How much power do we really need in a tail light?

[Dogtrousers]

I'm not keen on helmet lights.

To me, they don't present a steady image of a cyclist. When the rider turns their head, the light to the car behind can momentarily disappear.

Off road is a different case, as the light points to where you look, which is a bonus.

Not to mention the fact that, if you read the small print leaflet that came with your helmet, it's very probably going to have a section in it that says "do not attach anything to this helmet". Plus the fact that they are extremely antisocial if you happen to forget to switch it off and then talk to someone while facing them.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Not a lot. An Cateye Omni 3 or 5 does the job. Some 3M red reflective tape down your rear mudguard in addition to rear reflector is also a good addition.

 

[T4tomo]

Not to mention the fact that, if you read the small print leaflet that came with your helmet, it's very probably going to have a section in it that says "do not attach anything to this helmet".

I'd be more worried about it impacting into my skull, than being contrary to the small print to be fair .

 

[Dogtrousers]

I'd be more worried about it impacting into my skull, than being contrary to the small print to be fair .

Why do you think the small print is there?

 

[T4tomo]

Why do you think the small print is there?

to stop bereaved relatives suing them

 

[PedallingNowhereSlowly]

I'm sure I read a study somewhere that had determined helmet lights to be one of the best configurations for driver recognition.

Pedal lights or hi-viz ankle bands with embedded LEDs are also a good option as they emphasize bio-mechanical movement.

Having done a lot of experimentation with lights in my locality, I've found lighting up like a Christmas tree really works wonders. Results in lots of wide passes and very few close passes.

Rear lights don't have to be *that* bright for night time use. It's during the daytime where the high-lumen figures generally come into play. An effective night-time light might be hardly visible during the day.

 

[Drago]

I'm not keen on helmet lights.

Me neither. I've given CPR to a guy that had an off and suffered an unfortunatete helmet mounted torch vs skull spatial incompatibility event.

Dont attach any item to your bonce potty that you wouldn't be happy to have rammed through your skull.

 

[nogoodnamesleft]

Ages ago I thought the Blaze Laser Light a brilliant'ish idea but not so much for the front light, more for the rear (and I only ever saw the front versions).

But it was only "that looks like a good idea" as I rarely cycle an night and live rurally so traffic not a major consideration so it was the idea rather than experience that made me thinbk.

Expensive and no idea if still available https://bellsbicycles.co.uk/products/blaze-laser-light https://road.cc/content/review/271731-beryl-laserlight-core

I believe a different manufacturer took the idea and made a helmet light projecting the same then the original manufacturer started complaining about copyright infringement ...

 

[glasgowcyclist]

Lidl sells helmets with an embedded rear light. Meets EU and BS regs.

 

[figbat]

Me neither. I've given CPR to a guy that had an off and suffered an unfortunatete helmet mounted torch vs skull spatial incompatibility event.

Dont attach any item to your bonce potty that you wouldn't be happy to have rammed through your skull.

Any attachment is also an opportunity to snag something meaning it can whip your helmet back or rotate your head.

 

[N0bodyOfTheGoat]

Wasn't the GoPro attached to Michael Schumacher's ski helmet thought to be a major factor in his terrible accident?

(I recall hearing this awful news a day or two after my Xmas '13 RTA spent in Southampton General)

 

[glasgowcyclist]

Wasn't the GoPro attached to Michael Schumacher's ski helmet thought to be a major factor in his terrible accident?

Thought to be and speculated by many.

No evidence has ever been published to support that nor did the publicly disclosed forensic report summary suggest that.

 

[Phil4000]

Some interesting points.

Maybe just keep the extra tail light on the back pack, some reflective tape on helmet.

 

[Dadam]

I like a steady and a variable light front and back. I prefer pulsing to flashing because the light is always on but the changing intensity seems to attracts the attention more without being dazzling or distracting.
This is purely my own speculation but I think it more resembles a light source moving towards then away from the observer than something flashing does. The human visual system is tuned to pick up movement

 

[glasgowcyclist]

Reflective, ankle slap bands or reflective pedals are very effective.

I wholeheartedly agree with this. The biomechanical movement is very distinctive.

For added conspicuity, I clipped a rear light onto each ankle strap.