Lights

The Exposure spark uses CR123 or RCR123.The former are usually available at petrol stations. You can also buy a set of 4 RCR 123 li ion and a charger for about £20, which you can charge any time you like, so I always have two fully charged batteries in the light and two more stashed as a spare, and I have never needed the spare set even after 3 hour rides.

What sort of battery life have you got out of your spark? I'm using the RCRs in mine but haven't done a ride long enough to burn it out in low power. I'm guessing high power would use the juice up pretty fast.

I don't know, I do use hi power a fair bit, but not all the time, and so far have never gone onto the red (although I have seen the orange light come on)
I have tried the last 30 minutes on full, to see if that drains it, but it hasn't, so I am really impressed.

^thanks for the info, sounds good!

I've just been amusing myself reading the Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations.

Pedal Reflectors

Four are required, coloured amber and marked BS6102/2 (or equivalent), positioned so that one is plainly visible to the front and another to the rear of each pedal.

Does that make clipless pedals illegal after dark? I'm not convinced you can pick up some snazzy Keos with huge amber things hanging off them

I think technically they are illegal, or perhaps it's illegal to sell them as standard equipment on a cycle. I don't think that you'd get charged for it, or that it would be successfully used against you in court (if you had a proper rear light, that is).

I think the pedal reflector law only applies to cycles built after 1985 or something like that, so if you've got an old frame then it doesn't matter.

technically illegal, but something that the police never get their knicker in a twist, as long you got a good light, you'll be fine.

The only time this may become relevant (and has done so before) is when you are involved in an accident.
The driver can use the lack of pedal reflectors and or front and rear and wheel reflectors as a defence, and no amount of rear lights and reflective clothing and other reflective material make any difference.
If it doesnt comply with the vehicle lighting regs, you will more than likely have some degree of liability for any accident that happens when lights are required .

Would be interesting to see how many court cases where such argument is being used (and won with).

At civil court the lack of a legally required reflectors could lead to a reduction of any compensation awarded.

At civil court the lack of a legally required reflectors could lead to a reduction of any compensation awarded.

Although a competent lawyer will fight tooth and nail to avoid this, and it will depend on the circumstances. Pedal reflectors are irrelevant in many common types of crash, e.g. cars pulling out of side turnings, overtaking and then turning left, doorings etc.

On the other hand, as any driver will tell you, coming up behind a cyclist at night you're left in no doubt about what's coming if you see those two amber flashes oscillating 180° out of phase, so if you don't have reflectors it's a good idea to get shoes with retro-reflective features on the ankles or similar.

About to pull the trigger on the Lezyne Power drive (£60).

Want to use it only on the road for night training on country roads.

Anyone know of anything better (within budget) or is this a good little light for the money?

Hope Vision 1 for £72-80.

Although a competent lawyer will fight tooth and nail to avoid this, and it will depend on the circumstances. Pedal reflectors are irrelevant in many common types of crash, e.g. cars pulling out of side turnings, overtaking and then turning left, doorings etc.

On the other hand, as any driver will tell you, coming up behind a cyclist at night you're left in no doubt about what's coming if you see those two amber flashes oscillating 180° out of phase, so if you don't have reflectors it's a good idea to get shoes with retro-reflective features on the ankles or similar.

Got retroflective tape stuck to my winter boots. Probably dosen't score me any style points, but then nor does the flouro jacket, and all the fashion cyclists are back on the train until April at least.

Got retroflective tape stuck to my winter boots. Probably dosen't score me any style points, but then nor does the flouro jacket, and all the fashion cyclists are back on the train until April at least.
Good idea. That scotchbrite (?) stuff lights up like a flare when hit with light - shame it's so expensive. My cheap commuter spd shoes have a couple of strips on the back edge anyway.

sounds good. I have a magicshine for burning retinas.

Thinking about getting one for the DD and FNRttC rides. Undecided as to which model but trying to remain sensible re usage rather than going for the 'burnt retinas' effect automatically.

Thinking about getting one for the DD and FNRttC rides. Undecided as to which model but trying to remain sensible re usage rather than going for the 'burnt retinas' effect automatically.

i have the early model like this:

still has the best output for the price I think.

Is the only way I found that keeps oncoming cars in their half of the lane
on narrow roads. The polite dynamo light didn't do the trick, most of
them insist to drive in the middle to get through the gaps of the speed bumps.

The magicshine with the P7 led is very bright but spills a lot of light which is good for off road but less so for on road without careful positioning of the beam to prevent shining into oncoming drivers eyes. There are lens available that can be used to vshape the beam give a sharper top and bottom cutoff.

The magicshine with the xml-t6 led has much more of a tight beam and is good for off road as a head mounted light.
There are some good prices on these from dealextreme, £32 ish delivered.

P7 http://www.dealextreme.com/p/p7-waterproof-ssc-p7-3-mode-900-lumen-white-led-bike-light-with-battery-pack-set-82509

XML-T6 http://www.dealextreme.com/p/t6-waterproof-xml-t6-3-mode-1200-lumen-white-led-bike-light-with-battery-pack-set-82510

Good idea. That scotchbrite (?) stuff lights up like a flare when hit with light - shame it's so expensive. My cheap commuter spd shoes have a couple of strips on the back edge anyway.

It's quite cheap if you don't buy it in a cycling context
http://www.fabricuk.com/showspecial.php?id=51

£1.49 for 1m of 25mm wide tape.

Has anyone bought the Knog Blinder here yet? Finding it hard to find decent reviews.

Absolutely loving my Cree 1300 lumen and smart r1, the Cree is great and off road, with the mount correctly secured it doesn't flop around even on the mtb. Both are amazing :D

Hope vision 1 owners - what brand of rechargable batteries do you use? The ones I use for my flashgun (hanel 2800mah ones) will only work on the lowest light setting. Worked fine with duracells, but I want to get some decent rechargeables.

http://www.vapextech.co.uk/acatalog/High_Power_Consumer_Batteries.html

Cheers. Just ordered some.

Any one seen this?

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/gotham/theft-resistant-bike-light-by-gotham-bicycle-defen

thoughts?

Is your inability to remember to take off your $10 QR light worth $60? Then they have the light for you.