Fresh Goodies - Gobik Deep Winter Merino Socks, Icon Socks & Silca Ultimate Sealant Remover

 

I used these Gobik deep winter merino winter sock last winter and have never used any winter socks over my 40+ years of cycling as good. I have tried to buy a second pair for nearly a year in my size and they have just come into stock. These are going in my spares box for when the first pair wear out. I highly recommend them to anybody and are defo worth the full rrp of £24.00. 

Also these caught my eye when looking at the winter socks some Gobik Icon summer socks. If they are as any where near as good quality and performance as their winter socks I will be happy. RRP £16.50

Last but not least I also bought some Silca Tubeless sealant remover. Stans is a pain to wash off your bike and clothes when you get covered but the original Silca tubeless sealant is a hundred times worse. This stuff is supposed to be excellent so time will tell and hopefully I don't need to use it very often! RRP £20. If you shop around the net you can get it for less than £18. 

A sunny ride over to Bishop after a visit to Infinity Cycles

 

Today was a steady away spin from Meadowfield along the old railway to Bishop Auckland n back. I had the S-Works Creo 2 to drop off at Infinity Cycles so they can have another go at the front brake to stop it from squealing like a pig. So I had a ride on my first Creo 2 from there over to the Sports Centre to pick up the old railway line. The weather was fantastic with the sun shining, temperature around 10 degrees but again a strong headwind out but that meant a tailwind to come back. The lines are still mainly dry as we have had no rain, the heat and wind has dried thee top off again. There was a quite a few others out so it was stop / start in places, not to worry all part of the fun. All in just over 18 miles in 1hr 18mins with 500ft of climbing. enjoy the few snaps below and hopefully more soon- 

A tootle around my local tracks n trails in warm sun, enjoying life

 

Back out again after the early morning rain. The sun was shinning but still very windy for a local fun ride. I just fancied a very steady away ride from the door around the local area of Durham, Maiden Castle, Crossgate Moor etc taking loads of different types of terrain. It was a lot warmer the last good few rides with the Garmin topping out at 15 degrees and that was with the wind chill factor. I took the S-Works Creo 2 as it was charged and already dirty from the last ride. There quite a few others out n about especially around Durham city centre enjoying the good weather. All in 17.5miles in 1hr 37min with 1100ft of climbing. Below are a few sunny photos of the ride, enjoy and hopefully more soon - 

Fresh Goods Sunday - Ritchey WCS XC SPD Pedals

 

If you have followed my blog over the many years you will know that I have always used Ritchey SPD pedals on all of my mtb's and gravel bikes for well over 30 years. There are a few reasons and that is because they work, good value for money, light and never go wrong. The WCS model has not changed design for many years now and have them on a few bikes. The end cap to the axle is removable with an 6mm allen key, this is best part for me regarding servicing. I have never had a pair fully apart and stripped down ever. I just remove the end cap, get some Park Tool grease and push some in with my finger into the end of the axle and the backside of the cap. Screw the cap back in and it pushes the old grease out at the other end where the seal is. Keep doing this until fresh grease starts coming through. Most times it is twice but I do them approx every six months. The only other thing is to tighten the cleat retention adjustment screws when your spd cleats become worn and need some more release tension. The bare alu platform wears after a while but it does not affect anything in my eyes. 

For comparison XTR is rrp £160 but shop around and get them for around £110 to £125 and they weigh 315g+. The end cap is none removable so have to pull the axle etc to service them. 

Wolf ALT xc spd pedals are £205 and weigh 295g with removable end cap. 

All of these pedals you can run normal spd cleats. I have not mentioned Hope’s xc pedal as they use thier own cleat design. 

This is my second pair which are 3 years and 3 months old. My first pair of the same model is nearly five years old now and showing signs of wear and tear but the axles/bearings are just as smooth as the day they come out of the box. 

RRP £127.99 and I paid £103.16 imc 24hr delivery from Swinnerton Cycles. Discount 17% 

Manufacturers Blurb - 

Having powered Nino Schurter to multiple World Championships, World Cup titles and Olympic medals (including gold), the Ritchey WCS XC pedals have proven to be one of the most successful pedals ever made.

The confident engagement system of the WCS XC pedals feature a fixed front claw that provides best-in-class entry and release and excellent mud-shedding characteristics. The axle system offers outstanding bearing life while achieving a low axle-cleat height, and a wide pedal body improves stability. The bushing, needle and cartridge bearing system promises long service life and excellent protection from the elements – and it’s completely serviceable.

Now available in black, the Ritchey WCS XC pedals draw on Ritchey’s rich mountain bike heritage to deliver performance fit for a champion and for all of your mountain bike adventures. As an added bonus, these remarkable pedals are now available at a very attractive price.

Bodyforged alloy

Axle MaterialCroMo

Inner Bearingbushing

Middle Bearingneedle

Outer Bearingsealed cartridge

Float4°

Distance crank-to-center53mm

Pedal stack height15.50mm

Weight298g

Colorblack

Sold as a pair

Cleats included

Compatible with Shimano SPD® cleats