Exposure Blaze rear light - too bright?
Discussion
In my humble opinion, rear lights can afford to be a lot duller than any front light.
In 20 years of commuting in London, I've never had a problem with anyone not seeing me from behind. Every instance when I've been knocked off, or had a near miss, has been people not seeing me from the front and/or side.
I've not always worn a Hi-Viz jacket, or had anything with reflective material on, but certainly in the last 7 years or so, I have had.
Make of that what you will.
In 20 years of commuting in London, I've never had a problem with anyone not seeing me from behind. Every instance when I've been knocked off, or had a near miss, has been people not seeing me from the front and/or side.
I've not always worn a Hi-Viz jacket, or had anything with reflective material on, but certainly in the last 7 years or so, I have had.
Make of that what you will.
SixPotBelly said:
I think it depends when and where you're riding. I have a similarly bright rear light and tend to go for...
Open Road:
Daytime = full power flashing
Night = low power pulsing
Town:
Daytime = off
Night = low power steady
All assuming riding solo.
I think you are doing that the wrong way round with a rear light.Open Road:
Daytime = full power flashing
Night = low power pulsing
Town:
Daytime = off
Night = low power steady
All assuming riding solo.
Edited by SixPotBelly on Monday 18th January 11:42
On a dark unlit road lights show up really well, it's on lit roads where they aren't as obvious.
If you think about it, it' much easier to notice that a cars lights are on when it is dark then when it is light.
With a front light it is different though, where on unlit roads the purpose of the light is to illumiate the way ahead rather than just let other people see you.
Devil2575 said:
I think you are doing that the wrong way round with a rear light.
On a dark unlit road lights show up really well, it's on lit roads where they aren't as obvious.
If you think about it, it' much easier to notice that a cars lights are on when it is dark then when it is light.
With a front light it is different though, where on unlit roads the purpose of the light is to illumiate the way ahead rather than just let other people see you.
In built-up areas either the traffic is queueing and I'm faster, it's moving slowly and I'm in moving with it, or it's only moving about 10-15 MPH faster than me. I don't need a blindingly bright rear light to warn people a mile back of my presence. It'd just be pissing off everyone behind.On a dark unlit road lights show up really well, it's on lit roads where they aren't as obvious.
If you think about it, it' much easier to notice that a cars lights are on when it is dark then when it is light.
With a front light it is different though, where on unlit roads the purpose of the light is to illumiate the way ahead rather than just let other people see you.
On the open road, on the other hand, even those obeying the 60 or 70 MPH limit will be closing on me very quickly indeed. People who use the road regularly will know where the hazards are, and most won't be scanning ahead for anything unusual. I want people to be aware there is something unusual ahead much earlier. Hence the pulsing mode. Note it's still a low power mode though compared the daytime open-road mode.
SixPotBelly said:
In built-up areas either the traffic is queueing and I'm faster, it's moving slowly and I'm in moving with it, or it's only moving about 10-15 MPH faster than me. I don't need a blindingly bright rear light to warn people a mile back of my presence. It'd just be pissing off everyone behind.
On the open road, on the other hand, even those obeying the 60 or 70 MPH limit will be closing on me very quickly indeed. People who use the road regularly will know where the hazards are, and most won't be scanning ahead for anything unusual. I want people to be aware there is something unusual ahead much earlier. Hence the pulsing mode. Note it's still a low power mode though compared the daytime open-road mode.
I agree with this to be honest. On the open road, on the other hand, even those obeying the 60 or 70 MPH limit will be closing on me very quickly indeed. People who use the road regularly will know where the hazards are, and most won't be scanning ahead for anything unusual. I want people to be aware there is something unusual ahead much earlier. Hence the pulsing mode. Note it's still a low power mode though compared the daytime open-road mode.
My only problem is that at the moment, my commute being 20 miles, I am starting out in the dark (pitch black) but finishing around sunrise. Approx 1/2 of my journey is on unlit roads of 50mph+, there isn't any "town" cycling, but a small amount of cycling in a village, but that's not long. For when the sun is rising I want it full power for obvious reasons, but then it's potentially too bright for the other sections.
I think I'll have the exposure on medium solid and my moon on flashing medium (still pretty bright but not 80 lumens bright!)
I read on another forum about a ghuy who had put a red tint on one of those eBay 1200 Lumen Cree front lights.
He described it as 'brighter than an emergency response vehicle' and recounted how his riding buddied begged not to have to follow him on the roads as it was utterly blinding.
That, people, is the standard by which our rear lights should be judged
He described it as 'brighter than an emergency response vehicle' and recounted how his riding buddied begged not to have to follow him on the roads as it was utterly blinding.
That, people, is the standard by which our rear lights should be judged
OP
Probably find that by tilting it downwards it lessens the effect enough, but obviously illuminates the back wheel so you should be OK.
I do see an older guy on a bike occasionally near where I work. his front light is super high flash rate and stupidly bright. I think it distracts more than it helps. I have a relatively cheap Cateye front that flashes and I have it angled slightly kerbwards so people from side roads see it.
Probably find that by tilting it downwards it lessens the effect enough, but obviously illuminates the back wheel so you should be OK.
I do see an older guy on a bike occasionally near where I work. his front light is super high flash rate and stupidly bright. I think it distracts more than it helps. I have a relatively cheap Cateye front that flashes and I have it angled slightly kerbwards so people from side roads see it.
SixPotBelly said:
In built-up areas either the traffic is queueing and I'm faster, it's moving slowly and I'm in moving with it, or it's only moving about 10-15 MPH faster than me. I don't need a blindingly bright rear light to warn people a mile back of my presence. It'd just be pissing off everyone behind.
On the open road, on the other hand, even those obeying the 60 or 70 MPH limit will be closing on me very quickly indeed. People who use the road regularly will know where the hazards are, and most won't be scanning ahead for anything unusual. I want people to be aware there is something unusual ahead much earlier. Hence the pulsing mode. Note it's still a low power mode though compared the daytime open-road mode.
I take your point, it's just that I've never experienced not being seen on an unlit road, whereas I have in town with plenty of street lights. In the end I had to start using my very bright front light in town, because of the number of cars that were pulling out in front of me. On the open road, on the other hand, even those obeying the 60 or 70 MPH limit will be closing on me very quickly indeed. People who use the road regularly will know where the hazards are, and most won't be scanning ahead for anything unusual. I want people to be aware there is something unusual ahead much earlier. Hence the pulsing mode. Note it's still a low power mode though compared the daytime open-road mode.
Devil2575 said:
..In the end I had to start using my very bright front light in town, because of the number of cars that were pulling out in front of me.
Yup, I said earlier that the front light is more important then the rear in town. 
Edited by SixPotBelly on Friday 22 January 13:50
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