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06-15-18 | 11:22 PM

#8

iosd9

Newbie

Joined: Dec 2016

Posts: 1

Likes: 0

From: Vancouver

Jenn, I hope you recover soon and well.

I happen to use Bontrager 800 lumen front and rear light in a flashing mode in urban environment as well. I also use Supernova front/rear light comes with my bike in constant mode as ‘seeing’ light. Whether you see ‘dirty’ look on opposite traffic is not really related to how bright your light is but the angle you aim at. I aim it low enough so I can only see the light pattern about 2-3m in front of me. You will know the proper aiming angle quick once you are greet with enough ‘middle finger’ or you notice your fellow biker in the opposite slow down when approaching you.

On the other hand, you probably want both your head and rear light to be as bright as possible in flash mode during day time. Ideally, I like the flashing pattern should be as contrast as possible like 200/800 lumen cycle in front and around 40+ lumen on the back. This makes you noticeable (not only visible); you will know when car stops almost a block away before you waiting for you to past an intersection or steer as far to the left as possible when passing you in bike lane. At night time though you want to avoid flashing with too much of contrast too often though. 400 lumen head light is sufficient in urban environment at night and should be appropriate during day time like Cateye Volt 400 headlight although I much prefer 800+ lumen light during the day time ‘to be seen’ meaning those lights are 80+ bucks. After all, my life is worth much more than this amount.

Your inches away ‘doored’ incident reminds me how important the side noticeability is which is equal if not more important than the front and rear. I once have a kid running toward me on the side at like 10 O’clock direction at ‘light’ speed. I slam the brake so hard that my rear wheel is 2 inches above ground when fully stop. Luckily no one get hurts; thanks to my brake and heavy bike keeping me from flying. I have Brightside Bike Light on order now and also am thinking of Monkey wheel light to ride like a X’mas tree on the side to see if I can address this department as well.

Just my 2 cents and hope to give you some prospective.

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