Rear lights - recommendations?

[vidtek]

Personally I never ride at night. The roads around the Bournemouth/Poole/Christchurch conurbation are no place for a cyclist, particularly a 72 year old in the daytime, let alone at night. Bournemouth is second in the whole country after London as the most accidents per square mile, and that's mainly in the daytime. https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/18814145.bournemouth-second-dangerous-city-uk-drive/ The only ride I do without driving my car (bike on the rack) to a safer area and riding from there is the one through the Bournemouth Gardens to the sea front at Bournemouth Pier. That entails just a short stretch of road called Glenferness Avenue, a very wide road through very expensive properties (most at £2m+) to the gardens. There is a painted bicycle line on the side of the road, with a nice lot of tree roots all the way along....

 

[guerney]

Personally I never ride at night

Because the lights are soldered to my ebike battery, I have all of them on day and night - the front lights (daytime) got me out of trouble recently at an intersection, when I'd probably have been hit by a van... during the day I keep one of the two 1800 lumen headlights on my handlebar flashing - the van driver saw that headlight's flashing on the tarmac ahead of me (my bike was obscured by another vehicle) prompting the van driver to brake.

 

[vidtek]

Because the lights are soldered to my ebike battery, I have all of them on day and night - the front lights (daytime) got me out of trouble recently at an intersection, when I'd probably have been hit by a van... during the day I keep one of the two 1800 lumen headlights on my handlebar flashing - the van driver saw that headlight's flashing on the tarmac ahead of me (my bike was obscured by another vehicle) prompting the van driver to brake.

Agreed, I always ride with my lights on, hence the op.

 

[Ocsid]

Agreed, I always ride with my lights on, hence the op.

Which I do as well, at least a rear light and typically in "day time flash" mode.

I am a great believer in "it's in my best interest I am seen", hence a high viz jacket, yellow helmet and bright yellow panniers, each with reflective markings; none of this stealth cycling in all black, seeking to hide in the shadows of tree lined lanes as if on some SAS mission.

 

[StuartsProjects]

none of this stealth cycling in all black, seeking to hide in the shadows of tree lined lanes as if on some SAS mission.

Thats only for eScooter riders.

 

[guerney]

Agreed, I always ride with my lights on, hence the op.

Which I do as well, at least a rear light and typically in "day time flash" mode.

I think it very unlikely you'd be pulled over by the Police for flashing much brighter lights than I have, during the day.

I am a great believer in "it's in my best interest I am seen", hence a high viz jacket, yellow helmet and bright yellow panniers, each with reflective markings; none of this stealth cycling in all black, seeking to hide in the shadows of tree lined lanes as if on some SAS mission.

Damned right. But my being dressed head to ankle in hi-vis doesn't work all the time - for some reason many drivers seem to be cyclist blind. Using very brightly brights fore and aft improves matters considerably. Bolting on a physical obstacle to prevent them getting close works wonderfully - drivers fear orange lollipops sticking out of the right side handgrips of bicycles.

Thats only for eScooter riders.

I often see rinja cyclists at night (correct pronounciation), and it bewilders me - one was so blacked out, I only noticed him because of the highly localised complete absence of light... he was bike shaped a silhouette moving across my light beams.

 

[Ocsid]

- for some reason many drivers seem to be cyclist blind.

Rather my concern if they get 1800 Lumens in their eyes

I agree though there are odd motorist that pass way too close, some I suspect on a mission to do so. At the same time there are cyclist, typically groups, on a mission to screw up motorised vehicle users; odd people out there.

 

[guerney]

Rather my concern if they get 1800 Lumens in their eyes

They don't look all that bright during the day, even on overcast days, but they do make me more visible to drivers, especially when flashing. As I said, I point my twin 1800 lumen headlights at the road.

I agree though there are odd motorist that pass way too close, some I suspect on a mission to do so. At the same time there are cyclist, typically groups on a mission to screw up motorise vehicle users; odd world.

It's all very well some recommending commanding the road (I stick to the side), but if those cyclists in middle lane are not noticed by the driver or self "Driving" vehicle, they're going to get minced.

 

[Bogmonster666]

My understanding is that car headlights are ~1200 lumens each dipped and ~1500 each high beam.

The main point about the dipped beam is the cutoff (to other side of road and height wise) so as not to dazzle.

In reality, many drivers drive on single track roads in the dark looking for incoming car headlights that are visible some distance off and consequently are effectively driving around blind corners too fast. A poor cyclist can be wearing all the high Viz but with a modest light will not be seen by the oncoming driver until much later than if they were a car. And a well adjusted bike light won't be visible above hedges in the same way that a full beam car headlight is.

I don't think there is an easy answer to this tbh. I try and avoid single track roads at night because I find them too dangerous.

My front lights are a fenix bike light (BTR20) that I usually use at 400lm but sometimes 800 on country roads - got this very cheap on ebay. I also have a fenix torch that I use at 500lm if the conditions are poor - this has quite a long throw and for cycling fast is actually better than the dedicated bike light, but if poorly adjusted it can easily dazzle other road users.

I am a bit of a Fenix fan, I generally find their stuff reliable and well made, but I primarily use their stuff in rather more abrasive and aqueous environments than a typical cycle ride.

 

[guerney]

My understanding is that car headlights are ~1200 lumens each dipped and ~1500 each high beam.

The main point about the dipped beam is the cutoff (to other side of road and height wise) so as not to dazzle.

Dipped SUV headlights shine right into my cycling eyes, because SUV headlights are situated higher up. SUVs are freaking everywhere these days.

And a well adjusted bike light won't be visible above hedges in the same way that a full beam car headlight is.

My lights are as bright as a motorbike's, I'm certain they reflect past bends ahead of my bike, even though they point down at the tarmac.

 

[Bogmonster666]

@guerney

How about these bad boys:

https://m.aliexpress.com/item/1005004793064010.html

6000lm each

 

[Bogmonster666]

I'm partial to a little bit of underground advanture - came across this beast:



I'm sure a handlebar mount is possible?

 

[guerney]

@guerney

How about these bad boys:

https://m.aliexpress.com/item/1005004793064010.html

6000lm each

At last! The perfect rear light for @vidtek !

They keep getting brighter and cheaper - how can they afford to sell these for a tenner and convey them by air from China for free? I get a touch of voltage sag when I switch on the three 1800 lumen lights (plus two others) I already have... which is why I decided not to buy those a few months ago. LED headlights don't last forever... after over a year of constant day and night use, one of mine has started to turn a tad yellow... so I may actually buy one of those you've linked. If not, I might get a couple for the Dahon Espresso 26" wheeled folding bike I should have finishing assembling by now. Thanks for the heads up, they're about half the price they were a few months ago.

Photos from reviewers:

I'm partial to a little bit of underground advanture - came across this beast:

View attachment 51318

I'm sure a handlebar mount is possible?

Well that's one way to burn a brand into your forehead. Deffo take it off when you smell burning hair. Avoid flammable shampoo and hair wax...

 

[vidtek]

For goodness's sake you guys, you are going way ott. All I want is a simple flashing rear light that can be easily seen and doesn't fall off.
Decided on these: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/185299701217

Cheers Tony.

 

[guerney]

Talking of indicators, I notice these indicator helmets are discounted: £24.99 at Aldi

https://www.aldi.co.uk/grey-matte-indicator-helmet-s-m/p/801462392572900

 

[vidtek]

Nice

Talking of indicators, I notice these indicator helmets are discounted: £24.99 at Aldi

https://www.aldi.co.uk/grey-matte-indicator-helmet-s-m/p/801462392572900

Nice for people that want to wear helmets. I don't. I didn't ride a bike in Australia for 33 years because they were compulsory there. It's good to go down the sea front and cycle along in thongs and shorts with the wind blowing in your hair (what's left of it) in the Summer.

 

[Bogmonster666]

For goodness's sake you guys, you are going way ott. All I want is a simple flashing rear light that can be easily seen and doesn't fall off.
Decided on these: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/185299701217

Cheers Tony.

I was just having a bit of fun. I personally have a modest rear light: https://fawkes-cycles.co.uk/smart-rl317r-1w-superflash-1-watt-rear-led-light-p11385

And another cheapo rear as I have had lights turn themselves off on bumpy surfaces.

Numerous studies have shown that pedal reflectors or ankle reflectors are very effective. Drivers tune in and notice the pedalling action and register it is a bike more reliably.

My front lights are brightish, 800lm but I frequently ride country roads - I run them at 400lm most of the time at night. ~800lm is about the recommended brightness for nighttime rural roads. I personally have no need for 1000's of lumens front or back. I also usually carry a spare front light - you really don't want to be my local roads with no lights at night if something fails - that's cycling or walking.

I do have a cheapo Aldi helmet with single red led. I don't buy for the led, it was just cheap and all helmets must meet minimum safety standards. Tbh, the led is not very bright at all. I don't ride much in busy traffic but I can imagine having an additional light high up on your head is useful in such scenarios.

 

[StuartsProjects]

I'm sure a handlebar mount is possible?

Might be, but if this is for a rear light, then if its on the handlebars, your cycling backwards.

 

[guerney]

you are going way ott

The brightness in footcandles outside on this overcast day is 199, IMHO cyclists need to use very bright lights to be more noticed.