Warp Speed, Mr Sulu!

The nights are beginning to steadily creep in. A few weeks back, it was still light by 2100, now I've the dynamo and rear blinkie running at 1930 onward. Some would argue running front and rear blinkies is good practice, long before dusk. I'm inclined to agree. 

My tubby tourer's Exposure Revo dynamo headlight not only produces a very usable 800 lumens, the standlight lasts longer than most. Therefore, no problems at busy junctions. Nonetheless, anecdotally, it seems car, and other drivers respond faster to a fast tempo of a daylight/similar flash setting. Hence the ORP Smart Horn https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/orp-smart-horn and more recently, this Ravemen  LR500S USB Rechargeable Curved Lens Front Light. Clue's in the title, its a compact light with a total (and more potent than figures suggest) of 500 lumens.  

In common with its LR1200 counterpart, it uses lens technology, which is designed to provide a pure, consistent, yet road friendly beam. There are four modes. Three steady High (500) medium (300) and low (100), which should cater for town suburban and semi rural contexts, without being impotent, or abrasive. 

Run times are cited as a commuting friendly 1.6, 2.8 and 7.5 hours respectively. The rapid flash (200) is reckoned good for 15  In emergency, there's the option of plugging into a portable "power bank" and I also like the wired remote option.

Not that the switch cum battery life indicator is tricky to operate and there's a memory mode. Both the 1200 and 500 brackets are fully compatible with the different units, hence I've swapped between tubby tourer and working fixed. There's also an upside down, Garmin type option, if you're pressed for space, or despise clutter. 

An aluminium alloy casing, though not unheard of, at this price point (£34.99) is nice to see. Its shock resistant to 1 metre and complies with PPX 6 for weather repellency. Reassuring.  

Even with high power main systems (dynamos, in this instance) I always carry a second compact unit. Should I puncture/similar along a very dark lane, or snag a wire/similar, then I've always got a sensibly powered backup. Most of the time, these just do a different sort of backing singing-flashing away. Now, much to my surprise, I've discovered it has cancelled out the signal from my tubby tourer's simple little Cat-Eye Quick Computer. 

I initially put this down to a dead sensor battery, and changed the CR2032 button cell, adding a quick lick of Vaseline to the contacts, while I was there.  Spun the wheel, fine. Popped the Ravemem into fast flash the next morning and headed along the lanes. Head unit registered  0 . 

Having stopped and double checked sensor/magnet clearances, I switched the Ravemen off. With (almost) immediate effect,  the display read 14.3 mph. The moment I reengaged the little Ravemen. 0 .  

Shame too, since I was really flying along the flats and descents. In keeping with the Zefal Pro Dry Chain lube https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/zefal-pro-dry-lube and indeed, Muc-Off Dry Lube https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/muc-off-dry-chain-lube, the Rock N' Roll Gold LV one of those low friction blends that really encourages a taller gear and faster cadence. Theory goes this family are intended to be topped up, every 100miles or  so, although I've managed over 400 miles with their absolute dry (admittedly, an older formula) 

Anyone will tell you a wired connection is the most reliable. However, I've never experienced this before-with any system. Sure, older wireless models had a reputation for going bonkers, in close proximity to high currents-Pylons, nuclear power stations etc. 

88mph uphill anyone? Might just be the relatively close proximity. It's presently on the Velo Orange Handlebar Accessory mount https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/velo-orange-handlebar-accessory-mou, so I'll swap it around and see if this makes any difference.  Elsewhere,  Oxford have sent us their North Shore Off Road gloves, which are proving surprisingly capable options for late summer road riding, too. Plenty of miles to do before I cement a proper, informed conclusion. Muc Off also sent me a small bottle of their matt finish detailer, which I've wasted no time applying to a few lids.  

My Ilpompino’s lower race bearings are showing some signs of wear, so I invested in 75 10 grade balls given the races/surfaces were in otherwise good shape. Obviously, price is a key player but most found in entry level to mid-range components are reckoned to be around the 100 mark, whereas higher end Shimano and Campagnolo are around 40 and 25.

So, what do these numbers actually mean? Well, essentially we’re talking materials and accuracy of machining, which has implications for efficiency and longevity. The most basic blister pack variants offered at £1.50 or so are 1,000 grade-more commonly associated with furniture casters-not a precision engineered load bearing component.

Caged bearings are convenient for factories and servicing headsets-they also fill space, thus fewer balls are required, saving manufacturers a pretty penny. However, loose always run smoother and seating them in a bed of stout grease overcomes that heart sinking tinkle as another leaps lemming-fashion beneath the fridge, or similarly inaccessible point. 

Talking of which, it’s amazing what gets rediscovered when rationalising the spares bin/drawer.

This week, I have reclaimed a bedroom drawer for T shirts but much more exciting was the rediscovery of this carbon composite Blackburn Airstik SL micro-pump. At 15cm it’s hardly efficient, though handy back pocket bling when coupled with Co2 cartridges and enjoying the Holdsworth’s company, or popping out on a similarly pared to the essentials test rig.

Budget track pumps can be surprisingly longlived too, although gauges are their weak spot. I’ve had this Revolution (Edinburgh Bicycle Co-operative’s own brand) unit complete with smart head for a good few years.

The gauge is well on the road to retirement but barrel, piston and other components are in rude health. A new valve end for this Lezyne Floor Drive has just arrived from Upgrade bikes- their UK importer www.upgradebikes.co.uk so; I will pass the Revolution unit on to a good and grateful home.

Speaking of testing, Seven Day Cyclist has a You Tube channel in the pipeline. Yes, it will involve action cams but no, we’re seeking to avoid More about this once its’ live.

Recent overcast conditions and summer’s slow but definite swansong sees me setting out with freshly fuelled blinkies. Tethered to bars, post and luggage-we’re eagerly awaiting the arrival of this season’s latest designs and more powerful models-promised in the next week or so…

However, an argument has been brewing suggesting cyclists should use blinkies in all conditions-all the time. Dull, low light-hell, yes but perpetually a’la Volvo no.

The perpetual sidelight argument was popularly banded about for motorcyclists too but independent studies seemed to suggest other road users simply acclimatised, thus riders became “invisible” once more.

I can also see this turning into a very convenient legal loophole for someone looking to swerve a driving without due care and attention charge.  “I was getting the perfect angle for my selfie, when I suddenly felt this disconcerting lump. Having uploaded it to my social media channels and two dating sites, I thought an exhaust mounting was coming loose and found a stowaway cyclist”…

Staying with images, Infrared photography has always inspired curiosity, not so wholesale camera conversion. Once converted, your committed-it cannot be reversed. Following a conversation with a camera dealer inclined towards this genre; I jumped at this 55mm Hoya filter.

There are plenty of filters being hawked on the online auction sites for around a third of the asking price but with decidedly inferior results. I saw no sense in taking this route, only to find myself forking out for the Hoya afterward-false economy. Initial results were quite impressive when using a tripod, small apertures and long exposures, although hot spots and similar imperfections seem harder to sidestep.

These models weren’t quite what I’d had in mind either but at least the brazing holding this Beetle’s roll cage together is nicely done. Before I close this entry, let’s talk riding attire.

For training and similar riding, I’ve always felt perfectly comfortable in Lycra but much prefer a more civilian look for commuting and more general riding. Practical and chic, we’re talking ¾ lengths and looser fitting Plain Jerseys with concealed pockets and subtler colours.

While photographing birds at a local reservoir, this young woman’s machine and attire caught my attention; rolled up sleeves and turn ups... Save for quick scoots of a mile or two, denims are a recipe for chafing and discomfort. Were hers skilfully tailored-possibly home made with a cycling specific cut, or just the old street jeans with shorts beneath trick….

Either way, she was turning a seasoned tourists’ cadence too. A few firms were converting old MOD fatigues into messenger knickers some years back, wonder if the same goes for jeans. Levis, Muxo and a few others offered some nice versions straight off the peg but bespoke always provides food for thought.