Allure Libre!
Pulling out the Schmidt hub and my Lumotec head lamp can only mean one thing, Gentle Reader of This Blog. Brevet Season is just around the corner. Yippee! I've put the Lumotec head lamp above the wheel instead of the fork--just to see how it will play out.
Mainly this position was due to the fact that I couldn't fit the light on the Trek 2.3 front fork. But after fitting the head lamp there where you see it--I realized would be able to do just that--but I'll try a few rides with it over the wheel.
It really works best on the fork, like you see here.
Also, with my hub, which is older, there's drag. The newer hubs have barely any drag at all so I'm told. My hub was given to me by Gerry Goode, and he used it all the times he did PBP. Schmidt Dynamo Hub generators are very expensive. I may buy another one some day, but for now I'll make the most of this baby.
Morning rides into the office are a bit chilly, mes amis...
I might as well ride with the hub and get used to the slight drag--really in no time I won't even notice. The light is such that it is bright and very reliable--much more so than battery light. You can also ride faster at night when you can see better. For me on Brevets, its one less thing to worry about.
I believe the real cut off for cyclists and randonneurs is that Brevet riding is done with a good deal of night riding. Some cyclists just don't find night riding appealing. Believe me--it does take some getting use too. A dynamo hub can help with that matter because they allow you to be seen and allow you to see the road as well.
Cheers! Bruce
5 comments:
I've been thinking about buying a Schmidt dyno hub, but the cost is too high for me right now. My hour and a half commute is right at the limit for my Nite Rider lamp and rechargeable battery.
I am intrigued by brevets. I'm looking forward to some of your upcoming ride reports.
Good Luck!
The Shimano hub is a little less efficient but much less expensive. I don't care if I lose a few extra minutes over a few hours to the Shimano so it's a good solution for me. Supposedly SRAM has one out too but I haven't heard about it's efficiency or cost.
Hi Paul,
This weekend I mounted that custom light you built for me on my Trek. It is bright! I've been thinking about the Shimano hub as I believe the old dynamo my be going out--
Cheers! Bruce
With the end of daylight savings time, I am riding to work during daylight again!
But on the way home, I need my lights. I picked up a 255 lumen Cygolite, a vast improvement over my $30 blinkie headlights. I can get away with battery power though; I don't ride for hours and hours.
Oh my gosh. You're so hard core compared to me!
I bet in a race you would kick my ass.
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