Back To The Old School

 I am switching back to the “school chair” fork that was upfront for several years, rather than risk something Chinese. Just a matter of switching the crown race over from the Project 2. Meantime, I’ll keep the existing setup, test the Shimano Alfine dyno hub and Capgo cable.  

Upgrading the Tektro 710 in favour of the Shimano CX50 was another inspired choice. That’s not to say the Tektro 710 isn’t a decent stopper- it is. However, the CX50 is superior and simpler to adjust. New chain was also timely- though shifting wasn’t “Off” it’s a notch crisper now. I’ve also discovered a couple of mid-range 10 speed KMC chains that I’d squirreled away, while on the hunt for something else, naturally.     

Subtly raising the fixed’s saddle height was another good move. Up front I’ve switched to this Vittoria Adventure Tech Tyre, which features a 3mm thick puncture repelling belt, which runs along the centre-strip, rather akin to the Kenda Kwick Journey KS Plus KENDA KWICK JOURNEY TYRES | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) . The Kenda had been on the Halo Evura/SP SL9 HALO EVURA & SHUTTER PRECISION SL9 DYNOHUB BUILD (sevendaycyclist.com) for so many miles, the wire bead required unusual effort to shift, even with a long-handled Hutchinson tyre lever and two Ritchey models, designed to stow away in the bar ends.  

Puzzling but thankfully it relented and without incident. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the 38mm Vittoria was more compliant but had a subversive streak, peeling away once I’d got it 70% home. Cursory inspection reveals a maximum pressure of 85psi (80 for the 32mm (about 1.26 in) Kenda Kwick Journey KS Plus).

However, while both employ puncture repelling centre strips, the Kenda’s is 5mm (about 0.2 in) thick and has gone at least ten months and several thousand miles without a single flat. It will be interesting to see how the Vittoria’s compares.  

It also features a Graphene compound for enhanced life and is E-Bike R75 compliant, which basically means it's designed to perform on the fastest models. Surprising since it gives change from £30.   

Thirteen years down the line, I’ve also decided it was high time the “spare” Halo Aero Track rear wheel got some TLC.  

For some reason, the axle’s threads had begun shedding and if I’m going to open the hub, I may as well go for new cartridge bearings, a liberal helping of grease, topped off with a quick tension and true of the hoop. These deep-section rims are not welded, rather joined by pressure and feature a powder-coated finish.  

The latter looks to have been applied directly, rather than atop a primer, hence the odd chip here and there but still in great shape, all told. Light cosmetics aside, I’m of the opinion a second/spare wheel still needs to be bang on, since you’ll be depending on it, while the best, or main is on the jig.   

Not to be outdone, the cassette style lockring belonging my fixed gear winter/trainer’s main Halo fixed G Track Hub HALO FIX G TRACK HUB | Seven Day Cyclist Tourin Tests Commuting came loose, resulting in some uncharacteristic chain noise. (I was on the return leg and only a few miles from home.) I’m a big fan of the Fix-G and its design and the lockring is very reliable.  

However, check it every 250 miles or so, or before a long ride-unless you’re prepared to carry a cassette type tool along. No problem with the SQR Tour, given its cavernous capacity but a bit OTT possibly. Anyhow, I snugged mine back down, reinstated the wheel and got on with my life.  

Ursula’s front Schwalbe Land Cruiser had succumbed to its first flat. A very thin, sharp hedge clipping swept up by the recent rains. The head was very difficult to spot and indeed, drag out. I had to resort to needle nose pliers. On long rides, or those in the arse end of nowhere, there’s a good case for carrying a small set of pliers, or a little multi-tool such as this True Utility, which I’ve had for some years and am firmly attached to.    

 

Foiled by The Fork

 I’ll attribute this to Storm Eunice and its slow-release offspring that caused a major dip (but thankfully not total) in household power. Cooker, microwave, PC, washing machine etc were inoperable, but broadband, lighting was still operating, and I could type and generally communicate, courtesy of the laptop. The kettle would also boil, albeit at a very pedestrian rate.  

Things to be thankful for and a taste of what might be to come, here in the UK… The present administration has been romanticised the 70’s era of three-day weeks, blackouts and similar indignities.  

Then, of course, there is uncertainty around oil and gas supplies, given Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.  

A situation that was inevitable, given Putin’s posturing and rhetoric but felt like a nightmarish simulation, rather than reality from this corner of the world. Speculation is a very dangerous thing and truth is the first casualty of war.  

The figures for casualties have differed wildly. However, if Vladimir Putin is genuinely looking to recreate the Soviet Union, I believe the military will head for Poland, rather than neighbouring Moldova or Romania. Once of course, Ukraine and its infrastructure has been obliterated. 

Regardless of route, this has grave humanitarian implications-civilian casualties, people left homeless and displaced. History repeats itself.   

This is a conflict I believe will last many years and may well prove to be another Afghanistan for Russia. Putin may have under-estimated Ukraine, in a similar fashion.  

Sanctions are on everyone’s lips, but for some, its little more than lip service.  

If Putin cut Europe’s supply of oil and gas, this will have some very real implications for Europe and the UK. However, this would leave Russia with the Chinese market and the Chinese could dictate prices on their terms and a take or leave basis. What is clear is that we have a humanitarian crisis, and some nations are stepping in to help, others are turning their backs.       

Anyhow, during this phase, I sketched out a plan of action re Ursula’s front end. Continuing my recent bite-sized theme, I decided I’d switch to the Project 2, lose the existing cable hanger and Ahead spacers for thinner fare, and stick with cantilevers. That was the theory, and it was materialising in practice too, until I discovered the Project two has forward facing dropouts, which would’ve precluded guard fitment, even with the adaptors.  

Then, to compound matters, the TRP calliper was sloppy- the mount’s threads were virtually bare-the perils of buying used and, moreover, blind. Lesson learned. Back to the Univega’s triple butted originals. Presented an ideal opportunity to pack the Stronglight Aheadset with lashings of Peaty’s Assembly grease PEATY'S BICYCLE ASSEMBLY GREASE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com). The name might imply it’s for contact points (carbon aside) but is a smooth, middleweight blend well suited to bearing surfaces too. Attempting to rescue something from the slightly abortive mission, I switched to the Shimano CX50 cantilevers, which in turn presented the opportunity to test some Capgo brake cables.  

The cables are stainless steel and the outer wires impregnated with PTFE to minimise friction. I don’t like the Shimano straddle wire system, so reclaimed the Tektro cable hanger and Transfil straddle wire, resulting in precisely the modulation and feel I like from a front stopper. 

The fixed gear winter trainer is also getting some decent miles in-nimble backroad blasting now the front stopper is behaving exactly as it should. I’ve raised the saddle by a centimetre and snugged tight with this M System Torque wrench.

By the roadside multi-tools are fine but these days components are built to very tight tolerances, so torque wrenches are up there with track pumps. I also have some interesting larger section 700c rubber headed my way. I’ll leave you with my review of the Torque Covert 7 Crank Multi Tool TORQUE COVERT 7 CRANK MULTI TOOL | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)