Lights, Reflectors...Action!
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member

Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,659
Likes: 2,400
From: Colorado Springs, CO
Bikes: 2015 Charge Plug, 2007 Dahon Boardwalk, 1997 Specialized Rockhopper, 1984 Nishiki International, 2006 Felt F65, 1989 Dahon Getaway V
Lights, Reflectors...Action!
My bike lighting this fall...
#3
Thread Starter
Senior Member

Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,659
Likes: 2,400
From: Colorado Springs, CO
Bikes: 2015 Charge Plug, 2007 Dahon Boardwalk, 1997 Specialized Rockhopper, 1984 Nishiki International, 2006 Felt F65, 1989 Dahon Getaway V
When I looked at the video I noticed I had no reflector on the back wheel. I bought a new wheel two months ago, and forgot about it. As it is a disc brake bike, I will put reflective tape on part of the rim...yellow and black caution tape, like my rear fender. And not all around, just a portion. I think the "leaping gazelle" movement of a single reflector catches the eye better.
#4
Unlisted member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,192
Likes: 435
From: Chicagoland
Bikes: Specialized Hardrock
I used to put LIghtweights on every spoke until I bought my last wheel. I went every other pair there to make it more visible. I'm not sure if it worked or not, but it seems like it should.
#5
Lopsided biped

Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 742
Likes: 167
From: NE Ohio
Bikes: 2017 Day 6 Cyclone (the Buick); 2015 Simcoe Deluxe (the Xebec); Street Strider 3i (the not-a-bike); GreenSpeed Anura (the Black Swan)
My bike lighting this fall...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNfJhkbzW-E
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNfJhkbzW-E
I just bought a Planet Bike Grateful Red tail light for my Street Strider, which I'm still in the process of accessorizing. I got that light because (a) it runs on AAA batteries, (b) it has a mounting bracket that's made to bolt onto a flat surface such as the bar on my luggage rack and (c) because I didn't entirely choke on the price and didn't feel like sorting through the dozens of choices available on Amazon.
I like this tail light quite a bit. Instead of multiple discrete LEDs it has that elongated strip variety that's showing up more and more now. Turns out they can do a lot of cool stuff with that, like having the middle and end sections flash separately. It's VERY bright, and the lens spreads the light in a wide sidewise beam. It also has large sections of the traditional honeycomb reflector above and below the LED. I'm not too fond of the strobe, though; it's just a little too intense and jittery, but would be good if you're riding in heavy fog, rain, or snow, or if you find yourself craving a psychedelic experience.
#6
Thread Starter
Senior Member

Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,659
Likes: 2,400
From: Colorado Springs, CO
Bikes: 2015 Charge Plug, 2007 Dahon Boardwalk, 1997 Specialized Rockhopper, 1984 Nishiki International, 2006 Felt F65, 1989 Dahon Getaway V
Unidentified Fredding Object[/QUOTE]
I keep my bikes in an unelectrified shed, so the bike lights get batteries, so that I don't have to carry them in to recharge. The headlight is removable and comes in to recharge.
I keep my bikes in an unelectrified shed, so the bike lights get batteries, so that I don't have to carry them in to recharge. The headlight is removable and comes in to recharge.
#7
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 6,431
Likes: 44
From: Minneapolis, MN
I just bought a Planet Bike Grateful Red tail light for my Street Strider, which I'm still in the process of accessorizing. I got that light because (a) it runs on AAA batteries, (b) it has a mounting bracket that's made to bolt onto a flat surface such as the bar on my luggage rack and (c) because I didn't entirely choke on the price and didn't feel like sorting through the dozens of choices available on Amazon.
I like this tail light quite a bit. Instead of multiple discrete LEDs it has that elongated strip variety that's showing up more and more now. Turns out they can do a lot of cool stuff with that, like having the middle and end sections flash separately. It's VERY bright, and the lens spreads the light in a wide sidewise beam. It also has large sections of the traditional honeycomb reflector above and below the LED. I'm not too fond of the strobe, though; it's just a little too intense and jittery, but would be good if you're riding in heavy fog, rain, or snow, or if you find yourself craving a psychedelic experience.
I like this tail light quite a bit. Instead of multiple discrete LEDs it has that elongated strip variety that's showing up more and more now. Turns out they can do a lot of cool stuff with that, like having the middle and end sections flash separately. It's VERY bright, and the lens spreads the light in a wide sidewise beam. It also has large sections of the traditional honeycomb reflector above and below the LED. I'm not too fond of the strobe, though; it's just a little too intense and jittery, but would be good if you're riding in heavy fog, rain, or snow, or if you find yourself craving a psychedelic experience.
I see it comes in both aaa battery and usb-rechargeable versions. I used to use aaa's....but several times I'd get home and find my rear light had died. Sometimes the battery ran out of juice. Sometimes the battery wiggled out of the holder when I hit a bump or something. So I only use usb-rechargeable rear lights now...battery can't jiggle loose, and I store my bike next to my charger and just leave it plugged in when not riding it. The usb version is $27, replacement aaa batteries are about $10, I figured the added reliability is worth the extra cost of just replacing the whole light when the battery wears out. Plus maybe they'll have a better light out by then.
Planet Bike lights "blinking" mode are a bit nutty i.m.o.. I wish they had a steady flash instead.
#8
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 8,206
Likes: 86
From: Metro Detroit/AA
Bikes: 2016 Novara Mazama

That's my winter setup! Not as snazzy as yours, but I get to ride around in snow where no car can go over 20 or so anyhow!
I like your wheel lights, I may have to look into those. People kinda disliek them, but it is the one thing that instantly screams BIKE to any motorist.
Last edited by jefnvk; 11-16-18 at 04:09 PM.
#9
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 6,431
Likes: 44
From: Minneapolis, MN
I couldn't find it in a quick search, I vaguely remember seeing some sort of either reflective or led tube kind of light where it outlined a skeleton shape so you looked like a person from behind. I thought that was interesting.
It's pretty interesting to see such a...uh...visible getup. I always wonder if being obnoxiously blinking and bright is better for safety or worse.
I definitely like the lights on the ankles that you can see from behind and provide movement. I wonder if the camera just makes the front wheel light stand out more? It uh...seems a bit loud for my taste. I'd probably be going for more of a ribbon light that makes a circle around the front wheel so it's not as crazy myself. I like wheel lights but it seems uncessarily distracting (though that could be just the video making it look different than it would in person).
It's pretty interesting to see such a...uh...visible getup. I always wonder if being obnoxiously blinking and bright is better for safety or worse.
I definitely like the lights on the ankles that you can see from behind and provide movement. I wonder if the camera just makes the front wheel light stand out more? It uh...seems a bit loud for my taste. I'd probably be going for more of a ribbon light that makes a circle around the front wheel so it's not as crazy myself. I like wheel lights but it seems uncessarily distracting (though that could be just the video making it look different than it would in person).
#12
Lopsided biped

Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 742
Likes: 167
From: NE Ohio
Bikes: 2017 Day 6 Cyclone (the Buick); 2015 Simcoe Deluxe (the Xebec); Street Strider 3i (the not-a-bike); GreenSpeed Anura (the Black Swan)
snip
I see it comes in both aaa battery and usb-rechargeable versions. I used to use aaa's....but several times I'd get home and find my rear light had died. Sometimes the battery ran out of juice. Sometimes the battery wiggled out of the holder when I hit a bump or something.
snip
I've never had a battery come loose in any light.
Planet Bike lights "blinking" mode are a bit nutty i.m.o.. I wish they had a steady flash instead.
#16
Senior Member


Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 8,290
Likes: 3,691
From: Mich
Bikes: RSO E-tire dropper fixie brifter
imo where i ride, i find it worse. A target board for everyone else [criminals, thugs, drivers, hobo's]
__________________
-YMMV
-YMMV
#17
Thread Starter
Senior Member

Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,659
Likes: 2,400
From: Colorado Springs, CO
Bikes: 2015 Charge Plug, 2007 Dahon Boardwalk, 1997 Specialized Rockhopper, 1984 Nishiki International, 2006 Felt F65, 1989 Dahon Getaway V
#19
Thread Starter
Senior Member

Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,659
Likes: 2,400
From: Colorado Springs, CO
Bikes: 2015 Charge Plug, 2007 Dahon Boardwalk, 1997 Specialized Rockhopper, 1984 Nishiki International, 2006 Felt F65, 1989 Dahon Getaway V
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
ProBro Doug
Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets
22
02-02-10 08:10 AM






