Thursday, October 2, 2008
Hey buddy, got a light?
In another month, Daylight Saving Time goes bye-bye, a departure I find more difficult to deal with every fall. Fortunately, our esteemed legislators in Congress in their infinite wisdom (yes, I’m being facetious) saw fit to delay autumn’s turning back of clocks until November 2 this year. I’ll take it. That gives me a little longer before I have to start keeping my headlight battery charging every night. In this part of the world, it won’t be long before it starts getting dark right after lunch. Or so it seems. OK, that’s an exaggeration, but there are weeks upon weeks during the winter when we’re all leaving work in the dark. Some cycluters I know use the end of DST to mark the end of their cycluting days for the year. I’m more stubborn than that, of course, so I’ll be firing up the headlight, putting new batteries in the taillight and making my way through the dark. So, I’m open to suggestion about lights. I’ve had very good luck with the Turbocat line of headlights. I have a battery pack that tucks right into my water bottle holder and connects to a halogen lamp strapped on my handlebars with Velcro. There’s no way an oncoming car won’t see me. I’ve thought about adding a light to my helmet, just for added visibility, but I’m not sure I want to go with the coal-miner look. Your turn. Have any suggestions or recommendations for seeing and being seen once we have to pedal hope in the pitch-black?
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4 comments:
lights, I've tried lots of different kinds, as an aside, I had an early version of an LED heaslight and as I was riding it seemed that it was kind of dim, so I impulsively leaned over the handlebars to look in the beam, stupid move!, it was blinding, I couldn't see a thing and had to stop for several minutes until my retinas recovered.
One thing Ive learned is you can spend a lot on lights. They keep coming out with better and better ones evey year. For years I used one of the wheel rubbing generators to run a headlight and taillight. Very reliable and cheap. It must have been reasonably visible as I never had any scares with cars while using it. If I was poorer, Id still be using it but I succombed repeatedly to the marketing hype of more better safer, brighter, effecient etc. Not all of it is hype. Now I use a schmid dynamo hub to run the headlight (Busch&Muller Lumotech), no batteries, no recharging! The only drawback (aside from the cost) is that bulbs last only about 100 hours, however they are easy to change and will let you know before they burn out by getting dimmer. You will need to carry a spare and remember not to handle the bulb with bare hands. I am considering upgrading the headlight this year to a LED type like the Schmid Edlux, but Im procrastinating due to the cost. For a tailight usually have 2, one to run and a spare. If one breaks, Ive got a long ride and I don't want to be w/o light under any circumstances. The running one is a nightrider universal, it is battery powered and will run about 15 hours before needing a charge. Its an LED and very bright. It sometimes annoys people who ride behind me because its so bright. I have had a variety of inexpensive auxillary rear lights, they seem to have a short half life, they come loose, break, burn out, fall off, get run over. I tried helmet lights and really like them, it allows you to direct a beam of light by looking at something, you aren't limited to where you are pointing your handlebars. Its great if something breaks and you need to see it to fix it in the dark. It also allows you to look at drivers, shine some light in their faces, it really gets their attention.
Seems like I am the only one who comments on the blog
bikechemist
I like the helmet light. It's a little clunky carrying the battery pack around in a jersey pocket and having a cyborg wire running up your back, but it gives you another way of communicating your presence. When a driver is about to do something careless (left turns across my path come to mind) I just send my gaze their way and the 3W flashing light on my helmet alerts them to my presence. (or momentarily paralyzes them with blindness) I keep the handlebar light, too, but the helmet light is a nice signaling tool
I would go with a good blinking white light up front (Cateye- about $20), and on the back a Planet Bike Super Flash-- it's about $20 and flashes almost like a siren, i've even seen motorcyclists with it.
With the new federal bike commuter law (part of the bailout package) your employer could pay for that as a commuting expense.
I'd also suggest reflectors on your wheels, a reflective jacket, and of course just general situational awareness at all times.
Awesome that you commute year round..
- fellow bike commuter, SF, CA
Love this time of year!
I second JAW's setup. A white blinky in the front & Planet Bike tail.
A solid front light will help you see, but I found it doesn't give the same visibility (being seen) distance as a bright white blinky.
I have a mountain bike helmet mount made by a local guy north of Boston (Dark Ends) not sure he is still making them... I use it more for to see potholes and such.
I also swear by a halo. I use a Nathan helmet halo/reflector - I get comments about it, so it must be visible.
I wear a red blinky on the back of my helmet (if I am off my bike for some reason) and one on my left chain stay.
Just found this blog - thanks for putting together
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