Planet Bike light response
Steve Palincsar
wet on the Pedalers list. Here's a response from Planet Bike. I think
there are many here who have had similar issues and might find this of
interest.
-------- Forwarded Message --------
From: Kristin Wentworth <kri...@planetbike.com>
Reply-To: kri...@planetbike.com
To: peda...@googlegroups.com
Subject: [pedalers] Planet Bike light response
Date: Tue, 24 Apr 2012 10:18:36 -0500
Dear Pedalers,
My name is Kristin Wentworth and I am the customer service/warranty
representative from Planet Bike. I’m sorry to hear that some members of
this group have had problems with moisture getting into their Planet
Bike taillights. It really is our goal to make solid products and keep
our customers safe and happy. We have been continually working on the
tooling for the manufacturing of the Superflash casing to create a more
secure, watertight fit. We released an updated version in the Spring of
2010 which has a slightly changed gasket/casing. This isn’t to say that
we never hear of water related issues but it is relatively rare. We
stand behind our warranty policy and will replace a light with the
return of the defective light.
The light truly should be resistant to water infiltration and has been
tested in numerous situations with heavy exposure to water. And besides
the “lab” type testing at PB we also give all of our products a good
real world testing through the variable climate conditions of Madison,
Wisconsin. All 7 of us who work at the company (yes we are that small!)
are pretty hardcore commuters and last year alone put on more than
10,000 miles just going to and from work. We ride through all the
elements and I personally have been using the same Superflash for nearly
2 years now through rain/cold/snow and have not had any issues.
Occasionally the plastic casing may have a small defect in it or the
rubber gasket may get twisted and allow moisture to somehow infiltrate
the light. It happens rarely but by and large our lights perform well
through all types of conditions.
We did have a small batch of Turbo lights from last summer (may have
been sold between June-October) which had a circuitry malfunction which
would basically allow the light to turn off from bumps in the road when
the batteries were only slightly weak. This issue has been resolved and
all Turbos now available in the market are fixed and working well. If
you have a Turbo you can check the battery terminals to determine if you
might have a defective light. If you have no springs at the terminals it
is an old (potentially defective) style light. A spring on the bottom
right (negative terminal) of the battery compartment means you have an
updated light. If you do have a bad light just get in touch with me and
I will send you out a new Turbo along with a prepaid envelope to send
back your original light to us.
If you are having any issues with another product of ours we’re happy to
replace a product that hasn’t performed up to our high standards. All
you have to do is send it back to us with a small note (or you can also
contact us directly and we’ll give you a return authorization number).
We will repair or replace it for you. We truly appreciate your business
and we want you to know that we really do stand behind our product. We
are committed to producing high quality gear and to help make cycling
easier and safer for people. Planet Bike was started in 1996 and since
that time we have donated over 1 million dollars to various advocacy
groups to increase the usage of bicycles for transportation as well as
recreational purposes. There are so many benefits to riding bikes and we
want more people to realize this and feel comfortable making the
decision to ride.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns
with any of our products. I will also be replying personally to those of
you who have emailed the warranty/info @planetbike.com addresses. Thanks
for the opportunity to respond publically here and I hope you all have a
good afternoon and happy riding!
--
Kristin Wentworth
Warranty/Sales
608.310.3547 Office Direct
Planet Bike
2402 Vondron Road
Madison, WI 53718
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/If_a_tree_falls_in_a_forest
alex plumb
I never have a problem with my two superflashes on my wet commutes either. But when I ride for 300 rainy kilometers they both take on water, and one of them inevtiably fails till it's dried out later. The phrase "resistant to water infiltration" means something a bit different to a randonneur than it does to a Madison commuter. That said, I still believe they are a good product. You get what you pay for.
Alex Plumb
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Eric Norris
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Steve Rice
Susan Otcenas
From: ran...@googlegroups.com [mailto:ran...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Eric Norris
Sent: Tuesday, April 24, 2012 3:29 PM
To: alex plumb
Cc: randon; Steve Palincsar
Subject: Re: [Randon] Planet Bike light response
Richard.McCaw
I have had older models become intermittent – that could have been partly due to using NiMH rechargeable AAA batteries – I now use Eneloop batteries with better results this year on brevets
I recommend before anyone sends more e-mails or call Planet Bike they collect some facts to provide first. Note info Steve got back from Planet Bike
“We released an updated version in the Spring of 2010 which has a slightly changed gasket/casing.”
First check to see when you light was manufactured – for an estimate of the date – check the manufacturing date stamp inside the back plastic casing (a circle with month/ yr that I assume indicate when the plastic casing was made) – mine might indicate 2008
Few of us probably have the newer version of gasket/ casing
Second – I would state type of batteries being used (alkaline or rechargeable)
I highly recommend riders use the Eneloop AAA batteries versus one time throwaway alkaline or Lithium – split a package of Eneloop AAA batteries from Costco with your friends!
Looks like you could even return the older models for replacement if they stop working – to be safe – always ride with a backup taillight
Planet Bike warranty
We are so confident in the quality of our products that we offer a limited lifetime warranty to the original owner of Planet Bike products*. Warranty does not cover damage due to accident, abuse, or normal wear and tear. Any modification to Planet Bike products will void all warranty. Proof of purchase is required. Return of the product is required for inspection.
Contact your Planet Bike dealer or warr...@planetbike.com.
Richard McCaw
richar...@sbcglobal.net
Cell: 408-838-9863
Home: 408-448-2899
LinkedIn Profile: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mccaw
Skype: rgmccaw
Guy3023
batteries either due to the problem Kristen outlined or due to water
infiltration. Kristin was great and sent a replacement right away.
Guy
On Apr 24, 7:55 pm, "Richard.McCaw" <richard.mc...@sbcglobal.net>
wrote:
> I have had older models become intermittent - that could have been partly
> due to using NiMH rechargeable AAA batteries - I now use Eneloop batteries
>
> I recommend before anyone sends more e-mails or call Planet Bike they
> collect some facts to provide first. Note info Steve got back from Planet
> Bike
>
> "We released an updated version in the Spring of 2010 which has a slightly
> changed gasket/casing."
>
> date - check the manufacturing date stamp inside the back plastic casing (a
> Few of us probably have the newer version of gasket/ casing
>
>
> I highly recommend riders use the Eneloop AAA batteries versus one time
>
> Looks like you could even return the older models for replacement if they
> Planet Bike warranty
> We are so confident in the quality of our products that we offer a limited
> lifetime warranty to the original owner of Planet Bike products*. Warranty
> does not cover damage due to accident, abuse, or normal wear and tear. Any
> modification to Planet Bike products will void all warranty. Proof of
> purchase is required. Return of the product is required for inspection.
>
> Richard McCaw
> richard.mc...@sbcglobal.net
> Cell: 408-838-9863
> Home: 408-448-2899
>
> LinkedIn Profile: <http://www.linkedin.com/in/mccaw>http://www.linkedin.com/in/mccaw
> Skype: rgmccaw
>
> From: ran...@googlegroups.com [mailto:ran...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of
> Susan Otcenas
> Sent: Tuesday, April 24, 2012 3:36 PM
> To: randon
> Subject: RE: [Randon] Planet Bike light response
>
> Might I suggest that you all should be cc:ing Kristin at Planet Bike on this
> stuff. Commenting on this list doesn't help them make a better product.
> And believe me, the vendors really do want your feedback. They take this
> stuff seriously. Her email address is below. Kristin Wentworth <
> kris...@planetbike.com>
> Susan
>
> ***********************************************
>
> Susan Otcenas
>
> Team Estrogen, Inc.
>
> 877-310-4592
>
> ***********************************************
>
> Follow our TE fan page on Facebook!
>
> Look for "teamestrogen.com"
>
> ***********************************************
>
> _____
>
> Eric Norris
> Sent: Tuesday, April 24, 2012 3:29 PM
> To: alex plumb
> Cc: randon; Steve Palincsar
> Subject: Re: [Randon] Planet Bike light response
>
> I've never had a PB taillight fail *while riding,* even in the wet, but I
> have had them fail to start at the house before a ride after they've gotten
> wet. Once they dried out, they were fine.
>
> --Eric N
>
>
> I never have a problem with my two superflashes on my wet commutes either.
> But when I ride for 300 rainy kilometers they both take on water, and one of
> them inevtiably fails till it's dried out later. The phrase "resistant to
> water infiltration" means something a bit different to a randonneur than it
> does to a Madison commuter. That said, I still believe they are a good
> product. You get what you pay for.
>
> Alex Plumb
>
> From: Steve Palincsar <palin...@his.com>
> Subject: [Randon] Planet Bike light response
> To: "randon" <ran...@googlegroups.com>
> Date: Tuesday, April 24, 2012, 12:24 PM
>
> There was a recent discussion about Planet Bike light failures in the
> wet on the Pedalers list. Here's a response from Planet Bike. I think
> there are many here who have had similar issues and might find this of
> interest.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> -------- Forwarded Message --------
>
> <http://us.mc1845.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=kris...@planetbike.com> >
> Reply-To: kris...@planetbike.com
> <http://us.mc1845.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=kris...@planetbike.com>
> To: peda...@googlegroups.com
> <http://us.mc1845.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=peda...@googlegroups.com>
> <http://us.mc1845.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=kris...@planetbike.com>
> 608.310.3547 Office Direct
>
> Planet Bike
>
> 2402 Vondron Road
>
> Madison, WI 53718
>
> p 608.256.8510
>
> www.planetbike.com
>
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/If_a_tree_falls_in_a_forest
>
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Lynne Fitz
store replaced it, no problem. I am a very satisfied customer. I've
had them bounce on the road and completely disassemble, put them back
together, and they still work!
Lynne F
>
> read more »
pamela blalock
annoying anti-social super-bright flashing lights is that they would
stop doing all that as soon as it started to rain!
remember friends don't let friends flash!
pamela blalock
watertown, ma
http://blayleys.blogspot.com
Chris Heg
light. Seriously inadequate and almost as expensive as a Lumotec IQ
Fly. PB makes some good things but that is not one of them.
roadijeff
couple of days before PBP. One of the little plastic tabs that holds
the battery compartment together snapped off. After I returned home
it was replaced under their lifetime warranty.
The replacement would suddenly turn itself off if there was too much
road vibration. It calmed down after a few weeks of doing this and now
everything is fine. The Blaze is a fairly bright light compared to
some others I've owned in the same price range.