Good wheel lights?
 

Looking for something bright, cat eye orbits aren't cutting it. Assuming they will be battery?

I've got a couple of different ones I like.

Nite Ize SpokeLit are pretty bright, Replacement batteries can get a little expensive for what it is.

https://www.amazon.com/Nite-Ize-Spok...spokelit+disco

MonkeyLectric M204 is pretty neat. It uses 3 AA batteries(which last quite a while), several different color and blink modes, and are quite bright.

https://www.amazon.com/MonkeyLectric.../dp/B00O4B1TRE

I've received compliments on my Nite Ize SpokeLit lights. They don't need to be bright to grab people's attentions. Sometimes I run them with a single 2032 cell instead of two 2016 cells. They last longer, but using two cells makes them brighter. Either way, the cells last a long time.

I use only one in my rear wheel. When I tried it in the front, it distracted me too much. Your kilometerage may vary.

I like nite-ize also, just tend to forget to turn it off. I think I may try noglider's idea of one 2032 battery
Rod

I'd rather consider one that relies on regular batteries rather than button cells. Longer battery life and you can buy batteries at dollar stores. There's a boatload of international sellers with all kinds on ebay that would fill that requirement. This one for under $5 has what looks like fourteen 5050 RGB LEDs which are plenty bright plus it has 30 patterns built into the light. Cheap enough to give it a try if you are adventuresome 14 LED 30 Patterns Cycling Bicycle Wheel Spoke Light Colorful Lamp Durable R1V5. Or - 32 LED version for $8 Bicycle Bike Motorcycle Cycling Wheel Spoke Light 32 LED 32 Patterns 4 Colors | eBay That's a lot more LEDs than the CatEye Spoke Light With Reflector Kit Orbit 2 which sells for around $20 but has only one LED in each spoke light. CatEye Spoke Light With Reflector Kit Orbit 2 SL-LD150 White: Sold as Pair
When I want to try different things this is what I do, look for an international seller where the cost is low. I'm often surprised at how good these things are, particularly the LED headlights, COB taillights, and flashlights.

Wow, those ebay lights are pretty clever. And I guess the watch batteries are inconvenient if you're forgetful, but somehow, I manage to remember to turn it off. The CatEye light uses watch batteries, for what it's worth, but it's nice that it also is a reflector. I use those straw-shaped reflectors on my spokes on my front wheel. They're super cheap.

On my main commuter I mounted the forward 180-degree flasher on the fork so light dances off the spokes. On my old roadbike I did the same but also with the red, rear 180-degree light which I mounted to the left seat stay (the tube that runs from the rear hub to the seat, effectively the rear fork). On my MTB based commuter I used to put three orange glow-sticks in the spokes. It looked like the wheels were on fire.

Speaking of which: Go 2min and 14sec in

A couple of folks in the local nighttime group rides I tag along with use multi-light LEDs on their wheels. Those things really show up without being distracting or affecting dark adapted eyes of other cyclists. I'll ask where they got 'em next time. I do recall their lights use a single AA or AAA battery. If I'm recalling correctly the battery compartment mounts on the rim, attached to a spoke, like an oversized valve stem.

I use wheel lights on my road setup. I think when it comes to wheel lights most people want something that is easy to mount/take off, has a half decent run time and will not set off geek alarms if you choose to leave them on the bike during the day. The Nite-Ize lamps are interesting but the geek factor is high because the form factor is somewhat large for using just a single Led. The smallest wheel lights I have used are made by a company called Atozi. They work wonderfully, are very small ( hook on to a single spoke, not an air valve as the ad would leave you to believe ) and take seconds to put on or take off. Not to mention you can use two or three per wheel and easily carry them in a pocket or pouch until you want to use them. Downside is they use the smaller button cells.( 3 inside in series ) Runtime will vary but basically if you use them an hour a day I doubt the batteries would last a week. You can buy extra button cells on-line cheaply but to get decent run time you need to buy the brand name silver oxide cells which cost a little more.

Currently I use wheel lights called, "Rimfires". These run off of three AA cells. Geek factor on these are a little higher but only because of the design of the battery compartment. At least the battery compartment is translucent and designed to circle the hub of the wheel ( and attach to the spokes ) Each comes with 3-mult-colored LEDs and are quite bright. Downside is construction is cheap plastic and to mount the battery compartment is a PITA. Upside is that AA batteries last longer than either coin or button cells and can be rechargeable if you have rechargeable AA's.

The lamps that offer to display different patterns of light ( or video ) use more LEDs to do so and are generally going to be larger and more heavier. Not to mention that unless you use more than one per wheel your wheel will be unbalanced.

I like the link that VegasTriker provided. I've seen those before and perhaps they are a good compromise in that they are relatively small, look easy to put on and take off and use a single AA battery. A couple of those per wheel might be a good choice ( provided they hold up ).

Lastly I think it needs to be said that the smaller the batteries the worse the runtime will be once the temperatures get below 60°F. Even NiMH AA batteries crap out pretty fast once temps begin to drop. That said another option for cooler weather are spoke reflectors. Geeky if you leave them on during the day but work great for getting seen at night.

Good thoughts, thanks all.

You can get those reflectors cheap. Here is a listing that sells a 36-pack for $3.54. You have to wait three weeks for shipping, but it's a non-urgent item, right?

I found an old thread in this forum just check if it might come in handy http://www.bikeforums.net/electronic...el-lights.html