Road Cycling Essentials

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What do people use for lights on their bikes when commuting?

I currently have a Cateye EL-320, which might be ok for being seen, but it's useless for illuminating the road. I have heard that people tend to buy a torch and attach it to the bike via a twofish lockblock. I'm having difficulty picking a particular torch, and I'm not looking to spend too much (less than £50).

Thanks in advance
 
BlackDragon said:
What do people use for lights on their bikes when commuting?

I currently have a Cateye EL-320, which might be ok for being seen, but it's useless for illuminating the road. I have heard that people tend to buy a torch and attach it to the bike via a twofish lockblock. I'm having difficulty picking a particular torch, and I'm not looking to spend too much (less than £50).

Thanks in advance
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Yeah, I've got a torch up front. Fenix L2D and a Twofish Lockblock. It really is like a headlight and cars give you a nice wide berth, which I can only assume is because it casts such a big light patch on the road cars think you're a lot bigger than you are.

At the back I've got a Blackburn MARS 3 but I think I'm going to add a couple of those small flexible clip-on LED ones. Problem is I've got 3 bikes I regularly use but only the one light mount. I wish they sold the mounts separately.
 
Jonny69 said:
At the back I've got a Blackburn MARS 3 but I think I'm going to add a couple of those small flexible clip-on LED ones. Problem is I've got 3 bikes I regularly use but only the one light mount. I wish they sold the mounts separately.
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They do; http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=19048

In fact, if you've got the older model Mars 3.0, I have two of those mounts that you can have. CRC added the disclaimer on that page about that mount being for the old version after I bought two of them, so I can't use them.
 
Jonny69 said:
Yeah, I've got a torch up front. Fenix L2D and a Twofish Lockblock. It really is like a headlight and cars give you a nice wide berth, which I can only assume is because it casts such a big light patch on the road cars think you're a lot bigger than you are.
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Thanks for the replies.

I'm interested in the Fenix ones as I've seen them mentioned quite often. I'm looking on the rainforest place, but there are a few LD20 ones. Which one do you have? What setting do you normally run it at (the lumens settings)?

Thanks
 
just got a Smart superflash 1/2 watt rear light through from Parkers (was on half price) and damn is it bright - can't really see our my left eye at the moment...

charger wise I've been using a cheapish one from 7 day shop, don't think it cuts off at full charge but its been doing a good job. They also do pretty good batteries on the cheap (it is a horrible site though!)
 
BlackDragon said:
I'm interested in the Fenix ones as I've seen them mentioned quite often. I'm looking on the rainforest place, but there are a few LD20 ones. Which one do you have? What setting do you normally run it at (the lumens settings)?
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On the bike I just use it at full power, tilted down so it casts a nice light patch in front of me. I'll click it to strobe if the conditions require it, which is quite easy to do with your thumb. I think it's 180 lumens.

platypus said:
Also on the lights front, can anyone recommend a good AAA charger (pref one that cuts out when fully charged)?
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I use the one that GP have on their site for the Recyko batteries. It doesn't cut out but I guess they wouldn't make it if it did their batteries in :p
 
My Giant MTB was stolen from my office a month or so ago, no insurance coverage either :(

I cycle about 6 miles each way to work and about 30-50 miles at the weekend. I went with my girlfriend to buy her a new bike and bought this one on a whym! Its massively heavy but super comfortable and I can put my shopping on it.

(stock photos as its too cold to mess around with cameras atm)

abcpashley1a.jpg


abcpashley1.jpg


I am building a fixed gear racing bike at the moment also. It is based on a 1970's Jack Hearne 531 Reynolds tubed track frame, I recently had it painted by Armourtex and I will post some pics when I have added some wheels, crank etc

I am still pondering which one to take on the London to Brighton ride next summer :S

dude.
 
theDude said:
I am still pondering which one to take on the London to Brighton ride next summer :S
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50lb Pashley with 3 (?) speed hub or lightweight track geared singlespeed up Ditchling Beacon (brakes coming down would be interesting too)? Decisions, decisions....

I do like Pashleys and am very disappointed so see Royal Mail are getting rod of them on safety grounds.
 
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Its a 5 speed and it does weigh more than the moon, especially with paniers on etc.

I was thinking of rocking the pashley as i can take my clothes (going out clubbing in the evening and staying over) and also the posibility of dressing up in tweed with a flat cap with my gf as she has the girl version of the same bike in girly blue.

I agree that neither are a good choice for the journey! atleast the racing bike I can pick up and run up the hill.

Dude.
 
theDude said:
I agree that neither are a good choice for the journey! atleast the racing bike I can pick up and run up the hill.
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MTFU and ride it ;)

Think i'll do the capital to coast again next year, was a great event and by all accounts much less packed than the L2B.


brother-in-law is trying to get me to do the spring onion - really not sure if I want to do a 80miler that early in the season, plus Feb is looking very boozy... (week long work junket + my stag do) so we'll see (and i know - MTFU ;))
 
Whoo! My new track hubs are here!

Nothing special but they're beautiful and so so smooth running with sealed bearings. Just trying to find a place to get some 292mm stainless spokes and nips at a sensible price. Ebay seems to have sold out :p

SS, I wanted to do the Hell on the Ashdown in February but it sold out in 36 hours :eek:

Might have to go and watch instead.
 
Decided to get a Fenix LD20 with lockblock directly from Fenix Torches as their prices were about the same as the rainforest place. Also they supply free batteries and due to it being Christmas they are chucking in an accessories kit that is apparently worth £18. Not bad for about £58 inc delivery :)
 
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