Originally Posted by
cyccommute
First, there is no need to get testy. You have mentioned many times how strapped you are for funds. Generator lights and the associated equipment cost a whole lot more than battery lights and having to equip multiple bikes increases that cost by the number of bikes you have. At, roughly, $200 per generator set up, that's a lot of money to have invested in one bike. It's a whole lot to have invested in two bikes if you are short on funds. It's your money but you are also the one who complains about not having money.
Additionally, the lights I was suggesting aren't "piece[s] of crap". My current lights have been working flawlessly for 3 winters now. Not a bad deal for $90 (3 x $30).
No, it doesn't make sense to me. But it makes sense to you. A v-brake (or any rim brake) has been perfectly serviceable for me through 35 winter commutes and I've never had a problem with them icing up...even in 10"+ of snow. But you do what you think is best for you. I'm not trying to stop you but I am trying to present you with alternatives that won't cost you as much. Excuse me for trying to help.
So now you are going to need three dyno wheels? That's the major part of the cost of a generator system.
I'm also confused. Are you going to run some kind of dual brake system so that you have a drum brake and a v-brake? Dual cable systems for brakes with different leverages are difficult to set up. It can be done but braking is going to be limited by the weakest brake. It would be better to pick one or the other. You don't really need both.
1. Not testy.
2. I was talking about my own previous battery light.
3. If im to be riding in ice and snow, i need to know i can slow and stop at any time.
4. The SE would need to be set up for winter riding if need be, and that costs money i'm willing to spend
5. No need to get all emotional.
6. The one i have now on the uptown may need replacing, in replacing it, i'd replace it with a dyno hub with a brake in it.
7. Not on the SE, it would be coaster rear (as stock) and drum front (add on).
8. The uptown has enough handlebar space for me to locate the front drum brake lever on the left (front) side.
Tripel: add drum/dyno front hub, stock rim, set of stock tires and add set of winter/studded tires, add front and rear light (the law here), add rack, add fenders, keep stock 3 speed internal hub with integrated coaster brake on rear, add chaincase.
Uptown: Stock except new drum/dyno front hub. The current dynohub is making a lot of noise, which ive been told isn't normal, so i'd simply swap out for the brake/dyno. Mount lever *** grip style on the left side to compliment the v brake OR simply remove the v brake and just use drum OR move the v brake to secondary position where i would have put the drum brake lever. Second set of tires that can handle snow (not studded).
I'm not worried about the cost of outfitting the tripel, because the whole purpose of getting the tripel is to have a bike that i can fully rely on all winter long for those rides that can't wait. Everything enclosed, front brake in case chain hops off AND increased stopping power, plus power for lights. It's the perfect foundation.... the uptown is simply a different bike and i don't want to put studded tires on it, because it's all ready a 36 lb tank... the tripel is 10 lbs lighter.......
Hope that clears things up.
- Andy