2012-06-30 Sat/Sun - Dunwich Dynamo DD20

Totally on a new light hype, Exposure Spark Mk2 or Hope Vision 1?

I was looking at the Hope Vision 1, but it feels like the sort of thing you'd buy then wish you'd spent a bit more on one with rechargeable batteries. What do you reckon? I might just run my headlamp this year with some fresh batteries in.

Exposure Spark is rechargeable if you go for the more expensive one, I thought Vision 1 was too.
Spark is currently reduced to similar price as Vision 1, hence my comparison of the two.

Hope vision 1 is awesome - you'll only need it on the weakest setting and it'll still provide more than enough light.

looks at Benotto.... looks at Canyon

decisions!

^^ In that case why shouldn't I get the Spark which is 15 lumens more for the same price and re-chargeable?

Hope vision 1 is awesome

not true. We usually have 1-2 failures/switches of batteries on longer rides with TNRC. Blow it and get an Exposure.

Exposure is not as fat either.

I don't want to sound like I've already made my mind up, but I was struggling to see the benefits of the Vision 1 over the Spark, but since it's a very popular choice on the forum I thought I'd see what people were saying. Anyone got experience of the Spark?

Greetings,
A rechargeable light is the one if your charger unit will last long enough to get you through the ride- please check the run times.... or you will need to bring another unit or lots of rechargeable batteries which you will be loathe to ditch as they will be useful in future but you carry the weight still.
I have a Hope vision and bought it specifically because it is very bright and uses normal batteries which for me personally I prefer on a ride like this. Once I am dun with a set of batteries, they go in a bin and I am not carrying the weight anymore.
Let there be light,
Tim

since it's a very popular choice on the forum?

there are some very silly 'recommendations' on the forum. Aerospok's being paramount in my mind.

dont diss the spok!

Greetings,
A rechargeable light is the one if your charger unit will last long enough to get you through the ride- please check the run times.... or you will need to bring another unit or lots of rechargeable batteries which you will be loathe to ditch as they will be useful in future but you carry the weight still.
I have a Hope vision and bought it specifically because it is very bright and uses normal batteries which for me personally I prefer on a ride like this. Once I am dun with a set of batteries, they go in a bin and I am not carrying the weight anymore.
Let there be light,
Tim

Spark uses rechargeable batteries that are standard sized and removable so you can run normal batteries if you wish. If I get that, I'll bring a set of batteries with me in case the rechargeable run out.

there are some very silly 'recommendations' on the forum. Aerospok's being paramount in my mind.

Ha, I think I've made up my mind.

Dear Nurse Holliday,

Re 'Spark uses rechargeable batteries that are standard sized and removable so you can run normal batteries if you wish. If I get that, I'll bring a set of batteries with me in case the rechargeable run out.'

That all sounds very sensible. It's your light so you buy what you feel most comfortable with. Good luck with purchase and for the ride itself.

Give thanks,
Tim

dont diss the spok!

comon, really.... REALLY?

Hello, I am doing this year's ride, and have decided to get to one week before to start worrying about my bike. Maybe you guys can set my mind at ease... I have a single speed 29er, which is lovely and I do prefer riding that to my other bike, a standard 26" mountain bike. But that has got gears you see....

I know I should get a road bike, but I don't have the money. I would happily sway the MTB for a road bike, but don't have the time.

So, am I going to be OK on a single speed? I know, silly question. But do people do it on SSs?

My SS is running at about 55 gear inches. Is that too high. or not high enough?

What do you think?

Too low, you'll spin like mad the whole way. It's flat pretty much the whole way. I'm on 74gi and that's almost a bit low for cruising on the flat for 80 miles+

Can you swap out a different rear cog? You want something between at least 65 -77gi

For your ratios check this: http://www.lfgss.com/post290498-19.html

200k on 55GI... not me thanks.

I've converted my fixed to S/S for this ride, running 66gi's (48x19) which is what i normally run for long rides and it suits me fine.

I agree that 55 is way too low though, get it up between 65-77 as previously suggested, shouldn't cost you more than £20.

I just went out for a short ride partly to test a possible set up/bike choice, managed to lose a bottle cage + the bottle in it within an hour, despite it being as secure as I could make it... I guess I know which bike I'm riding now.

200k on 55GI... not me thanks.

171k (pedant).

Boo!

Hello, I am doing this year's ride, and have decided to get to one week before to start worrying about my bike. Maybe you guys can set my mind at ease... I have a single speed 29er, which is lovely and I do prefer riding that to my other bike, a standard 26" mountain bike. But that has got gears you see....

I know I should get a road bike, but I don't have the money. I would happily sway the MTB for a road bike, but don't have the time.

So, am I going to be OK on a single speed? I know, silly question. But do people do it on SSs?

My SS is running at about 55 gear inches. Is that too high. or not high enough?

What do you think?

Slick tyres, 60 psi and a few more gear inches will save you literally hours.

Anyone got a GPX file for DD - and some idea of how to load it in...?

/\ Any of you chaps got this?

I know how to load it

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/2096259/Rides/Dunwich%20Dynamo%202011.gpx

I'll be doing this on S/S at 72.7gi (47x17) which for me will be perfect for cruising between 15-20mph.

On a separate note, my food of choice for this will be 4 malt loafs, and a tub of utterly butterly.

^ What would Mr. Hovis say?!