Archive for the 'Bicycle gear reviews' category

Kryptonite introduce a modulus bike lock system

Aushiker | March 11, 2010 8:55 pm

1267187020096-16a1wlllb3x18-500-90-500-70 BikeRadar.com is reporting on a new Bronze Sold Secure security level bicycle locking system from Kryptonite called the Modulus. There is currently no mention of the product on the Kryptonite website.

According to BikeRadar.com the

Modulus lock head is secured to the bike using a dedicated bracket, which is attached via bottle cage bolts or a nylon strap. You can then slide it on and off, using a quick-release button.

Once attached to the bike, you can fit the cables to the unit using the key supplied and secure the bike as you wish, or as the conditions allow.

This is meant to provide more flexibility in terms of cable locking options.  You can read more and see more in the BikeRadar.com article.

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Cycle Computer with a Rear-view Camera – How cool is that?

Aushiker | March 6, 2010 5:21 pm

SUV technology comes to bicycling, with the release of the Cerevellum, a bicycle computer or cyclometer as they refer to it, which has a built in video screen and rear view camera.  It retails for US$349.00 which is probably a bit expensive at this stage of development but still it does show promise as to what can be done and is being done.

The computer records basic riding data (speed, ride time, distance etc) as well as basic video recording (flash memory), a tail light and of course rear view image.

The product website contains a video showing the computer in action.

Will these replace rear view mirrors? Will they distract the rider? If you have any thoughts on this computer or better still have used one, please let us know via the comment button.

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Don’t talk about the war, I mean ProLite

Aushiker | February 17, 2010 6:27 pm

I am looking to replace the wheels on Froggie and as I am want to do, following some research I posted details of the wheels I was considering and sought advice on them and other possible suggestions at the Australian Cycling Forums (ACF). As I was not interested in ProLite wheels I indicated this in my posting at ACF. I didn’t see the point in others suggesting a brand that did not appeal to me.

It seems choosing to be uninterested in a product is not acceptable to Mr Deon Attard (aka Jacks1071) at Pro-Lite Oz who has filed a “report” at ACF about my posting. His report is quoted verbatim below:

This comment is inappropriate and has board members asking WHY would he say "Other suggestions (not ProLite)?" No reason other than Andrew is a fuckwit and doesn’t like me because I’ve called him out for giving shoddy advice to noob riders on about 20 occassions (sic). So because he doesn’t like me, obviously he wouldn’t want to use our products which is fine by me because I don’t want a fuckhead like Andrew rolling around on our wheels anyway. The cheap shot however was uncalled for and serves no purpose other than to try and discredit the Pro-Lite brand. I thought this was all over and delt with but obviously not… Get a life Andrew – you are fucking pathetic.

I have chosen to post this report by Mr Deon Attard in full as I feel it is important that his views should get a proper airing.  I think it is also important that Mr Deon Attard of Pro-Lite Oz be given the opportunity to detail the “about 20 occassions (sic)” where he has “called him [me] out for giving shoddy advice to noob riders on about 20 occassions (sic)” and hence I extend Mr Attard an open invitation to share the details here; if nothing else I would like to correct any bad advice given. Alternatively one can see all his postings via his profile at ACF. Good luck in locating these 20 odd occasions.

For those wondering why I might not be uninterested in ProLite wheels, I suggest you take a moment to read this post and this post.

I can assure Mr Attard and Pro-Lite International that I will not be “rolling around on [your] wheels”; that I can promise you with 100% conviction.

I am also curious as to whether this is a view held by Pro-Lite International Ltd and hence have extend to them the opportunity to comment.

 

Steven Fenton @proliteboss Pro-Lite International Update: As promised I offered Mr Steve Fenton, CEO of Pro-Lite International the opportunity to comment on how his company is represented in Australia.  I sent the following email to Mr Fenton on February 17, 2010 at 1812:

Dear Mr Fenton

I have recently being subject to, shall we, some interesting commentary by your Australian representative, Mr Deon Attard. I have published Mr Attard’s comments on my blog at http://www.aushiker.com/2010/02/dont-talk-about-the-war-i-mean-prolite with the associated links. I am curious as to whether Mr Attard’s comments are also reflect of your organisation’s and I offer you the opportunity to respond to Mr Attard’s comments and my postings.

Regards
Andrew Priest

At 2143 on February 17, 2010 I received this response from Mr Steve Fenton’s email address. I will let it stand as it is and you as the reader can form your own opinion.

You seem to have a lot of time on your hands and a quick search seems you obviously love to get into this kind of debate which I can only assume is due to something lacking in your life. Maybe you can add train spotting or collecting aeroplane numbers to your daily routine.

Get a life and grow up.

I replied at 2152 and now consider the matter closed.

Dear Mr Fenton

Thank you for your comments. I will happily add them to the website. I am sure potential customers will be happy to be informed about your approach to doing business.

Regards
Andrew Priest

I wish purchases of Pro-Lite wheels all the best with your purchase.

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Planet Bike Red Zeppelin CO2 inflator

Aushiker | January 23, 2010 6:03 pm

I got around in December, 2009 to getting a C02 inflator. As I had a gift voucher for TBE, Osborne Park  I used it to pick-up a Planet Bike Red Zeppelin inflator for AU$29.95. It comes supplied with two 16g threaded CO2 cartridges and a insulation sleeve.1019alt

The manufacturer describes the inflator thus:

  • Precision-machined body and head with Airflation ControlTM knob for 100% reliability
  • Insulated cartridge sleeve to prevent frozen fingers
  • Fits Presta and Schrader valves without adapters
  • Includes two 16g CO2 cartridges & insulator sleeve
  • Can control inflation

and they advise that a 12g cartridge will inflate a 26” tube to 30 psi and a 700c tube to 90 psi and a 16 g cartridge (which is what I have) will inflate a 26” tube to 40 psi and a 700c to 120 psi.

Well on January 23, 2010 I got a puncture in a Vittoria Zaffiro which is fitted to the front of Froggie, my Look 555. As I was in a hurry to get to the Freo Wheelers group ride I thought it was a good opportunity to put the inflator to the test.

As it was my first use, I used the pump to put a little air into the tube for installation, but in hindsight I could have used the Red Zeppelin as I quickly found it has good control on the gas flow.  Once I had the tube installed, I fitted the inflator which easily connected to the valve and open it up. With seconds I had a rock solid tire, easily inflated to ~120 psi. Hard enough for me, for sure.  I would have to say this was the quickest tube change I have done and I am impressed with the inflator. I am sold!

It was easy to use, fitted the valve well and had good flow control. Now that I have a better handle on its use I would use if a partial inflate and the a full inflate in future.

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Bicycles Tires – Summary of my experience

Aushiker | January 16, 2010 11:00 pm

The topic of tires and tyre choice comes up frequently in the Australian Cycling Forums and it occurred to me that a summary page would be a good way to share my experiences, hence this post.  I have decided to sort the tires by brand rather than by bike. Hopefully this makes it easy to see how they have performed.

 

Continental

 

Model & Size

Fitted to

Usage

Total Km

Puncture Rate (number of punctures – km per puncture

Comments

Grand Prix 4000 “Black Chilli” Froggie, Look 555 Front
Rear
In use
4,682
 
3 @ 1,560 km
  • Ridden city and country roads predominately in dry weather
Grand Prix 4000S “Black Chilli” Froggie, Look 555 Front and Rear 4,318
4,463
2 @ 2,231 km
  • One of the tires is still in service on the front of my CRX 1
Travel Contacts Sir Lancelot, Surly Long Haul Trucker Front and Rear 4,272 5 @ 712.4 km
  • Used for city commuting (wet and dry) and road touring (wet and dry).
Ultra GatorSkin 700c x 25 Chase, Giant CRX 1 Front and Rear 4,454 km (rear) 12 @ 378.75 km
  • Tire wall failed on the rear;
  • Poor puncture performance with the bike being ridden in wet and dry conditions on city roads and paths.
  • Cost per kilometre = 0.01 cents

 

Duro

 

Model & Size

Fitted to

Usage

Total Km

Puncture Rate (number of punctures – km per puncture

Comments

Stinger 700c x 28 Chase, Giant CRX 1 Rear 1,076 km 3 @ 359km
  • Cheap tire from the LBS.

 

 Kenda

 

Model & Size

Fitted to

Usage

Total Km

Puncture Rate (number of punctures – km per puncture

Comments

Blue Grove Stick-E Julia, Giant XTC 2 Front In use    
Nevegal Stick-E Julia, Giant XTC 2 Rear In use    

 

Maxxis

 

Model & Size

Fitted to

Usage

Total Km

Puncture Rate (number of punctures – km per puncture

Comments

Detonator 700c x 28 Chase, Giant CRX 1 Front and Rear 2,673 km 10 @ 267 km
  • OEM tires on Chase;
  • Poor wear rate

 

Michelin

 

Model & Size

Fitted to

Usage

Total Km

Puncture Rate (number of punctures – km per puncture

Comments

Lithion 700c x 23 Spare rim Rear In use    

 
Schwalbe

 

Model & Size

Fitted to

Usage

Total Km

Puncture Rate (number of punctures – km per puncture

Comments

Marathon Cross 40-622 700 x 38C Surly Long Haul Trucker Front and Rear Touring duties    

Vittoria

  

Model & Size

Fitted to

Usage

Total Km

Puncture Rate (number of punctures – km per puncture

Comments

Zaffiro 700c x 23 Chase, Giant CRX 1 Front 4,257 km 1 @ 4,257 km  
Zaffiro 700 x 23 Froggie, Look 555 Front In use 1 @ 2,861 km Puncture caused by a double-gee.
Randonneur 700 x 28 Chase, Giant CRX 1 Rear In use    
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