While the Schwalbe winter/Plus tread pattern is designed to sweep snow away (whereupon the tungsten carbide spikes bite into the impacted ice beneath) but it’s also very capable on greasy, impacted mud, forest trails and bridlepath. Days are getting slightly longer but it’s still predominantly dark, another good reason for prioritising reliability over outright zing. It’s also great for testing lights.
Bob Elliot &Co Bob Elliot Co Ltd - Suppliers of high quality bicycle supplies to registered traders (bob-elliot.co.uk) have sent me these two Ravemen units. The CLO5 and CLO6. These employ sensors that are apparently unique to them. Rather than increasing the light progressively as dusk creeps in, it senses approaching vehicles and produces a warning flash, so theoretically reinforcing rider presence. There is also the option of switching this function off, say during daylight (which it isn’t intended for).
The CLO5 pumps out a maximum of 30 lumens, the CLO6 50. With a few notable exceptions, the lumens race seems to have tapered off a little in recent years. Several months down the line, I still love the Magicshine See Mee family, particularly the 200 and 100 models.
As I’ve said elsewhere, the 200 and 100 refers to lumens in “braking” mode, rather than output per se. The 200 pumps out 30, 70 and 140 lumens, the 100 18.36, and 72lumens. A good range that caters for most riding contexts. My yardstick for town/suburbs is 10-15 lumens, 30odd for unlit backroads. However, optics also play a big part.
The advances in lens and diode technology means even relatively low numbers are still quite useable. Lezyne stick drive rear light being a primer example. It pumps out a maximum of 30lumens, staircasing down to 4, which is genuinely quite useable around town. Its 12lumen flash 3 option covers most other bases, as a default.
Admittedly, I still prefer something more retina tickling for regular saunters along dark, mysterious lanes. Professional/commercial contexts aside, I’m someone preferring to be under the radar but riding at night, I like being as conspicuous as possible.
Staying on the topic of lenses, I received this Sony HX60 compact camera. I like carrying a compact camera on rides, means I can capture things, record significant points regarding product performance, etc. It replaces another little Sony that developed a stabiliser/lens fault-beyond economic repair, after three years.
Image quality is good, especially by compact standards, thanks to the sensor size and manual control, although it only shoots JPEG, not RAW. Measuring 110x64x40mm and weighing around 200g, its quite substantial, but still fits inside a breast/nelson type pocket, so meets my requirements nicely. It also captured another, unexpected side benefit of the wider, trailer hitch skewer. Talking of compact, here’s Richard Peace’s review of the Cube Compact Hybrid e-bike CUBE COMPACT HYBRID | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)
Y wrenches are another lasting favourite tool of mine. I have a 6, 8 and 10mm socket version bought for a few pounds, thirty years back. Super-convenient, I’ve just acquired a 4,5 and 6mm Allen key version.
Ergonomics mean it’s more convenient than a fully loaded multi-tool, especially tackling Aheadset, seat collar and, cable pinch bolts etc. Ergonomics are another consideration when it comes to brushes, a nice, efficient design means keeping bikes and their drivetrains, less of a chore. Zefal ZB Multi Brush ZEFAL ZB MULTI-BRUSH | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) has some nice features and decent, knuckle-sparing length.
