Road Cycling Essentials

Status
Not open for further replies.
janp said:
Can anyone recommend me a front light for riding on unlit roads? I brought a cheap Cree last night, but it only lasts around 20 minutes before starting to fade.
Ideally, I need something that can last 2+ hours.
Click to expand...

Buy some decent batteries. I bought a cheap cree light on ebay and it came with 2 batteries which are arse. One doesn't even work any more and the other doesn't last long. If you google around there's loads of pages about crap 18650 batteries on eBay, etc, some of which are downright dangerous. I spent £25 on two proper branded batteries and they last much better, and hopefully won't catch fire and kill me.
 
Anyone got a recommended link to one of the Cree front lights? I'm looking to pick up a new light, but there seems to be a lot of different sellers for these and not sure which to go with. ta
 
Vonhelmet said:
Buy some decent batteries. I bought a cheap cree light on ebay and it came with 2 batteries which are arse. One doesn't even work any more and the other doesn't last long. If you google around there's loads of pages about crap 18650 batteries on eBay, etc, some of which are downright dangerous. I spent £25 on two proper branded batteries and they last much better, and hopefully won't catch fire and kill me.
Click to expand...

I spent a small fortune on various 18650 batteries and chargers last year, a few seemed better than others. None lasted for more than 30-40mins before fading to uselessness, I think it's just this cheap light is very inefficient.

Which batteries did you buy and how long does your light last on full power with them?
 
tedmaul said:
Anyone got a recommended link to one of the Cree front lights? I'm looking to pick up a new light, but there seems to be a lot of different sellers for these and not sure which to go with. ta
Click to expand...

I and my friends have used various ones and they're all much of a muchness. I'd mostly just make sure you get one where it mentions that the battery pack is waterproof (it won't be but it will be water resistant), check for the highest claimed battery capacity (it will be a lie but it may have higher capacity than the others, which will also be lies) and finally make sure the item is being sent from within the UK.
 
I have a few of these. I had one before and just got 2 more. Never had any problems with them but at <£10 each it's worth buying some spares.

That one doesnt come with a battery. As others have said above, it's worth paying more for a good quality battery (this light is the 8.4v external battery pack style)
 
touch said:
I have a few of these. I had one before and just got 2 more. Never had any problems with them but at <£10 each it's worth buying some spares.

That one doesnt come with a battery. As others have said above, it's worth paying more for a good quality battery (this light is the 8.4v external battery pack style)
Click to expand...

How long do you find it lasts with a decent battery?
 
It does about 3 hours on the lowest setting (which is enough for riding on unlit road or offroad most of the time.)

Dies very quickly if you turn it up to max brightness though.
 
You'd be amazed at how much confidence disc brakes give you - especially in the wet.

Having said that, i'm still not convinced by the advantages of hybrids over normal cable discs.
 
touch said:
You'd be amazed at how much confidence disc brakes give you - especially in the wet.

Having said that, i'm still not convinced by the advantages of hybrids over normal cable discs.
Click to expand...

I can only compare BB5s, BB7s and HY/RDs but the stopping power in certainly better and the lack of having to fiddle regularly to re-adjust the pads is awesome. I'm sure full hydraulic is better but these work pretty well and the total upgrade cost is a lot lower.

Vonhelmet said:
You'd be amazed at how slowly I can descend with just rim brakes ;)
Click to expand...

I'm sure you can :) It's really a confidence thing. I ride a lot faster when I feel my brakes have really good stopping power.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top Bottom