Red Blinky in Back – Required or Retired

[pfunkallstar]

Thought I would throw this question out to the masses. Should you be running the ultra-bright red blinkers on the trails? This morning was a difficult enough ride, which was made all that more difficult by the apparently quantum-flux powered rear light of the guy I caught up with on the Custis trail. I understand the need for the gigawatt red light on streets, but it doesn’t seem all that necessary for trail riding, especially when your fellow bikers are dealing with stealth ninja runners, torrential rain, and the occasional bike spray from fenderless front wheels.

What say ye? My own 2 cents: I don’t run a red tail light on the trails and then switch on a medium powered light on my bag when I get into DC.

Topic

[DaveK]

@consularrider 9403 wrote:

Planet Bike sells an adapter that works with the Superflash on these rack clips. http://ecom1.planetbike.com/3108.html

Exactly what I need. A second Superflash timed just off the flashy pattern of the first one should throw everyone behind me into seizures. Thanks!

[rcannon100]

I was reading a description of the Cygolite and noted that it is described as having these settings:
* High
* Med
* Low
* Daylight flashing

These are the batter powered high powered strobe lights that blind on the bike paths at night. I note that the vendor is describing the flash mode as “daylight flashing.” That should tell us something right there – that the flash mode is not intended for night time riding.

I got hit by four of these ultrabright strobes on the way home friday at sundown. It was not fun. Could not see a thing.

[ronwalf]

I’ve compromised. The PDW RadBot 1000 has a slow pulse mode which is unlikely to blind. I use it in conjunction with a steady-on taillight.

(also, the Radbot is mount-compatible with the superflash, and comes standard the with rack mount shown above that PB sells for $5)

-Ron

[americancyclo]

As a tangent: I saw an unusually high number of commuters this morning with flashing front lights. I can see why you would want this in DC, but on the Custis and W&OD it was irritating. Was there a memo I missed?

[Dirt]

@MCL1981 9431 wrote:

What exactly do you carry around with that? I picture a rotary spreader on the bottom for spreading sand/salt in the winter.

Pretty much anything. Last week I bought a few chairs at a yard sale. Tonight I have to go to the pet store. I’ll arrive home with 20 pounds of cat food and 50 pounds of cat litter. I’ll likely have a bunch of cat toys too.

It is a great training tool. Nothing builds power in the legs like riding a 75 pound bike with lots of stuff strapped to it.

[Author]

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