efo@pixar (efo) (03/08/86)
Those who are serious about commuting (and perhaps touring) by bicycle should pay some attention to the lights they use. I have used the Union generator, the Sanyo generator, the Union halogen lamp, the little Cat-Eye strap-on job, and a homemade system using a gel-cel and a Union halogen 3w lamp. I've seen the Steadylight and the Byka, the Belt-beacon, and the Wonder. I believe all are toys. The brightest of these (the 3w Union) is inadequate for nighttime riding; the others are terrible. Thus the point of this note: there are decent lights available, and anyone who rides on dark, heavily-travelled roads (many of us, working in the high-tech suburbs, do) owes it to themselves to check them out. Bicycle Lighting Systems (PO Box 1457 Falls Church, VA 22041) makes a setup that is serious. Lights from 2.5w to 50 (fifty) watts are available; they run off rechargable batteries, and you can SEE with them. He also sells a huge taillight that is ugly (it's the top to a barricade flasher) but I'm going to get one now that I've seen the quality of his headlight. These systems leave something to be desired as far as elegance and weight go, but they are serious lights, and I think they're as important as helmets for anyone who rides near cars.