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My 1984 Holdsworth Elan needed some light touch changes to move it forward a few years.
A tyre swop to Continental Grand Prix 4 Season Folding Road Tyres was in order at 25mm but running a lower pressure for comfort although that seems to be “on trend”. Isn't the smell of new rubber markedly different to the perished stuff? The wheels are Mavic originals and are in great condition a tribute to their quality build. New seat stem from Cinelli to replace the Japanese heavy lump and in black to match the bar tape upgrade to Fizik - Tempo Microtex Bondcush Classic and the Fizik saddle, Antares R3. Pedals from the toe clip to Shimano combination, all-purpose. Massive chain and mechanism clean moving to Muc-Off dry weather lube with a last touch, a black, modern, lightweight bottle cage from Topeak.
The frame, Reynolds 531, has age scratches and marks but I tell myself they add character and thus avoid a re-spray.
The groupset from new is a right mix, down tube shifters and both front and rear changers are Campangalo whilst the cassette and rings are Shimano, brakes by Weinmann which at the time were very popular in this class of bicycle, Weinmann ceased trading in the early 90’s. Holdsworth were the UK importers until about 1981 I think.
Not a huge pot of money spent but that’s about it without going to the considerable expense of changing the whole groupset and that cost is ridiculous. The makers can obviously source a 105 set for a fraction of the cost I can although the brakes from the 105 set are a possible, classic as those Weinmanns are it’s a bit like running a car on brake drums and not discs.
Joe Francis drives the Team Traction Control 600 Yamaha towards Hilltop at Oulton Park Race Circuit during a round of the Pirelli national Superstock 600 Championship
Day 40 - Some dry weather (albeit cold and windy) meant an opportunity to clean the salt and winter grime off the bike and give it a quick service.
This stuff is great for the frame but not quite brutal enough to give it a thorough degreasing.
The peloton speed along the Rhône at Tour Cycliste Féminin International de l'Ardèche 2018 - Stage 1, a 65.6km road race from Saint Marcel d'Ardèche to Beauchastel, France on September 13, 2018. Photo by Sean Robinson/velofocus.com
Winter maintenance needs to be performed very regularly, especially with salt on the roads, and the kind of Monday-Friday use my bicycle gets (approx 90 miles per week - can vary).
Materials:
1. Hose pipe that has a 'mist' setting, this will allow just enough water for the job (Too much water is bad, we don't water to enter the bearings if at all possible).
2. Various strengths of citrus based cleaning solutions, they are water soluble and environment safe meaning the job can be performed anywhere outside (no need for dangerous, smelly spirit based products nowadays). I use Muc-off for wheels and frame. FS-1 for drivetrain (used neat).
3. A chain cleaner is a useful tool, but not essential. I have a Park "CM5 Cyclone", this is filled with FS-1.
4. Various nylon brushes.
5. Rubber gloves.
6. Kitchen paper or similar.
7. Patience.
Method:
Clean frame, then wheels and drive train last. You have to turn the bike round halfway, then you get to the other side of the wheels and you can see which bits you've missed on the other side of the tubes.
Rinse, then dry as much as possible - this not only dries the bike, but removes more dirt. Take indoors, or leave outside if weather is good. You need the bike to be a dry as possible. Re-lube chain and control cables. If you really want to go for it then apply polish/wax to frame.
Action from the Clif Dual Speed and Style Presented by MucOff Credit: Fraser Britton / Crankworx 2018