my new summer wheel

On Apr 10, 11:29 am, "Claire Petersky"
wrote:

Wow. It's like another bike. I probably picked up at least 10% on my speed,
I swear. And climbing hills is like a dream.

You know I gotta believe the reason you feel it's another bike is that
it's spring again g. You're out of your cocoon clothes. The d a r
k s e a s o n is over!!!

My bike always feels faster in the spring.

On Apr 10, 10:29 am, "Claire Petersky"
wrote:
I have a friction-powered headlight. Rather than ride another summer
grinding energy for a headlight I don't use from about March to October, I
bought myself another wheel. Nothing fancy, a Shimano 105 hub, some sort of
ordinary Mavic rim.

Wow. It's like another bike. I probably picked up at least 10% on my speed,
I swear. And climbing hills is like a dream.

A friend asked me, "does this mean you aren't going back to your friction
hub headlight?" I replied that, since nearly all my October to March miles
are in the dark, commuting, that I'd switch back without hesitation. I
really do like the convenience of an always-available,
never-have-to-recharge, can-never-overcharge light.

But dang, I can't believe I rode for two summers with it. Yeah, on Thursday
night I came back late, and I used just the cateye see-me light. But I'm
usually never riding all that far under those circumstances (in these, less
than 5 miles, in a street-lit urban environment), and it's well worth it not
to have the drag.

--
Warm Regards,

Claire Peterskyhttp://www.bicyclemeditations.org/
See the books I've set free at:http://bookcrossing.com/referral/Cpetersky


Hi, Claire, if the friction of your generator concerns you, maybe you
would like one of these:-

http://tinyurl.com/22o888

Hope this helps.

Lewis.

*****

On Apr 10, 10:29 am, "Claire Petersky"
wrote:
I have a friction-powered headlight. Rather than ride another summer
grinding energy for a headlight I don't use from about March to October, I
bought myself another wheel. Nothing fancy, a Shimano 105 hub, some sort of
ordinary Mavic rim.

Wow. It's like another bike. I probably picked up at least 10% on my speed,
I swear. And climbing hills is like a dream.

If you ever want that drag back for nostalgia, just do as I did -- buy
a new set of wheels and then neglect to adjust your brakes before you
take your first spin. Amazing how a gently-rubbing brake pad can make
any day seem windy and any hill seem like the Koppenberg.

(What can I say -- I wrench my own bike, so I've got a fool for a
mechanic...)


-JR

On 11 Apr 2007 11:43:23 -0700, "Will"
wrote:

On Apr 10, 11:29 am, "Claire Petersky"
wrote:

Wow. It's like another bike. I probably picked up at least 10% on my speed,
I swear. And climbing hills is like a dream.

You know I gotta believe the reason you feel it's another bike is that
it's spring again g. You're out of your cocoon clothes. The d a r
k s e a s o n is over!!!

My bike always feels faster in the spring.

Mine too, but I think taking off the tights is responsible for 2 mph
extra all by itself!

Pat

Email address works as is.

wrote in message
oups.com...
On Apr 10, 10:29 am, "Claire Petersky"
wrote:
I have a friction-powered headlight. Rather than ride another summer
grinding energy for a headlight I don't use from about March to October,
I
bought myself another wheel. Nothing fancy, a Shimano 105 hub, some sort
of
ordinary Mavic rim.

Wow. It's like another bike. I probably picked up at least 10% on my
speed,
I swear. And climbing hills is like a dream.

A friend asked me, "does this mean you aren't going back to your friction
hub headlight?" I replied that, since nearly all my October to March
miles
are in the dark, commuting, that I'd switch back without hesitation. I
really do like the convenience of an always-available,
never-have-to-recharge, can-never-overcharge light.

But dang, I can't believe I rode for two summers with it. Yeah, on
Thursday
night I came back late, and I used just the cateye see-me light. But I'm
usually never riding all that far under those circumstances (in these,
less
than 5 miles, in a street-lit urban environment), and it's well worth it
not
to have the drag.

--
Warm Regards,

Claire Peterskyhttp://www.bicyclemeditations.org/
See the books I've set free at:http://bookcrossing.com/referral/Cpetersky


Hi, Claire, if the friction of your generator concerns you, maybe you
would like one of these:-

http://tinyurl.com/22o888


Has anyone tried these things?

"Fred" wrote: Hi, Claire, if the friction of your generator concerns you,
....(clip)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Fred, Claire has solved her generator friction problem with a new
generator/wheel combo. The link you provided is for a generating blinking
light--Claire uses a headlight.

"Leo Lichtman" wrote in message
...

"Fred" wrote: Hi, Claire, if the friction of your generator concerns
you, ...(clip)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Fred, Claire has solved her generator friction problem with a new
generator/wheel combo. The link you provided is for a generating blinking
light--Claire uses a headlight.
I didn't provide the link. I just wondered if anyone had tried these
flashing lights..

On Apr 10, 6:51 pm, "Leo Lichtman"
wrote:
"Bill" wrote: What is a ***friction*** powered headlight?

I was wondering the same thing, Claire.

Maybe a Van de Graaf generator light? Could be those million-plus-
volt headlamp bulbs aren't very efficient, hence the high drag. ;-)


See http://www.myra-simon.com/bike/dynotest.html for info on real
generator drag.

- Frank Krygowski

In article om,
writes:
On Apr 10, 6:51 pm, "Leo Lichtman"
wrote:
"Bill" wrote: What is a ***friction*** powered headlight?

I was wondering the same thing, Claire.

Maybe a Van de Graaf generator light? Could be those million-plus-
volt headlamp bulbs aren't very efficient, hence the high drag. ;-)


See http://www.myra-simon.com/bike/dynotest.html for info on real
generator drag.

I don't think Claire has a Van der Graaf generator
on her bike. Just an erstwhile hub generator that
impinged a drag and weight penalty during daylight
hours. Now she's got a lighter, free-er rolling
front wheel and she detects a noteworthy difference.
Same as switching to a pair of lighter tires.

A Van der Graaf generator would be fun, though --
make yer hair stick up through yer helmet holes.


cheers,
Tom


--
Nothing is safe from me.
Above address is just a spam midden.
I'm really at: tkeats curlicue vcn dot bc dot ca