Dale
Posts:1767
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| 04/11/2016 07:59 PM |
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For the past 30+ years I lived in a small town and rode on roads seldom seen by cars but now I'm in a town of 160k+ plus several communities right next door to there are more cars, traffic and teenagers.
In addition I have a wife who want me to stick around a few more years so I've adopted some new ways.
Hi-vis helmet-- MIPS. It replaced a crashed black one also MIPS equiped.
Front light that I leave on strobe mode during the day
(rear to be added shortly)
[URL=http://s1030.photobucket.com/user/Dalelikestoplay/media/Bell_zpshedgsyeq.png.html]  [/URL]
[URL=http://s1030.photobucket.com/user/Dalelikestoplay/media/Light_zpsyur8oen6.jpg.html]  [/URL] |
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Cosmic Kid
Posts:4209
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| 04/11/2016 08:34 PM |
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If the rear light is anything except the Serfas Thunderbolt, start over. 
I have been using rear lights for a few years now, but the Thunderbolt is by far the brightest of the bunch. |
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| Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
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Gonzo Cyclist
Posts:568
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| 04/12/2016 09:30 AM |
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plus one on the Thunderbolt CK front and rear, the front light will really get peoples attention. And the rear light is so good at night and the evenings, super bright during the day
You can never be too safe out there Dale, not a big fan of the high vis stuff clothing, but that helmet is pretty cool. I do wear a lot of red, and other bright colors, and some of bikes are pretty loud, my hot pink bike will get your attention for sure |
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ChinookPass
Posts:809
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| 04/12/2016 10:15 AM |
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| No problems with my mips so far. I saw a study once that said white is the best color for helmets. Apparently it subconsciously looks like a brain to other people, or something like that. |
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79pmooney
Posts:3189
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| 04/12/2016 12:39 PM |
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I've been wearing the ridiculously bright orange Mavic Jersey. Orange with bight silver reflective patches and stripes. Bought on on sale at the local chain LBS in the dead of winter. $30. It is a heavy fabric, long tail in back winter jersey, completely classic in fit with deep, really good pockets. Full length zipper. Short sleeve, but not far off the best of the classic Italian wool winter jerseys of past millenia. (And really good fabric when it does warm up despite being heavy.)
First ride - this is so good I'm getting another. Stopped at 4 so others could have these great jerseys.
I love that in marginal light (which can happen during any off the 24 hours of the northern days around the winter solstice) it is visible. And it is quite visible to headlights after dark with all the reflecting tape (which has held up very well through machine washes).
Gonzo, I caution you about thinking red is bright. It is not at all for a lot of people, myself included. (I have real difficulty identifying navigational marks on the water as red, black or green. There's a reason the shapes are different.) Also the visual area of bikes when seen from behind is not large. Now if you sport fenders of the same color, that is a different story.
Pet peeve - why don't the major fender companies make good road fenders in colors that can be seen? Roadies ONLYride their fenders in winter, the low light months. The popular silver is invisible in the grey winter skies of Massachusetts, Michigan, Washington and Oregon where I have spent nearly all of my 5 decades of riding. (Drove a silver car for 8 years. I know.) I planned the color of my ti bike to look really good sporting yellow fenders, but I have yet to see a pair I can plunk my money down and buy. Ordered that bike 2007.
Ben |
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 04/12/2016 02:13 PM |
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I vote for old codger.
Or is this not a vote? |
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Dale
Posts:1767
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| 04/12/2016 09:43 PM |
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HA! I think OC just tossed me under the bus. Well done, sir!
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Spud
Posts:525
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| 04/13/2016 02:37 PM |
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| Just ordered the Thunderbolt front light, based on the positive feedback here. I'm very happy with my Viewpoint rear light. Not sure how many lumen it is, but it sure is wicked bright. |
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stronz
Posts:447
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| 04/14/2016 07:51 AM |
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| playing it safe is always smart. Whatever you need to do to keep riding works for me. I've been using a mips helmet, lights and always wear bright clothes -fwiw - for a long time. Always wondered about opinions re the flashing headlight vs constant-on headlight. The flash is attention-getting but very annoying for oncoming traffic. Constant on is less annoying I think but propbably equally safe, imo |
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Dale
Posts:1767
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| 04/14/2016 08:56 AM |
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| Stronz, some data (and I can't put my hands on it right now) from the motorcycle industry shows a strobe daytime front light is much more noticeable than a constant on. The up side to this is the battery life on the new 100 lumen flashing front light is nuts; 20+ hours. I'll just get into a routine to toss it on the charger every Sunday evening and I'm set for the week. |
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stronz
Posts:447
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| 04/14/2016 10:04 AM |
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| I can believe its more noticeable. As a driver coming toward it I find it annoying tho. Thats probably a good thing. |
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Cosmic Kid
Posts:4209
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| 04/14/2016 11:00 AM |
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| Both lights, front and rear, should be on strobe when riding during the day. |
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| Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
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SideBySide
Posts:444
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| 04/14/2016 02:11 PM |
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I just ordered a thunderbolt to use in addition to my helmet mounted niterider.
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 04/14/2016 03:21 PM |
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I am surprised we're not racking up any more old codger votes.
Personally I weave and bob erratically to remain visible. Seems to work. Lights are in storage now. Seem to have a harder time avoiding stationary objects than cars anyway. Hurting like hell from the high speed encounter with the flexing bollards last weekend. |
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Nick A
Posts:625
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| 04/15/2016 10:26 AM |
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As I get older, I do two things simultaneously. One, I get wiser and safer. Two, I figure, meh, I've made it this far, how much time do I have left anyway?!
N |
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