Riding in the dark?

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10-16-15 | 07:39 PM

#76

T Stew

Senior Member

Joined: Jun 2012

Posts: 854

Likes: 1

From: Central Ohio

Bikes: All 80s Schwinns: 88Prologue, 88Circuit, 88Ontare, 88KOM, 86SS, 88Tempo, 88V'ger, 80V'ger, 88LeTour, 82LTLuxeMixte, 87 Cimarron, 86H.Sierra, 92Paramount9c

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maelochs

I did a little research and you are absolutely right (about ped-direction.) Seems crazy to me--before I rode I walked for several years--I did not then and will not now walk against traffic, regardless of the laws in some states. As with riding, my ears tell me what I need to know about oncoming traffic, and I move as much as I need to almost reflexively.

However, none of that relates to bicycle lighting, except that I have learned I need to use my big light all the time, which I don't like but for the sake of safety (particularly of others) I simply will have to.

BYW, I bought the Lezyne headlight because it is USB-rechargeable and comes with a spare battery--essential for a regular night rider, because the battery can run out at any time. However the on-off switch is a piece of (whatever) which can only be operated with a tool (I use a flat-ended screw.)

For the $100 I paid, I expect a product to work flawlessly. The light still works, but it is far from flawless and I would recommend other cyclists look at other brands.

I also have a Blackburn Flea taillight which I bought because it is USB rechargeable and it is brighter (40 lumens) than most cheap headlights. For some reason, mine shuts itself off after 30 minutes or so. Not sure if anyone else has had this problem.

As a runner who has done a good many miles on dark country roads I would highly advise against walking on the right side. You may think your ears will alert you when there is an approaching car but that won't always be the case. An especially quite car can be hidden just by the wind howling in your ears. At least my ears. But what is much more common... as one car approaches and you hear it, you don't realize there is another one coming. It is also much easier to make headlamp to eye contact when the eyes are approaching from the front. Sure I run a rear red strobe to (running and biking) but the red light is not nearly as bright and being in the back your not entirely sure where its pointed. The approaching vehicle could be above on a hill or slightly at an angle, depending on your tail lights beam profile might not be as bright. And I have come home from a ride only to realize my taillight must have slipped over a bump as its pointing at a 45º to the ground.

I have a few single AA Zebralights that I love for everything... they are great tiny every-day-carry lights, headlamps, hiking/camping, running and strap em on the bike with TwoFish Blocks. The single AA is a bit weak for cycling (max 250/500 lumen turbo) but I also got one of their 18650 li-ion lights which max out over 1k lumen. Running that around the 660 lumen mode seems adequate and lasts about 3 hrs with a good cell but I always carry a spare.

01-01-16 | 07:45 PM

#77

88prelude

Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2014

Posts: 232

Likes: 0

From: Bay Area

I've really been a fan of the Revolights but I've always held off because they looked like a total PITA to install and plus there were cables everywhere. I've instead always opted for a variety of USB charged lights and still have never found a perfect solution other than lights on the bike, lights on the helmet and lots of high visibility clothing.

Just found out that Revolights is making an updated version of their Revolights that look a lot more simpler to install and no longer will need cables draped around the wheel. The version with Bluetooth to connect to your smart phone won't be out until summer, but the cheaper version on Indiegogo should start shipping soon: https://igg.me/at/revolights/x/13131312

Anyone else eyeballing the new version?