Tag: review

November 12th – I’ve been lucky enough to get my hands on a Hope R2i light to test, and I’m very impressed with it.

I’ve been looking for an integrated, one-piece rechargeable front light for a while, as I’m fed up with using external batteries. I have been using a Lezyne thing, but it’s just not up to the job on long commutes.

My favourite light maker, Hope of Barnoldswick have produced an integrated version of their R2. It’s no lightweight, but the body is machined aluminium, and it’s well sealed from the elements. The twin LED elements are bright enough to ride unlit lanes fast, even on the lowest of the five constant settings.

The mount is the same as the hope R4, and is a solid, sturdy bayonet action with all parts made in metal.

Fitted with a handy barograph charge indicator, if this lasts a working week on a charge (and Hope claim 30 hours on low power) I’ll be a happy bunny and buy one.

A nice product with a solid look and feel – but man, it feels heavy next to the Lezyne unit it’s replaced.

November 11th – A word about rubber for the cyclists out there, if I may.

After the spoke failure of last week, I looked at the tyres and decided I’d replace them at the same time as they were wearing out. On that bike I’ve always used Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres, for wear and flat resistance – a really good tyre. 

When I came to order new one, I find the range has changed, and the Marathon Plus has had a redesign with a new tread design, and what feels like a different rubber mix. 

Been riding these for two days now in mucky, greasy and wet conditions and I must say, they’re a vast, vast improvement. They roll much better, and feel less ‘sticky’ than of old; at 100psi they’re hard but grippy, and feel much more sure footed. 

So far, I’m very, very impressed – but time will tell how they wear and if the flat protection is as good – it certainly seems as thick.