Revolights – Reinventing illumination with style and safety.
Every now and then you run into something that literally blows your mind.
This is one of those times.
Revolights has invented what is probably the coolest bicycle illumination kit around. The arcs of light are formed by LEDs programmed to detect your speed and blink on as they pass the front or rear of the biycycle. Seeing this occur in real life is very cool, and left in a a state of "WTF?"
After talking with one of the Revolights team members I quickly learned how it works:
So what are the specs you might be wondering?
The patented Revolights bike lighting system consists of two narrow rings of LEDs that mount directly to each wheel using a series of clips and ring spacers. Lithium-ion batteries, bracket-mounted to the front and rear hub, supply power to the LEDs. The batteries are slim and lightweight, and can be charged via USB. A small, fork-mounted magnet and an integrated accelerometer provide speed and orientation data to the rings. This allows the LEDs to illuminate only when oriented at the front or rear of the bicycle.
Ok, ok.. it's cool and all, but it must be a pain in the ass to install right?
Nope.
Actually quite the opposite.
You simply snap the clips onto the spokes and attach the spacers with screws. You then align the mounting brackets, screw the Revolights onto the spacers, and run the wires toward the hub. Once you install the batteries and align the magnets, and you’re ready to ride!
For more info, check out the installation videos at instructions.revolights.com.
Needless to say, the illumination (lighting) and sighting is what really makes Revolights as spectacular as they are. Revolights ensure maximum safety by providing both lighting and sighting in one fully-integrated, revolutionary design.
Revolights provide cyclists with superior lighting by fully illuminating the path in front of them. Unlike traditional headlights which focus light to a single location, Revolights throw a uniquely even and wide vertical swath of light in front of the rider, illuminating not only the ground but road signs and elevated obstacles. The low origin of the light also creates a unique "height shadow" effect, where the height of obstacles in the road can be determined by the length of their shadows.
As seen in the image below, Revolights is where it's at.
Also, unlike traditional bike lights, which project light in only one direction, Revolights cast 360 degrees of illumination, making it much easier for others to sight the rider. This improves safety tremendously, as most nighttime bike-car collisions are due to inadequate side visibility.
More info such as: when the company was founded, the team behind Revolights and the like can be found on their website.