Good post sleepy :thumbsup:
I would recommend the Smart R1 as a rear light, it actually has a group rider mode that gives a steady light on half power.
I am finding Fibre Flares the most 'friendly' light for group riding (based on having been behind people with them, I now use one attached to my Bagman). Soft light, but very visible.+1 for Fibre Flares. Some of us rode the last stage of the Berwick & Beattock 400 with a rider (ramcityrocker otp?) who had one: it was a nice light to ride behind, but very visible. I might just get one. :)
As a footnote, I had an interesting conversation a few months ago in my LBS where I challenged them to sell me road-legal lights for use in the UK: they openly admitted that they couldn't. They could sell me lights that are legal reflects (Cateyes), but not legal lights. All the lights that blinked also had a steady mode and so are required to satisfy British Standards. And they didn't stock German dyno lights off the shelf. No bike shop I have been into since has stocked both a legal front and a legal rear light. Go figure.
Currently a fan of my rear set-up - a Cateye LD600 in ripple (or "nightrider" ) mode
As a footnote, I had an interesting conversation a few months ago in my LBS where I challenged them to sell me road-legal lights for use in the UK: they openly admitted that they couldn't. They could sell me lights that are legal reflects (Cateyes), but not legal lights. All the lights that blinked also had a steady mode and so are required to satisfy British Standards. And they didn't stock German dyno lights off the shelf. No bike shop I have been into since has stocked both a legal front and a legal rear light. Go figure.
Maybe because the law is out of date and even rear LED lights from poundland are adequate? This is said as someone who drives - as long as the batteries are fresh then the cheapest of leds show up.
I have to challenge your assertion that the rear lights must point directly backwards. Some rear lights (Dinotte?) are designed to be pointed slightly down. Some of the Smart lights have a lens that spreads the light so that it shows up from a range of viewing angles.
I've always thought ours is OK- we have a wide smart thingy on feeble, a cheap smart blinky on feeble and a fibre flare.
I think the necessity for being seen from miles away by cars is overrated. I don't need a car to see my bike from Ohio, only from 100m. And to be honest, they probably see that ray of white light heading up the road before they see anything red behind. I'm happy they think I'm walking, till they get closer.
How do we look from behind, wheelsuckers?
(Please only comment on the lighting. How my arse blocks out the sun is a subject for a different thread.)
you've got something mounted on the seat stay that could do with being straightened?Fibreflare on the offside mudguard rack.
I have to challenge your assertion that the rear lights must point directly backwards. Some rear lights (Dinotte?) are designed to be pointed slightly down. Some of the Smart lights have a lens that spreads the light so that it shows up from a range of viewing angles.
For lights to be legal in the UK...
... pedal reflectors scream "cyclist" but so do Scotchlite ankle bands ...
you've got something mounted on the seat stay that could do with being straightened?Fibreflare on the offside mudguard rack.
As a footnote, I had an interesting conversation a few months ago in my LBS where I challenged them to sell me road-legal lights for use in the UK: they openly admitted that they couldn't. They could sell me lights that are legal reflects (Cateyes), but not legal lights. All the lights that blinked also had a steady mode and so are required to satisfy British Standards. And they didn't stock German dyno lights off the shelf. No bike shop I have been into since has stocked both a legal front and a legal rear light. Go figure.
Maybe because the law is out of date and even rear LED lights from poundland are adequate? This is said as someone who drives - as long as the batteries are fresh then the cheapest of leds show up.
I have to challenge your assertion that the rear lights must point directly backwards. Some rear lights (Dinotte?) are designed to be pointed slightly down. Some of the Smart lights have a lens that spreads the light so that it shows up from a range of viewing angles.
For lights to be legal in the UK, they must be stamped BS6102/3, or must comply to some equivalent European-country's national standard (e.g. Germany).
... because the law is an ass ...
The eye of sauron?
Kim has one of those. I tihnk it is a radbot 1000
Sorry to hijack this for a product question but does anyone know the brand of rear LED that emits a "frikkin deth ray" pulse every second or so?
I saw one on a ride once, in daylight, and it was very eye-catching.
I ride a lot from bright sunshine into "tree-tunnels" where it's almost dark. One of those lights may be perfect for such situations.
Smart R2 has a "pulse" mode (as well as the usual "flash" mode)
2 x 1/2 watt LEDs may not qualify "as frikkin deth ray" but it's as bright as I want at the back.
The eye of sauron?
Kim has one of those. I tihnk it is a radbot 1000
[Also consider a driver trying to pass this lot at 2am, and what mental state he/she may be in.]
Sorry to hijack this for a product question but does anyone know the brand of rear LED that emits a "frikkin deth ray" pulse every second or so?
I saw one on a ride once, in daylight, and it was very eye-catching.
I ride a lot from bright sunshine into "tree-tunnels" where it's almost dark. One of those lights may be perfect for such situations.
Smart R2 has a "pulse" mode (as well as the usual "flash" mode)
2 x 1/2 watt LEDs may not qualify "as frikkin deth ray" but it's as bright as I want at the back.
I bit like these PpPete?
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/984089_10151437414216186_2059386863_n.jpg)
And don't hang rear lights on the little light loop on a Carradice - all it will do is bounce up and down like a Buckeroo and serve little purpose in be visible to drivers and will dazzle other riders in the group on a frequent basis.
I'm inclined to disagree.And there lies the rub.
A Carradice on a Bagman, or other support, can be very stable. A reasonably bright light hung off the loop tends to point downwards creating a big "pool" of red light on the road behind the rider. As an addition to a light facing properly backwards I think they can be good. I use a bit of elastic cord to stop them making a bid for freedom, but that also minimises any bounce.
I'm inclined to disagree.And there lies the rub.
A Carradice on a Bagman, or other support, can be very stable. A reasonably bright light hung off the loop tends to point downwards creating a big "pool" of red light on the road behind the rider. As an addition to a light facing properly backwards I think they can be good. I use a bit of elastic cord to stop them making a bid for freedom, but that also minimises any bounce.
I also find wiggling Carradice mounted lights really irritating. No one (surely) sets out to have an irritating/overkill rear light set-up, and yet there's loads of them out there....
And don't hang rear lights on the little light loop on a Carradice - all it will do is bounce up and down like a Buckeroo and serve little purpose in be visible to drivers and will dazzle other riders in the group on a frequent basis.
I'm inclined to disagree.
A Carradice on a Bagman, or other support, can be very stable. A reasonably bright light hung off the loop tends to point downwards creating a big "pool" of red light on the road behind the rider. As an addition to a light facing properly backwards I think they can be good. I use a bit of elastic cord to stop them making a bid for freedom, but that also minimises any bounce.
I'm inclined to disagree.And there lies the rub.
A Carradice on a Bagman, or other support, can be very stable. A reasonably bright light hung off the loop tends to point downwards creating a big "pool" of red light on the road behind the rider. As an addition to a light facing properly backwards I think they can be good. I use a bit of elastic cord to stop them making a bid for freedom, but that also minimises any bounce.
I also find wiggling Carradice1 mounted lights really irritating. No one (surely) sets out to have an irritating/overkill rear light set-up, and yet there's loads of them out there....
1:Other saddlebags are available. Some of them even hold your lights still.
While we're whinging about other-people's-lights, can I just say that if you have killah-DETH-lasers on the front of your bike, and you'resucking someone's wheelriding in a group, could you PLEASE follow at an offset? I don't like the driver to be picking a line in shadow. Basically, if your light is doing a fine job of picking out the reflectives on my arse, it's creating an equivalently enormous shadow in front.
Thanks.
While we're whinging about other-people's-lights, can I just say that if you have killah-DETH-lasers on the front of your bike, and you'resucking someone's wheelriding in a group, could you PLEASE follow at an offset?
Flashing lights - front OR back - just don't bother. They annoy almost everyone, for negligible benefit.My bold/underline
(My opinion - and that of dozens of riders I have talked to - and of the PBP organisers, who banned the things years ago! )
Flashing lights - front OR back - just don't bother. They annoy almost everyone, for negligible benefit.My bold/underline
(My opinion - and that of dozens of riders I have talked to - and of the PBP organisers, who banned the things years ago! )
And I think the PBP organisers have got it 100% correct. It was a joy at night having to content with the flashing and I think they should be banned in all Audax events.
+1. If LEL organisers couldrequestrequire that rear lights should be on constant rather than flashing, that would be useful.
+1. If LEL organisers couldrequestrequire that rear lights should be on constant rather than flashing, that would be useful.
FTFY
I beg to differ.
The corollary to this is when you do ride at an offset, the person in front who moves *into* the beam. What's that about, other than being a newbie thing? I could understand if they moved further to the left thinking you were about to overtake...
Nothing screams "CYCLIST" to an otherwise inattentive driver on such a road at night than
reflective ankle bands.
Nothing screams "CYCLIST" to an otherwise inattentive driver on such a road at night than a bright "blinky".
Nothing screams "CYCLIST" to an otherwise inattentive driver on such a road at night than
reflective ankle bands
Nothing screams "CYCLIST" to an otherwise inattentive driver on such a road at night than
reflective ankle bands
I have been pondering the purchase of some ankle bands as they really do stand out, some one on BCM was using them and I really noticed it then. Big fan of retroreflective stuff anyway. The PBP gilet is brilliant for lots of shiny silver bits at night and make more impact (in my mind) than any light can.
+1. If LEL organisers couldrequestrequire that rear lights should be on constant rather than flashing, that would be useful.
FTFY
I beg to differ.
Much of the LEL route is on rural roads with low motor traffic volumes (which is a good thing).
Nothing screams "CYCLIST" to an otherwise inattentive driver on such a road at night than a bright "blinky".
Sorry, but my safety takes precedence over your discomfort.... that's not to say I won't happily turn my lights to steady in the unlikely event ofsomeone wheelsucking meme keeping up with a group.
I have been pondering the purchase of some ankle bands as they really do stand out, some one on BCM was using them and I really noticed it then. Big fan of retroreflective stuff anyway. The PBP gilet is brilliant for lots of shiny silver bits at night and make more impact (in my mind) than any light can.
I agree with fboab. Just a set of lights is enough.
Have to say, I agree with PpPete. I've never understood the problem with flashers, and I spend most of the winter sitting behind Baggy and her array of Smart 1/2ws .
Nothing screams "CYCLIST" to an otherwise inattentive driver on such a road at night than
reflective ankle bands.
For us recumbent riders reflective ankle bands probably aren't as visible from behind. Nevertheless, due to the many useful comments in this thought-provoking thread, I have just bought a load of reflective tape which I intend to drape liberally over me and my bike.Nothing screams "CYCLIST" to an otherwise inattentive driver on such a road at night than a bright "blinky".
Good thing too - as it's quite clearly pointing upwards. ;D
It's rock-solid but can be tweaked up/down or left/right easily.
Have to say, I agree with PpPete. I've never understood the problem with flashers, and I spend most of the winter sitting behind Baggy and her array of Smart 1/2ws .
I've wiled away hours playing the blinking game on Audaxes:-
Try and blink at the right frequency so that the flashing rear light ahead of you either looks on all the time, or off all the time.
Better than the number plate game.
On PBP at one night stage I had the joy of being some way behind some idiot with a BLUE flashing rear light of DETH. It was sufficiently annoying to be blinding from some half a mile behind. When we got to the next control Simon had to stop me seeking out the moron's bike and kicking the shit out of the light and her bike in general. Yes, it was a she. She subsequently asked if I wouldn't mind waiting for her as I left a control so she had someone to ride with and she wasn't yet ready to go. I rode off rapidly.
And the opposite of that is the BCM, where if you're late starting the climb up towards the YH at Pen-y-Pas you see flashing lights in the sky and assume they are aerials on top of the mountain, or low flying aircraft, before the horrible realisation hits that they are bicycle lights and you need to get up there...
(not that the climb is hard, but they seem an awfully long way up when you are at the bottom)
And the opposite of that is the BCM, where if you're late starting the climb up towards the YH at Pen-y-Pas you see flashing lights in the sky and assume they are aerials on top of the mountain, or low flying aircraft, before the horrible realisation hits that they are bicycle lights and you need to get up there...
(not that the climb is hard, but they seem an awfully long way up when you are at the bottom)
A fantastic event all on its own those lights in the sky, it has to be seen to be believed!
And the opposite of that is the BCM, where if you're late starting the climb up towards the YH at Pen-y-Pas you see flashing lights in the sky and assume they are aerials on top of the mountain, or low flying aircraft, before the horrible realisation hits that they are bicycle lights and you need to get up there...
(not that the climb is hard, but they seem an awfully long way up when you are at the bottom)
A fantastic event all on its own those lights in the sky, it has to be seen to be believed!
Unless you're first up then I guess you have to look back at a trail of white?
Planning on doing BCM next year and look forward to the red lights in front of me.
Sometimes I like to see a flashing light in the distance, especially if I'm on my own at night, reminds me there's someone else about, I guess that's different on a ride with numbers like LEL thoughYes, it's a lovely sight - it's warmed my heart on quite a few long rides - but IN THE DISTANCE.