Boiled Bearings & Brake Lights

 I’d been concerned about the Halo Evaura/SP SL9 HALO EVURA & SHUTTER PRECISION SL9 DYNOHUB BUILD (sevendaycyclist.com) hoop- there's been some disc rub and I initially believed this attributable to a slight loss of truth- either the rim or less likely, the Swiss Stop Catalyst Disc Rotor Swiss Stop Catalyst Disc Rotor | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com). I’d ruled out the other possibility-broken axle, or skewer. The latter sheared unexpectedly but thankfully, while I was inspecting things from the comfort of home, not ten miles out.  

A trip to Mick Madgett confirmed the SL9’s bearings were cooked. Hub issues had crossed my mind-I’d done approximately 20,000miles and four winters, so not wholly unexpected. Its PD8 cousin HALO CLASSIC RIM & SHUTTER PRECISION DYNOHUB DISC WHEEL BUILD (sevendaycyclist.com) needed overhaul last year, which wasn’t an overly complex, or fraught process. Send it off to Ison Distribution (Their UK importer) pay a small fee and it’ll come back from the factory, serviced and ready to be built into a wheel. 

 

Continuing the lighting theme, I’ve been forming stronger opinions regarding the Kranx Strix 100 and Ravemen TR500 rear lights. The former has surprised, impressed me with its output and presence, across the board. I’d be happiest running it on a best bike-for extended late summer/early autumn evening outings where you need a decent light to get home with. Or as a backing singer to a dynamo/main light during winter. 

 

The TR500 is highly effective and incredibly powerful, though still practical for suburban and town riding in the lower settings. Run times are surprisingly good too, although it does require 5 hrs 45 minutes to fully re/charge. The trick of course, is to charge often.  

Not only for convenience but because it ensures lithium-Ion cells reach their suggested service life. It also features a brake sensor, which its TR300 sibling does not. “Brake” sensors or brake functions are useful but probably best explained/thought of, as slowing sensors.

  

For example, a car or motorcycle brake light engages when the lever, or brake pedal is engaged, which in turn, causes other components to physically engage, switching the light on and off. However, those featured on bicycle lights employ a sensor, which calculates/estimates deceleration. Therefore, it’s likely that they will engage more often, which can affect run times.  

Designs have improved somewhat in recent years- in terms of sensitivity, so you’re not engaging the “brake” light at the slightest loss of momentum on a climb. I’m still very fond of the Xeccon Mars 60 COB Rear Light TESTED: XECCON MARS 60 COB REAR LIGHT (sevendaycyclist.com), which can run in “brake light” only mode. Again, it’s a little on the sensitive side but the large surface area and slightly translucent casing means it’s a good bet for tagalongs/trailers, or as a sleek single, post-mounted light.  

Those on the Ravemen TR500, and Magicshine SeeMee 150 and 200 are easily disengaged, which is thoughtful. Ravemen CLO6 RAVEMEN CL06 SENSORED REAR LIGHT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) follows this less prescriptive narrative and employs a sensor that picks up approaching vehicle headlamps, intensifying the output accordingly.  

After a period of drought, the rains have come and its welcome on many levels. Wet, greasy and challenging conditions are perfect for evaluating products. Tyres, brakes, chain lubes or clothing are just a few examples. The Specialized Road Sport are continuing to put a grin on my face, although aren’t quite as sprightly as the CST Czar, or Vittoria Rubino Pro but do seem consistently good-even along waterlogged roads.  

Would be interesting to see how their more expensive Road Elite stablemates compare. Interestingly the latter only feature a centre-breaker strip, not one that runs bead to bead. Traditionally this has meant a lighter, faster tyre but on paper at least, more vulnerable to flats, especially during winter. Winter also means more component chewing filth and caustic grot.  

This coupled with shorter days demands a more efficient approach to cleaning and general maintenance WINTER WONDERLAND ONE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) Bike washes, though not essential can be very helpful when time is short and grime stubborn. Steve’s been putting this Motorex Bike Clean Motorex Bike Clean | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) through its paces and seems quite impressed.  

  

Festival of Lights

No, not Diwali. I’m referring to the sudden, and welcome delivery of some test lighting from another publication. One I have really enjoyed freelancing for, these past ten years. As I’ve said on several occasions, over the past decade, I enjoy riding in the dark-regardless of the season.

Lighting in keeping with tyres and other winter leaning kit, has not only improved in terms of power and output, but reliability too.

Although there are potential problems with lithium cells and high intensity COB diodes…

Blown bulbs, impotent optics, corroded connectors and crap brackets (that all too frequently catapulted lights into the nearest hedge come the first bump), are long gone. 

I need at least 800 lumens for my locale, though 1100 is more comfortable, especially if I really want to let rip. 400 is just about good enough for semi-rural work-in the navigational sense.

Only a few years back, this kind of output was all or nothing and/or required a beefy battery tethered to the top tube, adding weight and unwelcome clutter. Now, most are tuneable for output and economy, so there’s no excuse for burning people’s retinas/dazzling oncoming traffic, especially in town.

Some of the auction site specials, the sort giving change from £20 represent excellent value (Although lens and reflector quality leave a bit to be desired, which becomes apparent when hossing along a twisty rural road in the dead of night.

At the other extreme, their lowest steady modes seem to be around the 500lumen mark, which is a bit abrasive through sub/urban districts. 100 lumens, or so are adequate, in the seen by sense.

At the other extreme, some of the uber lumen compact torch types are constrained by limited run times in the highest settings. Fine for suburban riders wanting to take their post work training loop into the wilds. Dynamos aside, I’d want something capable of generating 1000 lumens (preferably more) for at least 90 minutes.

Some minor niggles aside, I’m still very taken with Moon Meteor Storm pro https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/moon-meteor-storm-pro-front-light , which will pump out 1150lumens for the best part of 3 hours (2hrs 54mins) from a full charge. Talking of which, another useful feature to look for, is an automatic kick down.

Intelligent battery life sensors, which automatically cascade downwards, once reserves reach a certain point. It could also save your bacon. Even the best maintained bikes can suffer a mechanical, which can take longer to fix, on a cold, dark night.

Anyhow, I’ve three from the Blackburn Day Blazer family- the 1100, 800 and 400 to enjoy and evaluate. Following up the rear, the same publication has generously sent me Oxford Bright Stop Rear LED, which combines a traditional LED and braking light, which works to the same principle as Xeccon Mars 30 and 60 . https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/xeccon-m

In this instance 5 diodes kick in, when it senses deceleration, whereas the Xeccon employs the whole strip. This Mars 30 and 60 seem more intense as a result but we'll see. Despite the dominance of USB rechargeable fit n’ forget systems, AA/AAA fuelled blinkies remain very relevant-especially for touring, long distance night rides and indeed commuting.

Spare cells are easily carried, or indeed purchased from supermarkets, convenience stores/petrol stations.  Generally speaking; I run these on ni-cd rechargeable cells but keep some dry cells handy, as a contingency. Talking of reliability, these Vee Tire Co Zilent MK2 tyres are proving very reliable, and surprisingly sprightly, given their weight. https://www.facebook.com/Sevendaycyclistmagazine/videos/2519973554895678/

Ending on that note and with the evenings drawing in, here’s our overview guide to blinkies/safety lighting. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/in-the-blink-of-an-eye    Right, off to play with those lights, and this rather comfy looking Selle Italia Novous boost superflow saddle.