Bike Forums

Bike Forums (https://www.bikeforums.net/forum.php)
-   Tandem Cycling (https://www.bikeforums.net/tandem-cycling/)
-   -   Daylight running lights (https://www.bikeforums.net/tandem-cycling/796788-daylight-running-lights.html)

DubT 02-05-12 03:43 PM

Daylight running lights
 
We use the Dionette 300R rear light to hopefully get the attention of distracted drivers, we also use, these lights on our helmets. http://illuminatedcycling.com/Fire%2...16/page16.html

I have been looking for a good bright front running light that again would get the attention of distracted drivers and provide enough light for us to safely get home if we get caught out after the sun goes down.

I ordered a new front light from illuminated cycling and it arrived yesterday, I installed it and I am really impressed, it is really bright. I tried it out last night after dark and it provides an amazing amount of really bright light. Here is a web site for the new Fire Eye front light. http://illuminatedcycling.com/frontl...s/eyebeam.html

p2templin 02-05-12 05:54 PM

We use the NiteRider MiNewt Mini.USB-300 light on my bars. It's small, lightweight, and lasts ten hours on blink, 2-5 hours solid. We did our first century last October (ten hours clock time, perhaps with the light off for a 30-minute lunch), and with five miles to go, the cop directing traffic saw us coming about 0.6 miles away. That was early enough for him to leisurely get out of the car and be ready to wave us through as we came whizzing down the hill and turned left.

For the record, I had a NiteRider Moab that died after not properly caring for the battery. I miss the "punch" that its beam had, but NR does have some customer service "black eyes". My big disappointment was them not keeping spare batteries on the price list. I'm now lusting for the Pro 3000 (mostly just so I can have the 1500 lumen spot bulb), but it'll have to wait until after some other toys.

waynesulak 02-05-12 08:22 PM

Dionette front and back here.

ThaiTandem 02-06-12 02:14 AM

Dinote 400r in back and 400a (amber) up front. I see Dinote's now switched to the 800 for their amber running light now. Anyone using it?

DCwom 02-06-12 08:01 AM

We use the Planet Bike 1/2 watt flasher and Beamer 3 LED headlight in blink mode for everyday daytime running lights. I view this inexpensive light setup as just another layer of defensive riding when we're sharing the road. If we were relying on visibility, i.e. night/rain/highway shoulders I would consider the Dionette but we avoid these conditions.

gracehowler 02-06-12 05:24 PM

After using a hub generator, I find it much preferable over any but the more expensive battery powered lights, of which is Dinotte.
R&J

JanMM 02-06-12 07:20 PM


Originally Posted by DubT (Post 13812913)
We use the Dionette 300R rear light to hopefully get the attention of distracted drivers, we also use, these lights on our helmets. http://illuminatedcycling.com/Fire%2...16/page16.html

I have been looking for a good bright front running light that again would get the attention of distracted drivers and provide enough light for us to safely get home if we get caught out after the sun goes down.

I ordered a new front light from illuminated cycling and it arrived yesterday, I installed it and I am really impressed, it is really bright. I tried it out last night after dark and it provides an amazing amount of really bright light. Here is a web site for the new Fire Eye front light. http://illuminatedcycling.com/frontl...s/eyebeam.html

Do I understand correctly that the only source for the helmet light batteries is Illuminated Cycling? Is that an issue for you?

DubT 02-06-12 07:39 PM


Originally Posted by JanMM (Post 13818329)
Do I understand correctly that the only source for the helmet light batteries is Illuminated Cycling? Is that an issue for you?


There are supposed to be other places to buy them, however ordering them from Illuminated Cycling has NOT been an issue. I order them an have them in a few days.

conspiratemus1 02-06-12 09:36 PM

Some of these new super-LED lights are REALLY bright. So give a care to have them aimed properly so that they don't shine, or flash, directly into motorists' eyes. You want them to see you, not be dazzled and then NOT see you because you're hiding in the scotomas that your light left on their visual field. This is more of an issue for us Queen of the Night commuters but there is a guy I see downtown some days with a strobe on his helmet that is so bright, depending on which way he turns his head, that I thought at first it was someone using an arc welder.

I do like the Planet Bike 1-watt in flash mode, especially on dull days and near dawn and dusk when the shadows across the road are long, or when a canopy of trees darkens the road. On sunny days in the open, I'm not sure it's any better than wearing white sleeves. But anything that causes motorists who are facing you to flinch before they pull out into your lane to overtake is a good thing. Trouble is, once they figure out that you're just a bicycle, some of 'em'll do it anyway. If you're not a motor vehicle, which can kill them, they just don't care.

In Canada with our long periods of dusk and dawn, all new passenger cars for several years now have been required to have headlights hardwired to burn for daytime running. The unintended consequence of this is that a lot of drivers have gotten lazy and look just for lights, not for vehicles per se, when they do their quick checks as they roll through stop signs, lane-change without shoulder-checking, and pass over double solid lines. So when they hit an unlighted cyclist in broad daylight, they are as surprised as the cyclist: "But I didn't see him!" :notamused:

To be seen, we have to join the lighting arms race I think. But no substitute for high-alert defensive driving.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:53 PM.


Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.