Hi guys,

I often have a tiny tot on the bike with me and as such I'm looking for a BRIGHT, as in very bright rear light........to be seen in daylight just to be safe........and available here in the UK, any suggestions?

Cheers
Bryan

lots of choice, mainly down to budget, SMART do several under £20 which are good, if you have a little more, then for around £40 Esposure have their Flare in sevaral models, and for a £90ish Hope do thier District model.

Dinotte 140L-AA-R is pretty much the standard by which all others are measured. It can be plainly seen from a mile away in bright sunshine. Don't know about UK availabilty, but it can be mail-ordered.

I though about saying Dinotte, I have a 200L-Li which is a great light, but there is no UK distrbutor at the moment, where as Hope and Exposure are UK based, and will be much easier for Bryan to get. also, if ordering from the US, there are issues with possible warranty, service and import tax (duty & VAT).

I, recently got a Cat Eye TL-LD-560-R, seems pretty darned bright,
due to the advanced optics used in the lens.

Busch and Muller , German, so doesn't have all the flashing modes of the Cat Eye,
but they offer some well designed lights too, I have a couple 4D toplights ,
one came on my '04 Koga WTR, 4D senso model.
then when I built up a Schmidt Front hub, wheel,
got a wired dynamo powered version.

Dinotte, super flash turbo, Cateye also makes a nice bright tail light at a moderate price.

Cateye, simple always on or flashing settings.

And two small red lights at the end of each chainstay...

I use them no matter day or night.

Thanks for all the suggestions guys, I'm sure there will be one there that will do nicely.

The reason that I asked about a light that is not only BRIGHT but visible in daylight is just today, well yesterday now (Thursday), I saw a cyclist come within a few feet of being knocked over by a driver who was appoaching from behind the cyclist but was not paying attension, the cyclist was fortunate that he was rite by a ramp in the kerb such that he could take quick action to get out of the way of the car..........now as I also mentioned I have the tiny tot on the bike (everyday) and it's always during the day so best to be seen, I will aslo be fitting a bar end mirror aswell just to be sure.

Thanks again
Bryan

Bright lights might help, but some motorists aren't going to see anything until it is too late. I used to drive a very large RED Ford Crew cab dually truck with a 14" tall chrome bumper for work. One day sitting in traffic, stopped at a traffic signal some bimbo in a Toyota Corolla plowed into the back of it. She told the police she didn't see the truck there... Turns out she had her head down texting, good thing it was a 8,000 # truck and not a cyclist or motor cyclist. FWIW I drove away from the wreck, she didn't.

Aaron

Hi guys,

I can't PM yet so can I say a big thank you to 10 Wheels for the PM it's much appreciated.

I'm also looking at the Radbot 1000.........BUT..........do you get what you pay for?

Thanks
Bryan

I've got both the DiNotte 300R and the Radbot. The DiNotte is far brighter, but the Radbot is visible in the daytime and is great value for the money.

I see this has been answered already, but I'm moving the thread to Electronics etc. (from General Cycling) anyway.

--Juha, a Forum Mod

Looking at the Radbot 1000, it's looks like an overgrown version of the SMART lights, and only gets so-so reviews

OK guys a decision I would like a Dinotte but can't find a supplier here in the UK but may at a later date get one from the US..........so for now, as I have found a UK supplier and I want the light on the bike ASAP, it's going to be the Radbot 1000 and possibly 2off.

I'll post when received as to what I think but I'm sure I'll be pleased and relieved to have something on the bike which can be seen in daylight.

Many thanks to everyone who took the time to post information.

Thanks again
Bryan

PS appologies for having posted the thread in the wrong area.

No worries Bryan, welcome to Bike Forums!

--J

Keep in mind that you'll have to use rechargeable batteries with the Radbot as it uses batteries very quickly. I got around 10 hours or so with mine using Eneloop batteries.

UK based Exposure also has a line of bright high end lights. https://www.exposurelights.com

Hi Jim, just noticed your reply, I here what you say about the Redbot but looks are not a concern for me, with the little one on the bike it's safety safety safety and if it doesn't last long I'll probably have a DiNotte by then, as I say the main thing is to get a BRIGHT light for daylight use on the bike now.

Thanks and how's things in Yorkshire?.......the sun is splliting the pavement here up north in good old bonnie Scotland.

Bryan

PS Ziemas - re-chargeable batteries are not a problem we have these here, use them all the time, ready to go.

thanks Juha

Sounds good. DiNotte has rather fast shipping to Europe, so when you are ready it should be in your hands within a week.

If I may, I'd suggest you not mount a "BRIGHT, as in very bright" taillight on your bicycle. There's a reason rear lights aren't very luminous (compared with headlamps): they don't need to be.

Of course, I don't know what you're using. If it's terrible, and you want to swap it, just pick up something simple from a bike-shop — maybe ask them for advice based on their inventory. If you want a bit more visibility, after the light, get a red-color reflector (if one isn't integral with the taillight).

I don't remember the numbers, but I do believe the statistics of cyclists' being rear-ended are surprisingly low (compared with, say, their being hit from the side, or even head-on).

*A final outcry of personal annoyance: do the world a favor, and do not get a god-forsaken "blinkie"... .

I understand what you mean, but it has been plenty of times where I am the one driving and in bright daylight cyclists are not seen usually when they are on the shadow covered area of the road.

I once almost hit a toll employee when the r e *** t ard assumed I could see her when I was approachin the pay staion on my SUV. She was going across the toll lanes and trust me I did not see her until a few feet distance. It was a very very bright Florida (in Orlando) day, the toll lanes had heavy shadow and to make it worst far ahead a storm was approaching so it seemed all greyish. One of the workers almost called the cops and I had to explain it took me a while for my eyes to adjust from bright to shade, I was not texting nor talking on the cell phone. I bet you that if the employee would have had in her belt a flashing red light I would have stopped earlier.

Thats when I decided from then on to have the lights on during the day, and I got one under the saddle (Cateye) , and one on each chain stay (one led type, like a buck on EBAY). That one could be hit anytime, yes it is a risk everyone one is taking when cycling on public roads.

A few things:

I usually ride on commercial roads after 4 pm when I know those roads are isolated, or early in the day (6:30 am before going to work), to beat the heavy traffic and usually drivers at that our (unless its a drunk after a long night of partying) are more attentive.

A quick update on my lights, in the pictures you will see the bike with lights on and the bike with the little ones seat in place, but it's the lights that I'm pleased with.

The front light is very similar to the Magicshine MJ-808.......looks identical........and came from a reputable and recomended supplier here in the UK, £30 delivered including a free rear light, that's the one on the seat post.

The other rear light, fixed to the rack, is the Radbot 1000 and again from a reputable supplier here in the UK for £16 delivered.










Although I'm not concerned with the dark, it's being seen during the day that I want, but by way of info I'll take a couple of pics when it gets dark.

Bryan

The OP asked about bright lights and got some really good info. I did not read the whole thread and maybe somebody already suggested a good visibility vest as well as the light.

Recently another cyclist was killed in the st Louis area when struck by a motorist in broad daylight.

This makes "four" cyclists I know of that have been killed in bright daylight by motorists who simply refuse to pay attention to anything but another vehicle. (and often not even then)

My note of caution - to the original post - Never assume a motorists "sees" you because of your lights or bright daylight - always be ready to avoid the path of the motorists unless you can make "eye to eye contact."

As far as daylight distractions - you might as well buy any of the new LED blinky lights and face it backwards. You need not have a red light in daylight.

Hi Richard, Thanks for the reply, I never "assume" other road users see me, even in the car, but with the little one on the bike I think it best to take precautions, to attempt to be seen or rather attract the attension of those who may not be paying particular attension and lights are cost effective way of doing that...........you have to try anyways.

From what I see on our daily outings, surprisingly, not many cyclists actually use lights during the day.......infact I can't recall having seen any cyclists with lights on. Going back to the situation I witnessed, set out in one of my earlier posts, I wouldn't be without all 3 of my lights ON, ON and ON.

Bryan

I'm all about generating hubs — always have power, always have lights.

I've got a Shimano hub, Edelux headlight and some kind of German taillight.