New to cycling

[GTpilot]

Originally Posted by blueoval

Im not entering but your in for an awesome ride on the GOR.

Thanks Mate - Despite the name though, it barely touches The Great Ocean Road
Still - will be an awesome ride. My brother and his wife are coming over from Victor Harbor to do it as well, so will be a good family catch up weekend too.

[GasoLane]

Y'know I used to think that you blokes who ride bikes in traffic were nuts (esp prydey )





Then I heard of this guy. Is this proof the French are crazy ?

http://www.gizmag.com/francoise-giss...74fd0-91269793

[blueoval]

His mullet says it all....

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by blueoval

His mullet says it all....

Aerodynamic reasons ?

[Whitey-AMG]

Any recommendations for a decent front and rear LED light kit ?
Something mid range in price @ 60 bucks.

Not too bulky , has USB recharging.

[bArNsY]

I have the Moon Shield rear lighthttp://www.moon-sport.com/product-detail.php?id=11
Around $50, great value and very bright at night 60 lumens.http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/like/2913...pid=107&chn=ps.

To get a decent front light you will need over 400 lumens output. I use the Cateye Volt 700 and lights up the road really nice....$120+ though

[paule11]

Moon are good front light could be better bright its very visible great for only 70 lumens but can always use more light http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/roa...dium=Affiliate http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/roa...ht/moonligh210

[GUTLES]

I use a Knog Blinder Road R rear light.

As for front light, what are you using it for? Riding under Street lights or unlit roads? If it's unlit roads you will need to spend more. I use a Cygolite Explion 850 & ride unlit Country Roads between 7-10pm & it lights up the road nicely.

[Captain Stubing]

I use a Cygolite Metro 360 front light, USB recharge, and does the job really well. I actually misplaced (ie used it at work for a powerful torch, and left it somewhere) and bought the same as a replacement. It cost around $60 from http://bicyclewarehouse.com.au

They have a front and rear Cygolite combo for about $70 http://bicyclewarehouse.com.au/bicyc...k-hotshot.html

And they take internet orders.

Edit... actually, the rear light looks good... lasting up to 500 hours!!!??? with tuneable brightness modes

[prydey]

i run this rear light
http://www.echelonsports.com.au/shop...cat=310&page=1

looks to be similar to the moon one. the beauty of this one is the bracket that it mounts to is adjustable so you can change the angle of it. its handy as seat posts aren't vertical, and you could even mount it on a seat stay, and then angle it so its facing back along the road.

i run this front light
https://www.serfas.com/products/view/734/

while its only rated at 250 lumens, it is quite bright. serfas do slightly under rate their lights, so probably closer to 300. i ride in all conditions, from dark to light and this light does very well. being only 250 lumens, the viewing distance is a bit shorter than i'd like if i'm riding at speed on an unlit road or path. other than that i never feel like i need more light. i think some lights are too bright, especially for common courtesy for other road users. the only other issue i have with mine is the length of time it lasts for when using the full 250. it says 2hrs run time, but that is closer to 1.5hrs. its quite often not enough, and i hate running strobe in the dark.

i'm thinking of upgrading to a 500 so then i can run it on half strength and double the effective run time.

[blueoval]

I forget what brand I have but its a 500lumens on the front and about 70 lumens on the back. Both bright as hell.

[andrich]

My front light is 800 lumens, lights up the road like daytime.
To get a god quality one that will last ya need to spend some money. Well worth it though

[Whitey-AMG]

Originally Posted by swanny

I use a Cygolite Metro 360 front light, USB recharge, and does the job really well. I actually misplaced (ie used it at work for a powerful torch, and left it somewhere) and bought the same as a replacement. It cost around $60 from http://bicyclewarehouse.com.au

They have a front and rear Cygolite combo for about $70 http://bicyclewarehouse.com.au/bicyc...k-hotshot.html

And they take internet orders.

Edit... actually, the rear light looks good... lasting up to 500 hours!!!??? with tuneable brightness modes

Thanks for your help guys.
Think i'll go for this one

http://www.velogear.com.au/cycling-a...hot-combo.html

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by Bluey-GT

Thanks for your help guys.
Think i'll go for this one

http://www.velogear.com.au/cycling-a...hot-combo.html

Thats not a bad deal, just a word of warning with the rear light though. The mount on that is a bit weak. Being a plastic mount, with vibration it can weaken over time and the light will just fall off without you knowing. So just take extra care with the mount.

[Syndrome]

I would like to update my MY2000 Giant ATX 860. What would be equivalent to this bike these days?

[prydey]

Originally Posted by Syndrome

I would like to update my MY2000 Giant ATX 860. What would be equivalent to this bike these days?

bikes are a bit like cars these days. no shortage of choice.

work out what you want to use your bike for, and that will narrow down your search criteria.

i'm not an off roader, so can't offer too much help, but if you just want something to ride trails etc, you probably don't need full suspension. if you like to get right in to the mountain bike thing, then you probably need something more suited to that.

if you just ride mainly sealed with the occasional unsealed road/path, then even a flat bar cx bike would do.

[Whitey-AMG]

Originally Posted by blueoval

Thats not a bad deal, just a word of warning with the rear light though. The mount on that is a bit weak. Being a plastic mount, with vibration it can weaken over time and the light will just fall off without you knowing. So just take extra care with the mount.

You're right.
This guy doesn't like it either and actually lost his on a ride
http://www.randorichard.com/bicycle-tail-lights

I'll keep looking.....

[Whitey-AMG]

Well , looks like I've had to spend a lot more than I thought to get something half decent.

I've decided on the below.

For front : Lezyne SuperDrive XL
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/LEZYNE-LE...item43c0d6b992


For rear : Knog blinder 4v
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/like/1816...3D820380549724

[prydey]

yep, decent lights aren't cheap.

i would prefer the beacon style light like the 'moon' that barnsy uses or the ES one that I use. they are brighter and also can be seen from side on.

[GUTLES]

Good choices there bluey_gt. I've purchased my lights twice & happy I spent the extra second time around.

Upgraded my Wheels back in January to Mavic Ksyrium Elites. Rode on them in the wet for the first time & came off on a corner doing about 28km/hr :(

[Whitey-AMG]

Originally Posted by prydey

yep, decent lights aren't cheap.

i would prefer the beacon style light like the 'moon' that barnsy uses or the ES one that I use. they are brighter and also can be seen from side on.

The Knog does have a side illumination strip, just not sure how bright that is though.

Overall, the reviews were quite good. Very bright, robust , good waterproof seal and long run time.

[GUTLES]

Originally Posted by Bluey-GT

The Knog does have a side illumination strip, just not sure how bright that is though.

Overall, the reviews were quite good. Very bright, robust , good waterproof seal and long run time.

It's a pretty thin strip down the side, not very bright.

[GTpilot]

I run a nightrider 650 on the front normally along with one of these for dark cycle paths and back streets.
https://www.fasttech.com/products/16...2000-lumen-led

I have had the fast tech light for about 2 yrs now, its never missed a beat.

on the rear I have a cheap $10 safeway light, when I got it I went to Jaycar Electronics and asked for 5 of the brightest red leds they have and swapped them over. cost me about $15 in total. best thing is it's so bright it stops those leeches riding on your wheel on the MYT commute at night.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by GUTLES

Upgraded my Wheels back in January to Mavic Ksyrium Elites. Rode on them in the wet for the first time & came off on a corner doing about 28km/hr :(

nice rims, but i wouldn't blame them for your accident.

what tyres do you run? like cars, tyres are your only point of contact with the road, so pays to run something decent.

stay away from painted lines and metal drain covers in the wet too.

[GUTLES]

Originally Posted by prydey

nice rims, but i wouldn't blame them for your accident.

what tyres do you run? like cars, tyres are your only point of contact with the road, so pays to run something decent.

stay away from painted lines and metal drain covers in the wet too.

They came with Mavic Uksion Power/Griplink Tyres fitted to them.

Looking at reviews a few people have found them bad in the wet. (Not that I generally take a lot of notice of some online reviews)

[bArNsY]

I usually run a 5-10 psi less in the wet to offer some better traction.

I run Specialized Roubaix Pro tyres http://www.specialized.com/au/en-au/...es/roubaix-pro, been running them the last two years. Very predictable in the wet and dry....haven't really tyred anything else.

Hope you have a quick recovery

[prydey]

i'm paranoid about punctures so i sacrifice a bit of grip and 'roll' for a bit extra protection.

i run continental gator hardshells. basically the most puncture resistant you can go with continental. i was running the normal gatorskins but after about 3 punctures, i went to the hardshells. i've only had one flat, and that was a pinch flat from hitting a big pothole.

i ran conti gp4000's for a bit, and these really are one of the best tyres out there. they roll fantastic and offer pretty good grip. the only issue i had, was i damaged the sidewall somehow, which ruined a nearly new tyre. thats why i stick with the gators. they offer protection from bead to bead, not just across the top.

i've been riding for about 2.5 years and only had about 4 flats, so i'm happy to forego a bit of performance for some extra protection. the conti's can still get pushed pretty hard in the corners, but i'm always mindful in the wet, and keep the bike much more upright.

i've always run 23mm up until now, but my new ones in the post are 25's, and my rear is currently 25. the general consensus now is that 25's are actually faster than a 23, IF they are run at the same pressure. they are also more comfy.

[Whitey-AMG]

I've been running Michelin pro race in 23's for years. Very good tyre with a dry performance bias , but also not too bad when damp. I run em at 100 psi front and rear and find they are very quick and comfortable. Only ever had 1 puncture and I mainly ride bike paths and some of the paths are pretty bad. I run em on 2010 MAVIC Ksyrium SL rims. The whole assembly is quite light and very strong and provides good all round performance.

[GUTLES]

Thanks for the info on tyres, I'm leaning towards Continentals but will have a closer look at the other suggestions.

Hope to be back on it in about a week if my hand feels up to it!

[Boosted boss]

I know this is mainly about tyre choice but I'm hoping one of you guys might be able to help me out I have a 03 xr8 that I have just installed a Vortech kit on I have a generic tune for the boys at capa so it's up and running

I have just moved to the mornington peninsula and was looking for someone do a fine tune and get a power figure if anyone has had any good experiences local prefered any help would be much appreciated


Cheers