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| Streamlight 51013 TT-3AA | Maglite M2A016 | TwoFish Lockblock/Cyclopblock (shown with a non-recommended flashlight) |
| $22 | $11 | $6-11 (one for $6, three for $11) |
It is a good idea to carry back-up lighting in case your battery is exhausted, bulbs burn out, wiring gets screwed up, etc.. However I've got to admit that I've never had my primary system fail since I am religious about keeping the batteries charged. I've never had a lamp burn out since I began using sealed beam quartz-halogen lamps (I do not over-voltage).
It is important to remember that these are strictly emergency back-ups. These flashlight headlights will not light up the road like a high power rechargeable headlight, and the rear strobe, while of sufficient intensity, flashes only about once per second, which is less than the optimal 120 fpm. Be extra careful when limping home with low power lighting; go slower and don't assume that vehicles will notice you.
Here are a couple of suggestions for
emergency back-up lighting.
Front Back-Up
Experienced bicycle commuters carry a small flashlight for
repairs; the proper flashlight can also serve as back-up lighting with the use
of an inexpensive mounting system.
The $22 Streamlight 51013 TT-3AA Twin-Task Flashlight (3 AA batteries) and a
TwoFish Lockblock. This flashlight combines a Xenon bulb with three Luxeon LEDs,
and you can switch between the two light sources. A less expensive option is the
$10-11 2-AA cell Maglite, which lacks the Luxeon LEDs and is not quite as bright
because the Xenon bulb operates at a lower voltage. Both of these flashlights
offer an adjustable spot/flood beam for the Xenon bulb, which is very useful in
cycling applications.
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| Streamlight 51013 TT-3AA | Maglite M2A016 | TwoFish Lockblock/Cyclopblock (shown with a non-recommended flashlight) |
| $22 | $11 | $6-11 (one for $6, three for $11) |
Rear Back-Up
The $14 Coghlan 0220 Emergency Strobe Light is the best back-up
to your 12 volt xenon strobe (assuming that you're using the Velleman strobe).
However you will have to figure a way to attach it to your bicycle or your
person. I suggest a Velcro strap through the wide eyelets. The Coghlan strobe
flashes at a slower rate than the Velleman strobe and hence is not suitable for
your regular rear strobe.
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| Coghlan 0220 |
| $14 |