I can understand this ... but I think people should know that a good MTB wheel with dynamo hub + front light + tail light runs less than €200 for an EU buyer including VAT ... haven't been to Serbia yet :( so I don't know about their VAT/MwSt pricing system ... but that means roughly €160 for a US buyer ...

or about $200 for a full dynamo-equipped front wheel, LED front light and rear rack-mounted light imported into the US.

IMHO, that's a much better value that strapping batteries and a MagicShine to a bike.

Just my 2 øre (currently in CPH).

edit: I also understand the unlit road argument because I selected my current house based upon cyclocommuting opportunities including the ability to a have several lit cyclepath and road options. On my cheap_bike_experiment, I went with a set of flashing LED lights from KNOG because I wanted to be seen rather than needing to "see". In addition, the UK doesn't employ the StVZO, or similar, regulations, so I felt more comfortable with employing non-StVZO lights because the bike is over 11kg.

20% VAT, but an average pay in Serbia is around 400 euros - per month. Under 5,000 e per anum.

Thanks acidfast7!

+1. If I leave my bike unattended for more than a few minutes, I lock the frame & front wheel too.

Varsågod!

You know your local bike theft Stats Best.. security skewers, and solid locks .
and other Stripping resistant techniques may help ..

a low bike culture place may be better than hip college towns with a traffic in Used Parts..

Two... two! And you are giving me push-back for what I said. Read my post again, I stand by it. I don't think I have to limit my observations to Oregon. Acidfast was speaking about America as a whole. I am responding in kind. Toyota makes more Prius' in one hour than Tesla can ever hope to make. Ever. It's a niche company and like other niche car companies like Lotus or ... I don't know... Bugatti ... they aren't trying to compete with a global monster like Toyota. Tesla was a poor example to use in order to accuse America of being behind the wrong technology to achieve energy independence.

H

Sorry, my rant was unacceptable and possibly driven by the excellent homemade Plum schnapps we had throughout the week.

I should succinctly state that battery technology seems much more dirty the dynamo technology. I also assume that the copper (or other metal) employed in the dynamo can be much more easily recycled/reused than the rare earth metals in batteries.

I still think batteries are quite poor energy stop gaps ... although Germany is having serious issues with generating too much renewable energy, which forces coal plants shut down to prevent overloading the European grid. (In Germany, renewables have a legal right to "enter" the grid before "dirty" energy.)

FWIW, Bugatti is part of the VAW, therefore it's not so niche.

I've had some time to play with it. My verdict: works great.

The led strips come with a 3m double sided adhesive, stick it running down a full rear fender. Waterproof, and multiple modes of flashing and colours operated by 3 buttons: mode, brightness/speed, and colour. There's more modes and colours than dedicated taillights I've used.

I had it powered off a single cell USB power pack used for charging portable electronics. Mine came in 50cm strips that can be cut into sections if the entire length is not needed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0g45xbGGUpc

mrbubbles, now that you're satisfied, could you please post a link to the exact product you are using? Thanks.

I bought these.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/5050RGB-led-...f4457c&vxp=mtr

The usb cable is extra long. Currently used with a usb power pack like below.

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Pink-2600mAh-...k3w~~60_35.JPG

There are many combinations and varieties to play with.

My next idea is one of these connected to a 7.4v magic shine style battery pack. Basically a taillight with a remote control switch.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mini-RF-Wire...item58a0db7b55

If you don't have fenders, you can put it on the seatstays and the seatpost. Like below.

http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/73...aa0bd38879.jpg

Batteries vs Dyno, :popcorn:deadhorse:Wow. On a side note, do they make disc brake dyno hubs? What about 135 mm front hubs, or 15 mm through front hubs? Not that I would ever get one. Too many bikes to switch the lights too.

They do make disc brake dyno hubs. My 3 700c dynamo wheels are all disc brake compatible (centerlock and 6 bolts). There are 135mm and 15mm through-hub dynamos made by SON and SP Dynamo, they are $200+.

Rechargable USB "emergency packs" for phones are tiny. RayOVac, at least, also makes a 4AA box with USB output.

Here is another option ... Zackees – Bike gloves with built-in LED turn signals :thumb:

Zackees ? Bike gloves with built-in LED turn signals | Road Bike News, Reviews, and Photos