Lights 2015

[GovernorSilver]

I haven’t yet seen a light on any bicycle that was bright enough to blind me, unless it’s in flash mode. Car highbeams blow away any bike light in brightness.

I do wonder how much the rider can see at night with his/her light in flash mode. Flash is more useful in daytime than in the dark of night.

[Rod Smith]

I use a 70 lumen light turned down to 30.

[mstone]

@GovernorSilver 128299 wrote:

I haven’t yet seen a light on any bicycle that was bright enough to blind me, unless it’s in flash mode. Car highbeams blow away any bike light in brightness.

I do wonder how much the rider can see at night with his/her light in flash mode. Flash is more useful in daytime than in the dark of night.

There’s flash and there’s strobe; simple flash doesn’t bother me so much, but some lights seem to really overdrive the led and produce a heck of a bright strobe. In either case I agree that it’s hard to understand how one navigates in the dark spells after killing ones night vision.

[ginacico]

@Tania 128287 wrote:

I haven’t yet encountered a too-bright light in an oncoming bicyclist.

If an oncoming light seems bright, I just look away (to the right edge of the trail, so I can still “see” with peripheral vision). Same reaction I learned in driving school to avoid getting scorched by high beams.

Every cyclist out there in the dark is presumably just trying to get home safely, like I am. I usually assume it’s someone I might know and I can’t spare any irritation over it. If you’ve been yelled at, it wasn’t me.

[DrP]

@ginacico 128309 wrote:

If an oncoming light seems bright, I just look away (to the right edge of the trail, so I can still “see” with peripheral vision). Same reaction I learned in driving school to avoid getting scorched by high beams.

I have been wondering why other folks aren’t doing this. I was raised to not look directly into the sun and other bright lights. Except on the rare occasions that the shape of the trail (e.g., blind curve) makes it so that I have no clue anyone is there until the light is in my and eyes as bright as can be, then I have time to see them when they aren’t so bright, know they are there, and then focus on the ground in front of me or off to the side or something else to worry about. What do these folks do just after sunrise or just before sunset when the sun is in their eyes? Demand that the sun shade itself? As with this morning, I was riding into the sun for a large fraction of my ride (and at times effectively had a Double sun with the reflection of the mostly calm Potomac) so I keep looking not at the sun and continue on my way. At least with other riders, once they are passed, they are no longer bright and in your face, so to speak.

[mstone]

@DrP 128325 wrote:

What do these folks do just after sunrise or just before sunset when the sun is in their eyes? Demand that the sun shade itself?

Hmm, I might need to drag out my “old man yells at cloud” picture.

[DCAKen]

I also have one of the German-spec lights with the distinct cutoff. I don’t cover its beam when encountering oncoming bikes, partially due to that cutoff, but also because its fork-mounted position. I don’t complain about other cyclists’ headlights, even when they are lighting up both the trail and the trees overhead…I just dip my helmet down so the visor obscures the worst of the glare.

[Starduster]

@Powerful Pete 128147 wrote:

Dyno-hubs are uber cool.

I am another one, like Steve O, who happily runs Euro-spec lighting permanently mounted to the bike. Dyno hubs are wonderful, but back when I first purchased this setup in 2011, I had a very tight budget and prioritized the best headlight I could afford. So, 1st generation B+M Cyo IQ headlight (since upgraded to the 2nd gen Cyo IQ Premium) & B+M Topline taillight. I couldn’t swing the cost of either a dynohub + wheel rebuild or one fully built. But there is another option (hear me through before you groan):

[ATTACH=CONFIG]10119[/ATTACH]

“Bottle” generators are not dead. This one from B+M. $49. True, not the perfect solution, it does have drag. But much less than the Union generator I ran in the 80s. I lose a gear running it (I can deal with it), but the light is reliable, no worries about battery run time, and bolted down, *not* a “grab & go” opportunity for a thief. And a number of Euro market commuter bikes have the mounting bracket welded to the frame, so… viable power option if your budget dictates it.

On the matter of glare, *anybody’s* light is going to be an irritation when you are cresting a hill. That’s a problem with auto lighting, too. Only way to avoid that is to aim so low *you* can’t see down the road. Not good for your safety. I simply try to be gracious about it. No points gained being a jerk.

[cathy liang]

Hey everyone!

I’ve been using the Gaciron KIWI-1200 for my evening rides, and I just wanted to share my thoughts. I know this is a bit of a late addition to the thread, but if anyone is still looking for a reliable, bright front light, I’d definitely recommend it.

The 1200 lumens is more than enough for city streets and darker paths. I’ve found it really helps with both seeing the road and being seen by drivers. I ride through some poorly lit areas, and the light has been a game-changer in terms of visibility. Plus, it has a couple of modes, including a flashing option, which I’ve found makes me much more visible, especially on busy roads.

The battery life is solid—I’ve been using it for about 6 months now and only need to charge it once a week, even with regular commuting. I also love how sturdy and weatherproof it is—I’ve had it through rain and wind, and it’s held up great.

Just thought I’d throw my two cents in case anyone’s looking for a solid, affordable light option!

https://www.gaciron-shop.com/products/kiwi-1200-anti-glare-bike-front-light?cfb=8ef18133-3e3b-41ee-b683-c82224435c57&ifb=8ef18133-3e3b-41ee-b683-c82224435c57&scm=search.v39.101.770.103.104&score=1&ssp=&spm=..search.search_1.1

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