Fresh Goods Sunday - Specialized S182500006 Creo 2 Lower Headset Bearing

 

Last year my lower headset bearing started to feel and sounded a little rough so I started looking for a new one. I assumed that it was the same bearing size in my Creo 1's but I was wrong. I looked around for a better quality one but could not find a really good quality one so opted for the cheapo version instead. The part number from Specialized is S182500006 rrp £17.90. The size is 47.8 x 56.8 x 6.5 - 45/45. I paid £16.55 inc 48hr p&p from Aire Velo Bearings (Ebay). 

It was not until the other day after a few rides I thought it got really worse so now was the time to change it. I checked the manual and it was the same procedure as the Creo 1 which I have covered in a previous BLOG. You only need a few different sized allen keys, grease and a 3mm spanner which comes with the bike but I have also a Park Tool one now. The top bearing was still ok but the next time I swap the lower bearing I will also swap the top one. All in took less than an hour from start to finish. 

 

After replacing the bearing and adjusting the preload on the bearings the front end still sounded rough. It turned out to be the HUNT front wheel! There was slight sides ways movement so I removed the wheel, end caps, rotor and both bearings were dog rough. More on this in an upcoming Blog after I sort the correct tool to remove / fit the replacement bearings. 

Fresh Goodies - Pas Normal Studies Logo Transition Gloves & Bontrager Comp Seat Pack (Small)

 

First up in this Fresh Goodies blog is a new pair of long fingered gloves. I have numerous pairs of gloves which are different in warmth, waterproof, windproof, short fingered, padded, non padded - you name it. My go to gloves for most of the time apart from when its above 15ish degrees and no colder than 0 degrees is a thin pair of old Storck Winter Glove Pro's. I bought two pairs at the time when the UK distributer was selling them off (£19.20 in 2017 rrp £40) all there stock at Gateshead. My black pair is now full of holes and very thin, my second pair in white still has a few more miles in them but are starting to look a little shabby. I have never managed to find any other gloves like them until I found these from Pas Normal Studios. They are slightly more bulkier and slightly thicker but are very similar in design etc. I am going to keep them for later on this year in the Autumn. If you are a keen cyclist you will will probably know the name and just how high the rrp is on their products. Well these have an rrp of £55 and I got them for £44 from Team Cycles in Gateshead. If they last as long as my Storck gloves I will be over the moon. 

Second up is another saddle bag. When the zip broke on my last saddle bag I thought I had a spare small bag in my parts tub but to no avail. I was on the look out for a small spare plain black cheapo bag and this one - Bontrager Comp (Small 0.80L) was reduced from £13.99 down to £5 so bought it, again from Team Cycles in Gateshead. Cannot go wrong for a fiver! 

Early morning freezing blast around Durham / Maiden Castle river banks

 

Up and out early on this mornings ride as the sun was shining through the bedroom window. It was a quick morning blast around my Durham city centre , Maiden Castle and The Trod loop. I had to be back to travel to an appointment in South Shields. It was lovely and sunny for the whole ride and real nippy around the river Wear with the Garmin just above 1 degrees. It was lovely and quiet on the outward leg but a little busier on the return leg with dog walkers and runners. I took my Trek Marlin+ emtb hardtail for a change. The comfort is unreal with the large volume tyres and front suspension. All in 15 miles on the nose in 1hr 15mins with 700ft of climbing. Below are a few snaps from the ride, enjoy and hopefully more soon inc some repairs on my Creo 2. 

Another local sunny ride around Durham's old railway lines.

 

Two days in a row now for sunny rides! I was up and out  a little earlier today so was colder than yesterdays ride but again there was sunshine for the whole ride. Todays loop was again a local one taking in two of County Durham's old railway lines. I hoped onto the line at Langley Park and headed for Broompark, from there it was straight on at the junction and up to Stanley Crook. The lines are all mainly bone dry, dusty and fast going under tyre with the recent good weather. Once at Stanley Crook it is the fast steep descent down into Crook to pick up the road to Willington. At the COOP I turned left and along the old railway line back to Broompark then Langley Park. Again not that many others out n about early doors. All in 26miles in 1hr 58mins with 1200ft of climbing. Below are a few snaps from the ride, enjoy and hopefully more soon-