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-   -   Helmet lights (https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/860393-helmet-lights.html)

Monster Pete 12-04-12 12:50 PM


Originally Posted by cyccommute (Post 15007268)
It's not really a problem. I've crashed with helmet lights mounted and smacked my helmet. The light mount broke but the helmet did it's job.

As for mounting the light on your head, it's an advantage. It's not just to get the attention of drivers but it also helps you see into corners and avoid obstacles. Some cars are now coming with lights that track the corner rather then just shine off in a straight line.

Yeah, I guess it would be alright as long as the light had some type of breakaway mounting. Zip ties etc should be avoided. On my bike I find that a wide-angle headlight mounted to the handlebar stem works effectively. But then, I don't wear a helmet, and feel that something like a head torch would be annoying.

cehowardGS 12-04-12 01:35 PM


Originally Posted by Monster Pete (Post 15014701)
Yeah, I guess it would be alright as long as the light had some type of breakaway mounting. Zip ties etc should be avoided. On my bike I find that a wide-angle headlight mounted to the handlebar stem works effectively. But then, I don't wear a helmet, and feel that something like a head torch would be annoying.


IMO, safety is way down on the list with you!! :beer:

10 Wheels 12-04-12 01:42 PM

1 Attachment(s)

Originally Posted by Monster Pete (Post 15014701)
Yeah, I guess it would be alright as long as the light had some type of breakaway mounting. Zip ties etc should be avoided. On my bike I find that a wide-angle headlight mounted to the handlebar stem works effectively. But then, I don't wear a helmet, and feel that something like a head torch would be annoying.

Three lights on the bars and one on the helmet.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=286822

nelson249 12-04-12 02:58 PM


Originally Posted by cehowardGS (Post 15008097)
.
I RESPECTFULLY disagree! :beer:

For commuters and riders that do lot of riding in darkness, a helmet light is almost a MUST!! A helmet light does so many things good for the commuters at night time, amd for the mountain bike riders in the dark, that they are too numberous to mention.

I agree. I use a helmet light and it has been great particularly intersections and most especially at roundabouts. The ability to shine a light around irrespective of the attitude of the bike has kep more than one driver (or cyclist) from doing something silly.

unterhausen 12-04-12 03:22 PM

mine eats batteries so fast that I haven't been replacing them. Seems to be a common problem with Princeton Tec EOS lights.

I miss it a lot. How come the motorists that don't stop at stop signs always get to the intersection too late to see my headlight?

Dave Mayer 12-04-12 03:43 PM


Originally Posted by Monster Pete (Post 15007096)
If you're wearing a helmet, I'm not sure that mounting lights etc to it is such a good idea. Anything external to it could impede the helmet's ability to do its job, and also add extra leverage in an oblique impact. In any case, what's wrong with mounting lights to the handlebars? Every other road vehicle mounts its lights to the vehicle rather than the driver...

At this time of year, both of my commutes are in the dark. You need a good lights on the front and rear. That is a given. My front weapon of choice is a bar-mounted direct-from-China CREE unit that cost arount $40. It can cast shadows a block away.

But you also need a headlamp. Trust me on this; my experience comes as a result of uncountable bike/car interactions in the dark, in which my bacon was saved many times by having a powerful lamp that I could focus right between their eyes.

Your biggest risk is vehicles that come from the side, and only make cursory rolling checks as they cruise through stop signs on residential streets. I have seen this hundreds of times.

It is only when they think that a freight train is bearing down on them will these drivers actually freakin' stop - like the sign at the intersection plainly states. A LED flashlight attached to the helmet is good. A powerful lamp that can be focused is even better. I have a 900 lumen CREE-based lamp, in which the total output of the beam can be focused down to about a foot square a block away. Having this pouring into your retinas is a awe-inspiring experience. Because it is so high and so powerful, I have had drivers pull right off of the road because they think I am a semi with one light out.

Monster Pete 12-04-12 04:14 PM


Originally Posted by cehowardGS (Post 15014879)
IMO, safety is way down on the list with you!!

Not really. I make sure I ride in a safe and sensible manner, and use lights and reflectors on my bike to ensure I'm visible (I'm certainly safer than people riding brakeless fixed gear bikes) I have no desire to get run over while cycling, and have never been hit yet. I also wear gloves to give a bit of hand protection should I fall off (instinctively you put an arm out to break your fall.) Anyway, the discussion of the merit of helmets belongs in another thread if you can bear the pointless mud-throwing within.


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