Brompton Spanninga Eclipse XS Safe-Stop Problem

Recently, I noticed that the standlight, or "Safe-Stop" on my Brompton rear light (Spanninga Eclipse XS) had stopped functioning. The light itself worked, but as soon as the Schmidt stops spinning, the light stopped lighting. I spent a few minutes researching if the light included a capacitor, or if it ran off the front light as does my Supernova E3 system. No detail available. So, I uninstalled and disassembled the light to investigate, and this is what I found:

That's the capacitor. It should be connected to the circuit board. It isn't. 

I pulled out the soldering gun and attached it, and the capacitor still had juice left:

Close-up of the soldering fix. Bam. 

Reassembled and reinstalled and it's working great. Safe-Stop, engage.

Tubus Carry Ti w/ Supernova E3 Triple & Rear (and Schmidt SonDelux)

As my cycling tastes evolve, I find myself gravitating toward the more expensive, but high-functionality items. My latest Casseroll project involved an increase in storage carrying capacity, as well as lighting solutions.

Starting at the front of the bike, I laced up a new wheel around a Schmidt Sondelux. Renamed from the Son 20R, this hub is the same, just renamed as it now meets German lighting standards for wheels other than 20", ie 700c wheels  (as long as one is using efficiend LED lighting). Details on the drag and power output here.

This data set claims that the drag is lower with the Sondelux as opposed to the traditional Son28, with the only downside being a little less power output at low speeds. Other benefits include a lighter hub, and its visual appeal (in my opinion, anyway). I laced said hub to a Salsa Delgado Cross, the same as before, using DT 2.0/1.8 spokes. And a little plug for Livestrong. Here are some pics:

If I have a generator hub, I must have lights to connect to it, right? I went with a Supernova duo, specifically the E3 Triple and E3 Rear lights. When considering mounting options for the E3 Triple, I considered handlebar, fork crown, and either fork leg.

I lack handlebar space, so that option was out, and my rando bag precludes the installation on the fork crown, so I was left with fork leg options. After reading the install manual for the Sondelux (yes, I read it), I decided to mount the light on the "road" side, or left fork leg, since Schmidt clarifies that the hub can be installed with the connections either on the right or the left. I considered using the Nob XL with the handlebar-mount E3, but I instead went with VeloOrange's handlebar bottle cage mount. This allows for a super-secure mount with no worries of twisting or sliding down the tapered fork leg. Details:

To mount the rear light, Supernova does offer a seatpost mount for the E3 Rear, but I have had my eyes on a Ti Tubus rack for a while, specifically the Carry. So, that's what I did. In the past, the Carry included mounts on the horizontal support at the rear of the rack for 50mm spaced lights, such as the E3 Rear. This proved problematic, as the wiring for the light required some sort of spacing out away from the rack to allow room for said wiring. As I looked over the rack, I noticed no such mounts. After suffering my way through the 1-page instruction sheet, I noticed that Tubus now includes two small plastic mounts that eliminate the need for spacers, or holes in the rack, for that matter. The rack also has little "stops" at the front of the pannier rails. Here are the details of the rack and E3 Rear:

See, no holes.

See the little "stops?"

Front view

Back view

Nice touch

Installed

I went with the single strut approach. Had to bend it a little.

Here are the plastic mounts

Super busy dropout, but it works. Tuggnut, Rack, and fenders. Awesome. 

Mounting of fenders is easier without a silly cassette in the way. 

So, I think the Casseroll is basically Rando-ready. I'm using the Tubus to mount my Acorn tri-fold, as it would annoy at times when mounted on the saddle. The VO rando bag is quite nice, and the Garmin Edge 305 keeps me from getting lost. Night ride reviews of the lighting system to follow . . . . 

Sans bags.

Madison Wisconsin Commuting Updates

So far, the Wisconsin Fall commuting has been quite favorable. 

This was my view today as I headed through Bob's Woods.

I'll keep updating as Winter sneaks its way into my commute.

Grainger Hall Bike Lockers

So, I rode up to school today and saw these:

What are these, you ask? I'm glad you did. These, my friends, are bike lockers. I immediately sent a round of emails to find out exactly how I could get my grubby little hands on one of these. After a few clarifications and several forwards, I found out that these were installed primarily for faculty members who have been bringing their bikes into the building. I'm hoping that there are 9 or less such faculty members. For $85/year, one could be mine. Wish me luck.

I'm Committing To Livestrong!

I regularly think about those affected by cancer, both directly and indirectly. Last year, I found out that a friend of mine in Chalma, Veracruz, Mexico had abruptly died of cancer. She was younger than me by a few years, yet the cancer was so advanced once detected that it was not treatable.

Blanca

My heart was saddened for her and her family. How is it that I, surrounded by top-notch health care, live cancer free, while she, alienated from adequate care, is quickly brought to death's doorstep by the disease. Unfortunately, her story is not unique. I want it to be.

The Livestrong Foundation fights to improve the lives of those affected by cancer. I have decided to play a small part in the fundraising efforts to fight this terrible and widespread disease.

My Commitment:
I commit to commute by bike every day through the upcoming Wisconsin winter. From what I'm told, Wisconsin winters prove to be colder than the Utah winters that I have experience riding in. If you think my cause is worthy, demonstrate your support by donating to this foundation, thereby further motivating me in my goal. I will ride regardless of your donation, but let's see if we can make a difference.

Here is the link to my Livestrong Fundrasing page.

My goal is to raise $2,500 this winter. Will you help me make a difference?

I will keep you updated on my progress and will be posting stories as I so enjoy doing.