- Location
- London
I'm still amazed that the weekend racing community hasn't demanded lights and even pumps that you discretely shove up your ****
I'm still amazed that the racing community hasn't demanded lights and even pumps that you discretely shove up your ****
Do I take it you are from the minimalist brigade Dave?
I just shove them in a pannier.
I won't forget lights/batteries - take them on pretty much all rides in case the wandering bug hits me/I get waylaid.
You do realise that rechargeable batteries eventually stop holding charge and they're more likely to suddenly lose power in the cold - so keep checking behind you. Mount them on the seat stay nearest the centre line IMO.I only use rechargeable lights now, charge them every day at work. Saves monkeying around trying to guess when they will die, not replacing them when they're about to die because someone has nicked the batteries you bought yesterday, and constantly checking behind you in case they had died.
It's not so bad. If you can change a wheel and connect a set of old-style hi-fi speakers (with the speaker wire clamps), then that's about the required level: install dynamo wheel, connect wires from axle plug to front light and optionally a handlebar switch (enables you to flash the lights as well as turn them on/off without touching the front light), connect wires from front light to rear light (leave enough slack so they don't pull out if you turn the bars to extremes - coil it round a screwdriver for a cool phoneline effect), secure wires to cable outers or frame, ride and enjoy.I would like to go for the dynamo option but it seems like it would be a faff to retrofit.
Sturmey Archer use a similar plug and I suspect most will. Routing the wires seemed straightforward enough: up the outside of the front fork to the front light and switch; along the underside of the top tube (tied to rear brake cable outer if it exists, taped otherwise), top of seat stay and rack to the rear light. What did I do wrong?Shimano use a simple plug to their hub.
Routing the wires is the tricky part. I will post pics of mine...
It's not rocket science
That's even easier, then. If the lights fail so catastrophically that you don't deem pedalling safe, then push it home.I tend towards either extreme - either a pannier with tools, tubes, food and everything but the kitchen sink or, if I'm not straying beyond pushing distance (to the pub, for example), nothing at all except a lock.
Sturmey Archer use a similar plug and I suspect most will. Routing the wires seemed straightforward enough: up the outside of the front fork to the front light and switch; along the underside of the top tube (tied to rear brake cable outer if it exists, taped otherwise), top of seat stay and rack to the rear light. What did I do wrong?