I installed this bell in about 2 minutes.
At first I was hesitant to get a battery powered headlight and taillight, but after I installed it (with ease), I LOVED IT!! The LED headlight is very bright and the LED taillight is virtually impossible to miss (I think it is as prominent as some motorcycle taillights). The ability to flash each light and the taillight also having orange lights on the side makes it even more visible. Mounting the lights on my bike only took 15 minutes and only the taillight needed for me to use a screwdriver (to tighten and tweak the angle). The LEDs are really great and so far after using it for over 4 hours, I see no fade in the light power. The headlight has four LEDs with 3 modes (4 steady, 2 blink 2 steady, and 4 blinking (which looks like a strobe light)) and the rear also has 3 modes (steady, steady blinking, and random blinking). Be aware that you will need a jewelers screwdriver to open the rear taillight to install the batteries. Each of the lights detaches from the bike mounts and allow you to use them when camping or to clip on the taillight to your bookbag or clothing for visibility when walking along a highway or where cars are present, and the headlight can be used as a nice flashlight. The only thing I have to say is that you still need to look out for cab drivers in the Big Apple, since they can't stand that your lights are brighter than theirs and seem drawn to bikers while driving. Get this light, you won't regret it, I sure didn't. :-)
I received this so called value pack the other day in the mail for my 4 1/2 year old and thought maybe her grandmother made a mistake when she ordered it because I asked for one that came with both knee and elbow pads, but the packaging on this set clearly states "knee OR elbow pads" and does only have 1 set in the package.I went on Amazon to review the product description and it does state it comes with both....but DOESN'T!!Only 2 left in stock Amazon?Here comes a 3rd because I am returning this today.Not only is the product description wrong about the contents, it is misleading because it states the nylon straps are soft...they are made out of the same nylon material used for strapping down cargo and are far from being soft in any way.I cannot comment on the actual quality of the 1 set of pads in the package because I did not open it all of the way (the straps are hanging out), but the helmet doesn't seem that it could protect a dolls head if dropped off of a bicycle.I would not dare trust my childs head in this helmet.Shame on Disney for putting their name on such a low quality 'safety' product.They should also consider moving the flower pattern holes on the top of the helmet to the sides in some way to help with airflow...I can't imagine too much airflow can get inside the helmet to help cool the head off while playing and wearing this helmet.My daughter currently has a Trek helmet and I will be sure to buy her another one of those from now on.
This bell is great.If you're looking for a bell that gives a ice clear crisp DING!, then this is it.It's saved me from a few mishaps while out on my daily ride.One guy heard me through his rolled up window while on his cell.
This is a fantastic product. Fits in minutes and the trigger (that's really the best word for it!) is in easy reach next to my gearshift lever. It's also dayglo orange, so easy to find in a hurry if you need to look down to locate it (though you should really be concentrating on braking and steering during a crisis :) )
LEDs generally have very focused beams, so you have to be looking straight at them to see their full brightness. This light cleverly orients seven LEDs in five different directions to cover a pretty wide angle of visibility, horizontally. (Planet Bike claims 220 degrees of visibility.) Three are directed straight back and through lens sections of the transparent red casing for maximum brightness in that direction. The remaining four are directed left, right, and partway between straight back and left/right. Brightness is lower in these side and intermediate directions, but many cheaper blinkers aren't visible at all from the side, so it's a start. (I sometimes put another blinker on my pannier side for better side visibility.)
This mirror is fantastic.I bought it to replace a helmet mounted mirror when the stem broke on the helmet mount.I can't tell you how much better I like this bar-end mirror.It's much easier to find this mirror out of the corner of my eye, and it provides a very good view of what's behind me, both in the traffic lanes and directly behind me in the bike lane.
I am writing this review based up on my real life experience on 3/14/10.My husband is a lifelong cyclist.Together we have worn bike helmets our entire adult lives.Friends joked about how we looked wearing our helmets in the past.They don't joke anymore.My husband was riding solo at about 18-20 MPH and became startled by an unleashed dog that appeared out of nowhere.Expecting to be nipped at the heel, the dog instead crashed into the front bicycle wheel, sending him over the handlebars onto a paved street.His 1 year old Schwinn Thrasher helmet took the fist impact, destroying itself in order to save his skull and brain.Reconstructive orthopedic surgery was required for his shattered left collarbone.He is still healing -but he is able share his experience with others today.I spent a mere $20 bucks at a discount store.The Schwinn Thrasher helmet saved my husband's life.Thank you Schwinn.
