The Plot Thickens

26-inch mixed terrain rubber, the sort genuinely capable on and off-road has always been in relatively short supply, even when 26" were the default for mountain bikes. Specialized Cross Road EX being my favourite, although supplies have suddenly dwindled-unclear whether it's a temporary supply issue, or Specialized have ceased production.

Schwalbe Land Cruisers are another, unexpectedly good option, performing better than I'd expected in both contexts, although we are talking dry hardpack and light forest trails. On balance, the Cross Roads are the superior bet. Having noted my excitement at discovering these Nutrak NUTRAK x VEE Swift Frenzy gravel mud tubeless ready tyres in a 26x1.95 options, Madison graciously sent me a set to test.

Nutrak are Madison’s own brand and one I had very positive experiences with, back in the 1980s.  When I bought my Super Dalesman, the wheels were shod with a set of 27x1/4 semi-slick touring fare. These were quick and very dependable, although the bike’s original owner had covered a high mileage. I substituted them for a set of Michelin World Tour during my first tour, when their reliability waned.  Relatively close clearances of 1980s production touring bikes meant 32mm tyres were tops and the World Tours were tickling the mudguards. Techniques such as filing some meat from the beefy cenrepulls, thus allowing the front guard to be raised slightly, had limited effect. Ultimately, I switched them for some sleeker Vredestein a few months later.

37 years on and back to the Nutrak X Vee Swift Frenzy Gravel Mud Tubeless. These, as the name suggests, are a collaboration with Vee Tire Co, another brand that has impressed us. There are three sizes 26x1.95, 700x50c and 650b. which caters for most audiences, including those wanting to enter gravel events on an older cross-country mountain bike, or indeed, a full-blown cross-country mountain bike to gravel conversion. 90tpi casings and a pressure range between and psi bode well for a compliant, engaging ride. A raised central V tread promise reduced rolling resistance on metaled roads/hardpack, while raised edges provide cornering bite. The proof of their performance will be when the rains come and conditions turn gloopy.

This shouldn’t be inferred that we’re about to see a sudden influx of 26-inch tyres to cater for this small, niche market.  Fixed was a very popular niche between 2003 and 2009, resulting in a wealth of decent quality, competitively priced complete, road-biased bikes, framesets and components. Hubs, such as these Halo with robust weather sealing and cartridge bearings became more readily available and practical for winter’s worst. Fixed has, for the most part, settled to its traditional quiet following. Production favourites of mine included On One’s Ilpompino, Kona Paddywagon, Genesis Day One, Specialized’s Langster and Fixie Inc’s Peacemaker.  

Talking of niche, I found myself getting rather drawn to a Dawes Sardar frameset. These were an innovative and slightly quirky tourer running 26-inch mtb wheels. A design that grabbed my attention when I first caught sight of one in a local dealers window back in 1999. Based around a Reynolds 631 frameset, the overall spec and package were rather nice. Practical, rather than exotic, but ready to tour, tug trailers, explore rougher roads, you name it- straight from the crate.

However, there isn’t room and following Ursula’s renovation two years back, neither Saradar, nor its One-Down predecessor offer tangible advantage.  Besides, knowing myself, I’d be getting drawn into disc brake mounts, additional braze-ons and paint. By that point, we’re talking a further £300. Money better invested in a contemporary gravel/adventure frameset. Stranger still, I spotted one in the flesh, due for a makeover at Maldon Shot Blasting & Powder Coating Maldon Shotblasting and Powder

Coating Ltd | Expert Shotblasting & Powder Coating Services, while I was in the area and had dropped in for a yarn.     

Generally arid conditions and wax lubes are doing wonderful things for chain and drivetrain health. A few hundred miles hence and Denise’s 10 speed KMC is still hovering around the .25 mark, while reducing maintenance to fortnightly topping up.  In my experience, wax lubes work surprisingly well on cables too. That said; I only apply if I’m re-lubing chains since curing times are several hours. Maintenance sprays, such as MO94 Muc-Off MO94 Multi Use Spray | cycling-not-racing and GT85 GT85 ALL PURPOSE LUBRICANT remain my defaults for day-to-day cable lubing/flushing through. Talking of lubes, I was suddenly gripped by the urge to strip and re-grease Denise’s cantilever posts- the forks, specifically. I’d stripped and dressed the rear with Peaty’s Speed Grease PEATY'S SPEED GREASE | cycling-not-racing a month or two back. I’ve applied some Juice Lubes Slick Juice to the fork’s canti-posts (which were previously treated to Zefal Pro ii  Zefal Pro II Grease | cycling-not-racing). With everything reassembled, I was suitably impressed by how smoothly the cantilevers engaged and released.  

While I like specialist preps for specific jobs, don’t too get too hung up on what grease to use. Obviously, stick with something rubber and composite-friendly when it comes to components with seals and similar rubberised components. Otherwise, I’ve seen more problems arise from a lack of grease, whether it be cooked bearings, or seized contact points.   

I spotted a heavily discounted medium cage Deore mech, so snapped that up and earmarked for Ursula. This would give me the option of going for a 32tooth cassette for more challenging climbs, especially off road with laden panniers, or with trailer trundling behind. Elsewhere, Steve's tour has begun and the last I heard, they were navigating the Netherlands, only for Emma's seatstay rack mounts to break. A kindly blacksmith saved the day and they've continued their journey...

Michael