Blink & You’ll Miss It

 

Been a few weeks since my last entry. A welcome tsunami of products has kept me out along the lanes, late at night and mischief moderated. 500 miles in, I reached some very tangible conclusions about Vee Tire Co Zilent MK2. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/vee-tire-co-zilent-mark-2-tyres

Our 38mm sections have proven themselves swift, comfortable and extremely durable rubber, for everyday riding. Project Dawes has also gathered a little more momentum https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/gravel-on-a-budget-part-two-compone  and the Weldtite TF2 Advanced Ceramic chain wax has also performed, pretty much as I was expecting, right down to the miles per application. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/tf2-1  For the time being, I’ll stick with its clean and slick characteristics, while conditions remain distinctly fair-weather.

Will be interesting to see how it fares, during the darker months. On balance, I prefer a cleaner lubricant that requires more frequent reapplication, over something sticky and sludgy. However, chances are, by this point, I’ll have switched to something more stoical.

With trees shedding leaves, the nights are closing in. Dusk chimes around 18.45 and its nigh on pitch black by 19.15. https://stenningphotographic.blogspot.com/2018/10/on-waterfrontwith-aurora-ray.html

My MK1 KA’s creaking Constant Velocity joint and dental appointment meant I wasn’t attending the Cycle Show, at Birmingham NEC’s. However, Steve (co-editor) was and suppliers are increasingly keen to work with us.

This week I received these lights from Oxford Products.

We have their UGOE Classical 1000 lumen mini, which is a four-mode light, producing maximum output of 1000lumens. Pretty much my “on paper” benchmark, for speedwork along unlit lanes. 

There’s a lot to be said for the latest generation of high- power slimline torch types. Blackburn’s Dayblazer family (1100, 800 and 400 lumens respectively) being prime examples.

No cabling, or external battery clinging to the top tube… Output to run time ratios are relatively favourable. So long as you are using the most powerful settings sparingly.

Longer distances, along pitch black roads, (where navigational prowess is king) calls for a bigger/replacement battery. Now, better quality systems have become much smaller. This Xeccon 1300 being a case in point, although the neoprene encased battery is still pretty brick like https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/xeccon-1300-wireless-front-light .

 The average auction site “Master Blaster” is relatively large, in every respect, consuming a fair chunk of handlebar real-estate. Yes, they may pump out 1500 lumens-more in some cases. However, low-rent lens and reflector mean output quality is a little sketchy. Most notably when haring along swooping descents. A decent spot beam makes potential hazards so much easier to spot, and ultimately, swerve.   

Looking through the online catalogue, I wasn’t expecting the Ugoe to be this diminutive. As the photos illustrate, its CNC machined aircraft grade aluminium lamp and switch are literally thimble sized. Ample room for computers, GPS, action cameras/similar creature comforts.

Tidy freaks will want to route the cabling more discretely along the top tube. There’s plenty of it too. Ample for helmet mounting (courtesy of the supplied Go-Pro design).

Even the 3.7volt 5200mAH lithium ion battery is slimline and fits very unobtrusively, in a jacket, or jersey pocket. There are four modes, 1000lumens is reckoned good for 2hrs 30 minutes, 500 lumens 5 hours and 10 hours claimed for low and flashing, respectively.  

Looking forward to seeing how it compares, output wise, with compact torches, such as this Blackburn Dayblazer 1100.

At the other end of the lighting spectrum we have their Ultra Torch R50 and Ultra Torch F100. 50 and 100 lumens apiece, both are at the more potent end of the blinkie market. 

Arguably you only need two, but eight modes, 270-degree projection and run times between 2 and 45 hours are very appealing. Some obvious nods in the direction of Cat Eye Rapid X.

Physical profiles aside both use COB (Chips on board) technology (where diodes are mounted directly on the circuit board). this ensures more can be shoe-horned into the same space, generating greater intensity.

The Ultratorch are fuelled by a 3.7volt 500mAh Lithium Polymer cell. A rubberised “foot” hides the micro USB port, keeping rain and other wet ingress outside. This also ensures the light sits flush, against seat posts and indeed, seat stays

Good optics and intelligent deployment are more useable than lumens alone. For example, by my reckoning 15 lumens is about right for town duties. Strikes the right balance between asserting presence, without tickling retinas at close quarters, or consuming reserves overly quickly.

30 is still OK but better along the open road. On pitch black roads, misty mornings, or as a daylight mode, 50 is good. Distinctive strobing patterns also play a very significant part too. £17.99 apiece, they seem seriously good value, but lets’ see what the next few weeks reveal.  

Shifting Energies

Went to the mind, body spirit and well-being festival at Birmingham’s NEC on November 4th. I’d never been before, so had nothing to gauge it by but the atmosphere was inclusive, welcoming and, as you’d hope, positive.

Equipped with an open, enquiring mind, some products/services smacked of very expensive “snake oil” but that is the case with any large event, regardless of topic/interest. The majority of stall holders/practitioners appeared knowledgeable, qualified and genuine.

On the subject of products and potions, Rock N’ Roll’s UK distributor kindly sent Seven Day Cyclist www.Sevendaycyclist.com some samples for testing. One of the reasons, mild and relatively dry weather aside, why I’ve stuck with dry/emulsion preps, rather than opting for something wet.

Unfortunately, seasonal pilfering seems to have begun early. Despite being in the office, project managing a refit, the (presumably) casual postie claimed I had rejected the consignment…Hmmm.

Elsewhere and as the days draw shorter, well prepped bikes and lighting becomes increasingly important https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/winter-wonderland-one  https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/in-the-blink-of-an-eye .Thanks to the ubiquity of COB (Chips on board) technology, where LEDs and placed directly atop printed circuit boards, even relatively small capacity lights are becoming increasingly intense.

I’m also warming to the trend for steady/pulsing settings on blinkies, which combine a fairly modest steady setting-20-lumens, or thereabouts, with a more extrovert flashing cycle-typically 50/70lumens. Paired with a “proper” front light, these seem to hold the attention of other traffic, say when entering the flow of traffic.

I’m putting a Bush & Muller IQ Eyro 39 Lux front light through its paces for another, very popular title.

It looks just like a traditional dynamo light, to the point, I was looking for the connectors! However, it’s powered by an integral lithium ion cell, which has two, steady modes.

The highest is 30lux, the lowest 10. Interestingly, the lens and reflector are engineered in such a way as to project a generally pure, “carpet” of light at close range, which was much better than I was expecting in the navigational sense.

Unlit backroads still call for a fair bit more than 30lux, 80 is nearer the mark, especially if 18 to 23mph is to be a realistic tempo on the flatter sections, let alone faster descents.

Along the lanes, the Eyro feels underpowered, rather than impotent-12-15mph is pretty much tops, 23mph seems realistic through suburban and better lit, semi-rural contexts.

Bush & Muller reckon its’ good for 5hours plus, from a full mains charge- potentially a week’s commuting or so, for some. Though pretty disciplined when it comes to charging, I like auto-kick downs, where lights automatically default to the lowest setting, when the batteries’ reserves dip below a certain point. 

This ensures there’s always something to limp home on, even if we’re talking glimmer territory. Talking of which, even on the lowest 10 lux setting, output seems comparable with an old Lumotec lamp and Nexus dynohub combo that guided me through South London’s shadier districts for several years.

Generally speaking, 800-1200 lumens is my benchmark for unlit lanes. Leaving aside the auction site retina burners, these tend to produce a very pure, assertive arc that makes larger vehicles, SUVs in particular, pause for thought, rather than ploughing ahead.

The Eyro though pure and with reasonable peripheral bleed is comparatively tame. This has seen a few drivers take a more aggressive stance, muscling through and creating tighter gaps, not to mention potentially more danger.

A moot point with more powerful commuter systems, even those packing a modest 650lumens, or so. Observation, though possibly confirmation bias suggests a tendency for those drivers, without other licences to substitute skill with greater aggression.

By the same token, I used to buy into the belief that Black Cab drivers were better drivers. Many years’ experience in the capital and other cities has led me to conclude, they are simply better regulated and undeniably, superior navigators.

Back to lighting, thankfully, most high power systems staircase downwards to 150-200lumens.

More than enough, most of the time for well-lit city and suburban contexts and conserves juice too (although I have been known to crank it up to 300/400 when it’s particularly gloomy, or I’m competing with seasonal, neon malaise). Daylight modes aside, thundering through the town with 1000lumens is not only unnecessary but aggressive and alienates other road users.

The same goes for high output rear blinkies 50-60lumens is brilliant for murky nights and/or unlit backwaters but taking other factors, such as lens and size into account 15/20lumens (maybe 30 in  constant mode) is pretty much optimum, especially in slower moving/rush hour traffic. Dip as you would expect another for you…Talking of which, my reserves are dwindling now, so off to tend kettle and investigate the fridge.          

The Blow Out Before Christmas

Having replenished my supply of spare tubes and indulging the Ilpompino in a fresh set of Freedom ryder tyres, it was highly ironic that my little ford KA should succumb to the pothole boom, blowing the tyre and leaving its steel rim with a gruesome flat spot. Mercifully, Uncle Benny sent the cavalry and a local garage resurrected both in exchange for £20, which came as something of a relief.

Just the previous night, I’d narrowly averted disaster aboard said fixer while haring through those unlit lanes and debating the importance of rim brakes. Someone pumping floodwater from their land left a corpulent, inflexible blue pipe straddling the highway-suffice to say I’m eternally grateful to my 600 lumen lighting ensemble and those re-badged, wide arm Tektro cantilevers, stopping us literally eight inches from disaster!

Right, well having met my targets deadlines-wise I’ll head to the midlands and wish you all a happy Christmas.