To the guy who uses 2000 lumens on Lakeshore Drive bike path, may your shorts always bunch up on left nut

@tim4168

2 жыл бұрын

wtf :D

@gliderman9302

2 жыл бұрын

Lmao

@Ferrichrome

Жыл бұрын

Ugh the worst feeling

@AZHOLEN1

Жыл бұрын

In that case, manufacturers should have projectors with cutoff shields for bike lights for city driving

@ev-ezaye3580

9 ай бұрын

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 man you're peeved! 🤐

Very enlightening, I am no longer in the dark.

@retiredman2

4 жыл бұрын

I found it illuminating, too.

@Grunchy005

4 жыл бұрын

In Alberta if it’s within 1 hour of sunset you’re liable to get a $250 ticket for no lights. So I have the very cheapest $5 MEC.ca lights you can get, nobody ever touches them. Of greater importance are reflectors, that’s what really works. Simple reflective stickers. Lastly I have a bike light that attaches to the rear brake cable, it turns on with the brake, like a proper brake light! So cool.

@jurel6982

4 жыл бұрын

What happened: Bike light was used. My English teacher: So basically he died.

@barrylongden7

3 жыл бұрын

🤔 I could gain enlightenment by meditating, as an alternative, I suppose?

@brettfralish2516

3 жыл бұрын

You are so bright, most dim-witted people won't understand.

When Ollie said "a few pounds" for lights, i actually thought "that heavy?".

You need marker lights to be seen A head-tube light to see ahead Handlebar lights to see where you're going One one your helmet or cap to see what you're looking at And a reference book for making shadow puppets

@eddygci8

4 жыл бұрын

Major Dick you need to wear light up clothes. BE THE LIGHT

@Aubreykun

4 жыл бұрын

Don't forget turn signal lights to signal to everyone that you're turning left, right, or don't know where you're going Programmable LED spoke lights to sell your wheels as advertising space Brake-actuated lights so people can see when you, the slowest vehicle on the road, are slowing to stop And a programmable LED tail marquee light, for more advertising space to sell so you can afford more bike stuff

@pulafun

4 жыл бұрын

and don't forget to not blind the people with your headlamp!

@twintyara6330

Жыл бұрын

Don't forget the led jacket

Passive lighting is also a good idea: reflecting material on clothes & tires. Bright/light clothing instead of the usual black.

Something that needs to be said about current USB rechargeable lights is that water often gets past the simple little rubber seals on the mini-USB ports, and that often ruins the lights. I’ve gravitated toward ultra-cheap usb-lights after so many good ones got ruined. Some modern weapon lights (for pistols/rifles) now have magnetic charging connections, and it would seem that these are sealed better against water (since there is no port to plug in to). When bicycle lights start using that kind of connection, I’ll agree to start paying more for them again.

@gcn

4 жыл бұрын

That sounds like a feature we'd like to see

@louislye007able

3 жыл бұрын

Why bother to charge ? I prefer a battery operated ones. I have bad experienced with rechargeable taillight .Do not know when the power is low and when need to use, could not turn on. Best is to use a battery operated ones and the power consumption is low and easy to replace right away when battery low. Also it is readily available at any retail shop. I bought this bike taillight with also laser features which is cheap and good quality. I share the link here: www.amazon.com/dp/B08Z2ZG18V . It cost USD 6.98. So cheap and value for money!!!

One tip not really discussed is to have a 2nd helmet mounted headlight as well as a (flashing) headlight on the handlebars. The former is *really* useful because it follows your line of sight if you move your head and can be a _life saver_ for cars entering from side streets. A rear light mounted high (or a reflective strip) on a helmet is also useful for visibility from behind.

It can't be stressed enough to properly aim your light downwards.

@difflocktwo

4 жыл бұрын

What? Properly is horizontally, like with all other road vehicles.

@kaspervestergaard2383

4 жыл бұрын

@@difflocktwo Cars headlights do not go entirely horizontal though.

@pharaohsmagician8329

4 жыл бұрын

@@difflocktwo You're not a ROAD VEHICLE constantly. When on the road, aim them to be visible. But on a dark trail without streetlights, aim them down so you don't blind and incapacitate oncoming cyclists. We have almost hit people accidentally this way. You can see the bike but not exactly what it's doing, and it gets worse the closer it gets!

@difflocktwo

4 жыл бұрын

@@kaspervestergaard2383 How not?

@difflocktwo

4 жыл бұрын

@@pharaohsmagician8329 My bike uses wheels and stays on the ground. I like to have the ground a head lit up evenly. In all situations you don't want light bounced into space or people's eyes You want the light on the road.

Great to see the use of SI units, maybe now you'll use meters per second and kelvins.

You covered the subject very well! Well, I commuted an hour to work a few years back, rode home after dark on an unlit bike path, no street lights, and found a Nightrider 250-350 lumens clipped onto the handlebars worked best. The brighter 500-800 lumen lights ruined my night vision and I couldn't see what was around me. At 250 lumens, night vision kicked in and I could see everything around me, foliage, animals, lights from the city reflected in the clouds, and the path ahead, only needing to illuminate close in front to negotiate around obstacles. The USB rechargeable battery never crapped out on me. I still use it as a flashlight. The battery still holds the charge for weeks. I don't ride at night anymore, but it's nice to have that option, just in case, especially now that it gets dark early. I could definitely admit aggressively riding in city traffic might call for brighter lumens, if for any other reason, to be seen. But I've never felt I needed it.

High quality reflective tape on bike, fenders, bags, and helmet will do much more to keep you visible than most of these lights (not that you shouldn't have good lights too). The reflective tape returns those powerful car headlamps and is visible from MUCH farther away than the typical bike taillight. It's also better because you get coverage in many different spots. Yesterday, I saw 2 cyclist on a busy road, in the dark, wearing all black, barely visible with their red taillights. But as soon as I got to a certain angle on the road they were invisible because their taillights were at the same level as a guardrail. I knew they were there, I'm a cyclist, and I could not find them. It was scary. When I'm commuting by car, I see so many racer wanna-bes with their little red lights, light, aero, and worthless. Meanwhile, the construction guys half a mile down the road, I can see them just fine because they're wearing reflectors. Get better lights AND ditch the black gear. Stick reflective tape all over some bright colored clothing and all over your helmet. There's a reason road crews wear reflective gear and aren't issued little flashy lights instead.

@JOSE-ARCH2023

10 ай бұрын

But You have to be seeing by others in daylight too, and the car's lights are not switched on during the day; so You have to have a good set of lights.

I constantly flash people all the time when biking. Sometimes even when I’m not.

@Xighor

4 жыл бұрын

Reminds me how i got banned from Baskin Robbins

@hwentzel1649

3 жыл бұрын

@@Xighor sorry what?

@CamoflagedTumbleweed

3 жыл бұрын

@@Xighor Lol!! 🤣

Helmet lights are a lifesaver, both for being seen and seeing. It doesn't even have to be that bright; I've found around 150 lumens in the sweet spot for not blinding oncoming cyclists and still being effective. As a year-round, daily bike commuter in Seattle, WA, USA, the difference in how many close calls I have from motorists who didn't see me (and I was using a 300-ish lumen handlebar light) before and after using a helmet light is astonishing. Plus being able to see around corners and scan problem areas is incredibly helpful. Just keep it pointed down and NEVER put it on a flash mode.

Great video. Agree to all of it. One additional comment - if you are riding in unlit areas, and especially trails in the dark, then in addition to light mounted on your bike you need a light mounted on your helmet so you can see around corners before you turn.

Just sharing my personal experience since you showed a model that I own, the Cateye 800. It is solid as a rock ! It has fallen many times from my hands or my bike at full speed on tarmac and it kept working just fine even with scratches and bumps ; the front glass is virtually bullet proof, the rest is metal and a very durable plastic. Really a good value for money on the long haul... downside being it has a conical beam which means it may blind people riding or driving in the opposite direction if you set it at a high angle. Other from that, it won't let you down.

@louislye007able

3 жыл бұрын

Why bother to charge ? I prefer a battery operated ones. I have bad experienced with rechargeable taillight .Do not know when the power is low and when need to use, could not turn on. Best is to use a battery operated ones and the power consumption is low and easy to replace right away when battery low. Also it is readily available at any retail shop. I bought this bike taillight with also laser features which is cheap and good quality. I share the link here: www.amazon.com/dp/B08Z2ZG18V . It cost USD 6.98. So cheap and value for money!!!

I highly recommend having lights during the day too even on paved trails, with closing speeds over 30 mph it helps see oncoming cyclists on the other side of pedestrians.

While I’m not an enduro rider, I like dynamo lighting because 1. You don’t have to worry about charging it, and 2. they are harder to steal.

That video was “LIT”!

To be seen, the best option is a flashing light. Its easy for the "not totally attentive" driver to merge the steady light into the background. If you can then make the light-source a moving one (fix on the pedals?) that stands out even better still.

Appreciated the backing in the dark demo. Hahaha

I've found that spoke lights do more than any other lights to make me visible, also they look spectacular.

Hi Ollie, great to meet you in that country car park recently - I had no idea flashing lights could hold such meaning! xxx

@simonrichardson5259

4 жыл бұрын

😂

Always a thumbs up for Ollie !!

Thanks for shedding some light on this overlooked subject!

I just wanted to add that, while enlightening to be sure, I also found this video illuminating. Thanks man👊🏻

This is just what I was needing. I had no idea what I needed, but now I do :)

The Bat Signal example elevated this video tremendously. Cheers!

American living in Germany. Awesome to get a specific example for where I’m living. Thank you!

My Cygolite HotRod front and rear lights have been a great bang for the buck so far. Super bright and pretty good life on a charge with a variety of settings for most situations.

Love the lumen explanation! :)

Well done! I ride in the dark at least 3 days/wk and my 2 greatest challenges while doing so are 1 - blinding LED car and street lights, and 2 - pedestrians wearing dark clothing while running or walking their dogs in a quiet neighborhood.

From my experience when driving my car, a flashing headlight on a bike is much more visible than a steady beam. I was recently parked on a dark road, ready to pull out. Three bikes approached from the rear, and they were only visible because one of them had a flashing light. FWIW

@-Gothicgirl-

4 жыл бұрын

But flashing lights are not in every country legal. In Germany it is illegal

@d.rabbitwhite

4 жыл бұрын

How were the other lights not seen?

@mic400uk

4 жыл бұрын

couldn't agree more.

@-Gothicgirl-

3 жыл бұрын

@@happydogg312 but in my country blinking lights are only turn signals. Only cars like police, firefighter or emergency cars are allow to have blinking lights. Every light and what he does and who can use it is Reglement in the stvo ( the law for the traffic). Blinkink lights like front light or taillight are not allow

@-Gothicgirl-

3 жыл бұрын

@@happydogg312 turn light are allow to blink or pulse. That is regulatet in the law. Headlight or taillight are konstant lighting. This playing with blinking or pulsing lights other then a turn light are illegal in Germany and the EU is it the same. When it goes dark you must shut on full Headlight and Backlight.

I despise flashing lights, especially those aimed too high, which seems to be what everyone around my area, is doing.

@lzstyler4545

4 жыл бұрын

Theyre banned here, but No one Cares unfortunately^^

@sebastianr1204

3 жыл бұрын

Flashing lights are prohibited in Germany for example

@climatechangedoesntbargain9140

2 жыл бұрын

they're the worst

Not just for nighttime riding. I use my front and rear lights during daytime riding, in flashing mode, to enhance my ability to be seen by drivers.

@Bad_Science_Channel

4 жыл бұрын

yeah! good shout!

@444animation

4 жыл бұрын

kind of unnecessary. if they can't see you in broad daylight they can't see you with a small flashing light, especially since it's going to be much less effective in bright sunlight.

@isaackarjala7916

4 жыл бұрын

@@444animation the strobe probably isn't fast enough and the light probably isn't bright enough, but a fast strobing high beam (~30hz, 1200 lumens) has been shown to drastically reduce daytime accidents between cars and motorcycles.

@jameswitte5676

4 жыл бұрын

I’ve had several motorists tell me my rear light is very noticeable. Most car have daytime running lights to make them more visible. If my front and rear lights keep some jackass from running me over, then it’s money well spent.

@gmcharlton

4 жыл бұрын

@@isaackarjala7916 Please can you provide your reference for that? I'd be interested to read that, as my experience as a cyclist, motorcyclist and car driver is that flashing lights are very distracting and do more harm than good.

Thank you so much very useful 👍

Your videos are fantastic !!!!! 🤗

Just subscribed and I don't know I haven't before seeing I watch at least 10 of your videos a week

I love the Nite Rider Lights and I used them for the city rides.

Great job as per usual Ollie.

Great information in this video.

Love my NiteRider lights 🥰

I spent the entire video screaming at my TV "But what about dynamo lights!?" but then at literally the last second, they got mentioned! Dynamo is definitely my preference - you never forget to charge (or pack) your lights, they're bolted to the bike so they don't get stolen (or fall off on bumpy roads), and most have excellent shaped beams (to comply with German regulations).

@jeffreysainio2572

3 жыл бұрын

I NEVER charge and NEVER FORGET to turn on my Reelight dynamo lights at dusk. Not the best reliability, but worth servicing every few years (not every few weeks).

I really like the dedicated side lights which screw onto your valve. Makes for really good visibility from the side, especially at those junctions Ollie was talking about. Added advantage, at speed you can pretend you're riding one of the motorcycles from Tron.

@roichir7699

4 жыл бұрын

That sounds cool.

I'd always recommend/use SVTZO compliant lights - better beam pattern and won't blind everyone coming the other way! I'm also a dynamo fan, would recommend them to any commuting bikes as you never need to think about batteries /charging (plus they're less likely to be stolen)

@Pseudynom

3 жыл бұрын

StVZO compliant lights doesn't help not to blind people, if people are to ignorant to set up their light properly.

@alexgold1981

3 жыл бұрын

A fork doesn't help you eat peas if you stab yourself in the eye with it either....

Buy a light which is more powerful than you need, then turn it down. You often get a bigger battery, and can still turn it up when needed. On wide roads I recon 400lumen is enough, although beam pattern matters a lot. 800lumen on a very wide pattern will dazzle badly.

Thank you for the quality information and help. I have only my bicycle for transportation around town so I want to be seen well. This video sure helped me.

@gcn

4 жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

Thanks for the input, especially in regard to lumens. I shudder to think of how many thousands of bike accidents-injuries have been avoided by us bike riders who have been using lights.

I love my Light & Motion SECA 2200... It's been running perfectly for years:)

Sometimes I give a thumbs up for the content of a video, other times it's simply for the entertainment value! This one is both. Great video Ollie! Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep. ... Beep. Beep. Beep.

Excellent video. Thank you

I have a flashing tail light with an accelerometer circuit so when I apply the brakes the light stops flashing and goes solid bright red. Very cool. By the way Ollie you should have your own, Ollie The Science Guy program. You make a convincing science nerd.

@Stengell

4 жыл бұрын

using this tail light myself and it's pretty awesome www.enfitnix.com/ProductDetail/3200774.html

@muhammadjahidhasan9457

4 жыл бұрын

Mr. Fortin, could you please name the brand and model? I am looking for buying something like that.

@paulfortin733

4 жыл бұрын

@@muhammadjahidhasan9457 Portland Design Works Gravity USB Tail Light W/ Accelerometer Available, as everything is, on Amazon.

Great video, thanks.

I feel brighter after watching this.

that bag with light is lit af 🔥

Good advice - especially the suggestion to have more than the basic two lights. I have at least two at the front and two at the back. I also have a small light on the top of my helmet, white front and red rear, both flashing. For sideways visibility at night I have fitted spoke reflectors to my wheels. Car headlamps light me up like a Christmas tree. Some cyclists might feel self conscious with those but at least I can be seen when I'm waiting at a junction and there's no mistaking that I am on a bicycle. The only drawback is that they are easily knocked off the spokes when I pass my bar lock through the wheel so I also bought some tiny cable ties (zip ties in the USA) to tie the reflectors on. It's fiddly fitting them but well worth it.

Thanks for mentioning Germany!!!

It's a good guideline. Truly import to choose a suitable and reliable bicycle light,even it a bit of expensive, but,some of the hidden valueS which can't just measured by money.

Can you make a video on how the dynamo thing? What to look for when purchasing, how to install it etc.

Thanks for the video. There's one important point to keep in mind when riding with a front light at night. From my experience as a cyclist, when riding at night with a front light, oncoming drivers may not accurately perceive the distance between themselves and the cyclist. I have had a few close calls in situations where drivers have almost cut me off.

Awesome explanation. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼.

5:23 very nice with the sound there, editors, i see you!

@abramkidane9387

4 жыл бұрын

Sorry mate that's not gcn that's just the song, I've heard this song many times

@gdevansh

4 жыл бұрын

@@abramkidane9387 He means that sound matches with the light intensity

@sergiveramartinez2685

3 жыл бұрын

@@abramkidane9387 What song is it??

Thanks! Very helpful. Finding lights I’m happy with has been challenging-especially the headlamp-because there are certain legal standards that must be met here in Kentucky.

Sooo fricKen Smart, witty and WiSe...I have learned more than something...Grazie🔥🌪🪘

I have a set of Bontrager Ion RT Pro lights and am very happy with them.

@douglaspate9314

4 жыл бұрын

Totally awesome lights!

Dynamo front hub always! I'm in to cycle touring, not racing. SON Nabendynamo is the best

Loved the chefs jacket Ollie! Lol!

@Bad_Science_Channel

4 жыл бұрын

Steven Bird it’s a modern lab coat. I should know. As it’s from a lab I worked in.

GCN is the only light I need.

cool review of the lights

Very useful

I use orfos flare pro lights for "to be seen" lights/difused. They run from a standard 2 port USB backup battery pack.

Ollie & Global Cycling Network, thanks for the humor & bicycle light seasonly update. Since last year you've recommended double the light output on unlighted roads. Has it really changed that much or have manufacturers increased the power of their lighting systems? Glad you included the section on light mounts. Now that bicycle lights are approaching the output of tactical lights, good of Ollie to at least mention solidly aiming headlights. Too bad most manufacturers are not following suit, but you gave a case of oddly sharped tubes as an excuse.

Thought you were going to break into Michael Caine doing your professor bit 😂

Yes yes yes. And even more yes on lights. As passionate motorcycle rider it paffles me how many riders are out there with tiny little red thingis thinking this will be enough. The number of times i almost crashed into a cyclist because of littlw to no light isnt even funny. Best of all wear a vest that reflects all around. On that note stay save on the road my fellow 2 wheeled brothers. Wether your motor or human powered, were all part of the 2 wheel crazyness.

K N O G. Best front and rear lights.

A unique but very effective light mount idea is on the front or rear hubs so as you ride you get an extra flashing effect from your wheels

really love olli‘s presenting!

Good to know I need lights at night. Thanks

@louislye007able

3 жыл бұрын

Why bother to charge ? I prefer a battery operated ones. I have bad experienced with rechargeable taillight .Do not know when the power is low and when need to use, could not turn on. Best is to use a battery operated ones and the power consumption is low and easy to replace right away when battery low. Also it is readily available at any retail shop. I bought this bike taillight with also laser features which is cheap and good quality. I share the link here: www.amazon.com/dp/B08Z2ZG18V . It cost USD 6.98. So cheap and value for money!!!

There are soooo many bikes here in the Netherlands with unadjustable super bright lights blinding other cyclists. Even on new and popular bikes. In heavily trafficked areas I often feel I need shades more urgently during the night then during the day :(

Good one!

GCN sticks with the black kit though

I love a headlight with a GoPro style mount. It can mount underneath your computer and be centered. Totally uncluttered bars are great.

Surprised you didnt mention the Garmin Varia rear light. Expensive but worth every penny as it works as a radar to detect approaching vehicles and shows up on my head unit. Invaluable when riding alone.

very good video

спасибо за видео, очень всё нравится! Успехов вам!

My favourite presenter

Very helpful. I don't ride my bike outside 5 solid months out of the year partly because of visibility issues. Partly because of sub freezing temps.

@Warentester

3 жыл бұрын

Both are solvable issues

I recommend Fenix BC30. You can swap out the batteries, and the highest setting is like a car headlight :)

The use of the correct lights for daytime riding should also be advocated especially for cyclists that ride alone 👍 it is also law to use them in certain countries

I have two lights on the front of my bicycle used together on the low beam setting (Planet Bike Blaze 650 XLR). They may hold a charge for 12 hours on low beam (if my memory serves me correctly?). I have one pointed slightly higher for distance while the other is pointed/aimed slightly lower. I can use the high beam on the light pointed higher (for distance viewing) when traveling down a hill at 40 mph on a dark country road. I use a red back light that uses two AAA batteries (I use Lithium batteries in the rear red light). Having a great lighting system is a wonderful thing.

You can tell Ollie is a scientist, getting SI units a mention.

Orbea looking good Ollie; the reverse gearing upgrade ... Bodge 😁

@PnlBtr

4 жыл бұрын

Great bike, I want one.

oh i like you lol had me at the accent but the info and humor were right on thanks.

GCN: Buy most expensive light Me: buying the cheapest $3 light

@Grunchy005

4 жыл бұрын

EXACTLY.

@Kyle-mk2xx

4 жыл бұрын

Yup and leave it on the bike full time because it's cheap to replace if somebody steals it.

@iammaximus614

4 жыл бұрын

And multiples of it💡😎👍🏽

@hayosiko9119

4 жыл бұрын

I just get 2 of those rubber chinese lights

@dougedwards9772

3 жыл бұрын

I ride in morning darkness in Las Vegas area, I need a neon billboard on my Cannondale! LOL

liked for Ollie's nerd accent. love it

I'm now all for dynamo hubs where possible (I think!). I've got some decent Exposure regular lights for helmet/front but if the weather is really cold the battery life drops dramatically and have to be careful how bright I'm running them, especially if they're on full beam for MTB I. If I'm out on MTB trails those lights are a given, or my road bike. But I won a cruiser bike on ebay earlier this year with a dynamo hub/lights. It's now my pub/shopping bike and it's so ridiculously convenient to just jump on it and go somewhere, never have to worry about lights, if they're charged, and all the other noncing about. I'm imminently gonna by a gravel bike and the first thing I intend to do is get it a front dynamo hub and lights so I can commute as many days as possible and go on as many other adventures with little care about how long might lights may or may not last. So yeah, I'd not swap out the hub on a serious enduro MTB or lightweight road racing machine, but if you're out for fun and enjoyment rather than trying to shave a second or too off Strava, then I'm totally converted. Would be great to have a GCN show on dynamo hubs for adventure bike, as obviously you can charge phones or run GPS etc off them too (especially during the day when you don't need the lights), but it's not always obvious what options there are, how well they work, how much drag they have when on and off load, etc, and as noted I'm about to start trying to find out a lot more sometime in November. If you don't know yourselves, I bet you probably know someone to interview who does! Good excuse for Ollie to get his lab coat out again too. :D

Noone ever mentions it in this country.....but for seeing when riding on the road the german type beam pattern is great.....because the reflector has a sharp top cut off you can aim it further down the road without blinding oncoming traffic....also you are putting light where you want it so don't need them to be so powerful

A couple additional notes: Flashing front lights should not be used after twilight, as it is a good way to distract or dazzle drivers. I will make exceptions sometimes when riding in snowy conditions, with a flashing low beam secondary light mounted on my front fork so it helps me be seen, but is low enough to not dazzle anyone (as well as being far enough away from my seeing light that /it/ can be seen). Helmet mounted lights are recommended; I always ride with a second red flasher on the back of my helmet as well as the bike mounted one--this helps put the light nearer to driver's eye level. Likewise, a lower beam front helmet mounted light so you can see where you're looking and make eye contact with drivers at intersections.

*suscribed

@Bad_Science_Channel

4 жыл бұрын

raff good to have you onboard! 👍🏼

6:44 Lights using AA or AAA batteries CAN use rechargeable batteries, and to buy a light with a built in battery means that after 18months when the battery life becomes noticeably degraded you can't change it without it being uneconomical to keep, whereas it's easy to pick up some decent AA or AAA rechargeable batteries and just swap them. Not forgetting to mention that for longer trips you can pack a few pairs of precharged AA or AAAs, which you can't with a light that has a built in battery.

I'm about to turn my bike into a car: I have a helmet with a backlight, bike stop lights, and a headlights. All I need is a license plate😂😂