What is TOO many gadgets?
10-31-23, 07:17 PM
#1
Just Pedaling
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What is TOO many gadgets?
I just ordered a new front light for my main ride, which already has 2 Ram mounts (1 for smart phone/computer and 1 for GPS unit) Then I have 1 to the left of those for a blinky light and another mounted on the side of the headset for main night riding light. I also have Tektro cross brakes mounted on the bar in front of everything that I can't obstruct and a camera to the right. I have a headlight on the front of my helmet with a wide angle beam, another light with a spot beam on the right side of helmet, a mirror on the left side of helmet, a camera mount dead center top of helmet, a super bright rear breathing light and a weaker blinky light on rear of helmet. Oh, let's not forget the super bright tail light mounted on the bag beneath the seat. The new light that's coming will replace the blinky light up front because it has a daytime blink function that is more powerful and a night time 850 lumens with enough battery power (10000mah) to keep the smart phone going, not that I've ever had a problem with the phone as a computer because it has a 5000mah built in battery that will last 10+ hours with all the apps running=blue tooth cadence and speed sensors not to mention blue tooth mp3 music (a must have because who wants to listen to traffic noise?) A 20# bike, 150# rider, and 200# of electronics. Wife is starting to give me the side eye. What can I say? How about you? Electronic shifting? Wireless? Yeah, there's still a few things to look into haha 
10-31-23, 07:28 PM
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I just ordered a new front light for my main ride, which already has 2 Ram mounts (1 for smart phone/computer and 1 for GPS unit) Then I have 1 to the left of those for a blinky light and another mounted on the side of the headset for main night riding light. I also have Tektro cross brakes mounted on the bar in front of everything that I can't obstruct and a camera to the right. I have a headlight on the front of my helmet with a wide angle beam, another light with a spot beam on the right side of helmet, a mirror on the left side of helmet, a camera mount dead center top of helmet, a super bright rear breathing light and a weaker blinky light on rear of helmet. Oh, let's not forget the super bright tail light mounted on the bag beneath the seat. The new light that's coming will replace the blinky light up front because it has a daytime blink function that is more powerful and a night time 850 lumens with enough battery power (10000mah) to keep the smart phone going, not that I've ever had a problem with the phone as a computer because it has a 5000mah built in battery that will last 10+ hours with all the apps running=blue tooth cadence and speed sensors not to mention blue tooth mp3 music (a must have because who wants to listen to traffic noise?) A 20# bike, 150# rider, and 200# of electronics. Wife is starting to give me the side eye. What can I say? How about you? Electronic shifting? Wireless? Yeah, there's still a few things to look into haha 
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10-31-23, 08:46 PM
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I just ordered a new front light for my main ride, which already has 2 Ram mounts (1 for smart phone/computer and 1 for GPS unit) Then I have 1 to the left of those for a blinky light and another mounted on the side of the headset for main night riding light. I also have Tektro cross brakes mounted on the bar in front of everything that I can't obstruct and a camera to the right. I have a headlight on the front of my helmet with a wide angle beam, another light with a spot beam on the right side of helmet, a mirror on the left side of helmet, a camera mount dead center top of helmet, a super bright rear breathing light and a weaker blinky light on rear of helmet. Oh, let's not forget the super bright tail light mounted on the bag beneath the seat. The new light that's coming will replace the blinky light up front because it has a daytime blink function that is more powerful and a night time 850 lumens with enough battery power (10000mah) to keep the smart phone going, not that I've ever had a problem with the phone as a computer because it has a 5000mah built in battery that will last 10+ hours with all the apps running=blue tooth cadence and speed sensors not to mention blue tooth mp3 music (a must have because who wants to listen to traffic noise?) A 20# bike, 150# rider, and 200# of electronics. Wife is starting to give me the side eye. What can I say? How about you? Electronic shifting? Wireless? Yeah, there's still a few things to look into haha
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10-31-23, 09:23 PM
#5
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Bells for trails and pedestrians.
Loud horn for drivers.
https://loudbicycle.com/
And you need cameras.
Loud horn for drivers.
https://loudbicycle.com/
And you need cameras.
11-01-23, 06:09 AM
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I just ordered a new front light for my main ride, which already has 2 Ram mounts (1 for smart phone/computer and 1 for GPS unit) Then I have 1 to the left of those for a blinky light and another mounted on the side of the headset for main night riding light. I also have Tektro cross brakes mounted on the bar in front of everything that I can't obstruct and a camera to the right. I have a headlight on the front of my helmet with a wide angle beam, another light with a spot beam on the right side of helmet, a mirror on the left side of helmet, a camera mount dead center top of helmet, a super bright rear breathing light and a weaker blinky light on rear of helmet. Oh, let's not forget the super bright tail light mounted on the bag beneath the seat. The new light that's coming will replace the blinky light up front because it has a daytime blink function that is more powerful and a night time 850 lumens with enough battery power (10000mah) to keep the smart phone going, not that I've ever had a problem with the phone as a computer because it has a 5000mah built in battery that will last 10+ hours with all the apps running=blue tooth cadence and speed sensors not to mention blue tooth mp3 music (a must have because who wants to listen to traffic noise?) A 20# bike, 150# rider, and 200# of electronics. Wife is starting to give me the side eye. What can I say? How about you? Electronic shifting? Wireless? Yeah, there's still a few things to look into haha
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11-01-23, 08:00 AM
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Captain Dashboard, eh?
When you can't put your hands where you want them on your bars because there's a mount in the way, that's definitely too many gadgets.
Of course, an auxiliary bar to hold some of those gadgets will help.
When you can't put your hands where you want them on your bars because there's a mount in the way, that's definitely too many gadgets.
Of course, an auxiliary bar to hold some of those gadgets will help.
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11-01-23, 08:49 AM
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Too many gadgets? That might be like saying too many bikes.
But certainly I appreciate the current one gadget I put on my bars. That's not to say I don't have others elsewhere.
But certainly I appreciate the current one gadget I put on my bars. That's not to say I don't have others elsewhere.
11-01-23, 06:20 PM
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I had to browse through the ones that I saved, but here it is...
what a great comic strip!
edit: It looks like the Yehuda Moon comic is still on the web!
Steve in Peoria
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11-02-23, 12:25 PM
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I have one of these, use it for touring. Bought mine at Amazon. They are only accurate if you have a precisely constant speed, and the best way to ascertain that your speed is constant is if it is zero.
https://skymounti.com/
You also are lacking the heart rate monitor, which I also use. I use a handlebar mount for mine. This is the one I have, they do not list a price for it so perhaps it is discontinued?
https://sigmasport-shop.com/en/30-idgo
https://skymounti.com/
You also are lacking the heart rate monitor, which I also use. I use a handlebar mount for mine. This is the one I have, they do not list a price for it so perhaps it is discontinued?
https://sigmasport-shop.com/en/30-idgo
11-02-23, 12:50 PM
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I have one of these, use it for touring. Bought mine at Amazon. They are only accurate if you have a precisely constant speed, and the best way to ascertain that your speed is constant is if it is zero.
https://skymounti.com/
https://skymounti.com/
You also are lacking the heart rate monitor, which I also use. I use a handlebar mount for mine. This is the one I have, they do not list a price for it so perhaps it is discontinued?
https://sigmasport-shop.com/en/30-idgo
https://sigmasport-shop.com/en/30-idgo
11-02-23, 01:08 PM
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I think g +1 is okay. But maybe when that +1 starts becoming the latest and greatest version of all the stuff you already have, then it's time to seek help. <this is just a retort made in fun, don't take it seriously>
Last edited by Iride01; 11-03-23 at 07:32 AM.
11-02-23, 06:43 PM
#15
Just Pedaling
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11-06-23, 04:22 PM
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I define too many gadgets when they are an impediment. I've thought about action cameras, power meters, etc, and (1) the value they would provide me is minimal, and more importantly, (2) life is already complicated. I already take a few minutes to get ready before I start pedaling and another few minutes when I stop.
Life is complicated:
- When I'm wearing long trousers, I have to put on trouser bands or tuck my trousers into my socks.
- I have to charge my headlight every night because while it might last two nights or more, I can't trust myself. Having a discharged headlight is a serious problem.
- I have to charge my taillight every month but when did I last do it? And now I have a more powerful taillight so how often do I have to charge it? I don't know.
- remember my water bottle, tool kit (attached to my saddle)
- carry my lock and remember the key
And so on.
And this is why I love a dynamo-powered headlight. I know we all have lots of things to charge regularly, and we manage to remember most of the time, but the headlight is more important than most others. It's more than just one fewer thing to worry about, because a discharged cell phone or a discharged taillight is not as bad as a discharged headlight. Taillights don't need frequent charging, either, since they use so much less power than headlights do.
Life is complicated:
- When I'm wearing long trousers, I have to put on trouser bands or tuck my trousers into my socks.
- I have to charge my headlight every night because while it might last two nights or more, I can't trust myself. Having a discharged headlight is a serious problem.
- I have to charge my taillight every month but when did I last do it? And now I have a more powerful taillight so how often do I have to charge it? I don't know.
- remember my water bottle, tool kit (attached to my saddle)
- carry my lock and remember the key
And so on.
And this is why I love a dynamo-powered headlight. I know we all have lots of things to charge regularly, and we manage to remember most of the time, but the headlight is more important than most others. It's more than just one fewer thing to worry about, because a discharged cell phone or a discharged taillight is not as bad as a discharged headlight. Taillights don't need frequent charging, either, since they use so much less power than headlights do.
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11-06-23, 07:24 PM
#17
Just Pedaling
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My new light arrived too late to get it mounted. The wind and rain didn't help matters either, as my bike work station is outside. Hopefully tomorrow the weather will improve and I can get it up and running. The light is definitely bright. So much brighter than what I have currently. I'm going to take it outside and test it against my existing. Below is pic of my work stand. I am a true shade tree mechanic 
11-07-23, 07:56 PM
#18
Just Pedaling
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Okay Rick, here you go. Just bear in mind, I don't use all these at the same time. IE: the GPS only comes out when I'm Geocaching. The camera only comes out for day rides (useless at night) and all the forward facing lights on the helmet only get put on for night rides. Pics aren't the best, I'm not much of a photographer, sorry.
11-07-23, 09:15 PM
#19
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From the front, it looks like 3 or 4, but from the back it looks like somewhere between 9 and 12 ...
+ three rear-facing helmet lights ?
I'm not at all saying there are too many, I'm just impressed.
11-07-23, 10:05 PM
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Nope. My bikes get:
A rear blinkie.
CX levers (one bike)
Computer mount (same bike - it gets used for the trainer)
Permanent headlight mount (same bike)
Rear rack (same bike)
LowRider rack (same bike and my workhorse fix gear)
Kryptonite mount (ditto)
So 4 of my 6 bikes have just tape and brake levers on the bars. And plenty of space to put my hands wherever I want. Helmet has a permanent mirror.
Instead of huge numbers of lights, I've used colors. I wear very bright jersey much of the time. These short days a bright orange jersey with big grey Scotchlight patches. That bike with al the stuff has hybrid with yellow fenders (and often yellow Ortlieb panniers). The workhorse fix gear goes stealth. It wears a sky blue powdercoat (a very common stock color) and the same blue 3M reflecting tape; an entire roll. At night it lights up in a very uusual color. People take notice. Daytime you don't even see it.
And when needed, I'll ride with a NiteRider 1100 and its removable mount on whatever bike needs it. Also an orange cycling vest with flashers sewn to the side straps so they sit at the forward corners of my hips. Aimed at left turning on-coming traffic and cars pulling out of side streets. Effective, simple and light.
A rear blinkie.
CX levers (one bike)
Computer mount (same bike - it gets used for the trainer)
Permanent headlight mount (same bike)
Rear rack (same bike)
LowRider rack (same bike and my workhorse fix gear)
Kryptonite mount (ditto)
So 4 of my 6 bikes have just tape and brake levers on the bars. And plenty of space to put my hands wherever I want. Helmet has a permanent mirror.
Instead of huge numbers of lights, I've used colors. I wear very bright jersey much of the time. These short days a bright orange jersey with big grey Scotchlight patches. That bike with al the stuff has hybrid with yellow fenders (and often yellow Ortlieb panniers). The workhorse fix gear goes stealth. It wears a sky blue powdercoat (a very common stock color) and the same blue 3M reflecting tape; an entire roll. At night it lights up in a very uusual color. People take notice. Daytime you don't even see it.
And when needed, I'll ride with a NiteRider 1100 and its removable mount on whatever bike needs it. Also an orange cycling vest with flashers sewn to the side straps so they sit at the forward corners of my hips. Aimed at left turning on-coming traffic and cars pulling out of side streets. Effective, simple and light.
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11-08-23, 10:54 AM
#21
Just Pedaling
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2 forward facing on the helmet. 2 red tail lights on the helmet. Mirror and camera on helmet (camera is in insulated case to prevent it interfering with GPS).1 red tail light on tool bag beneath seat and now the main forward light on handlebars and a blinking light on head stem. Blinking lite for day riding, but lately most of my riding is at night (after dark- less peoply out there)
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