[Steve O]

@Steve O 62033 wrote:

Is the USB charging thing useful, or a gimmick that adds complexity? – Seems like a gimmick to me.

I’ll amend this to say that for a commuter, the USB seems like a useless gimmick. However, for someone on a long touring trip that includes camping and possibly limited access to electrical power, this may be a useful feature.

[Steve O]

I’ve had a Schmidt hub, which was custom laced into a wheel, for close to 10 years, maybe longer (I lose track of time as I get old). I got it from Peter White Cycles in New Hampshire. Visit his website for ENORMOUS amounts of information on everything to do with cycling (http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/)

I cannot oversing the praises of having a generator hub for commuting. After years of fighting with various lighting systems (going way back to the old lead-acid rechargeable days) and always ending up with 1-2 days every winter w/out lights, I finally decided on the hub. From then on I knew that no matter what, I would always have at least one working light (I carried a spare bulb for that unlikely eventuality).
I actually have 2 front wheels: my “summer” regular wheel and my “winter” wheel with the hub. Thankfully my winter wheel was at home in the shed when my bike was stolen last week. The bad news is the light was stolen with the bike, so I’ll have to get a new one of those.

Once the winter wheel is on, the drag is fairly unnoticeable, but then when Mar/April rolls around and I switch back, I feel like I can fly. So it’s there, but you get used to it pretty easily.

Again, check out Peter White Cycles for info (and photos) on lots of light options. The biggest problem is that there is too much information, and then you get paralyzed with indecision.

Your Q’s with my A’s:
The ability to flip the light on/off – Easy. Some lights even come with auto-on based on light levels, like most new cars.
Drag – see above
Added weight – Hmm. Do you care much as a commuter with your laptop & clothes that you’ve added a few more ounces?
How easy/hard to remove? – The hub is permanently in the wheel. That’s why I have two wheels, so switching out the whole wheel is cinchy if you have quick releases.
Cost – The Schmidt’s are admittedly pricey, but are supposed to last 50,000 miles or more. That’s more night riding than I will do the rest of my life. At Peter White they run from under $300 to more that $400 depending on model. That does not include the wheel. Nor the light.
Theft-proofing – If they can steal your wheel, they can steal your hub with it. Be sure to U-lock your wheel.
Brands of hubs, and lights – See Peter White for more info than you can digest
Two hubs or one? – One. Also, don’t know if one can be put on a rear wheel anyway.
Can I power both a headlight and taillight – Yes, with most. Just read carefully about how to do it. I do not do this currently; I just power a headlight.
Is the USB charging thing useful, or a gimmick that adds complexity? – Seems like a gimmick to me.

[Steve O]

Put me down as 80% likely

[Steve O]

Thanks everyone. The other silver lining (sort of) is that my “winter wheel” is safely at home in the shed. That’s my custom laced wheel with the generator hub I use during the dark months. The light was on the bike (you can see the wire winding up the front fork), but that’s more easily replaceable.
When I look at the pic, I feel sad like I just lost a girlfriend. Weird how one develops a close relationship like that–I guess especially since I had had her for more than 10 years.

[Steve O]

Update:
Yes, I filed a report. I also heard back from Officer Heather Hurlock. She was able to provide me with the ACPD registration # and the serial number. I was pleased with her quick response.
It was locked with a cable lock, admittedly insufficient. It was cut through obviously quite easily. It had to be a bold thief, though, because it was parked on a rack with another bike in a reasonably busy area in broad daylight (the other bike is still there, with its U-lock). I was gone for several hours.

On the other hand, my bike guy told me that the head tube is warped, and I’ve been keeping my eye out for a new frame. This will just accelerate the process. The Brooks saddle is a sad loss.

[Steve O]

Shoot! Wanted to come and marked on calendar back when it was proposed, but my sister and nephew are flying in right during happy hour. She’s bringing him to start his freshman year at American U.
Hopefully be at Shirlington for next week’s. Is that still on?

[Steve O]

Don’t know how far into the past one can go for this thread, but in 198?, I crashed hard into an unoccupied car alongside the highway. Full speed (don’t ask; yes, it was stupid). After spitting out a couple of teeth and slowly coming to the realization that my tacoed wheel and bent frame weren’t going to get me home (state of shock wasn’t too promising either), a lady pulled up. She said she saw me crash, continued down the road to the next turnaround and came back. She offered to transport me to the hospital, but I just wanted to get home. So she took me there–about 3-4 miles away.

I sometimes wonder what the owner of the car thought when he got back–with the dent in his rear bumper and scratches all over his trunk where the bike and I slid off after landing upside down on the rear window.

[Steve O]

Anyone up for a post-movie gathering at Carpool? The movie’s only 80 minutes.

[Steve O]

Looking back I see that I was only awarded 181 points for May. I’m guessing that’s because I was not awarded any back points from before I joined the challenge? I logged in all my May miles, and they add up to about 800 points.

Not that I’m whining, but I’d be plah-atinum by now-oww.

[Steve O]

Well, I wasn’t gonna come….but if they’ve got twizzlers!!

[Steve O]

I also lost a set of keys on Friday (I thought I posted this then, but I see no record of my post. Perhaps it was lost in the forum crash).

Somewhere between my house near the W&OD/Custis connection and Friday Coffee Club at Swing’s. Most likely along the Custis somewhere.

I can describe these keys if you found a set. Thanks!!

Steve

[Steve O]

Me, Mark, Steve C, Cindi, Brandon, Patricia, Liz, You, Shawn, ?? & I forget already who else. Excellent!!

[Steve O]

Just bumping the info about this Thursday’s Happy Hour:

Location – Northside Social, Clarendon VA
Time – Thursday, July 18th, 5:00 – 8:00
=========================
How can this venue info be kept where it doesn’t require scrolling through several pages to find? Is there a technical fix to that?

[Steve O]

Is FCC II still meeting on Fridays at Java Shack? I’ve been going down to FCC Premiere, but might do the FCC II on a day I’m feeling lazier.

[Steve O]

@Rod Smith 53713 wrote:

Today is your last chance to join the National Bike Challenge and get credit for your May miles! You can join tomorrow but your May miles expire at midnight. I’ve reached out to some of the Freezing Saddles riders and each has signed on (with a little resistance in some cases) except for DaveK who is not going to be on the winning team unless he acts soon. Maybe I should have invited more people but I didn’t want to be a pest. Steve Claeys, Brad Hancock, Steve Offutt, Ken Buja, John Zanner, KEVIN ULRICH, Mike Collins, Kevin Obenland, Sean Chisham, Steve Appel, Randy Napiza, MARK BLACKWELL, Michael Jolley, Crystal Bee, etc. consider yourselves invited. Or sit on the sideline with DaveK. The team is strong. I don’t think we need more riders to win, but you’re all welcome to be a part of our success and if you don’t join and we don’t win, it’s your fault!

I did join the challenge back at the beginning, but I guess I didn’t get on the team. Now I’m on the team, and all my points are added on.
Huge pain to use this END ‘O THE WORLD thingy, though. Not motivated enough to figure out a technical solution, so I just hand enter.

[Author]

Posts