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Bike Lights
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I only have lights on the front of my bike0 Votes - [0%]
I only have lights on the rear of my bike8 Votes - [34.78%]
I have lights on the front and rear of my bike14 Votes - [60.87%]
Real cyclists don't need lights1 Votes - [4.35%]

2015-06-24 11:22 PM

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Tejas
Subject: Bike Lights
The wife and I were having a discussion about how many cyclists have lights on their bike. Not reflectors, but actual lights. We weren't talking about riders that use them for riding at night. Just those that use them during daytime riding. She insists that real cyclists have both front and rear lights..I have a Lezyne strobe on the back that I use every time I ride. I reason that the cars in the opposite lane don't need a strobe to see me and that my safety is not compromised without it. If someone from the opposite direction does not see me and he poses a threat to me, He's going to run me over, strobe or not!
Remember, I'm asking about using lights daytime riding only. What say BT?


2015-06-25 5:46 AM
in reply to: Guest

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Champion
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Tacoma, Washington
Subject: RE: Bike Lights

I rarely use a light on my bike in daytime. Even then, it's only a rear red blinker (though a fairly powerful one). Most of the time, a small blinking red light will be washed out in full daylight. Just my opinion.

At night I use three blinking red lights in back, and both a steady white light (to see) and a blinking white light (to be seen) up front.

2015-06-25 11:23 AM
in reply to: Guest

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74
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Post Falls, Idaho
Subject: RE: Bike Lights
I'm a big fan of lights if you ride in any kind of traffic. I have a Planet Bike SuperFlash blinky tail light that I really like. I virtually always turn it on, day or night, short or long ride. It's extremely bright and the random pattern has an alarming quality. There is simply no way that someone approaching from the rear will not notice you. Battery life has been excellent.

I usually only put my front light on in the darker months when commuting. I have a $25 Chinese 1,000 lumen CREE knock off with rechargeable battery pack. It works great, is extremely bright, and I can trigger strobe mode easily if I really want to be sure a car pulling up to an intersection sees me and doesn't pull out in front of me. It's so bright on high you have to be careful where you aim it so as not to blind drivers.
2015-06-25 5:18 PM
in reply to: rframe

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Subject: RE: Bike Lights
I guess I hadn't considered the front light for cars pulling out in front of me. Doh! Those are the bastages that I most often have to brake for to avoid t-boning. Another light for the front it is...I'm going to have to install a power strip next to my bike to plug all this crap into !!
2015-06-25 10:29 PM
in reply to: mdg2003

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Subject: RE: Bike Lights
2015-06-26 9:47 AM
in reply to: magic

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Subject: RE: Bike Lights
Originally posted by magic

Front: http://indigo.lighting/shop/lights/indigo5
Rear: https://cycliq.com/


Those are nice. I really don't want the one with rear facing video. I think it would scare the crud out of me to see how close the Bubba's around here actually get to me. I tend to get "buzzed" by some a hole at least once every two to three rides!


2015-06-26 2:38 PM
in reply to: mdg2003

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Subject: RE: Bike Lights
Originally posted by mdg2003

Originally posted by magic

Front: http://indigo.lighting/shop/lights/indigo5
Rear: https://cycliq.com/


Those are nice. I really don't want the one with rear facing video. I think it would scare the crud out of me to see how close the Bubba's around here actually get to me. I tend to get "buzzed" by some a hole at least once every two to three rides!


The video quality of the Fly6 is ok'ish. Not quite good enough to get license plate numbers but good enough to replay and see what was happening behind you. The audio capture is good. I was hit by a car door a little while back, the audio from that was near priceless. Got a couple good frames of my riding buddy behind me react the calamity in front of him too.

I stopped using a front mounted camera in favor of a powerful blinking light. While the camera would capture the shenanigans the bright blinking light seems get drivers to notice you and then give a lot more space (shenanigan avoidance).
2015-06-29 12:02 PM
in reply to: Guest

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Austin, TX
Subject: RE: Bike Lights
I used to only use a tail light, until my cycling group has had several issues with cars pulling out/turning in front of us. Now I use both and leave them on flashing mode all the time. When driving/riding around, look at other cyclists and you will definitely notice those with the lights much quicker than those without them. And from much farther away. If it stops one car from pulling out in front of me, it is well worth it.

I just upgraded to a Serfas 305 headlight and their TL80 taillight. Both are very bright and rechargeable. I have to charge them once a week. Big step up from the Planet Bike non-rechargeable lights I used to have.
2015-07-09 7:32 AM
in reply to: 0

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Tejas
Subject: RE: Bike Lights
Rear view radar!!!!!


https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/into-sports/cycling/varia-rearview-r...

Edited by mdg2003 2015-07-09 7:33 AM
2015-07-09 9:32 AM
in reply to: Guest

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Champion
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Sarasota, FL
Subject: RE: Bike Lights

I normally ride with a bright rear red blinker in the daytime.  I've known two people who were run down from behind in the middle of the day; one fatally and the other with serious life-changing injuries.  I also tend to wear brightly colored jerseys for the same reason, to make myself as visible as possible.  

Mark

 

2015-07-11 12:41 AM
in reply to: Guest

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Subject: RE: Bike Lights
Generally speaking I keep a red read light on, in case it gets a bit dark on the way home.

If I know for sure it will be night riding though, I have a 700 lumens lamp I wear on the front too.


2015-07-31 7:41 PM
in reply to: dfquigley

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Englewood, Florida
Subject: RE: Bike Lights

I was driving home last night before sunset and a bike group was coming towards me. The guy in the front had a blinking light and I saw the light before I saw them. It was enough to convert me, I picked them up this morning and will be using them henceforth.

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