Light and jacket question

[StankApe]

Is it worth making a halogen system myself as a step up from eg Cateye EL400? Am currently running twin knogs on the front and they ain't going to cut it for winter. The DIY option looks like a fun project, but is it really worth it?
Also: am gearing up for winter and wondering whether it's worth springing for a ground effect (or similar) jacket, or even with vents will that get too hot?
Am commuting 7km each way, as late as after midnight, and am after some local feedback/advice. Thanks in advance

 

[matagi]

Lights I can't help with - but if you're a bit of a tinkerer then reckon the DIY option would be fun.

As for jacket, it depends on how much you feel the cold. I wouldn't have thought the temperature gets low enough in Sydney even after midnight to warrant anything heavy duty, unless you are in the outer suburbs. You will stay warmer if you minimise heat lose from your head (seriously) so look at covering your head and maybe a lightweight jacket to protect against mists and dew. Another thing to consider is investing in some merino wool base layer - Icebreaker do some nice stuff (available in Kent St at the shop that specialises in climbing gear, I forget its name) as do Kathmandu.

 

[StankApe]

Thanks
I guess the jacket thing is more about getting out the door to go to work when it's coldish and raining...getting soaked on the way home isn't nearly so bad

 

[matagi]

Sydney is quite dry in winter, so the chances of getting soaked are less than in summer. Only downside is, it's colder in winter so even a soft drizzle can make you uncomfortably chilled.

The Ground Effect stuff is good - but you might find it is too good, and you end up getting uncomfortably hot and sweaty.

Wool retains its thermal properties when wet and I favour it over the synthetic fleeces but that's simply a matter of personal preference.

I also have a problem with the so-called breathable fabrics, I end up getting wet underneath them from too much sweating, so they don't quite work for me from a staying dry perspective.

 

[roshea]

Is it worth making a halogen system myself as a step up from eg Cateye EL400? Am currently running twin knogs on the front and they ain't going to cut it for winter. The DIY option looks like a fun project, but is it really worth it?

I really don't know a lot about DIY lighting, but my feeling is that, at least for commuting (and maybe for other bike applications), halogens are old tech and there are better options available. While the light output is fine (I had a 10 watt halogen headlight for years and loved it), halogens are bulky and you need a big battery pack to power them for any length of time. For the time being, LEDs, particularly Cree XR-E or Seoul P4 type LEDs, are the way to go, either in a home-made setup (search Cree and bike on google for ideas) or, more simply, attach a Cree torch to your handlebars or helmet. I have a Fenix L1D CE torch which runs on a single AA cell and is incredibly light for > 90 mins on a NiMH cell. There is a 2 x AA version that is brighter and lasts longer. See http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/fenix_l1dce-l2dce.htm for a review of these two torches, which are available from fenix-store.com or locally at torchworld.com.au

 

[StankApe]

Yep, I sweat like a bastage anyway and the "breathability" has me wondering
I spent years as a motorbike courier here and in London and have an almost pathological aversion to getting wet. I do have some GE stuff already...though am preferring the NZO and Keewee bargains to be had on torp7 for both price and performance, so I haven't leapt in staight away for a "flash gordon".
Maybe a vest? Maybe just suck it up? Either way, am also looking to do some winter offroad rides...
hey, and it's pishing down outside! The big guy must've heard me typing!

 

[StankApe]

Thanks Roshea, I'm a mild flashlight freak and well up on the Fenix line...both those vendors you mention are fine people to deal with too Do you find your Fenix getting hot over long burns?

The large battery reqd for a DIY halogen outfit would certainly be a PITA, and you're right, LED technology has moved on...hmmm

 

[1id10t]

Sydney is quite dry in winter, so the chances of getting soaked are less than in summer.

Except for last year. Cycled every day in winter to and from work (which is about a 40km round trip) and I could swear it rained most of that time. I was over the whole cycle to work no matter what the weather thing by the end of the season. Got pretty cold some mornings; especially going through the Lane Cove National Park. Anyway, I took to wearing a therma-dry undershirt I bought online from Dean Woods (http://www.deanwoods.com.au/store/prod1545.htm). Bought another couple from Kathmandu on sale for $15 each some weeks later. Great item; wore it under my jersey and, teamed with arm warmers saw me through the winter feeling as comfortable as you could get. If it got warm the arm warmers came off. Even in the wet the under shirts kept me warm. Highly recommend them. For a 'rain jacket' I just bought a cheap Netti one and sprayed it with water repellant normally used on tents. I'd bought the spray from Paddy Pallin some time back. They have various ones for different applications. Works a treat. No cycle clothing will be 100% waterproof though. In some of the absolute downpours I rode in the water just went down the collar or even got in through the vents in the armpit.

 

[StankApe]

Sweet, good advice if I get cold. I just rediscovered a work issue rainshell jacket (some vents under arms and on the back too!), I'll start with that and work from there

 

[62vette]

I'll second the recommendations on the wet weather gear. Unless you're riding in cold and wet conditions, a vest and a warm base layer will be better than a full rain coat.

I've even worn a polar fleece vest as a top layer which keeps most water off and keeps your chest warm with a long sleeve polyprop base layer to keep your arms warm. You need to be able to hang your gear up to dry it off during the day.

Waterproof booties are a good investment as well to keep the feet warm.

 

[roshea]

Thanks Roshea, I'm a mild flashlight freak and well up on the Fenix line...both those vendors you mention are fine people to deal with too Do you find your Fenix getting hot over long burns?

I have only used the Fenix light for commuting a couple of times so far, but heat doesn't seem to be an issue. More tricky is how to mount the light securely - I got a Nite Ize Lite Ride to attach it to the bars, but this is a real stretch on oversize handlebars. I had a Minoura Swing Grip on my old commuter, so I've transferred that to the current bike and it attaches well now.

 

[StankApe]

Cool, an excuse to get another fenix

 

[roshea]

Cool, an excuse to get another fenix

Two new Cree models have just appeared at fenix-store.com - P2D and P3D, which seem to be CR123A versions of the L1D and L2D. If you have rechargeable CR123s, these could be for you, but I don't have a charger for these cells so will happily stick with the AA versions.

A few people I know are commuting with L1Ds and L2Ds and have all been happy with them. I use the L1D and always carry a spare battery. I also bought the L2D body for it if I need longer runtime for longer night rides.

 

[mikesbytes]

7k isn't too far, depending on your pace, your'll only out there for 15-20 minutes. I'd go for a light "wind" jacket, good gloves and over shoes.

 

[StankApe]

Oh yeah, over shoes and mudguards on the list.

Am sold on popping the fenix on the bars...I have a modded Fenix that takes a single cr123A that'll be perfect...I was shopping for rechargeable 123s and ebay led me to a review that led me to this site with these mounting doodads:
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.792
which is hellacheap. Also some red hot prices on some great torches, my wallet is a-quiver

 

[roshea]

Am sold on popping the fenix on the bars...I have a modded Fenix that takes a single cr123A that'll be perfect...I was shopping for rechargeable 123s and ebay led me to a review that led me to this site with these mounting doodads:
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.792
which is hellacheap. Also some red hot prices on some great torches, my wallet is a-quiver

I think that is the bracket that breaks easily, but I could be wrong - check the threads linked here for some options for mounting torches as bike lights:

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?p=1755372

Twofish Lockblocks seem to get good reviews, but they are not available many places

Most of the dealextreme (DX) stuff is cheap, some of it is good too! Plenty of reviews of their LED torches at candlepowerforums too.

 

[StankApe]

Woah, I got's me some reading to do...thanks for that link!

 

[StankApe]

OK, I went linked hose clamps and Fenix...I have seen the light! Thanks all

 

[slaw]

I've gone the wrist band (you know the Livestrong type of thing) and fenix as a fixed light to complement my 1W flasher.

 

[Dancier]

In the morning it’s getting a bit chilly in Melbourne so I’m starting to wear my winter gear now. I keep a Netti long sleeved jacket in the pannier in case of rain but mostly use a Ground Affect Jetson, arm warmers, knee warmers and some good gloves.

For my lighting needs I use a smart BL201H halogen. I've had this for about six years and only replaced the battery once, that cost $20. I bought it for mountain bike riding at first but now use it on commutes.

Ground Affect Jetson

http://www.groundeffect.co.nz/product-detail-JET-RAI.htm?PHPSESSID=b310cc975e0579d3ceb17df6710d7bcb

21st century garb for caning the singletrack or jetting around with Elroy on his micro-scooter. The Jetson vest protects your torso from the wind and cold. It's a perfect over-layer when teamed up with a Rock Lobster or Submerino top. Turn it inside out to expose the hi-visibility lining when you need to be seen. Or shove it in your pack as insurance against plummeting temperatures.

Smart Rechargeable Headlight System BL201H

http://www.deanwoods.com.au/store/prod36.htm

Two lights - High Beam: 10 watt and 2.4 watt Halogen bulbs. Run time of 2 hours. Low Beam: 2.4 watt Halogen bulb. Run time of 10 hours. Beams are adjustable (Horizontally & Vertically, each 5 degrees). Rechargeable Lead Acid battery pack (can be recharged 300 times). Recharge time is up to 8 hours. Built in fuse for safety.