Great rear tail light [Archive] - The Paceline Forum

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Ahneida Ride

11-02-2010, 10:32 AM

petitelilpettit

11-02-2010, 10:37 AM

That one works pretty good.

The rear light that I am a fan of is the Planet Bike Superflash. Only costs you a about 25 bucks, but it's very bright, and has an easy clip on system that you can put either on your seatpost or your chainstay. Plus, the clip on system on the light itself can be put on a bag, so you can wear it while you commute.

bike22

11-02-2010, 10:42 AM

man, i have such a love/hate relationship with the supreflash.

Ahneida Ride

11-02-2010, 10:44 AM

The rear light that I am a fan of is the Planet Bike Superflash.

So am I .... Another great light ...

This one has two of the Planet bikes Super Flashers.

This one goes to 11. :D ;) :p :beer:

Actually they are both excellent.

PT goes about 70 hours on 2 AAA cells.

PB goes about 100 hours on 2 AAA cells.

( get the rechargeable batteries)

fiamme red

11-02-2010, 10:45 AM

I bought one of their helmet lights at the Expo. I think they sold out of the bar-mounted flashlights by the end.

fiamme red

11-02-2010, 10:48 AM

get the rechargeable batteriesHow long do they last in tail lights before they run down and need to be recharged? I'd like to use them instead of alkaline ones.

Ahneida Ride

11-02-2010, 10:49 AM

That's a nice light. I bought one of their helmet lights. I think they sold out of the bar-mounted flashlights by the end of the Expo.

I got the last one ...

Attaching it to the back of my Bell Metro Helmet.

With a DiNotte Front amber light, a rear DiNotte red tail light and this
Princeton Tec, I just may be abducted by Aliens first. ;)

William

11-02-2010, 10:52 AM

I got the last one ...

Attaching it to the back of my Bell Metro Helmet.

With a DiNotte Front amber light, a rear DiNotte red tail light and this
Princeton Tec, I just may be abducted by Aliens first. ;)

I just had this funny image in my head of you running around in the dark with that attached to your helmet....and me with one of those Serotta Titanium down tubes in my hand. :p :D ;)

William

Ahneida Ride

11-02-2010, 10:56 AM

How long do they last in tail lights before they run down and need to be recharged? I'd like to use them instead of alkaline ones.

I was using cheapo China Sergio Walmarto rechargeables in the Planet Bike.

I recharged them once a week. not matter what.
Always had a really bright flash.

The Alkaline dim down after a bit.

I usually get my batteries / chargers from Thomas distributing.com.
Next time I'll use name brand batteries.

Ahneida Ride

11-02-2010, 11:00 AM

I just had this funny image in my head of you running around in the dark with that attached to your helmet....and me with one of those Serotta Titanium down tubes in my hand. :p :D ;)

William

Hey ... I also got a Jedi Knight Light sword.
Plasma powered.

Just try to evade that !!!! :eek: :D :p :)

fiamme red

11-02-2010, 11:02 AM

I was using cheapo China Sergio Walmarto rechargeables in the Planet Bike.

I recharged them once a week. not matter what.
Always had a really bright flash.

The Alkaline dim down after a bit.

I usually get my batteries / chargers from Thomas distributing.com.
Next time I'll use name brand batteries.Thanks. Sheldon Brown (http://search.bikelist.org/getmsg.asp?Filename=internet-bob.10712.0195.eml) didn't think that using rechargeables was a good idea, but I'm going to give them a shot when my current tail light batteries die.

AngryScientist

11-02-2010, 11:23 AM

this is the light i use for commuting duty. beware that although it may look watertight, it is not.

i was able to take mine apart and dry it out after riding home in a monsoon, and it still works well, but water did in fact get in.

the nice solid feeling switch is the best part,

rdparadise

11-02-2010, 11:32 AM

I purchase one of these at the Philly Bike Expo ...

Princeton Tech Light (http://www.princetontec.com/index.php?q=swerve)

Great tail light. If you can't afford a DiNotte, this is the one ....
It's has two (2) super bright LEDs. I highly recommend.

Please don't ride (especially at dusk or at night without a light) ?

About 20 fed reserve (non-redeemable) notes.

It has a military grade feel of quality about it too.
Plastic feels solid and it has a REAL switch.

http://www.princetontec.com/index.php?q=files/imagecache/755x400/images/products/heroshots/swerve_1.jpg

Ray:

I actually bought one of those taillights too, however, I got it by buying 6 raffle tickets that netted me nothing to support LAB. They were raffling a Jamis city bike of one ilk or another.

I like their flashlight headlight too but it was only 100 lumens so I ended up passing on the last one on display. When I went back it was gone so I know they sold old of both this tailight and the flashlight bar mount unit.

Happy cycling.

Bob

Ahneida Ride

11-02-2010, 11:37 AM

Thanks. Sheldon Brown (http://search.bikelist.org/getmsg.asp?Filename=internet-bob.10712.0195.eml) didn't think that using rechargeables was a good idea, but I'm going to give them a shot when my current tail light batteries die.

I use Powerex batteries from Thomas Distributing ..

Invest and use an expensive charger. Like a MAHA.
Cheap chargers ruin batteries.

Modern rechargeables work well. They even now offer one that drains slow
when not in use. Again check out Thomas Distributing.

Get a bunch of Batteries and keep em charged. and alternate their use.
you'll have no problems. ;)

tuxbailey

11-02-2010, 12:48 PM

FYI - PBSF on sale in PB for $19.99. Planning to pick one up today on my way home.

sg8357

11-02-2010, 01:46 PM

man, i have such a love/hate relationship with the suprerflash.

Yeah, they last about 5 minutes in the rain and sharp impacts
cause the rear half of the light to separate and go boom.

I am trying the PDW 'Danger Zone' now, it has "funky time" flash patterns
and the mounting is PBSF compatible.

Ditto on the Princeton Tec, a mil spec blinky,
but it needs a bolt on mount option.

Frankwurst

11-02-2010, 05:19 PM

I'm O.K. with PB. I'm typing this so it must be working. :beer:

AngryScientist

11-02-2010, 05:37 PM

gratuitous commuter shot:

http://i1003.photobucket.com/albums/af153/aero_dynamic8/Picture083.jpg

Lifecycle

11-02-2010, 06:39 PM

]Princeton Tech - nice I am in need of a decent light .....

rice rocket

11-02-2010, 07:21 PM

I made my own tail light of sorts. It involves using a short bodied tactical flashlight, with a ~4W LED.

Video vs. the PBSF.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICa5ppUVzy4

It's probably a little much, and angers drivers.

http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/296/l2xtramini.jpg

markie

11-02-2010, 07:54 PM

Yeah, they last about 5 minutes in the rain and sharp impacts
cause the rear half of the light to separate and go boom.

Perhaps you got an unlucky light? I have had one for a couple of years on my commuter bike. It sits outside all-day in the rain and gets to hit up some off-road (and ride down a flight of steps) each day. Mine has not leaked and never fallen in two.

I did just buy a blackburn flea to add some light higher up (it clip on the retention system of giro helmets) and it looks like it will last a while..... Small and bright with a rechargeable battery and a usb/magnetic charger.

ludedude

11-02-2010, 10:52 PM

I received my $3.5 PBSF "clone" (http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.35036) from the far east today. Very bright and its value cannot be beat! I went ahead and order another one. :)

The rear light that I am a fan of is the Planet Bike Superflash. Only costs you a about 25 bucks, but it's very bright, and has an easy clip on system that you can put either on your seatpost or your chainstay. Plus, the clip on system on the light itself can be put on a bag, so you can wear it while you commute.

jwb96

11-03-2010, 05:05 AM

You guys like the "real switch?" I find it the weak point on the Princeton Tech. In a bag, etc. it gets flipped too easily.

I use the PT clipped to my backpack with the PB SuperFlash on my seatstay. Haven't been hit yet (fingers crossed). I did notice that after I went from some other steady, dim flasher to the SuperFlash alone that cars passing me took a wider berth. That was nice. Adding the PT just makes it nicer.

Jim

xjoex

11-03-2010, 06:57 AM

The swerve is a great light. One of the things I like about it is that it has more side visibility than the super flash. And it my hands it also feels much better constructed.

-Joe

oldpotatoe

11-03-2010, 07:08 AM

"About 20 fed reserve (non-redeemable) notes."

'Course now that the GOP is in control of the house we are all saved...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBq8b0vrJYg&feature=related

avalonracing

11-03-2010, 08:48 AM

'Course now that the GOP is in control of the house we are all saved...

Hey, at least my state (Maryland) showed a little sense yesterday.

As for lights, I hate them as I don't like extra junk on my bike, but they are a necessary evil. For guys like me who don't plan to ride in the dark but might get caught out a few minutes later than they planned I'm a big fan of the Blackburn Flea lights. They are tiny, bright and recharge from a AA battery or USB hub. Very cool, very small and very inexpensive ($20 each).

SpeedyChix

11-03-2010, 08:58 AM

dekindy

11-03-2010, 09:04 AM

If I needed a new headlight I would purchase a Portland Design Works Danger Zone or Radbot or a Niterider Cherry Bomb.

RGW

11-03-2010, 09:10 AM

I currently use the PBSF and like it alot. Is the PT Swerve taillight comaprable to PBSF as bar as brightness and "flash appeal" ?? Perform Bike has them on sale for $15!

Ahneida Ride

11-03-2010, 09:11 AM

"About 20 fed reserve (non-redeemable) notes."

'Course now that the GOP is in control of the house we are all saved...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBq8b0vrJYg&feature=related

Ha ! I only wish. :crap:

guess who first proposed our nations private central bank ...

Yea ... that's right !

rice rocket

11-04-2010, 07:41 AM

Would you post up specs as well as what you're using to mount to bike?
Thanks!

Hey, forgot about this post. It's a lot of legwork hunting down the parts, and requires some modification to work properly.

So flashlight body is a Solarforce L2m. It comes "empty", with no LEDs or bulbs. They're available a bunch of places online, Lighthound.com is the cheapest.

http://www.lighthound.com/Solarforce-L2M-Host-for-1x123-or-16340-Black-Type-2-Anodized_p_2982.html

Next is the mount, it allows you to rotate to set the angle. I mounted mine to the top of my seatstays, and aim it backwards as level as possible, but you can probably get away with the seatpost if you have enough showing. Remember leg clearance when you're picking your position!

https://www.fenix-store.com/product_info.php?cPath=92&products_id=2404

Next, there's someone who makes modified light drivers on Candlepowerforums, goes by the name Nailbender. He'll make just about anything that fits these lights (known as the P60 format), but what you want is the Osram Diamond Dragon in red with a 20-mode driver (it has the "police strobe" mode, which is the triple flash...or you can get a 5-mode one w/ a simple on-off flash). The whole P60 drop-in is $40.

Now one issue I was having was the light would change modes on bumps. I had to remove the spring on the P60 drop-in, and replace it w/ a spacer. There's a spring on the tail cap of the flashlight body, so the second spring makes the battery float and it'll disconnect and connect for a split second, switching modes.

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=282416

Next is the lens. I used a domed glass lens, and then sanded the surface with 220 grit sandpaper until it was matte. It's a good beam dispersant, so people can see you, even when they're not directly behind you.

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.5297

And then all you need then is batteries and a charger. I've been using Ultrafire 18350's, which lets you keep the short body, but you can run the full body and larger 18650 batteries if you want longer runtimes.

http://www.batteryjunction.com/18650.html

http://www.batteryjunction.com/tlunlichfor1.html

That's all. :) Yeah, it's a lot to digest...you have to be somewhat "in" to flashlights and electronics to really want to do it. Total price is around $100.

I'd actually recommend the Dinotte 300R if you don't want to tinker. But at $200, I could achieve about the same performance at half the price. I run this in conjunction w/ the Planet Bike Superflash, and being visually bombarded by two different light sources makes you very visible, even during the day.

SpeedyChix

11-04-2010, 07:46 AM

Thanks so much for posting this all up!
I've got a few of the bits handy so will look into gathering the balance.

rice rocket

11-04-2010, 07:58 AM

If you want out-of-control bright, you can substitute the Luminus SST-90 for the Osram Diamond Dragon, for another $40. It's 500 lumens @ 3A/12W, or 800 lumens @ 6A/24W. You'd have to ask Nailbender to use the 2.8A driver, or two of 'em (not sure how much extra it is).

It draws a LOT of power, and you'd probably want to run an external battery pack for acceptable runtimes (maybe tuck it under your seat rails), but 500 lumens is probably brighter than most taillights on new cars. 800 lumens is ridonkulously bright and will probably get you pulled over.

SpeedyChix

11-04-2010, 08:05 AM

Yikes, that's a load of lumens!

Ahneida Ride

11-04-2010, 10:46 AM

What are the Lumens of a DiNotte ? 200 Lumen ????

Is there a too bright light ?

Never RUN flash mode at night. I had a Pizza box thrown at me right in
front of the Serotta Factory. True Story.

Peter P.

11-04-2010, 04:38 PM

Thanks for the tip on the Princeton Tech. The wide variety of mounting options is a good selling point for me.

But as one astute poster pointed out, the switch is vulnerable to actuation if it's in your bag, which I've seen happen.

I use a Blackburn Mars 3.0. The flash is bright to the rear, and side mounted yellow LEDs complete the 180 degree visibility. It also has a flush mounted on/off switch.

I followed the link to the post about the custom built rear light. From all the other youtube videos about Planet Bike taillights, they are quite a popular item. I will admit, the one I saw "out in the wild" was quite impressive.