multiple tail lights
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,771
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From: Erie, PA
Bikes: Bacchetta Giro 20, Trek 7000, old Huffy MTB, and a few others
multiple tail lights
I'm trying to find the picture where the guy has something like 20 tail lights mounted on PVC pipes on his bike, but I'm coming up dry. Can anyone help me out?
#4
I love custom cruisers
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 310
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From: Lincoln, NE
Bikes: Versato Riviera 21spd cruiser, 2005 Schwinn Typhoon cruiser 700c wheels, Ocean Pacific cruiser 6spd suicide front brake, 1993 Giant Acapulco SS conversion project
i would not want to be behind that at night.
#5
Galveston County Texas
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 33,335
Likes: 1,285
From: In The Wind
Bikes: 02 GTO, 2011 Magnum
#7
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2010
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From: NE Indiana
Bikes: 2020 Masi Giramondo 700c; 2013 Lynskey Peloton; 1992 Giant Rincon; 1989 Dawes needs parts; 1985 Trek 660; 1985 Fuji Club; 1984 Schwinn Voyager; 1984 Miyata 612; 1977 Raleigh Competition GS
I wouldn't want his battery problems either! Either you're buying bats by the case load, or you're having to use multiple chargers just to get them charged for the next ride.
I do use multiple light for the rear, but I use a Blackburn Mars 4 mounted to the seat tube, kept on steady; Soma Road Flares for the bar ends (these little guys are really bright), kept on flash mode; and a Cateye LD600 jerry rigged to the helmet also kept on flash mode. All these lights also have great lighting off to the sides, instead of just around 80% vision tunnel to the rear the majority of tail lights give off. I use rechargeable bats but keep a set of alkaline in the seat bag just in case a light goes out. All my lights use AAA's so that makes it simple to carry a spare set of bats without having to carry two different sets.
I do use multiple light for the rear, but I use a Blackburn Mars 4 mounted to the seat tube, kept on steady; Soma Road Flares for the bar ends (these little guys are really bright), kept on flash mode; and a Cateye LD600 jerry rigged to the helmet also kept on flash mode. All these lights also have great lighting off to the sides, instead of just around 80% vision tunnel to the rear the majority of tail lights give off. I use rechargeable bats but keep a set of alkaline in the seat bag just in case a light goes out. All my lights use AAA's so that makes it simple to carry a spare set of bats without having to carry two different sets.
#8
#9
cyclepath
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,550
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From: "The Last Best Place"
Bikes: 2005 Trek Pilot 5.0, 2001 Specialized Sirrus Pro, Kona Lava Dome, Raleigh hardtail converted to commuter, 87 Takara steel road bike, 2008 Trek Soho
Talk about a huge pain in the rear. I'm happy with just my Dinotte and a back up thanks.
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#11
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Joined: Jun 2003
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Bikes: 2 many
#14
Granting he's not a nut case, then I imagine he might have arrived to this setup progressively. First put on a pair of lights and try it for a week, noting how many cars swiped you by. Next week double the lights and retry. With binary approximation, in a few weeks you can arrive to a good ballpark number of lights needed for a good compromise between safety and (in)convenience.
I hope not. Because, if safety in an urban traffic would take something like 18 lights...
I hope not. Because, if safety in an urban traffic would take something like 18 lights...
#18
Still spinnin'.....
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,208
Likes: 2
From: Whitestown, IN
Bikes: Fisher Opie freeride/urban assault MTB, Redline Monocog 29er MTB, Serrota T-Max Commuter, Klein Rascal SS, Salsa Campion Road bike, Pake Rum Runner FG/SS Road bike, Cannondale Synapse Road bike, Santana Arriva Road Tandem, and others....
I have three on the backpack that I wear when walking or riding and a single one on each bike that gets ridden at night and people tell me they can see me a half mile away. That's good enough for me.......
#19
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 16,853
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From: On the road-USA
Bikes: Giant Excursion, Raleigh Sports, Raleigh R.S.W. Compact, Motobecane? and about 20 more! OMG
I have two, the standard dynohub powered tail light and usually a Planet Bike Superflash for added attention. This is my standard set up on most of my bikes. I have never had anyone complain about not being able to see me.
Aaron
Aaron
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ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
#22
Membership Not Required
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 16,853
Likes: 18
From: On the road-USA
Bikes: Giant Excursion, Raleigh Sports, Raleigh R.S.W. Compact, Motobecane? and about 20 more! OMG
Not if you get around some of the car stereos around here...
Aaron

Aaron
__________________
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
#23
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,771
Likes: 0
From: Erie, PA
Bikes: Bacchetta Giro 20, Trek 7000, old Huffy MTB, and a few others
I got a complaint yesterday that someone couldn't see me too well (raining and dark), and I found that my batteries were defective and my single light was almost out. I have few reflectors so I find that a bit dubious, but I'm going to get my wife to photograph me on my bike at night to see how I look from behind. Although, even if I think it's good enough, the fact remains he felt it prudent to point it out to me. So he couldn't see me well enough.
I'm planning for a setup with my regular wal-mart blinky in the middle with 2 Rad Bot 1000's mounted on either side (up high like that guy did since this is a winter bike). That way I'm bright, but with the way the rad bots eat batteries, the wal-mart blinky should at least be on if the other 2 are dim.
I wanted to see how the guy did it, plus share with a few friends to prove that I am not really over the top.
But yea, I think 3's my limit for turning on and off on a regular basis, and even fewer if it's a short trip.
I am thinking about something to put on my backpack since I'm not sure the reflective strips are that great and it blocks my reflective vest. Granted that could be solved with a proper rack and panniers. In the winter, I find a backpack more convenient since I carry my variety of winter gear in with me instead of leaving it on the bike. I look at the temperature and wind conditions and choose appropriately in the warmth of my office.
I'm planning for a setup with my regular wal-mart blinky in the middle with 2 Rad Bot 1000's mounted on either side (up high like that guy did since this is a winter bike). That way I'm bright, but with the way the rad bots eat batteries, the wal-mart blinky should at least be on if the other 2 are dim.
I wanted to see how the guy did it, plus share with a few friends to prove that I am not really over the top.
But yea, I think 3's my limit for turning on and off on a regular basis, and even fewer if it's a short trip.
I am thinking about something to put on my backpack since I'm not sure the reflective strips are that great and it blocks my reflective vest. Granted that could be solved with a proper rack and panniers. In the winter, I find a backpack more convenient since I carry my variety of winter gear in with me instead of leaving it on the bike. I look at the temperature and wind conditions and choose appropriately in the warmth of my office.
#24
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,954
Likes: 387
From: NE Indiana
Bikes: 2020 Masi Giramondo 700c; 2013 Lynskey Peloton; 1992 Giant Rincon; 1989 Dawes needs parts; 1985 Trek 660; 1985 Fuji Club; 1984 Schwinn Voyager; 1984 Miyata 612; 1977 Raleigh Competition GS
I got a complaint yesterday that someone couldn't see me too well (raining and dark), and I found that my batteries were defective and my single light was almost out. I have few reflectors so I find that a bit dubious, but I'm going to get my wife to photograph me on my bike at night to see how I look from behind.
I had my wife drive up behind me, then turn around and come towards me starting about 3 blocks from me once on a clear night and once on a rainy night. She said she could see me quite well, except on the rainy night my original barend lights made by Serfas she could barely see if at all, that's when I dumped those and got the Soma's Road Flares. On the next rainy night we redid the test and she could then see the Soma's real well. Using your wife to test out your lighting is great idea, but do it at least 3 blocks from her and comes toward her, then have her turn around and come from behind. Rainy dark nights are the best time to test lights because only the brightest will cut through the dark rain.
#25
Galveston County Texas
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 33,335
Likes: 1,285
From: In The Wind
Bikes: 02 GTO, 2011 Magnum
Bite the bullet and get a Dinotte.
https://store.dinottelighting.com/din...-mount-p5.aspx

https://www.amazon.com/Sanyo-Eneloop-...d_bxgy_e_img_b
https://store.dinottelighting.com/din...-mount-p5.aspx

https://www.amazon.com/Sanyo-Eneloop-...d_bxgy_e_img_b
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