Originally Posted by
PlanoFuji
.... Running around fetching batteries (and making sure they are charged), just so that they are 'stored' in the 'proper' environment is codling (in my book) a device that is meant to be used outdoors...
If I were talking about passive reflectors instead of active lights I would agree with you. However, I am talking about them being used in addition to active lighting. The dyno headlight and tail lights I selected were chosen in part because they incorporate reflectors as well as active lighting components. I also have reflectors on my front and rear wheels. And until I switched to my current GR-10 pedals, my pedals had reflectors as well.
I built the following bike up to be a general purpose means of transportation, day or night. I ride in a variety of conditions at night (and ride predominantly at night in the summer) and its basic set-up with reflectors has ensured that I have never had a problem with drivers seeing me.
.
I don't understand why you would consider taking a battery on or off a bike "coddling". For the sake of the argument there is no rule that states you have to do anything to your bike that you don't want to. If you want to leave the battery/lamp mounted on the bike you can that. If you want to leave the entire bike out in the elements year round you can do that too but probably not a good idea if you want it to last a while. You can also store a battery in an area that gets very hot. I wouldn't do it myself because I know it's not good for the battery. Personally I feel your argument is weak. This is not to say I disagree with you and your preference for a dynamo. If you like it for it's "no worry, ready to go " status that makes sense to me but to say removing a battery is "coddling"...well, that's just being overly argumentative. Personally I charge and mount my phone to my bike on every ride and while this is tedious I do it because it is really not that much of a PITA and I want the additional functions of a smart phone while riding. When I'm done I remove it. Really not a big deal.
ON the other hand I agree that reflectors ( the newer kind ) are very good. While I use all kinds of active lighting ( including wheel lighting ) there are reflectors that work well enough to be considered good enough to be used alone. One example is pedal reflectors. I've seen more examples of this than perhaps any other kind. Active lighting is better but reflectors work. Currently the best type of reflectors I've seen for bikes is the straw-like 3M reflectors for wheels. I've only seen these being used a couple times but they are absolutely awesome. Because they are round they pick up light from all angles. They are HIGHLY VISIBLE!. I've been so impressed with how they work that I've considered buying some for my bike. ( even though I already use wheel lights and standard wheel reflectors ) These 3M straws work so well I
could consider not using wheel lights and really not have to worry about a loss of "see me" visibility. ( * in my case I would probably use about 9 or 12 per wheel arranged in a tri-pattern. No need to put one on every spoke although that would be even more visible. )