Blackburn Super Flea Front & Rear Review by llama

update 4.28.13 - Our blog has moved! Check out this post and more at:
http://blog.villagecycle.com/2012/12/blackburn-super-flea-front-rear-review-by-llama/


I have been a fan of the Blackburn Flea lights for awhile now, but with the addition of the Super Flea, I have become a super fan of them.

Lets us start off with the technical specs for the Blackburn Super Fleas:

Super Flea Front 

• Super-small - 2.20" Lx1.30" W x.90" H
• Super-bright White CREE® XP-G LED
• Brilliant 120 Lumen output
• Rechargeable Li-polymer power
• Easy hookup magnetic USB smart charger, waterproof charging ports
• Versatile hook-and-loop strap mounting system
• LED fuel gauge/charge indicator
• 1 hr High, 3hr Std, 5hr flashing run times
• 34 grams 

Super Flea Rear

• Ultra-bright, ultra-compact—1.30”L x .90W x 1.80”H
• Collimating lens makes central appear larger than life, enhancing visibility
• Compact, rechargeable LI-Ion power
• Easy hookup magnetic USB smart charger, waterproof charging ports
• Versatile silicone strap mounting system
• Concave rear profile nests against seat posts to stay in place
• LED fuel gauge/charge indicator
• 15hr steady, 28hr flashing run times
• 36 grams

So, the specs are all laid out, but what do all those numbers and terms mean? They mean this is one very bright, rechargeable, easy to use, light all smooshed into a reasonable size.

Everything I liked about the Flea, now with more power in the Super Flea!

After 3 years of using rechargeable lights, I have not purchased, used, recycled, a battery in a bike light for quite a long time. Saving me money, as well as the environment. One of my favorite side effects of riding a bike.

The front light has 3 modes, most of the time I use the flashing mode. When times are dark, and street lights are not around, the solid high beam of the Super Flea does the job of illuminating my ride just fine.

The rear also has 3 modes to choose from, I usually use the 3rd, so that I only have to push the button once on each light to turn them off. I was happy to see that the Fleas and Super Fleas have the same amount of modes, just for that reason. It may be something small, but at the end of a long, wet, cold ride, it is the little things that matter.

Upgraded mounting bracket is quite nice on the rear light. Do wish the front had the same, but the only problem I ever had with the Velcro is that it wore out after a couple years of daily use. Which really is a fair life expectancy for a Velcro strap that is replaced very cheaply. The amount of money I have saved in batteries in far greater than the $.99 part.

Still rechargeable via USB, but now with a sweet little rubber strap to hold the light more securely to the charger, you can even charge it upside down.

Super Flea front light is super bright!

Lots of power in quite a small package.

Not too bulky.

So bright my tail is on fire!

New bracket holds the Super Flea rear on tight!

The light is even visible from the side.

update 4.28.13 - Our blog has moved! Check out this post and more at:

http://blog.villagecycle.com/2012/12/blackburn-super-flea-front-rear-review-by-llama/

Blackburn Design Scorch 1.0

We have a new home for our blog! Check out this post and more at:
http://blog.villagecycle.com/2012/10/blackburn-design-scorch-1-0/


Blackburn Design - Scorch 1.0

The Blackburn Scorch 1.0's whopping 140 lumen beam will illuminate all the potholes and branches trying to trip you up when riding in the dark. The power button doubles as a battery life indicator, and this little powerhouse features high, standard, and flash modes so you can dial in just the right brightness and run time. It's powered by a high-tech, internal Lithium-Ion battery which charges through a watertight magnetic connection that plugs into a USB computer port.

• Compact, rechargeable Li-Ion headlight
• CNC machined aluminum housing
• Super-bright white CREE® XP-G LED
• 140 Lumen output
• Magnetic USB smart charger
• No tools universal clamp mounts to any handlebar
• 1hr High, 3hr std, 5hr flashing run times • LED fuel gauge/charge indicator

140 lumen of pow from the Blackburn Scorch

Blackburn Scorch has an indicator the changes from green (fully charged) to red (needs charging) to let you know when you need to charge it.

The Scorch detaches from its mount and makes a decent little flash light.

Patented power attachment passes electrical current through magnets, allowing for a compact and watertight connection.

Charges via any standard USB port.

Charges via any standard USB port.

Charges via any standard USB port.The indicator will flash green when fully charged.

The Blackburn Scorch is available at Village Cycle Center


We have a new home for our blog! Check out this post and more at:
http://blog.villagecycle.com/2012/10/blackburn-design-scorch-1-0/

Scorching a Trail Through the Dark - Blackburn Scorch 1.0 Review by Ken

Our blog has moved! Check out this post on the new home of our blog here:
http://blog.villagecycle.com/2012/10/scorching-a-trail-through-the-dark-blackburn-scorch-1-0-review-by-ken/

When I took the sleek looking Scorch 1.0 head light on it's pioneering pilgrimage from work to home, a brilliant revelation dawned upon me, this apparatus is what I had been missing all my life, in my night riding repertoire . I was overcome by a warming glow, as if I were a newborn child witnessing the sunrise unfold for the first time.  I have a 15 mile commute that I start at around 8:30pm each night, and was previously riding with a great Blackburn Flea 2.0 light set.  Then I decided to upgrade to something that would light up those dark spots between street lamps on my ride after my frame was savagely slain by one stealthy strike from a ninja pothole. One trait of Scorch that I find particularly attractive is that it has three setting options, high beam, low beam, and strobe, allowing me to craft my own on bike ambiance, setting the mood for whatever environment I roll through. It is impressively bright and easy to take off the bike when I lock it up.  I still use my Fleas on strobe going in the front and rear, this way I have the Scorch illuminating my path and the Fleas grabbing attention and differentiating me as a bicycle while amidst traffic.  The BEST PART about these light systems is that they are fully rechargeable with lithium ion batteries and have a lifetime warranty.  Ideal for a safety conscious nightly commuter, who desires more from their bicycle doodads.

The Blackburn Scorch 1.0 is now in stock at Village Cycle Center!

• Compact, rechargeable Li-Ion headlight
• CNC machined aluminum housing
• Super-bright white CREE® XP-G LED
• 140 Lumen output
• Magnetic USB smart charger
• No tools universal clamp mounts to any handlebar
• 1hr High, 3hr std, 5hr flashing run times
• LED fuel gauge/charge indicator

Scorch Lights: Patented Power Attachment Patented power attachment passes electrical current through magnets, allowing for a compact and watertight connection.

Scorch Lights: Charge via USB

Charges via any standard USB port.

Pretty. Fast. Womens Race Mechanics Workshop at Village Cycle Center

On Saturday the 11th, we were lucky enough and very proud to host a women's race mechanics workshop with Pretty. Fast.

We had four workstations set up around the shop each with it's designated topic of discussion and hands on demonstration. The four stations included pre race, during race, post race mechanics and maintenance, as well as one dedicated to tires, tools, and the new SRAM Red, which was helicoptered in, and tactically escorted in it's ballistic casing.  interrupted only by the crashing tranquility emanating from our revered gong which signaled it was time to rotate. Cardboard treasure chest brimming with precious bicycle goods to be raffled off which included priceless gems from Gore Bike Wear, Park Tool, and Blackburn Design.



Great turnout, ample volunteers, lots of participation, and a surplus of knowledge. Everyone had fun, and learned quite a bit in the process.



"Thanks for hosting the Pretty. Fast. Women's Cycling Clinic on Saturday! I learned a ton and it was far the best clinic I have attended." - Deanna Doohaluk  via Facebook 

Blackburn Airstick Longnek Evo, Dispelling the Myth.

Quiet your mind and imagine a land before time... Envision a herd of longnecks gracefully roaming an adolescent planet Earth, without fear they graze, sing songs, and raise their young uninterrupted for millenia. Legend has it that on one fate filled day the very threads of this peaceful existence were torn asunder. The great skies opened up, raining fire on these Jurassic giants. From their ashes... the Blackburn Airstick Longneck Evo was birthed.

Artists rendition of the Longneck Pumposaur herd.

Evolved to be compact enough to stow neatly in one's repair satchel without sacrificing it's unprecedented utility. Using it's retractable omnivorous pump head, whose tongue has a taste for either presta or schraeder valve types, and it's collapsing handle, the Longneck allows for greater leverage enhancing pumping ease. It also ensures limited angular stress placed on the valve stem itself, inspiring relief the rivals barely escaping death found in the bottomless bowels of a tar pit.

Unlike it's prehistoric predecessors, if this pump should prematurely perish, Blackburn offers a lifetime warranty that will secure it's species survival throughout any cataclysm. In conclusion we can reflect on the timeless wisdom of Dr. Ian Malcolm, that even in chaos, "life finds a way".

Blackburn Portable Pump - Review by Colleen Hughes

In all honesty, this is the best portable pump I have ever used.

It's small, which would allow it to fit in most bags. It even has a mount for your bike. It has a sleek design and I would even say it is actually aesthetically pleasing. The foot lever is a key part of the pump; I didn't have to squeeze both feet together against the bottom, as I have had to do with previous pumps.

The best features of the pump are the large handle (which clamps tightly against the pump itself for storage) and the flexible hose. The handle allows for the use of your entire hand and is actually comfortable to use; I didn't experience any pain at all. The flexible hose makes it so much simpler connect to the valve. If I could make any changes, I would add a gauge. But, when it comes down to it, I would just have to pump until I can't pump anymore, and it would be plenty of pressure.

Blackburn Airstik Long Neck Evo Pump

The Giant Flea- A review on Blackburn Flea 2.0 USB

I would like to take a moment to talk about this fantastic product made by Blackburn.
It is one of the best light sets I have ever owned! In fact I like them so much I've bought three sets so far, and continue to gift them to my friends and loved ones.
The Blackburn Flea 2.0 USB light set is one of the most powerful light sets packed into one of the smallest cases available. I often wonder how that is possible. (It never ceases to amaze me how technology gets more powerful and smaller every year!...Anyway enough of my babbling). The lights are very powerful with three settings. Low, high, and flashing. The lightbulbs are almost Indestructible, I haven't been able to break any myself anyway. I might add that I have dropped mine plenty of times. not even a scratch.
The low is bright enough to blind you if you were to look into it and make you see spots (LOL trust me). The high beam is bright enough to use as headlight in the darkest of environments I have done this as well so I am speaking from my personal experience.
I mostly use the lights in flashing mode. I feel this is the most visible mode.
In flashing mode you can see the reflective borders of stop signs for about four blocks away probably more. The rear light has three modes as well, all four LED's solidly on, all four blinking simultaneously, or two LED's alternating left to right.
The lights are easily attached via Velcro straps which have a non slip portion down the center to help with the lights from slipping, they hold very well I might add.(I'm not a big fan of lights that slip down when you use them) The rear also has a very sturdy metal clip this ensures the light will not jump off if you decide to clip the light on a bag or strap or anywhere your heart desires!
I have clipped mine to the back of seat bags, on my CamelBak, on the back of my Gore jacket as well...never once thinking twice about possibly losing my light.
I find that the lights hold their charge very well. One of the best features the new flea lights have is a charge level indicator built into the power/mode button, (green: fully charged, yellow: starting to run low, and red: better recharge or your going to kick your self later)
Charging the lights couldn't be easier; remove the velcro straps plug the USB charger into your USB slot in your computer or hub, line up the magnetic connections and watch them recharge, done and done, ready to roll! As you might have guessed I am a big fan of these lights, no more trying to find batteries when everyone is closed and I discovered I needed them. Not to mention the cost savings on not having to buy them at all then trying to find somewhere to recycle them as they die out (I have tried rechargeable batteries in my battery type lights but they never seem to last too long)
I would like to add that I am using the Flea Helmet/head/Hat Mount kit as well, depending on your helmet you may need to be creative about how to use it. However I do like having my lights there. I believe that I am more visible...it makes me feel better anyway.