Season Of Cycle Lights.

Posted by: George J on 20 October 2014

Season Of Cycle Lights.

 

I have a new main front light and also ten LED back light, from Moon and Cateye respectively.

 

I also already had a pair of small Lezyne front lights that are well spaced from the main light, and I use these in flashing mode to be more visible.

 

The Cateye rear light has the option to run half the LEDs in the legally required continuous state, while running the other half in one of several flash modes. An elegant option that allows for maximum visibility and compliance with the law without having to have two different rear lights.

 

The first photo shows the excellent Marathon tyres that I refitted the week before last.

 

 

 

 

 

With such good lights as these, anyone who runs into me now, really does need to consider their fitness to be behind the wheel of a vehicle.

 

The front beam is excellent and has a good flat top to it so as to prevent dazzle for oncoming traffic, provided it is properly aimed below horizontal. I think there should be some standard brought in on this as dazzling lights are in some ways as dangerous as very dim lights.

 

ATB from George

Posted on: 20 October 2014 by George J

Also fitted were a full set of new Shimano brake blocks in their natty new milled ally carriers. I was surprised they mated so well with the archaic Campgnolo short reach Gran Sport callipers. And that was a nice improvement. The braking is nicely progressive with them. I had stuck to Fibrax brake blocks till now, and the Shimano ones are definitely safer in terms of not wanting to grab so readily. Getting Fibrax is now quite a search and I lost the will to bother any more. Pleased by the change ...

 

The brakes are nicely powerful in any case and lifting the back wheel is not hard to do even with only two fingers.I tend to wear out back brakes faster for all that. I don't much like using the front brake going downhill ...

 

ATB from George

 

PS: The pictures were taken before the new brake parts were fitted though.

Posted on: 20 October 2014 by winkyincanada
Originally Posted by George J:

 

 

The brakes are nicely powerful in any case and lifting the back wheel is not hard to do even with only two fingers......

 

ATB from George

 

 

What?!! I never brake hard enough to lift the back wheel.

Posted on: 20 October 2014 by winkyincanada

Pulled the winter commuter bike out this morning. Air in the tyres, oiled the chain and she was good to go. Lights were all located and are working fine. A really nice ride to work in refreshing rain most of the way.

 

Although......at the the end of last winter, I carefully gathered my collection of winter gloves and shoe covers and put them away so carefully that now, I simply cannot find them. Not a problem just yet as the temperatures are mild (although you wouldn't guess that from the amount of kit others are wearing), but I will need some extra protection from the cold before too long.

Posted on: 20 October 2014 by George J

Dear Winki,

 

Cycle safe!

 

My one colleague art work who also always cycles in has caught the light bug so we both have new lights for the new season, though he spent more on his front light than me!

 

ATB from George

 

PS: On braking lifting the back wheel, I bet that you are taller and heavier than me! All up the cycle and I only amount to a bit less than eighty kilos!

Posted on: 20 October 2014 by winkyincanada
Originally Posted by George J:

Dear Winki,

 

Cycle safe!

 

My one colleague art work who also always cycles in has caught the light bug so we both have new lights for the new season, though he spent more on his front light than me!

 

ATB from George

 

PS: On braking lifting the back wheel, I bet that you are taller and heavier than me! All up the cycle and I only amount to a bit less than eighty kilos!

Nah, we're about the same size and weight, I think. I still don't know why you're finding yourself in situations where you're lifting the back wheel off the ground. Or are afraid to use the front brake on a hill.

 

Effective braking on a bike involves using both brakes. The front one should be applied about three times as hard as the rear. If the back wheel locks, indicating that it is becoming unweighted, ease off on BOTH brakes to avoid the rear wheel leaving the ground.

Posted on: 20 October 2014 by George J

Dear Winki,

 

Though it is quite easy to do, the last time I lifted my rear wheel with braking was before my leg was broken by that idiot driver more than two years ago!

 

For gentle braking to prevent speeding up going downhill, I have always just used the back brake. 

 

These days I rarely brake much, because I select routes that do not require it - well hardly ever. Sometimes a dog can run onto my path!

 

Last summer, touring North Norfolk, I did not come within a country mile of of hard braking, though I did manage some reasonable speeds!

 

On my commute I work on the idea that my average speed should approximate to three times walking pace or about twelve miles per hour. Not much call for heavy breaking at that speed. I used to go faster, but those days are long gone!

 

On a slightly different tack, I have decided to let the little red cycle develop slowly over twelve months rather than rush. Instead, I'll buy some waterproof hi-viz trousers, and carry on with the Carlton. It does ride very nicely!

 

Anyway, it is still the best way to arrive at work after opening up the airways riding a bike!

 

ATB from George