I’m not one to get excited over lube (OH GROW UP), however awhile again Dumone Tech despatched me a field of the stuff, and I’ve to say it’s fairly good. Whereas admittedly there’s nonetheless a bunch of stuff I haven’t tried but (I not often wash my bikes so something supposed for cleansing goes to take a seat round untouched for awhile), I’ve discovered the chain lube to be fairly efficient and long-lasting. I’ve additionally actually begun to understand these things:
Granted, the title’s fairly foolish, since “Liquid Grease” is what oil is…although perhaps it’s purported to be ironic for these within the know, I don’t know, I’m not a Lube Fred. Regardless, when engaged on bikes you typically have want for stuff that’s heavier than oil however lighter than grease, and this has a pleasant mucal consistency that appears capable of present lasting lubrication with out gumming issues up. Additionally, as a lazy one who would quite apply lubricant as an ointment quite than take every little thing aside, it does actually appear to penetrate successfully–I drizzled some on some low cost cartridge bearing hubs not too way back and it acquired them turning easily. I even used it this previous weekend to liberate the hood latch on my automobile, which wasn’t catching after I put in that nitrous oxide system I used to be pedaling round with the opposite day:
Although to be truthful the Liquid Wrench additionally may need executed a few of the heavy lifting there.
Both means, sure, you possibly can often discover good lubes low cost on the ironmongery store (I’ve been on the identical tub of marine grease for a minimum of 10 years), however if you happen to’re the gourmand kind and like fancy proprietary stuff in tiny bottles the Dumonde stuff is fairly good.
Additionally, whereas I’m heaping reward on stuff, on Saturday I rode the Vengeance Bike for the primary time in, I dunno, a pair weeks…?
I not too long ago fell in love with my Litespeed once more so was all able to throw this factor underneath the bus–or a minimum of ship it again to Traditional Cycle. However each time I get on the rattling factor it wins me again, regardless of its many quirks (which now embrace an listed headset). If I had limitless funds I’d rent a staff of scientists to interrupt it down and produce a report on why I prefer it a lot, as a result of it makes no logical sense to me. Because of this, the Vengeance Bike has in all probability taught me crucial lesson of any bike I’ve ridden, and it’s this:
Dismiss nothing out of hand, and provides every little thing an opportunity.
I imply certain, I’m not really residing my life by this lesson–for instance I’ll nonetheless dismiss just about each crabon bicycle at present being constructed with out a lot as taking a look at them in particular person–however it’s a pleasant thought an, and that’s what counts.
In the meantime, I’ve spent extra time on the Homer with drop bars, and I can now safely say they’ve totally unlocked the bike’s potential:
Although I did handle to fall of of it:
The offender was this root:
Which launched my rear wheel and despatched my Brooks saddle into my perineum with the power of a leather-based jackhammer:
This in flip launched me a powerful distance:
Regardless of my aching taint I stood there for awhile admiring what I’d achieved:
Then I surveyed the harm, which was restricted to a bit of bar tape tearing:
Regardless of taking a direct hit, the shifter nonetheless operated easily:
And all I actually needed to do was re-center my bars a number of millimeters and brush the useless leaves off my dignity.
This was not the primary time I’ve been undone by this seemingly innocuous stretch of path. A number of years in the past, very near this similar spot, a stick acquired lodged in my fender, which catapulted me head-over-heels and resulted in a damaged thumb. Just a few miles from right here I used to be additionally felled by an Osage orange, although I sustained no accidents. I handed that very spot after my newest fall, and located mentioned orbs neatly stacked and effectively out of hurt’s means:
I’m satisfied this compulsive Osage orange-stacking can solely have a supernatural rationalization:
However the place was this phantom stacker once I really wanted him/her/it?
Lastly, this can be the least inviting park entrance in New York Metropolis:
Hidden behind a constructing in Yonkers and exhausting up towards the town line, this tiny hole in a fence grants you entrance to Van Cortlandt Park within the Bronx, and may be very probably narrower than the NO BICYCLING signal that adorns it.
Not that I encourage such habits, however if you happen to see a NO BICYCLING signal close to a path, it in all probability provides fairly good bicycling.
