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Helmet with built-in blinkie

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Old 05-27-13 | 10:35 AM
  #26  
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I really like helmets with a blinkie strap. I wouldn't buy anything that didn't unless there simply wasn't one available. I don't think I'd buy one with integrated blinkies for two reasons - one, their integrated blinkie is probably not the best I can buy, and I really do want the best I can buy when it comes to safety equipment. Two, blinkies break, so if the built in blinkie can't be replaced by a generic blinkie, I'm not interested - what are the odds I'll be able to replace a built-in blinkie in 3 or 4 years? Can I still buy the flip mirror that Bell sold to go on the Metro a few years ago? No, and that's with a major manufacturer that's still in business. Who knows about some off brand.
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Old 07-19-15 | 09:07 AM
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BUMP my own zombie thread, just saw this kickstarter:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects...bicycle-helmet

Pretty cool; white front lights, red safety triangle, yellow turn signal lights (activated by a wireless handlebar switch), and everything in the back goes brighter blinking red like a brake light, triggered automatically by a built-in accelerometer.
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Old 07-19-15 | 10:19 AM
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Originally Posted by RubeRad
BUMP my own zombie thread, just saw this kickstarter:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects...bicycle-helmet

Pretty cool; white front lights, red safety triangle, yellow turn signal lights (activated by a wireless handlebar switch), and everything in the back goes brighter blinking red like a brake light, triggered automatically by a built-in accelerometer.
Eh, go with the Torch. It's almost ready for release, supposedly some time this month and it looks way cooler.



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Old 07-19-15 | 10:22 AM
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Bikes: Many bikes in three states and two countries, mainly riding Moots Vamoots, Lynskey R265 disc and a Spot Denver Zephyr nowadays

And I have had a Lazer Urbanize for a few years now:



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Old 07-19-15 | 10:36 AM
  #30  
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I like helmet lights in traffic. Drivers can't see rack lights that are blocked by other cars and a light on your helmet is up where it can be noticed. I'm all for high visibilty clothing, blinky lights and moving reflectors-- anything that will give a chance of being seen on a dark rainy night.

I imagine manufacturer's are reluctant to make add-on helmet lights as they could be sued over the light inferring with the impact functions of the helmet. Night Rider and Go Pro seem to have gotten over that

I added a Blackburn Voyager Click headlight to the front of my Bell Stoker helmet. It nestled into a front vent nicely.


https://dalesjournal.wordpress.com/2...stoker-helmet/
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Old 07-19-15 | 10:39 AM
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Originally Posted by GeorgePaul
What's wrong with having the tail light on the seatbag or seatpost? Sometimes I just clip a blinkie to a back pocket of my jersey -- that works too.
Because the saddlebag and/or rear cargo bag attached to your reaer rack block the the seatpost light. I think they should make then so they easily attach to back of the rear rack. I had to "jury rig" mine.
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Old 07-19-15 | 11:07 AM
  #32  
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One major problem for me, you can't throw the helmet in the tub to get it cleaned and washed while you are talking a shower after your hot sweaty ride.
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Old 07-19-15 | 02:09 PM
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I just got an Abus Hyban about a month ago. I like it a lot. It has good ventilation and a nice taillight on back that runs in three different modes (two blinking and one steady).
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Old 07-19-15 | 04:25 PM
  #34  
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Originally Posted by RubeRad
My wife the other day bought my son a helmet with a red blinkie built right into the back of it -- brilliant!

Why has it taken the industry this long to think of this? Or if it's been around, why have I never seen it before? I've been following BF/commuting for a while now, and read countless threads about lighting, and never heard anybody say "get one of those helmets with the red blinkie already in it"
Probably because it's better to buy a good normal helmet and attach a rear light to it. That's what I did, admittedly after seeing someone else with a rear light on the back of their helmet one day.
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Old 07-19-15 | 05:17 PM
  #35  
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I use Planet Bike Spok blinkies with my helmet. The velcro straps are very sturdy, and makes it easy to put them on and take them off when I need to.

https://www.amazon.com/Planet-Bike-30.../dp/B0015R9Q4S
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Old 07-19-15 | 05:48 PM
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Originally Posted by practical
Because the saddlebag and/or rear cargo bag attached to your reaer rack block the the seatpost light. I think they should make then so they easily attach to back of the rear rack.
They do; brackets for mounting taillights to racks are common
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Old 07-19-15 | 06:05 PM
  #37  
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Originally Posted by RubeRad
BUMP my own zombie thread, just saw this kickstarter:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects...bicycle-helmet

Pretty cool; white front lights, red safety triangle, yellow turn signal lights (activated by a wireless handlebar switch), and everything in the back goes brighter blinking red like a brake light, triggered automatically by a built-in accelerometer.
That looks nice, and not as closed in as the Lazer.

Lately I've been using a Bell Surge TF19X.



The two lights are independent, so I usually only turn one on, so the other one will remain good for future use, I hope. The rear strap is elastic and requires no adjustment, and seems to fit ok. The batteries are the little nickel sized CR2032 batteries.

I also have a helmet that puts the light in a knob for adjustment, but I don't like the idea of the round knob in the back of my head, and the light never worked well.
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Old 07-19-15 | 06:52 PM
  #38  
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I ride a bikeshare bike for my commute so rather than rely on the front and rear led's built into the bike frame I prefer to add lights to my helmet. This time of year I don't use them but once it's getting dark out during my commute I will use them. I think helmet lights make you much more visible to both cars and pedestrians. I find the planet bike spoks are sized just right - I took them with me when I bought my latest helmet to see which helmet had vents in the right place to facilitate mounting. In the end I found a Nishiki helmet that worked best.

Here's a link to the lights on amazon

Amazon.com: Planet Bike 3042-1 Spok LED Light Set with 1 LED Headlight and 1 LED Tail Light: Sports & Outdoors
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Old 07-19-15 | 07:00 PM
  #39  
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Wow....this thread is on the second page and no one reminded us that you can't run blinking lights in Germany.

As if we'd really give a damn anyway.



Blinkies forever. No matter which or where. Pick your fave and use it.
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Old 07-21-15 | 01:38 AM
  #40  
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Randomly came across this thread because it looked good and I'm glad I did. You can never have too many helmets. I signed right up.
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Old 07-21-15 | 07:52 AM
  #41  
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Originally Posted by Eds0123
One major problem for me, you can't throw the helmet in the tub to get it cleaned and washed while you are talking a shower after your hot sweaty ride.
I liek to use either a cycling cap (waltz has a number that are moisture wicking) or a Halo (Halo Bandana: Athletic Bandana for Running & Cycling | Sport Bandana) - does a great job at keeping my helmet from being smelly and sweat from running into my eyes.
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Old 07-21-15 | 07:54 AM
  #42  
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Originally Posted by ShortLegCyclist
Eh, go with the Torch. It's almost ready for release, supposedly some time this month and it looks way cooler.



Not enough vents on that or the Lazer you posted below. The thing I like about the one on Kickstarter is that is looks well vented. Still not really for me, but at least it looks liek a decent design
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Old 07-21-15 | 10:24 AM
  #43  
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Originally Posted by DTG
Randomly came across this thread because it looked good and I'm glad I did. You can never have too many helmets. I signed right up.
Personally, I think two helmets is too many, but I'm glad you liked what you saw and are supporting them! I like the concept, but >$100 for a helmet? Not when I can buy a helmet for $15.
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Old 07-21-15 | 10:38 AM
  #44  
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Originally Posted by no1mad
You've obviously never heard of Lazer helmets before? They've been incorporating rear lights in some of their helmets for years. Relative new player in that space is Torch.
Lazers use a small button battery. I don't know how long it lasts, but could be an expense issue.
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Old 07-21-15 | 11:18 PM
  #45  
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Originally Posted by RubeRad
Personally, I think two helmets is too many, but I'm glad you liked what you saw and are supporting them! I like the concept, but >$100 for a helmet? Not when I can buy a helmet for $15.
For me it comes down to not trusting a helmet from a source I don't know via Ebay. My two cents but to each their own.
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Old 07-22-15 | 12:12 AM
  #46  
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I like the styling of that Kickstarter Lumos, so I'm still thinking about it. $114 is quite a bit.

I suppose I just want the headlight and taillight. I don't really want the turn signals and brake light.
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Old 07-22-15 | 06:02 AM
  #47  
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I find most blinkies exceptionally irritating. The brighter and faster the more irritating they are. Worse are the times when an extra bright blinkie nearly blinds me when I'm driving my 5000 lb weapon at 50 mph.
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