Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - PBP 2007 Lighting Rules

Hi,

I thought it would be of interest to those who'd like to use LED lights in PBP 2007.

I'm quoting from the AudaxUK mailing list:

latest batch of PBP docs for translation from ACP includes the regulations.
The lighting rules require permanently attached and serviceable front and rear lighting
powerful enough to be visible from a distance of 100m in front and 150m in the rear.
Flashing rear lights are banned.
You're recommended to have a backup lighting system.

That's more or less it. No reference to spare bulbs or specific restrictions on LED lights.



I guess that's not the end of it.

Tal.

That's pretty much what they came out with last time too. They did eventually mention the spare bulbs and restrictions on LED. But I didn't find out about the spare bulb thing until I received my acceptance package in the mail about a month before I was set to fly out. Then I had to frantically hunt around for some!! I got one or two (but needed three), and topped up the required amount with flashlight bulbs that looked similar to the real bulbs. So ... we might not find out the final requirements until the very last minute.

Therefore it is probably a good idea to be prepared. Get extra bulbs and plan on using non-LED lights ... just in case!

They did eventually mention the spare bulbs and restrictions on LED. But I didn't find out about the spare bulb thing until I received my acceptance package in the mail about a month before I was set to fly out.

Until today (when I read it,) I was all set to buy the SON hub dynamo. (With Schmidt E6, right?)
Now I'm not sure. I'll keep following this.
Lighting is one of the few things I'm still not sure about for PBP.


Then I had to frantically hunt around for some!! I got one or two (but needed three), and topped up the required amount with flashlight bulbs that looked similar to the real bulbs.

I've heard similar sotries about PBP scrutineering.
Some even joked about several people presenting the same 3 bulbs...
And I've read reports about people doing the 2003 PBP with only LED lights.

Tal.

Why would there be restrictions on LED's?

Until today (when I read it,) I was all set to buy the SON hub dynamo. (With Schmidt E6, right?)
Now I'm not sure. I'll keep following this.
.

I'm curious why this would change your plans? I was thinking of the SON E6 combo also.

Bob

Why would there be restrictions on LED's?

I would not say because they are French. More like European cycling is more conservative and will take a while to cope with the idea that you do not need spare bulbs(LEDs) for an LED light.

Until today (when I read it,) I was all set to buy the SON hub dynamo. (With Schmidt E6, right?)


The E6's are halogen. Its a great system.
Why wouldn't anyone carry spares as good practice? We carry spare tubes, tools, some people carry a spare tire or chain! Seems a handful of bulbs is not much weight for some insurance you can see at night.

I kept 4 in an old film canister for last seasons brevets - carried them around most of the summer in my kit and replaced 2 of them on my 600k. If I'm looking for weight or gear reduction there are lots of other places I can make more dramatic differences than a few bulbs...

Why aren't/weren't LEDs allowed? Because they aren't that good! You see, four years ago, when the PBP was last held, LEDs were still a fairly new technology, and they really weren't that good. I had a couple back then, and couldn't see more than about 3 feet down the road with them. They were fine to make a person visible, but useless to see anything with. Then a couple years ago the Cateye EL500 (and probably some others like it) appeared on the market. They were a vast improvement over the old LEDs ... but that is not saying much.

I have ridden night rides with my Cateye EL500, and my father's two Cateyes, and they were all right. Apparently they are absolutely brilliant to an oncoming vehicle (so much so, I kept getting flashed to tell me to dim my lights), but in any other conditions beside a well-moonlit night on a smooth road, they weren't all that good. Riding in pitch dark conditions they provide a pale blue glow on the road ... enough to tell you that there is a dark patch coming up, but not enough to tell you if it is a pothole or not, or how big/deep the pothole might be. They were useless on descents because the light isn't bright enough and doesn't light up an area far enough ahead ... I kept over-running it. And ..... I managed to destroy two of them. I don't know what happened ... one moment they were working fine, the next they weren't. So they don't seem to be as long lasting as one would hope from the claims.

I still use my Cateye as an emergency backup, but that's about it.


About the SON dynohub set-up. I acquired that setup myself with an Ovalplus lamp, and rode with it on the BMB, the UMCA 24-hour, and a recent century, and I figure that's the way to go!! Don't bother with an LED light ... go for something that actually lights up the road!! And the SON dynohub systems are definitely allowed on the PBP - no guessing about it. :)


PS. I had an E6, which I would highly recommend, but it got crushed in transport on my way back to Canada from Australia. In a tragic mental lapse, I didn't take it off the bicycle when I was packing the bicycle in the Sydney airport. :(

I'm curious why this would change your plans? I was thinking of the SON E6 combo also.

I guess the only real reason is cost.
It sounds like a big expense to me for use on PBP only.

In my night riding I get by with LED lights.
I have the Cateye EL-500 that Machka refered to above, and I agree is more a be-seen than see-light.
One some known roads, I don't even bother to take the EL-500, and use the Cateye EL-120 (don't laugh!) as blinker.
I did my November century like that, which was an all night riding.
(Are we going to have a Century A Month here too?)



LEDs ... Riding in pitch dark conditions they provide a pale blue glow on the road ... enough to tell you that there is a dark patch coming up, but not enough to tell you if it is a pothole or not, or how big/deep the pothole might be. They were useless on descents because the light isn't bright enough and doesn't light up an area far enough ahead ...

Take a look at http://www.solidlights.co.uk They even have a model that runs off the SON dynamo.

See review with comparison photos to EL-500 here: http://www.meiring.org.uk/pdm/Audax/SolidLights_Review.shtml

Tal.

Why would there be restrictions on LED's?
In many countries, LED lighting is (strictly speaking) illegal except as an additional light. Road Codes were written before alternative lighting methods existed (other than acetylene, etc) and the lawmakers usually referred to filaments. Until recently, Germany and the UK had this problem. France possibly hasn't changed its Road Rules yet...

Until recently, Germany and the UK had this problem. France possibly hasn't changed its Road Rules yet...

There is a EU directive that states that bicycle lights which are legal in any EU country are to be considered legal in any EU country, provided that the "foreign" standard is of at least equal quality. (Of course, the French might well try and argue about the "equal quality" aspect.) Unfortunately my google-foo is clearly insufficient, as I'm unable to dig up a URL for said directive.

I guess I'm in the minority here, but I use TWO Cateye EL500's and they work great for me. I do a fair bit of night riding and I've been pleased. Takes up a bit of dashboard space, but I don't use a GPS so I have plenty of room for those plus my computer. So far I've been comfortable going up to 20-22 mph w/ them...so I guess I'd have to slow down to that speed on the descents.

I hope they allow these, as the prospect of spending US$300+ on a dynamo hub and another US$40-50 on a lamp is going to hurt, finacially. I know there's always the bottle dynamo option, but that's still another US$150+US$40.

Not trying to be a tightwad, but this trip plus all my current gear is costing me a bunch and I was hoping (at least lighting-wise) I was all set.

Dan

All you would need is one incandescent headlight (a Cateye Micro or smaller would do) in addition to your 2 EL500s, to pass inspection. Nobody said you have to switch on the light...

About the SON dynohub set-up. I acquired that setup myself with an Ovalplus lamp, and rode with it on the BMB, the UMCA 24-hour, and a recent century, and I figure that's the way to go!! Don't bother with an LED light ... go for something that actually lights up the road!! And the SON dynohub systems are definitely allowed on the PBP - no guessing about it. :)


PS. I had an E6, which I would highly recommend, but it got crushed in transport on my way back to Canada from Australia. In a tragic mental lapse, I didn't take it off the bicycle when I was packing the bicycle in the Sydney airport. :(
Incidentally, I just completed an LED light with 4 K2 Luxeons on it and it is almost as bright as my HID in the center of the beam. It works great with my Shimano dynohub and is the equivalent of about 4 or 5cateye el500s. The amount of power the generators produce is ample for a really bright LED set.
I do know of many randonneurs that use a double cateye el500 setup but I am happier with mine as it eliminates battery weight and since I need only one light assembly it is lighter. I use my backup light to lightup my cycling computer (Princetontec EOS).

In my experience, the light in the link below has been the best battery light I've ever used. I've had two since 2001 and have ridden in all sorts of weather and conditions with both of them, and they still work!

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441776065&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302692895&bmUID=1165427394909

I have killed off more lights than I care to count in my search for good lighting, but that light has withstood the test of time.

If you don't want to fork out a lot of money for a SON dynohub, you might consider that light ... the batteries last about 3 hours so you'll need to carry replacements. However, when I use it, I carry both lights with batteries in each ... about 3 hours into the night I'm usually coming to a control and stopping for a bit of a nap ... and then I click the second light in place and that usually takes me to dawn. At some point during the next day I replace the batteries in each.

Then you could use the Cateye EL500 as a backup light for a little bit extra lumination.

Thanks, Machka.
Good suggestion, and I may use it, but I'm going to wait awhile and see what (if anything) the judges say. I still maintain from personal experience that when I use two EL500s I can see great at night (even w/ no moon).

The low-power option is 1.5W, and each EL500 (according to Cateye) is the equivalent of 1W, but there may still be a difference. I could just carry the darn thing, but (as we all know), cargo space is always at a premium.

Still, it's only $18!

Thanks,

Dan

I still maintain from personal experience that when I use two EL500s I can see great at night (even w/ no moon).

And now Cateye has a new version of this light (the HL-EL530) that it alleges is 50% brighter than the 500!

http://www.cateye.com/en/product_detail/345

Machka, question about that hub you're using. I'm looking into it myself and was wondering if you leave it on the bike all the time, or do you have a wheel built up for it and only put it on the bike when you think you'll need it? Seems that the difference is only about $100, but might be easier if I plan to only ride during the day.

Machka, question about that hub you're using. I'm looking into it myself and was wondering if you leave it on the bike all the time, or do you have a wheel built up for it and only put it on the bike when you think you'll need it? Seems that the difference is only about $100, but might be easier if I plan to only ride during the day.

It's built right in ... it replaces the existing hub. I had to purchase new spokes and the wheel had to be rebuilt. So, it's there all the time.

The thing is, once you get on a brevet that is 300K or longer, there's a pretty good chance you'll do some of it in the dark ... even if you're fast. Plus, if you're planning to do a 1200K event, it is a very, very good idea to do training rides in the dark. Riding in the dark is a whole different story from riding in the daylight!

Machka, question about that hub you're using. I'm looking into it myself and was wondering if you leave it on the bike all the time, or do you have a wheel built up for it and only put it on the bike when you think you'll need it? Seems that the difference is only about $100, but might be easier if I plan to only ride during the day.

I've got a SON as well. I have several sets of wheels - so when I'm riding in the summer months I usually take the lights off except for events, and leave the SON wheel in the garage.

Since I live in a daylight challenged area I've had the SON in my fork for the last few months. It doesn't really change anything about my rides - other than the fact that if I want to extend a ride into the night, or go out at night, I don't have to worry about power - its always there. :)

It does add a bit of weight, and there is the minimal drag that it causes - but where I live, 1 foot per mile when not powering my lights and 5 feet per mile with the lights on is worth the convenience of the system.

Even on my Shimano 3n71 I have found the difference between the light being on and off is roughly .2 mph. I really like the convenience of not depending on batteries and a fifth of a mile per hour is not a big loss in my book, I would lose more time entering a store to restock batteries..

i don't realy understand what you are talking about?
Here is the law even for the PBP :

"- éclairage : la nuit ou le jour lorsque les circonstances l'exigent, tout cycle doit être équipé d'un système d'éclairage, une lumière jaune ou blanche à l'avant, un feu rouge à l'arrière (article R.313-18, 19 et 20).

De jour et de nuit, tout cycle doit être équipé d'un ou de plusieurs dispositifs réfléchissants de couleur rouge visibles de l'arrière, d'un dispositif réfléchissant de couleur blanche visible à l'avant et de dispositifs réfléchissants visibles latéralement (article R.313-20). Les pédales doivent également comporter des dispositifs réfléchissant de couleur orange (article R.313-20)."

there are not talking about LED or anything
you just need some front and rear light that's all!!
PBP is not upper the law
after that your have the right to make the choice of being well seen or not..

It's built right in ... it replaces the existing hub. I had to purchase new spokes and the wheel had to be rebuilt. So, it's there all the time.

The thing is, once you get on a brevet that is 300K or longer, there's a pretty good chance you'll do some of it in the dark ... even if you're fast. Plus, if you're planning to do a 1200K event, it is a very, very good idea to do training rides in the dark. Riding in the dark is a whole different story from riding in the daylight!

Yeah, I understand that, but my question is do you ride with it all the time or do you have a wheel that you use that doesn't have the hub that you use when you think you won't need the light. Reason I ask is that I'm trying to decide whether or not to buy just the hub or buy a prebuilt wheel.

Thanks!

Yeah, I understand that, but my question is do you ride with it all the time or do you have a wheel that you use that doesn't have the hub that you use when you think you won't need the light. Reason I ask is that I'm trying to decide whether or not to buy just the hub or buy a prebuilt wheel.

Thanks!

Buy a dedicated wheel for your SON. Or better still, buy a matching pair.
You might not want to ride with it all the time - it does add some weight to your bike.

I have a lite set of wheels that I use most of the summer for events that don't require lights. I leave 23mm slicks on them. I have a seperate set for rando events and when I do long training rides that might get me home after dark - I leave 25mm or 28mm tires mounted to those.

I like being able to switch.

Why would there be restrictions on LED's?

Can only tell you about some of the Old UK rules.

A lamp had to be visible from the side of a Bike- i.e at 90 degrees. An Led bulb will only throw light forward and the shape of the lens in front of it did not allow for any side viewing. The old bulb lights used to be viewable from the side, with the amount of diffused light they gave.
The Cateye EL300 was one of the first leds that had a small section that allowed light sideways,(Although this section is very small) and last year Led rear lights started to appear that conformed with the UK regs.

I have several Policeman as friends and they used to feel that LED's- In particular Flashing lights- were the best form of lighting but they also mentioned that they were illegal. The trick round it was to have LED's for secondary illumination and an old set of rubbish legal lights as the main lighting. Then you were legal but could also see and be seen. Edit--With the EL300 you would be legal and with the UK reg rear lamp- the cateye AU100BS- Neither of which are expensive- You would be legal and if you treated this as your Main lighting- then you can run your HID's and rear 50w lamps as your secondary
Incidentally- I have twin 5w Luxions in my front lamp and I have been stopped By a Policeman as my lights were too bright, and that was on low power. He agreed that It was a very good lamp, but it dazzled him in his rear view mirror. Then a car came along the road with spotlights and main beam going and he told me to forget what he just said.

Yeah, I understand that, but my question is do you ride with it all the time or do you have a wheel that you use that doesn't have the hub that you use when you think you won't need the light. Reason I ask is that I'm trying to decide whether or not to buy just the hub or buy a prebuilt wheel.

Thanks!

Oh, I see ... yes, I just have the one wheel and I ride with it all the time.


I haven't noticed any negative effects on my speed with it at all. In fact, after my BMB attempt, I rode the UMCA with that setup ... and shattered many of my previous personal best speeds for various distances. (See story here: http://www.machka.net/2006/2006_UMCA24.htm ) If anything ... I've ridden faster since I got it! :D

i don't realy understand what you are talking about?
Here is the law even for the PBP :

"- éclairage : la nuit ou le jour lorsque les circonstances l'exigent, tout cycle doit être équipé d'un système d'éclairage, une lumière jaune ou blanche à l'avant, un feu rouge à l'arrière (article R.313-18, 19 et 20).

De jour et de nuit, tout cycle doit être équipé d'un ou de plusieurs dispositifs réfléchissants de couleur rouge visibles de l'arrière, d'un dispositif réfléchissant de couleur blanche visible à l'avant et de dispositifs réfléchissants visibles latéralement (article R.313-20). Les pédales doivent également comporter des dispositifs réfléchissant de couleur orange (article R.313-20)."

there are not talking about LED or anything
you just need some front and rear light that's all!!
PBP is not upper the law
after that your have the right to make the choice of being well seen or not..


Oui, mais en 2003, le règlement ont déclaré que les lumières LED n'ont pas été permises.

L'article trois des règlements de PBP indique: La diode blanche dans l'avant de la bicyclette est considérée comme un voyant de secours et pas comme une lumière.

Il n'y a pas des règlements officiel pourtant:

http://www.audax-club-parisien.com/

tu as raison > http://perso.orange.fr/audax-club-parisien/paris_brest_paris/pbp_reglement.htm
en 2003 les diodes n'étaient pas autorisés comme éclairage à l'avant mais seulement à l'arrière
au temps pour moi :o

et il n'est pas normal de ne pas avoir dès à présent communication du réglement 2007! mais ça, c'est trés français.. :rolleyes:

On the topic of multiple wheels: To minimize wear-and-tear on my Schmidt hub (and its wheel), I use a second, otherwise-identical front wheel for training rides and for 200K brevets where I don't expect to need much light.

Peter White's site says that the service interval for a Schmidt hub is 50,000 km. That's certainly a decent lifetime, but if I used it for both brevets and all the various training rides, I'd be sending it in for service after five years (which means my two-year-old Schmidt would need to go back at about the end of 2009). Since the training rides plus all the 200k's where I don't need to worry about the dark amount to about half the total mileage, I figure I double the length of time (not distance) before the hub needs service. Of course, it may well be that the rim or the spokes wear out before then, in which case I might send the hub for precautionary service ... but the timing might not be good if it's right in the middle of the brevet sequence, and it's pretty easy to just buy a rim and spokes and build a new wheel.

And now Cateye has a new version of this light (the HL-EL530) that it alleges is 50% brighter than the 500!

http://www.cateye.com/en/product_detail/345

The 530 is substantially better than the 500. Right now I run both at the same time because I already had the 500. The light patterns sort of complement each other. The 500 by itself is no good for me. I suppose in a while I will get another 530.

Do they require spare bulbs for battery powered halogen lights? That seems sort of strange because I have never had a bulb fail. If the light is going to crap out it will be because of another reason. You know, like dropping it.

Not all LED’s are created equal. I am using the L&M Vega with a helmet mounted CatEye and have plenty of light.

I do agree though, that any alkaline powered LED is not sufficient for riding past dusk.

Not all LED’s are created equal. I am using the L&M Vega with a helmet mounted CatEye and have plenty of light.

I do agree though, that any alkaline powered LED is not sufficient for riding past dusk.

In my experience, modern LED headlamps provide plenty of light when powered by alkaline or NiMH batteries. I wouldn't use them as my primary light for riding downhill on a night brevet, since I overrun the light at about 30mph --for downhill, the Schmidt/E6 combo is unbeatable. But they're fine for typical rando speeds &/or for commuting.

I commute home every night using a NiteHawk Emitter (Luxeon LED-based) powered by 4 AA batteries, either alkaline or NiMH. The Luxeon LED throws plenty of light for riding at up to about 30 mph without overrunning the light. I actually have two of the NiteHawk's--one helmet mounted and the other handlebar mounted, but I generally don't bother with the helmet mounted one for commuting since I know where the curves are. I'll use both if I'm riding through rain or snow. I replace or recharge the batteries about once a week, since they last for about 8 hours. I've also used the headlamp plenty of times as my sole source of illumination on brevets, particularly when I'm riding into a headwind or uphill and don't want to push against the little extra resistance of the Schmidt hub.

This'll be my third straight winter of riding every day with these lights. One thing that's a little disturbing about them is that they throw a kind of blue-ish tinged light, so when you're riding home through a new snowfall there's this strange sense of being in a dream, since you're cocooned by all your winter clothes, and the snow makes everything silent, and there's no one else on the bike path, and all you can see around you is blue-ish tinged white. So my memory of the deepest winter rides is a bit fuzzy, like memories of a dream.

My mian issue with the Schmidt/SON system is the price: it's a substantial barrier to entry for those of us on more frugal budgets. And I don't have an issue with the field of sight using the Cateye EL500 or EL530, which are both affordable and quite durable (ridden in torrential rains for hours without failure). And given that I'm also a faster century rider, the extra hardware from the Schmidt/SON setup is a pain-in-the-butt to mount and remove repeatedly throughout the season.

I think that the whole anti-LED thing is the typically luddite position of most cycling federations and governmental entities. After all the, UCI doesn't allow non-diamond frame designs in road racing, and ACP (and many Departments of Transporation) are still wary of LEDs and aren't quick to adapt rules to keep up with the times.

But I'd say that the ACP rules' current statement that excludes LEDs might be a good sign - though if they change them within a month of the ride, I'd call 'em up and rip them a new one for being duplicitous. After all, it's not like everybody has the money left over after buying the airfare and all the other needed gear for PBP (though the airfare is really the biggest spanner in the works).

I guess I'm just befuddled and annoyed by the needless barriers to entry for folks who aren't as "flexibly monetarily solvent" as others. You'd think that a citizen-class, non-competitive ride wouldn't be so silly.

But I still plan on qualifying for - and riding in - PBP.

Just my $0.02. YMMV.

My mian issue with the Schmidt/SON system is the price: it's a substantial barrier to entry for those of us on more frugal budgets. And I don't have an issue with the field of sight using the Cateye EL500 or EL530, which are both affordable and quite durable (ridden in torrential rains for hours without failure). And given that I'm also a faster century rider, the extra hardware from the Schmidt/SON setup is a pain-in-the-butt to mount and remove repeatedly throughout the season.

If you plan to be in the long distance sport for any length of time, the price might be worth it.



I think that the whole anti-LED thing is the typically luddite position of most cycling federations and governmental entities. After all the, UCI doesn't allow non-diamond frame designs in road racing, and ACP (and many Departments of Transporation) are still wary of LEDs and aren't quick to adapt rules to keep up with the times.

The anti-LED thing is because until recently LED lights have NOT been adequate to cycle by. It has only been in about the last 2 years that some have come out which are of reasonable quality. Therefore, even as short a time back as the 2003 PBP, LEDs were not good enough.

How do you know that the ACP is "still wary of LEDs"? Post a link to the current rules.



But I'd say that the ACP rules' current statement that excludes LEDs might be a good sign - though if they change them within a month of the ride, I'd call 'em up and rip them a new one for being duplicitous. After all, it's not like everybody has the money left over after buying the airfare and all the other needed gear for PBP (though the airfare is really the biggest spanner in the works).

The ACP hasn't made a statement yet! Like lapin_marron and I were discussing, the rules haven't been posted yet. Go look at the site I posted yourself!



I guess I'm just befuddled and annoyed by the needless barriers to entry for folks who aren't as "flexibly monetarily solvent" as others. You'd think that a citizen-class, non-competitive ride wouldn't be so silly.

Ummmmm ... it's not an either/or thing! There are a vast array of lighting options out there. In one of my previous posts in this thread, I put up a link to an $18 PlanetBike light. That light is valid under the 2003 rules, and so would most likely be valid under the 2007 rules. If you don't think you can justify a dynohub system, get the $18 PlanetBike light or one like it.


It's really not all that complicated. When I rode the 2003 PBP there were tons of different lighting systems out there, all of which had been approved. Some, in my opinion, were less than adequate, others were excellent. Go with whatever you want ... just be sure to double-check the rules, when they come out sometime in the next 8 months, if your plan is to use LEDs.

If you plan to be in the long distance sport for any length of time, the price might be worth it.

Fair enough, and a good point. My main focus for the next 5-6 years is not randonneuring; rather, it's a goal for the 2007 season to ride PBP. So I'm not necessarily looking into a major investment in a Schmidt/SON system.

I'd almost get one, if not for the fact that the Schmidt/SON would be more practical for my commuter bike than for my road bike. My commuter rig is a mountain bike that's been modified a great deal, though it's built for 26" wheels. So I'd be in a bit of a pickle if I wanted to use the unit on the commuter bike and the road bike. And I couldn't see riding a 1,200 km, all-road ride on the commuter bike. :)



The anti-LED thing is because until recently LED lights have NOT been adequate to cycle by. It has only been in about the last 2 years that some have come out which are of reasonable quality. Therefore, even as short a time back as the 2003 PBP, LEDs were not good enough.

Again, fair enough. While I've been using LED systems for some night rides for the past three years, I've also used a VistaLite 10-watt halogen system, which is good but has three major drawbacks:

1. It's heavy as all sin.
2. In ideal conditions, it's burn time is 3 hours.
3. The unit is no longer made, so finding new batteries is tough (Blackburn bought VistaLite and completely revamped the system, so the new batteries no longer fit the old systems).



The ACP hasn't made a statement yet! Like lapin_marron and I were discussing, the rules haven't been posted yet. Go look at the site I posted yourself!

Yes, I've looked, and you're right about the lack of new rules for 2007. But if ACP is anything like any other governing body of cycling, I'm not keeping my hopes up. :rolleyes:


Ummmmm ... it's not an either/or thing! There are a vast array of lighting options out there. In one of my previous posts in this thread, I put up a link to an $18 PlanetBike light. That light is valid under the 2003 rules, and so would most likely be valid under the 2007 rules. If you don't think you can justify a dynohub system, get the $18 PlanetBike light or one like it.

My partner has said Planet Bike light, and I've not been overly impressed. Yes, it has a decent field of sight, but the mount is not the best (try riding around Washington, DC, land of questionable road repair: it'll weed out the weak light mounts). My Cateye units have far better mounts that don't get knocked akilter on the potholes. Plus, the burn times of the LEDs simply blow the doors off any incandescent unit I've ever used.

And the availability of good-quality, non-boat-anchor-weight incandescent lights is getting tougher and tougher. It seems that the entire industry is moving toward LED systems for self-contained units, and more pricey halogen and HID systems for those that require big external batteries.


It's really not all that complicated. When I rode the 2003 PBP there were tons of different lighting systems out there, all of which had been approved. Some, in my opinion, were less than adequate, others were excellent. Go with whatever you want ... just be sure to double-check the rules, when they come out sometime in the next 8 months, if your plan is to use LEDs.

Okay, I'll shoot: how soon until they post the final rules and regulations? As a gesture of goodwill, they'd best post them sometime before, say, May, just so those of us who have to budget on lighting can plan accordingly.

So what do I do? Get a bunch of lights that I won't want to use in the long run? Or get stuff that I like and hope for the best? Or do I drop close to $450 for a Schmidt/SON unit that I'll only use a few times per year? None of these options seem very budget conscious.

And that's the key for me: do it on a budget and be happy about the decisions made. I know that I really shouldn't complain too much, as it's simply cool to qualify for and ride in PBP (and none of us have qualified yet); but if there are any variables where there's a choice between equipment I like or compromise, well.... it's easy to see where I fall in that regard.

Hi,

What about the Cateye non-LED headlights?

The HL-500 has 1.25W Halogen, and runs for 8 hours on 2 AA's.
The HL-350 has 0.75W Normal, and runs for 17 hours on 2 AA's.

Would any of them be legal for PBP?
I mean, are they powerful enough to be visible from a distance of 100m?
Or should I ask - Would they pass inspection?

Tal.

Talk about agonising over meaningless details...

Almost any light will pass inspection in terms of visibility. After all, the French occasionally use a torch (=flashlight) taped to the bars.

I really wouldn't worry too much about lights ... after all, as LWaB says, there were some who were using flashlights taped to their forks. I'm sure any of the lights mentioned here would be fine.

When you go through the inspection, you're in this huge line-up in the middle of the day ... you eventually get to the little tent where several people are doing the inspections, they ask you to turn on your front and rear lights, and just cast a quick glance at them to see that they are working and that your rear light has a "steady" option (not blinking), they ask you for your spare bulbs, they check your brakes, they look to see if you have a reflective vest (which you'll likely be wearing at that moment), and the right paperwork ... and they send you on your way. They don't check to make sure that your light casts a glow for the required distance or anything like that.

Once you are on the road, unless your light is really pathetic (and from what I saw out there, I figure you'd have to be pretty much riding in darkness) they won't stop you or ask you anything about your lights.

My advice would be to get some sort of relatively inexpensive, non-LED, battery light ... whichever brand you prefer ... and take it with you. If you decide to go for a SON dynohub system or if LEDs are allowed, you can use the battery light as a backup if something happens to your main light or if you figure you need a bit more light or a different glow pattern. At the very least, that extra light will count as one bulb!

Of course if you don't like the price of the Schmidt there is always the Shimano 3n71. When I was shopping I asked Sheldon brown exactly how much more drag it had as in is this one of those 5 minutes over an hours riding or seconds over an hours riding and his opinion was it was the latter. I have found the drag on the Shimano as unnoticeable personally. Anyway, just a thought.