Lights

Good news. A little bit of silicone grease (or whatever) on the threads can help too, for getting that last bit of thread to engage.

All this from a carnivore? Well, I never.

:D

I'm an omnivore. But could survive on a monodiet of cheesecake.

BMMF is all about the silicone grease.

Lard FTW baby. ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ry0TyIJXgoU

Hi, I'm after some opionions on rear lights, I've got my front winter light sorted (http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.19189), but rear light is a bit pants.
I've got a Cateye rear light which I don't think will cut it for winter riding, cars tend to get a little too close for comfort.
After going doing some reading the new exposure flares look extremely bright and seem to be very well built. 100% water tight.
The other light that I'm looking at is the Smart Lunar R1.
Is there anyone with either of these lights that can help me make a decision.
Ta.

Sorry if I should be starting a new post, but I've got noob rights at the moment and need to get 3 replies behind me.

Its a good question. See the list on page one of this thread. Any of the half-watt rear lights are incredibly bright. The important thing is the fixture/fitment. I find its the weak point of most lights, and since I use rechargeable batteries, I add electrical tape to keep it properly secured. I just redo it every few days when I have to recharge.

A brighter rear light won't magically make cars give you more space.

I've had the oppositie experience to be honest. I do find that cars give me more room when the rear lights I carry/use, are at their brightest. Its not scientific of course, buts its what I've noticed for quite some period of time.

Oh, and I often cycle in the dark, especially in the winter, at 5:45am.

So you're saying as the batteries' capacity slowly drops, traffic incrementally approaches your rear?

I can't really comment, as I've never actually cycled in the dark ever, or ridden/driven behind cyclists with unsociably bright rear lights.

So you're saying as the batteries' capacity slowly drops, traffic incrementally approaches your rear?

Yes.

They drive closer at a faster speed, as they see the light later. Best place for this example, is on the crest of the top of Loampit Vale. The cycle lane runs out at the top, and cars/trucks/murderers approaching fast from the bottom of the hill, DO give room because they see the red glow on the crest of the incline. When my batteries have been left too long, the glow is very dim, and cars pass at sometimes only 1-2 feet away, though when they have realized they've narrowly missed side-swiping me, they do a belated swerve....as if their cognitive processes have latterly just kicked in.

I’ve had drivers act very aggressively when I’ve had my super bright rear lights on, presumably because it’s eye level to them when they’re in their cars at traffic lights and has blinded them. It’s frightening and intensely stressful when you get bright lights in your face when you’re driving. I suppose angling the brighter lights downwards more might be the best option, but I’ve certainly never experienced notably different behaviour from motorists above the ‘perfectly visible’ threshold... Wherever that may be!

I don't use the half-watt lights. I use two lesser powered lights placed together on my Timbuk2. Its higher than when I used them on my seatpost, but when blinking together, they work really well, and are not blinding. I check the strength of them by looking at my reflection as I cycle past shops with big windows. If I can see them on both sides of the street, then they're fine.

I check the strength of them by looking at my reflection as I cycle past shops with big windows.

GA2G on his 5.45am commute - "Yeeeeeeeesssssssss - my lights are so nice."

I have been using one of these for 3 years (bought in Syd, not sure where to get here)

http://ecom1.planetbike.com/3034.html

It's fallen off after crashes, been wet, frozen, muddy and generally abused but still works perfectly and has a really good flash pattern. Even in daylight it'll stand out. was relatively cheap too.

Those were also known here as the SMART 317R 1/2 watt lights.

cheers for that! If i ever need a replacement I know what to look out for then.

i second GA2G's experience. i switched to an approx 70-100lumen (1watt) squint inducing bright rear and get normally about two feet more space.

on kentish roads folks come hammering around corners here like crazy or generally cane it. a20 anyone? having a bit of a "careful mate, i am here!" signal from afar rather then a " 'xcuse me, may i?" sort of thing when almost on the bonnet, does it for me.

haven't measured this of course but it is noticeable to me at least.

I found by using a military-grade laser as my rear light, cars were breaking down before they came close enough to do any harm.

As for that Cateye TL-LD610 LED Rear Light rear light..
Everything else works as expected. Unit feels solid enough and has handled some wet rides ok (i've only had it a month though). Even after trimming, the bracket is too wide and my leg ends up pushing the light over. Annoying. I could drop it down another 5cm if I removed my mudflap which might alleviate the issues but then again it might not, I've not bothered yet since I want to use the guard.

The new £40 Exposure is excellent.

the blackburn mars 3.0 fits nicely in a rubber strap thingie at the back of my bell helmet. not elegant perhaps, but reckon it's a pretty good combo as both are decent quality and can be found quite cheap if you look in the right places.

Strangely, some really excellent rear lights have come down in price by nealy 50%. And these are the 2010-2011 models.
And just as its getting darker as well. Peculiar.

RSP Astrum down from £23.50 - £14.50 (truly excellent)
RSP Urban down from £19.50 - £11.95

sweet... also does a light exist that you can put on the top of your helmet that has a red and white lights?
Bumping this. Any recommendations? Dancing James had a smart looking one as I recall (probably nice but a bit pricey)

looks a bit feeble