Fat Boab Posted February 10, 2017 Posted February 10, 2017 I currently have a SERFAS Thunderbolt first gen max 35 lumens and that's bright enough for guy's riding behind you to ask you to turn down your light but the run time is low. This it my list of replacements for when mine gives up (can't put a price on alerting drivers): +1 on a Thunderbolt. My riding buddy and I have one each, plus an additional cheapie, so 2 rear red lights each. Had the Thunderbolt for at least 4 years - use it 3-5 times a week - and it just keeps going.....
Tubehunter Posted February 10, 2017 Posted February 10, 2017 I have been cycling with a mirror on my sub 7KG race rig for 4 years now. I absolutely swear by it! You will not catch me on the road without it. I have got so accustomed to it, that it stays on even when I do a race. The ability to see behind you without having to look back is such a USEFUL safety addition to being on the bike, particularly in conditions here you are pushing yourself and focussing on your head down and hammering out an interval session or even trying to catch a wheel in a group. One glance in the mirror and you know exactly what's behind you without losing your peripheral vision in front of you! There's a far greater feeling of control regarding the situations you are going into than simply blind faith that the motorists approaching from behind will give you space! Cannot recommend it enough! Mostly baffled that it's so rare to see on bikes, even when you get the neat options that slide into the end of the handlebar that make it almost impossible to notice that it's on and changes none of the bikes look! I personally have something similar to this: http://www.sportsworld.co.za/product.php?id_product=883 The tail light I use is plenty bright enough to use during the day and lasts about 3 rides before a recharge is required. (USB charged). On special at the moment on sportsworld. I got a similar from extreme lights originally. http://www.sportsworld.co.za/product.php?id_product=676 If you choose to get a mirror, please do at least 3 - 4 rides with it on, before you think to remove it. The value of it will only come after that third to fourth ride as the first few will seem like a sensory overload SEEING all the traffic coming up behind you and figuring out how to manage yourself with all this new info. You will work out how to watch behind you and more importantly who to watch out for as you come to terms with using it! Can't stress the value of this enough!
coppi Posted February 10, 2017 Posted February 10, 2017 I agree with the mirror TUBEHUNTER, I am just curious about blind spots and the fact that you are taking your eye away from whats ahead of you?
Mamil Posted February 10, 2017 Posted February 10, 2017 Tubehunter - so that mirror plugs into the end of the drops? I see the link you list says no longer in stock - anybody know where I might procure one of these - keen to give it a try. I have been cycling with a mirror on my sub 7KG race rig for 4 years now. I absolutely swear by it! You will not catch me on the road without it. I have got so accustomed to it, that it stays on even when I do a race. The ability to see behind you without having to look back is such a USEFUL safety addition to being on the bike, particularly in conditions here you are pushing yourself and focussing on your head down and hammering out an interval session or even trying to catch a wheel in a group. One glance in the mirror and you know exactly what's behind you without losing your peripheral vision in front of you! There's a far greater feeling of control regarding the situations you are going into than simply blind faith that the motorists approaching from behind will give you space! Cannot recommend it enough! Mostly baffled that it's so rare to see on bikes, even when you get the neat options that slide into the end of the handlebar that make it almost impossible to notice that it's on and changes none of the bikes look! Mirror-rear-view.jpg I personally have something similar to this: http://www.sportsworld.co.za/product.php?id_product=883 The tail light I use is plenty bright enough to use during the day and lasts about 3 rides before a recharge is required. (USB charged). On special at the moment on sportsworld. I got a similar from extreme lights originally. http://www.sportsworld.co.za/product.php?id_product=676 If you choose to get a mirror, please do at least 3 - 4 rides with it on, before you think to remove it. The value of it will only come after that third to fourth ride as the first few will seem like a sensory overload SEEING all the traffic coming up behind you and figuring out how to manage yourself with all this new info. You will work out how to watch behind you and more importantly who to watch out for as you come to terms with using it! Can't stress the value of this enough!
jimmycool Posted February 10, 2017 Posted February 10, 2017 I use a knog blinder. I guess the name is pretty self explanatory. https://m.takealot.com/#product?id=PLID39155401
Tubehunter Posted February 10, 2017 Posted February 10, 2017 Tubehunter - so that mirror plugs into the end of the drops? I see the link you list says no longer in stock - anybody know where I might procure one of these - keen to give it a try. Yep, that type plugs into the drops. You get many versions. Sportsmans Warehouse usually have a couple of options. If you have one close by put in and check. You'll spend less than 200 randelas and get something worthwhile. There is seriously nothing I can recommend more than using a mirror out on the roads and taking the time to work out how to make it a part of your riding skill!
Tubehunter Posted February 10, 2017 Posted February 10, 2017 I agree with the mirror TUBEHUNTER, I am just curious about blind spots and the fact that you are taking your eye away from whats ahead of you? It's infinitely faster to glance down and sneak a look than to turn your head around, so yes your focus moves down to the mirror when look, but your peripheral vision covers that momentary glance down and as you're generally not moving the axis of your head much, you don't veer your line in any way. To cover the blind spot I usually move shoulders slightly left or right to get a wider field of view when I need to. This is also something that you can do whilst tracking your line and not veering off the edge of the road.
nonky Posted February 10, 2017 Posted February 10, 2017 i ride with front and rear lights (Spez Stix) whether on the road or MTB. They're not the brightest but good enough in my opinion. The main problems, as mentioned repeatedly, are drunk drivers and those on their cellphones. The amount of people i see texting, facebooking or whatever on a daily basis in traffic (on highways at 100kmph+) is truly concerning. In a car, you learn to spot the subtle weaving or lane drifting but you don't have that luxury on a bike.
Tubehunter Posted February 10, 2017 Posted February 10, 2017 i ride with front and rear lights (Spez Stix) whether on the road or MTB. They're not the brightest but good enough in my opinion. The main problems, as mentioned repeatedly, are drunk drivers and those on their cellphones. The amount of people i see texting, facebooking or whatever on a daily basis in traffic (on highways at 100kmph+) is truly concerning. In a car, you learn to spot the subtle weaving or lane drifting but you don't have that luxury on a bike. When you have a mirror on your bike you do! I can typically spot these drivers from 200 plus meters away behind me and typically move into the middle of the road and wave my arm so that they see I'm there. You notice the change in their driving behaviour, move back to the left edge of the road and monitor them until they pass you. This strategy covers most of the problem motorists you will encounter. I have had 3 occasions in the past 4 years that I have taken an escape route off the left edge of the road or onto a pavement as I could see the approaching vehicle behind me was not going to pass safely and was likely to tag me in some way. Without a mirror it would've been a super close call or worse, simply trusting the driver to pass whilst I held my line not knowing they were that close!
cadenceblur Posted February 10, 2017 Posted February 10, 2017 I use a knog blinder. I guess the name is pretty self explanatory.https://m.takealot.com/#product?id=PLID39155401k11271-1-xlpreview.jpgHave one of those as well - super bright
cadenceblur Posted February 10, 2017 Posted February 10, 2017 Has the Garmin varia range taken off? Don't see that many of them around tbh.
eccc whippet Posted February 10, 2017 Posted February 10, 2017 I also have a light on my helmet...which i believe makes you even more visible...the only problem is finding one which lasts as long as the lezyne one i have on the bike (5 hrs +) ...which is not too heavy and easy to fit and remove for charging.
Furbz Posted February 10, 2017 Posted February 10, 2017 so i ride every tuesday and thursday AM in the cradle, the group i go with has an array of rear lights.i needed a recovery ride and let the group go ahead on yesterday's ride. the only light visible at 100m with was the bontrager flare R.but what truly stood out for me was that even when he was 1km or more up the road i could see him!very impressive!i will be investing in one of these very soon!
Spirog Posted February 10, 2017 Posted February 10, 2017 Has the Garmin varia range taken off? Don't see that many of them around tbh.I've been riding with a Varia rear light on my road bike for about a month. It really is useful when your out riding away from traffic and suddenly a car comes up behind, often at speed. The colour change on the Garmin display and the beep is all I need to be a little more aware. It also is useful to check before overtaking a slower rider. Just a glance at the display lets you know if there is a faster moving vehicle within 100+ metres. And, as an added bonus, my mates behind me see the change in flashing pattern, so they are also alerted to the potential danger. I wouldn't ride with the Varia. I've also just added a red light to the back of my helmet as an additional device.And, I've just ordered a small flashing light for my bars.
Skinnyone Posted February 10, 2017 Posted February 10, 2017 Has the Garmin varia range taken off? Don't see that many of them around tbh.I think cost is the limiting factor with that....brilliant product but too rich for my pocket.
Andreas_187 Posted February 10, 2017 Author Posted February 10, 2017 Non-cyclist motorists often tell me that lights during the daytime really do help them become more aware. The youtube video on the Bontrager light has convinced me to buy one today.
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