Pre-winter prep

September has crept in like the proverbial ninja but the days are still long and temperate enough to get some pre-winter prep done. Regular readers will know I’m little and often when it comes to maintenance. However, prevention is always more convenient and cheaper than cure. Headsets packed with stout grease a couple of months back, I turned my attention to seat posts and anything else that might turn quietly stubborn. Seat posts out, waxy corrosion inhibitors blasted down the seat tubes.

Boots from old butyl are another simple, dirt-cheap means of keeping wet, caustic stuff from working down the seat tube, lower headset races and quill stems. A squirt of silicone spray will help them slide into position, while nourishing the butyl. 2.3-inch mountain bike tube is my go-to for such duties.

Cut longer so you can fold it over for improved durability. Using synthetic greases such as Wolf Tooth WT-G Precision Bike Grease Wolf Tooth WT-G Precision Bike Grease | cycling-not-racing and Juice Lubes Slick Juice won’t rot the butyl either. Not that this been problematic with Zefal Pro ii Zefal Pro II Grease | cycling-not-racing and Juice Lubes Bearing Juice-both containing a lithium component. Scrap butyl is easily redeployed as top tube and chainstay and rack tubing protectors, preventing unnecessary wear and tear.   

Fitting mudguards (assuming you haven’t already) makes a big difference, protecting you and valuable parts from wet, gritty stuff. Muffin features Mud Hugger Gravel Hugger, Denise’s Zefal Shield G50 Zefal Shield G50 Mudguards | cycling-not-racing 

These don’t offer the same levels of protection as full-length chrome plastics, but make for more convenient wheel removal with track ends and obviously, overcome clogging hassles on a gravel bike. I navigate these compromises by donning waterproof socks, such as these Muc-Off Muc-Off Waterproof Socks | cycling-not-racing or winter booties, when rain’s cold and biblical.

I also treat the frame’s rear triangle and down tube with two, sometimes three coatings of a decent hard paste wax. I’m fond of this Muc-Off Miricle Shine- a little goes a long way and lasts. However, any decent car formula will do just fine.     

Whip the wheels out and cast a critical eye over your tyres. Check the casings for any debris, sharps, cuts, or similar damage. A drop of super glue in small, superficial cuts. Unless I'm testing, tyre casings after every wet, gritty ride. Sweeping them down with a medium-stiff brush takes a couple of minutes and betters the odds. Wheel truth and spoke tension I tend to check weekly, while giving bikes a sudsy bucket clean and once-over.

However, skewers, brake pads and disc rotors are easily overlooked. Muffin’s Thru axle adaptor and quick-release skewer were whipped out and treated to some Juice Lubes Slick Juice- since I’m putting it through its paces. Some traces of Oxford Mint Assembly Grease Oxford Mint Assembly Grease | cycling-not-racing still clung on-testament to its staying prowess. Nonetheless, replenishment was due.

Pads and rotor were still in good shape, ditto Denise’s pads-although I’d stocked up, since winter can chew through them.

Ursula’s rear TRP Spyre rotor was one I’d whipped from the spares box following modernisation and refurbishment. I wasn’t surprised to find it showing obvious signs of wear, so this 6-bolt 160mm stainless Disco Brakes Vibe took its place.

Chains, rings, cassettes and sprockets are in good shape. Something I attribute to a very dry summer and a diet of wax lubes. I’m planning to continue taking Ursula and Denise the wax route until late October-assuming conditions allow. I’ve gone back to Weldtite All Weather Weldtite All Weather Lube | cycling-not-racingr with Muffin. Fixed transmissions are much simpler but are subjected to a fair bit of stress, especially if you’re shunning a rear brake. In the interests of longevity, I’d been toying with the idea of replacing the existing 6061 ring for something stainless steel. However, the latter are rare as rocking-horse droppings. Chances are I'll opt for another Genetic GENETIC TIBIA TRACK CRANKS & RING | cycling-not-racing.This will most likely coincide with chain replacement.  The square taper UN55 bottom bracket was still in rude health. Lifespans vary but I've consistently had between 8,000 and 10,000 miles from these units.

When it comes to chains and cassettes, lowlier groups can prove the most cost-effective option, performing pretty well and cheaper to replace. Wetter, colder conditions, coupled with road salt shorten their lifespan, even with cleaner lubes and disciplined cleaning. It's also worth noting that I run 2x10, rather than 11, or 12, which is a little kinder to the wallet.

New cables also make a big difference to braking and shifting performance. I'm rather fond of sealed systems, including Jagwire Road Elite Jagwire Road Elite Sealed Brake Kit | cycling-not-racing. Sealed designs lock the elements out and are, for the most part, maintenance-free.  I had some issues with friction in Ursula's Dia Compe 287v-commanded Spyre, which was due in part to the lever's cable exit route but compounded by a galvanised steel cable I'd fitted as a contingency.

Switching to a stainless inner and fresh compression-less housing cured this. Provided the cable ends have been cut, crimped, soldered or glued, periodic shots of maintenance spray, such as Muc-Off MO94 Muc-Off MO94 Multi Use Spray | cycling-not-racing, or GT85 GT85 ALL PURPOSE LUBRICANT should keep them cheerful.  Shoe cleats are another thing easily forgotten until entry/release turns sketchy. I tend to inspect regularly and grease the fasteners to prevent mischief. If in doubt, replace.  

People's working and winter bikes have always intrigued me, since I’m genuinely interested in other perspectives and approaches. Why have they chosen that particular component, those tyres...What’s the story behind the frameset? Sometimes it’s just relegating an older race group to training duties, others a spares-bin challenge. The latter are most likely to spark my curiosity. I’m not suggesting that bikes are extensions of people’s personalities, but they can give insight and sometimes stimulate conversation.

Elsewhere, some exciting lights from Magicshine and tools from Weldtite are amongst the latest goodies to land on our test bench. Tye levers aren’t usually given much thought until we’re miles from home and struggling with a stubborn tyre bead by the road or trailside.  I’ll conclude these maintenance-focused musings with this long-term review of The System EX Pro Grease Gun The System EX Pro Grease Gun | cycling-not-racing

Michael