Lights, Reflectors...Action!
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Posts: 5,974
Bikes: 2015 Charge Plug, 2007 Dahon Boardwalk, 1997 Nishiki Blazer, 1984 Nishiki International, 2006 Felt F65, 1989 Dahon Getaway V
Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1364 Post(s)
Liked 1,678 Times
in
827 Posts
Lights, Reflectors...Action!
My bike lighting this fall...
#2
Unlisted member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 6,192
Bikes: Specialized Hardrock
Mentioned: 29 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1376 Post(s)
Liked 432 Times
in
297 Posts
I've been wanting to see what I look like when I ride at night, I wish I would have done this before it snowed.
#3
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Posts: 5,974
Bikes: 2015 Charge Plug, 2007 Dahon Boardwalk, 1997 Nishiki Blazer, 1984 Nishiki International, 2006 Felt F65, 1989 Dahon Getaway V
Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1364 Post(s)
Liked 1,678 Times
in
827 Posts
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
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 6,192
Bikes: Specialized Hardrock
Mentioned: 29 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1376 Post(s)
Liked 432 Times
in
297 Posts
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
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: NE Ohio
Posts: 737
Bikes: 2017 Day 6 Cyclone (the Buick); 2015 Simcoe Deluxe (the Xebec); Street Strider 3i (the not-a-bike); GreenSpeed Anura (the Black Swan)
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 316 Post(s)
Liked 160 Times
in
97 Posts
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
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Posts: 5,974
Bikes: 2015 Charge Plug, 2007 Dahon Boardwalk, 1997 Nishiki Blazer, 1984 Nishiki International, 2006 Felt F65, 1989 Dahon Getaway V
Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1364 Post(s)
Liked 1,678 Times
in
827 Posts
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
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 6,432
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 539 Post(s)
Liked 44 Times
in
38 Posts
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
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Metro Detroit/AA
Posts: 8,207
Bikes: 2016 Novara Mazama
Mentioned: 63 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3640 Post(s)
Liked 81 Times
in
51 Posts
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
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 6,432
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 539 Post(s)
Liked 44 Times
in
38 Posts
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
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: NE Ohio
Posts: 737
Bikes: 2017 Day 6 Cyclone (the Buick); 2015 Simcoe Deluxe (the Xebec); Street Strider 3i (the not-a-bike); GreenSpeed Anura (the Black Swan)
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 316 Post(s)
Liked 160 Times
in
97 Posts
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.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,552
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5224 Post(s)
Liked 3,584 Times
in
2,344 Posts
Haha awesome & really like the text overlay!
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Mich
Posts: 7,395
Bikes: RSO E-tire dropper fixie brifter
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 2,979 Times
in
1,920 Posts
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Mich
Posts: 7,395
Bikes: RSO E-tire dropper fixie brifter
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 2,979 Times
in
1,920 Posts
imo where i ride, i find it worse. A target board for everyone else [criminals, thugs, drivers, hobo's]
__________________
-Oh Hey!
-Oh Hey!
#17
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Posts: 5,974
Bikes: 2015 Charge Plug, 2007 Dahon Boardwalk, 1997 Nishiki Blazer, 1984 Nishiki International, 2006 Felt F65, 1989 Dahon Getaway V
Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1364 Post(s)
Liked 1,678 Times
in
827 Posts
#19
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Posts: 5,974
Bikes: 2015 Charge Plug, 2007 Dahon Boardwalk, 1997 Nishiki Blazer, 1984 Nishiki International, 2006 Felt F65, 1989 Dahon Getaway V
Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1364 Post(s)
Liked 1,678 Times
in
827 Posts