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MTB Gear
DIY CHEAP FRONT LIGHT
DIY BIKE LIGHT
Hi. Just read through forums on bike lights and thought I'd try making my own to bike ound my area (Western Sydney) near some lakes. I bought battery 6v 1.3AH/20HR and halogen globe (12v 50watt)
from Jaycar's advice. Wondering if the wattage was OK? Bought a 50mm PVC pipe and holder to mount on the bike. Spent about $40.
Karen
Hydration Packs
Hi.
Having just killed 3 bottles and 2 cages in the last week, I've decided to have a look at getting a hydration pack. I've ordered a 1.5L one from Torpedo7, and am waiting for it to turn up in time for Easter.
Just wondering what type and size packs other people are using. What they like, dislike about them. Favourite brands, wear and tear etc.
Bike cleaning????
The recent rain has made the trails very wet and very muddy! Does anyone have a suggestion on the best way to clean a very muddy bike?
Avid Juicy 5 hydraulic disc brakes...
correction : Avid "Dodgy" Fives
Ok let me set the seen...I have been sidelined for a month with a twisted knee...so imagine my disappointment when I grab my bike and the brakes are locked on.
Squeezed them a few times and everything seemed to be normal. So I rode off to work which is only 1km away...
As I prepared to ride away at the end of the day a remarkable thing came to light. The glistening shine of hydraulic fluid seeping over the seam on both of the reservoir caps.
Hydration Rucksack - $20 with 2l bladder
Hi guys,
Haven't been around for a while, busy lives prevail 
Just thought I'd let u know I found that Aldi (www.aldi.com.au) from tomorrow have a hydration backpack with 2lt bladder for $19.95. Seems like a good price.
Cree XR-E Q2 is here
Just got this from Cutter:
For those of you waiting with backorders on the Q2, great news, Cree has released a limited amount and we have managed to get shipped 1000 pcs. As soon as they arrive we will ship your backorders and can supply further qty's.
To refresh, Cree XR-E Q2 bin is
Minimum Luminous
Flux @350 mA (lm) 87.4 LumensMaximum Luminous
Flux @350 mA (lm) 93.9 Lumensand now qualified to 1 Amp these will max out at 210 Lumens.
$4.03 more than P3s.
Get 'em while they're hot... daylight savings ends this week doesn't it? 
Roof Rack Mishaps
Well, it had to happen sooner or later... last night I tried to drive into our underground carpark with a bike on the roof rack.
I've been carrying bikes on a hitch mount for a while now, but this weekend had one on the roof for various reasons. Driving back from Blue Mtns remember looking at the car at the last stop and thinking, "I should open the sunroof so I remember it's there". But then not doing so because I thought I couldn't forget. Doh! Bit tired after driving around all day probably didn't help either.
Anyhow - I write all this as someone may be interested in what happens when you try and squash your bike into low clearance 
Commercial LEDs
I notice more talk of LED on the board so thought would share this link that popped up today. Just in case you needed any more persuasion to DIY:
http://www.gearreview.com/2007_led_lights.php
Nah - OK - so these things are getting a little cheaper, but they are still waaaaaay pricey given how cheap the components we know are inside cost.
Actually - top of the range LEDs available at any one time will probably always beat what is inside commercials, just because of the lag that's needed for them to filter from the bleeding edge.
More LED Talk
Well here we go again.
Daylight savings won't be around much longer so I'm thinking I will need to make up some lights soon to join you all on the night rides.
So I've been looking at putting some LED lights together. I'm sure I've got Rob's attention now 
I was thinking of going a more simple route than Rob's setup. I was thinking just 2x 3W halogen replacement LED bulbs. Like this:
http://www.ledshoponline.com/high_power_mr16_led...
For power my friend has some old laptop batteries lying around. They are 3.7V 2000mah cells. And since he's a remote control helicopter flyer he's got all the charging gear for the lithium cells already. 3-4 cells in series should provide plenty of power for a fair few hours.
GPS Advice
Hi All,
I am considering the Garmin Edge 305 as the main use is for the bike and I like motionbased.com, google mapping etc
Wondering how suitable this device is or what alternatives there are for other uses:
Running?
Sailing? or sync to laptop for coastal/inshore navigation etc
Basemap with display?
Is there a device that does it all?
Cheers Daz.