thysmeades

thanks guys for all the comments. I just wish there was an easier way. But I will try some of the tips above.. Thys

hi guys, please help. does anybody know how to remove the glue from a carbon tubby rim? The previous owner of these rims loved contact glue (and probably applied a who tin to the job) and I want to give them a very good clean before glueing new tubbies on. thanks Thys

those are Midas torch light heads. be careful, they are heavy with the heat sink included. It's an easy option but for the weight.

Hey Troutie, thanks for your comments.forum_images/post_button_smiley.gif I rode this morning with the CUBE and it's amazing what those 4 XPE's can do. Your new light is a winner. I am so looking fwd to the beam shots with the XPg's. (love the colours too!) I have 10 XPG's on back order as well. I have a few improvements on the cube and have a "Flat 6" on the cards which is my own take on a 6xpe. (only 20mm thick) For me though, summer is coming so not too may dark rides left. but I will be ready for the winter next year we will be in touch. regards Thys

thanks M, that is cheap, but an achievable target it think!forum_images/post_button_smiley.gif Comments from any others

thanks for those that have come back with various bits of info. So far in order of priority it looks like: Price Size (small) / weight (light Beam power (lumens) Battery life (long) but not crazy long Bar and head mountable Intersting that price is right up there. Looks like i have to come up with a well priced light, that is relatively small and compact, that packs a punch.forum_images/post_button_smiley.gif Now, last question, what is that maximum someone will pay for the above. and then I have to try and get it cheaper from there!

Maybe this is for another thread but I would really like to know what makes a good light in the eyes of the consumer? I am sure some or all of the factors are NB but what percentage of each. I am really keen to build a light for the masses which will be top quality and outperform most "mainsteam" lights. What factors are important or most important cool design? CNC'd look? light weight? finish / colour? size / dimensions (small or large)? battery life? beam spread? versitility (helmet mount as well as bar mount?) lumens? option to customise light optics for various applications? Light operation? (how it switches on and off and different levels) Low voltage warning? Unique or one offs (no other on like it?) Feedback will be appreciated! Thys

no worries!forum_images/post_button_smiley.gif

As I mentioned, manual settings used, ie exactly the same conditions for each photo.forum_images/post_button_smiley.gif All photos taken at ISO 80 appeture - f3 exposure time - 4seconds

Beamshots! Taken last night. All photos taken at ISO 80, f3, 4seconds. Very nice beam for the road. (quite direct hot spot with nice side spill - remember the optics can be customised and changed in a few minutes) the perspex lens also seems to divert side light over the controls of the bike which is also quite nice. Control shot L1 L2 L3 L4 L5 thysmeades2009-08-23 23:49:29

Hi Droo' date=' it was a nightmare, hench I will not be doing another one, ever.[/quote'] My biggest issue so far has been working out how much space I need in the back and still keeping the light small enough. It's sitting at 40mm dia. by 45 long so far, with 28mm dia by 23mm deep in the back. I haven't got it machined yet, but I have a feeling I'm going to learn some new and interesting words building it. Droo, this light is 32 x 32 x 36 I can give you the drawings if you want and also tell you how I feel I could improve it. If I had made it a little longer, I would have got the jack plug in as well, but as it is now, it's impossible.... hence the DC supply coming out the side....

Monday..

the pocket rocket is awesome, the beam is brilliant. it will take a lot of beating. I am going to change the design to avoid causing any offence in future as I may want to sell them.

Hi Droo, it was a nightmare, hench I will not be doing another one, ever.

Hi Guys, for those into DIY light building, I thought I would share my latest creation. It's a "one off" and will never be repeated. It is just too small for practical production but it was a fun project. The details: Optics: customisable. currently 4 Narrow Carclo 10mm x 10 mm (Very nice beam for the road) Driven by maxflex from taskled Battery: 11v 2500ma Internal "status" led glow. (not as nice as I had hoped) Not too sure how it?ll handle the heat. Still to test.. Anodizing didn?t work very well. Wanted it blue. Not too sure why it didn't work. Marwi bike mount used in pics Concept pics Housing complete: End covers on - 3mm perspex laser cut to size with internal engraving On the bike. Any questions? I will gladly assist where I can. Beam shots, will follow on Monday. thysmeades2009-08-21 03:12:16

The cube is coming soon.... More pics with the led's and optics in place. Smaller than a triple AAA battery Poly carb front and back on soon, then I have to find space for the driver, DC connector and switch in the back. It's going to be a very tight squeeze!!!

Hi troutie, i don't mean you, as I know you are on the mtbr thread. Just lacking a bit of confidence with this type of thing. got it eventually even with the help of someone on the mtbr threat. I was refering to the very early days of light building. Thanks for your comments. Yes, this tiny little thing still has to be proven, but I am very excited about it so far. BTW: the six XPE i built (and you designed ) did one of the toughest challenges in the MTB world this past weekend, and passed with flying colours! The chap who used it said he had more than enough light and could descend super fast leaving dust for many riders to follow. Battery lasted and it didn't miss a beat. will keep the thread updated with the Cube's progress. also looking fwd to seeing some updates on the lumen liberator. did you get the XPG's yet. can wait to see what that is going into...

THE Supernova CuBe is coming!! watch this space!! weight = almost nothing optics = customisable (carclo optics) led's = 4 x cree XPE each on 10mm PCB / protective polycarbonate lens cover. both front and back. Driver = maxflex Lumens = 700+ size = 32mm x 32mm x 32mm Some cool features I will leave for later once first model is up and running. Enjoy! Thys

Trans baviaans report back. 3 out of 3!!! Hi Guys, I am very pleased and relieved to say that all 3 lights that went to the baviaans performed admirably. (the pocket rocket - trouties design, the triple - midas torch head, and the d-star, UK housing with Cree Q5's) The report back I am getting from all 3 guys that rode it, was that they had no reliability issues, ample light - much more than they needed, and could decend much faster than those around them due to the quality and amount of light. With a report like that, who can complain! Well done to all the finishers of the race. My team pulled out at the last minute due to illness. Next year!

Troutie, that light on full just looks awesome! I wasn't taking note, are you runnning XP-G or XP-E's in that Lumen libirator?

thanks for all the comments guys. Much appreciated Thys

I am very pleased to have sorted it all out with Trout and Steve and Johannes. Man, that was close. So yea, Troutie and Steve and on the hub, cool! I paid quite a price for it though! To be compared to them, with regards to skill and talent, I'm no where close. I do however have some wierd ideas already on paper, so watch this space. If anything, this thread has been an entertaining read. Respect to all those guys!! Watch this space.

Thanks Johannes for the response, sorry to have upset you. the thing is, this isn't my main income. I have a great job and this is really just a hobby. I would love to share how i did this with all I know because it has been so exciting for me to learn about it and build. (that's why I thought about a build kit for guys who want to learn) So, what I have decided is to not go mass market with sales, as I take away the living of those who do this as a big part of their income. Johannes, you build great lights, I was just chatting to a guy who recently bought one of yours and I said to him that it was a brilliant purchase and it was quality that couldn't be beaten. a real investment. Troutie, I have already emailed ML, you got me into this mess in the first place!! thanks for all your initial advice. To all the rest, BL makes awesome lights, buy his rather. I will sell to the few mates I have in my cycling circle, but it's no massmarket for me..