A package arrived from SJS Cycles today.
Which means I have the rear lighting arrangements for my Ribble CGR Ti
sorted. With a rack and a Topeak MTX Trunk Bag, seatpost mounted tail lights are not an option.
I've popped a Cateye Reflex Rack tail light onto the rear rack which means the bike has a BS6102/2 compliant rear reflector and BS6102/3 compliant rear light. But that light is not bright enough for daytime visibility. It's fine at night, especially with it's large surface area. Has a fantastically long runtime on a set of AA batteries. It ticks the 'steady light' box for drivers to more usefully judge distance. My only criticism is that the batteries tend to fall out when the light is removed, so you need to be ready to catch them.
A Cateye Viz300 was ordered with a C2 belt clip so that it can be attached to the trunk bag. I don't like that, when used with the seat post mount (which it might be, on the Gas Pipe Hybrid
, it can't be removed from the bracket without first taking the bracket off. At least the bracket isn't bolted on. In flashing mode, it's almost bang on 4 hz but it is off more than it is on, no doubt to conserve battery. I'd rather it flashed a bit slower and remained on for as long as it was off. It has a 45 hour runtime flashing. Daytime Hyperflash last 10 hours, flashes incredibly quickly and does 300 lumens; it is incredibly bright but I'd imagine quite horrible for anyone stuck in traffic behind you. Group Ride mode at 100 lumens with a steadier flash lasts 8 hours and I suspect is a happier compromise. The other major draw back with this light is that slightly off-axis it's far less bright relative to it's brightness on axis. The MagicShine SeeMe 100 seems a bit better in this respect, although it's not as bright to begin with. Other tiny detraction is the Micro-USB charging. Really was expecting it to be USB-C.
I also have a couple Madison Universal Light Mounting Kits which mean I can attach the SeeMe 100 to the rear most stay on the rear rack. One for the CGR and one for the Gas Pipe Hybrid
. I'll keep the AAA battery powered Smart Superflash 317 0.5W LED light in the Trunk Bag as a spare for winter months and night time riding. Really wouldn't mind something of the same elk, save a bit brighter on account the whole light unit doesn't need replacing when the battery no longer holds a useful charge.
With a front reflector/pedal reflectors, all I need now is to find an affordable battery front light that meets some regulation and there's no chance of a counter claim for negligence should anything untoward happen. And some BS6102/2 spoke mount reflectors would be good, but despite having previously bought three different types, I can't find a type that will fit the wheels on this bike.
And I finally got a couple of replacement hub covers for the Carry Freedom Y.