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04-18-06, 03:02 PM
For those of you running platform pedals,who'd like to add another set of blinkies,I've found a neat solution;pedals with built-in blinkies. They're made by FunSource LLC(who don't have them on their website) and found them while browsing in Hudson Trail Outfitters(only place I've seen that carries them,and Google only turned up a similar product). I saw them on the rack,and since the platforms on my Sedona were about shot,the blinkie pedals were only $17,and they don't require batteries,I figured what the heck.
They look pretty much like standard platforms,except there are 3 red LED's sticking out of each reflector face(3 to the front,3 to the rear). This means that even if the lights die,you've still got the reflectors as a back-up. The LED's are recessed slightly so you shouldn't have to worry about them getting crushed. The pedals have the standard black plastic teeth and rubber pads,and weigh about the same as regular ones. The LED's are activated by a simple coil-and-magnet setup inside the pedal;when the pedal spins above a certain speed,the lights blink. At a stop,or at low pedal speeds you don't get anything,but will still have the reflectors. In motion,they blink about twice per pedal revolution,and the intensity increases with pedal speed. I've only had a chance to ride once with them in the rain,but they seem like they're sealed up pretty good.
So far,I give them a thumbs up. At about $17 they're cheap,they never need batteries,you still have reflectors to fall back on,and they add lights to both the front and the rear at the same time. I wouldn't replace a proper tail blinkie with these,but they make a nice addition. They'd also be a good idea for kids' bikes as they can't be lost and require no upkeep. As I said,I've only seen them at HTO,but other places that carry Fun Source lights might also have them(Sports Authority maybe?).
They look pretty much like standard platforms,except there are 3 red LED's sticking out of each reflector face(3 to the front,3 to the rear). This means that even if the lights die,you've still got the reflectors as a back-up. The LED's are recessed slightly so you shouldn't have to worry about them getting crushed. The pedals have the standard black plastic teeth and rubber pads,and weigh about the same as regular ones. The LED's are activated by a simple coil-and-magnet setup inside the pedal;when the pedal spins above a certain speed,the lights blink. At a stop,or at low pedal speeds you don't get anything,but will still have the reflectors. In motion,they blink about twice per pedal revolution,and the intensity increases with pedal speed. I've only had a chance to ride once with them in the rain,but they seem like they're sealed up pretty good.
So far,I give them a thumbs up. At about $17 they're cheap,they never need batteries,you still have reflectors to fall back on,and they add lights to both the front and the rear at the same time. I wouldn't replace a proper tail blinkie with these,but they make a nice addition. They'd also be a good idea for kids' bikes as they can't be lost and require no upkeep. As I said,I've only seen them at HTO,but other places that carry Fun Source lights might also have them(Sports Authority maybe?).