Minor Hitches & Hoorahs…

I’d been contemplating Ursula’s 45-degree stem. It’s not pretty, but very functional and confirmed my gut feeling that the angle was optimal. I’d noted that Velo Orange’s Happy Stem is also 45mm, much prettier and not overly pricey. Maybe I’ll treat Ursula later down the line- I’d be wanting the black version.

I’d been experiencing some intermittent tickling (as distinct from rub) at the rear disc. Intermittent, or phantom squeaks are trickier to diagnose. I initially believed it was attributable to the choice of cable-I’d gone for a galvanised steel inner, since that’s all I had in stock. Palpably more friction at the lever but functional enough- or so I thought…

I noted some further stretching of the inner wire, so pulled it through and dialled the 287 V lever's 2mm nipple screw home. No joy…Thankfully, I’d ordered some replacement stainless inner wires, since they're a workshop staple. Closer inspection also suggested I’d pruned the outer cable fractionally too short, which would also account for the faint, intermittent tinkling. I replaced both inner and outer, eliminating friction and drag completely.  

An easy fix and a metaphor for wider life. Sometimes things are a work in progress. Take a break but persevere until you're speaking their language and have them sussed. Little breakthroughs can prove incredibly satisfying. That sorted, I discovered the otherwise fabulous Topeak Uni Super Tourist DX Topeak Uni Super Tourist DX Rack Disc | cycling-not-racing Rack Disc wasn’t providing sufficient clearance for me to couple the trailer.  

I’d come up with several potential solutions, all of which were ultimately shelved. There wasn’t scope for raising the rack any higher and I wasn’t about to grind down the rack’s foot, given it may impair strength. Doing so would mean I’d forfeit any rights to complaint, should the rack fracture…Some of you will be asking why you’d want to be running a trailer and panniers-surely it's one or the other. I can see this argument. However, I might want to lug a pannier and collect something big enough to consume the trailer’s bed.  

The solution came courtesy of Madison cycles and this M Part Ridge Rear Pannier Rack Disc Black.

It's a single tier design, loosely reminiscent of Blackburn's MT1 that served me well until its demise while riding through Forest Gate (London E7) one late summer evening in 1999. Credit to Blackburn, they honoured their lifetime warrantee and I received a replacement.  Fast forward 27 years, The Ridge is made from 10mm 6061 aluminium rod, comes complete with a no quibble 5-year warrantee and a respectable 25kilo maximum payload.

Designed for disc brakes, it employs adjustable legs and thus calliper clearance without the "feet" which preclude trailer fitment. There's a solid top plate doubling as a mudguard for easy porting of rack bags and loose stuff captured by a cargo net. Stainless steel fasteners are another nice, corrosion-resistant touch.

Single-tier models can make pairing of panniers and trunk bags less convenient than their two-tier counterparts and means weight is also positioned a little higher. All things being equal and in the everyday sense, I've never had any major issues lugging 20-litre panniers with Blackburn and homages. 

Flat mount callipers that sit along the chainstay allow more conventional racks to fit with minimal adjustment. However, older IS mounts require a design broad enough to clear the calliper by some margin.      

I’d not tested Denise’s pattern hitch for compatibility. Mercifully, it proved a very reliable union, although the trailer’s sprung jaws had gummed up slightly.  A remedial blast of MO94 Muc-Off MO94 Multi Use Spray | cycling-not-racing cured that.

I’d also acquired replacement sprung components at the time, reasoning these would eventually fail, and replacements prove trickier to source. Otherwise, I find this system simpler than the mighty Yak’s. Upgrading the trailer’s OEM knobbly tyre is another good move as is periodic re-greasing of the swing arm bearings.

I’ve gone for Schwalbe’s Road Cruiser, which rolls very nicely at 55psi and Juice Lubes Slick Juice for the bearings. Peaty’s Speed Grease PEATY'S SPEED GREASE | cycling-not-racing is similarly effective. A large cargo of dung proved an obvious candidate. Twenty miles of climbs, cruising and rapid descents couldn’t cajole bad behaviour.   

All things being equal, single wheel designs track very nicely behind the bike. Save for dropping a gear, or two being mindful of the wider turning circle-especially in congested traffic, I largely forgot it was trundling behind. This also confirmed I’d the gearing range right for most contexts- 36x26 up front, 12-28 behind provides sufficient prowess for winching, cruising and bombing, albeit with greater emphasis upon knee-friendly torque.    

Michael