Showing posts with label dynamo lights. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dynamo lights. Show all posts

Thursday 15 October 2020

Falling Leaves & Fail Safes

 








It’s now dark before 7 and the sun doesn’t rise until 7.16. A moot point in some respects, thanks to the superb K-Lite Bike packer Ultra dynamo light https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/k-lite-bikepacker-ultra-dynamo-ligh  and its Pro V2 sibling https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/k-lite   At the rear, I’m sticking with the Lezyne, this Ravemen TR30M https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/ravemen-tr30m-rear-light and a long serving Moon Nebula. I also keep a rear helmet light, just in case one of the rear lights loses charge, or indeed fail.  


During the darker months, it’s a good idea to run a helmet-mounted light. Once thought the preserve of mountain bikers, a lower power (500 lumen with lower settings) can come into its, own should you need to tackle a flat/similar along a dark and lonely road. The ability to have light positioned where you need it while leaving both hands free, makes these tasks easier and quicker to solve.  


More powerful than necessary perhaps but this Blackburn Day Blazer 1100 presently adorning the Pro-Viz. Clue’s in the title. It's a five-mode model. 1100, 800 lumens, 400 lumens, and 200lumen pulsing/strobe settings. The highest mode will manage 90 minutes and for purposes discussed, overpowered.  


However, crucially, the 400 is close to 3 hours, so more than adequate for the duties discussed. I might want the 800, were I carrying the bike up a series of unlit steps, or a very dark stairwell-say in a block of flats. 142g isn’t overly apparent either.  On the subject of high-power rechargeable systems, Steve’s been very impressed with this Ravemen PR 1600 https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/ravemen-pr1600-front-light  


Univega is still running the Continental Contact speed Reflex Tyres https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/continental-contact-speed-reflex-ty and for the time being, their blend of compliance, low rolling resistance and sure-footedness mean I’ve no incentive to switch. However, there is some suggestion of an early winter and temperatures plummeting to minus 10. Sensationalism on the part of the tabloid press in some respects but I may keep the Schwalbe Winter handy, just in case.   


I’m sticking with the Tru Tension Wet lube. It's quick to apply (curing times are a matter of minutes), low friction, and much cleaner than wet lubes tend to be-ceramic, or otherwise. It’s still holding its own, despite an enduring wet spell. The more challenging conditions and reduced daylight means hell n’ high water wet types can quickly evolve into a gritty, destructive mess.    


The Control Tech Silicone Bar Tape continues to delight with its shock absorbency and grippy texture. The Prov-Vis Reflect 360 gloves are also growing on me. Padding density is nice, dexterity is pretty good too. Retro-reflective prowess, (in common with the Chiba) is brilliant and glows a brilliant white, so there’s no mistaking my signals/intentions.  


Pro-Viz have also sent me their Vega and Procyon rear lights. The Vega is primarily designed for bike mounting, whereas the Procyon can be fitted to bike, helmet, rucksack/similar luggage to suit. Bear in mind that, to comply with the law, lighting must be mounted to the bike. That mounted to helmets, or luggage is considered secondary/tertiary but may just save your life, should a main light fail.   

 

Saturday 19 September 2020

Pump Friction...



 


Univega’s drivetrain crisp and dependable again, after a brief switch around, I’m back to hustling along the lanes at 5am and enjoying the serenity. The temperature has suddenly spiked from a seasonally typical high teens to high twenties, meaning the morning mists are in fact, warm. Days are becoming shorter too, sunrise at 6.30 and sunset 1900.  


A moot point for me, since I’m running the K-lite Dynamos and the Ravemen TR30 https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/ravemen-tr30m-rear-light  and TR50 https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/ravemen-tr50-rear-light  lights, often in conjunction with these older Lezyne Strip Drive and Lezyne KTV2 Drive. The latter has 9 modes (6 flashing) and seems much brighter than 25lumens might imply and the 2.5-hour charge time is very convenient. Run times of all three lights are generally good but disciplined charging is always sensible practice. 


Now, some of you will note the Sun Race NRX and the Univega’s Microshift Centos predecessor are road mechs, so not an obvious choice. I would also agree and there was an ill-fated trend for people running rear road mechs on mountain bikes, back in the 90s. Aside from rocks and similar knocks, mechs were unable to cope with the wider ratios and crucially capacities.  


Over the years, touring biased bikes have essentially run mtb groups, which makes obvious sense, but road bike ratios have also become wider, dare we say more knee-friendly and less prescriptive. I don’t turn particularly tall gears and never have, for that matter.  


Holdsworth and Fixed Gear winter trainer have gearing in the high 70s-taller than traditionally considered optimal-we're talking 79 and 76 inches respectively. However, good for cruising on the flat, without assuming cartoonish spin-out when descending, or grunting like a porn star on the climbs.  


I’m sticking with the Muc-Off E-Bike Ceramic wet Lube on the latter and its delivering. Those of you wanting something with a bio base should consider their Wet Lube, which has impressed Steve with its blend of lubrication and staying prowess https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/muc-off-wet-lube        

   

I was pleasantly surprised to find this Crank Brothers F15 Multi tool and Birzman E-Grip 16g CO2 inflator. As its name suggests, the F15 is a fifteen function multi-tool. It hides within the brushed aluminium casing and secures by reassuringly powerful magnets. The side plates are made from aluminium alloy, the tooling SCM 435 stainless steel.  


Aside from a chain tool with integral spoke keys, we have 2, 2.5,3,4,5, 6 and 8mm Allen bits, Phillips and flat screwdriver and a T25 Torx. Caters for most mid-ride eventualities. That said; they’ve packed a lot of tools in, so I’m wondering if there’s a trade-off between form and function.  


CO2 inflators aren’t likely to bring on a rush of heady excitement-unless of course, you’ve succumbed to a flat on a really cold day. Situations where you want to get going again-pronto. (Or, like me, had one jettison in the pocket of my messenger knickers while taking a sharp right turn. Certainly refreshed my maracas...)  


In common with other Birzman products I’ve used in the past, the valve head is beautifully made from CNC machined aluminium. There’s a neoprene grip too, which is one of those small but significant features since otherwise, CO2 cartridges can get painfully cold to touch, during discharge. I’m hoping not to call on it too often, although in some quarters, seems hedge clipping season is in full swing.  


Now, for those new to CO2 inflators, the gas will leach out of the tyre/tube (depending on what system you are using) so remember to deflate and reinflate using your floor pump. Otherwise, next morning you’ll find yourself thinking you’ve succumbed to another flat.  They’re no substitute for a decent mini/midi (or indeed, full sized) pump either. Here’s a couple..  https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/zefal-profil-mini-rg01-pump    https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/specialized-air-tool-pump