Cycling UK Forum

Cleats, specifically SPDs, get the thumbs up from me. I've been using them for about 15 years, starting with those with a 'flat' side and a 'clip-in' side before graduating after a couple of years to dual sided clipless pedals. I have them on all my bikes except the brompton and I'm currently looking at the available opions for the folder. I'm not technically astute enought to provide the scientific evidence that they improve my pedalling efficiency, but in my own mind I FEEL that they do and as far as I'm concerned, that's what counts.

From the safety point of view my experiences are as follows: I've had 3 big 'offs' since I've been using dual-sided SPDs: one on ice, one on a patch of diesel and a third when an articulated lorry lost its trailer as it was passing me (that's a good one for the anti HGV brigade!). On each occasion, I unwittingly parted company with the bike and managed to emerge from each scenario with a minimum of injury - on reflection, if I'd not been clipped in I do not feel that the outcome would have been any different. In each situation, I had no time to think about unclipping, which leads me to conclude that in these instances, unclipping was almost a natural consequence of the accident. I would also point out that I have my pedals minimally tensioned, with maxiumum float, and have never experienced any knee or ankle problems.

My wife is now a convert and has only toppled once, at the end of a ride, on our drive back home!

I have been using this EXACT combination for a couple of winters now - the charger and the batteries seem to work absolutely fine and the Hope Vision 1 copes superbly with the pitch-black lanes which make up my +/- 14mile commute. I should point out that I don't have a clue about power output / milli-amps etc but I do know that the Hope 1 will burn on full power for the 28 mile round-trip which normally takes me about 1 hour 45 minutes, or thereabouts.

However, I whole-heartedly endorse the observation made by other posters that there is abslolutely no warning that the power is about to run out - it happened to me once when I was feeling particularly energetic and extended my route home by quite a few miles, only for the light to die about a mile from my house. I ALWAYS carry at least one spare set of charged batteries with me, so it's not generally a problem, other than the fact that it's a pain in the wotsit having to change batteries.

I actually still have the original box and instructions for the Hope Vision 1 - the instructions contain a very clear cautionary note as follows: 'CAUTION: Unlike many other LED lighting systems available, this light will suddenly switch off without any dimming of the LED. Please bear this in mind when riding at night.' Undoubtedly off-putting for some people, but apart from the aforementioned one occasion, I've not found it a problem. The burn time on max output for rechargeables is given as 2.75 hours.

I would definitely recommend this combination, hope this helps.

I endorse profpointy's viewpoint on Paramo, which i consider to be one of THE top brands when it comes to outdoor clothing. During the last few winters (and on the not-so-warm summer days!) I've been wearing a Velez smock, which has proved to be waterproof, windproof and very warm. Last weekend I purchased a Paramo 'Quito' jacket, which is somewhat lighter and less bulky than the Velez and absolutely perfect for cycling. I've worn it twice this week on the days when I've used the bike to commute, and in true Paramo style it's performed well in the wind and rain.

The down-side is the cost of Paramo clothing. It's not cheap, but it wears extremely well, and more importantly performs extremely well. I guess that the old adage 'you get what you pay for..' applies here. I suppose it's less crucial to have quality gear if you're only commuting a couple of miles, but mine is about 55 minutes each way (+/- 14 miles) and for me that's a long time to be cold, wet and miserable!

Another plus side of the Paramo brand is that they will do repairs if you should be unfortunate enough to hit the deck and damage your coat - a few years back I was wearing my Paramo mountaineering jacket whilst knocking about the town on my bike, when I came off on a patch of diesel - I trashed one sleeve fairly badly, and contacted them about doing a repair, which they more than willingly undertook. I seem to recall it cost about £20.00 and the turn-around was about a week.

I don't work for Paramo, by the way!!