Comments on: Blinkiology: The Study of Rear Blinkies http://www.commutebybike.com/2011/11/12/blinkiology-the-study-of-rear-blinkies/ Tips, Hints, Reviews and Safety for Bike Commuters Sat, 25 May 2013 07:21:06 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: melty http://www.commutebybike.com/2011/11/12/blinkiology-the-study-of-rear-blinkies/comment-page-1/#comment-691807 melty Wed, 04 Jan 2012 16:23:55 +0000 http://www.commutebybike.com/?p=15280#comment-691807 Rear: two little blinkies on my helmet, two at axle level, and one excellent larger Planet Bike rear light on the under-seat pannier. Is that too much? I don't think so. Front: Since I have started using an exPilion 400 lumens set on flash during daytime, I have not had a single SMISDY event. I like that light so much I bought another one, so at night I have 800 lumens and can actually see the road ahead. Rear: two little blinkies on my helmet, two at axle level, and one excellent larger Planet Bike rear light on the under-seat pannier. Is that too much? I don’t think so. Front: Since I have started using an exPilion 400 lumens set on flash during daytime, I have not had a single SMISDY event. I like that light so much I bought another one, so at night I have 800 lumens and can actually see the road ahead.

]]> By: gear http://www.commutebybike.com/2011/11/12/blinkiology-the-study-of-rear-blinkies/comment-page-1/#comment-563778 gear Wed, 16 Nov 2011 14:05:58 +0000 http://www.commutebybike.com/?p=15280#comment-563778 Paul S, The Dinotte mount is a rubber band, you can mount it so it's pointed down and still have great visibility in the situation you describe. On the road you point it back. Paul S,

The Dinotte mount is a rubber band, you can mount it so it’s pointed down and still have great visibility in the situation you describe. On the road you point it back.

]]> By: Mikros http://www.commutebybike.com/2011/11/12/blinkiology-the-study-of-rear-blinkies/comment-page-1/#comment-563579 Mikros Wed, 16 Nov 2011 11:58:49 +0000 http://www.commutebybike.com/?p=15280#comment-563579 PB blaze 2 watt headlight: flash mode is seizure-inducing and daylight visible. I can see it lighting up street signs several blocks ahead of me, in the city with a lot of other light from streetlights, cars, stores, etc. Love. If I'm right behind someone they will sometimes dim their rear view mirror. Have noticed that cars sometimes slow or hesitate, thinking the reflections from the signs are caused by an emergency vehicle. Maybe that's too much but I'm tired of cars cutting me off or left turning right in front of me. This light eliminates that problem. I've got kids counting on me to come home... PB blaze 2 watt headlight: flash mode is seizure-inducing and daylight visible. I can see it lighting up street signs several blocks ahead of me, in the city with a lot of other light from streetlights, cars, stores, etc. Love. If I’m right behind someone they will sometimes dim their rear view mirror. Have noticed that cars sometimes slow or hesitate, thinking the reflections from the signs are caused by an emergency vehicle. Maybe that’s too much but I’m tired of cars cutting me off or left turning right in front of me. This light eliminates that problem. I’ve got kids counting on me to come home…

]]> By: Paul S. http://www.commutebybike.com/2011/11/12/blinkiology-the-study-of-rear-blinkies/comment-page-1/#comment-561866 Paul S. Tue, 15 Nov 2011 19:20:29 +0000 http://www.commutebybike.com/?p=15280#comment-561866 For all you DiNotte users, I have a couple of questions. I've seen one of these things in person during a day ride. The sucker is blindingly bright even during the day on steady. I would love that on my bike, but there's a problem. A significant amount of my night riding is on multi-use trails in the D.C. area. I don't want to be sporting the same brightness on the trails that I do on the road (I always dim my headlights on the trail). The DiNotte is just way too bright at full strength for this environment. The questions are 1) is there a dimmed down mode and 2)is the switch reasonably accessible to switch modes while riding? For reference, I currently have a Superflash Turbo and I would grade it a "C" on question 1 (steady mode) and a "D" on question 2 (very little feedback in the switch to tell which mode you're in). For all you DiNotte users, I have a couple of questions. I’ve seen one of these things in person during a day ride. The sucker is blindingly bright even during the day on steady. I would love that on my bike, but there’s a problem.

A significant amount of my night riding is on multi-use trails in the D.C. area. I don’t want to be sporting the same brightness on the trails that I do on the road (I always dim my headlights on the trail). The DiNotte is just way too bright at full strength for this environment. The questions are 1) is there a dimmed down mode and 2)is the switch reasonably accessible to switch modes while riding?

For reference, I currently have a Superflash Turbo and I would grade it a “C” on question 1 (steady mode) and a “D” on question 2 (very little feedback in the switch to tell which mode you’re in).

]]> By: Gear http://www.commutebybike.com/2011/11/12/blinkiology-the-study-of-rear-blinkies/comment-page-1/#comment-559468 Gear Mon, 14 Nov 2011 21:21:41 +0000 http://www.commutebybike.com/?p=15280#comment-559468 I use a Dinotte tail light, it's very bright and is visible from a distance that let's drivers know that they need to avoid me in time for them to be able do that. My feeling is that a tail light's brightness must be judged from a distance of two telephone lengths. If your standing any closer it's pointless because by the time a car gets that close, the driver doesn't have time to react. As far as cost goes, since a tail light's purpose is to save my life, I would never spend more on a tail light than I would for my life. I use a Dinotte tail light, it’s very bright and is visible from a distance that let’s drivers know that they need to avoid me in time for them to be able do that.

My feeling is that a tail light’s brightness must be judged from a distance of two telephone lengths. If your standing any closer it’s pointless because by the time a car gets that close, the driver doesn’t have time to react.

As far as cost goes, since a tail light’s purpose is to save my life, I would never spend more on a tail light than I would for my life.

]]> By: Columbus commuter http://www.commutebybike.com/2011/11/12/blinkiology-the-study-of-rear-blinkies/comment-page-1/#comment-558873 Columbus commuter Mon, 14 Nov 2011 15:56:07 +0000 http://www.commutebybike.com/?p=15280#comment-558873 About a year ago I threw away batteries for good and went the dynamo hub route. I love it- bright, non-flashing, dependable headlight and wired tail light. I always have light and I don't have to worry about re-charging batteries and all the associated hassles. My Shimano 3N-72 only cost me about $90 so they are not that expensive. There is some expense in a wheel build but not super expensive especially if you can do it yourself. Drag is almost imperceptible. I am surprised dynamo hubs are not more available in the US. About a year ago I threw away batteries for good and went the dynamo hub route. I love it- bright, non-flashing, dependable headlight and wired tail light. I always have light and I don’t have to worry about re-charging batteries and all the associated hassles. My Shimano 3N-72 only cost me about $90 so they are not that expensive. There is some expense in a wheel build but not super expensive especially if you can do it yourself. Drag is almost imperceptible. I am surprised dynamo hubs are not more available in the US.

]]> By: vabike http://www.commutebybike.com/2011/11/12/blinkiology-the-study-of-rear-blinkies/comment-page-1/#comment-557807 vabike Mon, 14 Nov 2011 06:06:26 +0000 http://www.commutebybike.com/?p=15280#comment-557807 A blinking red is well recognized as the light signature of a bicycle, but I often wonder if a steady light would be better. Maybe drivers would give more room. A blinking red is well recognized as the light signature of a bicycle, but I often wonder if a steady light would be better. Maybe drivers would give more room.

]]> By: BluesCat http://www.commutebybike.com/2011/11/12/blinkiology-the-study-of-rear-blinkies/comment-page-1/#comment-557087 BluesCat Mon, 14 Nov 2011 00:16:39 +0000 http://www.commutebybike.com/?p=15280#comment-557087 <i>Take On Me</i>? <i>Chariots of Fire</i>?? EW!! Now, if I could get the <a href="http://i87.servimg.com/u/f87/13/57/05/78/blueti16.jpg" rel="nofollow">Tri-Taillight Setup</a> of my recumbent to blink in time to a real Man Tune --- like Black Sabbath's <i>War Pigs</i> --- well, then YOU'RE ON! Take On Me? Chariots of Fire??

EW!!

Now, if I could get the Tri-Taillight Setup of my recumbent to blink in time to a real Man Tune — like Black Sabbath’s War Pigs — well, then YOU’RE ON!

]]> By: cdub http://www.commutebybike.com/2011/11/12/blinkiology-the-study-of-rear-blinkies/comment-page-1/#comment-557033 cdub Sun, 13 Nov 2011 23:48:25 +0000 http://www.commutebybike.com/?p=15280#comment-557033 Has anyone tried LucidBrake? I have been interested for a long time but no one sells them in my area, you can't order them from the website, and I haven't seen any reviews. I'm starting to wonder if they really exist or are just some kind of elaborate joke. Has anyone tried LucidBrake? I have been interested for a long time but no one sells them in my area, you can’t order them from the website, and I haven’t seen any reviews. I’m starting to wonder if they really exist or are just some kind of elaborate joke.

]]> By: Roach http://www.commutebybike.com/2011/11/12/blinkiology-the-study-of-rear-blinkies/comment-page-1/#comment-555932 Roach Sun, 13 Nov 2011 14:52:15 +0000 http://www.commutebybike.com/?p=15280#comment-555932 I've got a simple rear light with several blinking modes. I prefer the one that goes back and forth across the LEDs not unlike KITT. It has enough movement to attract the eye without being a huge distraction. I've also covered the entire rear portion of my fender with retroreflective red tape, so if a car's headlights hit me from behind there's a huge panel lighting up for them to see. I definitely prefer steady lights on the front. I've got a Niterider 150 (not sure they make it anymore) which is plenty bright enough, but its blinking mode has the speed of a disco strobe. I'm pretty sure it could cause seizures in some people. I’ve got a simple rear light with several blinking modes. I prefer the one that goes back and forth across the LEDs not unlike KITT. It has enough movement to attract the eye without being a huge distraction.

I’ve also covered the entire rear portion of my fender with retroreflective red tape, so if a car’s headlights hit me from behind there’s a huge panel lighting up for them to see.

I definitely prefer steady lights on the front. I’ve got a Niterider 150 (not sure they make it anymore) which is plenty bright enough, but its blinking mode has the speed of a disco strobe. I’m pretty sure it could cause seizures in some people.

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