Scare and Suggested Front Flasher?
#1
Should Be More Popular
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Malvern, PA (20 miles West of Philly)
Posts: 43,064
Bikes: 1986 Alpine (steel road bike), 2009 Ti Habenero, 2013 Specialized Roubaix
Mentioned: 560 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 22608 Post(s)
Liked 8,929 Times
in
4,161 Posts
Scare and Suggested Front Flasher?
Yesterday a group of friends were out riding and an oncoming driver made a left turn directly into them. One rider was hurt, lost teeth and Ti Lynskey bent badly. Could have been worse. The lady driver said she did not see the cyclists.
It got me thinking, I always have my rear blinky on (Planet Bike Superflash), but might be a good idea to have a daylight white blinky on the front.
Any suggestions for a small, lightweight but effective and durable front blinky?
It got me thinking, I always have my rear blinky on (Planet Bike Superflash), but might be a good idea to have a daylight white blinky on the front.
Any suggestions for a small, lightweight but effective and durable front blinky?
Likes For topflightpro:
#4
Should Be More Popular
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Malvern, PA (20 miles West of Philly)
Posts: 43,064
Bikes: 1986 Alpine (steel road bike), 2009 Ti Habenero, 2013 Specialized Roubaix
Mentioned: 560 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 22608 Post(s)
Liked 8,929 Times
in
4,161 Posts
Thanks but don’t really want camera. Yet. Will keep in mind.
This one looks promising. Thanks!
This one looks promising. Thanks!
#5
Senior Member
Yesterday a group of friends were out riding and an oncoming driver made a left turn directly into them. One rider was hurt, lost teeth and Ti Lynskey bent badly. Could have been worse. The lady driver said she did not see the cyclists.
It got me thinking, I always have my rear blinky on (Planet Bike Superflash), but might be a good idea to have a daylight white blinky on the front.
Any suggestions for a small, lightweight but effective and durable front blinky?
It got me thinking, I always have my rear blinky on (Planet Bike Superflash), but might be a good idea to have a daylight white blinky on the front.
Any suggestions for a small, lightweight but effective and durable front blinky?
Likes For BKE:
#6
Should Be More Popular
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Malvern, PA (20 miles West of Philly)
Posts: 43,064
Bikes: 1986 Alpine (steel road bike), 2009 Ti Habenero, 2013 Specialized Roubaix
Mentioned: 560 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 22608 Post(s)
Liked 8,929 Times
in
4,161 Posts
Not a single rider but a group so I say "This is BS on her part"! Obviously occupied with something more important that watching the road while driving. I don't think your choice of light,whether blinkey or flood light would have mattered. It's a shame, glad it wasn't worse.
When we heard the story we figured she was texting but driver was older, she was very apologetic and stayed on the scene. Still sucks, of course. You can’t prevent every incident/accident/crash, but we try our best.
#7
Mother Nature's Son
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Sussex County, Delaware
Posts: 3,118
Bikes: 2014 Orbea Avant MD30, 2004 Airborne Zeppelin TI, 2003 Lemond Poprad, 2001 Lemond Tourmalet, 2014? Soma Smoothie
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 854 Post(s)
Liked 1,437 Times
in
819 Posts
I like the Cyglolight, small and visible. I also like the Axiom Superspark 150. I had a cyclist tell me he could see it flashing from almost 2 miles away. Recharges quickly also.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Silver Spring, MD
Posts: 1,439
Bikes: Yes please
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 536 Post(s)
Liked 308 Times
in
199 Posts
This is not as small as the dice, but is small enough, cheap and when used in flashing mode, it runs about a month between charges. When mounted upside down on the handle bar, it also stays very nicely out of the way.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Also, if you’re using an out flush mount, you can use the helmet mount it comes with to mount it under the computer as well.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Also, if you’re using an out flush mount, you can use the helmet mount it comes with to mount it under the computer as well.
#10
Señor Blues
https://www.performancebike.com/cygo...50-usb/p523488
I suggest a bright strobe for the front. I have one similar to the one above (mine's discontinued). Mine used to go 4+ hours on a charge in strobe mode, don't know how long it will go these days.
I've noticed drivers tend to give me a bit more room when I'm lit up. I have a random pattern day flasher in back as well as the strobe, which is very bright. I've encountered walkers and other riders coming towards me, shielding their eyes and making faces, sometimes saying something to me. Perfect. I want to be seen.
Likes For on the path:
#11
• —
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Land of Pleasant Living
Posts: 12,250
Bikes: Shmikes
Mentioned: 59 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10176 Post(s)
Liked 5,873 Times
in
3,161 Posts
I believe it. I have had several close calls with very sweet and apologetic elderly folks whose visual processing had to have been significantly impaired.
#12
Non omnino gravis
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Lebanon (Liberty Hill), CT
Posts: 8,473
Bikes: CAAD 12, MASI Gran Criterium S, Colnago World Cup CX & Guru steel
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1743 Post(s)
Liked 1,281 Times
in
740 Posts
Yesterday a group of friends were out riding and an oncoming driver made a left turn directly into them. One rider was hurt, lost teeth and Ti Lynskey bent badly. Could have been worse. The lady driver said she did not see the cyclists.
It got me thinking, I always have my rear blinky on (Planet Bike Superflash), but might be a good idea to have a daylight white blinky on the front.
Any suggestions for a small, lightweight but effective and durable front blinky?
It got me thinking, I always have my rear blinky on (Planet Bike Superflash), but might be a good idea to have a daylight white blinky on the front.
Any suggestions for a small, lightweight but effective and durable front blinky?
Likes For bruce19:
#14
Quidam Bike Super Hero
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Stone Mountain, GA (Metro Atlanta, East)
Posts: 1,135
Bikes: 1995 Trek 800 Sport, aka, "CamelTrek"
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 331 Post(s)
Liked 415 Times
in
282 Posts
Cygolite 360 Metro for me. Put a 300 on the wife's bike after reading that the human eye can't see the difference up to 30 percent(?) on the lumens.... Paid a lot less for hers....
Here's a fleabay example: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Cygolite-Da...AAAOSwxzdZ661S
Here's a fleabay example: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Cygolite-Da...AAAOSwxzdZ661S
Last edited by Digger Goreman; 07-21-19 at 06:42 PM. Reason: added info
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Chapel Hill NC
Posts: 1,683
Bikes: 2000 Litespeed Vortex Chorus 10, 1995 DeBernardi Cromor S/S
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 645 Post(s)
Liked 797 Times
in
446 Posts
I use these small inexpensive blinkers (~$16 red + white pair from Amazon - NFI). They attach to the bars with a rubber band, but also contain a clip for hooking onto a jersey pocket. I stuck a GoPro mount on the back because reasons. USB rechargeable, multiple blink modes, weatherproof. I run the white front when I'm coming back through town (too many distracted drivers cruising for parking spaces), at low light or in the rain. They're good for 8-10 hours on a charge.
Last edited by Litespud; 07-21-19 at 07:25 PM.
#16
just another gosling
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Everett, WA
Posts: 19,539
Bikes: CoMo Speedster 2003, Trek 5200, CAAD 9, Fred 2004
Mentioned: 115 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3891 Post(s)
Liked 1,940 Times
in
1,385 Posts
I've been running a Serfas 250 lumen lamp for many years, on a knob about halfway down my front fork. That won't work on every fork of course. 4 levels of steady, plus one bright flasher setting. Works for starting off early and all day. USB. Really bright like this is necessary IMO. They have to see it a long way off in bright daylight. 350 lumen Dinotte in the back, same idea. I've gotten compliments from drivers on my daytime lighting. Bikes totally disappear in shade on a bright day, the drivers wearing sunglasses.
A Superflash isn't bright enough. They need to see you a mile ahead in bright sunlight. They need time to make decisions, must not come upon you suddenly.
A Superflash isn't bright enough. They need to see you a mile ahead in bright sunlight. They need time to make decisions, must not come upon you suddenly.
__________________
Results matter
Results matter
#17
FLIR Kitten to 0.05C
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
Posts: 5,331
Bikes: Roadie: Seven Axiom Race Ti w/Chorus 11s. CX/Adventure: Carver Gravel Grinder w/ Di2
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2349 Post(s)
Liked 406 Times
in
254 Posts
People are so numb to their senses even a blinky light will only get their attention for the first few times they see it. All it does is add one more thing for motorists to learn to tune out.
#18
climber has-been
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Palo Alto, CA
Posts: 7,111
Bikes: Scott Addict R1, Felt Z1
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3432 Post(s)
Liked 3,567 Times
in
1,793 Posts
Cygolite Metro 500 for me. I’ve used on roads with no street lights on moonless nights, and I use it during the day in strobe mode.
Cygolite makes more powerful models now, but the 500 works for me.
Cygolite Metro 500
Cygolite makes more powerful models now, but the 500 works for me.
Cygolite Metro 500
#19
Banned.
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Vegemite Island
Posts: 4,130
Bikes: 2017 Surly Troll with XT Drive Train, 2017 Merida Big Nine XT Edition, 2016 Giant Toughroad SLR 2, 1995 Trek 830
Mentioned: 29 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1916 Post(s)
Liked 312 Times
in
220 Posts
The reason why I bought my Cateye Volt 1600, was to be able to use it's daytime flash of 1600 lumens, mixed in with a 200 lumen steady state.
#20
Me duelen las nalgas
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 13,513
Bikes: Centurion Ironman, Trek 5900, Univega Via Carisma, Globe Carmel
Mentioned: 199 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4560 Post(s)
Liked 2,802 Times
in
1,800 Posts
Ditto, the Blackburn 2'Fer. Everyone should have at least one. It's the most versatile lightweight and compact bike light I've found. It does four modes: steady and blinking white or red. Buy a pair and use red rear, white front. I mount mine on my helmet. The built in clip is really well designed and will grip the strap of a backpack or shoulder bag, a belt, collar, whatever you have.
Even more attention getting/annoying is the Blackburn Click. The white strobe is almost seizure inducing. I'm not prone to seizures but the strobing is damned irritating at night, and I'm wearing it. So it's a good attention getter. Also as compact as the 2'Fer, but, alas, with a less versatile mounting system. I snagged one for $6 on blowout at REI and use it on the front of one helmet. The light itself has little hooks and a rubber band mount to secure it. Works well enough for a handlebar, head tube, stem or helmet.
If you're not too weight/bulk conscious, pretty much any headlight for the US market will have a strobe or pulse mode that's bright enough to be seen in daylight. The Light & Motion Urban series are the least bulky. I like the L&M Urban pulse mode, but some folks prefer the strobe. I don't know whether L&M finally added a strobing mode to their current lineup.
I also have NiteRider and Serfas headlights but those are all heavier and bulkier than the Light & Motion. Those go on my hybrids. I prefer the L&M Urbans for my road bikes. The L&M rubber band strap is a weak spot and may last only a year or so. I replaced my original strap with a Two-Fish mount. Works great, just a dual rubber block with Velcro straps. Better than the original L&M mount.
I kinda wish Cygolite made a white version of their Hotshot taillights. Those suckers are stupid bright for being so small, lightweight and inexpensive. Imagine how irritating we could be with white front mounted Hotshots.
Even more attention getting/annoying is the Blackburn Click. The white strobe is almost seizure inducing. I'm not prone to seizures but the strobing is damned irritating at night, and I'm wearing it. So it's a good attention getter. Also as compact as the 2'Fer, but, alas, with a less versatile mounting system. I snagged one for $6 on blowout at REI and use it on the front of one helmet. The light itself has little hooks and a rubber band mount to secure it. Works well enough for a handlebar, head tube, stem or helmet.
If you're not too weight/bulk conscious, pretty much any headlight for the US market will have a strobe or pulse mode that's bright enough to be seen in daylight. The Light & Motion Urban series are the least bulky. I like the L&M Urban pulse mode, but some folks prefer the strobe. I don't know whether L&M finally added a strobing mode to their current lineup.
I also have NiteRider and Serfas headlights but those are all heavier and bulkier than the Light & Motion. Those go on my hybrids. I prefer the L&M Urbans for my road bikes. The L&M rubber band strap is a weak spot and may last only a year or so. I replaced my original strap with a Two-Fish mount. Works great, just a dual rubber block with Velcro straps. Better than the original L&M mount.
I kinda wish Cygolite made a white version of their Hotshot taillights. Those suckers are stupid bright for being so small, lightweight and inexpensive. Imagine how irritating we could be with white front mounted Hotshots.
#22
Newbie
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 41
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 31 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 13 Times
in
9 Posts
Cygolite 800 for me
BTW -- does anyone else with a similar Cygolite front light find that the mount tends to come loose when riding? I find that the thumb screw that keeps the mount on the bike loosens over the course of a ride, especially when roads are bumpy. I am planning to add a lock washer and see if that helps.
BTW -- does anyone else with a similar Cygolite front light find that the mount tends to come loose when riding? I find that the thumb screw that keeps the mount on the bike loosens over the course of a ride, especially when roads are bumpy. I am planning to add a lock washer and see if that helps.
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Los Alamitos, Calif.
Posts: 2,475
Bikes: Canyon Endurace
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1041 Post(s)
Liked 928 Times
in
541 Posts
This is the reason I run a front flashing light when in traffic. You can argue the usefulness, the irritability factor to other cyclists etc. But it's stories like these that re-affirm my choice.
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 630
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 275 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
2 Posts
Get a great helmet AND a front/back blinky!!!
Safe-tec Helmets
Safe-tec Helmets
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Pasadena, CA
Posts: 4,848
Bikes: Schwinn Varsity
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1931 Post(s)
Liked 742 Times
in
422 Posts
I use these small inexpensive blinkers (~$16 red + white pair from Amazon - NFI). They attach to the bars with a rubber band, but also contain a clip for hooking onto a jersey pocket. I stuck a GoPro mount on the back because reasons. USB rechargeable, multiple blink modes, weatherproof. I run the white front when I'm coming back through town (too many distracted drivers cruising for parking spaces), at low light or in the rain. They're good for 8-10 hours on a charge.
Have had the same experience as the OP. Left cross in front of me... or several times on 40 mph downhill... clear road.... no other cars except the one coming toward me.......and it decides to make a U-turn right in front of me! Either they don't look, or they can't tell how fast you are going, or they just don't give a shiit.