Ultracycling

For TCR in 2019 I carried 4 x 10 Ah packs. That would have given me 5 days' range and they would all charge in 5-6 hours via a 4-port charger.

In 2016 I didn't know what I was doing so I set off with just two small packs: 5 Ah and 3.5 Ah. That wasn't enough so I picked up two more 5 Ahs in a supermarket in France, and that was fine for 3-day stints. On IndyPac I had 3x10 + 1x5 and that worked fine for 5 days.

I've never run out of power or got close to it, but the other thing I carry is a battery box that takes 4xAA batteries as emergency back up.

Battery tech has come on and, when I was looking into it for TCR last year, I saw that there were Anker 15 Ah packs that would charge in c.5 hours with the right charger. So, if TCR had gone ahead, I'd have upgraded my packs with a couple of those. If you don't keep your phone on all the time, a couple of those should be enough.

A 20 Ah pack takes longer to charge so it's not all usable as you want to be able to fully charge it while you sleep overnight - no messing around with 15 mins here and there in cafes!

I have done both powerbank only and dynamo and I'm sticking with dynamo in the future. Just the ease of mind I have knowing I have power close by is worth it. No need for checking if the powerbanks are still charged and no possible mishaps like I once had in a hotelroom. I was so tired I didn't plug it in properly and the powerbanks hadn't charged overnight. Gave me quite some stress that day.

It is doable with just powerbanks but a dynamo is one thing less to think about. Also, always take 2 powerbanks, not just one big one. Always have a spare.

I like dynamos, for the simplicity in races and maybe even more so for the winters, as the days are so short here I ride a lot in the dark. But, I got a mountain bike that doesn't have a dynamo recently and it wouldn't really work that well on slow single track. Though I do also have a Exposure Revo that stays bright for a good while after you've stopped or going really slowly, but not sure how it'd work when you're going very slowly for a long time. So I've been using a battery light I already had, but will need to buy something at some point as I don't trust this old light and the batteries are only enough for about one full night, at least now as it's cold. So, shall I buy a new wheel with a dynamo hub to use with the Revo, or something like a Fenix and carry a bunch of spare 18650 batteries in the bag. I'd use it for SRMR, among other things. I'm using Etrex with batteries anyway and a 10 Ah powerbank is plenty for the phone. Both would probably work well and cost about the same, the dynamo wheel and the battery light.

I could echo the comments above but why bother.

hippy rides with dynamos and #hippyisalwaysright

Yes, I’ve learnt that you need to charge through a power bank. And to use two of them sounds smart. In the scenarios i would use the dynamo for charging I would ride all day so that’s fine.

But I don’t know what tech to go for. I cant use one thats hidden in the steerer because carbon. So ideally one routed to a bag on the frame.

Sinewave revolution

This and the igaro d2 seems like the best bets. Quite spendy though :/

Get what you paid for.

You asked what to get, I answered.

I bought one 6 years ago, still works.

I just bought a sinewave. I like that Igaro are iterating rapidly but that has led to at least one recall and they're also significantly more expensive.

I have now retired my Sinewave in favour to run a ful klite setup. Which is more expensive still. But best costs money.

I still have my original prototype Igaro fitted and a newer version I bought off here used, but never installed yet.

retired my Sinewave

dibs

It now sits next to the BNIB one I bought, as a backup! Oops

I didnt get a place either on GBDURO. On the waiting list for ST. But probably just DIY GBDURO all things considered. Give me a shout if you or anyone decides on the same.

Yes. I appreciate that. I always try to get one piece of quality something over several of lesser. To me this means saving and waiting. Hence sad face.

I didnt get a place either on GBDURO. On the waiting list for ST. But probably just DIY GBDURO all things considered. Give me a shout if you or anyone decides on the same.

I was thinking of that as a possible back-up plan if NC4000 doesn't happen.

More information on this year's Ruska is promised to come soon, but the controls are here, if one can cross the border between Finland and Russia by then: https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1dXlS3YUTMY9ylojxETHBDgcam4djyyf_&ll=65.08697837041262%2C27.916391849999997&z=5

I find I get through about 50£ of service station food a day in one of these so an easy way of saving some money is to do some more training now :)

Think there was a few here that got a place on All Points North from memory. Anyone still (hopefully) riding it this year?

I am, I mean, I will :•)

Do you like the Klite? Any feedback appreciated

I have a Sinewave Revolution too and it is routed to the top tube bag. I think you have to keep the Igaro outside rather than within a bag I seem to remember.

The light or the charger?

I haven't sue the charger but to check it works.
The light, I have the wide beam mtb one, and yes I like it. It kicks in from a low speed, lights wide and also down the road. It does what it says on the tin and well. I will use it to race off road, there isn't currently a better option imo.

Note: I got given one, so my review is biased by that. But I would be honest if it didn't do what it should.

On tarmac would I sue it? Well not the mtb one, but the road one. Maybe, and the reason it is a maybe is that it does suck a lot of power from the hub. So I would consider using something that is not as bright and uses less juice. Oh but they are releasing something like that soon too.

I think you have to keep the Igaro outside rather than within a bag I seem to remember.

The D1, yes. Don't think the same applies to the D2.

Thanks very much; I am only using powerbanks now; need to up my Dynamo game big style. I hadn’t heard about KLite before last month but everyone seems to rave about them. I was tempted to get the road specific one. Thanks very much for feedback on juice usage; this is the sort of feedback you only get from using in the field