This is the big tip!
I use a small hole drilled in the clip and a section of fishing line looped over the fitting. This makes changing batteries easier
What is it with bags and rear lights?
- Thread starter Unsteady
- Start date
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This is the big tip!
I use a small hole drilled in the clip and a section of fishing line looped over the fitting. This makes changing batteries easier
Ok... here is the spoilsport bit!
A good guide to lighting is provided by the CTC
Basically the light must conform, which the Flares do not.
However once you have a legal light (Bobby Dodger) you can put whatever you like on the bike and providing colour and placement are correct you will be fine.
Personally I use a road legal Cateye and a pair of ultrabright Dinotte lights.
Having said all of that the Police are unlikely to stop you if you have rear lights.
A good guide to lighting is provided by the CTC
Basically the light must conform, which the Flares do not.
However once you have a legal light (Bobby Dodger) you can put whatever you like on the bike and providing colour and placement are correct you will be fine.
Personally I use a road legal Cateye and a pair of ultrabright Dinotte lights.
Having said all of that the Police are unlikely to stop you if you have rear lights.
Unsteady
Member
- Location
- South East Devon
Thanks for the pics Mr J - like the spokelits, they must look mad when they're spinning...
And thanks for the tip on the legality of Flares Mr VP - would never of guessed that. Must admit I'm taken with them though, so a legal light to go with them will be on my shopping list.
And thanks for the tip on the legality of Flares Mr VP - would never of guessed that. Must admit I'm taken with them though, so a legal light to go with them will be on my shopping list.
+1 'tis true.
I personally don't worry about whether a light is British Standards approved when purchasing.
If it's a good quality light, is bright enough to be safe, flashes at a reasonable enough speed to be safe, and won't dazzle other road users, then who cares whether the manufacturers have gotten their product BS approved?
On the back of my bike I have a Blackburn Mars 4.0, and two Cateye LD-130's. Neither of these lights are BS approved (to my knowledge), but I'm still lit up a damn sight better than the majority of other cyclists I see.
If it's a good quality light, is bright enough to be safe, flashes at a reasonable enough speed to be safe, and won't dazzle other road users, then who cares whether the manufacturers have gotten their product BS approved?
On the back of my bike I have a Blackburn Mars 4.0, and two Cateye LD-130's. Neither of these lights are BS approved (to my knowledge), but I'm still lit up a damn sight better than the majority of other cyclists I see.
Jenkins
Legendary Member
- Location
- Felixstowe
Another option is a saddle bag with a built in light.
Dealextreme do a cheapie: http://www.dealextreme.com/p/bicycl...de-safety-red-light-2xag10-random-color-93791
Or there's the Ortlieb at Wiggle: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ortlieb-mudracer-medium-saddle-pack-with-led/
No idea if these are any good however as I have Smart Superflashes mounted on the seat stays for additional lighting on a couple of bikes and an old Blackburn Mars 4.0 with a long strap that mounts on the small bit of frame between the seat post clamp and the rear brake mount on another.
Dealextreme do a cheapie: http://www.dealextreme.com/p/bicycl...de-safety-red-light-2xag10-random-color-93791
Or there's the Ortlieb at Wiggle: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ortlieb-mudracer-medium-saddle-pack-with-led/
No idea if these are any good however as I have Smart Superflashes mounted on the seat stays for additional lighting on a couple of bikes and an old Blackburn Mars 4.0 with a long strap that mounts on the small bit of frame between the seat post clamp and the rear brake mount on another.
buddha
Veteran
I fixed my rear light to the saddle bag with 2 (short, fat) screws. Had to make 2 small holes on the back of the bag, and similar on the light. And used a couple of washers to prevent the screw heads going through the bag material.
Bag always gets removed if I'm locking the bike up anyway.
Bag always gets removed if I'm locking the bike up anyway.
MrJamie
Oaf on a Bike
Thought id add, the smarts are still awesomely cheap for a bright rear light http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Smart-Lunar-R2-Rear-Light_39274.htm
Just wondering about the Safety Standards, I expect its unlikely the police would care to stop you so long as your lights looked effective but could it affect you making an insurance claim or similar?
This thread has reminded me that i still dont have a rear reflector :O
Just wondering about the Safety Standards, I expect its unlikely the police would care to stop you so long as your lights looked effective but could it affect you making an insurance claim or similar?
This thread has reminded me that i still dont have a rear reflector :O
phil_hg_uk
I am not a member, I am a free man !!!!!!
I have the Topeak saddle bag similar to this one except with straps to hold It on and I have a superflash rear light clipped onto the loop and I have probably done over 3000 miles with it on and it is still there.
The Topeak saddle bag has a little loop that most lights can fit to.
Some are very tight to fit, although i think thats a good thing.
You can see the lopp on this one.
I don't tour but I still have a rack
I commute in all fairness though.You can get lights that attach to the rear triangle:
http://www.fibreflare.com/
I saw a user post about them - Gaz I believe. Look for the first picture on this thread and you'll see them.
Recycler
Well-Known Member
I'm not keen on lights which are fitted to bags, helmets or jackets. They rarely seem to be "aimed" properly and are not as visible as an accurately fitted light.
LED rear lights are usualy directional and, for them to be as effective as possible, they need to be "aimed" at following drivers.
FWIW, I would be concerned about the flares if they can be seen from anywhere in front of the bike. On a dark night an oncoming driver could easily be confused if he sees a red light and your headlight. Confusing messages lead to accidents.
LED rear lights are usualy directional and, for them to be as effective as possible, they need to be "aimed" at following drivers.
FWIW, I would be concerned about the flares if they can be seen from anywhere in front of the bike. On a dark night an oncoming driver could easily be confused if he sees a red light and your headlight. Confusing messages lead to accidents.
Can only be seen from the rear and side angle. They are designed very well and also your legs obscures them if fitted to seat stays.
