Lights my conversation again

[Capable1]

Okay how does one compare lumens vs. watts for lights and while on the subject of lights I also saw someone with lights on the sides of their bicycle so does anyone know any good website(s) to recommend other than Amazon and or http://www.dealextreme.com. Thank you all for ur input.

[dbb]

Simply put, one does not compare lumens vs. watts. One only looks at lumens (with the caveats below).

In all my researching of lights, I don’t recall any reputable lights expressing their “strength” using watts. Watts is a measure of energy and is a good measure for how much energy a device consumes but is not a particularly good measure for how efficient it is. Using a non-bike example, a 100 watt incandescent light bulb (the kind you might find in a home) converts 100 watts of electricity into about 90% heat (the reason you don’t touch a lit light bulb) and the rest to light, yielding about 1750 lumens of light. A compact fluorescent lamp of equal brightness converts about 25 watts of electricity into the same amount of light (and far less heat).

Bottom line, a high wattage bulb might be bright, or it might just be inefficient. When the only bulbs we had in the house were incandescent, wattage worked pretty well as a shorthand for expressing the performance (light output) of a light bulb. When alternatives came into the market (compact fluorescents and light emitting diodes or LEDs), it got a bit less clear.

Light output is what you want to consider. As you look at lights, consider price, light output (lumens), battery life (run time), battery type (disposable or rechargeable), the charging system (if rechargeable) and weight. Please note that watts/wattage don’t show up on the list above.

I have a couple of headlights on my bike that are rechargeable and one that has disposable batteries. They each have a purpose and I have to admit the rechargeables using a USB charger have become my favorites.

[Terpfan]

As noted above, I’ve never considered anything in watts, just lumens. I tend to be on the side thinking you don’t need 1,000, but there is ample debate about the “proper amount.” Really, I think it’s about making your ride safe, both in terms of visibility and ability to see things coming up. I think mind is 200 or 250 or so. It’s fine for me, I do wish I had more side lights simply for visibilities sake. While my headlight does emit a slight orange sidelight, I have toyed with the thought of a tripart blinky that would at least be noticable on both sides. Or the folks with lights running in tires. Either way, I just want to be seen on the parts where I’m on the road and where I’m off the road, to the see the clad in black ninjas or the random animals.

[DCAKen]

Another thing to think about is how well the light puts the beam on the ground in front of you. A well designed light will have a more focused beam that doesn’t scatter light everywhere. Peter White Cycles has a good page that compares the output of many lights that they sell.

[thecyclingeconomist]

I have two different lights with the same LED (It’s a CREE XML) which puts out max of around 1000 lumens. One is a spot, the other is a flood. I aim the flood low, right in front of my front wheel. It fills everything close with light. I place the spot about 100 ft. ahead or more so it blends into the flood. So, lumens isn’t the end-all.

For the sake of the discussion though: I think that LOTS of tail lights boast a 1-watt or 1.5-watt LED, making it tough to know what it is that they are actually producing.

I recommend reading, and Peter White does have a lot of good stuff. Also, Dinotte.

If you want to know about lights, hop on some of the endurance racing sites (RUSA.org) and do some reading there too…

Another thing to consider is the rated strength versus what actually is produced in any given LED. I am guessing mine actually produce between 600 and 900 based upon military flashlights I have compared them to, and I know that the military are rated at the lumen output that they actually produce.

Anyway; for SIDE VISIBILITY: use reflective clothing, and maybe some HokeySpokes: http://www.hokeyspokes.com/orderform.htm. Also, just putting reflective bands on your ankles adds a HUGE amount of visibility due to the motion etc. The craziest are these for wheels: http://www.monkeylectric.com/

[ShawnoftheDread]

Has anyone tried painting a couple of spokes with glowing or reflective paint? It seems like it would work like a tracer round to increase side visibility. But maybe just buying tires with reflective sidewalls would be easier.

[thecyclingeconomist]

@ShawnoftheDread 33208 wrote:

Has anyone tried painting a couple of spokes with glowing or reflective paint? It seems like it would work like a tracer round to increase side visibility. But maybe just buying tires with reflective sidewalls would be easier.

http://www.rustoleumibg.com/product.asp?lvl=B&pnv=2&snv=8&bid=8

[vtben]

Revolights look really awesome too, but boy they’re expensive!

[video=vimeo;51042117]http://vimeo.com/51042117[/video]

[Capable1]

Yes I fully agree with you as for me on the dark parts not a lot of them fortunately but as tha saying goes better more light and not need than less and need more.

[Capable1]

Nice expensive or not they wouldn’t be more expensive than time and or money from getting hit by a vehicle and or avoiding other possible accidents thanks for the info.

[Capable1]

I absolutely love all the good info given thank ya very much. Yes I have basically everything else reflective vest, ankle straps, tail lights etc etc but better headlights and side lights I would be as visible as I need to be thanks again

[Author]

Posts