News containing the keyword ‘Safety’

Go Battery Free with a Dynamo

June 25th, 2009 - no comments

If a bicycle is your main form of transport, you should consider a dynamo to power your lighting system.

nexus.jpgDynamos use the turning of your wheels to generate electricity, which can be then used to power your lights (or mobile phone, if you wish to get ambitious). Using the same system employed in windfarms, the dynamos now available have very little rolling resistance compared to those of yesteryear.

We stock both the excellent value Shimano hubs (the new 3N80 is brilliant), and the top shelf Schmidts (the SON 20R is THE dynamo hub). All will give you many years service, and mean less acid batteries end up in landfill.

The virtues of these dynamos are too numerous to mention, so drop in for a chat on how you can go battery free.

for more  information on these Dynamos

Shimano Nexus

Schmidt Dynohub

One more thing – Because these dynamos are part of the hub, this nifty device will require you to replace your whole front wheel. A complete wheelbuild will cost around $300 with the Shimano hub dynamo.

Pedal Powered Lights

June 24th, 2009 - no comments

Once you’ve settled on a dynamo, you’ll have to pick out some lights to go with them. lumotec-oval-series.jpgAgain the Germans are at the forefront of this technology – their Busch and Müller lights give you fantastic bang for your buck.

Unlike a lot of cheaper L.E.D. lights available, these aren’t just to give you visibility on the road, they’ll illuminate the road ahead of you. Perfect for late night rides down the Merri Creek bike path.

Once you’ve seen these in action you won’t be able to go back.

Headlights currently in stock:

  • Lumatec IQ fly plus,
  • Lumatec IQ fly cyo R senso plus,
  • Lumatiec IQ fly N plus
  • Lumatec OVAL senso plus

Tailights in stock:

  • Toplight Flat plus
  • D toplight XS plus

Plenty of information and images are available at the

Busch and Müller website

Stay safe, snug and seen this winter

May 6th, 2009 - no comments

With Melbourne’s recent cold snap and the dark falling on commuters ride times, we’ve got a few new items in-store that will keep you safe, snug and seen on the road.

Gloves

It’s easy to overlook your hands when rigging up for a frosty morning’s ride. Considering you need your fingers to control your brakes, it’s best to keep them warm and working. We’ve now got an excellent range of gloves -10 different styles, and in a range of sizes – for you to try on and take home.

The added bonus is that we’ve put the TUFF brand front and centre. An Australian Company, TUFF (by name AND nature) have been designing and selling gloves and cycling socks since 1990.

So if you’ve got frosty phalanges, pop in and have a look.

Prices range from $30 to $45.

More about TUFF, over on their website

Jackets.

We’re always banging on about bicycle safety, so we should give a plug for some of the high visibility jackets and jerseys we’ve got in store. Netti, an Australian company have been producing bicycling clothing and helmets for over 60 years, make up our current range.

On our rack, and in various sizes we have a selection of tops suitable for a variety of conditions. All with night riding in mind, they’re perfect as the days shorten in ‘Old Melbourne Town’. All garments have long torso size, and over-length arms, perfect for the reach to your handle bars.

Netti Sunshield sunshield-jersey-icon.jpg

A lightweight Jersey that can be worn on it’s own or snugly over your daily garb, is made from breathable micromesh fabric. It has a Sun Protection Factor of 50 plus, so is ideal all year round.

Deep rear pockets are perfect for your phone and wallet, and a 30cm chest zipper, means added value for this simple and elegant jersey.

More information at the Netti Site

Sunshield: S-XL – $60

Netti Shift Jacket shift-jacket-yellow.jpg

The Netti shift jacket is the sort of thing you’d like to have in your pannier for those unexpected moments: you’re caught out after dark, Melbourne’s weather lives up to it’s reputation or you need a second jacket. Showerproof, windproof, and underarm ventilation, it’s quite roomy and is ideal as a shell.

More information at the Netti Site

Netti Shift Jacket – S -XL – $60

D3 Jacket d3-jacket-icon.jpg

If Tenzing Norgay were riding round Brunswick, in the cold and wet, we reckon this would be the jacket he’d wear. This jacket with it’s heat sealed seams and front zipper guard, has all the marks of quality and is built for all conditions. The Netti D3 jacket with its breathable and waterproof fabric, is ideal for those who don’t use rain as an excuse not to ride to work. It even has a hood (that is detachable) for those really heavy downpours.

Double Plusses:

  • Detachable arms – this jacket doubles as a high visibility vest.
  • Elastic waist and cuffs
  • Front and rear reflective strips
  • Rear pocket for your phone, wallet, scroggin.

This jacket has just about everything built in, and only weighs 370 grams, so would be ideal for touring cyclists too. This is about as heavy duty as they come, so if the weather’s too heavy for this jacket, you probably shouldn’t be riding.

More information at the Netti Site

Netti D3 Jacket S -XL $230

‘Lights On Ride On’ This Winter

April 9th, 2009 - no comments

In partnership with Moreland City Council, Commuter Cycles is helping people stay safe on the road this winter. A selection of Planet Bike Lights on discount               With the loss of sunshine and the end of daylight saving, it’s time for cyclists to consider their visibility on the road.City of Moreland’s Lights on Ride On campaign is designed to do just that. We’re taking 20% off the price of our ‘Planet Bike’ light range.

Planet Bike lights represent excellent value, with a variety of lights for different uses and budgets. Tail lights, headlights and helmet mount lights are all discounted, including our favourite, the ‘Blinky Superflash ‘.

There’s also a $100 service voucher up for grabs. This Monday’s Moreland Leader newspaper (13/04/2009) has all the competition details. You can also download a voucher from the City of Moreland website. Roll into the our Prentice Street Workshop, pickup a ‘Blinky’ or one of his friends, and you’ll be in the running. $100 dollars gets you a fair bit of bike love at Commuter Cycles, so it’s well worth the effort!

UPDATE!                          Simon picks a winner

Simon Stainsby, Sustainable Transport Officer at Moreland City Council popped into the workshop on 6th of May 2009 to pick a winner for the competition. In great impartiality, blindfolded (almost), he announced Michael of Fitzroy to be our winner!

Congratulations Michael, we look forward to seeing you and your bike soon!