How Many Tail Lights
#52
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How many Tail Lights should one have on the rear of their bicycle? I've heard all sorts of answers to this question but I throw it out to the list if there is a proper number to have. If one were to practice redundancy, then several would be the answer in case one or more fail during your journey. So how many do you have on your bicycle?
I feel like I'm at my minimum (when it is dark), with three:
1) A fender mounted light.
2) One on the back of my helmet.
3) A very bright detachable rear light.
For the first, I feel like this is kind of my back-up light. I run it all the time (day or night, year round), but it isn't terribly bright, despite being a 1 watt light. It seems like this light is only really visible to the direct rear as well. On the plus side it is always there, and runs for a long time. I'm using the Portland Design Works Fenderbot, they say it'll run 100 hours on its two AAA batteries, but I'm running rechargeables and swap them out long before that. I never worry about this one going dead because the draw is so low on it though. Another plus, is that I don't worry about this light being stolen.
If I had a rear rack, I would prefer to mount a light there. Mounting a rear rack on my daily driver is a little tricky and so I've got a front rack and a large saddlebag instead. Compared to fender mounted lights there are better ones you can put on the back of racks, especially racks with mounts, and having the light a little higher would make it a little more visible, or visible earlier. But, I'm running a defense in depth anyway, and this light is just one facet of that for me, so I'm okay with the fender light being not as effective as a good rack light.
For the second light, I'm still running the Planet Bike 3-H Blinky. This is still going strong after three years daily use. I really like having a light mounted up so high, especially since I am often on hilly terrain and so my lower lights could be hidden from view for a time by a car approaching from the rear. This light seems adequately bright and lasts a long time on the single AAA that powers it, even with rechargeables that are probably getting a little old. There are brighter lights, but for now I am committed to running rechargeables, and personally, I'm content with a charging ritual instead of the wires and battery box of the more expensive systems that I frankly can't afford anyway. The PB 3-H is pretty lightweight too, and some of the fancy helmet lights I've looked at had a very heavy battery pack. Another light I don't have to worry about being stolen as I always take my helmet with me if I am going to be out of sight of my bike.
Lastly, I run a Mars 4.0 clipped to my large saddlebag. I love this light! Superbright, and with decent side visibility too. This I feel is my main rear defense and it gets priority with freshly charged batteries. I'll admit to a weakness for aesthetics, and to me this light is quite attractive in shape and design, it looks like a giant jewel.
I'm nearly content with this layered defense, I feel it pretty well covers everything; I've got a dedicated rear facing light is well aligned with traffic approaching directly behind me, another mounted up very high that is moving around, and a super bright one. With three lights more or less aligned vertically, I should read as "bike" to all but the most distracted driver, and should get nearly anyone's attention.
The one thing I am considering adding this winter is some small Fiber Flare lights mounted on my seatstays to provide better side visibility (they will probably contribute to rear visibility too, and will be red). My one hesitation is that I am back in college and I worry about them being stolen, but I think I am going to go ahead and risk it.
Of course, my side visibility isn't too bad as it is! -
But is passive, and relies on lights hitting it.
I love good reflective tape!
Last edited by Medic Zero; 09-11-13 at 01:53 PM.
#53
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I only run one Hotshot on my road bike, but would like to get another one.
I had a woman waiting at a stop sign tell me once that she appreciated me having that light flashing back there, and this was in overcast daylight.
I had a woman waiting at a stop sign tell me once that she appreciated me having that light flashing back there, and this was in overcast daylight.
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I use a vertical format Cat-Eye on the seat-post, a Planet Bike Super Flash (PBSF) on the seat bag and another PBSF on my helmet. Front light wise I have both a NiteRider MyNute headlight on the handlebar and a Topeak white flashing light attached to the right side fork blade.
I use reflective ankle bands but don't have any reflectors on my pedals. Don't know if anyone makes pedal reflectors for Shimano SPD mountain bike pedals, but if anyone knows of any, please advise.
Rick / OCRR
I use reflective ankle bands but don't have any reflectors on my pedals. Don't know if anyone makes pedal reflectors for Shimano SPD mountain bike pedals, but if anyone knows of any, please advise.
Rick / OCRR
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Rick / OCRR
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Don't thank me just yet - I only took 30 seconds browsing for them but I did read comments saying it's not surprising they are optional as the can be a bugger to fit.
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Jyl's statement that rear reflectors are as important as active lights is a true one. Neither option is as effective or safe as both in combination. Of course the very nature of active lights is that they can fail (no matter how many you use), but that passive reflectors will always be there.
I am constantly amazed how many want ever greater power output on their active lights, but fail to install even the minimum legally required reflectors...
I am constantly amazed how many want ever greater power output on their active lights, but fail to install even the minimum legally required reflectors...
#59
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If people actually want to get noticed why don't they use flashing blue tail lights? (and headlights for that matter). In many jurisdictions they are no less illegal than flashing red tail lights...
And given that drivers think cop when they see them, it will certainly garner their attention faster than any other option.
And given that drivers think cop when they see them, it will certainly garner their attention faster than any other option.
#60
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If people actually want to get noticed why don't they use flashing blue tail lights? (and headlights for that matter). In many jurisdictions they are no less illegal than flashing red tail lights...
And given that drivers think cop when they see them, it will certainly garner their attention faster than any other option.
And given that drivers think cop when they see them, it will certainly garner their attention faster than any other option.
I should probably add that my trunk bag has reflective strips back and sides and my handlebar bag has reflective strips. I have red reflective tape on the back of my helmet and had strips of 2" wide reflective tape sewn to the front and rear of my cycling jacket which already had reflective stripes on the sleeves.
#62
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Just one Radbot 1000 for me (backpack), although I'd eventually like to run a second one somewhere on the bike.
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Blue lights are only allowed on emergency vehicles and at K-Mart where I live. I think you could get by with blue reflectors here but it is a common color for driveway and mailbox markers so may not get the desired attention in rural areas like mone. It may work for more urban areas though.
I should probably add that my trunk bag has reflective strips back and sides and my handlebar bag has reflective strips. I have red reflective tape on the back of my helmet and had strips of 2" wide reflective tape sewn to the front and rear of my cycling jacket which already had reflective stripes on the sleeves.
I should probably add that my trunk bag has reflective strips back and sides and my handlebar bag has reflective strips. I have red reflective tape on the back of my helmet and had strips of 2" wide reflective tape sewn to the front and rear of my cycling jacket which already had reflective stripes on the sleeves.
Flashing red taillights aren't allowed in many US localities, yet cyclists still use them. If the desire is to be noticed, nothing will beat a flashing blue tail light.
#64
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I got some of those cheap Chinese wheel lights that are activated by motion and lack of ambient light. They flash blue and red alternately. I had an incoming car pull over for me. Or maybe not.
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Here is your Blue One...Have one on my helmet.
https://www.fasttech.com/products/160...-lumen-blue-le
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#66
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What's the beam angle? Tail lights should be wide.
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#68
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My helmet has one built in, I use a Planet Bike superflash, and I bought a Magnic Light. The Magnic light is pretty cool, there are no wires, no batteries, no contact, no wheel mounted magnets. It works off the residual magnetism created by the spinning aluminum rim. It is always on while moving, although it doesn't have a standlight function.
#69
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How does aluminum have anything to do with magnetism?
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#71
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Never heard that in the USA... So why are Turn Signals Legal.
Here is your Blue One...Have one on my helmet.
https://www.fasttech.com/products/160...-lumen-blue-le
Here is your Blue One...Have one on my helmet.
https://www.fasttech.com/products/160...-lumen-blue-le
https://dx.com/p/cree-xlamp-xp-e-b5-5...8-4v-max-26346
These police style strobe lights are awesome, but requires a 12v battery.
https://www.fasttech.com/products/169...s-w-controller
#72
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Since I am presently sidelined with a knee problem, and have to drive a route with lots of bike commuters, my recent observations have been:
multiple flashing lights > single flashing light > single non-flashing light > reflectors
Modern car headlamps have such a sharp cutoff that they really don't do a good job lighting up standard rear reflectors. I also have not noticed any pedal reflectors. The challenge of any rear light where I commute is standing out in the visual clutter from other light sources.
multiple flashing lights > single flashing light > single non-flashing light > reflectors
Modern car headlamps have such a sharp cutoff that they really don't do a good job lighting up standard rear reflectors. I also have not noticed any pedal reflectors. The challenge of any rear light where I commute is standing out in the visual clutter from other light sources.
#73
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I have never, ever heard of any police officer having a problem with a cyclists' flashing red tail lights.
Blue lights are illegal on any non-emergency vehicle. Red lights are illegal on the front of any non-emergency vehicle. I have never heard anything restricting the use of a flashing red light facing the rear.
Blue lights are illegal on any non-emergency vehicle. Red lights are illegal on the front of any non-emergency vehicle. I have never heard anything restricting the use of a flashing red light facing the rear.
#74
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I saw someone with a blue taillight (on a blue bike) yesterday. But there have been lengthy discussions on these forums (probably the Gadget forum) about the illegality of using blue lights, because it risks being accused of impersonating police. It also confuses driver as to which direction you are moving. Otherwise I would have also liked to get unconventional colors.
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Get one of these and now you have flashing mode.
https://dx.com/p/cree-xlamp-xp-e-b5-5...8-4v-max-26346These police style strobe lights are awesome, but requires a 12v battery.https://www.fasttech.com/products/169...s-w-controller
https://dx.com/p/cree-xlamp-xp-e-b5-5...8-4v-max-26346These police style strobe lights are awesome, but requires a 12v battery.https://www.fasttech.com/products/169...s-w-controller
FLASHLIGHT MODES Mid > Hi > Lo > Strobe > SOS
LENS TYPE Tempered Glass Lens
MODE COUNT 5
https://www.fasttech.com/products/160...-lumen-blue-le
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Fred "The Real Fred"
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