If you point the light down about 6-8 feet ahead of the bike, and don't go over 800 or so lumens a symmetrical beam isn't as dramatic as you make it sound. It's totally fine for the road. However, like most things, if it's used improperly, and many people do use bike lights improperly, it can be inconsiderate and borderline dangerous.
On Saturday, August 18, 2018 at 6:23:44 AM UTC-4, Julian Westerhout wrote: > > Symmetrical beam lights are ok in trail riding where you will not be > encountering oncoming cyclists and motorists (and in fact in that sort of > use can be good, as they'll show you tree limbs, etc that are high up), but > are horrible for road riding, as they often blind oncoming traffic, which > is not only impolite, but can be dangerous. > > Most/many battery lights in the US are symmetrical, and I've been blinded > by the powerful ones them both riding and driving at night. Very > disconcerting and scary to essentially go black for a few seconds after > being blitzed by these lights. If you do decide to go symmetrical, don't > use that light on the road. > > Julian Westerhout > Bloomington, IL > > On Friday, August 17, 2018 at 11:38:23 PM UTC-4, Collin A wrote: >> >> It doesn't answer your question, but I recommend taking a look at the >> klite 1300 lumen light. Its a symmetrical light that (at least in the US) >> I've found to be more useful than an asymmetrical light for all-round >> riding. It's also bright as the dickens, but adds a noticeable amount of >> drag on the dynamo hub. >> >> I've found it more useful than the schmidt due to the asymmetry of the >> light beam. >> >> On Friday, August 17, 2018 at 5:52:57 PM UTC-7, Chris Corral wrote: >>> >>> Winter approaches, and as summer wastes away so do our hours of sunlight! >>> >>> I am looking to outfit my new bike with a tour-worthy lamp and am >>> wondering if anyone has direct experience or opinions between the B&M IQ-x, >>> Schmidt Edlux II, and the new Sinewave Beacon (Bacon?). I have personally >>> owned the IQ-X and taken it on tours across Colorado, New Mexico, old >>> Mexico, and Western Europe. Through rain, wind, dust and shine it performed >>> flawlessly and I would buy it again. But I am interested in the USB >>> charging capabilities and potential performance benefits of the Beacon or >>> Schmidt. I also know those two have better standlights, with the Sinewave >>> able to run on a battery cache. My riding is a healthy mix of on/off road, >>> with tours gravitating towards off-road. I will also use this light on my >>> tandem. >>> >>> I guess I have two questions. >>> 1) Are the Schmidt and Sinewave worth the price premium over the IQ-X? >>> 2) How is the new Sinewave Beacon anyway? >>> >>> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
