Bordeaux-Paris Long Sleeve Jersey is proving perfect for temperatures between 9 and 14 degrees.

At the upper end of this scale, a bit of zipper dropping comes in handy but that’s what I’d expect, from long sleeve garments. Balmy weather, we’re promised, is just around the corner. So, in anticipation, here’s my review of its short sleeve sibling https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/prendas-ciclismo     

Elsewhere, Emma Hillyard has been putting the Primal EVO2.0 Women’s Short Sleeved Jersey through its paces. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/primal-evo-2-0-jersey  

The Velo Orange Accessory Mount has been growing on me too. We had a few teething problems. The combination of “bolted” construction and relatively generous payloads have demanded re-tightening. Thread lock appears to have cured this. The resin camera mount also proved annoyingly prone to misalignment.

This was traced to the ball joint top. Switching to the mighty Minoura V100 has sorted that. Vice like grip, perfect for bridal path blasting and unaffected by persistent, low level vibration.  Not that I’ve noticed much of that, thanks to the Acros Wrap Silicone Handlebar Tape and Primal Onyx gloves… https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/primal-onyx-gloves   

And Then They Were Ten

So, with my Univega’s long serving and super faithful M45 rear mech, singing its swan-song, the Alivio was looking an obvious replacement. However, for some reason, I wasn’t feeling it. Nothing wrong with Alivio, by the way. Nor was I about to buy another mech…However, some late-night auction site meandering ignited a creative spark.

One that fired the practicalities of running a 10spd Microshift rear mech, with the bike’s existing 9spd configuration. Down to the garage, where I fed a little used Microshift Centos rear mech a 9spd chain to ensure .5mm wasn’t going to pose any real-world headaches.

As you will note, the Centos has a maximum 27 tooth capacity. My Univega runs an 11-28 cassette…Enter this Sun Race SP750 Extender link, kindly supplied by Ison Distribution https://www.ison-distribution.com/english/product.php?part=GPSRME570K . Oh, and given my recent crank bolt dramas, I bought some self-extractors, while opportunity presented.  

Some online experts have rubbished maximum derailleur capacities… Only to look decidedly red faced when its broken. Not only have they kissed the tarmac, but they’ve wrecked a mech, frame hanger, paint and several spokes for good measure. Not my idea of a good time. False economy too.

A long arm rear mech would’ve only cost £40. Then again; we all have our lessons to learn. If you can’t dodge a hole, at least, avoid falling into the same one, twice.

New extended hanger in place, I added a generous lick of grease to the derailleur hanger threads and bolted this in situ. Cable and chain reconnected...Drum roll please… Prodding the Brifter paddles saw the mech sweep the chain across the recently replaced cassette with grin inducing finesse. Elation was short-lived when it seemed the pull ratio was out. No sense having a profoundly compromised setup.

Back to the parts stash. Within 5 minutes, I’d harvested Centos 10spd brifters, brake and gear cables, 10speed cassette and a new (9spd) chain…Yep, wholesale upgrade to 10speed. Getting everything to play nicely was relatively straightforward. The Centos lever travel worked beautifully with the IRD CAFAM2 https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/ird-cafam-2-cantilever-brakes , although I desperately need a decent 3^rd hand tool to facilitate faster setup/adjustment.

By this point, it was 23.00…Since the Acros Silicone Handlebar Wrap was off (and sporting plenty of oily grime) I popped it in the wash at 30 degrees. Acros suggest this, in their care instructions. After a few tense moments, it emerged packet fresh, so I lost no time in dressing the bars.

As I’d suspected, the silicone was more supple this time round, which made it much easier to wrap. Fear not, it also responds well to a gentle tickling with a medium stiff brush. First time round, I dismissed an ingrained grimy patina with a shot of Green Oil Chain Degreaser Jelly  https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/green-oil-degreaser-jelly  and Oxford Products Tyre Scrub  https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/oxford-products-tyre-scrub

Staying with the cockpit, though I’ve found the moustache bars, perfect for the bike’s designated duties, useable space for accessories is at a premium. Dynamo lamp, LED and computer are pretty much your lot. Velo Orange have kindly sent me their Accessory Mount. Weighing 99g, it’s made from CNC machined aluminium alloy and available in anodized silver or gloss black.

In common with the Genetic Neuron, it features a hinged clamp but several shims. This means it’s a great fit on narrower 25.4 and 26.0 bars. The spare shims can be used to pack out the removable “barrel” mounts.

There’s no designated weight limit but Scott says a Go-Pro and light are the maximum they’d recommend. I’ve ported the Apeman A80 Action Camera without any problems (Once I’d ditched the resin pattern in favour of this Minoura camera mount).

Cable stretch countered, I went for a formative 20-mile blast (battling a headwind) and it’s proving a worthy, well-behaved upgrade. Will stick with the FSA chain’s factory lube for now, while things are settling in. Then I’ll probably plump for Squirt https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/squirt-long-lasting-dry-chain-lube

Tweaks

Sometimes it’s those little victories…I’ve been doing some very small-scale tweaks to the Univega. Closer scrutiny suggested the chain was fractionally longer than ideal, so I pruned a couple of links. I also added another helping of Squirt Clean Long Lasting Chain Lube, since this was waning, after 280 odd, mixed terrain miles.

I also raised the Selcof post by a few millimetres and dialled the rear brake’s barrel adjuster, a couple of turns. A subsequent blast along the backroads confirmed my intuition was right. I was stunned to discover the front Schwalbe Marathon Mondial https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/schwalbe-marathon-mondial-tyres  flat as the proverbial, when I went to ride the following morning.

Given I was testing some clothing, I switched to my fixed gear winter/trainer. Inner smile restored; subsequent investigation revealed the Schwalbe Marathon Mondial had succumbed to a tiny cut. However, the casing wasn’t harbouring any sharps, so I fed a fresh tube, then patched the original.

This also presented an ideal opportunity to give my mile munching, four seasons’ friend a good wash. I’ve recently reached my conclusions re Velo 21 Dirty Weekend Bike Pre Wash https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/velo-21-dirty-weekend-bike-pre-wash and I’ve treated the frameset to their Blueberry Glaze Wax. There are plenty of boutique waxes around, all promising to outshine and outlast everyone else’s.

This is the first designed to work with gloss AND matt finishes. Will be interesting to see how it compares with Crankalicious Crisp Frame Wax, in terms of durability. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/crankalicious-crisp-frame-wax  

Since we’re on the subject, bikes should be given at least two thorough, hard paste waxings, yearly. Doing so nourishes the paintwork, and protects finishes from salt, UV light, petrochemical spatter, oxidisation etc. The slippery barrier means dirt doesn’t stick so easily and so; bikes are easier to wash.

During the winter months, rinse dirty bikes down with cold water first, especially if you’ve been racking up the miles along heavily gritted roads. Warm water at this stage will simply accelerate that reactive, corrosive process.  

Car type wash n’ wax formulas are dirt cheap and super convenient. Much as I love tending to my two wheeled fleet, time is also at a premium and not to be squandered. Like common or garden bike washes. the surfactant properties loosen the grime, which vanishes during the rinsing phase.

A thin waxy barrier remains afterward. Beeswax furniture polish is another useful hack, during the drier months. The solvent properties consume light/filmy grime, the polish leaves a very glossy, protective barrier. A trick I picked up, working in moto/cycle dealerships

April is finally feeling more spring-like, here in the UK. I’m still favouring ¾ lengths but I’ve switched to liner gloves beneath mitts, short-sleeve base layers and jerseys (albeit with sleeves). I’ve also switched to a two tone (black & white) theme, due in part to the arrival of Prendas Ciclismo Bordeaux-Paris kit https://www.prendas.co.uk/collections/the-forgotten-races . I’ve also resurrected this Giant Strive Mips Aero Road Helmet, which has some nice touches, including an LED light that latches on, via magnets.  Twelve vents seem meagre, but the inlet and exhaust system rams in, and expels air at a consistent and moreover, decent rate.

There are some who demand that cyclists, motorcyclists and other vulnerable road users should be compelled to wear acres of day glow. I have no issue with day glow, where the cloud is low, and visibility hampered. However, I’ve lost count of the SMIDSYs (Sorry Mate, I didn’t See You”) experienced, when I’ve been lit up like the proverbial Christmas tree on acid.

Indeed, twenty years later, I still suffer from injuries sustained in a motorcycle “accident”. I was stationary at the lights, which were red. A young woman ploughed her car into me, from behind, claiming she “didn’t see me”, or it would seem, the red light…

I have a quiet suspicion the driving force, campaigning compulsory day glow, arises from an imminent roll-out, of autonomous (driverless) vehicles. These may employ sensors, which identify fluorescent colours as a hazard, and a course plotted round them.

Then of course, there has been a subtle, insidious slide to victim blaming, which appears to have run in parallel with a wider, right-wing, popularist narrative. One that insists someone “deserved it”, based upon the length of their skirt/underwear/choice of activity/mode of transport.