Maintenance

More and more riders are buying a workstand for the shed, and for taking with them to events: it makes tinkering with the bike that much easier. The Sports Mechanic stand from Feedback Sports sits second from bottom in their range and is a good compromise: sturdy enough to cope with years of shed-based fettling, light and portable enough to sling in the car for the next sportive.

Not that I have spent much time at Her Majesty's pleasure but the Maxgear Gooj (Get Out Of Jail) is probably not the sort of tool I would ask for to be hidden in a cake and smuggled into prison. Jails are probably not easily dismantled with a set of Hex wrenches (2 / 2.5 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 8mm), Chain tool, Spoke wrenches, Torque T-25, Philips screwdriver, flat screwdriver, and two tire levers.

Green Oil’s Eco Grease is a medium weight, general-purpose lube perfect for summer applications on areas such as cantilever bosses, derailleur hanger and pedal threads. Bikes in continually hard service (especially those with unsealed bearings and sans guards) will probably benefit from something stiffer, although a regime of wet weather riding coupled with repeated washing has to date, made little impression upon the blend.

Good lube, this, and not to be confused with delicate wax lubes that demand you soak your chain in lavender oil for three weeks and then pick out the dirt with a toothpick before you apply it. You can just slap this stuff on, and after a few applications when excess wax starts to build up on the chain, you can easily brush it off, keeping your chain nice and clean. It stays put, too.

Muc-Off’s water soluble degreaser is a very proficient solvent based cleanser that makes short work of accumulated grease and grime and to that end makes a very handy workshop companion. The fact it easily washes away without obvious trace or harmful effect is a real bonus-especially if you're working on a patio or more ornate surface. However, while in a pinch it will tackle headset overhaul, it struggles with waterproof marine greases and care is required on delicate finishes.

Way back in the mists of time we took a look at the 09 version of this pump. Now we have the new, updated version to play with. Question is, have Lezyne improved it?

Lezyne’s pen gauge is a replacement specific hose for the brand’s M(edium) and L(arge) HP series mini pumps complete with integral pressure gauge, precision machined Presta/Schrader ends and durable hose.

While there’s no denying the aesthetic beauty and clever detailing, the gauge is tricky to read-especially in low light and 15 quid while not unreasonable for the quality of construction is halfway to a new pump, let alone a replacement attachment. That said, consumables are readily available from dealers meaning it should last a good while.

Oil. It's expensive, smelly and the cause of more global conflict than the old Mac vs PC debate. Sadly, even switching from four wheels to two still leaves the eco-friendly cyclist reliant on the stuff for keeping chains happy. Happily a solution is at hand in the form of Green Oil.