-Effective (i.e., non-destructive) Cottered Crank removal (and re-usage)
-ways to prevent cold weather pawl freeze up in cassette hubs
-Cheap lights for bikes (I've heard tell of some creative holiday
string-light setups)
-ideas for rust proofing/rust prevention concerning steel frames, spokes,
hub bodies, etc... the stuff that typically looks drippy and nasty.
There is a physical problem with lights that are not powerful. As we humans
get older our cornea become harder and do not open and close as quickly as in
our youth. This leaves us blind to all but the brightest lights after we are
hit in the face by car headlamps. I witnessed a cyclist disappear when he
was backlit by car headlamps. He had a few $15 to $20 front flashers, a
reflective vest, and reflective tape on the bike. Once he was back lit by a car all
those inexpensive low wattage lamps were worthless to his safety
If you do not invest in a bright light you will disappear when back lit and
in other situations. The lesson I learned is simple if you are to be traffic
at night time you need to act like traffic. If you can get the Cat Eye 520
at cost, it is about $30 and well worth it. 1200 candle power is close to the
brightness of a car head lamp, 300 hour burn time with 4 AA batteries. When
in traffic, act like traffic. If they are well lit, you should be equally lit
to be seen. A flash light is not enough.
I am not saying do not have fun with cheap lights too. I look like an alien
space craft with all the cheap lights around my bike. I also have a serious
head and tail light. I do make a spectacle of myself out on the road at night.
Have fun and think about safety.
Christopher Wallace
**************Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape.
http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489