Another "wheel" light
 

I saw this posted on one of the Atlanta area bicycling user groups. Don't know anything about it. Just passing on the information. Looks interesting.
http://www.tireflys.com/

These have been around for a little while. You can get them at a place like Wal-Mart. I think there was a thread about these in either the commuting forum or this one about their use as a safety device at night. Haven't tried them myself.


-Moab

Someone also posted these. More bucks, but more dazzle, too.
http://www.hokeyspokes.com/index.html

I use FireFly wheel lights, and they're a blast! (especially during long, winter night hours). You can even see them flashing in the daytime. You can get them at Walmart or Radio Shack for only $5.95 (for 2) including the batteries. I've had mine on for 3-4 months now, and the batteries are still going strong. Haven't noticed anything bad concerning wheel balance. The replacement batteries (each unit takes 2) are a little pricey -- I think around $3.95 each. We'll see how long they last.

If anyone sees them in the UK can they pmail me please?

Richard

Richard

Here are two links to what looks like the same UK website.
http://www.icomm.ltd.uk:80/tireflys/
http://www.tireflys.co.uk/

trmcgeehan Do you leave them "on" all the time? Are they switchable (On and Off). I mean what makes up that 3 months of battery life you have?
Thanks

They turn off automatically. Once your wheel stops spinning it takes approximately 3 sec to shut off.

I got them they are great I have more people ask about them which means they finally see me. One thing though stick to red (at least in this area) and stay away from blue the cops have been pulling people over for having flashing blue lights it seems they are the only ones allowed to have them.

I bought 2 paks so I could have red on my rear tire and UV green on the front. Riding in slush, the rear has given out, but I swapped to my spare red. I really feel they give much more impact than spoke reflectors, except when you are stopped.

Saw some on a car a couple of weeks ago. Didn't know what they were, but they were certainly noticeable! Pretty bright but it was night, don't know if they'd show up that well in the daylight. One thing, they probably wouldn't hardly show at all from the back (or front) on a bike because the valve stems are always going to be hidden by the rim, rear sprockets, chainstays, etc. from that angle.

Still, if they don't weigh much and don't cost much, they can't hurt!

John

]

I would say from the amount of comments and questions I get about them They are noticable no other safety device I have put on my bike has aroused so much attention. People constantly asking me what they are and where I got them etc.

The FAQ on the UK web site said that they were only for shrader valves and not for presta. This is sad for us presta roadbikeriders.

Is this true ? has anyone used these on a presta valve wheel ?

bfb2003 Looks like quite a trip. Sounds like fun actually, maybe someday if I work hard I can do something like that! So are you going to equip that Trek with wheel lights :D

I bought 2 inexpensive adapters and use them on my prestas yes it is a little extra weight but not noticeable and I am looking for safety and not so much speed.

When I read this thread, I knew I had to go out and get a pair for myself. Spent a little extra for presta-shraeder adapters (wish there were plastic rather than metal though).

Got the UV Yellow. Very bright. Very cheap... got a pair for $8 at Wal*Mart (the shame of it).

It seems that the activation of the lights has less to do with the spinning and more to do with the natural bumps that occur while moving. Put the bike on a stand and turned the pedals; they wouldn't turn as there wasn't enough acceleration to activate them, but just a little bump while rolling on pavemet was.

I was interested in hokey spokes, but they cost too much and they gave no discount for buying 3. Given they said you needed at least 3 to have nice patterns, they should sell as 'starter kit' of three.

Thanks to this thread I decided to ride down to Radio Shack and pick up a set. Only cost me $4.25. It's still daylight out so I haven't had a chance to roadtest them properly. A rather neat little gadget though.