Can a bike light be too bright?

[danielw]

As i've recently bought one of these:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cree-XML-XM-L-T6-1600LM-...

And i'm running it in flashing mode (which is slightly strobe like).

And in three days, i've been sworn at and shouted at by multiple other cyclists, pedestrians and motorists. In some strange way I guess this proves that it works well as it shows that I am being seen (which is the point) but i'm riding a tandem (small child on back in central London) and usually I get the opposite response.

So... how bright is too bright?

[TheLemming]

My main light is 3 of those in one housing and the strobe is too bright to use on the road.
I've been known to use the strobe as a "get out of my way" setting which is effective for those moments. But definitely not constantly.

I'd suggest using it in constant mode - its still damn bright - and making sure its angled towards the ground. Have you got it set straight ahead? They are literally blinding.

[Kieranv]

I think the issue with these isn't the brightness, but the frequency of the strobe function. The flashing is too fast, I hate using it.

[Marcellus]

I've got a pair of these (or very similar) and yes on strobe I think they could induce an epileptic fit in anyone who is suspectical to them.

I tend to ride on road with one light on the dimest setting and when coming toward a junction where I really want to be seen turn on the strobe on the other and then turn it off once the danger has passed.

[S10GTA]

Yep, got one of them too. Only use it on strobe when coming up behind another cyclist. Would piss me off if I was driving.

[Watchman]

See and be seen. I'd suggest one of these on constant low will accomplish both. There's a guy using one with the strobe coming towards me on my way to work. It really doesn't need the strobe to see him. Simply that he's on a bike means he's moving left and right which catches your eye. The strobe is pretty offensive to be honest although I'd never curse the chap because of it.

I have 3 of them. I use the two pointing downwards on constant low when I'm around people. Had loads of comments but all positive. The helmet mounted one is saved for forests or retribution against the Martian heat ray.

[tuffer]

I have two of these and yet to try them out, will set them to "stun" on Friday night and go for a spin down to the pub.

[GaryGlitter]

Anyone using one of these in strobe mode needs shooting.

[Kermit power]

I'm another in the loathing camp!

I use one of these when commuting, and it's more than bright enough on the lowest setting to be seen. I wouldn't dream of setting it to strobe mode, and frankly don't really understand why they have even equipped it with a strobe mode. They're antisocial and distracting in the extreme. Worst is when you've got a cyclist riding behind you with one.

I suspect strobe lights first came in when bike lights were really low-powered, and easily missed in a busy environment. With a light as bright as yours, I really don't think you need a strobe, but if you really feel the need for one, please get a low-powered one and mount it next to this one on normal beam. If you can see the flashing over the fixed beam when you're riding, it's too powerful to my mind.

[Mth70]

For me, there are two reasons for using lights - off road I want something to see with, on road I want, primarily, to be seen. If its too bright, or strobing, you get seen and wind people up, which sort of defeats the purpose I think.

I can ride at full tilt on an unlit road with a 900 lumen light, and pretty much as fast as I want offroad. I don't really get the obsession with massively powerful lights - I'm not saying these are, but going on what I see when I'm out, plenty do.

[Kermit power]

Mth70 said:

I can ride at full tilt on an unlit road with a 900 lumen light, and pretty much as fast as I want offroad. I don't really get the obsession with massively powerful lights - I'm not saying these are, but going on what I see when I'm out, plenty do.

There's no mystery to it... People just have different levels of night vision.

I've been out on a few evening group rides since early summer, and been really surprised at how much people's speeds have varied on the last couple of rides in the dark compared to daylight. I certainly can't keep anything like the same speed up off road in darkness!

[Vladimir]

You don't need much light on road but off road you need as much as you can get.

I have a 1700 (properly tested) lumen bar light and 500 lumen helmet light - on technical, fast terrain, I sometimes wish I had more.

On road, 500 lumens is plenty.

[alolympic]

Sorry to divert post, but these seem a bit of a bargain. Recommended?
It is a UK store but the seller info at the bottom is in pretty bad English, just wondering if it is legitimate?

[littleandy0410]

I have 2 of these, and I have used the strobe mode a couple of times during daylight/dusk when approaching busy roundabouts or other areas where I want to ensure I'm seen but there is a risk I won't be.

As soon as it gets dark enough that the strobe becomes visible to me from the riding position, I put the light onto steady low setting. I find it a massive distraction, I don't know how anyone could ride with it in strobe mode at night.

[littleandy0410]

alolympic - I can't comment on the one linked at the top, but I have just bought one of these from here: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CREE-XML-XM-L-T6-LED-Cyc...

and it seems good. Delivery was quick, and the light works well.

I have 2 of these lights, and I paid over £30 for the first one, about a year ago, from a UK seller. Shows how much cheaper they have become.

[Gizmoish]

Lots of us have the Cree or SSC LED lamps. They're un subtle, and I agree the flashing mode on road at night is antisocial. But 20mph off road through woods in the pitch black is possible (and hilarious).

I use one bar mount lamp on low when on-road.

[Fluffsri]

I have noticed a few strobers around me, my mate is a policeman and we were chatting at the weekend about it. He reminded me that just to have a flashing/strobing light on front and back is breaking the law. You need to have a light on steady to be with in the law. Doesnt bother me as if I use the strobe on my USE light it flashes from a steasy light.

[Gizmoish]

At night your cycle MUST have white front and red rear lights lit. It MUST also be fitted with a red rear reflector (and amber pedal reflectors, if manufactured after 1/10/85). White front reflectors and spoke reflectors will also help you to be seen. Flashing lights are permitted but it is recommended that cyclists who are riding in areas without street lighting use a steady front lamp.
Law RVLR regs 13, 18 & 24

[Fourmotion]

Gizmoish said:

At night your cycle MUST have white front and red rear lights lit. It MUST also be fitted with a red rear reflector (and amber pedal reflectors, if manufactured after 1/10/85). White front reflectors and spoke reflectors will also help you to be seen. Flashing lights are permitted but it is recommended that cyclists who are riding in areas without street lighting use a steady front lamp.
Law RVLR regs 13, 18 & 24

The pedal law seems a little outdated, I don't think I've seen a set of clipless with reflectors, and I'm certainly not going to fit any for the odd occasion I use the roads.

As for too bright, my commute is nearly entirely off road, usually under tree cover. I have a 3 year old Exposure 720 lumen light that does the trick. Although I am thinking a helmet light would be useful now.

[donfisher]

The strobe on these is where they really show their budget origins IMHO. It's not a useable setting on the road in traffic or with other cyclists.

I saw a guy one night with three of them, two on the bars and one on the helmet strap. They were all set to strobe and the effect was actually painful. It was so bad that it prompted another bloke in the queue at the lights to set aside the typical British reserve and ask him to turn them down.