Bicycle lights etc.
Discussion
cree are just a manufacturer of led components.
It's quite possible to get beyond the realms of sensible brightness, very cheaply via dealextreme etc.
edit : I don't see how it would be possible to practically regulate it. Wish they'd sort it out for cars too.... bloody ridiculous
It's quite possible to get beyond the realms of sensible brightness, very cheaply via dealextreme etc.
edit : I don't see how it would be possible to practically regulate it. Wish they'd sort it out for cars too.... bloody ridiculous
Edited by shouldbworking on Sunday 25th May 20:46
Yes, bike lights need to conform to British Standards. Problem is, those BSs were written in the last century, based around krypton bulbs. I spotted one in the back of my garage the other day; I could put it on my bike, but I'd need to recharge the batteries every day, and no-one would be able to see it anyway against the backdrop of modern HIDs and DLRs.
I saw a helmet mounted one the other day. Was mental bright. But at least you could never say you didn't see him. 
TBH that's all bike lights are for. To draw your eye so you give a vulnerable road user a bit of space. They aren't like car lights which have to illuminate the road as well. Hence why most bike lights flash rather than steady light.
There is probably a happy medium between naff is it on at all and "guide plane onto runway" though.
Side note, still seeing bikes with no lights and wearing dark clothing. Not like the clocks changed yesterday or the fact it gets dark at night is now a surprise is it! Though 1 guy I followed had a light but his mudguard obscured it from the back. I told him as I pulled along side him. He was appreciative and stopped to fiddle with it. Good guy.
TBH that's all bike lights are for. To draw your eye so you give a vulnerable road user a bit of space. They aren't like car lights which have to illuminate the road as well. Hence why most bike lights flash rather than steady light.
There is probably a happy medium between naff is it on at all and "guide plane onto runway" though.
Side note, still seeing bikes with no lights and wearing dark clothing. Not like the clocks changed yesterday or the fact it gets dark at night is now a surprise is it! Though 1 guy I followed had a light but his mudguard obscured it from the back. I told him as I pulled along side him. He was appreciative and stopped to fiddle with it. Good guy.
Petrol Only said:
One reason I love my xenons. Can get a bit of revenge on the flashing 
s who aim it straight at your face. Hey look let's dazzle someone driving over a ton of metal in my general direction. Sensible idea!
Do you really think it's aimed at your face on purpose or because they want to ensure you are able to steer the ton of metal under your control away from them.... s who aim it straight at your face. Hey look let's dazzle someone driving over a ton of metal in my general direction. Sensible idea!Petrol Only said:
One reason I love my xenons. Can get a bit of revenge on the flashing s who aim it straight at your face. Hey look let's dazzle someone driving over a ton of metal in my general direction. Sensible idea!
You wish ts who aim it straight at your face. Hey look let's dazzle someone driving over a ton of metal in my general direction. Sensible idea!tto.Xenons aren't that bright and are normally aimed well below cyclist eye level anyway
Gaz. said:
Mave said:
Yes, bike lights need to conform to British Standards. Problem is, those BSs were written in the last century, based around krypton bulbs. I spotted one in the back of my garage the other day; I could put it on my bike, but I'd need to recharge the batteries every day, and no-one would be able to see it anyway against the backdrop of modern HIDs and DLRs.
There does need to be a re-write and some common sense applied though. Most people use the right tool for the job and use them correctly, it's just the odd few who fall outside of what we deem 'common sense' either by using no lights at all or using a rig that is way OTT for road use.
I've got a Cree on my bike, excellent lights but I only ever use it on dipped mode bar when I'm away from traffic with no street lights.
Other cyclists can be rather dazzling on 2 way cycle paths etc
It's those that put a strong light on strobe that piss me off, I have a single led on strobe, a flashing helmet (ooh err) light then the Cree, should be easy to spot!
Other cyclists can be rather dazzling on 2 way cycle paths etc
It's those that put a strong light on strobe that piss me off, I have a single led on strobe, a flashing helmet (ooh err) light then the Cree, should be easy to spot!
Rich_W said:
Petrol Only said:
One reason I love my xenons. Can get a bit of revenge on the flashing s who aim it straight at your face. Hey look let's dazzle someone driving over a ton of metal in my general direction. Sensible idea!
You wish ts who aim it straight at your face. Hey look let's dazzle someone driving over a ton of metal in my general direction. Sensible idea!tto.Xenons aren't that bright and are normally aimed well below cyclist eye level anyway
Super light aimed at road Good idea strobe on helmet straight in face not.
Very very few bike lights are brighter that hid's on some cars (mainly Audis and bmw's) and by and large all motorists never dip headlights for cyclist so i don't even give it a second thought with my bike light choice.
I think that once again the op is exaggerating as just doesn't like cyclists for a crap reason (such as road tax, jumping lights etc)
I think that once again the op is exaggerating as just doesn't like cyclists for a crap reason (such as road tax, jumping lights etc)
My boss is a keen cyclist and it's like a little immature 'game' of one-upmanship between them as to who can get hold of the brightest light for their bike.
It's f*cking sad, but there will come a point when it becomes dangerous too. I have had to slow right down once for one of these numpties, because I was blinded by his light which he had strapped to his skid-lid. Because a cyclists head doesn't stay level it was like a spotlight beam waving about all over the place, on an NSL country road.
But then you get tw*ts who can't align headlights on cars or fit aftermarket HIDs and don't adjust them.
No matter the mode of transport, you will get idiots, guaranteed. The difference with being a cyclist is that you're a more vulnerable road user, combine that with stupidity and you have a recipe for injury or death!
It's f*cking sad, but there will come a point when it becomes dangerous too. I have had to slow right down once for one of these numpties, because I was blinded by his light which he had strapped to his skid-lid. Because a cyclists head doesn't stay level it was like a spotlight beam waving about all over the place, on an NSL country road.
But then you get tw*ts who can't align headlights on cars or fit aftermarket HIDs and don't adjust them.
No matter the mode of transport, you will get idiots, guaranteed. The difference with being a cyclist is that you're a more vulnerable road user, combine that with stupidity and you have a recipe for injury or death!
zippyprorider said:
Very very few bike lights are brighter that hid's on some cars (mainly Audis and bmw's) and by and large all motorists never dip headlights for cyclist so i don't even give it a second thought with my bike light choice.
I think that once again the op is exaggerating as just doesn't like cyclists for a crap reason (such as road tax, jumping lights etc)
If the OP doesn't like cyclists you clearly don't like drivers. I think that once again the op is exaggerating as just doesn't like cyclists for a crap reason (such as road tax, jumping lights etc)
25 on Amazon for a focused 1000 lumen helmet mounted torch is more than enough and hardly out of reach for many people. Be safe out there and don't let that chip get you into trouble.
I do a lot of night mountain bike riding to which a lot of high end LED bike lights are aimed. Most systems comprise a spot and a wide beam as well as several levels of brigtness. When road cyclng I dont use the spot aimed horozontally because it is too bright. Any other cyclist spending good money on these systems would probably know this and should be aware of other road users.
I am not sure what offerings of bight lights are aimed at road cyclists but it need not by as bright as a car light.
I am not sure what offerings of bight lights are aimed at road cyclists but it need not by as bright as a car light.
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