bikes and things

Nothing else needs saying here I think.

I like to think I like all forms of cycling and have had the pleasure of owning and riding most types of bicycle. From mountain biking, folding bikes, fixed track bikes, downhill bikes, singlespeed mountain bikes, road bikes, BMX and I even harbour a desire to ride a touring bike over great distances. I’ve also plan to buy a cargo bike one day for various reasons.

What I still can never understand though is recumbents. I mean I just don’t get it and I’ve really tried to get my head around the idea. For me one of the best things about cycling is the elevated position that you have and seeing things differently – seeing over the hedgerows in the countryside or traffic in the city. It just seems weird to be in that low down position, barely visible to drivers and sucking on everyone’s exhaust fumes whilst lying on your back. The token flag the only indiction that someone is there below your line of sight. Every single one I’ve ever seen in London seems to be an overly angry individual who has to shout at everyone to survive from this low down position.

Image © kenjonbro.

It also seems to be a strange form to use considering that the bicycle we know today has evolved over the last 150 or so years into a fairly well developed and recognisable form. A rear then main triangle and then forks of some kind with an axle at the bottom and generally two wheels. It’s a form that has proved to be adaptable for the variety of types of riding above but also fairly constant and has served us well I feel.

The position of lying on your back also seems counter to the idea of being able to get out of the saddle to climb, accelerate or even just take the pressure off one’s derriere. The form would seem to limit the range or usefulness of the bicycle which is almost entirely counter to the amazing freedom offered by one.

Image © m4barcelona

I can never quite understand why people ride without lights. The thought of not being able to be seen by cars, buses, lorries and even pedestrians is kind of dumb really. It seems to be a bit of a cool thing for some but then just don’t understand why you’d want to not be seen. Perhaps one of my favourite things is seeing someone with a high vis jacket on and no lights when it’s completely pitch black – maybe they’re entering this years Darwin awards?

It took me a few moments to see the two cyclists in this image © Ian Tindale

Cycling around other cyclists without lights is also dangerous as cars swerving to avoid them always seem to end up in my direction. I also feel that as a driver myself you should give others the best fighting chance of seeing you. I remember when I passed my test how intimidated I was by driving at night as I couldn’t make out the depth and position of other cars and their relation to me. It takes so much more concentration to drive at night as there’s so many other light sources vying for attention.

Perhaps even worse is buying lights, having them on your bike and not turning them on. Second to that is those stupid little LED lights that have become fashionable in recent years. I got some once, rode home, almost died and threw the stupid fucking things in the bin.

Don’t use these, they’re rubbish.

To me it’s an arms race with bike lights – the brighter the better. I’ve tried a few different combinations out over the years and have now settled on the following combination. They’re not cheap but they work well and I get seen and I haven’t died yet.

Front lights – I have an Expsoure Joystick which was around £170. I have this set of pulse flash mode which is pretty impressive. When I first got it cars literally moved out of the way. I have it aimed squarely at the passenger side mirror of cars. Next up I have domed LED light – Cateye SL-110 £8.99- which gives a bit more side light as the Exposure only emits light forward. I wouldn’t rely on it as a main light but it’s great as a backup and addition to the main light.

Rear lights – I think you’re even more at risk from not being seen from behind which is why I have a few different ones here. Again I’ve tried so many over the years but have now settled on the Cateye TL-LD1100 10 at £34.99 (who thinks of these product names?) which is two rows of LEDs that can be switched independently of each other. So I have one set on constant and the other on flashing – either mounted to my bike or clipped to my belt. It looks a bit like a grenade and also has excellent side coverage as the lens wraps around the sides. The other one I use is a Fibre Flare – £25 for one or £60 for two. It’s worth getting the longer one of these for more light. This is essentially a long LED which has a flashing mode. It’s super bright and I mount mine to my bag to raise another light source above the level of my bike – eye level if you’re in a car hopefully.

So not super cheap but considering I ride every day to work in all weathers I think it’s a suitable investment. The other lights I’d recommend are the Exposure Flare series. I have a rear one of these which I also occasionally use.

Anyway, GET SOME LIGHTS!

© 251 on Roadbike Review Forums

I completely understand people’s choice to wear a helmet or not. Personally I do but don’t look down at others who don’t – unless you’re at a trail centre where it’s just dumb not to. But I’ve still never understood the “helmet clipped to bag” or “helmet hung from handlebars approach”. If you’ve gone to the bother of buying one, taking it out of the house then why not wear it?

And a great response from Richard on Twitter.