Master Blasters & Brake Upgrades

I’ve been curious about some ultra-powerful lights for a while now. A deviation from my dynamo devotion, perhaps, but I’ve also been feeling those unmade roads and dirt trails calling Ursula and I as we whizz past. Magicshine offer models with 8,000 and 12000 lumens but I was more intrigued by Ravemen’s interpretation of the “turn night into day” narrative.  

Their UK importer (Bob Elliot & Co Bob Elliot Co Ltd - Suppliers of high quality bicycle supplies to registered traders (bob-elliot.co.uk) sent me the Ravemen XR6000, which delivers a maximum of 6,000 lumens and reckoned good for 1.2 hours. Crucially, there are trail and road settings too, so you’re not going to be dazzling everyone and there’s a wireless remote to make responsible use effortless.   

Aside from the headlining 6,000 lumens, the next prod down is 3,000 lumens (2 hours) and low, 1500 lumens, reckoned to return 4 hours from a full charge of the 8000mAh/7.2 v battery. There are similarly versatile road settings too, projecting a localised flood for broad sweeps and a long-range spot for picking out the detail. The road is a more moderate 1500lumens, 1000lumens and 500 lumens with official run times of 3.5, 5.5 and 10.5 hours, respectively. There's also a rapid flash, for emergencies. 

Build quality is extremely high, not that I’d expect anything less from Ravemen and it's reflected in the £389.99 asking price. The head unit meets IPX8 for weatherproofing (in common with the PR family) and (along with the mount) is made from aluminium alloy with a Mill Type III hard anodised finish.This also serves as a highly effective heat sink, meaning diodes and circuitry stand a sporting chance of leading long and happy lives.  

Naturally, there’s also a thermal cut-out for added protection. 9 diodes in total are projected through an anti-glare lens that produces a T-shaped beam, much like those common in automotive applications.  

The high-low system works in much the same way, so you can quickly dip, to avoid dazzling. The 18-watt battery requires 4.5 hours for a full mains charge and is encased in a “high-quality plastic” which meets IPX6 for weatherproofing. Another similarity with its PR cousins is the easy-to-read OLED display, so you can easily see how much juice/ride time’s left.  

You can also plug in a power bank and other goodies, such as a phone, should you need to refuel them mid-ride. The complete system weights 661g which is a mere 24g portlier than the Sigma Buster HL2000 SIGMA SPORT BUSTER HL 2000 | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  

Elsewhere, I’ve concluded the RL520 levers are a better fit with discs than the otherwise likeable RL340. The latter still offer reasonable performance but the RL520 are designed specifically with V brakes and cable-operated discs in mind. In truth, I’ve gone for black and kept the RL340 behind since it’s designed for cantilevers, and I don’t fancy locking the rear wheel every time I grab the rear brake with any conviction.  

Regularly alternating between the Fixed and Ursula (both running TRP Spyre SLC callipers, identical discs and cables) confirmed the fixed’s RL520 supplies palpably more power. Dia Compe’s 287V Aero V Brake levers pull a claimed 20mm of cable and though highly effective, erred on the fierce side.  

Either way, I took that opportunity to introduce it with a new cable. The 520’s hood profile is slimmer than the RL340, but you’d have to inspect very closely, and the levers aren’t going to present an issue aesthetically, or operationally. A bitterly chill 20-mile test run confirmed this was the right move- oodles more progressive bite, no judder or squeal either.

I say bitterly chill but winter weight soft shell jacket with wind and waterproof membrane locked the wind out and Madison Freewheel Men’s Thermal Bib Tights with Pad Madison Freewheel Thermal Bib Tights | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) are still going strong. I’ve not reached for the Belgian cap just yet but that’ll appear, along with the Schwalbe Ice Spiker Pro this week Schwalbe Ice Spiker Pro Tyres | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

Talking of change, this grey EVE handlebar tape arrived, and I decided it was best adorning the fixed’s Genetic D-Riser 4 bars. GENETIC DRISER 4 HANDLEBARS | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com). But before I disappear to the workshop, here’s Steve’s review of The Castelli Commute Reflex Jacket Castelli Commute Reflex Jacket | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

 

Busted Zippers, Beggared Bearings & Back Road Blasting

 

While performing tyre switches and similar preparation, I discovered the See Sense Handlebar Bag’s zipper had expired. Further, generic inspection revealed the fixed gear winter/trainer’s FSA headset was similarly shot, prompting immediate replacement.  

I had a Stronglight O’ Lite in stock but the biggest challenge was finding my crown race removal tool. I’ve had this one for some years and replacements are now much dearer. With some methodical searching (the sort reminiscent of childhood and painstakingly searching through the toy box for a favourite action figure)it was discovered in the bottom of my transmission parts box.  

Given the relatively early hour and it being Sunday, I unleashed a silent, internal whoop of joy. This also presented an opportunity to inspect the Kinesis carbon fork for any sign of deterioration that might lead to failure.  

Thankfully, nothing to see. I also topped up the internal frame preserve, since I was there.  Everything back together with lashings of Peaty’s Bicycle Assembly Grease, I had a quick play with spacers and tweaked the TRP SPYRE SLC calliper- Ursula's too. Just a matter of pulling the inner wires through a little. I also replaced Ursula’s Sigma BC9.16 ATS Wireless Computer SIGMA BC9.16 ATS WIRELESS CYCLE COMPUTER | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) sensor battery, since I’d been getting some very strange and erratic readouts, during our last ride.  

While foraging for the crown race remover, I uncovered this tool bottle and of course, the Crank Brothers Speedier leaver, which is another firm favourite of mine. Tool bottles will typically swallow a tube, maybe two, a small multi tool and other little essentials you don’t want to be rummaging for.  

They’re generally very cheap-£2, or so but there’s a long tradition of riders upcycling old water bottles. Apparently, empty Horlicks tins are similarly effective alternatives. The only slight downside of course (especially during summer) is they mean sacrificing a bottle cage. However, this might be a non-issue if you’ve three and lugging two full 750/800ml bottles.   

Ursula had also received new bar tape- Ergon BT Gravel Bar Tape, to be precise. It's 3.5mm (about 0.14 in) thick but much easier to apply than that density might imply. Seems to isolate road shock and trail buzz very convincingly too, thus far. The Vittoria Evolution are a little lighter than the otherwise very likeable Schwalbe Land Cruiser, which translates in a zippier ride.  

However, the next 500miles or so, will reveal more about their persona, temperament and reliability.  

Consistently dry conditions and a bank holiday weekend prompted me to polish and prep the Holdsworth for a few early morning blasts. I also decided to switch headsets spacers a bit, tweak the Miche stopper a little. Ironically enough, the Knog Nerd computer battery had expired but sometimes it’s about enjoying the ride and the moments. Road Path framesets were designed to be competent weekend racers, yet dependable daily drivers.  

Sufficient clearance for full-length mudguards (fenders) and road appropriate geometry, meaning handling is exciting but predictable and practical. They’re a concept I’d love to see return. However, I also recognise, from a commercial perspective, they were very much of their time. The 1950s were a time of post-war austerity when car ownership wasn’t the norm-indeed the British cycle industry took a big hit when petrol rationing was abolished in 1957.  

Though a slightly different machine, On-One Lincolnshire poacher was an interesting frameset harking back to these times, although reviews from the time suggest it had less zing than a “true” road path build from the 50s.