Cycling UK Forum

Hi,

I'm currently designing some new bike lights for the mass market; and it would really help me out to have some opinions of cyclists on the current products in the market. If you could spare two minutes to fill out this survey: http://FreeOnlineSurveys.com/rendersurvey.asp?sid=70erdxrpkefpt5u907073 it would really help me out; and help to shape the development/design of a new product.

Thanks in advance!

Oliver

I have filled in the survey - I was expecting a question on what lights I currently use and perhaps an anyother comments box. As a commuter a rugged and reliable set of indicator lights would be worth having - from the reviews I have read on the few models available none really seem to be quite up to it.

I filled it in, but I notice it doesn't ask about battery vs dynamo, or battery life, or waterproofness or reliability. I suspect these are generally more relevant than "rugged look".

I filled it in, but almost all my answers were "Other", and there is some very important information that you didn't ask for. Would you like some help designing the survey?

Would you like some help designing the survey?

Please say 'yes'.

I'll pay for a decent light, and care very little about its appearance

Beam pattern
Power source (burn time and battery replacement) (dynamics needs starlight - supercapacitor beats batteries)
Colour of light, and quantity.
Integrated refectors are useful.
Mount options.

Sorry haven't filled it in.
Question 3. I have no expectations, all of those are available.
Question 4. Doing the job effectively is more important than what type of bulb is used.
Question 5. Don't see how asking for one answer picked from a limited choice can give you a rounded view of of the features cyclists deem necessary when buying lights.
Question 7. Don't see why this is relevant

A pretty hopeless survey I'm afraid - though I took the opportunity to suggest fluorescent as an option as I'm about to fit a 3 watt cold cathode on the front - though I miss my old 10 watt warm white minispiral.

As others have suggested, beam pattern is a key failing in most bike lights - and to that I would add handlebar dip and the ability to switch in gentler (and crucially, non-strobing) lights for off-road paths ...

I doubt I will ever buy a commercial light.

alicej wrote:I filled it in, but almost all my answers were "Other", and there is some very important information that you didn't ask for. Would you like some help designing the survey?

I think you and everyone else are being rather more polite and helpful than is warranted, Alice. I assumed this was a Year 9 school project. Quite shocked when I googled the OP.

"Please take a few more minutes to design this questionnaire about bike lights. It will be greatly appreciated!"

Oliver, seriously, don't bother. If that's the best you can manage in terms of market research, you haven't a cat in hell's chance of designing a light to compete with the dozens of mature, high-quality products already on the market.

Looking at his website, he's more into form than function...

oliversowerby wrote:What is the most important thing you consider when buying bike lights?
Rugged look

mmm. Lumberjack lights with a five o'clock stubble. It's a novel idea.

I had a quick google. Here is a question from his "survey" for his recent door design project:

When do you find doors difficult to operate?
When carrying things.
When my hands are wet.
When tired.
When the door sticks.
When it's cold.

It's very disappointing. Best not waste too much time on this.

At least we now know why so many "consumer items" are unfit for purpose....and not only for bikes.
The phrase "mass market" in the OP. suddenly looms large.

531colin wrote:At least we now know why so many "consumer items" are unfit for purpose....and not only for bikes.
The phrase "mass market" in the OP. suddenly looms large.

That is exactly why I offer to help. I'm quite into saving stuff from landfill, and this looks like a big skipfull in the making...

+1 to everything Malaconotus said.

If you're looking at premium lights (which I assume you are if your survey suggests a £400 price) I have one piece of advice. Look at Exposure lights, because they do it better than anyone, and produce the same quality at a lower price.

Good luck with that one.