26 December 2023

Mancave time on my Gravel Creo - Dura Ace Gear Cable / Cannondale bar tape & some Fresh Goodies - KMC / Fenwicks / Muc Off / Shimano etc

 


My box of spares / goodies from Berwick Cycles landed just before Christmas. It is mostly items for spare parts tubs but I will probably fit the chain to the Trek Marlin+ but might wait until the existing Shimano chain stretches a bit more. All items were 50% off. 


Onto my Creo gravel - I decided to swap the rear gear outer and inner cable and was not too bad to swap. I did not have to take the motor or the battery and just managed to get away with alot of pulling / pushing some good luck mixed in. I have set up the indexing and had a spin around the block and the gears feel alot smoother. After a few rides when the cable settles in and stretches some I will readjust the rear mech. 


I also decided to swap the bar tape at the same time as I had one side half stripped back anyway, I bought this Cannondale tape a while ago and thought the blue would match the bike but it is far too bright and does not look right! I can either swap it to black or a darker blue or just leave it to get dirty and tone down in brightness / colour after time! 

24 December 2023

Fresh Goods Sunday - USE Zenith Mk2 Light - Gun Metal Black

 


I should have probably posted this Fresh Goods Sunday up a few months ago when riders were probably looking to buy new or replace their lights. I bought this at the end of last season so did not really have a change to use it much. A couple of months later Exposure released a new version MK3 with a higher rpp of £295. 
This is probably why I got a good deal on the MK2 which is nearly identical. As we have had a few months now of dark mornings / evenings / short days I have used the light more both on the road and off road. I have not had it mounted to my helmet but the handlebars as I use my Sirus on my helmet as a back up / when I require more brightness. It uses the same bracket as the Sirus on the helmet  and handlebars, that is one of the reasons why I chose this model. It feels a lot heavier than the Sirus and is also a lot bigger but not too big. I have really only used the high beam on most of the rides regardless of off road or on road but if daylight starts to come through near the end I turn it down to the lowest setting. I get longer than the stated 1hr on max beam and the coloured rear led is bright enough to see as a guide as too how much juice you have left. The little power button on the back can be fiddle to use with winter gloves on but as I say I don't  adjust the light level very often. It gives out enough beam for me at my type of riding and speed. One thing I did notice on drop handlebars it casts a shadow to side which was unnerving at first but I got used to it. You het a changer and a usb cable, handlebar bracket and a helmet mount. The handlebar bracket holds the light well in the clip but there is some movement in the elastic band strap. As others have suggested to buy the more rigid mount EXPQRBKSET which looks way better than the rubber band. The quality of the light looks very robust and you have UK back up when / if the light goes wrong. 
Going back to the MK3 the lumens have been increased from 2100 to 2200 and that looks to be about it. The near £300 rrp a lot but you do get a quality light. If you commute and use a light twice a day then yes it offers good value but you can get way cheaper and brighter lights on the market now. Or do what I do wait until the end of the season and shop around for a deal on shops that have got stock left. 

RRP £265 and I paid £198 from Infinity Cycles Discount 25% 

Manufacturers blurb - 

After years of rider demands the Zenith was created and now has been upgraded to kick out 2100 lumens, with a long reaching, wider beam, for an hour or combined with TAP technology, the rapid mode change technology, the rider can use the 2100 lumens when plummeting down a steep, fast descent or tackling a technical trail and then TAP to lower the lumens when on the flat or a climb to increase the run time.

LEDs3 x White XPL2(W3)
IP RatingIP65
Max Lumens2100
Battery5,000 mAh Li-Ion
Runtime1 -18 Hours
Charging Time5 Hours
Weight150g
MaterialAnodised 6063 Aluminium
Length120mm
Head Diameter41mm
In The BoxZenith MK2 GMB, Helmet Mount, QR Handlebar Mount, Lanyard, Smart Charger, QS Guide
SRP£265
Output2100 lumens
Weight150grams
BurntimeMin 1 hr Max 18 hrs
Battery Capacity5000 mAh Li-Ion
Dimensions (mm)Length - 120, Head - 41, Back – 33
LEDs3x XPL2(W3)




























Another very windy but warm local ride around Durham on the Trek Marlin+

 


Another day and another early morning ride. I was up and out early doors again doing a very similar loop to yesterday but with a few tweaks here and there. Again the temperature was high for this time of year and even warmer than yesterday. The Garmin was reading 11 degrees but stronger wind again. Todays gusts are going to top 54+mph but no rain. The tracks n trails are still mainly dry even though we had some overnight rain. Less people out n about this morning which is better for me, less slowing down / speeding up. I took my Trek Marlin+ e mtb again and it is going well. After changing a few parts / components from the factory standard it has vastly improved the bike for me. Another thing I need to swap is the grips. The Bontrgaer grips are too this for me and not comfortable on the old palms. I will swap them for something thicker and more comfortable, I will have to have a look through my spare grip box see what I have stashed away. 
All in 15.5 miles in 1hr 16 mins with less climbing 800ft as I did not go through Houghall woods. Below are a few dark snaps again, enjoy and hopefully more soon - 















23 December 2023

Restap Canister Bar Bag - Back from being repaired.

 


If you have been following my Blog you will know that I sent my bar bag back to Restrap for repair on the 1st Dec. Yesterday, 21st Dec it arrived back to me and it has been repaired / ready for a few more miles. The broken right buckle has been replaced and new foam spacers fitted. It also looks like they have replaced the rubber O rings on the straps. Looking at the bag closely I am not sure as to whether they have also replaced the left buckle and possibly the straps, they look very new and clean but its very hard to tell. Anyway I have refitted it onto my handlebars on my Specialized Creo gravel bike ready to hit the tracks n trails again. Many thanks to Restrap in Leeds for sorting it out and hopefully the bag will last for a good few more years!