Re: [CR] Flashlights for Bike Lighting

(Example: Component Manufacturers:Chater-Lea)

Date: Tue, 13 Jan 2009 20:46:36 -0500
From: "Harvey Sachs" <hmsachs@verizon.net>
To: <jerrymoos@sbcglobal.net>, <Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Subject: Re: [CR] Flashlights for Bike Lighting


I don't know Big Spring, TX, so I can't be sure what one uses bike lights for out there. But based on my experience, Jerry, I'll make you a deal: I'll look for a vintage light for you at the upcoming Westminster swap meet in Feb, if you promise not to ride with it at night.

I commute by bike, and it's dark coming home now. Part of my commute is on city streets, where it is critical to throw enough light to be seen, particularly at intersections. Part is on a dark bike path, where I need enough light to see potholes and rutting deer. Reliability matters, too. I gave away or sold some of the old leg lights and boxy things years ago, because I didn't need them for display, and wouldn't dare ride in the dark with them. Again, your use may be different, but I don't want to risk it in my environment. Yup, I use vintage water bottles and old Silca pumps, and I glue on my sewups, but there are some things even I won't do. I won't (classic content coming here) ride Cinelli M71 WidowMaker pedals on the road any more, and I won't trust my safety to any of the dim, unreliable old flashlights and their ilk.

I don't know if this is controversial, but you rang my bell (I have a bell on a couple of bikes).

harvey sachs who even has an Alenax, which is really off the wall. mcLean va usa.

Jerry Moos wrote:

To raise a non-contraversial, if there is such a thing here, issue in connection with touring/randonneur bikes. Anyone know of currently available flashlights appropriate for use on such bikes?

I asked Chris at Velo Orange when he would again have the flashlights he was selling a while back. His answer was that he does not currently expect to have them again. Evidently, the ones he was selling were made by small Japanese firms, and he tells me the deamnd is so strong in Japan, the the manufacturers have no interest in exporting to the US, as they can sell everything they make at home.

Of course, in terms of producing light, most any flashlight will work, but one prefers something the will look elegant. I suppose many of us would define elegant in this instance as reminescent of the lights on French constructeur bikes before or shortly after WWII, although I must note that in the book (in French) Jan Heine is selling documenting the history of PBP, the photos from recent years show some competitors using flashlights that would strike most of us as distinctly un-classic.

Surely there must be flashlights currently made in America, Europe or UK or in larger quanitity in Asia that would look suitable on a touring bike? Anyone have any suggestions?

On a related issue, most flashlights, at least those available in USA, use C or D size batteries. I've come to prefer rechargeable batteries as a way to minimize the need to dispose of potentially hazardous materials, although even rechargeable batteries will eventually be discarded. Anyone know where to get the best prices on rechargeable C and D batteries and on chargers that will handle these sizes? I know such do exit, but they are not nearly as common as the AA and AAA size rechargeables that can now be purchased at most any drugstore or discount store.