Cycling UK Forum

Last night when i was riding home, there was a cyclist in front of me with a rear light i have never saw, or seen similar to before. It was only a small circle the size of a penny but the light was so powerful and had like a pulse effect, there was also a laser line in green shining down by his back wheel to show a safe enough distance to pass for vehicles. I was going to pull up alongside and ask what type of light it was but he turned off the road so i never got to ask. I have searched the internet and found nothing similar, all i know is that i want one because it is the best rear bike light i have ever seen on a bike. I use a cateye sumo 3 front light and the rear light that came with it, which i think is just basic, its a TL something... Not very good imo.

I think I will just leave the gears as they are for now and move on to a better bike. I do like the explosive power of this bike though, in 14th gear on a section i call the power straight, a smooth flat tarmac road, i can hit 38.4mph (that''s my fastest, still trying to beat it) I just don't like to be seen having to give a push when the hill gets too steep, because if you see me on any other stretch of the road i'm on full burn.

For all those asking if i am actually in first gear, yes i am. It is the most powerful first gear i've come across. I'm used to MTB, have easily done over 20,000 miles off road. I know the elswick peleton i have is cheap, but it is actually a very good ride. It is very fast, some say it is heavy but off the mark from traffic lights in the bike lane, i have left every rider behind within 250 yds. It also rolls well before slowing which means the wheels have very good bearings. I replaced the tyres with shwalbe luganos and ride at 110psi. The only problem is this hill which is at one point a 16% gradient and goes on for about 1.9miles. I've done the hill on my MTB before, it was tough but not impossible but on the road bike it is a full body burner and i have to push.

It is Orkney 34L just an older version, the newer version is red.

It is only 14 speed, but my speedo shows 20mph in first gear and it is very accurate. 20.7mph is the fastest in first before changing gear. I know the bike is budget, this is because i've never rode on a proper road bike before, so I got a cheap one to break me in. Should I just sell it and get a better one? Any recommendations under £400?

The bike is an Elswick peleton. It is only a cheap one I bought to get me to work after my MTB was stolen. The gear system is Shimano SIS, if you google the bike you will see the gear system. I am not too familiar with the mechanical side of bikes, but my first gear can get me up to 20mph, it is very powerful. I compare it to more off a fifth gear than a first gear. If there is a way I can make it easier, then I really would appreciate it very much, because on my home journey from work I have to go up a really steep hill that endures for 1.9 miles and this first gear means I can't make it up without stopping constantly for a break.

I have a standard road bike on 700 x 23 wheels and the first gear is very strong. It is unlike any first gear I have had before and really steep hills mean a heck of a lot of effort, most times I have to push. My question is, can I change my rear free wheel and get one with a first gear that makes these steep hills easier? And what free wheel do I need?