Mark,
Yes, on my Herse the bike is the accessory to the light system!
On the rechargeable high wattage lights, while it is true they are extremely powerful and many are quite waterproof I and friends have experienced while riding randonnuer events lots of failures and short comings. Some have poor switches, they are very heavy, and don't last very well, and require lots of maintenance. I seems like they work well for a season or so them the battery wears out and will not hold a charge. Also the good ones exceed the cost of a Schmidt Hub in a built up wheel. Almost no system will last throughout a full night so a backup is not a good idea (but mandatory). I'm surprised so many people show up on a ride that requires 6-8 hours (potentially) of night riding with lights in new, perfect condition, designed to last only 2-3hrs (Usually less if not new). These lights are wonderful for commuters and demanding night rides but for very long distance rides like the Brevet's or PBP they are a handicap. The generator is brighter it seems than it's wattage would indicate (perhaps better optics in the lamps)?, weighs very little and will easily last 3 days and nights as required by the PBP.
On thing to remember the veteran PBP Euro's use a generator and Battery backup. Lights used over long periods of time tend to fail for different reasons and having two redundant systems allows problems to be spread over multiple solutions for more reliability. Some systems fry bulbs as does road vibration, corrosion, crashes or parking lot tip overs cause damage, mounting brackets fail (a lot), lamps fall off the bike (a lot),wiring gets cut, batteries wear out, etc.
Friend Joe Huberman always says, " never take something along when nothing will do". Good advice but the Boy Scouts taught me to "be prepared" and I say "you won't regret it when you need it."
To close remember an Aussie friend like to remind me" There is no such thing as bad weather, just inadequate equipment."
Gilbert"Dynahub boy" Anderson
In a message dated 11/6/00 6:52:03 PM, mpetry@bainbridgeisland.net writes:
<< Golly Mr Wizard! That sure sounds cool! I think NASA needs to know about
this setup.
Having said that, the current battery nite rider lites are sooooo good I'd
be hesitant to mess around with anything else for "serious" use. Where I
live it is REALLY DARK, and in the rain, at nite, I don't want to have any
slip rings or exposed metal (non encapsulated) switches fizzling out. I do
agree that the generator is a neat thing, with a battery backup very clever,
but also the state of the art in electronics has advanced so far that even
old style tin flashlites are kinda clunky in my view.
I guess my real admiration for you is that you've USED this machine for a
lifetime, not just left it hanging on the wall! I hope someday we'll be
able to ride together.
Hey, by the way, what size do you have in those blue and white Ralieghs,
frame only.
Also, I have a set of Campy triple crank arms in take-off condition, never
been ridden, 170, with the inner 36T ring and mounting hardware, know of
anybody who might want this kit??
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Mark Petry 206.618.9642
Beautiful Bainbridge Island, WA
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mailto:mpetry@bainbridgeisland.net >>