The Torch helmet, with embedded front/rear lights – good idea, dorky or other?

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Viewing 11 posts - 1 through 11 (of 11 total)
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  • October 13, 2014 at 1:56 am #1012092
    jrenaut
    Participant

    Anyone know of a study on the effectiveness of lights on the helmet? It seems to me that it could be harder for drivers to track the light if the cyclist’s head turns. But maybe it helps to remind them that it’s actually a person attached to the light?

    Anyway, never seen one.

    October 13, 2014 at 2:08 am #1012094
    mstone
    Participant

    I’m pretty sure I’d remember seeing one–that’s pretty dorky even for cyclist fashion sensibilities. (Unless one is in a low budget 70s sci-fi movie, then it’s perfect.)

    October 13, 2014 at 12:33 pm #1012096
    GB
    Participant

    I like the idea, but not that design. I like having lights on my helmet to help drivers know where I’m looking (If you can see the red, I can’t see you. If you see the white ones, I’ve seen you). Plus putting a little bob in the lights helps distinguish me from a motorcycle at a distance.

    October 13, 2014 at 12:55 pm #1012099
    PotomacCyclist
    Participant

    [ATTACH=CONFIG]6800[/ATTACH]

    October 13, 2014 at 1:02 pm #1012101
    Crickey7
    Participant

    @PotomacCyclist 96867 wrote:

    Has anyone seen one in the wild in this area?

    I saw one last week on the Capitol Crescent. It looked fairly dorky, but then, all helmets do to some extent.

    October 13, 2014 at 2:34 pm #1012105
    bobco85
    Participant

    I like the idea of helmet-integrated lights, especially if they can keep the weight down. Stats: weight 13 oz., 12 hours of battery life, USB recharge takes 1.5 hours, 5 front LED’s, 5 rear LED’s, price $140 ($150 for fancy-schmancy midnight edition). The only thing I don’t know is if this is just for being seen by drivers or if it will actually light up the path in front of you.

    Aesthecially, I think some of the dorkiness comes from the red color. It looks a lot cooler in white and black (or their midnight edition). I might just also be a dork, though (ask my siblings and they’ll say it’s absolutely true).

    Pics from their website: http://torchapparel.com/collections/t1-bicycle-helmet-1

    in the dark[IMG]http://bikearlingtonforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=6801&stc=1[/IMG]

    midnight edition
    [IMG]http://bikearlingtonforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=6802&stc=1[/IMG]
    in white
    [IMG]http://bikearlingtonforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=6803&stc=1[/IMG]

    October 13, 2014 at 2:51 pm #1012106
    Geoff
    Participant

    I have a couple of problems with the helmet. Many people object to helmet mounted lights because they can blind oncoming riders. Also, if the helmet is damaged and needs to be replaced you have to replace the light also even if the light by itself is fine.

    October 13, 2014 at 4:52 pm #1012108
    sethpo
    Participant

    Good point about damaging the helmet but I like having my bright light on my helmet. I can turn my head away from on-coming bikers on the paths and turn my head light right at drivers looking to make turns into or across my direction of travel.

    This winter I’ve gone full safety nuts though. I just added a second super bright front light mounted on my handlebars and have now three red blinky lights to the rear and one pointed to the side (wrapped around the top tube) and I’ve taken to wearing a reflective safety vest as well. Oh, and I put a fluorescent yellow rain cover (w/ reflective stripes) over my black pannier regardless of weather.

    I’m currently researching reflective tattoo technology for my calves.

    October 13, 2014 at 5:21 pm #1012113
    culimerc
    Participant

    A friend of mine has one of these. The front light is really more of a safety light than a functional one. Between the weak LED and the diffusing plastic lens, it really doesn’t throw enough light to be anything more than a Please don’t run me over light. So, not a lot of concern about blinding people. Very convenient to have though, especially as its starts getting darker earlier than you expect, you never get caught without some sort of light. Probably really nice to have in the city, where you have street lights to see the road with.

    October 13, 2014 at 5:25 pm #1012114
    TwoWheelsDC
    Participant

    If I was in the market for a new non-road helmet, I’d seriously consider the black version, but the $70 premium over a non-lighted helmet of this style would be a major turnoff. For that, I could buy an extra set of Knog Blinders that are probably more effective anyway.

    October 13, 2014 at 5:41 pm #1012117
    hozn
    Participant

    The helmet looks too skateboardy for me, but the idea seems reasonable and price isn’t too crazy — as helmets go. I assume these are just be-seen lights, so I don’t think there is any concern of blinding oncoming riders. If these are supposed to provide trail illumination, then it makes leas sense as it doesn’t look like it provides a way to adjust angle for different riding positions. Is it reflective? If it’s going to focus on safety, that would have been a good decision.

    I have come to appreciate that helmet color really makes a difference for rider visibility. It’s why mine is bright green :) It also makes it easier for my wife and kids to see me at races. Of course the best way to be visible would be to stay off the front … I would suggest that the helmet lights also help a lot, if for no other reason than to differentiate cyclists from cars — and stationary objects (from the movement). I will probably start using a proper helmet light this winter to supplement the bar lights.

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