Any question answered...

This says the CR123 is the same https://www.buyabattery.co.uk/duracell-123-dl123-cr123a-dl123a-3v-high-power-lithium-battery.html

Yes, I think that is the non-rechargeable version. It's for a bike light though so I need a rechargeable one as the ones in the light seem to be dead.

Lots of results if you search for rechargeable Cr123, e.g. https://amzn.eu/d/77wEG34

Aha, I'd tried that previously and just got really expensive stuff and non-rechargeable stuff. However, one of the links mentions 16340 which it appears may be the correct name for the rechargeable one.

16340 just means the raw cell is 16mm diameter and 34mm long. The packaging and button and protection board (if it has one) may add more. That seems to be close to the stated dimensions for CR123 (Duracell says 17 x 34.5) so it should be ok. Might need some padding.

You could try Varonha

To people who live / ride out West, on a saturday afternoon what is better, B3024 or Drift Road heading back towards Windsor? @hippy you're out this way aren't you? Anyone thoughts?

I've only really ridden out that way during races or training for races but I would choose Drift Road on the basis of it having a cooler name.

I couldn't agree more

Looking at my RWGPS heatmap I can't really tell a difference. Looks like I've ridden them both a few times in recent years. Sorry that's two very useless posts.

I think I'd do Drift Road > Fifield Lane > B3024 to avoid the B3022.

Awesome thank you

Drift Road > Fifield Lane > B3024 to avoid the B3022.

This every time for a more pleasant experience while sticking to tarmac. I cross the river at the Summerleaze Bridge and use the cycle path on the left bank. Since the recent surface upgrades, it's usable all year on anything from an all-season road tyre up. I probably wouldn't use the short cut across Brocas to get to Eton Bridge on skinny tyres at the moment, but Meadow Lane only adds a couple of hundred yards. You can almost entirely avoid the gravel by going Summerleaze-Dorney Common-Eton

In this still fairly warm weather I'm mainly just in at-shirt but obviously it's also dark when riding home.

Thinking something reflective may help being seen by napping car drivers. Is there a modern equivalent to a reflective Sam Browne belt? On a brompton so limited mounting options for lots of lights.

Or am I overthinking this?

Weather is about to get a whole lot cooler!

There is a thing such as a retro-reflective Sam Brown belt. I used to have one.

I'm mainly just in at-shirt...Thinking something reflective may help being seen

Hundreds of options if you google hi vis t-shirt

One for @gbj_tester I presume..

I want to deanodize some aluminium Rival Cranks (gxp this time, so steel axle) and bought some "rohrreiniger" which lists the needed natriumhydroxide as almost sole ingredient.
In what concentration (gram/liter) would I need to dissolve the granules to get a good result?
Many thanks!

2 Attachments

Don't forget to drop in on Artefood near Windsor & Eton Riverside station for quality Italian food and good coffee.
Recommended by myself @NorthLondonLight & @HarmanMogul at the minimum.

@gbj_tester this will prob be on the return leg of some long winter gritty road miles, I will investigate this though.

@mespilus sounds hugely civiled but the vibes of the ride will probably be more 1lb egg and chips biker cafe

My googling only brings up luminous yellow Sam Browne belts. Ideally I'd like something more understated (although thinking about it I'm not sure why).

@gbj_tester Cheers but I'm already wearing a t-shirt, just looking for something lightweight to stick over it.

I'm pretty late to the laser cutter party, but I just wanted to chime in with the standard warning about proper ventilation.

You'll need an exhaust system that vents the fumes outdoors.

Only some types of plastic can be safely cut with a laser; cutting PVC gives off hydrochloric acid (amongst other toxic gasses) which will corrode your optics, and even 'safe' materials like wood can give off carbon monoxide.

I found this, specifically about leather:

Genuine leather can be safely laser cut or engraved, but ensure that
if it has been tanned then it is “veg-tanned” otherwise it will have
been treated with chromium salts that will release dangerous particles
when laser engraved.

Materials that cannot be laser cut or engraved:

Artificial Leather containing Hexavalent Chromium (Cr[VI])

Also, the laser cutter will give you burnt edges on the leather that you'll probably want to remove, and I expect it will also impart a strong smoky aroma that will be difficult to remove.

I have a Cricut that was mentioned before. I've never tried it with leather but it would only be able to handle pretty thin leather I'd expect. I'd probably recommend a Silhouette over a Cricut anyway. Cricut's software is awful and their business practices are predatory.

If you can find a local maker space, you can probably try all these things out, and talk to a bunch of people with a lot more knowledge than me.

builder's hi-viz

Screwix does hi viz waistcoats from £4 which would probably pack into a jeans pocket.