by Larry Lagarde

Since the invention of carbide or acetylene lamps at the beginning of the 1900's (photo right), bicyclists have mounted head lights on their bikes; however, problems regarding brightness, burn time, durability and cost have plagued bicycle lighting systems for a century. Now, advances in LED semiconductor chips are resulting in a revolutionary generation of high output bike lights that convert electricity directly into light, improving visibility for bicyclists pedaling at night by allowing them to see and be seen better.

High intensity LED head lights (such as those using Lumiled's Luxeon line or Seoul Semiconductor's P4) are a far cry from all other bike lights (see these beam shot comparisons). Like the Vistalite style blinkey LED bike lights that have been around for over a decade, hi output LEDs last 10,000+ hours before requiring replacement (versus under 1000-2000 hours for most incandescent lamps). The main difference is that hi output LEDs are 10 to 25 times brighter than the standard LEDs used in blinkeys, running longer and producing light more efficiently even as battery power ebbs (incandescents fail once the electrical current is insufficient to heat up the filament). Since all LEDs are solid state semiconductors free of moving or loose parts, high output LEDs are very robust and resistant to damage from shock, falls or vibrations too.

When powered by rechargeable AA batteries, high intensity LEDs provide hours of continuously bright light, emitting 85 lumens (the brightness of a 25 watt halogen spotlight) to 300 lumens dependent upon the version of LED used. They're light in weight/small in size, cool to the touch even when lit & can remain on for days at a time before the batteries wear down; they're also becoming better all the time (next generation hi output LEDs producing in excess of 1000 lumens will be available this summer).

Though there are hi intensity LED bike head light systems for sale now, these systems only produce from 85 to 120 lumens and are priced from $150-$300 (see 3 typical examples below). Knowing that LED lighting guru and machinist extraordinaire Wayne Johnson could produce a brighter, better quality high output LED bike light at a much lower cost, I've been asking Wayne to produce a top grade bike light for distribution through RideTHISbike.com. This week, Wayne agreed and the specs on his bike light are just incredible.

Introducing The Roadster Bike Headlight System
To the right is a photo of the bike light prototype. Code named "Roadster", this light will produce 150-180 lumens for 2.5 hours using just 3 rechargeable AA batteries! Life expectancy on the LED is 50,000 hours and the LED can easily be retrofitted with an even brighter LED when they become available in the future. Custom built in the USA by Wayne's Elektro Lumens light works, the Roadster is water resistant; it's built with a high impact mineral glass lens and beefy case made from hardened, anodized aluminum.

The basic Roadster high intensity bike head light system will include the bike light (outfitted with a Seoul Semiconductor high output P4 LED), handlebar mount, 2 sets of battery holders and coiled wiring. Cost in this configuration will be $119 including shipping and a carry bag for the battery pack will be optional.

$99 Presale Price Through 22 May 2007
The initial production run of the Roadster will be limited to 50 and the lighting system will be available for a month at the presale price of just $99, shipping included. If you want to become a member of the bicycling illuminati, act now and snap up one of these blazingly bright lighting systems before we're sold out.

For comparison, following are 3 other hi output LED bike head light systems:
- Blackburn System X3 LED Headlight
85 lumens w/4 hrs burn time
(currently $150 + shipping at PerformanceBike.com)

- Light & Motion Vega LED Headlight (photo right)
85 lumens w/2 hrs burn time
(currently $160 + shipping at PerformanceBike.com)

- DiNotte Ultralight LED Headlight
120 lumens w/1.6 hrs burn time
(currently $169 + shipping at DinotteLighting.com)

Labels: bike_headlight, bike_lights, Elektro_Lumens, LED_lighting

Enjoying Safe Bicycling At Night

by Larry Lagarde

Night riding is a form of cycling I really enjoy. Here in sultry New Orleans, the temperature at night is regularly more comfortable; there's also less auto traffic in the streets and fewer bikes or pedestrians on the bike trail. As a result, the ride is far more enjoyable - but only because I have an intense lighting system that enhances my safety by providing incredible visibility.

I ride with a custom made Luxeon LED lighting system, Hokey Spokes side lights (see photo at right) and several red LED rear lights. With so many lights, I cannot help but draw attention and for the sake of safety, that's just the way I like it. I've been stopped on the bike trail by law enforcement that thought I was a motor vehicle (the officer complimented me on the lighting system and claimed to have seen me from a mile away). When I ride by, kids squeal and adults smile (or even clap). Rather than chase me down, dogs run away from me barking and looking over their shoulders. If only daylight riding was this much fun...

To help others enjoy safe night bicycling, I'm writing a multi-part series on visibility for night riding. In the first segment (coming next weekend), I'll concentrate on bike headlight systems and introduce a great new system from Wayne Johnson (seen at right with one of his custom lights), the lighting guru and machinist extraordinaire at Elektro Lumens.

Labels: bike_lights, Elektro_Lumens, Hokey_Spokes, LED_lighting