Ways to improve night-time side visibility?
09-11-17, 10:34 AM
#76
Senior Member
Do you realize that you are asking a question for something that was posted 7 years ago?
FYI, I have a similar setup, but I use 350-800 lumen lights. I rarely turn them up to full power though - unless I'm on a totally unlit path. Getting a bright light means very long battery duration and moderate levels. Lighting has changed hugely in the last 7 years. Modern LEDs are light, long lasting and incredibly cheap (compared to lighting 7 years ago).
A fluorescent/reflective ankle bracelet and fluorescent/reflective gloves make a large difference.
FYI, I have a similar setup, but I use 350-800 lumen lights. I rarely turn them up to full power though - unless I'm on a totally unlit path. Getting a bright light means very long battery duration and moderate levels. Lighting has changed hugely in the last 7 years. Modern LEDs are light, long lasting and incredibly cheap (compared to lighting 7 years ago).
A fluorescent/reflective ankle bracelet and fluorescent/reflective gloves make a large difference.
To the new OP, beside lights to see, I will use this when the sun will set early enough for my bike ride home to be in the dark.
10-14-17, 08:10 AM
#77
Senior Member
I'm aware of that. Knowledge should be continue, but this TO seems to have no interest anymore.
So just wait for the next thread with same topic, because not everyone looks for existing topics.
So just wait for the next thread with same topic, because not everyone looks for existing topics.
10-14-17, 09:32 AM
#78
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Do you realize that you are asking a question for something that was posted 7 years ago?
FYI, I have a similar setup, but I use 350-800 lumen lights. I rarely turn them up to full power though - unless I'm on a totally unlit path. Getting a bright light means very long battery duration and moderate levels. Lighting has changed hugely in the last 7 years. Modern LEDs are light, long lasting and incredibly cheap (compared to lighting 7 years ago).
A fluorescent/reflective ankle bracelet and fluorescent/reflective gloves make a large difference.
FYI, I have a similar setup, but I use 350-800 lumen lights. I rarely turn them up to full power though - unless I'm on a totally unlit path. Getting a bright light means very long battery duration and moderate levels. Lighting has changed hugely in the last 7 years. Modern LEDs are light, long lasting and incredibly cheap (compared to lighting 7 years ago).
A fluorescent/reflective ankle bracelet and fluorescent/reflective gloves make a large difference.
10-14-17, 09:45 AM
#79
Senior Member
Any tips for improving night-time side visibility? I've got great stuff for the front & back but I still feel vulnerable on the sides.
I was thinking of mounting PBSFs on straps to my arms or the sides of my bike , but I reconsidered it since it would give the impression that I was going away from the driver rather than perpendicular.
I was thinking of mounting PBSFs on straps to my arms or the sides of my bike , but I reconsidered it since it would give the impression that I was going away from the driver rather than perpendicular.
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Last edited by Abe_Froman; 10-14-17 at 09:53 AM.
10-14-17, 10:03 AM
#80
Banned
I have a ANSI , wide reflective striped Parka in neon lime I wear in the dark season.. (Since before this thread started)
Bike has Hub dynamo powered LED lights...
.....
Bike has Hub dynamo powered LED lights...
.....
12-13-17, 06:25 AM
#81
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Several years too late...
I realise that this thread is from 2010, but I finally have the answer to your side visibility question I think...
On Kickstarter at the moment, designed for side visibility, USB rechargeable, and functions as a normal water bottle.
I'm not allowed to post URLs, as I don't have enough points, but google 'ORB Kickstarter'
On Kickstarter at the moment, designed for side visibility, USB rechargeable, and functions as a normal water bottle.
I'm not allowed to post URLs, as I don't have enough points, but google 'ORB Kickstarter'
12-13-17, 08:26 AM
#82
Senior Member
The Orb is not bright enough for use inside urban environments at night. At day it's useless.
Also it 's a standard to have a red tail light and white front light, so orange in the middle would not help.
Look for example at the Orfos FlarePro, which i can recommend. 400lm, best side visibility, USB power and can be mounted everywhere without needing much volume.
orfos.us
kickstarter.com/projects/739603000/flare-pro-next-gen-light-for-cycling-hiking-and-ru
The old Orfos Flare was very well known too.
bikeforums.net/electronics-lighting-gadgets/1046604-new-orfos-tail-light-wow.html
bikeforums.net/electronics-lighting-gadgets/1012752-orfos-flare-throw-distance.html
bikeforums.net/electronics-lighting-gadgets/1106047-orfos-flarepro-bike-light-good-bad.html
Also it 's a standard to have a red tail light and white front light, so orange in the middle would not help.
Look for example at the Orfos FlarePro, which i can recommend. 400lm, best side visibility, USB power and can be mounted everywhere without needing much volume.
orfos.us
kickstarter.com/projects/739603000/flare-pro-next-gen-light-for-cycling-hiking-and-ru
The old Orfos Flare was very well known too.
bikeforums.net/electronics-lighting-gadgets/1046604-new-orfos-tail-light-wow.html
bikeforums.net/electronics-lighting-gadgets/1012752-orfos-flare-throw-distance.html
bikeforums.net/electronics-lighting-gadgets/1106047-orfos-flarepro-bike-light-good-bad.html
Last edited by angerdan; 12-14-17 at 05:25 AM.
12-14-17, 12:26 AM
#83
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The type of side visibility the Orb seems to be going for is pretty pointless unless one is in parking-lot-speed traffic.
A moving cyclist seen broadside to a car is usually moving out of the car's way at some reasonable pace; even at
10mph, a cyclist will cross the full width of a typical passenger car in less than half a second.
Think about it this way; if this suddenly appears in front of your car while driving at night, odds are very high that
either the cyclist will be out of the way before you get there, or you're going too fast to stop in time anyway.
(Plus by this point, those wheel reflectors, and possibly some "stealth" Scotchlite on the frame will be a heck of a lot
brighter in your ~1400 lumens of reasonably well designed low beams than some glowy bottle.)
The Orb example cyclists have apparently removed all side visibility reflectors from their bikes, not added any, and
have obviously chosen their front and rear lights specifically for crap side visibility.
Not that hard to make a bike pretty much glow from every direction even when its lights aren't on:
A moving cyclist seen broadside to a car is usually moving out of the car's way at some reasonable pace; even at
10mph, a cyclist will cross the full width of a typical passenger car in less than half a second.
Think about it this way; if this suddenly appears in front of your car while driving at night, odds are very high that
either the cyclist will be out of the way before you get there, or you're going too fast to stop in time anyway.
(Plus by this point, those wheel reflectors, and possibly some "stealth" Scotchlite on the frame will be a heck of a lot
brighter in your ~1400 lumens of reasonably well designed low beams than some glowy bottle.)
The Orb example cyclists have apparently removed all side visibility reflectors from their bikes, not added any, and
have obviously chosen their front and rear lights specifically for crap side visibility.
Not that hard to make a bike pretty much glow from every direction even when its lights aren't on:
02-12-18, 02:22 PM
#85
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Yes, some of my lights are bolted on, and they are powered by a dynamo in my front hub. I get on the bike and roll, and the lights come on. After I stop, the lights stay on for a few more minutes. This isn't the bike I'm riding currently, but it's the same idea. It's a bike I still have but haven't ridden lately.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
02-12-18, 02:29 PM
#86
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I just saw this while browsing Amazon. Looked relevant to the topic
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0778VVBCV...DV3AZZOQ&psc=0
No idea if it's any good or not
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0778VVBCV...DV3AZZOQ&psc=0
No idea if it's any good or not
02-14-18, 12:17 PM
#88
Senior Member
I try to be as visible as possible as well. Several methods I have applied so far:
Reflectors:
Lights:
So far it seems to work and I have not been overseen yet.
Reflectors:
- 3M 1/4" reflective pin stripes. They come in different colors. I have used them on several bikes. On the BikeE I have used the white ones a long the frame, front fork, handlebar stem and rear chain stay. Red ones on the back at rack and other areas
- An older reflective kids vest. I pulled it over the headrest of the bike.
- Running marathon plus tires which have reflective side walls
- Cheap flag from Wallymart. The whole flag with pole is only about $5. Thinking replacing the flag by a reflective one.
- The panniers also have reflectors on the back
Lights:
- 550 Lumen battery light up front. Flashing during day, solid during night. At night the flashing mode irritates me because it is so bright
- B&M IQ-X dynamo powered light running of a hub dynamo. Since I have been running out of battery lights on longer commutes I added the dynamo set up
- Two flashing battery tail lights. On one the rack and one higher up above the trunk bag
- B&M dynamo powered solid light higher up above the trunk bag
So far it seems to work and I have not been overseen yet.
