GOOD QUALITY TORCHES/LIGHTS

[John the Monkey]

Gonna have to look John..... my combination is OK now.....but want to blind the buggers....., but it's going to have to be quick on/off, even with good Uni. secured parking....

Grab a set of lockblocks - they secure the torch with a velcro strap, so it's quite easy to take the whole lot with you when you leave the bike.

 

[BentMikey]

Torches spill very little if any light to the sides - this is a drawback...

If you mean floodlighting for roads, then the Fenix torches give a very good flood, much better than say the Cateye EL530 which has a very narrow spot. If you mean side visibility then yes, they are not so hot once you're past 75 degrees or so.

 

[Origamist]

If you mean floodlighting for roads, then the Fenix torches give a very good flood, much better than say the Cateye EL530 which has a very narrow spot. If you mean side visibility then yes, they are not so hot once you're past 75 degrees or so.

Yes, exactly my point. IMO it is worth investing in a cheap Knog (or other) as a supplementary light. A lot of cyclists worry too much about lumens and lux out front, but give little thought to their visibility profile from the side...

 

[BentMikey]

Yes, which is why my rear lights have excellent side-visibility, as does my front reflector light.

 

[Origamist]

I have the CATEYE TL LD 1100 as my main rear light as it has two LEDs on either side - this is pretty good in my view, but I have also added lights to the seatstays angled to the side for extra conspicuity.

I'm still not happy with my side visibility from the front - what is your front reflector light?

 

[BentMikey]

Some sort of Cateye BS one, I forget the number exactly. I'm not a believer in an excessive number of lights though, I'd prefer only one light front and one rear, but I have two because of reliability/battery concerns. To then have side-on lights seems OTT and counter productive to me.

 

[Origamist]

Some sort of Cateye BS one, I forget the number exactly. I'm not a believer in an excessive number of lights though, I'd prefer only one light front and one rear, but I have two because of reliability/battery concerns. To then have side-on lights seems OTT and counter productive to me.

I value my side visibility more than you. I deal with well in excess of a hundred side roads twice a day and that makes me conscious of how I look from the side...

 

[BentMikey]

I value my side visibility more than you. I deal with well in excess of a hundred side roads twice a day and that makes me conscious of how I look from the side...

I'm not sure, I think I might value my side visibility rather more than you.

My commute has around 110 traffic lights, and three or four times this many side roads one way. I know that the all-around visibility my bike has is rather more than enough. I also know that side lights are probably not what helps your safety much when passing a side road.

 

[Origamist]

I'm not sure, I think I might value my side visibility rather more than you.

My commute has around 110 traffic lights, and three or four times this many side roads one way. I know that the all-around visibility my bike has is rather more than enough. I also know that side lights are probably not what helps your safety much when passing a side road.

How can you possibly "know" this, I think you mean, I "believe" this?

 

[BentMikey]

Do the maths sunbeam! The answer is obvious when you look at sightlines, speeds, and times in transit. I'm not saying that side visibility has no effect, only that it's less than insignificant once you have ordinary standard cycle lights.

 

[Origamist]

Do the maths sunbeam! The answer is obvious when you look at sightlines, speeds, and times in transit. I'm not saying that side visibility has no effect, only that it's less than insignificant once you have ordinary standard cycle lights.

Which is my point, many people are now using torches which are not designed with the right lenses/reflectors for road use...so it's not "insignificant" at all and this is why I flagged it up!

If you're seriously interested in discussing geometric design and visibility splays/envelopes, feel free to pm me.

 

[Sully]

OMG, genlemen, I do personally believe looking at this from a car driver and a cyclist that if a car see's your side lights at a t junction for example it's pulling out already...please dont try and make me look thick or anything, just my thoughts.

 

[mr_cellophane]

OMG, genlemen, I do personally believe looking at this from a car driver and a cyclist that if a car see's your side lights at a t junction for example it's pulling out already...please dont try and make me look thick or anything, just my thoughts.

I disagree. Anything which aids visibility from all directions is needed. Don't forget the Highway Code says

White front reflectors and spoke reflectors will also help you to be seen.

If it made no difference why can you buy tyres with refective walls ?
But then I speak as someone who has 3 lights at the front, 3 at the rear and in poor visibility LED wrist and ankle bands.

 

[Sully]

If it made no difference why can you buy tyres with refective walls ?
to make you buy their product...dont mean ta say it works !
think abouyt it as a car driver at a t junction, if you dont see the front light your not gonna see the side lights, Im not saying dont use them im just saying I dont recon they are a lot of use....thats all really

 

[fossyant]

Nothing helps if drivers don't see.... !!