The Case for Compact Lights

 

Generally riding in the arse end of beyond, high power dynamos are my default form of bike lighting, especially during the darker months. Switching Ursula’s superb K-Lite Bike packer UltraK LITE BIKEPACKER ULTRA DYNAMO LIGHT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) for its Bikepacker Pro V2K LITE BIKEPACKER PRO V2 FRONT LIGHT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) cousin was something of an inspired decision. I am totally smitten with the K-lite family of dynamo lights. The Bikepacker Ultra is the most potent but the Pro V2’s bijous profile has freed up a surprising amount of useable handlebar space, without a tangible loss of performance.  

Nonetheless, compact, mid power lights certainly have their place.  

Clutter-phobic best/sunny day’s machines are the most obvious. These might not see dark, greasy, salty wet roads but often enjoy late summer playtimes, where dusk can sneak up on us. Blinkies are the obvious weapons of choice but dusk and beyond calls for something more potent. The sort that can be navigated by.  

This Ravemen CR600 is a case in point, hence why it’s now adorning the Teenage Dream’s bars (although photographed on my fixed gear winter trainer). As the name implies, it pumps out a maximum of 600lumens and tapers down to 300, 150 and 50lumens, with two flashing modes for good measure. Now, in keeping with this genre of light, run times in the highest settings. 1hour 20 minutes or so, in this instance.  

However, Ravemen lights have some particularly nice, innovative touches, including the ability to plug “power bank” type auxiliary supply to buy some more time, should the integral battery tank. Ravemen also offers a wired “remote” button for easy mode changes on the fly.  

Even along pitch black lanes, 600 lumens provide decent presence but if your training run/commute involves navigating longer sections of unlit roads, 1000lumens would be my benchmark. Lumens are only part of the story though- lens and reflector quality are equally important. Ravemen LR500S Front Light is a prime example of this RAVEMEN LR500S FRONT LIGHT | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) . 

Compact lights can also make good companions and backups for dynamo systems. Even with the K-Lite units, I like to have a blinky on the go and though problems with high-end, high-power dynamo systems are rare, should something unexpected happen, you’ve got backup. Besides, a little torch type model is useful for tackling punctures, diagnosing strange noises, rummaging through luggage etc. Models, such as Moon Meteor Vortex are less compact but have replaceable batteries . 

This has two advantages, the most obvious being that the light isn’t necessarily bin fodder when the battery is. However, it also means you can carry a couple of fully charged spares and slip them in, to extend ride times. Prior to the Ravemen, I had been running the Moon Meteor.  

A very discrete unit delivering 400 lumens in top but with a, attention-grabbing 500 lumen daylight flash. 400 lumens are more than adequate for those afternoons, or early mornings when dusk and dawn are en route and presence is called for. Talking of presence, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the Brightside Bright, Amber & Sideways BRIGHTSIDE BRIGHT, AMBER & SIDEWAYS | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

Look closely and you’ll notice I’ve pensioned off the Teenage Dream’s tri bar wrap in  favour of the remnants of Velo Orange Rubbery bar Tape. Knew I’d find a use for it and in this instance, it was literally made to measure.  

The Ritchey wrap had served faithfully for several years but was starting to look tired in places and I knew the Velo Orange would upgrade damping and grip. Not that I ride on the Tri Bars for extended distances and, but these Cinelli Mini Sub 8 Aero Extensions are suitably unobtrusive, while still offering decent shelter from the wind.  

Talking of the Teenage Dream, it’s now 31 years since the original build and It marked my transition to adulthood, and mirroring myself, has evolved progressively since.  

Aside from some fond memories of tractor racing and philosophising with friends on balmy summer rides (talking about women, essentially), I don’t reflect fondly on this period of my life, or the 90s, generally. 

There were definite, tangible achievements, some lessons learned, and significant people met but equally, some very dark and austere times. There is nothing to be gained from living in the past. Learn from it, take only those of genuine significance and continue forward along the winding road.  

 

 

Wax, Wheels, Caps & Brexit Bite

Easter’s bitterness has given way to fluctuating temperatures, so I’ve switched the wardrobe around a bit. ¾ lengths and shorts have been making appearances and I’ve switched to summer-weight caps, socks and gloves. Models such as this Buff Pack BUFF PACK BIKE CAP | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) wick faster, which is also helpful when conditions turn showery.  

A decent peak will also protect the eyes and face from the sun, blustery winds, and airborne particles. April’s changeable nature means I’ve been sticking with photochromic eyewear, which adjusts to different light progressively and accurately. This eliminates any need to switch lenses should strong sunlight give way to dull and overcast conditions. Liner-type gloves are another useful bridge between seasons, although look for those with some form of palm padding. I’m still very fond of these Specialized, which sport nice ulnar defending detailing.

 

The Bat wax is also notable for its cleanliness and staying prowess. Admittedly, I've not encountered monsoon rains (but few people would go the wax route, knowing this was forecast). However, it seems temperature stable. I was surprised to learn 'it's a synthetic wax employing a water-based carrier. The synthetic particles are apparently more tunable, hence it’s a thinner layer, which attracts less dirt, whereas old school formulas tend to trap the grit in the top layer and eventually flake away, leaving a thin lubricant layer behind.   

Clean drivetrains are good practice full stop. Essential when switching between lubricants, especially those of different genres. Wax formulas ae particularly sensitive to any pre-existing lubricant, especially petrochemicals. My fixed gear winter/trainer’s drivetrain being a case in point.  

I had treated it to a good, but not meticulous clean, hence why the Univega’s transmission remains pristine, and it quickly assumed a superficially scuzzy state. Deep cleans are essential when fitting fresh chains, especially if you are opting for something water/emulsion-based.  

Otherwise, the pre-existing layer will simply float the wax away. Having established this was just unsightly and wasn’t impairing performance, I removed the drive side cranks and treated the ring and chain to a liberal helping of degreaser. In this instance, I reached for Squirt Bike Cleaner Concentrate SQUIRT BIKE CLEANER CONCENTRATE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and chased any residual with Pure Bike Degreaser PURE BIKE DEGREASER | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

I was surprised by the glaze of impacted, matted ceramic and wax formulas clinging to the Genetic Tibia ring GENETIC TIBIA TRACK CRANKS & RING | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) but this combination stripped it bare, with some gentle agitation and a liberal, warm water rinse.  Steve has been quite impressed with Muc-Off Bio Degreaser MUC-OFF BIO DEGREASER | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  

Dried, refitted and tension tweaked, I applied another helping of Bat Wax and left curing for seven hours, before popping out for an evening blast. I’d passed the 250mile mark on Ursula before things turned a bit filmy, so just added another light coat, put the old girl away and then left the Bat Wax curing for another 24 hours. Drizzled a couple of drops on the cleat mechanisms and the Kinekt 2.1 Seatpost’s moving components KINEKT 2.1 SUSPENSION SEAT POST | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com), since I was there, and the post was emitting a very subtle squeak.  

Decided it was also time to do some refurbishment of the Teenage dream’s wheelset. Nothing major, since they are basically true (although would benefit from a wheel builder’s touch) and have seldom seen wet roads these past 30 years. 

 

However, I’d need to whip the freewheel and I may as well strip and regrease the Athena hub, while I’m there. The freewheel was caked in a waxy glaze, which was useful enough protection in storage but looked scuzzy, so dismissed and I treated the freewheel to liberal helpings of heavy-duty PTFE lube, while I wait for the Park Tool FR4 freewheel removal tool to show up.  

Thanks to the combination of Covid 19 and Brexit, stocks are low, and the original, proposed supplier was talking in terms of 5-6 weeks lead time. Another says two weeks, so I’ve gone that route. These long lead times are also affecting other industries- replacement car components being one of them. Particularly (although not exclusively) those for European marques. Then, of course, there are additional tariffs, likely arising from the UK’s hard Brexit- an unwelcome double whammy.  

That aside; nice to see that Park still offers one, since while fond of retro, I’m not paying fancy prices. That goes for cars, motorcycles, cameras too.  I’m very attached to the “Teenage Dream” and it’s still a joy to ride, but quaint by contemporary standards. Ah but while the nostalgic is misguided and arguably unable to embrace the future, the cynic knows the price of everything and the value of nothing...