http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: The 2nd Annual Citycycling Lights Review Thingy (Part 1) en Wed, 13 May 2026 01:58:12 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1592#post-21317 Wed, 12 Jan 2011 18:19:53 +0000 Mellow Velo 21317@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Been using my Niterider Minewt 250 for 7 days now and conscientiously pointing it with due diligence away from my brethren. I have to say it has changed driver behaviour towards me for the better. Natty in flash mode awakens hibernating dormice on full beam. Haven't needed to recharge it yet. Srongly recommend. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1592#post-21315 Wed, 12 Jan 2011 17:05:36 +0000 ruggtomcat 21315@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I have something to add about the Ultraphazer 5, no battery life.</p> <p>I have been running one beside <a href="http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLqrymode.a4p?f_ProductID=8995&amp;f_SupersetQRY=C222&amp;f_SortOrderID=1&amp;f_bct=c003154c003152c003247">this</a> for the last month or so and in that time ive changed the batteries twice in the ultrafazer and zero times in the EBC one, wich i bought much earlier. They have very similar outputs.</p> <p>Two AA's are not enough to run 5 leds for any length of time, sorry :(</p> <p>not that im happy with the EBC one, its got a lose connection somewhere and after a cobbled section i have to give it a wrap with my knuckles to get it working again... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1592#post-15884 Tue, 02 Nov 2010 18:46:32 +0000 chdot 15884@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Not withstanding the wonderfulness of Anth's work, ths might interest -</p> <p><a href="http://road.cc/node/10417">Buyer's guide: cycle lights on road.cc</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1592#post-15758 Sun, 31 Oct 2010 22:59:05 +0000 wingpig 15758@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>A car actually gave me as much room as it would have had to have left me had I been a car this evening, possibly helped by a TL-AU100 beneath the saddle, a TL-LD170 in the right pocket of my bag and a CherryBomb at the back of my head. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1592#post-15757 Sun, 31 Oct 2010 21:46:48 +0000 SRD 15757@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Lots of no-lighters in the meadows tonight, but I was following 3 yr old who only has a red rear light at the moment, so I can't complain. I'd put new batteries in the helmet light though, so my lights pretty much covered her too. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1592#post-15756 Sun, 31 Oct 2010 20:10:28 +0000 kaputnik 15756@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>What's better than cycling your fauxie down George IVth bridge in the dark with no lights? Cycling it down the right hand lane of course! And then going the wrong way down the 1-way system on Forest Road and mounting the pavement to try and cut 3 seconds off your ride. I went the "proper" way round (with lights on) waited at the reds and still got onto MMW too far ahead of the bozo to issue him a stern reprimand. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1592#post-15627 Thu, 28 Oct 2010 19:56:17 +0000 Dave 15627@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Yep, under euro regulations we have to accept equivalent standards, so you can go with German lights etc no problem - they will all have the appropriate stamp (the fine for having an unapproved light is higher than having no light, apparently).</p> <p>As Anth says, it's more that light manufacturers can't be bothered to submit their designs for testing, rather than they are sub-standard. </p> <p>For example, if your light has no steady mode it simply has to output 4 candela to be legal. It's a minefield converting between figures but as far as I can tell, a typical 3 LED rear light will output 100 candela on fresh batteries.</p> <p>Many countries do it quite differently. For example, requiring a light which is "clearly visible from 500m" which is really a lot more sensible (especially as it takes account of battery condition - you can actually be legal on a BS-approved light on the last gasp of terminally dying batteries, but illegal with a fresh Cherrybomb). </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1592#post-15620 Thu, 28 Oct 2010 18:01:37 +0000 Smudge 15620@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Vehicle lighting regs say BS approved or approved by another country iirc, so doesn't a CE mark count? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1592#post-15613 Thu, 28 Oct 2010 16:16:57 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 15613@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Certainly seems that way Dave. It's an interesting conundrum, because I reckon that the majority of those lights <em>would</em> be approved if the manufacturers were to put them through the process. But as the CTC says, most are unlikely to do so. But is any government going to stop bike shops selling any lights (probably being 95%) that don't have the kitemark? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1592#post-15612 Thu, 28 Oct 2010 16:12:17 +0000 Dave 15612@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>More prosaically, if the light also has a steady mode (which every one I've seen does) then it needs to be 'approved' and given a kitemark or equivalent (which almost none of them do). </p> <p>So, in reality it's true to say that almost all cyclists with flashing lights, and more or less the same number with steady lights, are illegal... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1592#post-15603 Thu, 28 Oct 2010 14:57:37 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 15603@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Figure of speech (if one of my friends had said something that was wrong and someone else said they were speaking 'rubbish' I'd have to agree - but I can see your point, put more 'diplomatically' they are 'incorrect in their assertion which appears to be based on past experience and knowledge which has been superceded' :P )</p> <p>(and you're welcome for the information that was requested... ;) ) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1592#post-15602 Thu, 28 Oct 2010 14:52:13 +0000 spitfire 15602@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>rubbish? I prefer "misinformed" or "out of date"<br /> this is a friend of mine you are talking about<br /> this was info from an ex-traffic cop so that may explain the out of date info </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1592#post-15596 Thu, 28 Oct 2010 14:35:16 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 15596@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>From the CTC:</p> <p>Flashers<br /> Thanks to the enactment of Statutory Instrument 2005 No. 2559: on 23rd October 2005, it finally became legal to have a flashing light on a pedal cycle. Even better: it became possible for a flashing light to be approved, meaning no other light would be needed in that position. And since BS6102/3 does not yet cater for flashing (but is likely to be amended to do so quite soon), approval is for the time being, granted simply on the basis of brightness. </p> <p>Because DfT very much prefer anything that possibly can be evaluated against a proper technical standard, so to be evaluated: any flashing lamp that is also capable of emitting a steady light is approved only if it conforms with BS6102/3 when switched to steady mode. Since most (probably all) flashing lights do also have a steady mode, and since none of their manufacturers can be bothered to test and mark them to the pernickety standards of one small country on the fringes of Europe, it's unlikely that any flashing light actually qualifies for approval. But since it became theoretically legal to ride a bike with only flashing lights on it, the Police are nowadays no more likely to quibble its legal status than one equipped with steady lights – unless they're rather dim or involved in an accident of course. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1592#post-15595 Thu, 28 Oct 2010 14:34:08 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 15595@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Cyclist friend is speaking rubbish - lights these days (and for about two years now) are perfectly legal just flashing rather than steady. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1592#post-15594 Thu, 28 Oct 2010 14:32:27 +0000 spitfire 15594@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>A cyclist friend told me last night the flashing mode on any lights is illegal and that the small print will state this... Flashing is only meant for off road (fnarr fnarr) can anyone verify? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1592#post-15427 Wed, 27 Oct 2010 11:24:03 +0000 Stepdoh 15427@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Anth is only available in IMAX, apparently. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1592#post-15426 Wed, 27 Oct 2010 11:20:22 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 15426@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Yeah, for someone who hadn't seen the split happen that was rather confusing! There's a freecycle hanging on in YahooGroups, and on a quick look it seemed to have more things getting posted than Freegle, so I went that route and had someone agreeing to take the sofa within about 15 minutes! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1592#post-15420 Wed, 27 Oct 2010 10:47:32 +0000 spitfire 15420@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@anth - "Was waiting for a freecycler to collect it."</p> <p>do you mean freegle now or is there still a freecycle group for Edinburgh hanging on?<br /> I was one of the moderators and followed the split from freecycle to freegle with little interest... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1592#post-15402 Wed, 27 Oct 2010 09:26:08 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 15402@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>That's altogether more plausible. Forget widescreen telly, we need new 'taller' televisions! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1592#post-15401 Wed, 27 Oct 2010 09:25:16 +0000 chdot 15401@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"white male it was harder to get onto telly these days"</p> <p>Nah, you're just too tall to fit. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1592#post-15396 Wed, 27 Oct 2010 09:09:34 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 15396@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@thebikechain - of course you can use it! Just glad you're happy with it. As for 'Clooney', I actually tried to get a few tv production companies interested in a 'Bike Show' idea last year (along the lines of the Gadget Show or Top Gear), obviously with me as one of the presenters. Got a tiny sniff from one and met for coffee, but they thought it was 'too niche' (non-cyclists y'see, there are shows out there, more than one, about fishing fercrissakes!) and that as a middle class (loyalty to my rather less than middle class roots lead me to correct them here) white male it was harder to get onto telly these days. Though looking at new programmes coming out all the time that was clearly garbage.</p> <p>Anyway, I'm hoping the relaunched citycycling (yes Laidback, it's finally on the horizon!!!) will have a few more videos like this.</p> <p>@arellcat and laidback - I wish the sofa lived in there all the time. Actually. No, I don't, it takes up valuable bike space... Was waiting for a freecycler to collect it.</p> <p>@wingpig - funnily enough, I've got a few views on that now. Actually, uch as I love the CherryBomb I'll sing the praises of the Smart Lunar rear light as well - step above the Polaris versions.</p> <p>@Cyclingmollie - can't believe I missed the chance to do that!</p> <p>Now if you don't mind, I'm off into a terribly important meeting with my agent about some show that involves dancing. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1592#post-15384 Tue, 26 Oct 2010 23:20:54 +0000 wingpig 15384@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>As coincidence would have it, the clip on my EL-170 snapped last week, rendering it suitable only for sticking in the mesh side pocket of my bag. I wonder what I could replace it with? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1592#post-15382 Tue, 26 Oct 2010 22:55:04 +0000 thebikechain 15382@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Anth this is fantastic. No idea you were quite the Clooney type. </p> <p>Can we use this vid on our site and Facebook please - oh and you need to call me when you get a minute. I have made some plans that you would be ideal to help implement. </p> <p>Genius. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1592#post-15380 Tue, 26 Oct 2010 22:25:51 +0000 Arellcat 15380@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>I also note your garage has furniture now...</em></p> <p>I think Anth is aiming to have the <code>SEEKRIT</code> Bunker of the North.</p> <p>Top job, Anth, and nicely edited. Looking forward to the next part! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1592#post-15377 Tue, 26 Oct 2010 22:17:26 +0000 Min 15377@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Hehe, cool. I particularly liked the bouncability test at the end. Especially useful when considering pothole ruggedness. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1592#post-15364 Tue, 26 Oct 2010 19:43:09 +0000 kaputnik 15364@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>great video. Amusing, entertaining and educational </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1592#post-15362 Tue, 26 Oct 2010 18:47:13 +0000 LaidBack 15362@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Good presentation Anth... look forward to part 2.</p> <p><em>(I also note your garage has furniture now... the forumers can drop by for coffee;-)</em></p> <p>Niterider set did really well on the Belgian Dutch ride.</p> <p>Front pattern isn't as good as my single LED Cateye ?? but still good enough. I used both lights.<br /> The Ultrafazer switch is good as it can't be accidently activated unlike Cateye. Case also opens nicely as you say. Changing batteries should be easy. they also make point that re-chargeables are fine for Nitrider.</p> <p>I'm in love with the Cherrybomb though. Had it hooked onto my rack top bag so light came off with my luggage. </p> <p><em>Here's my pic of them in use (again...)</em><br /> <img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1144/5105717064_1a55279413.jpg"><br /> That's the Cherrybomb side on in flash mode.<br /> A worthy successor to the wee LED oval lights that Cateye introduced at the start of the LED revolution. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1592#post-15337 Tue, 26 Oct 2010 13:20:54 +0000 Cyclingmollie 15337@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Great film. Looking forward to the second part. I did replay the part where you talk about the jackets changing to see if you had dropped in a little visual joke but I don't think you did. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1592#post-15309 Tue, 26 Oct 2010 09:28:36 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 15309@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>p.s. no lights were harmed during the filming of this video, even if you watch to the end. At least. None of The Bike Chain's lights. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1592#post-15308 Tue, 26 Oct 2010 09:26:36 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 15308@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Well it's about time, says The Bike Chain (and yes, this <em>does</em> mean you're getting your lights back, though not likely today, rather tomorrow...).</p> <p>'Part 1' because I'm also putting a video up of some ride-bys and photos of the light strength, but this is impressions of the lights, pros and cons.</p> <p>And yes. There <em>is</em> dancing and juggling again.</p> <p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQm6TllVOcs" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQm6TllVOcs</a> </p>