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From: reid@Cascade.ARPA
Newsgroups: net.bicycle
Subject: Re: Bike Lighting
Message-ID: <110@Cascade.ARPA>
Date: Thu, 6-Sep-84 02:28:38 EDT
Article-I.D.: Cascade.110
Posted: Thu Sep  6 02:28:38 1984
Date-Received: Sun, 16-Sep-84 09:04:41 EDT
References: <883@houxm.UUCP>
Organization: Stanford University
Lines: 42

> I need the best lighting system I can find.  I am seeking
> suggestions on the "best" system to use in order to see and
> be seen.

If by "best" you mean "brightest", you want to deal with a company called
Bicycle Lighting Systems in Alexandria or Arlington Virginia. Many issues of
Bicycling magazine carry their ad in the back. BLS is a one-man operation
run by a fanatical EE who works for the government. BLS uses a motorcycle
battery that mounts on the rear rack, running a cable to a 10-watt GE
sealed-beam halogen bulb. It's quite a job to install and keep charged and
balanced, but wow, is it bright!

I outfit my family's bicycles in the following way.

On the front I put a 6-watt Nicad halogen headlight manufactured by Velo-lux
of Davis, California. This is a superior unit, almost as bright as a
motorcycle headlight, that will both light the road for you and make you be
seen for quite a distance. Each light comes with a recharger, and lasts
about an hour and a half between rechargings (just take it inside every
night). You can also hook it up to the Sanyo "kickstand" generator and it
will recharge itself.

On the rear I put a lamp that I make myself, but don't be scared away--it's
really easy. I buy a "Wonder light" (French made) and a high-quality
red rear reflector. I split the reflector open with a chisel, removing the
red front lens from the rear mirror, and glue the lens part of it over the
front of the Wonder light with model airplane glue. I then mount the whole
contraption on the seat post or one of the seat stays if there is no room on
the seat post. The rear light is about 1 watt, but the light shines through
a really top-quality retro-reflector so that it is very visible.

I tow my 1-year-old daughter around in a Burley bike trailer; just for grins
I have installed 4 of these homemade taillights on the trailer. I look like
a flying saucer going down the road pulling baby V. behind me, but the cars
sure do keep their distance.

I can't recommend the Velo-lux light highly enough. It's just incredible. It
costs about $60, and is worth every penny. The Wonder lights are about $6,
and run about 20 hours on one $2 battery. 

		Brian Reid
		Stanford