Due to the weather being totally crap and the 5 day mini tour cancelled, I’ve decided to give the bikes a wipe down, remove old gunk and add a bit of polish.
Firstly the Specialized S-works Tricross. I’ve added all of the new bits – dura ace 7850 cl wheels, ultegra 6700 shifters, bar tape, ultegra sl standard chainset, 6700 front & rear mechs, chain, cassette. I hope the wheels withstand the local roads which are starting to look like third world dirt tracks!!!
Next the Singular Peregrine . I’ve changed it to summer mode for some insane reason! Guards removed, brooks Swift added and B17 stored. I’ve also found a good way to add the rear light! The Brooks honey tape is holding out very well. I DO add proofhide to it unlike others recommend and it seems to keep it clean.
Finally the Dahon Speed Pro TT. I’ve added guards and Koolstop tectonic pads because this will be used in all weathers. I’ve put drops on and shortened all cables as short as possible so it all still folds ok.
there’s 20 pics so I’ve stuck them into a slideshow -
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I wish I knew how you get everything so clean.
My new bikes not that clean (anymore).
Lol!!
Most of the stuff that looks clean on the tricross i.e. bartape is new, & the Dahon is brand new.
My favourite cleaning items are:
babywipes
gt85 (wipeon-polish off)
cotton buds
autoglym hd wax
& a wet chamois leather to get mud from the tyres so it doesn’t drop onto the floor and onto the dogs paws!
the chains are cleaned with fresh oil when mucky then wiped off and repeated until the oil is clean and maybe a quick poke between the rollers with a clean cotton bud! I like my chains clean and dry to the touch, that way they don’t pick up dirt. I was told years ago by old school cyclists that you can’t rub enough oil off your chain, so that’s what I do.
I very rarely actually wash the bikes, I let them dry naturally them wipe over. I usually spend an hour chilling out giving them a wipe.
Or
When my trip has gone tits up I go and sulk with the bikes, like today and give them a once over
I don’t commute on mine or they’d be filthy, I couldn’t be arsed to wipe them down every day!
I dont think my bikes were that clean when they were new !
Great site by the way.
Hi Daz,
I was bored today, should have been cycling Snowdon but I doubt I’d have got anywhere near it by looks of the webcam!
It’s amazing how clean they come up after a bit of spit and polish
They aren’t always that clean though!
Strangely enough the dirtiest bike is the one stuck on the trainer!!
Hey, Love the Singular Peregrine! Am thinking of getting one myself. Actually stumbled across you site looking for info on this bike! In the pics what type of hub/rims are you running if you don’t mind me asking? Also, how do you find the bar end shifters? Would you be prepared to detail your setup? Would love to know the components that you are currently running!
Great bike!
Alex
Hi Alex,
You wont regret buying one. They are bomb proof frames.
The hubs are xt splined running 180 front and 160 rear and the rims/spokes are 26″ dt swiss. I went for 26 because they’re easier to so repair source bits for than 29s.
As for bar end shifters, I love them but I was raised on downtube shifters! You can’t beat the positive click, there’s no fussing it clicks and you’re in gear. They also enable you to drop all of the gears in one go if needed. The big ring shifter is friction and you can put it exactly where you like with zero chain rub. If you install these cut around 25mm off each end of the bars, this will stop your knees hitting them when out of the saddle.
I’ve been using it as a tourer recently and will be this weekend so it’s got a few different bits bolted on to it since the pics. I’ll try to get a picture and post up a better spec for you next week.
Thanks
B2B
Thanks for the info! Am about to get a frame! Pics of your current setups as well as recommendations on what you think the best gear is would be greatly appreciated! I’m seriously considering the bar end shifters. Thanks so much for you response!
Regards
Alex
I’ve stuck a few pics and spec on a newer post Alex.