Sources For Safety Stuff

[Odd Man Out]

Howdy All:

The following is a public service – I am listing links to safety and survival equipment for the biking adventures we are all involved in. Of course the list is not exhaustive – for instance for horns and tail lights I list only one; I am biased. There are multitudes of other sites to find all these and more but I thought I would give a bit of a start for those that are just getting into this addiction.

LIGHTS:
I am not about to suggest a front light – there are too many options. For a taillight there are only two options – either the Dinotte taillight or the Planet Bike Superflash. The Dinotte costs $200 sooo moving on to the Superflash; Put two of these on the back of your HPV and you will have cars swerving out of your way. Amazingly bright, read the reviews. here’s the link:
http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Bike-Blinky-eXtreme-Bicycle/dp/B000KBEH1W (http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Bike-Blinky-eXtreme-Bicycle/dp/B000KBEH1W)


FLAGS:
Many to chose from. Here is my favorite. Visibility both day and reflectivity at night:
http://www.beseenwear.com/flagbike.html (http://www.beseenwear.com/flagbike.html)

HORNS/BELLS:
For horns, there is only one. I have had people slam on their brakes thinking they were about to hit a car. At 115 decibles it is impossible to ignore;
http://www.deltacycle.com/product.php?g=1 (http://www.deltacycle.com/product.php?g=1)
I like the mirrycle incredibells. They are loud and don’t look like you stole your six year old’s bike:
http://www.mirrycle.com/main_bells.htm (http://www.mirrycle.com/main_bells.htm)

MIRRORS:
Again many to choose from and it will be a personal choice. My favorite is the Mountain Mirrycle Mirror. Here is a link to the main page:
http://www.mirrycle.com/main_mirrors.htm (http://www.mirrycle.com/main_mirrors.htm)
And here is a link to it on Amazon – scroll down to find 50 other types of bike mirrors to choose from:
http://www.amazon.com/Mirrycle-Mountain-Mirror/dp/B0006I8MEM (http://www.amazon.com/Mirrycle-Mountain-Mirror/dp/B0006I8MEM)


REFLECTIVE TAPE:
Lots to choose from. You could wrap your bike in this stuff and make it totally reflective at night.
http://www.streetglo.net/conspicuity.tape.html (http://www.streetglo.net/conspicuity.tape.html)
http://www.streetglo.net/bicycle-reflective-decals-stickers.html (http://www.streetglo.net/bicycle-reflective-decals-stickers.html)
http://www.reflectivelyyours.com/homepage.html (http://www.reflectivelyyours.com/homepage.html)
http://www.reflectivelyyours.com/generic140.html (http://www.reflectivelyyours.com/generic140.html)
http://www.colebrothers.com/reflective/index2.html (http://www.colebrothers.com/reflective/index2.html)
http://needdecals.stores.yahoo.net/lareamfl.html (http://needdecals.stores.yahoo.net/lareamfl.html)

REFLECTIVE CLOTHING:
I especially like the Glo Gloves – they are VERY reflective
http://www.shop.pedigreen.com/main.sc (http://www.shop.pedigreen.com/main.sc)
http://www.flashback.ca/ (http://www.flashback.ca/)
http://www.gloglov.com/ (http://www.gloglov.com/)
http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodJL_8512A.html (http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodJL_8512A.html)
http://www.night-gear.com/ (http://www.night-gear.com/)

SPECIALITY LIGHTS
Fun stuff – great for parades.
http://www.hokeyspokes.com/ (http://www.hokeyspokes.com/)
http://www.customwheelweights.com/store/merchant.mvc?page=C/CTGY/BTSX (http://www.customwheelweights.com/store/merchant.mvc?page=C/CTGY/BTSX)
http://www.hokeyspokes.com/index.html (http://www.hokeyspokes.com/index.html)
http://www.glowwheels.com/ (http://www.glowwheels.com/)
http://www.freelights.co.uk/index.html (http://www.freelights.co.uk/index.html)
http://www.monkeylectric.com/index.htm (http://www.monkeylectric.com/index.htm)
http://www.niteize.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=163 (http://www.niteize.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=163)


REFLECTIVE SPRAY PAINT:
This cool stuff. I did a test on this and posted it on the forum. Here is the link to it:
http://forum.atomiczombie.com/showthread.php?t=221&highlight=reflective+paint (http://forum.atomiczombie.com/showthread.php?t=221&highlight=reflective+paint)
Here is a link to the product:
http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNSRIT?PMPXNO=8063580&PMT4NO=39038910 (http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNSRIT?PMPXNO=8063580&PMT4NO=39038910)

MOTION SENSOR BIKE ALARM:
Just in case.
http://www.ducharmealarmsystems.com/ (http://www.ducharmealarmsystems.com/)


Enjoy!

Odd Man Out

[theDude]

Thanks for the links OMO!

[tim spicer]

Excellent info I have the blinky on my bike it is great I'll add a second one for winter time riding since it will be mostly at night. Thanks for the info. Tim

[n9viw]

+1 on the PB Superflash... I bought one - ONE - and it's plenty. I zip-tied it to the back of my helmet, and have had drivers complain that it's TOO bright. I told them, "Do not point laser into remaining eye... don't stare directly into the sun... and don't look right at a Superflash!" Results are roughly the same.
I also have a pair of five-LED blinkies from Serfas. I bought them in a set with my 5-LED blinky front lights, and while the fronts are a little dim to use as headlights, they're WAY powerful for visibility. I have three front lights, and typically run two on solid and one on flash. The two in the rear are mounted to an 18" piece of angle aluminum zip-tied to the rack, they form a sort of 'clearance lights' arrangement at the rear of my panniers.

I'd like to add some links:

HORNS:
I have a MegaHorn (http://www.amazon.com/Bicycle-Mega-Electronically-Powered-105db/dp/B000WYCIAY), it sounds almost identical to a street cop's beaded whistle. Really commands attention in the city, but makes most suburbanites look around them in confusion. DO NOT 'honk' this horn in an enclosed space, such as a garage or the back of your Jeep Cherokee (go ahead, ask me how I know...), you WILL be stricken temporarily deaf!
Another good one is the AirZound (http://www.amazon.com/Delta-Airzound-Bike-Horn/dp/B000ACAMJC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1219773048&sr=1-1). I don't have one of these, but I've heard them. I'm amazed that 60psi of bike-pumped air can sound this loud! It's almost identical to a car horn, in tone AND volume. Downsides are the plastic air line (reportedly pretty fragile), and the longetivity- they claim a solid blast of 30s, but best I've heard is 12-15s.

SPECIALTY LIGHTS:
Believe it or not, TireFlys (http://www.tireflys.com/) are incredibly bright, even in the daylight. They create a flickering ring of light around your rim, and can be seen from behind as well as to the side. Although I don't have them, I'm planning on getting a pair as the days grow shorter.
Another cool one is the LED Light Stick (http://www.glowproducts.com/batteryoperated/ledsignallightstick/); the only trouble is that it takes 2 'C' cells, which gives you an idea of its size. Yeah, it's about the size of a light saber. But, stick that out to one side of your bike, and no car will get within ten feet of you!
Here's another, smaller one (http://www.1sks.com/store/lazer-stik-led-signal-light.html), and a third (http://shop.vendio.com/seavenger/item/992980543/?s=1219660424) (This one's kinda dumb- why sell a NON-WATERPROOF light at a DIVE SHOP?!); both are small enough to hang from various locations on your rig.

REFLECTIVE WEAR:
Gotta give it up for AlertShirts (http://www.alertshirt.com/). They sell ANSI and OSHA-recognized hi-viz and reflective gear for construction workers. I bought three shirts in what they call 'ANSI lime', but what SHOULD be called "OMIGAWDMYFRIGGINEYES". Yes, they're that bright, and more yellow-chartreuse than lime.
The website simply doesn't do them credit for how bright they are. The first comment anyone gave me was what I quoted above ("OMIGAWDMYFRIGGINEYES", shouted by a co-worker), which is why I named it that color. :D I've had construction workers compliment me on my visibility, had drivers and other riders respond with everything from a reverent "WOW" or "Great shirt!" to "Holy $#!t!".
They're moisture-wicking, too, so they don't stick to you and get all sloppy. I plan to get a few in long-sleeve and wear them in the fall.

Another unlikely source of safety is TIRES, specifically my Schwalbe Marathon Slicks. (https://shop.sunrisecyclery.com/item/12840) The grey stripe near the rim is HIGHLY reflective, adding to your visibility. Unfortunately, as they're so close to the rim, they're quickly fouled by road grime and brake dust. I don't clean mine near as often as I should (the whole bike's that way... cobbler's kids and all that), but a quick spritz with soapy water and a wipe-down, and they're good as new. Many of Schwalbe's other treads have the reflective stripes as well.

Good thread, might make this a sticky for us commuters!

[trikeman]

Good thread. I have been thinking of adding lights for some night time cruising on the parts of the bike path that allow, but sometimes its too dark for me to see the bumps. I don't ride in the street in day or night, so that is not a problem, but it doesn't hurt to be seen.

[gbbwolf]

These things are useless.
They don't light up unless you hit a pothole usually.
And dont light up in a spin unless you can pedel 30mph.
Biggest waste of money IMAO.
I got a set they light up great off-road with lots of bumps.
I am currently thinking of finding a micro on-off switch drilling a hole in mine and soldering in a switch.

Then they might be good.
As built they are useless.

Nelson

[gbbwolf]

Just performed tirefly surgery.
Get out your lighted magnifying glasses.
It seems to have worked they go off fairly easily now.
Go to their site and adjust your tireflys if you buy them.
http://www.tireflys.com/adjusttirefly.html

Will let ya know how they perform now.
They are pretty bright.
Now if they just go off more I can recommend them.

Walmart sells these for like 8 bucks.
Mine are the rocket ship ones.
Red and Blue LED'S.

Nelson

[gbbwolf]

Tirefly surgery went GREAT.
Got em set real good.
When I barely tap table they go off.
One goes off when I touch it LOL.
Hope the wind don't set them off all day while Im asleep.
Ultra-Sensitive Now.

Nelson

[theDude]

My tireflies worked great right out of the box. I bought them about four years ago so they might have changed them a bit in that time. I the red/white/blue ones when I commuted to/from work on my upright every day. I got a bunch of comments on them so I know they made me more visible.

[gbbwolf]

Ok rocket ships stink.
Dang things go off on table if I just tap it.
And are ultra sensitive.
Put them on the trike,and they still suck.

Tommorow I may go to radio-shack find me a tiny on-off switch and solder them up.

Lol knew it was too good to be true.

I can fart on them and set em off but once they hit the wheel they don't go off for ****..

nelson