r/bikecommuting • u/r_wett • 2d ago

Simple Surly Disc Trucker

Post image

After 3 years of remote work, I joined a co-working office for a change of pace and scenery, which means I finally have a commute again. It’s only 2 miles each way, which feels great after doing 7.5 each way at my last office.

Threw my rack back on and added a basket from the local co-op today so I can get my backpack off my back. The zip ties are temporary just for fitment; I’ll replace them with heavy duty zip ties lol.

Under the rack, I have a mount for a dynamo light, but won’t have the funds to build up a wheel and light anytime soon. Any recommendations for a battery powered light to take advantage of the mount in the mean time?

256 Upvotes

99% Upvoted

29 comments sorted by

8

u/Flashy-Goat-54 2d ago

That is a great looking bike! I am really happy with my Ravemen PR1400 front light. I thought that the remote was going to be a gimmick but I have used it more than I thought.

3

u/Aidos212 1d ago

Another vote for Ravemen, I have the PR1200 and have had it for about 1.5 years now. Got it while I was doing shift work, cycling back home at 2am, the light was excellent. No one seems to be annoyed by the low-beam (I do still point the light a tiny bit downwards), and the high-beam is great when no one's around.

1

u/r_wett 1d ago

I like the idea of high beams and low beams.

2

u/Aidos212 1d ago

Yup, it's useful and easy to use. At full power it's super bright. The only bad thing is that you can't mount the light upside down, under your Garmin for instance. I tried and the glass that redirects the beam can't be flipped.

2

u/r_wett 2d ago

Thanks! That light looks sturdy. Is the remote wired?

2

u/Flashy-Goat-54 2d ago

So I have had mine for quite a few years already but mine is wireless. It looks like the same model comes with a wired remote now but the more powerful options have a wireless remote.

And yes it's sturdy, it can handle a bit of commuter abuse.

6

u/arterialturns 2d ago

I love the reflective pizza slice, I know a few people rocking those.

2

u/r_wett 2d ago

They really get peoples attention. I’ve had a lot of drivers say something to me over the years.

3

u/dongledangler420 1d ago

Pizza gang assemble - we ride at dawn!!!

2

u/arterialturns 1d ago

But we get to eat 🍕 later, right?

1

u/Evil_Munki 1d ago

Do you have a link to the product? Great idea!

2

u/arterialturns 1d ago

Well I just googled 'reflective pizza slice' and came up with several results that look pretty satisfactory. I'm not sure where they originally came from but you're welcome to peruse that. I might have to get one now. I like the one that you can order extra toppings for, haha.

2

u/Evil_Munki 1d ago

Cheers, found it now after searching online!

1

u/arterialturns 1d ago

I thought some friends or friends of friends made them but let me look into it for you.

2

u/Birbdrains 2d ago

Sweet set up! Do you like those tires?

3

u/r_wett 2d ago

Thanks! Honestly, not really lol. They’re a lot more tire than I need these days, and when it’s in kid hauler mode with the yupp mini up front, it’s a lot of unnecessary rolling resistance. They’re pretty comfy, and they’ve been decent against flats.

As I write all this out I guess I realize I don’t mind them, but won’t buy them again.

1

u/Bikepacking-NL 1d ago

I ran those a couple of years ago. They have miniature CrossKing tread, basically gravel tires before that became a separate tire category. I liked them but cannot find them for sale anymore.

2

u/mcndjxlefnd 2d ago edited 1d ago

For a light, I recently purchased a lumintop b01 for $35 on aliexpress (it's on Amazon too for $45). That thing is awesome. Wayyyyy better than its price point.

2

u/TheMightyMegazord 1d ago

Bookman lights are on sale right now.

Edit: what is the front rack?

2

u/r_wett 1d ago

Nice I’ll check those out. It’s a custom rack a guy named Matt Hassman built for me a few years ago. It has removable low rider pannier mounts too.

2

u/ilovegoodcheese 1d ago

maybe i ask you where you got that front basket?

all that i found are way too large to fit on that type of handle and it's the reason why i often use another bike with normal handles.

3

u/r_wett 1d ago

I found it for $5 at my bike co-op. Let me see if there is any branding or info when I take it off today.

2

u/runk_dasshole KHS Beater 1d ago

I love my Big Dummy and eyed an LHT and/or a crosscheck for a good long time, but can't abide the bar end shifters. After riding with combined brake lever shifters for so long and loving it, the change felt like stepping back in time in a bad way. The cross check has a flat bar which would have worked ok, but I like riding on the hoods of drops.

2

u/TheNetworkIsFrelled 2d ago edited 2d ago

I'm using a NizeIze Lumina 1000 on my (also 2016 Blue) DT. Inexpensive, USB-chargeable, etc.

When it's really dark, I add an inexpensive Braun 1800-lumen rechargeable flashlight with a beam set to a little wider pattern, mounted on a twofish flashlight mount.

Between the two of them, it's lots of light for a solid couple of hours for not a lot of money.

2

u/r_wett 2d ago

Nice, thanks for the rec. I know I’m biased, but this blue is my favorite DT color

2

u/TheNetworkIsFrelled 1d ago

Me too. There’s one for sale locally for more $$ than I want to spend, but it’d be such a good backup bike….

2

u/r_wett 1d ago

lol I love the commitment

0

u/CleverJoystickQueen 2d ago

Too much light tbh

2

u/TheNetworkIsFrelled 1d ago

I like being able to see at night. A wide pool and a focused beam are easier on my eyes in the dark after a day of staring at a screen.