To flash or not to flash

[winjim]

Just steady please, flashing lights are horrible. Not too bright either if you don't mind, it's unneccessary. You don't need a backup if you have a rear reflector, the way to make yourself properly visible is to have pedal reflectors fitted.

I'll probably mention this a few more times before spring, but I ride with a c25 year old Vistalite 300 which was one of the first LED lights and is pretty dim by modern standards. It's still going strong though and is more than adequate.

 

[MichaelW2]

When I ride on really dark lanes behind riders with single flashing LEDs, I can make out very little information on distance. I always have one LED on steady and an optional one on flash. Flash mode can be helpful in dull conditions when it is light.

 

[ManiaMuse]

One on flash and one on steady.

Having one on flash, front and rear, does help to identify you as a cyclist to motorists. You can see a flashing cycle light quite far up the road whereas a steady one can tend to blend into all the other car headlights/rear lights.

 

[Drago]

Has the OP considered a winking light?

 

[Ian193]

Just steady please, flashing lights are horrible. Not too bright either if you don't mind, it's unneccessary. You don't need a backup if you have a rear reflector, the way to make yourself properly visible is to have pedal reflectors fitted.

I'll probably mention this a few more times before spring, but I ride with a c25 year old Vistalite 300 which was one of the first LED lights and is pretty dim by modern standards. It's still going strong though and is more than adequate.

Where am I supposed to put pedal reflectors on SPD pedals

 

[glasgowcyclist]

Where am I supposed to put pedal reflectors on SPD pedals

Might these be of use?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Shimano-Road-Pedal-Reflectors-Clipless/dp/B00AJMHSRW

 

[Tin Pot]

What is the most visible mode on my rear light?....flashing or just steady on?

The mind fog of careless drivers is impenetrable by bike lights.

 

[winjim]

Where am I supposed to put pedal reflectors on SPD pedals

Same place I put mine I suppose.

 

[Tin Pot]

Where am I supposed to put pedal reflectors on SPD pedals

File them under "Safety Theatre" with hiviz and helmets.

 

[winjim]

File them under "Safety Theatre" with hiviz and helmets.

I disagree. I find them very useful when driving in identifying cyclists from a distance.

They're also a legal requirement and although I generally don't give a toss what the law says, in this case I think it's sensible.

 

[slowmotion]

I put my rear light on "flare" which I reckon is a reasonable compromise between steady and flashing. As others have said, flashing makes it hard to judge distance. Uber-bright rear lights are just plain selfish.

 

[classic33]

My pedals/feet are out in front of me, not visible from the rear.

 

[Vapin' Joe]

Flashing during daylight hours, steady at night. I find flashing lights an irritation after dark and they make it hard to judge distance.

 

[tyred]

I hate flashing lights and as a dynamo user I don't have a flashing option anyway.

Once upon a time, torches, battery bike lamps etc came with a nice simple switch which turned the thing on or off. Nowadays you need to toggle through about half a dozen options just to get a solid light and probably again to turn it off. A small irritation but one which irritates me all the same.

 

[Slick]

I used to use a flashing rear light until I loaned it to another when we were caught out on a ride that took longer than expected. I never really appreciated how bright and irritating it was until then. Fixed front and rear for me.