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Zefal Deluxe LED Light, 180 Lumens, Spot/Flood Zoom, Two-Axis Mount.$21.96, includes tail light.
This Zefal light would be a good starter light for Frank and others that
understand the need for a daytime flasher but that don't want to spend a lot. It's similar to the this one: http://usa.zefal.com/lights/ but 30 more lumens and it's unpainted aluminum, not black painted. It's only 180 lumens, but the beam is ideal for road use (symmetrical), there's a flash mode, and it's the only bicycle light that I've seen that comes with spot/flood zooming; other purpose built bicycle lights that I've seen with spot/zoom capability use two separate lamps. Since DRL use and night-time use often benefit from different beams it's surprising that it took this long for a bicycle accessories company to come out with such a light. Obviously, at only 180 lumens, this is not a light for hilly terrain or high-speed commuting on twisty roads, but for familiar roads it's sufficient. For a daytime flasher it's also good. The mount is okay, at least it allows rotation on two axises so if your handlebars are curved it can still be aimed straight ahead. It has a quick release. The tail light is bright enough, but it's very small without a wide field of view. It reminds me of those little tail lights that used to come with bottle generator sets, but much brighter of course. With daylight savings time in effect, a lot of people, especially school-age children, need lights, but aren't willing to spend even $100 on lights. Early morning is the time I see the most people with the need for lights since so many school kids are riding to school before the sun comes up, but they ride home in daylight. I'm not fond of daylight savings time for this reason, besides the other reasons like increased energy use. |
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#2
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Zefal Deluxe LED Light, 180 Lumens, Spot/Flood Zoom, Two-AxisMount. $21.96, includes tail light.
On 2015-03-09 7:21 AM, sms wrote:
This Zefal light would be a good starter light for Frank and others that understand the need for a daytime flasher but that don't want to spend a lot. It's similar to the this one: http://usa.zefal.com/lights/ but 30 more lumens and it's unpainted aluminum, not black painted. It's only 180 lumens, but the beam is ideal for road use (symmetrical), there's a flash mode, and it's the only bicycle light that I've seen that comes with spot/flood zooming; other purpose built bicycle lights that I've seen with spot/zoom capability use two separate lamps. Since DRL use and night-time use often benefit from different beams it's surprising that it took this long for a bicycle accessories company to come out with such a light. Obviously, at only 180 lumens, this is not a light for hilly terrain or high-speed commuting on twisty roads, but for familiar roads it's sufficient. For a daytime flasher it's also good. The mount is okay, at least it allows rotation on two axises so if your handlebars are curved it can still be aimed straight ahead. It has a quick release. The tail light is bright enough, but it's very small without a wide field of view. It reminds me of those little tail lights that used to come with bottle generator sets, but much brighter of course. With daylight savings time in effect, a lot of people, especially school-age children, need lights, but aren't willing to spend even $100 on lights. Early morning is the time I see the most people with the need for lights since so many school kids are riding to school before the sun comes up, but they ride home in daylight. I'm not fond of daylight savings time for this reason, besides the other reasons like increased energy use. I've got a similar front light as a back-up, often carried along in my backpack in case the Li-Ion for the big light runs out of juice before I am home. They are indeed good "stay visible" lights. However, one of the rear lights I had looked just like the one in the left picture. The picture does not show the mount but mine had a flimsy seat post mount that didn't last. After the ride the light was gone and only the ring was left. Don't know about lights but when it comes to hydration packs Zefal makes good stuff. I've got one and it's been through a lot. The worst was when a Manzanita branch caught a loop in the pack and yanked my clear off the MTB. I was pretty banged up but the Zefal pack didn't suffer at all, despite rolling a few times with me attached to it. -- Regards, Joerg http://www.analogconsultants.com/ |
#3
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Zefal Deluxe LED Light, 180 Lumens, Spot/Flood Zoom, Two-AxisMount. $21.96, includes tail light.
On 3/9/2015 7:57 AM, Joerg wrote:
Don't know about lights but when it comes to hydration packs Zefal makes good stuff. I've got one and it's been through a lot. The worst was when a Manzanita branch caught a loop in the pack and yanked my clear off the MTB. I was pretty banged up but the Zefal pack didn't suffer at all, despite rolling a few times with me attached to it. And let's not forget the legendary Zefal pumps. I still have two, and have a good story about Zefal pumps. Decades ago, my friend was on a century ride in the east Bay (Pleasanton) and was going through the top of a T intersection, on the shoulder. Yeah, she should have stopped for the red light, but there was no cross traffic possible on the top of the T. She got a ticket and was not very cooperative. She said nothing when the cop asked her for the make and model of her bicycle. He inspected the bicycle and wrote down "10 speed Zefal." |
#4
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Zefal Deluxe LED Light, 180 Lumens, Spot/Flood Zoom, Two-AxisMount. $21.96, includes tail light.
On 3/9/2015 7:57 AM, Joerg wrote:
On 2015-03-09 7:21 AM, sms wrote: This Zefal light would be a good starter light for Frank and others that understand the need for a daytime flasher but that don't want to spend a lot. It's similar to the this one: http://usa.zefal.com/lights/ but 30 more lumens and it's unpainted aluminum, not black painted. snip I've got a similar front light as a back-up, often carried along in my backpack in case the Li-Ion for the big light runs out of juice before I am home. They are indeed good "stay visible" lights. I saw that Zefal light set at gulp Walmart. Whatever people think about Walmart, I think it's great that they've decided to sell some decent bicycle accessories. Zefal, Kryptonite, Kenda, and KMC, among others. A lot of Walmart customers are simply not going to go to a bike shop to buy stuff like lights, tubes, chains, etc.. Getting them to spend even $21.96 on lights is difficult. Meanwhile Target wants to become a boutique store and has a very poor selection of cycling, camping, and sporting goods products. |
#5
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Zefal Deluxe LED Light, 180 Lumens, Spot/Flood Zoom, Two-AxisMount. $21.96, includes tail light.
On Monday, March 9, 2015 at 9:09:34 AM UTC-7, sms wrote:
On 3/9/2015 7:57 AM, Joerg wrote: Don't know about lights but when it comes to hydration packs Zefal makes good stuff. I've got one and it's been through a lot. The worst was when a Manzanita branch caught a loop in the pack and yanked my clear off the MTB. I was pretty banged up but the Zefal pack didn't suffer at all, despite rolling a few times with me attached to it. And let's not forget the legendary Zefal pumps. I still have two, and have a good story about Zefal pumps. Decades ago, my friend was on a century ride in the east Bay (Pleasanton) and was going through the top of a T intersection, on the shoulder. Yeah, she should have stopped for the red light, but there was no cross traffic possible on the top of the T. She got a ticket and was not very cooperative. She said nothing when the cop asked her for the make and model of her bicycle. He inspected the bicycle and wrote down "10 speed Zefal." Prima Vera? I rode my first one 38 years ago. God, I'm old. So, I have a question: why is the run time at full output so long on the Zefal. It's 20/40/60 (high, low, flash). The Planet Bike light, which has about the same output but is USB rechargeable is 2 hours on high, 4 hours on low and up to 25 hours on flashing. Is it because the Zefal is spec'd with throw-away batteries. What would be the run-time with rechargeable batteries? -- Jay Beattie. |
#6
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Zefal Deluxe LED Light, 180 Lumens, Spot/Flood Zoom, Two-AxisMount. $21.96, includes tail light.
On 3/9/2015 9:43 AM, jbeattie wrote:
On Monday, March 9, 2015 at 9:09:34 AM UTC-7, sms wrote: On 3/9/2015 7:57 AM, Joerg wrote: Don't know about lights but when it comes to hydration packs Zefal makes good stuff. I've got one and it's been through a lot. The worst was when a Manzanita branch caught a loop in the pack and yanked my clear off the MTB. I was pretty banged up but the Zefal pack didn't suffer at all, despite rolling a few times with me attached to it. And let's not forget the legendary Zefal pumps. I still have two, and have a good story about Zefal pumps. Decades ago, my friend was on a century ride in the east Bay (Pleasanton) and was going through the top of a T intersection, on the shoulder. Yeah, she should have stopped for the red light, but there was no cross traffic possible on the top of the T. She got a ticket and was not very cooperative. She said nothing when the cop asked her for the make and model of her bicycle. He inspected the bicycle and wrote down "10 speed Zefal." Prima Vera? I rode my first one 38 years ago. God, I'm old. So, I have a question: why is the run time at full output so long on the Zefal. It's 20/40/60 (high, low, flash). The Planet Bike light, which has about the same output but is USB rechargeable is 2 hours on high, 4 hours on low and up to 25 hours on flashing. Is it because the Zefal is spec'd with throw-away batteries. What would be the run-time with rechargeable batteries? Maybe they test it with primary lithium cells rather than alkaline batteries. But I think that it probably is just not correct. Or it's not 20 continuous hours, it's 1 hour a day for 20 days. I got one for the child unit on his new old road bike that he's suddenly taken an interest in, my wife's old Raleigh Technium. For 3.5 years he rarely rode his bike to school, now he wants to. He needs about ten minutes of light each way. Of course of the few hundred students that ride to school in the dark, probably five have any lights at all. The Technium is just his size if you use the current road bike sizing of small frames with long seat posts. I had to change the seat post from the old "fistful of seatpost" old-school sizing to a longer seat post, and change the stem. I told him to take the light off when he gets to school. We'll see how long it lasts. |
#7
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Zefal Deluxe LED Light, 180 Lumens, Spot/Flood Zoom, Two-Axis Mount. $21.96, includes tail light.
On 2015-03-09 16:43:59 +0000, jbeattie said:
On Monday, March 9, 2015 at 9:09:34 AM UTC-7, sms wrote: On 3/9/2015 7:57 AM, Joerg wrote: Don't know about lights but when it comes to hydration packs Zefal makes good stuff. I've got one and it's been through a lot. The worst was when a Manzanita branch caught a loop in the pack and yanked my clear off the MTB. I was pretty banged up but the Zefal pack didn't suffer at all, despite rolling a few times with me attached to it. And let's not forget the legendary Zefal pumps. I still have two, and have a good story about Zefal pumps. Decades ago, my friend was on a century ride in the east Bay (Pleasanton) and was going through the top of a T intersection, on the shoulder. Yeah, she should have stopped for the red light, but there was no cross traffic possible on the top of the T. She got a ticket and was not very cooperative. She said nothing when the cop asked her for the make and model of her bicycle. He inspected the bicycle and wrote down "10 speed Zefal." Prima Vera? I rode my first one 38 years ago. God, I'm old. So, I have a question: why is the run time at full output so long on the Zefal. It's 20/40/60 (high, low, flash). The Planet Bike light, which has about the same output but is USB rechargeable is 2 hours on high, 4 hours on low and up to 25 hours on flashing. Is it because the Zefal is spec'd with throw-away batteries. What would be the run-time with rechargeable batteries? -- Jay Beattie. Because they probably don't tell the truth. Never trust runtimes mentioned. -- Lou |
#8
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Zefal Deluxe LED Light, 180 Lumens, Spot/Flood Zoom, Two-AxisMount. $21.96, includes tail light.
On 2015-03-09 9:26 AM, sms wrote:
On 3/9/2015 7:57 AM, Joerg wrote: On 2015-03-09 7:21 AM, sms wrote: This Zefal light would be a good starter light for Frank and others that understand the need for a daytime flasher but that don't want to spend a lot. It's similar to the this one: http://usa.zefal.com/lights/ but 30 more lumens and it's unpainted aluminum, not black painted. snip I've got a similar front light as a back-up, often carried along in my backpack in case the Li-Ion for the big light runs out of juice before I am home. They are indeed good "stay visible" lights. I saw that Zefal light set at gulp Walmart. Whatever people think about Walmart, I think it's great that they've decided to sell some decent bicycle accessories. Zefal, Kryptonite, Kenda, and KMC, among others. A lot of Walmart customers are simply not going to go to a bike shop to buy stuff like lights, tubes, chains, etc.. Getting them to spend even $21.96 on lights is difficult. Meanwhile Target wants to become a boutique store and has a very poor selection of cycling, camping, and sporting goods products. I bought a Zefal floor pump at Walmart, $20 plus tax, with gauge. Can't beat that. It works great. I am just having a hard time discerning between pumps where the lever goes up after sliding onto the valve and the classic style where it goes down. I wish Walmart sold a light set with a decent (big) Li-Ion pack, _with_ the rear light connected to that as well and a smarter low-batt handling (rear light stays on). Haven't dared to buy their low cost chains yet and opted for KMC via Amazon instead. Are they good? -- Regards, Joerg http://www.analogconsultants.com/ |
#9
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Zefal Deluxe LED Light, 180 Lumens, Spot/Flood Zoom, Two-AxisMount. $21.96, includes tail light.
On 3/9/2015 10:43 AM, Joerg wrote:
On 2015-03-09 9:26 AM, sms wrote: On 3/9/2015 7:57 AM, Joerg wrote: On 2015-03-09 7:21 AM, sms wrote: This Zefal light would be a good starter light for Frank and others that understand the need for a daytime flasher but that don't want to spend a lot. It's similar to the this one: http://usa.zefal.com/lights/ but 30 more lumens and it's unpainted aluminum, not black painted. snip I've got a similar front light as a back-up, often carried along in my backpack in case the Li-Ion for the big light runs out of juice before I am home. They are indeed good "stay visible" lights. I saw that Zefal light set at gulp Walmart. Whatever people think about Walmart, I think it's great that they've decided to sell some decent bicycle accessories. Zefal, Kryptonite, Kenda, and KMC, among others. A lot of Walmart customers are simply not going to go to a bike shop to buy stuff like lights, tubes, chains, etc.. Getting them to spend even $21.96 on lights is difficult. Meanwhile Target wants to become a boutique store and has a very poor selection of cycling, camping, and sporting goods products. I bought a Zefal floor pump at Walmart, $20 plus tax, with gauge. Can't beat that. It works great. I am just having a hard time discerning between pumps where the lever goes up after sliding onto the valve and the classic style where it goes down. I wish Walmart sold a light set with a decent (big) Li-Ion pack, _with_ the rear light connected to that as well and a smarter low-batt handling (rear light stays on). Haven't dared to buy their low cost chains yet and opted for KMC via Amazon instead. Are they good? I don't know. My chains last a very long time because I clean them with a proper solvent and lube them with a proper chain lubricant. Hence I don't buy chains nearly as often as the people that use water-based solvents and that don't use a lubricant that penetrates inside to the pins and rollers. |
#10
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Zefal Deluxe LED Light, 180 Lumens, Spot/Flood Zoom, Two-AxisMount. $21.96, includes tail light.
On 3/9/2015 10:43 AM, Joerg wrote:
I wish Walmart sold a light set with a decent (big) Li-Ion pack, _with_ the rear light connected to that as well and a smarter low-batt handling (rear light stays on). LOL, that's not going to happen. You can't even get that at many bicycle shops. |
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