Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > General Cycling Discussion
Reload this Page >

"I like your light!"

Notices
General Cycling Discussion Have a cycling related question or comment that doesn't fit in one of the other specialty forums? Drop on in and post in here! When possible, please select the forum above that most fits your post!

"I like your light!"

Old 04-15-22, 03:46 PM
  #1  
Koyote
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 7,768
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6882 Post(s)
Liked 10,873 Times in 4,637 Posts
"I like your light!"

There was a recent thread about tail lights and their brightness, and several posters insisted that they are nearly impossible to see in daylight -- and that, to have any hope, a person must run a super-bright tail light -- I think one poster was talking about 300 or 350 lumen lights. The argument was rather tame by bf standards, but there was some dispute.

Today I was out riding a regular route. It's only mid-spring, so not super-sunny yet, but it was (for April, anyway) full sun. A vehicle pulled alongside me with the passenger window down, and I thought the driver said "I like your bike!" I thought it rather surprising that an elderly lady appreciated my custom Gunnar gravel bike. But then I realized she was saying "I like your light!" I stopped, and we chatted for a bit. She said she could see the light long before she even could tell that it was attached to a bicycle.

What's the light? An old Cygolite that I've had for five years. 100 lumens.

The really cool thing was connecting with a driver who lives along one of my regular routes. I like having friends out there -- you never know when you'll need one.
Koyote is offline  
Old 04-15-22, 04:18 PM
  #2  
Rick
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,379
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 598 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 377 Times in 262 Posts
I have used a taillight that is claimed to have between 600 and 800 lumens of brightness for between 6 and 7 years. I notice people moving over in there lane from quite a distance. I use the Dinotte daylight visible taillight. It is the brightest taillight I could find. I have posted about this taillight before and received comments about the price and weight.
Rick is offline  
Likes For Rick:
Old 04-15-22, 04:24 PM
  #3  
10 Wheels
Galveston County Texas
 
10 Wheels's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: In The Wind
Posts: 33,221

Bikes: 02 GTO, 2011 Magnum

Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1346 Post(s)
Liked 1,236 Times in 617 Posts
Mine
__________________
Fred "The Real Fred"

10 Wheels is offline  
Old 04-15-22, 05:14 PM
  #4  
Pearson100
Newbie
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 56
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 15 Post(s)
Liked 18 Times in 14 Posts
I've also had drivers in cars call out "I like your light!" I also use Cygolite---have them on all of my bikes, 100 and 150 lumens. Highly recommended.
Pearson100 is offline  
Likes For Pearson100:
Old 04-15-22, 05:54 PM
  #5  
drlogik 
Senior Member
 
drlogik's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 1,763

Bikes: '87-ish Pinarello Montello; '89 Nishiki Ariel; '85 Raleigh Wyoming, '16 Wabi Special, '16 Wabi Classic, '14 Kona Cinder Cone

Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 698 Post(s)
Liked 405 Times in 251 Posts
+1 - I also had a driver ask me what kind of light I had and he said that it's the brightest he's ever seen. My front and rear are both Cygolites. I've been using them for about 7 years now. The front is the Dash Pro at 600 lumens. The rear is the Hypershot 350.


--

Last edited by drlogik; 04-15-22 at 05:58 PM.
drlogik is offline  
Likes For drlogik:
Old 04-15-22, 06:48 PM
  #6  
qwaalodge
Banned.
 
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: Kingdom of Qwaa
Posts: 307
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 211 Post(s)
Liked 79 Times in 61 Posts
I have put bright flourescent yellow reflectorized tape on my fenders, racks, and rims in stripes. Seems quite visible enough in daytime and I think the stripes on the rims is the most visible part. I've not been cut off by a motorist in my bike lane since I put them.
qwaalodge is offline  
Old 04-16-22, 08:06 AM
  #7  
BikeLite
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,174
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 381 Post(s)
Liked 145 Times in 93 Posts
this ad is brought to you by cygolite
BikeLite is offline  
Likes For BikeLite:
Old 04-16-22, 07:16 PM
  #8  
Koyote
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 7,768
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6882 Post(s)
Liked 10,873 Times in 4,637 Posts
Originally Posted by BikeLite
this ad is brought to you by cygolite
Nope. It's about the usefulness of taillights, even in daytime. In fact, I have another 100lm taillight (Bontrager) that is even more visible than the Cygolite due to the way the lens focuses the beam -- and I suspect plenty of other brands produce good taillights, too.
Koyote is offline  
Likes For Koyote:
Old 04-16-22, 09:24 PM
  #9  
Polaris OBark
ignominious poltroon
 
Polaris OBark's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 3,927
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2185 Post(s)
Liked 3,337 Times in 1,742 Posts
Originally Posted by Koyote
Nope. It's about the usefulness of taillights, even in daytime. In fact, I have another 100lm taillight (Bontrager) that is even more visible than the Cygolite due to the way the lens focuses the beam -- and I suspect plenty of other brands produce good taillights, too.
I use Cygolites on all of our bikes as day-time running lights. It makes me visible under the redwood canopy. I've had numerous people thank me for using them. I have never found a different light that I would use to replace/upgrade mine. They are worthy of any free advertising you can give them. They are also really versatile in terms of mounting to bike racks, seat packs, seat stays, etc.

The only one I have even considered as a replacement is the Bontrager one, but I think the Cygolites have better mounting options and give you more bang (photons) for the buck.
Polaris OBark is offline  
Likes For Polaris OBark:
Old 04-16-22, 09:32 PM
  #10  
rossiny
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SE Wisconsin
Posts: 781

Bikes: Trek 970, Bianchi Volpe,Casati

Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 354 Post(s)
Liked 120 Times in 86 Posts
Great post.

I have been thinking of lights as well as getting a Gravel/ touring bike , even though I have some neat vintage touring . The thought of a Gunnar new one appeals to me.. any pics of lights and bike.
rossiny is offline  
Likes For rossiny:
Old 04-17-22, 06:26 AM
  #11  
Koyote
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 7,768
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6882 Post(s)
Liked 10,873 Times in 4,637 Posts
Originally Posted by Polaris OBark
The only one I have even considered as a replacement is the Bontrager one, but I think the Cygolites have better mounting options and give you more bang (photons) for the buck.
The Bont taillight mount is one of those stretchy bands; makes it easy to move from bike-to-bike, but won't mount to a seatstay. (Pictured below.)

Originally Posted by rossiny
I have been thinking of lights as well as getting a Gravel/ touring bike , even though I have some neat vintage touring . The thought of a Gunnar new one appeals to me.. any pics of lights and bike.
Koyote is offline  
Likes For Koyote:
Old 04-17-22, 09:11 AM
  #12  
drlogik 
Senior Member
 
drlogik's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 1,763

Bikes: '87-ish Pinarello Montello; '89 Nishiki Ariel; '85 Raleigh Wyoming, '16 Wabi Special, '16 Wabi Classic, '14 Kona Cinder Cone

Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 698 Post(s)
Liked 405 Times in 251 Posts
Another bonus is that Cygolite makes their lights in the USA.
drlogik is offline  
Old 04-17-22, 10:33 AM
  #13  
Paul Barnard
For The Fun of It
 
Paul Barnard's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Louisissippi Coast
Posts: 5,844

Bikes: Lynskey GR300, Lynskey Backroad, Litespeed T6, Lynskey MT29, Burley Duet

Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2131 Post(s)
Liked 1,640 Times in 822 Posts
Originally Posted by Koyote
" I stopped, and we chatted for a bit. She said she could see the light long before she even could tell that it was attached to a bicycle.

The really cool thing was connecting with a driver who lives along one of my regular routes. I like having friends out there -- you never know when you'll need one.
I love bicycling for some of the memorable human connections it has delivered.
Paul Barnard is offline  
Likes For Paul Barnard:
Old 04-17-22, 10:34 AM
  #14  
Paul Barnard
For The Fun of It
 
Paul Barnard's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Louisissippi Coast
Posts: 5,844

Bikes: Lynskey GR300, Lynskey Backroad, Litespeed T6, Lynskey MT29, Burley Duet

Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2131 Post(s)
Liked 1,640 Times in 822 Posts
Originally Posted by 10 Wheels
Mine

Nice grill. Is that a Weber?
Paul Barnard is offline  
Likes For Paul Barnard:
Old 04-17-22, 10:46 AM
  #15  
trailangel
Senior Member
 
trailangel's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Pasadena, CA
Posts: 4,847

Bikes: Schwinn Varsity

Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1931 Post(s)
Liked 741 Times in 421 Posts
Are you sure that's what she really liked? Is that "I Like Your Light" just a pickup line? Were you wearing a shirt?
trailangel is offline  
Old 04-17-22, 04:46 PM
  #16  
shrtdstncrdr
Full Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Sartell, MN
Posts: 329

Bikes: Trek Millennia, Trek 400, Raleigh Superbe, Giant OCR3, Bianchi Milano

Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 124 Post(s)
Liked 62 Times in 41 Posts
rolling coal

Hey, if you don't want anyone drafting you...
shrtdstncrdr is offline  
Old 04-17-22, 04:52 PM
  #17  
10 Wheels
Galveston County Texas
 
10 Wheels's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: In The Wind
Posts: 33,221

Bikes: 02 GTO, 2011 Magnum

Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1346 Post(s)
Liked 1,236 Times in 617 Posts
View from Rear
__________________
Fred "The Real Fred"

10 Wheels is offline  
Old 04-17-22, 04:53 PM
  #18  
Ttom
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 84

Bikes: Kona Sutra SE

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 33 Post(s)
Liked 61 Times in 34 Posts
Originally Posted by Koyote
Nope. It's about the usefulness of taillights, even in daytime. In fact, I have another 100lm taillight (Bontrager) that is even more visible than the Cygolite due to the way the lens focuses the beam -- and I suspect plenty of other brands produce good taillights, too.
I think for most of us mostly daytime riders the tail light is the most important, you want to make sure the cars in your lane see you sooner than later.
Ttom is offline  
Old 04-17-22, 05:26 PM
  #19  
Troul 
Senior Member
 
Troul's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Mich
Posts: 7,291

Bikes: RSO E-tire dropper fixie brifter

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 2,910 Times in 1,884 Posts
Originally Posted by Ttom
I think for most of us mostly daytime riders the tail light is the most important, you want to make sure the cars in your lane see you sooner than later.
I have low expectations of being seen from behind in the daytime, from the rear. The little bright red light will hopefully be captured on camera by a local business or passing motorists & become useful evidence if it's called upon in a legal matter.
__________________
-Oh Hey!
Troul is offline  
Old 04-17-22, 08:02 PM
  #20  
Reynolds 
Passista
 
Reynolds's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,586

Bikes: 1998 Pinarello Asolo, 1992 KHS Montaņa pro, 1980 Raleigh DL-1, IGH Hybrid, IGH Utility

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 866 Post(s)
Liked 711 Times in 392 Posts
Originally Posted by Troul
I have low expectations of being seen from behind in the daytime, from the rear. The little bright red light will hopefully be captured on camera by a local business or passing motorists & become useful evidence if it's called upon in a legal matter.
The other day I saw a cyclist with a very visible tail light - got my attention from about 400m on a bright sunny day. Turned out to be a Bontrager Flare.
Reynolds is offline  
Likes For Reynolds:
Old 04-17-22, 08:20 PM
  #21  
Troul 
Senior Member
 
Troul's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Mich
Posts: 7,291

Bikes: RSO E-tire dropper fixie brifter

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 2,910 Times in 1,884 Posts
Originally Posted by Reynolds
The other day I saw a cyclist with a very visible tail light - got my attention from about 400m on a bright sunny day. Turned out to be a Bontrager Flare.
Very few operate a motorized vehicle & pay attention at the same time. Most of the driver's (where I can ride) do not stop before the stop signal lines.... always overshooting the crosswalk, more like blow right thru the no turn on red.
__________________
-Oh Hey!
Troul is offline  
Old 04-17-22, 08:27 PM
  #22  
rsbob 
Grupetto Bob
 
rsbob's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Seattle-ish
Posts: 6,067

Bikes: Bikey McBike Face

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2512 Post(s)
Liked 5,430 Times in 2,827 Posts
The best I got from a female while riding my bike is, “I like your butt”.
__________________
Road 🚴🏾‍♂️ & Mountain 🚵🏾‍♂️







rsbob is offline  
Old 04-18-22, 12:08 PM
  #23  
blacknbluebikes 
Senior Member
 
blacknbluebikes's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: NJ, USA
Posts: 1,276

Bikes: two blacks, a blue and a white.

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 442 Post(s)
Liked 840 Times in 407 Posts
The Great Divide is between those with lights and those with none. I doubt any driver with their head up ever missed a 100 lumen red light. The problem is with distracted and impaired drivers, not blind ones. LIke the 16-year old thumbing the world's most important text: "SUP?" while hitting the juul.
blacknbluebikes is offline  
Likes For blacknbluebikes:
Old 04-21-22, 08:32 PM
  #24  
rekmeyata
Senior Member
 
rekmeyata's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: NE Indiana
Posts: 9,183

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

Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1111 Post(s)
Liked 244 Times in 196 Posts
There is truth to the fact that the more lumens the light will have the more visible it will be, however there is a caveat to that. While you could find a really bright 300 lumen or so cob tail light, cobs wash out easily in daylight, but at night it will be very bright and very large looking, so in the daytime you need a very high output single led bulb type of light. This fact has not fallen on deaf ears or blind eyes at Cygolite, they make an assortment of tail lights, their brightest for daytime visibility is the Hotshot series, and most notable is the new Hotshot 200 Pro; but again it is a pinpoint beam of light, so you should combine it at night with a wide dispersal tail light like the Niterider Omega 330.

Cygolite has come out with a new series called the Hypershot 350, this light combines the pinpoint brightness of the Hotshot with a wide dispersal led for greater side illumination, and you can chose between one or the other or both at the same time.

There are advantages to using more than one tail light, more than one makes you stand out better. I have one on my seat post, on the saddle bag, and on my helmet, but during the day I only use the Hotshot 200, at night I use all three because all three have different qualities to them. The other two I use is the Niterider Omega 300, this light has unique flash patterns, it is also visible for the side, that light parks on my saddle bag; the other light is a Niterider Sentry Aero 260, that is a cob style led and is not effective during the day, but what I like about it is that it has side facing LED's and is very noticeable from the side, that one parks on my helmet, Niterider claims it puts out 260 lumens but during the day it seems more like 40, at night maybe 100, but I think cobs may register high lumens but they're too dispersed plus there is rear and side cobs, which is great for night.

If you're thinking 3 tail lights is too much and you only want one, I would go with the Cygolite Hypershot 350 because you combine the best of both worlds, a pin point light and a wide dispersal light. Later you can always put a light on your helmet if you decide you need more of an effect, and I would consider one of the Niteriders, either the Omega 300 or the Sentry Aero 260. The Aero 260 is a bit bulky, while I don't mind it on my helmet but others might.
rekmeyata is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.