Can rear lights be too bright?

geoff_ss

This evening we finished our Wednesday ride in the dark - well after spending too much time drinking coffee and eating home made cakes at John and Margaret's house, it did for 4 of us

I managed to persuade one of our riding companions to use a constant rather than flashing mode but I still found the light quite dazzling - and that wasn't even the brightest mode. When driving I find it irritating to follow another car whose driver insists in having the fog rear light on and this was similar. Interestingly it was better when I got close because the LEDs were quite directional. Her light had some wild modes for its 5/6 LEDs - the random flashing one was awful to contemplate. I certainly wouldn't want to be in a big group at night with dozens of rear lights flashing like Goose Fair in full swing.

Obviously, a good rear light is 'a good thing tm' but once it reaches a decent visibility is there any advantage in even more lumens?

Is it just me?

Geoff

de_sisti

Ride at the front of the group, then you won't have anything to complain about.
Seriously though, ride at the front of the group.

alfablue

I think there is a need for a different light for a group ride with fewer lumens, but when riding alone I think the more the better. I have recently started riding with a group and I have spotted the problem and am shopping for a "dim" light now.

mrchrispy

ive a dinotte on the back and yes it is a problem....but not for me

summer time and friends are happy to sit behind me while they warm up before upping the pace when im nice and nakered, come the dark and the last place they want to be is behind me as their eyes cant take it

the light stays!

El Gordo

I agree - I was stuck for a few hundred meters behind some guy on the (unlit) riverside path in Derby last night who's rear light was ridiculously bright and seizure inducing flashy.

Similarly I see another guy in the same place with a front light that puts most cars to shame. It's completely dazzling which is not what you need on a narrow path. Bike lights are now so good it's about time they came with a dip mode for that sort of situation.

bagpusscp

My dog was so dazzled , he had spots in front of his eyes. :shock:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/74418119@N ... 598492072/

geoff_ss

bagpusscp wrote:

My dog was so dazzled , he had spots in front of his eyes. :shock:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/74418119@N ... 598492072/

Well, when you saw us last evening we well off the back after being held up waiting for traffic. It was the couple on short bikes ahead of us I'm on about. The voice out of the dark made me jump though

@el Gordo I used to use that path riding home from work when it was a rough narrow (and unlit) track but I've used it recently in daylight and it's a wide tarmac path with what I thought were lamp standards. (between Willmorton college and the station). Perhaps you mean the earlier bit nearer Rayneway. At this time of year I'm even gladder than normally that I no longer have to do that every day.

Geoff

bagpusscp

Well, when you saw us last evening we well off the back after being held up waiting for traffic. It was the couple on short bikes ahead of us I'm on about. The voice out of the dark made me jump though

I think Ian and Bob are in competion to see who can have the brightest lights.

El Gordo

Geoff_SS wrote:

@el Gordo I used to use that path riding home from work when it was a rough narrow (and unlit) track but I've used it recently in daylight and it's a wide tarmac path with what I thought were lamp standards. (between Willmorton college and the station). Perhaps you mean the earlier bit nearer Rayneway. At this time of year I'm even gladder than normally that I no longer have to do that every day.

Geoff

Yes, just the bit between Raynesway and the Willmorton turnoff by the pond is unlit. With good lights it's quite good fun - how the unlit bicycle ninjas don't end up in the river is a mystery.

In general I'm not a fan of bike lanes etc. but that path is now well surfaced, direct and by far and away the most pleasent way to get to Raynesway.

MichaelW

I saw a guy with two very bright blinkies flashing at slightly different frequencies. They would move in and out of phase in a very hypnotic fashion. Personally I dont want to hypnotise drivers, just make my presence clear.

Look into the lights, not the arse, the lights.....

nwallace

Noticed that a lot of modern cars have Pink brake lights, will be interesting to see if they can pass their first MOT.

Cars with Clear indicator lenses and painted bulbs tend to fail as the paint comes off the bulb long before the bulb goes so the light isn't orange enough.