For those wanting the power of hydraulic brakes but have bikes with manual disc brakes with the cable brake levers integrated with gear lever, this could be a cheap solution at £17 delivered

 

Just found this amazing item on AliExpress. Check it out!

￡42.47 | ZOOM XTECH HB100 MTB Hydraulic Disc Calipers Front and Rear Rotor G3 160/180MM MT200 M315 160mm Rotor Hydraulic Brakes for Bikes

https://a.aliexpress.com/_EH82o25

For those wanting the power of hydraulic brakes but have bikes with manual disc brakes with the cable brake levers integrated with gear lever, this could be a cheap solution at £17 delivered

 

Just found this amazing item on AliExpress. Check it out!

￡42.47 | ZOOM XTECH HB100 MTB Hydraulic Disc Calipers Front and Rear Rotor G3 160/180MM MT200 M315 160mm Rotor Hydraulic Brakes for Bikes

https://a.aliexpress.com/_EH82o25

They're sort of hibrid hydraulic cable operated brakes. I haven'ttried them, but I can forsee some problems. I think the rule still applies: Never upgrade or change cable disc brake calipers for other cable ones. It's not worth it, when you can get hydraulic brakes often cheaper, and a lot better.

 

Anyway, for the benefit of all, I've ordered some to test.

Edited September 2, 20241 yr by saneagle

They're sort of hibrid hydraulic cable operated brakes. I haven'ttried them, but I can forsee some problems. I think the rule still applies: Never upgrade or change cable disc brake calipers for other cable ones. It's not worth it, when you can get hydraulic brakes often cheaper, and a lot better.

Often cheaper you say ? Sounds great, send us a link for a pair of new full hydraulic disk brakes please for cheaper that these £17 ones, might upgrade the Argos360....cheers

Often cheaper you say ? Sounds great, send us a link for a pair of new full hydraulic disk brakes please for cheaper that these £17 ones, might upgrade the Argos360....cheers

I was speaking generally, not specifically about those ones. I edited the post to say that I ordered some for testing.

...might upgrade the Argos360....cheers

 

https://www.merlincycles.com/mtb-disc-brakes-81175/

No experience with hybrid ones but these twin pull mech zittos are seriously good value. I fitted to wife’s ebike. Not self adjusting, of course, but feel is like twin piston hydros. Cheap, look trick (imho, lovely cnc cut), easy free brake cut out switch (with kit levers/perches), I recommend for those on budget that don’t mind adjusting cables . Not for downhill racers, obviously but way better than single piston jobbies.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005134502795.html?spm=a2g0o.detail.pcDetailTopMoreOtherSeller.3.2cadOX0zOX0z99&gps-id=pcDetailTopMoreOtherSeller&scm=1007.40050.354490.0&scm_id=1007.40050.354490.0&scm-url=1007.40050.354490.0&pvid=460babff-ddb0-471e-97ad-c5cf30df5238&_t=gps-id:pcDetailTopMoreOtherSeller,scm-url:1007.40050.354490.0,pvid:460babff-ddb0-471e-97ad-c5cf30df5238,tpp_buckets:668#2846#8112#1997&pdp_npi=4@dis!AUD!67.57!17.37!!!319.95!82.25!@2103868d17252922902406656e8fee!12000031800294351!rec!AU!!ABXZ&utparam-url=scene:pcDetailTopMoreOtherSeller|query_from:

No experience with hybrid ones but these twin pull mech zittos are seriously good value. I fitted to wife’s ebike. Not self adjusting, of course, but feel is like twin piston hydros. Cheap, look trick (imho, lovely cnc cut), easy free brake cut out switch (with kit levers/perches), I recommend for those on budget that don’t mind adjusting cables . Not for downhill racers, obviously but way better than single piston jobbies.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005134502795.html?spm=a2g0o.detail.pcDetailTopMoreOtherSeller.3.2cadOX0zOX0z99&gps-id=pcDetailTopMoreOtherSeller&scm=1007.40050.354490.0&scm_id=1007.40050.354490.0&scm-url=1007.40050.354490.0&pvid=460babff-ddb0-471e-97ad-c5cf30df5238&_t=gps-id:pcDetailTopMoreOtherSeller,scm-url:1007.40050.354490.0,pvid:460babff-ddb0-471e-97ad-c5cf30df5238,tpp_buckets:668#2846#8112#1997&pdp_npi=4@dis!AUD!67.57!17.37!!!319.95!82.25!@2103868d17252922902406656e8fee!12000031800294351!rec!AU!!ABXZ&utparam-url=scene:pcDetailTopMoreOtherSeller|query_from:

 

Is self-adjusting of that type available?

X tech hybrid version posted above should self adjust, only cable needs setting and lubing, looks like a better (although dearer) version of the zoom mech twin pull I have and posted. I’d try it, no question,

Good spotting egroover !

 

He is talking really about hydraulic disc brakes, not a mechanical. Cable actuated hydraulic disc brakes to be precise.

He's looking for it in the context of a road bike. Road bike hydraulic brakes are a lot more expensive, and it's a right pain to convert. Cable operated hydraulic brakes could therefore be justified. None of that applies to the types of bikes we ride.

IIRC [mention=3847]saneagle[/mention] was punting the benefits of the VTOMAN power stations. I use a similar one for my "day van" recharging my e-bike batteries when away for the weekend. This one is 2048Wh: It powers my in-van fridge, microwave and Tassimo coffee machine too. RRP is £1400, usually sells for £1000. At this silly low £719 price I bought one, although I already have two of the smaller 1200W models too. It's never been this cheap if you need one...

 

Here it is on Amazon at £919: Aferiy 2048Wh Power Station

And here it is on Banggood for £719: Aferiy 2048Wh Power Station

 

Warehouse stock is within UK so it arrives in a couple of days, no delays, import duty or VAT on top.

IIRC [mention=3847]saneagle[/mention] was punting the benefits of the VTOMAN power stations. I use a similar one for my "day van" recharging my e-bike batteries when away for the weekend. This one is 2048Wh: It powers my in-van fridge, microwave and Tassimo coffee machine too. RRP is £1400, usually sells for £1000. At this silly low £719 price I bought one, although I already have two of the smaller 1200W models too. It's never been this cheap if you need one...

 

Here it is on Amazon at £919: Aferiy 2048Wh Power Station

And here it is on Banggood for £719: Aferiy 2048Wh Power Station

 

Warehouse stock is within UK so it arrives in a couple of days, no delays, import duty or VAT on top.

Yeah, they're brilliant. I have two power stations and two extension batteries giving me around 5kwh. In the winter, I charge them from my house solar panels whenever the sun comes out, then I use them to supplement my power on the dull days when the solar panels don't provide enough. They can provide 1500w, which is enough for my microwave, air fryer, laptop and special 500w kettle.

 

I'm working on a wind generator to charge them in the winter. I use 5kwh per day in total, and my solar panels generate on average 2kwh per day in January, so I need a way of getting more power, either by bigger batteries or wind power, though wind power is likely to be around 100w average.

Yeah, they're brilliant. I have two power stations and two extension batteries giving me around 5kwh. In the winter, I charge them from my house solar panels whenever the sun comes out, then I use them to supplement my power on the dull days when the solar panels don't provide enough. They can provide 1500w, which is enough for my microwave, air fryer, laptop and special 500w kettle.

 

I'm working on a wind generator to charge them in the winter. I use 5kwh per day in total, and my solar panels generate on average 2kwh per day in January, so I need a way of getting more power, either by bigger batteries or wind power, though wind power is likely to be around 100w average.

Great plan... I have 2 x 12v @ 280Ah LiFeP04 batteries (£900) fed from 620W solar (£320) feeding this Aferiy 2400w/2048Wh battery in my house - so 11kw in total... and a 5kw diesel heater heating my home, being fed from the 12v 25A outlet on the Aferiy Power Station. It runs my fridge and heating for the whole year. Way cheaper than gas or electricity.

 

In my van I most often use the Aferiy 1200W model (the 2400W on a longer trip - both have the 12v 25A outlet to power a diesel heater), which is enough to charge e-bike batteries, and power the fridge, microwave, induction hob, air fryer and coffee machine... I sometimes think I could sell my house and live in my van instead!

 

Interested in your wind turbine idea though for winter...

Great plan... I have 2 x 12v @ 280Ah LiFeP04 batteries (£900) fed from 620W solar (£320) feeding this Aferiy 2400w/2048Wh battery in my house - so 11kw in total... and a 5kw diesel heater heating my home, being fed from the 12v 25A outlet on the Aferiy Power Station. It runs my fridge and heating for the whole year. Way cheaper than gas or electricity.

 

In my van I most often use the Aferiy 1200W model (the 2400W on a longer trip - both have the 12v 25A outlet to power a diesel heater), which is enough to charge e-bike batteries, and power the fridge, microwave, induction hob, air fryer and coffee machine... I sometimes think I could sell my house and live in my van instead!

 

Interested in your wind turbine idea though for winter...

 

I know a guy who lives not that far from me on the Melkridge road and he bought a house not connected to the gas, electricity, or drainage grid. He was living in a van for two years while he worked on the house. He said he loved living in that van.

 

He now sleeps in the house, but he is still wedded to his van. He looks to be a happy, busy man, to me. I often stop and have a chat with him as I am ebiking along that road.

I know a guy who lives not that far from me on the Melkridge road and he bought a house not connected to the gas, electricity, or drainage grid. He was living in a van for two years while he worked on the house. He said he loved living in that van.

 

He now sleeps in the house, but he is still wedded to his van. He looks to be a happy, busy man, to me. I often stop and have a chat with him as I am ebiking along that road.

I lived on my boat for three years. It was brilliant. One year in Bristol Marina and two years in Uphill Boat Yard Western Super Mare

I lived on my boat for three years. It was brilliant.

Why not now? So many enjoy "van life", albeit many by necessity rather than choice - Bristol particularly is noted for it.

I lived on my boat for three years. It was brilliant. One year in Bristol Marina and two years in Uphill Boat Yard Western Super Mare

 

My eldest son who was recently divorced bought a boat for himself and his new girlfriend to live on. He works in his own business and had to basically leave the nice house he had so his kids could stay put. The boat wasn't cheap but while he recovers his finances it has worked for him, and her , except the boat started to get too damp for her sensibilities during the depths of winter with the two of them and the hatches shut. So they decamped to Cyprus during the cold months and came back in the late spring. Fortunately as long as he has internet connection he can work just fine.

 

Cheap powerstation ?

 

 

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/3347272?clickPR=plp:3:16

Edited September 4, 20241 yr by egroover

My eldest son who was recently divorced bought a boat for himself and his new girlfriend to live on. He works in his own business and had to basically leave the nice house he had so his kids could stay put. The boat wasn't cheap but while he recovers his finances it has worked for him, and her , except the boat started to get too damp for her sensibilities during the depths of winter with the two of them and the hatches shut. So they decamped to Cyprus during the cold months and came back in the late spring. Fortunately as long as he has internet connection he can work just fine.

 

[ATTACH type=full" alt="59651]59651[/ATTACH]

And at the other end of the spectrum i moved into a houseboat (holiday home winter let) age 17 while doing my a-levels at night school and temping during the day when jobs were available.. Cheapest rent in town.. a lil chilli and the rowers practicing at 6 am with cox's shouting 'Full Pressure' as the exited the bridge shadow and passed us will never be missed..

Cheap powerstation ?

 

[ATTACH type=full" alt="59654]59654[/ATTACH]

 

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/3347272?clickPR=plp:3:16

That's a very good price, but is a bit low on capacity and power. It'll be OK for charging phones, powering a laptop and lights. If you have a van or boat, or you want emergency power for your house, I think it's worth spending the extra money on a bigger and more powerful one.

That's a very good price, but is a bit low on capacity and power. It'll be OK for charging phones, powering a laptop and lights. If you have a van or boat, or you want emergency power for your house, I think it's worth spending the extra money on a bigger and more powerful one.

I have a fancy for buying a stand alone solar panel i can put beside the south facing wall of my house, set up at about a 45 degree to charge my electric bikes and perhaps a chunky 12 volt lifepo4 storage battery for powercuts. We have had a few 12 hour outages in bad weather during winter storms.

 

When u get better, i will maybe message you for advice. Probably, i would need an inverter to work the bike charger and for use with the house stuff.

I have a fancy for buying a stand alone solar panel i can put beside the south facing wall of my house, set up at about a 45 degree to charge my electric bikes and perhaps a chunky 12 volt lifepo4 storage battery for powercuts. We have had a few 12 hour outages in bad weather during winter storms.

 

When u get better, i will maybe message you for advice. Probably, i would need an inverter to work the bike charger and for use with the house stuff.

If you have room on your land, get as many panels as you can fit in. Look on Ebay, you can buy complete systems used or new.

Cheap powerstation ?

 

[ATTACH=full]59654[/ATTACH]

 

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/3347272?clickPR=plp:3:16

 

The ebike battery powering my shed's systems (sound and lights, it's also the ebike battery for my ebike) has more capacity: battery mount + cheapo converter + cheapo "pure sine wave" inverter. I really should hook up a solar panel or two for charging while I'm gardening, so I can use more powerful amplifiers in the shed, and still have enough power to pedelec 12 miles home. Who knows what cells are in that power station, my ebike battery's are LG MH1 (not fantastic, but not cheapo flaming Chinese).

Edited September 4, 20241 yr by guerney