Comments on: 69ing the Big Dummy: An Enlightening Experience http://www.handlebarsandwich.com/07/09/2008/69ing-the-big-dummy-an-enlightening-experience Word to your blog. Wed, 07 Jan 2009 01:13:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: JQP http://www.handlebarsandwich.com/07/09/2008/69ing-the-big-dummy-an-enlightening-experience/comment-page-1#comment-816 JQP Fri, 11 Jul 2008 17:23:54 +0000 http://www.handlebarsandwich.com/?p=442#comment-816 Nathan, It's true the LED seems pointless. I originally thought it might confer visibility during the day but it really doesn't. I have never replaced the bulb in two years...and I often forget to turn it off in the AM after riding home in the dark the previous night. Another bonus of the low cost...at least in Tucson...is that people like to steal them. Maybe another flaw is the lack of ability to bolt the light to the bike more permanently. I have managed to do it (sorta), but it was really designed to clamp the handlebar in a rather simple/cheap way. take care, JQP Nathan,

It’s true the LED seems pointless. I originally thought it might confer visibility during the day but it really doesn’t.

I have never replaced the bulb in two years…and I often forget to turn it off in the AM after riding home in the dark the previous night.

Another bonus of the low cost…at least in Tucson…is that people like to steal them. Maybe another flaw is the lack of ability to bolt the light to the bike more permanently. I have managed to do it (sorta), but it was really designed to clamp the handlebar in a rather simple/cheap way.

take care, JQP

]]> By: Nathan http://www.handlebarsandwich.com/07/09/2008/69ing-the-big-dummy-an-enlightening-experience/comment-page-1#comment-815 Nathan Fri, 11 Jul 2008 13:46:02 +0000 http://www.handlebarsandwich.com/?p=442#comment-815 JQP - I definitely agree that it's a much more environmentally responsible option. In reality, the rolling resistance is really not that big a deal, especially since when you turn the light off it is pretty close to zero, which is a huge advantage over some of the other dynamo hubs out there. I think the thing that drove me away from it was more the light. I feel like for 6V and 3W you should have a lot more power output (based on some other lights which run off about 3W of power), and if environmentally responsible is a goal, it seems like a high intensity LED setup would last pretty much forever versus the 'couple dollar bulbs' that need to be replaced. How often do you go through bulbs on yours? I agree as well that the shimano light is very cost-effective, but I'm a firm believer that 'cheap' doesn't have to mean 'not well designed' and I think the light has some shortcomings which could have been designed out while still keeping the price reasonable. It seems to blast a lot of extranneous light up instead of forward, and the little LED on it really doesn't add anything to your visibility, but undoubtedly takes up some power that could be put towards the main bulb. Maybe it's just the engineer/designer in me? JQP - I definitely agree that it’s a much more environmentally responsible option. In reality, the rolling resistance is really not that big a deal, especially since when you turn the light off it is pretty close to zero, which is a huge advantage over some of the other dynamo hubs out there. I think the thing that drove me away from it was more the light. I feel like for 6V and 3W you should have a lot more power output (based on some other lights which run off about 3W of power), and if environmentally responsible is a goal, it seems like a high intensity LED setup would last pretty much forever versus the ‘couple dollar bulbs’ that need to be replaced.

How often do you go through bulbs on yours?

I agree as well that the shimano light is very cost-effective, but I’m a firm believer that ‘cheap’ doesn’t have to mean ‘not well designed’ and I think the light has some shortcomings which could have been designed out while still keeping the price reasonable. It seems to blast a lot of extranneous light up instead of forward, and the little LED on it really doesn’t add anything to your visibility, but undoubtedly takes up some power that could be put towards the main bulb.

Maybe it’s just the engineer/designer in me?

]]> By: JQP http://www.handlebarsandwich.com/07/09/2008/69ing-the-big-dummy-an-enlightening-experience/comment-page-1#comment-814 JQP Fri, 11 Jul 2008 07:12:08 +0000 http://www.handlebarsandwich.com/?p=442#comment-814 Hello Nathan, I enjoy the info you post and the descriptions of the Flagstaff biking scene...I miss it. Regarding the above blog entry, I felt compelled to say you forgot one major point about the Shimano generator hub compared to the other ones you briefly mention...it's very inexpensive. I ride/commute nearly every day using the nexus generated hub you discuss and I think it's pretty nice in concert with the halogen shimano light. Instead of a couple hundred hours of use with AA or AAA batteries you will no doubt get a few years of constant use out of it. (I've had mine for two and it's still going). Not only that but the bulb is a couple dollars to replace. In my opinion, it'splenty bright for night commuting and urban riding in general and you will never forget to reload (or buy) batteries again....a much environmentally intelligent decision. I also feel as thought the back eletromotive force or, as you say, "resistance", during light-on riding is very minimal...really only noticeable while riding when you are really hauling ass down a hill. Although it's probably not for racing (however I know a big gay guy that raced the old pueblo with one) I wouldn't spit hairs about it's "resistance", i.e. a tough guy like you should enjoy the extra work out. As you mentioned, there are many other great lights out there that will work with the shimano generator hub, but you will undoubtably pay much more for it...anywhere from 2X to 5X as much...the shimano light is around 40.00 retail. JQP Hello Nathan,
I enjoy the info you post and the descriptions of the Flagstaff biking scene…I miss it. Regarding the above blog entry, I felt compelled to say you forgot one major point about the Shimano generator hub compared to the other ones you briefly mention…it’s very inexpensive. I ride/commute nearly every day using the nexus generated hub you discuss and I think it’s pretty nice in concert with the halogen shimano light. Instead of a couple hundred hours of use with AA or AAA batteries you will no doubt get a few years of constant use out of it. (I’ve had mine for two and it’s still going). Not only that but the bulb is a couple dollars to replace. In my opinion, it’splenty bright for night commuting and urban riding in general and you will never forget to reload (or buy) batteries again….a much environmentally intelligent decision. I also feel as thought the back eletromotive force or, as you say, “resistance”, during light-on riding is very minimal…really only noticeable while riding when you are really hauling ass down a hill. Although it’s probably not for racing (however I know a big gay guy that raced the old pueblo with one) I wouldn’t spit hairs about it’s “resistance”, i.e. a tough guy like you should enjoy the extra work out. As you mentioned, there are many other great lights out there that will work with the shimano generator hub, but you will undoubtably pay much more for it…anywhere from 2X to 5X as much…the shimano light is around 40.00 retail.
JQP

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