Brake types for bikes

Brake Types for Bikes list

brake type	example	take note	retrofit needs
rim	Caliper (most modern ?) V-brake (wire across top) Cantilever (old ?)	weak in wet
disc		strong in wet hydraulic (future standard ?) or mechanical (cheaper)	hub adapter ? (remove spokes ? new wheel ?) fork adapter (fork adapter or new fork with disc fixings ?)
drum/roller/hub	roller is shimano version	niche. needs special hub ? heats too easy ? good in wet ?	need hub on new wheel or remove spokes ? need compatible fork ?

update : none yet

Caliper bike brakes

Above is a table I am using to make sense of brake types for bikes. It could be incorrect. Currently I have 'caliper' rim brakes but thinking of switching the front to either a disc brake or hub brake for more safety. The front brakes seem the most important as I use them about 95% of the time.

Reason for table :
Trying to gather my thoughts as hard to find choices in quick view method. My understanding is 2/10. Will update table when more is known. 

My current brakes : Caliper rim brakes
Thinking of : replacing front with hub or disc.
Brake lever type on my bike : flatbar (MTB brake levers)

Reason for changing :
Rim brakes lose a lot of power in the wet. Disc and roller brakes are not affected by wet. For commuters I think at least the front brakes should be disc (or less likely ... roller).

List of cycling wind noise blockers

Cycling ear protectors (from wind noise etc)

I am compiling a list of 'ear protectors' that are designed to protect the ears from wind noise when cycling. This is an ongoing project

List of wind blockers tried : my opinion

Airstreamz (formerly Cat Ears) Tried. Didn't notice any difference. Fit to your helmet so can't be worn without. Too expensive

Windfree : Tried. Felt these worked at low speeds but not above that. Say under 15km (speed + windspeed) Once you get to around 15km speed (or wind is that high) the protection dips, though I guess it still helps a bit. You wear on ears so no helmet needed. Can be sweaty when hot, or wet when raining. Doesnt't block non-wind noise. I would design it to dampen all noise a bit (say at the front). Very awkward to buy (2014 ... from Swedish website. Amazon would be nice). Too expensive.

Finger test : if you put a finger in front of your ear when air is passing you at speed you can see how good ear protection could be. The 2 I have tried came nowhere near this.

Verdict : Still would choose to design my own but for now I use windfree

List of known wind-blockers (2015)

AirStreamz 

cat-ears pro 2014

Former name : Cat ears

Price : around $12 - $22
Buy at : Their website. Based in Denver Colorado
http://www.cat-ears.com/

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Slipstreamz

Price : Around $22 ?
Buy at : their website. South African company ?
http://www.slipstreamz.com/

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Wind-blox

Price : £15/$15 ? 
http://wind-blox.com/

Blog Discounts (courtesy of Windblox) :
10% discount on Wind-blox website : use code gocommuterbike (see this comment)
15% off Wind-blox pro on their site : use code gocommuterbikePRO (see this comment)

Available on Amazon

Amazon USA : Wind-blox 

Amazon UK : Wind-blox

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Windfree

Price : 31 Euros ?
Based : Sweden
http://www.windfree.se/en/home

update jul21 :

Been using this for years. Works like a mic muff. Diffuses low wind noise.

It works for me, until around 14kph  (then I guess still dampens real noise).

A bit warm in hot weather but def worthwhile for me <14kph (maybe <15mph. I can't recall). 

 

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Windrush headband

A thick headband with ear protection
price : £25 plus shipping ?
Windrush website (Sweden) : link

Possible purchase : XLC Everyday Trekking Saddle SA-E03

I am constantly looking for an even comfier bike saddle for my commuter bike which is not too weighty and preferably on the less expensive side.

I spotted this in Go Outdoors (UK) for £18.49 (including the member discount).
XLC Everyday Trekking Saddle SA-E03
Note : There are men's and ladies versions
Also 2 colours : Black and Brown

At the moment I am using a Selle Bassano Virtual saddle which I find pretty decent for comfort and weight for the price, but the XLC Everyday looks a bit wider which I think I need, but still pretty 'sporty'. Maybe I'm wrong. Keep in mind there are 2 versions of the saddle, one each for men and women. 

I will investigate this further.

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links
XLC website :XLC Everyday Trekking Saddle SA-E03 mens
Go Outdoors website : XLC Everyday Saddle mens

Amazon UK : XLC 'Everyday' SA-E03 Saddle (mens, black)
Amazon USA search : XLC saddle

Reflective ankle straps (accessories of interest to me)

A pair of decent reflective ankle straps are always welcome to a commuter cyclist. With a quick skim search of google, they do seem a bit expensive. The best known 'brand' I have heard of are Respro.

I would say it's best to have the velcro type for ease of use, but maybe there's reasons to get another type.

My ideal commuter cuffs ankle cuffs would have :
velcro
silver colored all round
quite wide, for bad weather wnyhow

Here are 3 that caught my eye with my skim search of Amazon, but I am not endorsing them

UK

USA

USA