With the days growing shorter, I'm increasingly using lights on my daily commute. On the recommendation of a list member, I bought a rechargeable Specialized Vegas headlight, which is working out well so far. For the rear, I have a Vistalight flasher clipped on the back of my backpack. From comments here, I think it would be advisable to mount a tail light on the bike as well. Problem is, most models mount on the seatpost, which is a problem, since I normally have a tire bag mounted under the saddle and around the post. I would really would prefer to mount a tail light on the seat stay. Sigma Sport makes a tiny one that will mount on stays, but I think this uses a watch battery, and I am skeptical of its battery life in steady (nonflashing) mode. Anyone know of a more substantial rear light that mounts on the stay or can be easily adapted to?
I also have a question about CPSC reflectors. None of my bikes have reflectors as most never had them and I usually remove any I find on a bike I buy. Sheldon's site has an excellent article as to why these are not an adequate substitute for lights. Does anyone here use the CPSC reflectors in combination with lights? Anyone encountered local police who insist on reflectors even when the bike is equipped with lights? I know you LBS owner probably have to leave them on and advise customers not to remove them, just to cover yourselves on liability issues, but is there any other reason to use them? In the rural area here, the police seem almost totally unconcerned with bicycles as there are extremely few commuters and most of those are guys who had there license pulled for DWI (a public image we need to change, but that thread is probably off topic here).
On a completely different subject, I just bought a 165mm Superbe Pro track right arm from Grant Petersen, and am planning to use it on a fixed gear road bike. Anyone got a 165 left arm to sell or trade? Superbe would be ideal of course, but any decent Japanese arm would be OK, and I'd really consider any 165 left arm in useable condition.
Regards,
Jerry Moos