Tailights
- Mulger bill
- Super Mod
- Posts: 29060
- Joined: Sun Sep 24, 2006 2:41 pm
- Location: Sunbury Vic
Re: Tailights
Postby Mulger bill » Wed Mar 20, 2013 10:36 am
-
- Posts: 148
- Joined: Fri Jan 18, 2013 4:54 pm
- Location: Sydney
Re: Tailights
Postby Coolabah » Wed Mar 20, 2013 5:12 pm
Can't say the Oxford dictionary, or more importantly to my troubled psyche....my old high school Latin teacher.... agrees with your definition , but maybe you use the Macquarie dictionary or somesuch ? :il padrone wrote:Ah! Well it is the correct word to use in the case of tail-lights. Most people talk about visibility but that is your ability to see, most relevant for head-lights. With a tail-light you want others to be able to see you ie. you want to be conspicuous.
Note - also why the term high-visibility jacket is an oxymoron. The jacket doesn't give you better vision
[end pedant]
Definition of visibility
noun
[mass noun]
the state of being able to see or be seen:a reduction in police presence and visibility on the streets
the distance one can see as determined by light and weather conditions:visibility was down to 15 yards
the degree to which something has attracted general attention; prominence:the issue began to lose its visibility
Origin:
late Middle English: from French visibilite or late Latin visibilitas, from Latin visibilis (see visible)
-
- Posts: 148
- Joined: Fri Jan 18, 2013 4:54 pm
- Location: Sydney
Re: Tailights
Postby Coolabah » Wed Mar 20, 2013 5:21 pm
Yes , I agree ! They are indeed highly visible . Love my RZ 8 but am still using the RZ4 on one of my bikes and this is still pretty good IMHO ( but some reports from other users say otherwise eg reliability ) . I am going to look at some easy method of eg mounting RZ8 to a small tube which somehow attaches to , for example, a backpack or bike rack etc etc ...il padrone wrote:Niteflux's Redzone 4 and 8 both have exceptional conspicuity, more than 180 degrees of spread.
- Comedian
- Posts: 9166
- Joined: Mon Aug 09, 2010 7:35 pm
- Location: Brisbane
Re: Tailights
Postby Comedian » Wed Mar 20, 2013 5:47 pm
-
- Posts: 148
- Joined: Fri Jan 18, 2013 4:54 pm
- Location: Sydney
Re: Tailights
Postby Coolabah » Wed Mar 20, 2013 6:01 pm
My RZ8 lights each came with a velcro strap with buckle ie you clinch it down tight to your seat post. Works 100% brilliantly "as designed", it absolutely will NOT budge. The problem ( as detailed in this thread ) appears when you do NOT want to mount it on your seat post .... what to do now ??? !!!!Mulger bill wrote:
What is the "correct" method (as in: the RTFM installation)? Still can't find anything about the RZ8 on the Nightflux site
I didn't like the supplied RZ4 mount so I MacGyvered some sheet metal so it fits onto a standard PBSF/Radbot type of mount. Kinda ugly but functional.
Between us we should be able to sort Pete out.
- il padrone
- Posts: 22931
- Joined: Mon Apr 07, 2008 11:57 pm
- Location: Heading for home.
Re: Tailights
Postby il padrone » Wed Mar 20, 2013 6:02 pm
Ah, the great value of a hard-wired dynamo light systemComedian wrote:Only problem I've had with radbots is the contacts between the electronics and the battery eventually wear out, and they start turning off.
-
- Posts: 148
- Joined: Fri Jan 18, 2013 4:54 pm
- Location: Sydney
Re: Tailights
Postby Coolabah » Wed Mar 20, 2013 6:27 pm
Maybe. Any electrical contact subject to the environmental conditions experienced during bike riding ( vibration , moisture, dirt etc ) is/are prone to problems - even soldered joints can fail but certainly any mechanical joint is more subject to possible problems particularly due to corrosion or physical loss of electrical contact - think bent/loose connection.... We would need to see some hard data on the different products - IP , are you able to research that ? You are much better than I am at this sort of thing !! I'm sure we would all appreciate your efforts, but I can of course only speak for myself. So , which is better from a reliability viewpoint - dynamo or battery lights ???il padrone wrote:Ah, the great value of a hard-wired dynamo light systemComedian wrote:Only problem I've had with radbots is the contacts between the electronics and the battery eventually wear out, and they start turning off.
hmmm....
- il padrone
- Posts: 22931
- Joined: Mon Apr 07, 2008 11:57 pm
- Location: Heading for home.
Re: Tailights
Postby il padrone » Wed Mar 20, 2013 7:05 pm
I can speak subjectively from my experience - ~10 years with various B&M lights double-wired to dynamos and dynohub, and 2 years with the Supernova E3 f&r lights wired to a dynohub. Dynohubs just go on and on and on..... The only time I have had my Supernoova lights not work was when the hub contact had got knocked off - happened twice and picked up as I wheeIed the bike along. Just reconnected it and am about to play around to enlarge the wiring loop to prevent this. The wiring is a complete loom to both lights with just the one joint, a very neatly finished one when done. It is two small alloy tubes that you crimp each end of the dipole cable into, then each connector has heatshrink over it, followed by larger heatshrink over the lot. Alternately you can facilitate removal by purchasing the (not cheap) gold connectors, like these:Coolabah wrote: Any electrical contact subject to the environmental conditions experienced during bike riding ( vibration , moisture, dirt etc ) is/are prone to problems - even soldered joints can fail but certainly any mechanical joint is more subject to possible problems particularly due to corrosion or physical loss of electrical contact - think bent/loose connection.... We would need to see some hard data on the different products - IP , are you able to research that ? You are much better than I am at this sort of thing !! I'm sure we would all appreciate your efforts, but I can of course only speak for myself. So , which is better from a reliability viewpoint - dynamo or battery lights ???
The old B&M system gave me equally few problems for about 10 years. I did burn out one dynamo, but it was covered under their very fine 3 year warranty. The replacement is still running on our tandem about 7 years later. I progressed through three different headlights as upgrades and one of them did fail when in use by my son - something has come loose inside, but I have not got around to pulling it apart (these lights are not designed to be user serviceable, rather "not needing service") My son did also manage to burn out the circuitry of his Seculite tail-light. These are fairly cheap to replace and I had a couple spare.
So overall the incidence of on-road failures has been very low - in 10 years one dynamo burned out on a daylight mountain descent, one headlight and one tail-light failure - amongst lights that are running on three regularly used bikes and two others less well-used.
Some more information about others' experiences here:
http://www.ecovelo.info/2011/11/01/batt ... mo-lights/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://mattjon.es/blog/2011/12/bicycle-lighting/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://veloweb.ca/randonneuring/bicycle-lighting/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.gravelbike.com/?p=350" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.longleafbicycles.com/product ... -lighting/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://bicycling.about.com/od/bikeequip ... o_hubs.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Very much my experience as well.And after daily use of this lighting system for six months, I can tell you that the dynohub set-up on my normal commuter bike, an Xtracycle, is awesome. I leave the light on all the time as I can tell zero difference in rolling resitance and it'a BRIGHT. It certainly can't hurt (and I imagine it helps) people in cars notice me.
Batteries-shmatteries! My dynohub-pwered lights are simply "always there". The LED lights have such huge lifespans (>100,000hrs) that I am happy to run them all the time, even all day on long tours. They make drivers stop for me in daylight because they mistake me (with the panniers on) for a motorbike . I commute with panniers so this effect works there as well.
Dynohub front wheels (Shimano) can be had for between $80-130 (fully built-up) from http://www.xxcycles.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; in France.
-
- Posts: 148
- Joined: Fri Jan 18, 2013 4:54 pm
- Location: Sydney
Re: Tailights
Postby Coolabah » Wed Mar 20, 2013 7:40 pm
- Mulger bill
- Super Mod
- Posts: 29060
- Joined: Sun Sep 24, 2006 2:41 pm
- Location: Sunbury Vic
Re: Tailights
Postby Mulger bill » Wed Mar 20, 2013 7:57 pm
Thanks for that. What's the overall length of the RZ8 please.Coolabah wrote:My RZ8 lights each came with a velcro strap with buckle ie you clinch it down tight to your seat post. Works 100% brilliantly "as designed", it absolutely will NOT budge. The problem ( as detailed in this thread ) appears when you do NOT want to mount it on your seat post .... what to do now ??? !!!!Mulger bill wrote:
What is the "correct" method (as in: the RTFM installation)? Still can't find anything about the RZ8 on the Nightflux site
I didn't like the supplied RZ4 mount so I MacGyvered some sheet metal so it fits onto a standard PBSF/Radbot type of mount. Kinda ugly but functional.
Between us we should be able to sort Pete out.
Pete, What's the C-C spacing of the mount holes for the E3?
Shaun
-
- Posts: 148
- Joined: Fri Jan 18, 2013 4:54 pm
- Location: Sydney
Re: Tailights
Postby Coolabah » Wed Mar 20, 2013 8:10 pm
... pretty much 90 mm , measured with my old high school ruler ... so , +/- 2 mm or so I guess !!!Mulger bill wrote:
Thanks for that. What's the overall length of the RZ8 please.
Shaun
- il padrone
- Posts: 22931
- Joined: Mon Apr 07, 2008 11:57 pm
- Location: Heading for home.
Re: Tailights
Postby il padrone » Wed Mar 20, 2013 9:23 pm
- except mine doesn't have any centre hole for the lead to go through
- Mulger bill
- Super Mod
- Posts: 29060
- Joined: Sun Sep 24, 2006 2:41 pm
- Location: Sunbury Vic
- Mulger bill
- Super Mod
- Posts: 29060
- Joined: Sun Sep 24, 2006 2:41 pm
- Location: Sunbury Vic
Re: Tailights
Postby Mulger bill » Wed Mar 20, 2013 11:43 pm
What's the available 3D space like directly above this hypothetical plate?
Thanks.
Wonder how much they weigh??? Hmmm, Google...
- il padrone
- Posts: 22931
- Joined: Mon Apr 07, 2008 11:57 pm
- Location: Heading for home.
Re: Tailights
Postby il padrone » Wed Mar 20, 2013 11:53 pm
I've got to thank you for putting such thought into my issue MB, but it's really not a huge worry. I am pretty happy with the conspicuity provided by the E3 and the Fenderbot, together with the really brilliant reflectives of the Ortlieb rear patches. I've been asked by motorists - "What are those two bright lights you have on the back of your bike - you know down on your bags ??" Your lights shining back at you bud
- Mulger bill
- Super Mod
- Posts: 29060
- Joined: Sun Sep 24, 2006 2:41 pm
- Location: Sunbury Vic
Re: Tailights
Postby Mulger bill » Thu Mar 21, 2013 12:06 am
Thing weighs 92g, my idea's out the window anyway.
Cheers
Shaun
- il padrone
- Posts: 22931
- Joined: Mon Apr 07, 2008 11:57 pm
- Location: Heading for home.
Re: Tailights
Postby il padrone » Thu Mar 21, 2013 12:32 am
- Mulger bill
- Super Mod
- Posts: 29060
- Joined: Sun Sep 24, 2006 2:41 pm
- Location: Sunbury Vic
Re: Tailights
Postby Mulger bill » Thu Mar 21, 2013 12:50 am
Still not sure about the engineering of this under riding conditions but I'm thinking of a 90 mm length of old cf seatpost slit down one side and a suitably shaped and drilled bracket of thick enough sheetmetal epoxied into it. Add some sort of caps to the tube to tidy it up and a squirt of black paint on the metalwork.
Open to other approaches...
- il padrone
- Posts: 22931
- Joined: Mon Apr 07, 2008 11:57 pm
- Location: Heading for home.
Re: Tailights
Postby il padrone » Thu Mar 21, 2013 12:58 am
Or a suitably shaped piece of 3-4mm thick aluminium plate (sort of T-shaped) with two seat-post sized half rounds of timber, or alloy section if it's made, bolted onto this to form an upright post.
- Mulger bill
- Super Mod
- Posts: 29060
- Joined: Sun Sep 24, 2006 2:41 pm
- Location: Sunbury Vic
Re: Tailights
Postby Mulger bill » Thu Mar 21, 2013 1:04 am
Time to scrounge the metalwork room and have a yarn with the carpenter
I'd like to see some pics when you're done.
- Mulger bill
- Super Mod
- Posts: 29060
- Joined: Sun Sep 24, 2006 2:41 pm
- Location: Sunbury Vic
Re: Tailights
Postby Mulger bill » Thu Mar 21, 2013 1:05 am
- il padrone
- Posts: 22931
- Joined: Mon Apr 07, 2008 11:57 pm
- Location: Heading for home.
Re: Tailights
Postby il padrone » Thu Mar 21, 2013 8:35 am
Hmm... all a bit of an intellectual exercise at the mo, what with the recovering (still painful in use) broken collar-bone (rhs), and the ensuing three month tour of Italy & Corsica, I kinda have other priorities pressing. Number one being getting back on the bike Messing around with cutting tools is not going to be likely.Mulger bill wrote:I'd like to see some pics when you're done.
- Aushiker
- Posts: 22398
- Joined: Tue Jun 05, 2007 1:55 pm
- Location: Walyalup land
- Contact:
Re: Tailights
Postby Aushiker » Sun Mar 31, 2013 9:04 pm
I am not quite sure what the point is of this design shape but it is the new http://www.exposurelights.com/product/2 ... Blaze Mk 1 which is rated at 80 lumens. apparently . There is a bit of write-up on it at BikeRadar.com as well.
Andrew
- Comedian
- Posts: 9166
- Joined: Mon Aug 09, 2010 7:35 pm
- Location: Brisbane
Re: Tailights
Postby Comedian » Mon Apr 01, 2013 7:46 am
Very good! Would be interesting to see one in the flesh.Aushiker wrote:Anyone for a bit of plumbing out the back
I am not quite sure what the point is of this design shape but it is the new http://www.exposurelights.com/product/2 ... Blaze Mk 1 which is rated at 80 lumens. apparently . There is a bit of write-up on it at BikeRadar.com as well.
Andrew
Very happy with the radbots but I wish they had a rechargeable version.
- rangersac
- Posts: 1438
- Joined: Thu May 24, 2012 11:01 am
- Location: Southern Tasmania
Re: Tailights
Postby rangersac » Tue Apr 02, 2013 2:45 pm
The strip LED is highly non-directional so has excellent side visibility. It has two flash power modes, with the bright flash being easily daylight visible. The two strap, removeable at both ends system means you can cinch to just about any tube diameter, from seatpost right down to pannier rack tubing. I've mounted it at the back of my pannier rack on a cut to size piece of wooden dowel, which is cable-tied to the rack through the reflector mount points.
Return to “General Cycling Discussion”
- General Australian Cycling Topics
- Info / announcements
- Buying a bike / parts
- General Cycling Discussion
- The Bike Shed
- Cycling Health
- Cycling Safety and Advocacy
- Women's Cycling
- Bike & Gear Reviews
- Cycling Trade
- Stolen Bikes
- Bicycle FAQs
- The Market Place
- Member to Member Bike and Gear Sales
- Want to Buy, Group Buy, Swap
- My Bikes or Gear Elsewhere
- Serious Biking
- Audax / Randonneuring
- Retro biking
- Commuting
- MTB
- Recumbents
- Fixed Gear/ Single Speed
- Track
- Electric Bicycles
- Cyclocross and Gravel Grinding
- Dragsters / Lowriders / Cruisers
- Children's Bikes
- Cargo Bikes and Utility Cycling
- Road Racing
- Road Biking
- Training
- Time Trial
- Triathlon
- International and National Tours and Events
- Cycle Touring
- Touring Australia
- Touring Overseas
- Touring Bikes and Equipment
- Australia
- Western Australia
- New South Wales
- Queensland
- South Australia
- Victoria
- ACT
- Tasmania
- Northern Territory
- Country & Regional
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users
- All times are UTC+10:00
- Top
- Delete cookies
About the Australian Cycling Forums
The Australian Cycling Forums is a welcoming community where you can ask questions and talk about the type of bikes and cycling topics you like.
Bicycles Network Australia
Forum Information
Connect with BNA
This website uses affiliate links to retail platforms including ebay, amazon, proviz and ribble.