Freeze frame

 So, temperatures tanked again. Not an issue for me, since I’d left the Schwalbe Marathon Winter/Plus After The Gritters Went Home | Seven Day Cyclist/TESTED: SCHWALBE WINTER SPIKED TYRES (sevendaycyclist.com) in situ and carried on hustling along the lanes at a steady 17mph, Ursula never missing a beat, handling as if on rails and allowing me just to relax and enjoy the ride. I will occasionally tweak the specification, say when parts wear out, or in the case of tyres, to suit seasonal changes/conditions. Once this icy spell passes I’d quite like to go the Schwalbe Billy Bonkers route...  

While the Schwalbe winter/Plus tread pattern is designed to sweep snow away (whereupon the tungsten carbide spikes bite into the impacted ice beneath) but it’s also very capable on greasy, impacted mud, forest trails and bridlepath.  Days are getting slightly longer but it’s still predominantly dark, another good reason for prioritising reliability over outright zing. It’s also great for testing lights.  

Bob Elliot &Co Bob Elliot Co Ltd - Suppliers of high quality bicycle supplies to registered traders (bob-elliot.co.uk) have sent me these two Ravemen units. The CLO5 and CLO6. These employ sensors that are apparently unique to them. Rather than increasing the light progressively as dusk creeps in, it senses approaching vehicles and produces a warning flash, so theoretically reinforcing rider presence.  There is also the option of switching this function off, say during daylight (which it isn’t intended for).  

The CLO5 pumps out a maximum of 30 lumens, the CLO6 50. With a few notable exceptions, the lumens race seems to have tapered off a little in recent years. Several months down the line, I still love the Magicshine See Mee family, particularly the 200 and 100 models.  

As I’ve said elsewhere, the 200 and 100 refers to lumens in “braking” mode, rather than output per se. The 200 pumps out 30, 70 and 140 lumens, the 100 18.36, and 72lumens. A good range that caters for most riding contexts. My yardstick for town/suburbs is 10-15 lumens, 30odd for unlit backroads. However, optics also play a big part.  

The advances in lens and diode technology means even relatively low numbers are still quite useable.  Lezyne stick drive rear light being a primer example. It pumps out a maximum of 30lumens, staircasing down to 4, which is genuinely quite useable around town. Its 12lumen flash 3 option covers most other bases, as a default.  

Admittedly, I still prefer something more retina tickling for regular saunters along dark, mysterious lanes. Professional/commercial contexts aside, I’m someone preferring to be under the radar but riding at night, I like being as conspicuous as possible.  

Staying on the topic of lenses, I received this Sony HX60 compact camera. I like carrying a compact camera on rides, means I can capture things, record significant points regarding product performance, etc. It replaces another little Sony that developed a stabiliser/lens fault-beyond economic repair, after three years.   

Image quality is good, especially by compact standards, thanks to the sensor size and manual control, although it only shoots JPEG, not RAW. Measuring 110x64x40mm and weighing around 200g, its quite substantial, but still fits inside a breast/nelson type pocket, so meets my requirements nicely.  It also captured another, unexpected side benefit of the wider, trailer hitch skewer.     Talking of compact, here’s Richard Peace’s review of the Cube Compact Hybrid e-bike CUBE COMPACT HYBRID | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

Y wrenches are another lasting favourite tool of mine. I have a 6, 8 and 10mm socket version bought for a few pounds, thirty years back. Super-convenient, I’ve just acquired a 4,5 and 6mm Allen key version.  

Ergonomics mean it’s more convenient than a fully loaded multi-tool, especially tackling Aheadset, seat collar and, cable pinch bolts etc. Ergonomics are another consideration when it comes to brushes, a nice, efficient design means keeping bikes and their drivetrains, less of a chore. Zefal ZB Multi Brush ZEFAL ZB MULTI-BRUSH | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) has some nice features and decent, knuckle-sparing length.    

 

Scuzz! Purging Those Drivetrain Demons

 Much as I expected, the snow turned to slush and ultimately lots of surface water. Looking at the Univega’s chain, the Zefal Extra Wet Ceramic Chain Lube ZEFAL EXTRA WET NANO CERAMIC CHAIN LUBE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) was beginning to look a little filmy, and the chain’s side plates looking like they’d been immersed in instant gravy granules. Interrogation of the cassette and derailleur jockey wheels suggested we were beyond cat lick and top-up.  

An opportunity to test this Pure Bike Degreaser a quick test run. Pure prides itself on being petrochemical free and I’m all for products that are kind and yet effective. This is a citrus-based grime gobbler. However, caution is still required with a lot of plant-based products, solvents, specifically, given the potential for a loud, roof-lifting explosion. 

 

In this instance, there’s nothing to go “bang” but plenty of warnings around potentially serious eye damage. Citrus formulas can also be a little harsh on the skin, so examination gloves and safety glasses are a good bet. In common with a lot of lube-strippers, its designed to be rinsed with water.  

Anyhow, my intended transmission grooming evolved into a full-blown, top to toe wash and Carnauba waxing.  

Now I like waxing and I like testing waxes. Mine is from a protectant (rather than aesthetic) perspective. Opinions vary and to be honest, it will depend on a number of factors, but in my view, bikes should be treated to a good quality paste/liquid wax at least three times per year.  

Doing so nourishes the paintwork and protects finishes from the elements-sap, salt, UV light etc, 

Waxes also prevent water and muck from sticking so readily, making cleaning easier. Basic car types are good enough, for the most part, although those, including this Muc-Off Miracle Shine, offer a better sheen and last a bit longer if you can justify the initial asking price. However, a little goes a long way, so the cost levels out, over time. 

Back to the degreaser, it wasn’t as voracious as I was anticipating-at least on the gunky remnants clinging to my Univega’s cassette. I’d left it a few minutes to marinate, worked in into the sprockets, side plates, and Raval ring (while avoiding any splashes/similar, to settle on painted surfaces.)  

This was subsequently rinsed with warm water, while I simultaneously worked a gel bike cleaner into a lather, using the Zefal ZB Wash Brush ZEFAL ZB WASH BRUSH | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com). Much as I suspected, the Pure needs agitating with a transmission/similarly stiff brush. Therefore, best to strip cassettes, chains, rings etc, and pop them in a makeshift/parts washer, rather than tackle them in situ.   

In my experience, bristle plots eventually cultivate greasy, cross-contaminating colic.  

The Zefal ZB Wash Brush has just succumbed to that, so I poured some Weldtite Citrus degreaser into a clear punnet. I worked this into the bristles and left the brush marinating for a couple of days, before flushing through with very warm water.  

Elsewhere, I’ve applied some ACF50 to the cleats, to head off fastener seizure and brown taint on the nickel-plated cleat mechanisms.  A sudden reversion to mild weather means snow has melted, and the return of waterlogged roads.  

However, I’ve resisted switching back to the Kojak, since temperatures could plummet in the coming week, courtesy of Storm Christoph, turning greasy roads to ice rinks and some reports promising 1.5 feet (45cm) of snow.     

Dual-sided SPDs have been my default for a very long time-effortless engagement/release, great power transfer, and easy to walk in, especially when roads and pavements become skating rinks.  

For others, dual-sided models such as these Genetic Switch GENETIC SWITCH PEDALS | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  are the best of both worlds. I’m quite fond of them, too. Especially for commuting and other “working” bikes, since they permit a wider choice of footwear.   

Ending this post on the opening note, here’s my review of the Weldtite Bike Cleaner WELDTITE BIKE CLEANER | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)