[SDCBC] Batteries (was Bike mantra...)

[Robert Leone]

Dear SDCBCers:


Stephan Vance wrote:
  Nobody carries them locally that I know of,
> but someone should. Those are the only negatives.**
> 
>  
> 
> Stephan Vance

I THINK I've seen a few dynamo sets in Veloculture on La Jolla Blvd, the 
old Sanyo-branded ('80's) system where the generator roller worked off 
the center of the tire (mounted by the bottom bracket) instead of the 
sidewall. Specialized (some of the Globes), Bianchi (Castro Valley) and 
Novarra (REI house brand, check out the "Fusion") are some the bikes 
available or orderable locally that come with generators (sidewall or 
hub). However, as they're an expensive and rarely ordered item it's no 
wonder those wishing to add generator capability to their current bike 
fleet get to experience the joys of local bike shop special orders or go 
internet-shopping with Peter White Cycles, Velo-Orange and I don't know 
whom all else.

Then there's rechargeable batteries. However, they currently have their 
own problems. Lead-acid batteries are reliable, but weight like a lead 
ingot. Feeding consumer NiMH rechargeable AA and AAA batteries into 
small bright lights sort of works, except most NiMH (there are 
exceptions coming out onto the market, I'm told, but they've got premium 
pricing) cells have a high "self discharge" rate. They lose "juice" 
comparatively quickly just sitting there. Example one: I came across a 
commuting cyclist switching batteries around at night in Mission Bay 
Park. His ready replacement set of NiMH cells were dead, so he was going 
with the back-up back-up alkalines. Example two: My father claims he'd 
put freshly charged cells into his digital camera a month or so before 
he tried to take some panoramic landscape shots, or was it the cat 
eviscerating a persimmon, I forget.

As a fountain pen user, I am somewhat habituated to ordering small 
parts, obscure fluids and special tools from far away. But at least 
someone out there in brick-and-mortar and on line sell these things. 
Still, I miss the pen counter at H.G. Daniels on India Street.

Robert Leone

Robert Leone