tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post8929354034355717740..comments2024-03-27T05:14:23.738-04:00Comments on Lovely Bicycle!: Dynamo Lighting Kit for RoadbikesVelouriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-22965127184337544532012-07-16T09:56:56.764-04:002012-07-16T09:56:56.764-04:00yes! I was thinking exactly the same!yes! I was thinking exactly the same!Rich Fentonhttp://www.lumalighting.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-62302217818824826432012-07-16T06:21:39.552-04:002012-07-16T06:21:39.552-04:00Both of my bikes, general purpose and mtb, have Sh...Both of my bikes, general purpose and mtb, have Shimano 8 speed hubs and they suit me fine for cycling around the hills of the Pennines in northern England. I've ridden derailleur and hub and much prefer hubs. Each to their own though, so long as you enjoy the ride.DaveUKnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-86207881648666573202012-07-15T20:04:00.517-04:002012-07-15T20:04:00.517-04:00battery and led technology are advancing so rapidl...battery and led technology are advancing so rapidly that i doubt anyone will be using hubs to power lights in the near future. and while i believe that some day ighs will be an acceptable alternative to derailleurs they still have large weight and performance deficits. for those who travel at slow speeds on flat surfaces this may seem like a fine compromise but my commute involves an ~800 foot elevation gain each am.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-18352290909710264222012-07-15T09:15:50.790-04:002012-07-15T09:15:50.790-04:00I'm a little surprised not to see more promoti...I'm a little surprised not to see more promotion of daytime running lights (on my bike, on my kid's bikes) from the Effective Cycling crowd. They make a convincing pitch for visibility, AND DRLs are required on motorcycles in many states, AND studies have shown that they make even automobiles more visible.<br /><br />Interestingly, some people are sufficiently glare-sensitive to be bothered by LED headlights even in the daytime. My solution (affordable, because my lights are home-made) is "low beams" -- a pair of amber headlights on a switch, aimed lower than the regular headlights. Amber, however, does NOT retro-reflect from dog eyeballs, so it is harder to spot dog-walkers at night.<br /><br />I've never used them in fog or a snowstorm to see if they have an advantage over white; it's not clear to me how much fog lights work because they are lower (off-axis from your eyes) versus because they are amber (farther from your night-sensitive vision). I do know a white helmet light is worse than useless in a snowstorm -- all you can see is brilliant white snowflakes, right in your face.dr2chasehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16320828055999939449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-64084573074368973582012-07-13T20:52:29.009-04:002012-07-13T20:52:29.009-04:00@MaxU - yes, that is what I am saying. I build it...@MaxU - yes, that is what I am saying. I build it, and once it works (it does not necessarily work at first), then I do not touch it.<br /><br />My own personal work has proven to be far more waterproof (on 5 different bikes) than the B&M bottle dynamo I once owned. None of my brackets (unlike the Zinkens I paid money for) has broken. There are two things that did fail "in the field" -- when I first upgraded from bottle dynamo to dynamo hub I did not appreciate how much more power was "available", and that burned out an over-power shunt (so strictly speaking, the circuit worked as designed). I tried potting electronics in GulfWax (sealing wax for jam) on my son's bike, and that turned out to be a bad idea because the wax cracked and then wicked moisture along the crack. Melted the wax, dried it out, and unlike the dynamo, all was well. Understand, my usual design is to solder it all together from end to end, with heat-shrink tubing fitted over the joints, and a minimum of switches that can go wrong (there is no off switch, for example). I use marine-grade wire when I can.<br /><br />This circuit here has been mounted on a bicycle stored outdoors for the last three years, and put through 7500+ miles of actual use, including rain, snow, slush, vibration, heat, etc.<br /><br />http://dr2chase.wordpress.com/2009/04/25/lighting-control-circuit-fixed-working/<br /><br />It comes on at low speed with almost no flicker, and at higher speeds it has less drag because it does not draw all the available current.<br /><br />That's my experience. Design and build conservatively, and then leave it alone. And design for repairability, so in the worst case I can take it apart and fix it.dr2chasehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16320828055999939449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-83909692674757995182012-07-13T18:22:23.037-04:002012-07-13T18:22:23.037-04:00You forgot "This is a miracle so smart / no i...You forgot "This is a miracle so smart / no it's not it's practical."Ground Round Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09103163385322185034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-17201761034900696402012-07-13T18:20:37.060-04:002012-07-13T18:20:37.060-04:00I would say if the fetishistic shoe fits, wear it ...I would say if the fetishistic shoe fits, wear it proudly. But don't run around telling people you aren't.Ground Round Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09103163385322185034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-90866738526981118732012-07-13T17:56:18.221-04:002012-07-13T17:56:18.221-04:00>> Fabulous - I ride only at night
+1>> Fabulous - I ride only at night<br /><br />+1Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-12834080609398945282012-07-13T17:53:27.806-04:002012-07-13T17:53:27.806-04:00@MatthewJ They could be... depends what they keep...@MatthewJ They could be... depends what they keep in the locked trunk?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-76487028482959605212012-07-13T17:45:23.806-04:002012-07-13T17:45:23.806-04:00This is brilliant
This is dumb
You did this just r...This is brilliant<br />This is dumb<br />You did this just right<br />You did this all wrong<br />There's a much better way to do this<br />I want to do this!<br />I did this and didn't like it!<br />This is too expensive<br />You shouldn't do overnight rides<br />How cool that you did an overnight ride<br />Useless - I don't ride at night<br />Fabulous - I ride only at night<br />I have never needed lights, even at night<br />I ride with lights all the timeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-64959498656986889402012-07-13T17:22:51.478-04:002012-07-13T17:22:51.478-04:00Would you say people who keep batteries in their s...Would you say people who keep batteries in their sunny sunday only convertibles and muscle cars are fetishistic as well?Matthew Jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10408057524387021992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-81856300630433845482012-07-13T17:19:18.851-04:002012-07-13T17:19:18.851-04:00Cerfs are all that.
Love mine so much I want to t...Cerfs are all that.<br /><br />Love mine so much I want to take my next tour on one but worry my luck with no flats (one plus year!) will run out as soon as I am far enough away from town.Matthew Jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10408057524387021992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-1369162763911284812012-07-13T17:13:32.661-04:002012-07-13T17:13:32.661-04:00Regrettably not available yet but very promising i...Regrettably not available yet but very promising is a very small dynamo running on the wheel rim (no misalignment, no tire wall damage). It is described in the May 2012 issue of VeloVision (page 38 and on). Specs in German can be found here: http://compact-tandem.com/rim-dynamo.<br />Can be fitted on V-brake bolts or any other clamps on forks. Runs at far higher revs than a hub dynamo so can be smaller, and doesn't require a wheel to be built around it. The main problem for now seems to be that it hasn't passed German type approval yet so only available for export.Frits Bnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-6300055292988890492012-07-13T17:06:20.467-04:002012-07-13T17:06:20.467-04:00New England is much larger than England, and has a...New England is much larger than England, and has a less than a third of its population.<br /><br />Even in crowded England's country lanes between the cities of Manchester and Liverpool, I get by with battery lights.petehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09988347024466013018noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-51741069860082832082012-07-13T15:23:33.680-04:002012-07-13T15:23:33.680-04:00I've been watching that project and hoping it ...I've been watching that project and hoping it pans out.Rob Halliganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14937320367129788144noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-37272181638723648312012-07-13T15:21:38.902-04:002012-07-13T15:21:38.902-04:00If you have a brazed-on bracket on your fork for y...If you have a brazed-on bracket on your fork for your bottle charger, they are a pretty good, affordable option in my mind. Mine pictured: http://www.flickr.com/photos/robhalligan/7563467384/in/set-72157623138990561/<br /><br />More on that bike: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/691113-Re-building-Bertha-DC-rehab-project-detailedRob Halliganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14937320367129788144noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-76855138077607017262012-07-13T13:39:14.144-04:002012-07-13T13:39:14.144-04:00Exactly. Current battery-powered LED lights give y...Exactly. Current battery-powered LED lights give you more than enough light for at least 4 hours, which means carrying only one extra set of 2 AA batteries. Additionally, "more than enough" is really mostly too much light, if it is really dark outside and my eyes have adapted - normally I switch to the lower mode which gives me over 20 hours of light per battery set.<br /><br />Dynamo setup is, IMHO, more useful for touring than for the night riding of this type.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-10643319627089064112012-07-13T13:31:55.652-04:002012-07-13T13:31:55.652-04:00Not for me.Not for me.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-59872560780114998712012-07-13T13:31:33.374-04:002012-07-13T13:31:33.374-04:00The 26mm Grand Bois Cerfs feel like 32mm+ on this ...The 26mm Grand Bois Cerfs feel like 32mm+ on this bike, I am impressed. Want to ride them a little more before I write anything substantial.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-43066612073307626022012-07-13T13:30:24.396-04:002012-07-13T13:30:24.396-04:00Non-fetishistic solution: same wheel, quick conne...Non-fetishistic solution: same wheel, quick connect on each bike. <br /><br />I know, too practical, not pretty. Just put a lug on it.Ground Round Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09103163385322185034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-57635850095956418402012-07-13T13:29:25.629-04:002012-07-13T13:29:25.629-04:00Do you think it's a problem that the front whe...Do you think it's a problem that the front wheel does not match the rear?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-54334843023900620792012-07-13T12:37:42.505-04:002012-07-13T12:37:42.505-04:00As far as transportation bicycles, it is not a mat...As far as transportation bicycles, it is not a matter of academic debate for me - I need dedicated, bright and reliable dynamo lighting on what is essentially my everyday vehicle.<br /><br />Other bicycles, it remains to be seen. But then I use them very differently.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-68896892066872728522012-07-13T12:01:48.608-04:002012-07-13T12:01:48.608-04:00Dirk Strothmann's KickStarter project (http://...Dirk Strothmann's KickStarter project (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/dynamodirk/magnic-light-get-new-energy) promises a better solution -- he has bright LED lights with electricity generation that is powered by magnetic induction from the moving bike rims. Front and rear lights are powered independently. He won't ship until September, but it looks like it will work, and then it would be easy to move the lights from bike to bike without worrying about wiring.Jon Webbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02944939117507730995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-23386543825421627952012-07-13T11:25:32.606-04:002012-07-13T11:25:32.606-04:00I have happily used bottle dynamos for years, even...I have happily used bottle dynamos for years, even with relatively light weight tyres and have rarely had any trouble (apart from occasionally in the snow). Some are better than others, and you can get additional plastic or caps which fit most and improve efficiency no end.<br /><br />The secret is in alignment. A straight line through the centre of the dynamo should intersect the axle of the wheel. Otherwise it will drag, slip and damage the tyre. Adjust it so the pressure on the tyre is the least you can get away with.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-51984132705220461242012-07-13T10:01:14.597-04:002012-07-13T10:01:14.597-04:00I've been reading about the cushy ride quality...I've been reading about the cushy ride quality of the slightly fatter 26mm tires, and am thinking about up-sizing when my current set of 23s wears out. Hope you take the time to review them sometime soon.<br />Keep up your excellent efforts, on the bike and on the blog.<br /><br />MT cyclist.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com