Indicators

[johnc461165]

Does anyone have indicators on their bike and how useful do you think they are, do you think that new bikes with them fitted would be a good selling point. I made some LED indicators for mine styled on the VW Passat ring of LEDs with a reflector in the centre that have proved to be more obvious to drivers than hand signals. I welcome your comments guys n gals (Lynda)

 

[Synthman]

Mine's fitted with indicators, much better than hand signals. However, they beep really loud, and sometimes I don't use them because of that reason. And when I have a big item strapped down at the back nobody will see the rear indicators anyway because they're covered up. If the beeper can be disabled easily then I'd recommend all bikes have them, and rear view mirrors as well.

 

[funkylyn]

Does anyone have indicators on their bike and how useful do you think they are, do you think that new bikes with them fitted would be a good selling point. I made some LED indicators for mine styled on the VW Passat ring of LEDs with a reflector in the centre that have proved to be more obvious to drivers than hand signals. I welcome your comments guys n gals (Lynda)

Any pictures John, cos I am finding it hard to imagine what they look like....

And do car drivers REALLY notice an, I'm presuming, small, reflector type flashing thing more than a hand signal ?
I simply must get around to getting a mirror.......I think that is even more crucial.....but, yes, I think indicators could be a good idea if they were big enough to be seen well...........without making us look ridiculous....( street cred and all that )


Perhaps we should adopt our local spanish way of informing drivers they are about to turn.....you just stick your arm straight up in the air......its left to the car driver to second guess which way you are turning........bit of a mess though, when they guess wrong......

Lynda

 

[steveindenmark]

I think that if you are able to give a good clear hand signal then you should. Drivers see what they expect to see and will not be looking for indicators on a bike. If for some reason you cannot give hand signals then indicators would be the next best thing.

I did have a pair of day-glo orange gloves. Very easy to see when signalling.

Steve

 

[banbury frank]

Hi I recommend this Mirror with built in indicator This Model is for right hand drive I am sure the make a left hand version

Winkku Bike Mirror, Light & Indicator - Right Hand Side | eBay

Frank

 

[johnc461165]

Must say I really do agree about the mirror, I have one and would be lost without it.

 

[Cyclezee]

I bought one of those Winkku mirror/indicators a couple of years ago...........one day I might get round to fitting it

Personally, I think mirrors are very important and don't like riding a bike without them.

Indicators could be good as long as they are clearly visible, but in addition to hand signals not instead of.

Would be good to see more info on the ones mentioned by John earlier in the thread.

I'm off to get hold of my Winkku

 

[Deleted member 4366]

I think that if you are able to give a good clear hand signal then you should. Drivers see what they expect to see and will not be looking for indicators on a bike. If for some reason you cannot give hand signals then indicators would be the next best thing.

I did have a pair of day-glo orange gloves. Very easy to see when signalling.

Steve

Hand signals are no good at night time unless you have proper reflective strips on your wrists or hands.
Here's some indicators. Not perfect but better than nothing. Some are quite difficult to see in bright sunlight.
rear directional indicator lights bikes/cycles | eBay
rear directional indicator lights bikes/cycles | eBay
Portable, automatic, innovative INDICATOR bicycle/bike | eBay
I've used some of these, but I changed some of the LEDs to make them brighter, and I changed the front red LED for a white one. They have a brake light as well and the brake switch can be used for your brake cut-off switch by splicing in to it (only for cable brakes).
rear directional indicator lights bikes/cycles | eBay

 

[wurly]

I made some LED indicators for mine styled on the VW Passat ring of LEDs with a reflector in the centre that have proved to be more obvious to drivers than hand signals. I welcome your comments guys n gals (Lynda)

Do you have a photo of these? I was considering making my own using led arrays. I would be interested to see yours.

 

[johnc461165]

Here are a couple of photos, the LEDs are fitted through some 6mm perspex positive leg to the outside negative inside connected by copper wire ring covered by a clear sealant for insulation, the LEDs are orange when powered up, flashing is controlled by a single flashing LED in the power feed to unit, 9v pp3 battery is the power source, they are 2inches in diameter

ImageShack® - Online Photo and Video Hosting



ImageShack® - Online Photo and Video Hosting

 

[Cyclezee]

Here are a couple of photos of my Wikku, it is quite big and could be prone to damage although it does fold, stop tittering at the back there

I just fitted it this afternoon to check it out and despite having owned for 2 years without using, it works perfectly.

There are red and white LEDs that can be permantely switched on and are seen front and rear. The orange indicator LEDs can be opperated without taking your hand completely off the handlebar grips.

When indicating a beeping noise is heard. The mirror is slighly convex. Power comes from 3 x AA batteries.

 

[funkylyn]

Here are a couple of photos of my Wikku, it is quite big and could be prone to damage although it does fold, stop tittering at the back there

I just fitted it this afternoon to check it out and despite having owned for 2 years without using, it works perfectly.

There are red and white LEDs that can be permantely switched on and are seen front and rear. The orange indicator LEDs can be opperated without taking your hand completely off the handlebar grips.

When indicating a beeping noise is heard. The mirror is slighly convex. Power comes from 3 x AA batteries.

View attachment 3031View attachment 3032

Your Winkuu might be big....but can you see much with it ?
Does it distort the view at all ?

Lynda

 

[johnc461165]

That's a really neat unit

 

[johnc461165]

Your Winkuu might be big.....but can you see much with it ?
Does it distort the view at all ?

Lynda

Should you be talking about the size of his Winkuu Lynda

 

[flecc]

Agreed, not very ladylike, silent admiration would be more appropriate.

 

[funkylyn]

Should you be talking about the size of his Winkuu Lynda

Its really difficult to tell from photos.......I was just wondering if it stuck out much......could be dangerous if it got clipped by a passing car

Lynda

 

[funkylyn]

Agreed, not very ladylike, silent admiration would be more appropriate.

Silent admiration is all well and good.......but if I want to buy a mirror......I need more details
I dont want to make a mistake......I've already had two that shook badly and had to chuck them.......

Lynda

 

[flecc]

Yes, seriously, the arm mounted mirrors can shake too much to be any use. I've always been happy with the Cateye BM500G or self-modified BM300G for stable viewing, but they are too easily knocked out of adjustment, doorways, traffic etc, needing correcting regularly

 

[funkylyn]

I've seen one advertised somewhere that goes lower down in the middle of your bike , on the cross bar I think ?.....that I obviously dont have, but did wonder if it was any good or could be fitted on a step thru model anywhere else.....do you know which one I mean, because I've forgotten where I saw it ?
Its supposed to not shake but its really tiny .

Lynda

 

[indalo]

I've seen one advertised somewhere that goes lower down in the middle of your bike , on the cross bar I think ?

I think you probably mean the Bike-Eye which fits to the downtube. I'm sure it works well on racing bike frames but I discounted it on the grounds that I always ride with pannier bags and they would obstruct any view I was able to get from the limited mounting positions available on my frame.

The Mirrycle is a good tool in my opinion and I have found it invaluable.

Indalo

http://www.bike-eye.com/