The Chainlink

Brian Kennedy

Improving side visibility with bike-mounted lighting

I want bike-mounted lights that will improve my side visibility. I've done quite a bit of research and there doesn't seem to be much out there. I like Trek's Beacon Bar End Lights but they are elusive locally and Trek wants to charge $8 shipping. Will Knog's work? If so, which ones? Any other ideas? I checked Bikepedia for bar end lights and there's not much there either. If it will help, I have flat bars on a comfort/hybrid bike.

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Permalink Reply by J on September 16, 2009 at 7:54am
Clark said:
REFLECTIVE TIRES.

Bingo.

Lightweight, nothing to break or lose or be stolen, and arguably superior (side) visibility to everything else.

These used to be very difficult to get in North America, but now most major tire brands now offer one or two reflective designs. Many shops in Chicago now carry them.

One of the reasons Schwalbe's line of high end commuter tires is so popular is that they *all* offer reflective sidewalls: they are available in every size imaginable, even reflective studded winter tires!

Sadly, I've yet to see a 700x23c reflective sidewall tire -- but this could be because the reflective strip does require a very thick sidewall, which kind of won't work with a tire this narrow.
Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on September 16, 2009 at 1:26pm
Ever tried a flexible neon wire set-up? You can candy stripe your frame and be super visible.

I do a quickie temporary installation w/velcro or other methods so it's removable when I don't need it.

You can get a decent set-up for $20-30 that has excellent battery life, great visibility and is super easy. http://www.elbestbuy.com/plugnplay1.html

Something like this works great too:
http://www.holidayleds.com/christmas_lights/blue_battery_operated_c...

I have some of each.
Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on October 15, 2009 at 4:40pm
Just bought some Nite Ize Spokelits. Excited!
Permalink Reply by Archie | Whateverland on October 15, 2009 at 9:34pm
If a driver doesn't notice you with Monkeylectric lights on... they don't belong anywhere near a car!



P.S. - I don't normally have spoke lights on when I am on my rollers, I was just being silly!
Permalink Reply by Joe TV on October 15, 2009 at 10:10pm
I think I saw some of those bar end lights at Village Cycle Center yesterday, FYI.
Permalink Reply by Tiberculosis on October 16, 2009 at 10:32am
If you ever get a chance to make it out to IKEA, they have similar battery operated light strands like this for 4 or 5 bucks (white lights only).

Mike Schwab said:
http://www.holidayleds.com/battery_christmas_lights
I prefer red wide angle in back of the seat post and yellow wide angle in front of the seat post. Battery pack into the seat bag then spiral around the tubes, and tie the end light back into the cord. Says not for out doors, but I did not have any problems. The lights on the down tube gave a satisfactory on-road light glow. Similar multi-color lights at walgreen for $6 last year.
Permalink Reply by dav on December 13, 2009 at 10:00pm
I use the Nite Ize. They are great.

Gibbles T. Chimp said:
This may be more than you're looking for, but not too expensive and very visible:
BikeGlow
Not as expensive spoke mounted LED lights:
Nite Ize SpokeLit
Permalink Reply by EvanDynamic on December 13, 2009 at 11:09pm
They have battery operated Christmas lights at Menards for $1.50. They run off of 2 "c" cells. The length and spacing is perfect for snaking between the ends of the spokes by the rim(4' if I recall).

I just snaked them, taped the light sockets along the spokes (otherwise they hit the brakes), and zip tied the battery back to hub (with the tie perpendicular to the wheel through the spokes around the pack). I sandwiched-bagged the pack but they're for designed as outdoor-use lights anyway so it shouldn't be necessary. Installation time was about half hour. Couldn't be easier.

I got tradition lights but they had LED lights available for more money. I think I'll end up regretting not getting those.

Permalink Reply by Steven Vance on December 14, 2009 at 10:33pm
Get stylish and get attention with fluorescent lights. Either buy the Down Low Glow from Rock The Bike or build your own like me, using lights from Oznium.
Permalink Reply by Chris B on December 15, 2009 at 10:49pm
I just decided to use 2 Flea rear lights on the fork each pointing to the side:
http://www.blackburndesign.com/lights.html#fleausbrear

they go on with velcro so the fork shape doesn't matter. Expensive but they are rechargable.

I wonder if instead I should put them on my bar ends if that will make them more visible than down on the fork.
Permalink Reply by Jeff Scott on February 25, 2010 at 12:48pm
Greetings all. As the creator of the Flashflight SpokeLit spoke light, I would love to offer this community forum an exclusive discount on our Bike related products. Feel free to visit http://store.flashflight.com and use promo code "CHAINLINK" for a 15% discount on your purchase.

You have a great community here! Light them up and RIDE!
Cheers,
Jeff Scott
www.flashflight.com
"save energy, play in the dark!"

Steven Vance said:
Get stylish and get attention with fluorescent lights. Either buy the Down Low Glow from Rock The Bike or build your own like me, using lights from Oznium.

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