Bicycle Lighting Advice
 

Hey everybody,
I'm a mechanical engineering student at the University of Wisconsin (also a member of the UW Cycling Team) and I'm currently involved in a school design project to design a better bike headlighting system. The idea is to learn everything that is good, and bad, about current lighting systems and use that information to design a new system with all the good features and less, or none, of the bad features. I commute by bike and so I have some ideas but I'm sure there are a lot of people who have many more years of experience than I do. That's where you come in! I've put together a series of questions to help my design team get a better idea of what the cycling community would like to see in new lighting systems. I don't know if it's proper etiquette to have a bunch of really long replies in a forum so if you'd like to you can send your responses directly to my e-mail. degolier@cae.wisc.edu
Thanks for your input.

1) If you were to consider replacing your bikelight what features in a new bike light would you look for? Be specific if possible.

2) What's the worst feature on the bike light you're currently using? Second worse?

3) What's the best feature on the bike light you're currently using? Second Best?

4) Have you ever used a helmet mounted bike light? If so, do you like it? Why or why not?

5) When you use your bike to commute, do you leave your bike exposed to the elements (i.e. rain, sun, vagrants)? Do you leave your light on your bike? If so, has it been stolen? Do you fear it will get stolen?

6) Do you find your bike light to be effective in alerting drivers of your presence when you're on the road at night?

7) Do you find your bike light to be effective in appropriately lighting your path at night in order to allow you to bike at the same speed as you would during the day?

8) Rank the following bike light criteria in order of importance
Visibility to motorists
Theft proof
Satisfactory illumination of your path
Maintenance free(replacing/recharging batteries, replacing bulbs, broken mounts, ect...)
Appearance
Size (Compact vs. bulky)
Cost
Environmentally friendly(mostly the batteries)

9) What kind of bike light do you own (i.e. brand, model)? Would you recommend this light to a friend?

1) If you were to consider replacing your bikelight what features in a new bike light would you look for? Be specific if possible.

A better distribution of ilumination.
Better water-proofing
Easier bulb replacement.

2) What's the worst feature on the bike light you're currently using? Second worse?
Changing the bulb needs a very small screwdriver.

3) What's the best feature on the bike light you're currently using? Second Best?
It was free.
It can be mounted on the forks with a caliper brake.

4) Have you ever used a helmet mounted bike light? If so, do you like it? Why or why not?
Too much hastle to plug in for a short ride.
To vulnerable to drop damage.

5) When you use your bike to commute, do you leave your bike exposed to the elements (i.e. rain, sun, vagrants)? Do you leave your light on your bike? If so, has it been stolen? Do you fear it will get stolen?
Yes
My light is screwed to the frame and is not worth stealing.

6) Do you find your bike light to be effective in alerting drivers of your presence when you're on the road at night?
Yes

7) Do you find your bike light to be effective in appropriately lighting your path at night in order to allow you to bike at the same speed as you would during the day?
Yes

8) Rank the following bike light criteria in order of importance
2.Visibility to motorists
3.Theft proof
4.Satisfactory illumination of your path
1.Maintenance free(replacing/recharging batteries, replacing bulbs, broken mounts, ect...)
8.Appearance
7.Size (Compact vs. bulky)
5.Cost
6.Environmentally friendly(mostly the batteries)

9) What kind of bike light do you own (i.e. brand, model)? Would you recommend this light to a friend?
A home made system of Union dynamo lamp unit wired to a rechargeable lead-acid battery stuffed into a water bottle.
I would definately recomend this system. It is better, cheaper and more practical than any system I can find in the shops.
I would change the power unit to a Dynohub if I lived in a flatter town.

1) If you were to consider replacing your bikelight what features in a new bike light would you look for? Be specific if possible.

Something which won't leave me stranded without light, and that is weatherproof.

2) What's the worst feature on the bike light you're currently using? Second worse?

Output is a bit low. Maybe a HID light would help?

3) What's the best feature on the bike light you're currently using? Second Best?

Needs no batteries

4) Have you ever used a helmet mounted bike light? If so, do you like it? Why or why not?

No. doesn't help much on a road bike

5) When you use your bike to commute, do you leave your bike exposed to the elements (i.e. rain, sun, vagrants)? Do you leave your light on your bike? If so, has it been stolen? Do you fear it will get stolen?

My bike is always stored inside in inclement weather

6) Do you find your bike light to be effective in alerting drivers of your presence when you're on the road at night?

Yes

7) Do you find your bike light to be effective in appropriately lighting your path at night in order to allow you to bike at the same speed as you would during the day?

Not quite

8) Rank the following bike light criteria in order of importance
Visibility to motorists
Theft proof
Satisfactory illumination of your path
Maintenance free(replacing/recharging batteries, replacing bulbs, broken mounts, ect...)
Appearance
Size (Compact vs. bulky)
Cost
Environmentally friendly(mostly the batteries)

9) What kind of bike light do you own (i.e. brand, model)? Would you recommend this light to a friend?

]I use a Lumotec halogen light, powered by a Shimano Nexus dynohub.[/b]

1) A. light weight B. improved aerodynamics C. ability to switch between dynamo & battery as power source D. ability to charge battery with dynamo E. variable focus on light beam
2) Weight of battery and complete use of water bottle cage
3)Good light output even in cold weather and durable battery
4)Yes, by turning my head I can give motorists clues of my intention to turn or change lanes(in case they miss my hand signal) and at big intersections to further alert right turning motorists that I exist. Also it is great for shining wildlife along my route.
5)My bike is stored in a locked basement at work so those aspects don't apply, but part of the reason it is in a locked area is because I do fear they could apply.
6) I would hope 30W on my handlebars and 10W on my helmet would. In deed, I count on it.
7) On level stretchs, yes. On the chunk of downhill that I hit 34 mph on in daylight, with a sharp turn midway, no; I slow down to 24.
8) Cost
Satisfactory illumination
Size
Visibility to motorists
Maintenance free
Environmentally friendly
Appearance
Theft proof
9) Nite Hawk dual+auto charge & Marwi Nightpro helmet mounted

Re: Bicycle Lighting Advice
 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Udub

1) If you were to consider replacing your bikelight what features in a new bike light would you look for? Be specific if possible.

battery that lasts longer than 3.5 hours on a charge, light weight and good output


2) What's the worst feature on the bike light you're currently using? Second worse?

Worst is run time is marginal, second worst is light output not good on 5w setting.

3) What's the best feature on the bike light you're currently using? Second Best?

Good output on 10w, Fittings same as my battery back up so I can swap easily.

4) Have you ever used a helmet mounted bike light? If so, do you like it? Why or why not?

No. No point on the road.

5) When you use your bike to commute, do you leave your bike exposed to the elements (i.e. rain, sun, vagrants)? Do you leave your light on your bike? If so, has it been stolen? Do you fear it will get stolen?

I do when touring but take everything that can be removed, off. I'm lucky in that I commute to and from places with garages.

6) Do you find your bike light to be effective in alerting drivers of your presence when you're on the road at night?

Yes, but most drivers appear to drive by a sense other than sight anyway.

7) Do you find your bike light to be effective in appropriately lighting your path at night in order to allow you to bike at the same speed as you would during the day?

No, I have to slow down.

8) Rank the following bike light criteria in order of importance
1 Visibility to motorists
Theft proof
2 Satisfactory illumination of your path
5 Maintenance free(replacing/recharging batteries, replacing bulbs, broken mounts, ect...)
6 Appearance
4 Size (Compact vs. bulky)
Cost
3 Environmentally friendly(mostly the batteries)

9) What kind of bike light do you own (i.e. brand, model)? Would you recommend this light to a friend?

Cateye daylite single spot 5/10w, Cateye HL500 and Cateye Blinkie light

At back Cateye BS approved rear light and a cheaper blinkie
[/QUOTE

1) If you were to consider replacing your bikelight what features in a new bike light would you look for? Be specific if possible.
generator system or longer lived battery

2) What's the worst feature on the bike light you're currently using? Second worse?
very expensive, bulky battery

3) What's the best feature on the bike light you're currently using? Second Best?
bright light w/illumination options, rechargeable

4) Have you ever used a helmet mounted bike light? If so, do you like it? Why or why not?
yes, I like it. More light is good light and I can see "around corners and shine it at motorists approaching from an angle
5) When you use your bike to commute, do you leave your bike exposed to the elements (i.e. rain, sun, vagrants)? Do you leave your light on your bike? If so, has it been stolen? Do you fear it will get stolen?
I take the light off if there is any risk of theft

6) Do you find your bike light to be effective in alerting drivers of your presence when you're on the road at night?
YES, very

7) Do you find your bike light to be effective in appropriately lighting your path at night in order to allow you to bike at the same speed as you would during the day?
At or very close to same speed
8) Rank the following bike light criteria in order of importance
Visibility to motorists 1
Theft proof 6
Satisfactory illumination of your path 2
Maintenance free(replacing/recharging batteries, replacing bulbs, broken mounts, ect...) 3
Appearance 7
Size (Compact vs. bulky) 4
Cost Environmentally friendly(mostly the batteries) 5
9) What kind of bike light do you own (i.e. brand, model)? Would you recommend this light to a friend?
nightrider digital (2) bar and helmet mount units
YES would recommend

1) If you were to consider replacing your bikelight what features in a new bike light would you look for? Be specific if possible.
Adequate brightness (to be seen AND to see), economical.

2) What's the worst feature on the bike light you're currently using? Second worse?
Actually, I'm quite satisfied with my current light. I guess I wish the battery pack (gel cell) weren't quite so heavy.

3) What's the best feature on the bike light you're currently using? Second Best?
BRIGHT! 10 watt single beam - plenty for my needs.
Rechargeable battery - I'm into my 3rd year of using it with no additional $ outlay.
(I'm devoted to rechargeable batteries... but I hate "memory effect." My current light has a "gel cell," and seems NOT to have a memory, but I have to be careful not to overcharge. Hassle-free rechargeability with a decent life - 1.5 - 2 hours minimum - is VERY important to me.)

4) Have you ever used a helmet mounted bike light? If so, do you like it? Why or why not?
Never have used one. I'd certainly be willing.

5) When you use your bike to commute, do you leave your bike exposed to the elements (i.e. rain, sun, vagrants)? Do you leave your light on your bike? If so, has it been stolen? Do you fear it will get stolen?
It's out of the precipitation, but in the cold temperature. I leave the light on. I worry about it being stolen, but it hasn't been.

6) Do you find your bike light to be effective in alerting drivers of your presence when you're on the road at night?
YES!

7) Do you find your bike light to be effective in appropriately lighting your path at night in order to allow you to bike at the same speed as you would during the day?
Yes.

8) Rank the following bike light criteria in order of importance
Visibility to motorists 1 - most important
Theft proof 6
Satisfactory illumination of your path 2
Maintenance free(replacing/recharging batteries, replacing bulbs, broken mounts, ect...) 4
Appearance
Size (Compact vs. bulky) 5 (weight more than size)
Cost 3
Environmentally friendly(mostly the batteries) 7

9) What kind of bike light do you own (i.e. brand, model)? Would you recommend this light to a friend?
Planet bike. Don't know the model - it has a 10w lamp with a quick-release mechanism, a rectangular gel-cell battery that hangs below the top tube in a little black nylon bag. Nice coiled cord, with cord-mounted push-button on-off switch.