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Commuter bike efficiency questions

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Old 09-27-04 | 11:01 AM
  #26  
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Joined: Feb 2001
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From: England
For lighting, I use waterbottle battery to power a front dynamo style lamp. Modern dynamo lamps are very efficient and effective and make full use of their 3watt power, compared to generic sealed-beam units.
I have used a couple of dynamo systems. I found the old clamp-on bottle dynamo to be POS. They screw up the frame and never have enough traction on the tyre.
My touring bike has a braze-on tab for a modern high efficiency bottle dynamo with a rubber roller. It is a whole different story; efficient, reliable power available whenever I need it. Usually this is for short trips into town at night rather than long endurance rides. For an urban bike a good dynamo is ideal as a fit-and-forget system, no need to remove all the lighting bits every time you lockup. For longer distance regular commutes, a battery is probably a better option.
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Old 09-28-04 | 01:17 PM
  #27  
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From: Folsom, CA

Bikes: Bianchi Axis cyclocross / Kona Mokumoku X-country

Originally Posted by CommuterKat
I ride a Specialized Rockhopper, and traded in my knobbies for tires called, "Comfort Kevlar". They are completely slick down the center, with a ridge of knobs along the outside that never comes into contact with the pavement. When I need the traction, it is there, and when I don't, it is not in the way. Also, the kevlar keeps them tough so I don't worry about glass all that much. I definitely go around big chunks of the stuff, but the smaller shards roll right under them without a problem.
Just my 2 cents.
Kat
I use Tuffy liners on both my Bianchi Cross (for commuting) and my Kona (for mtn biking). I have not had a flat on either since. There's lots of glass and stickers around my bike paths and these have helped immensely even if they have added a little weight (not much). I even pulled asticker out of my mtn bike without a leak. That's my two cents...
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