Brake lights

[Old Timer]

I`ve noticed a couple of times when vehicles have not been aware that I`m stopping inc when my wife and I are out together short of reverting back to the days of hands signals I wanted an answer. Onmebike put me onto these New Bicycle Bike Led Rear Brake Tail Light Lamp 3 Leds on eBay (end time 23-Mar-10 16:48:27 GMT)

OK, no problem fitting them as the bracket they come with is pretty good at finding an anchor point. Fitting the sprung loaded make and break sensor to a suitable spot again no problem as long as you have cable brakes(as we all do)
Problem! unless you have your brake pads adjusted right up against the rim then in general the sprung loaded sensor comes to abutment before you can get full pressure on the brakes. Some fiddling with positioning the sensor made things better but in a real emergency stop when you put a lot of pressure on the brake lever the abutment still prevented full pressure on the rims. Made several attempts to add a rubber/foam spacer between the sensor and the cable stops but still not satisfactory.
Chatting with Tony(Onmebike) he suggested splicing the two wires from the back brake light( that is also a normal rear light BTW via a switch)into my rear brake motor cut off wires and he is right, when you put your brakes on the the micro switch in the brake lever actually makes contact rather than what I thought it was doing and breaking contact.
As it`s only one wire that the brake light works on and even when mounted on the frame the light assembly is insulated via the plastic case. It works a treat without affecting the braking power of the bike

Soldering was never my strong point but faced with splicing the wires and not wanting to actually cut the micro switch wires I did as Onmebike suggested and purchased a decent reel of solder that had a slightly lower melting point + prefluxed and using a decent soldering iron from Maplins the job was a breeze.

OK! you might say that a stop light isn`t required on a bike but that`s not the point of the exercise, if you feel that you and others safety might be bettered by adding something then how bad.
Now I don`t have to worry about my other half hitting me from behind when I`m out for taking pictures and see the perfect shot and slam on the anchors.

 

[Straylight]

Nice to see these available in the UK, interestingly enough - I was recently reading an article on ES written by someone who's used the switches from these lights as brake cut-outs, so negating the need for brake levers with the switches intergrated.

Endless-sphere.com • View topic - Trigger signal for Ebrake line

 

[Old Timer]

Nice to see these available in the UK, interestingly enough - I was recently reading an article on ES written by someone who's used the switches from these lights as brake cut-outs, so negating the need for brake levers with the switches intergrated.

Endless-sphere.com • View topic - Trigger signal for Ebrake line

Yeh! good idea.

The only thing I would say is that they will probably work ok on some bikes and not on others because of the brake travel. Certainly on my Evans/alien conversion they didn`t work because maybe the 20 year old brakes that centre pull.
Was quite funny on the first outing with my wife, I had set the things up in my bike shed and to all intent and purpose they seemed to be working fine but out on the road when pulling the brakes up hard we both just drifted on with a scream

All good stuff though and via the micro switch leads they work a treat. Of course I could have fitted the wires in via the controller but to be honest things are really tight inside that box so I didn`t want to disturb it.

 

[Old Timer]

Just fitted another brake light/back light to my Powertrek wiring it into the micro switch circuit and it does work well.

Out of interest, this is the new solder that I`ve been using, superb. TIN LEAD SOLDER WIRE REEL 63/37 2% FLUX CORE 0.7mm 100g on eBay (end time 17-Mar-10 15:34:24 GMT)

 

[lemmy]

I've nothing against the idea of brake lights on a bike but I don't think it would achieve anything.

Firstly, motorists are not aware that bikes could have brake lights so would not perceive them as such. Second, they are accustomed to see lights go on and off on bikes - but associate that with the flashing rear lamos that most of us use.

They'd see the red lamp come on and attach no significance to it, surely?

 

[Old Timer]

I've nothing against the idea of brake lights on a bike but I don't think it would achieve anything.

Firstly, motorists are not aware that bikes could have brake lights so would not perceive them as such. Second, they are accustomed to see lights go on and off on bikes - but associate that with the flashing rear lamos that most of us use.

They'd see the red lamp come on and attach no significance to it, surely?

"OK! you might say that a stop light isn`t required on a bike but that`s not the point of the exercise, if you feel that you and others safety might be bettered by adding something then how bad."

Well, one of the reasons was A. they have a built in light so you shouldn`t get caught out without a light B. my wife and I cycle fairly close together and we find the brake lights great(saves taking hands off of handlebars)

As for do motorists take any notice? I do but then again I`ve been driving for 48 years
So you are saying that you are being followed by a car(no lights on the rear of your bike) you then brake and your bright LED rear light comes on and the following car wouldn`t take any notice?(needs a new test IMHO)
If that following car happens to be you! then let me know when you are about and I`ll stay off of the road

Surely anything that brings you to the attention of a following vehicle can`t have an adverse affect, can it?

Of course I`m not insisting that you fit them

 

[Tim]

Spooklight

We sell a combined turn indicator and brakelight unit we call the Spooklight. Rather than relying on wiring into the brake system, it relies on an accelerometer to detect braking. And the turn indicator is wirelessly controlled via a small console on the handlebars. The unit can also be used to top up charge on your mobile phone, ipod, etc. It recharges via the USB port on your computer.



We've also had a new version arrive that doesn't include the wireless turn indicator, yet to price it up but likely to be somewhat less expensive than the Mark 1 version above.

Tim
50cycles
50cycles electric bikes & accessories

 

[Stumpi]

I've nothing against the idea of brake lights on a bike but I don't think it would achieve anything.

Firstly, motorists are not aware that bikes could have brake lights so would not perceive them as such. Second, they are accustomed to see lights go on and off on bikes - but associate that with the flashing rear lamos that most of us use.

They'd see the red lamp come on and attach no significance to it, surely?

I'm inclined to agree. Being a keen motorcyclist I can't help notice that although my motorbike had a much bigger road presence than a cycle some car drivers still can't see me. This seems unaffected by lights, hi vis clothing, engine noise etc.

I tend to think that good drivers are cycle/motorcycle aware and bad drivers are not no matter what you do. Theres a solid argument for all car drivers to spend time riding a motorbike and cycle as part of their test/training.

 

[Old Timer]

We sell a combined turn indicator and brakelight unit we call the Spooklight. Rather than relying on wiring into the brake system, it relies on an accelerometer to detect braking. And the turn indicator is wirelessly controlled via a small console on the handlebars. The unit can also be used to top up charge on your mobile phone, ipod, etc. It recharges via the USB port on your computer.



We've also had a new version arrive that doesn't include the wireless turn indicator, yet to price it up but likely to be somewhat less expensive than the Mark 1 version above.

Tim
50cycles
50cycles electric bikes & accessories

Tim

thanks for sharing that mate. I like the idea of the gravity brake light switch (saves the soldering

I do understand what Lemmy was saying about some motorists not being aware but the more people that fit things like this then the more other road uses will realise whats going on.
I`d like to see separate flick switches on each side of the bars that are easily reachable with a thumb or finger or a motorcycle type of switch where you don`t have to remove your hand from the bars. Whatever, the more of these items that get into the main stream then the more they will be recognised.

 

[Old Timer]

I'm inclined to agree. Being a keen motorcyclist I can't help notice that although my motorbike had a much bigger road presence than a cycle some car drivers still can't see me. This seems unaffected by lights, hi vis clothing, engine noise etc.

I tend to think that good drivers are cycle/motorcycle aware and bad drivers are not no matter what you do. Theres a solid argument for all car drivers to spend time riding a motorbike and cycle as part of their test/training.

I agree, if you ride(or have ridden) a bike or motorbike over the years then you are much more aware of other two wheeled vehicles and traffic in general mainly because you don`t get a second chance so you need to keep your wits about you.

BTW Hows that alien Gents going?

 

[lemmy]

Surely anything that brings you to the attention of a following vehicle can`t have an adverse affect, can it?

Adverse effect? Where did I say that? How could brake lights on a bike have an adverse effect?

Also, I've driven in my job all over the worldEurope, India, Africa, America for 48 years and all with one accident when a car drove into the side of my motorcycle at Chelsea Bridge. I'm not the best driver in the world but I have never driven into the back of anyone so you needn't worry on that score

I just don't happen to think that stop lights on a bike achieve anything. In my view a glance in the mirror or over the shoulder to ascertain whether it is safe to pull up or not is a great deal more efficacious.

Having driven motorcycles and bicycles, I am well aware of how vulnerable they are and I drive accordingly. I'm with you on all drivers being better if they have 2 wheel experience.

 

[Stumpi]

BTW Hows that alien Gents going?

Its really rather good and great VFM

The running gear on it is a little cheap but it all works

 

[Old Timer]

Adverse effect? Where did I say that? How could brake lights on a bike have an adverse effect?

Also, I've driven in my job all over the worldEurope, India, Africa, America for 48 years and all with one accident when a car drove into the side of my motorcycle at Chelsea Bridge. I'm not the best driver in the world but I have never driven into the back of anyone so you needn't worry on that score

I just don't happen to think that stop lights on a bike achieve anything. In my view a glance in the mirror or over the shoulder to ascertain whether it is safe to pull up or not is a great deal more efficacious.

Having driven motorcycles and bicycles, I am well aware of how vulnerable they are and I drive accordingly. I'm with you on all drivers being better if they have 2 wheel experience.

Sounds like you are of a similar age? How about the Arc de Triomphe I remember once driving through Trieste in ItalyOK maybe I was a bit stroppy but I`m sure if more cyclist adopted these brake lights then motorists would become educated.