Strengths: Ergonomics, reliability, lack of weight compared to shifter and brake lever separates
Weaknesses: bad perception created by ignorant people who have not actually tried it for longer than a one minute flip around the parking lot or just simply ludites who crave for 7 speed thubies. Could be smaller
Overall: My M965 Dul Controls are now 3 years old and just out of warranty. Problem is they're still function like they're brand new. They've done about 12000miles offroad in that time and have been emersed in mud and jet washed clean. Still they work. Good old Shimano reliability. My Other bike has had a certain brand of triggers and twist shifters and I prefer Dual Control by far. That bike now has M950 XTR rapidfire shifters and XT Brake Levers and I still prefer the Dual Control. Both bikes have Low Normal or Rapid Rise Rear derailleurs which is also superb. All derailleurs should work this way
Weaknesses: seems a little fragile, broke 3 clean off below the hanger shifting is sensitive to cable stretch loads of pulley friction
Overall: Overall I don't particularly think that the SRAM X-generation is different from the 9.0SL stuff except in looks. The X.0 derailleur I trie at the Euro Bike in Amsterdam was a lot better than the X.9 stuff. Not worth changing the entire drivetrain for this stuff, although I can see the perceived faster shifting may win some people over
Strengths: low low rolling resistance sheds mud faster than mud specific tyres so does not clogg up at all. offers more grip than any other tyre for the rolling resistance and weight, you really have to get in deep knobblty territory to achieve the grip these offer.
Weaknesses: a bit tricky to handle in the wet
Overall: really great tyres and will see some serious action inthe cape epic next year
Strengths: Cateye brand name = Quality Quality in construction and robust nice control switch
Weaknesses: Heavy Twin headlamp std charger Bulbs are not overvolted run time is only average
Overall: Been using mine for over a year now but have out grown them. This systm has a lot of potential for the home fettler to upgrade. switch out the 6V batteries for 7.2V units and they burn bright. Make sure the A.Hrs are increased and for around £100 you can have a light system that burns for aorund 5hour on 10W flood with the 20W still available for singletrack and faster situations.
Out of the box the product is conservative but high quality and built to last.
It's a keeper, especially for road use and commuting. For trials I'll be switching to HID.
Strengths: Bright even beam with hot centre spot Light Very Well made, meets all manufacturer claims, Option for incar charger, Supplied with Helmet and bar mount brackets
Weaknesses: No remote switch No discernable difference in brightness between 11W and 13,5 W setting. No higher capacity battery available for much longer run time.
Overall: In my quest for HID light for night rdingand 24hr racing I've looked at Lupines Edison 5, Cateye Stadium and now this system, The L&M ARC HID NiMH. The light system is a loaner courtesy of the those generous gents at The Edge Cycleworks in Chester.
The Beam is a the best there is. Although not as ultimately bright as Lupine Edison, it is more even with not cold spots, facet shadows or other distorting effects. There is a very bright centre spot which, once you set the lamp up (it has horizontl and vertical adjustment) illuminates the trail directly in front of you. The penetratin od the light is not the highest of the HID's I've tried but it not the worst either. In fact it's in the I can live with it range. The system is very weather proof with rubberised connectors and rubber and composite construction throughout.
The Charger is of the fast and smart variety. The brochure says it charges the battery from the shut down point to full in 3.5 hrs. I timed it at 3hrs 28mins. The battery canbe left onthe charger wich wil provide a trickle charge till you shut it off.
As a package this light is very very hard to beat. It comes with ARC headunit with bar and Helmet mounts, spare breakaway plastic discs which protect the headunit from serious damage in the event of a fall. The Turbo charger (fast and smart), one 10.8Volt, 3800mA.hr Nickel metal hydride battery in either bottle or frame configurations.
Overall it is hard to fault this light system and it represents excellent value for the performance vs cost
Strengths: wide beam white light pretty robust construction
Weaknesses: no dim function to prolong battery life No beam focus adjustment
Overall: Having looked at many of the systems on the market at the moment including the new Lupines (which are jut ridiculously expensive!), there is no other light that offers this much performance for the price. There are areas where Cateye could do a few updates but the Stadium3, 3years into it's life, its still the benchmark HID lighting system for the serious 24hr racer or trail rider. Perhaps If Lupine brought their prices down to realistic levels they would be the outright best. For now they still have to contend with the Stadium3.
Strengths: Very very bright light Incredibly light at 463gr lots of programmable functios to tailor it to rider needs the best build quality. Only Stadium3 matches it. Power control system is easy to set up
Weaknesses: PRICE Really not worth £500!!!!
Overall: Ok These are brighter than Stadiums courtesy of the beam being focussed in front to provide a large bright spot which lights up the trail and stuns any wild life into submission. it's incredibly light and very well engineered If I had £500 to spend on it I would buy this light no question. Has an SOS function which is cheap insurance and the 4 hour burn time in the 10W setting provides more light than Stadium, well in front of you at least.
Technically thois light is the best on offer by anybody. it's just too expensive.
Thanks to the Bike Factory in Chester for the test. If anyone is interested they have the full range in stock. The halogen systems are ^$$£ bright as well!
