my new summer wheel

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

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.

What is a ***friction*** powered headlight? That reminds me of those
1950's type generators that just rubbed against the tire and did take a
lot of effort for a little light. A center hub generator is supposed to
take almost no power if it is not being used.
Curious.
Bill Baka

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.

"Bill" wrote: What is a ***friction*** powered headlight? That reminds me
of those 1950's type generators that just rubbed against the tire and did
take a lot of effort for a little light. (clip)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I was wondering the same thing, Claire. Besides, doesn't the ***friction***
drive generator lift off the tire when it's not needed, resulting in NO
power loss?

In article ,
Bill writes:
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.

What is a ***friction*** powered headlight? That reminds me of those
1950's type generators that just rubbed against the tire and did take a
lot of effort for a little light. A center hub generator is supposed to
take almost no power if it is not being used.
Curious.

I believe she's talking about a front wheel hub generator.
Those things are reputed to inflict somewhat more drag when
switched off, than when switched on.

As for your "1950's type generators that just rubbed against
a tire," the modern versions don't require much work at all.

Even the old Union generators (of which I have a few) don't take
that much effort, either. At least, not for a stronger rider.


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

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.


By "friction powered headlight" and "grinding energy for a headlight I
don't use" do you, perchance, mean a hub generator? If so, what kind of
hub generator? I've got a Shimano 3N-71 hub generator powering my
headlight, and it certainly doesn't cut my speed by any 10%. If your hub
generator is a cheaper model, treat yourself to a higher quality
generator hub like the 3N-71 or a SON (Schmidt Original Nabendynamo).

Or have you just been riding around with your bottle generator engaged
during daylight hours? :-D

mark

mark wrote:
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.


By "friction powered headlight" and "grinding energy for a headlight I
don't use" do you, perchance, mean a hub generator? If so, what kind of
hub generator? I've got a Shimano 3N-71 hub generator powering my
headlight, and it certainly doesn't cut my speed by any 10%. If your hub
generator is a cheaper model, treat yourself to a higher quality
generator hub like the 3N-71 or a SON (Schmidt Original Nabendynamo).

Or have you just been riding around with your bottle generator engaged
during daylight hours? :-D

mark

Or,
Maybe she turns off her headlight by shorting it out. Ouch, what a load
that would be.
Bill Baka

"Bill" wrote: Maybe she turns off her headlight by shorting it out. Ouch,
what a load
that would be.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Now we have drifted to the topic of another thread: "The speed of dark."

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.

,

Using narrow tires at 100 psi you will also fly faster if you are not
already.: )

Tom Keats wrote:
In article ,
Bill writes:
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.

What is a ***friction*** powered headlight? That reminds me of those
1950's type generators that just rubbed against the tire and did take a
lot of effort for a little light. A center hub generator is supposed to
take almost no power if it is not being used.
Curious.

I believe she's talking about a front wheel hub generator.
Those things are reputed to inflict somewhat more drag when
switched off, than when switched on.

Yes, she has a Shimano hub dynamo.

As for your "1950's type generators that just rubbed against
a tire," the modern versions don't require much work at all.

Even the old Union generators (of which I have a few) don't take
that much effort, either. At least, not for a stronger rider.

I've never really noticed any extra effort. My average speed declines a
little, but not enough for me too care much about. Especially in winter
when I'm already riding slower because of poor light and extra wind drag
from extra clothing.

--
Dane Buson -
A Dublin lawyer died in poverty and many barristers of the city subscribed to
a fund for his funeral. The Lord Chief Justice of Orbury was asked to donate
a shilling. "Only a shilling?" exclaimed the man. "Only a shilling to bury
an attorney? Here's a guinea; go and bury twenty of them."

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.

Right, rechargable lights are suboptimal IMHO. And with the money saved
from not replacing them every year[1], I've already payed for my dynamo
wheel + 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.

I really should dig out my other front wheel. It's not so much the
drag, but I could do with a little less weight. My bike is somewhat
heavy admittedly...

[1] Commuting year round in Seattle is not kind to anything except a
*very* well sealed device.

--
Dane Buson -
For reasons beyond the comprehension of most people, many fixed-gear riders insist
on riding with no brakes. They just fight the pedals and hope that their rear tire
alone will stop them or that they can dodge.

When informed of this bizarre cult, a friend of mine remarked that riding with
deliberately ineffective braking offers all the exhilaration, sense of
superiority, and irresponsibility of driving drunk without the hangover.

I haven't thought of a good rebuttal yet.
-- Carl Fogel in r.b.tech