Light selection guide.
#451
Century bound
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,262
Likes: 3
From: Mesa Arizona
Bikes: Felt AR4 and Cannondale hybrid
I have the Magic Shine and love them, one for the helmet and one on the bar.
#452
Dog Chaser
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 520
Likes: 0
From: Chicagoland
Bikes: Trek Emonda, Seven Evergreen, Merlin Cyrene, Trek TCT 5000, Trek Checkpoint
https://reviews.mtbr.com/blog/category/lights-shootout/
#453
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,556
Likes: 1
From: Boston
Is there a solar lights already created for bicycle? I think it would be a good idea to put a solar light to a bike.
custom dirt bike graphics
custom dirt bike graphics
#454
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: USA
Bikes: Redline Cross converted to flat bar commuter, 2X Redline Team Cross, Scott Road Team bike and a couple others
#457
Thought I'd throw in this one if you have a "money is no object" criterion:
https://www.king-cart.com/cgi-bin/cart.cgi
https://www.king-cart.com/cgi-bin/cart.cgi
#458
Banned
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 10,082
Likes: 1
Thought I'd throw in this one if you have a "money is no object" criterion:
https://www.king-cart.com/cgi-bin/cart.cgi
https://www.king-cart.com/cgi-bin/cart.cgi
#459
#460
No Pain, No Pizza

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 507
Likes: 269
From: Unincorporated Boulder County
Bikes: 2024 Tout Terrain Blueridge Xplore GT, 2015 Tarmac Pro Disc, '99 Burley Duet, '10 Velo Vie Vitesse 300R, '94 Trek 2120, '90 Cannondale SR 600, '79 Ross Super Gran Tour, '76 Raleigh Record
My Jet Lite A-51 just arrived (700 lumen, bomb proof, $199). Very high quality build. It will be my lifesaver for long, down the mountain commute at night.
What I want to stress is that the the customer service was over the top today. I had questions that weren't answered in the instructions, emailed the company yesterday, and the owner, David Joseph, wrote back and said to call him! I did and we had a very "illuminating" conversation about the light. He also added that they will be updating the instructions, dialing them in with the arrival of new products this spring.
What I want to stress is that the the customer service was over the top today. I had questions that weren't answered in the instructions, emailed the company yesterday, and the owner, David Joseph, wrote back and said to call him! I did and we had a very "illuminating" conversation about the light. He also added that they will be updating the instructions, dialing them in with the arrival of new products this spring.
#461
Anachronist.
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 298
Likes: 1
From: Albany, NY
Bikes: 1981 Schwinn Le Tour, 2010 Motobecane Sprint
I need an inexpensive tail light that I can mount on my rear rack... My old mount was on the seat tube(5 LED light, great visibility even though it was mounted behind the seat stays) and won't be visible with my new rack setup. Are there any that have bolt in mounts that could fit on a reflector mount point? That would be most handy.
#462
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: USA
Bikes: Redline Cross converted to flat bar commuter, 2X Redline Team Cross, Scott Road Team bike and a couple others
A couple of things to keep in mind...depending on the rack you own, there are some better and not so better solutions.
Reflector Mount Bolts - if you have basic reflector mounts then I would say try to find one of the older CatEye Reflex or TL-LD500 taillights. They are the only one that are a real reflector and also pretty good flashing lights. I like the idea of a passive ( real reflector ) aspect of the light.
The other thing to keep in mind is that a lot of the rack companies are moving towards a mounting system that is standard in Europe. This has a two bolt mount that fits horizontally on the rack. I know some light companies are also making mounts for their lights that fit this new rack system.
I use a new version of the Reflex with this...https://www.cateye.com/store/parts.php?cid=3_30
I wish all this would be standard and we would not need to have adaptors!
Reflector Mount Bolts - if you have basic reflector mounts then I would say try to find one of the older CatEye Reflex or TL-LD500 taillights. They are the only one that are a real reflector and also pretty good flashing lights. I like the idea of a passive ( real reflector ) aspect of the light.
The other thing to keep in mind is that a lot of the rack companies are moving towards a mounting system that is standard in Europe. This has a two bolt mount that fits horizontally on the rack. I know some light companies are also making mounts for their lights that fit this new rack system.
I use a new version of the Reflex with this...https://www.cateye.com/store/parts.php?cid=3_30
I wish all this would be standard and we would not need to have adaptors!
#463
AustinShredman
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
Bikes: Specialized Ground Control
I have never been happier than with my FlashBak rear light. I ride an Xtracycle, and I clip it on the back. The remote power switch blinks with the lights, so I always KNOW when my back lights are working. Very cool. Amber in color, cuts thru darkness or fog much better. 4 Metal clips hold that sucker on...I've lost a lot of little red blinkies, because of the dumb little plastic clips. No more.
#464
Junior Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 90
Likes: 1
Reflector Mount Bolts - if you have basic reflector mounts then I would say try to find one of the older CatEye Reflex or TL-LD500 taillights. They are the only one that are a real reflector and also pretty good flashing lights. I like the idea of a passive ( real reflector ) aspect of the light.
The other thing to keep in mind is that a lot of the rack companies are moving towards a mounting system that is standard in Europe. This has a two bolt mount that fits horizontally on the rack. I know some light companies are also making mounts for their lights that fit this new rack system.
I use a new version of the Reflex with this...https://www.cateye.com/store/parts.php?cid=3_30
The other thing to keep in mind is that a lot of the rack companies are moving towards a mounting system that is standard in Europe. This has a two bolt mount that fits horizontally on the rack. I know some light companies are also making mounts for their lights that fit this new rack system.
I use a new version of the Reflex with this...https://www.cateye.com/store/parts.php?cid=3_30
Comes with rack mount as well as two other mounts. Gets great reviews, and brighter than the PB Superflash. I may put down some money for one, as my Trice OEM rack has the standard Euro mount points as well as a few other options.
For an affordable steady rear light, about the best I have found is a red 200+ lumen LED Ultrafire flashlight with one of the better DealExtreme bike mounts. I've got mine mounted to a rear crossbar on my rack at the moment, but had it on the seat back before.
The flashlight is solid aluminum 'tactical' style, the bike mount is plastic, but for $12 for the entire package shipped to my home, that is pretty much a bargain.
Batteries are extra, but that goes for most of them.
As for knowing whether it is on or off, not a problem at night, it lights up the road behind me, easily visible in the rearview mirror. Street signs are visible for 100s of yards.
I use a blinky for backup and long battery life, and the Ultrafire to wake up the motorists.
Last edited by tshelver; 05-02-11 at 03:18 PM.
#465
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: USA
Bikes: Redline Cross converted to flat bar commuter, 2X Redline Team Cross, Scott Road Team bike and a couple others
"For a modern / current taillight with a reflector, what about the Portland Designs Radbot 1000?"
I am kind of a stickler on this point about "reflector". I don't own a Portland Design Dadbot but I might just go out and get one and test the "reflective" part of the light.
It appears clearly this design does have more of a REAL reflector than the Super Flash that has some fancy diamond molding that provide NO reflective capabilities.
I am kind of a stickler on this point about "reflector". I don't own a Portland Design Dadbot but I might just go out and get one and test the "reflective" part of the light.
It appears clearly this design does have more of a REAL reflector than the Super Flash that has some fancy diamond molding that provide NO reflective capabilities.
#466
Senior Member

Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 18,138
Likes: 324
Bikes: 2 many
"For a modern / current taillight with a reflector, what about the Portland Designs Radbot 1000?"
I am kind of a stickler on this point about "reflector". I don't own a Portland Design Dadbot but I might just go out and get one and test the "reflective" part of the light.
It appears clearly this design does have more of a REAL reflector than the Super Flash that has some fancy diamond molding that provide NO reflective capabilities.
I am kind of a stickler on this point about "reflector". I don't own a Portland Design Dadbot but I might just go out and get one and test the "reflective" part of the light.
It appears clearly this design does have more of a REAL reflector than the Super Flash that has some fancy diamond molding that provide NO reflective capabilities.
#467
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: USA
Bikes: Redline Cross converted to flat bar commuter, 2X Redline Team Cross, Scott Road Team bike and a couple others
2manybikes - exactly my point about "tail light reflectors". In fact most have little or no reflective capability and are just molded design features that give unsuspecting buyers the impression they are getting some reflectivity when they are not. I am not sure how the PD Radbot measures against required bike reflectors but I know the old Cat Eye Reflex and new Auto lights are supposed to be full on bike reflectors. I just wish the new Auto ones had the same mounting on the back that the original did.
#468
Banned
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 10,082
Likes: 1
2manybikes - exactly my point about "tail light reflectors". In fact most have little or no reflective capability and are just molded design features that give unsuspecting buyers the impression they are getting some reflectivity when they are not. I am not sure how the PD Radbot measures against required bike reflectors but I know the old Cat Eye Reflex and new Auto lights are supposed to be full on bike reflectors. I just wish the new Auto ones had the same mounting on the back that the original did.
#469
Senior Member

Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,049
Likes: 11
From: La Verne CA
Bikes: Litespeed Liege, Motorola Team Issue Eddy Mercxk, Santana Noventa Tandem, Fisher Supercaliber Mtn. Bike
https://elektrolumens.com/EDC-XML/EDC-XML.html
#470
Junior Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 90
Likes: 1
Apples and oranges. Gnumeric is only spreadsheet. OpenOffice is a suite similar to MsOffice and imports/exports well all MsOffice file types.
Biggest changes with 2 are
1. oasis file format, i.e. open file sharing format for greater compatibility. On track to be the html standard for applications. First suite to meet this new standards. More coming next year.
2. spreadsheets are now full length and Excel sheets are now on one sheet instead of split over two sheets.
The OO ver 2 right now is beta, but expect full general release soon.
If you want more details, see the information about the parent Software -- StarOffice 8.
https://www.sun.com/software/star/sta...e/features.jsp
It's only $69 and comes with 60 days of free support.
The ability to export to PDF from the menu is really cool. Here's a SO vs MsOffice quick comparison. 52 million users. Notice how Microsoft is now scrambling to improve MsOffice because of this competition? Did you see how Mass is replacing MsOffice with OpenOffice?
https://www.sun.com/software/star/sta...itive_view.jsp
Other things that would be good to add to sheet comparison is:
1. type of battery used: LA, Ion, Nimh, etc
2. weight
3. mount: bar, head, both
Biggest changes with 2 are
1. oasis file format, i.e. open file sharing format for greater compatibility. On track to be the html standard for applications. First suite to meet this new standards. More coming next year.
2. spreadsheets are now full length and Excel sheets are now on one sheet instead of split over two sheets.
The OO ver 2 right now is beta, but expect full general release soon.
If you want more details, see the information about the parent Software -- StarOffice 8.
https://www.sun.com/software/star/sta...e/features.jsp
It's only $69 and comes with 60 days of free support.
The ability to export to PDF from the menu is really cool. Here's a SO vs MsOffice quick comparison. 52 million users. Notice how Microsoft is now scrambling to improve MsOffice because of this competition? Did you see how Mass is replacing MsOffice with OpenOffice?
https://www.sun.com/software/star/sta...itive_view.jsp
Other things that would be good to add to sheet comparison is:
1. type of battery used: LA, Ion, Nimh, etc
2. weight
3. mount: bar, head, both
Most of the developers have left and forked OpenOffice to create a new codebase, LibreOffice (Free or Liberty office).
One comparison: https://www.infoworld.com/d/applicati...e-716?page=0,2
LibreOffice is now what is being shipped as standard by some of the major Linux distributions in place of OpenOffice, and already the shipping version has some improvements over the new OO version.
General feeling in the open source community is that LibreOffice will improve at a faster rate in future than OO.
You can download LbreOffice from https://www.libreoffice.org/ at no cost.
Either one of them are a good choice, and work very similarly.
As for the StarOffice variant of OpenOffice, I've never bothered with it. Oracle now provides paid support at various levels for OpenOffice, so I would suspect that StarOffice will go away given that Oracle owns SUN.
#471
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: USA
Bikes: Redline Cross converted to flat bar commuter, 2X Redline Team Cross, Scott Road Team bike and a couple others
https://ec.europa.eu/transport/wcm/ro...r_vehicles.htm
It would appear that ANY white "reflector" for the front and red "reflector" for the rear would pass. I am not aware of any EU standard but rather standards that are country by country. Apparently this is why there are two bolt patterns on rear racks that we get in the US. They are for two different standards.
How is it that you know the Radbot meets an EU standard?
#472
Banned
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 10,082
Likes: 1
I agree the reflective portion on the Redbot 1000 is not useful when the light is on. The reason I like taillights that have them are in case your batteries die on you and ... like me... you've taken off all the reflectors. If you look at sites like this...
https://ec.europa.eu/transport/wcm/ro...r_vehicles.htm
It would appear that ANY white "reflector" for the front and red "reflector" for the rear would pass. I am not aware of any EU standard but rather standards that are country by country. Apparently this is why there are two bolt patterns on rear racks that we get in the US. They are for two different standards.
How is it that you know the Radbot meets an EU standard?
https://ec.europa.eu/transport/wcm/ro...r_vehicles.htm
It would appear that ANY white "reflector" for the front and red "reflector" for the rear would pass. I am not aware of any EU standard but rather standards that are country by country. Apparently this is why there are two bolt patterns on rear racks that we get in the US. They are for two different standards.
How is it that you know the Radbot meets an EU standard?
#473
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: USA
Bikes: Redline Cross converted to flat bar commuter, 2X Redline Team Cross, Scott Road Team bike and a couple others
https://www.bike-eu.com/public/file/a...tandards_en_14
764_english-draft.pdf#search='EN14764
Check Page 76. 4.20.1.
So I don't know what standard they are referring to. I know it has reflective capabilities...just not sure how much.
764_english-draft.pdf#search='EN14764
Check Page 76. 4.20.1.
So I don't know what standard they are referring to. I know it has reflective capabilities...just not sure how much.
#474
Banned
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 10,082
Likes: 1
https://www.bike-eu.com/public/file/a...tandards_en_14
764_english-draft.pdf#search='EN14764
Check Page 76. 4.20.1.
So I don't know what standard they are referring to. I know it has reflective capabilities...just not sure how much.
764_english-draft.pdf#search='EN14764
Check Page 76. 4.20.1.
So I don't know what standard they are referring to. I know it has reflective capabilities...just not sure how much.




