Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Night ... err ... lights?

For those of you riding at night, what lights do you use/recommend? Almost all of my riding is urban and somewhat lit but it never hurts to be more visible. Also, the light needs to be easily removed and stowed.

i use one of these in the front:
http://199.236.105.7/images/frog-led1.jpg

and one of these in the back:
http://bicyclemagic.com/smsimg/18/166lam405r.jpg

The rear blinkie is clutch. It MUST be mounted on the bike, not just clipped on your bag. Your bag shifts, and the light will wind up pointing up at the sky or at the ground half the time. Front light is more to let other folks see you than to see, unless you ride on unlit streets. If that is the case, drop mad coin on an HID system.

Knog Frogs front + rear.

These can be useful:

http://aebike.com/page.cfm?PageID=30&action=list&Category=784&Brand=65&type=T

I use one in front on my stem and one on the back of my helmet (in addition to another rear light i use).

I use a knog too. It isn't very much light, but it is enough to not be riding completely blind. If you are planning lots of night riding it would be worth investing in something brighter. Check out knog's new lights, they just came out with one that has 5 leds in the front called the toad or something. I think it was 30-35 bucks.

These can be useful:

http://aebike.com/page.cfm?PageID=30&action=list&Category=784&Brand=65&type=T

I use one in front on my stem and one on the back of my helmet (in addition to another rear light i use).


+1

I have one on the rear. Cool stuff. You don't have to screw on mounts. As the ad reads:
- Straps just about anywhere! (fits around things from 12.7mm to 160mm in diameter)
- Will fit on all handlebars, seatposts, most frames, saddle wedges, helmet vents, beer cans, cyclist arms, some calves (not the baby cow type), the possibilities are endless

http://aebike.com/images/library/catalogs/soc/p350X350m/LT4105.jpg

(I love how they stole the image from QBP and don't care about the watermark)

I use a cat-eye opticube. It's huge and ugly but it gives really good light. I can *almost* ride in total darkness with it and still sorta see.

I use a knog too. It isn't very much light, but it is enough to not be riding completely blind. If you are planning lots of night riding it would be worth investing in something brighter. Check out knog's new lights, they just came out with one that has 5 leds in the front called the toad or something. I think it was 30-35 bucks.

I wouldn't recomend the Knog Toad, unfortunately. One of our reps brought one in the other day to try but it looks like the retention system isn't very well thought out. Instead of the hook and loop system of the Frog, it attaches with a soft rubber cap wrapping under the bars and clipping onto a hard plastic base. It's not very secure and could come off w/ hard hit (ie. pothole, curb).

Light comparison with beam patterns, etc. I use a Light & Motion Arc HID light with the Knog Bullfrog in the rear...
http://eddys.com/page.cfm?PageID=493

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442545731&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302692895&bmUID=1161351587418
http://images.mec.ca/media/Images/Products/Cycling/5006121s_v1_m56577569830542944.jpg


http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441774359&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302692895&bmUID=1161351507582
http://images.mec.ca/media/Images/Products/Cycling/4007436s_v1_m56577569830473673.jpg

Sounds like what you need is more of a "see-me" light, rather than something like the frame-mounted-battery beast that I use for my daily commute. Check out the selection of "safety headlights" at REI, and there's a few there that come in under $20. The Sigma Sport Tri LED is $17, and has a tool-less click mounting setup to install/remove quickly. A flasher setting will grab attention better than a solid light will, so look for that feature.
If you're really looking to be more visible, make sure to get a red blinkie to attach to your seatpost (or rack, or seatstay.) Again, you can find 'em for pretty cheap. I got mine for about $15.

i just bought a flashing pumpkin light on a string at CVS for 97cents. yep, its halloween

EDITED:

I use One of these in the front... (great becuase I can easily move it from bike to bike or into my pocket)
http://www.performancebike.com/product_images/400/40_2171.jpg

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=19277&subcategory_ID=4320##

And Two of these(not this exact one, but one similar but with 5 leds not 3): one on the back, one on my bag shoulder strap...

http://www.performancebike.com/product_images/150/40_2128.jpg

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=19468&subcategory_ID=4322

+1 to Morgie's front light.
The picture doesn't show how nice and small it is.
Yet it's still brighter than a couple bigger headlights I have.

That cateye rear light is pretty good, but I use it as a secondary since it only has three LEDs.

This one with 5 LEDs is awesome and bright, and still really cheap.
http://www.cateye.com/sites/cateye/upload/products/267-og.jpg
http://www.cateye.com/en/product_detail/267

+ another one for morgies light. It's incredibly small and convenient to strap it to any handlebar. so I can keep it in my bag and easily stick it on any bike I happen to be on after dark. It doesn't cast that much light under streetlights it doesn't do much for seeing, but in blinking mode it's great for being seen. Yesterday morning I took a ride at 5:30 am It was pitch black and foggy. once I got to sections of highway with no streetlights I switched it from blinky to solid and was pleasantly surprised it actually cast some very useful light. I could see the shoulder and road surface. I couldn't read my computer in the dark, but I was probably traveling 15-22. Just a touch slower than I would have been in broad daylight.

For the back I use a clip-on jogging light. I usually clip it to a zip tie which I have between the seat rails on all my bikes for that purpose.

I'm considering one of these (http://www.dinottelighting.com/DiNotte_Lighting_Ultra_Tail_Light.htm). Check out the insane light signature on the left.

Been using a Cygo Lite Explorer for my mtb and commuting for about 6 years now. On average I got about 2 hours on one beam. About 1.5 hours on both. Since it is handlebar mount only, it worked great in straight aways, sucked in turns. So I got a Princeton Eos for the helmet. On the trails, I'll have it on high beam. On the streets, I have it in blinky mode. These little lights have a 60 hour run time on one set of batteries. Friend say its my "Mercedes" light,since it has a blue tint. I'm constantly getting asked if the Eos is a camera.

Just pickedup a NiteRider Evolution so my wife can ride with me on the upcoming Houston Moonlight Ramble. It came with both helmet and handlebar mounts. It has a 2 hour run time. I'll be using it more for the commuting, battery is small enough to fit in the inside wall pocket of my Timbuk2.

I really like the SL-Ld 100 strap on lites( as shown in response #7.). I strap on as many as possible. They can make a cylist look like a Christmas tree. I like them on my arms/legs so motorists get a good side profile that is well lite.

For those of you riding at night, what lights do you use/recommend? Almost all of my riding is urban and somewhat lit but it never hurts to be more visible. Also, the light needs to be easily removed and stowed.

The types of lights and opinions is literally endless.

Most agree that the new Cateye TL-LD 1000 is one of the best tailights around. It's easy to remove and only about $25-$30. There are many photos of it running at night in the forums. Take a look at the new Planet Bike "superflash" too. There are plenty of photos of it in the forums too. I paid $19 on line, for mine.


What do you want to spend for a headlight? I say spend as much as you can comfortably for safety.

How long do you need the headlight to run for?

Do you want to see the ground riding in the city lights? To see the ground in the rain, with car coming at you, and many other lights around you need a powerful light.

I run 2 cateye LD-1000's on my bike, one at the back of my rack and one clamped to the seatpost. The seatpost light is angled to point at people who might be passing me. These are awesome lights and seem pretty bombproof. I got recently a 15w Planet Bike halogen for the front and it's great for the occasional trip on the MUP at night.

I have Ascent headlight and tail light as well. The tail light is fine, but the headlight sucks and is an absolutely horrible design. DO NOT get Ascent brand head/tail light set. The cover pops off over big bumps and it's not quiclkly releasable. it is somewhat bright, and the flash goes very quickly, so it's very much a high-speed strobe.

after getting hit i dont **** around with those tiny single LEDs anymore

i gotta cateye front with a strap instead of clamp and a whatever rear red blinker like half the other people in this thread

2manybikes knows what he's talking about.

I used two Cateye HL-EL410s for a couple months. They are great little lights, but they should only be used as supplements to a primary lighting system. I didn't find them very good for commuting either because they would always turn on in my bag.

Recently I purchased the Dinotte Dual (http://www.dinottelighting.com/DiNotte_Lighting_Dual_lithium.htm), and it has been wonderful. I immediately noticed a difference in the way cars reacted to me at night. I have the dual 5w version, and I would guess you need to be going about 30 MPH to outrun it. It takes about 15 seconds to put the lights and battery on my bike, and less than half that time to take it off. It is well made and weather-proof (so far).

I think Cateye makes some wonderful tail lights and some good LED headlights too (I've heard only good things about the Double Shot), but if you want a light to be seen by and be seen I would go with a higher-end LED head light. There are also some excellent Halogen lighting systems. They are generally cheaper than comparable LED systems.

Check out this guide (http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=142723) that forum member slvoid maintains.

i have a 3-led light strapped to my helmet...that way i can see the ground right in front of me on dark streets, and if i think a driver might not see me i can shine it in their face. plus when i get off my bike it automatically comes with me, and i get to use it as a headlamp.

i use one of these in the front:
http://199.236.105.7/images/frog-led1.jpg

and one of these in the back:
http://bicyclemagic.com/smsimg/18/166lam405r.jpg
That headlight looks really cool even though it doesnt look like a headlight. Where can I get it at? :)

It looks like a sex toy to me.

You can buy them direct (http://www.knogusa.com/en-us/front.html).

http://www.performancebike.com/product_images/150/40_2128.jpg


I have never had good luck with Cat Eye lights. I have this one and it burns through batteries like crazy.

I saw someone riding with a Planet Bike Superflash last night. That is definitely going to be my next taillight. Compact, cheap, and bright as ****.

The Knog ones look nice for throwing in your bag for those times when you stay out later than planned.

I'm using a Turbocat S10 up front and it is pretty sweet.

I highly recommend the Blackburn Mars 3 (http://www.blackburndesign.com/lights.html).
http://i11.tinypic.com/2isumur.jpg
- It's incredibly bright
- It has the best side visibility of any tail light I've seen
- The clip on the back has a spur that makes it really 'stick' to bag loops
- The clip has a hole in the middle that allows you to zip-tie the light permanently to a bag loop

Can anyone recommend a place to get bar-end lights like they used to sell at Nashbar? Possibly not the most functional things, but they sure were cool.

Can anyone recommend a place to get bar-end lights like they used to sell at Nashbar? Possibly not the most functional things, but they sure were cool.

These? http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=17651&subcategory_ID=4322

They're kind of worthless.

EDITED:


http://www.performancebike.com/product_images/150/40_2128.jpg




I have this rear light and the switch button sucks. I have to keep pressing it to turn it on and off. It's got a mind of its own.

For those who have lights that tend to turn themselves on while stored in your bag or jacket, you can alleviate the problem with a paper clip and some epoxi resin.....

Had I known about this little trick a few years ago I could have saved more than a few bucks in batteries

http://www.instructables.com/id/EFA4GZAEA0EQEC1BL7/#CEAQRLVX6D8EQHO8TWY

I highly recommend the Blackburn Mars 3 (http://www.blackburndesign.com/lights.html).
http://i11.tinypic.com/2isumur.jpg
- It's incredibly bright
- It has the best side visibility of any tail light I've seen
- The clip on the back has a spur that makes it really 'stick' to bag loops
- The clip has a hole in the middle that allows you to zip-tie the light permanently to a bag loop

i second this endorsment. i forget what i paid for mine but it wasnt much and the amber lateral lenses are super visible from the side. i will catch my reflection from cars that i pass all the time. i ended up mounting mine to my seatpost because it is a little um.... long? meaning i like a light with a flatter profile for my helmet or bag, so that it sits flat against the surface and stays pointing back instead of sagging down or any which way.

while on this subject, while i was at the roger waters concert last month, my brother noticed the eyes on the giant inflatable radio controlled flying pig were actually
http://images.rei.com/media/218182.jpg

lately ive been eying mec's cheapo stuff like
http://images.mec.ca/media/Images/Products/Cycling/4007436s_v1_m56577569830473673.jpg
and
http://images.mec.ca/media/Images/Products/Cycling/5006706s_v1_m56577569830584001.jpg
3.75$CDN and 3$CDN respectively which is less than shipping. although i might just wait till i go up to vancouver and buy some SIDIs which they will NOT ship.

Just bought a Mars 3 myself. That thing is bright, plus if you ever need to throw and impromptu rave, you're set for lighting.

Cateye El 410 on the front. I like it because I can switch it between bikes quickly. I just change out the batteries every 2 months.

the LD1000s have really good side-lighting, like it actually has LEDs on the side i think

I whole heartedly agree with Tehz in that those single led things don't work for garbage. If you've ever been in a car and saw a biker with one of those they are incredibly hard to see. I think it's irresponsible to sell a light like that and give off the false impression that they will help you be more visible. They really don't do anything. You need a least a 3 led blinkie. The more the better and well if you're loaded an HID system.

Check out princetontec.com and niterider.com, also blackburn appears to make a few pretty nice luxeon lights (150+ range).

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442545731&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302692895&bmUID=1161351587418
http://images.mec.ca/media/Images/Products/Cycling/5006121s_v1_m56577569830542944.jpg

I used that light a good chunk of last winter until I got doored by a guy getting out of a cab. Broke the mount and am still trying to figure out the best way to mount that thing b/c the light itself is still fully functional and it is a great light.

+1 to Morgie's front light.
The picture doesn't show how nice and small it is.
Yet it's still brighter than a couple bigger headlights I have.

That cateye rear light is pretty good, but I use it as a secondary since it only has three LEDs.

This one with 5 LEDs is awesome and bright, and still really cheap.
http://www.cateye.com/sites/cateye/upload/products/267-og.jpg
http://www.cateye.com/en/product_detail/267


Get this! It is bright enough that you can run it during the day and draw more attention to your self.

First time out with it on the back, I felt like I was riding alone. 1 car, on the whole ride passed me in my lane!

Can anyone recommend a place to get bar-end lights like they used to sell at Nashbar? Possibly not the most functional things, but they sure were cool.

http://www.velo-orange.com/ledhaplli.html

For those of you riding at night, what lights do you use/recommend? Almost all of my riding is urban and somewhat lit but it never hurts to be more visible. Also, the light needs to be easily removed and stowed.

I use a Dinotte Ultra 5. Easy to take on/off. Small enough to put in your pocket. Expensive though.

http://www.indra.com/homepages/hairless/bicycles/riding/panasonic.front.jpg

I highly recommend the Blackburn Mars 3 (http://www.blackburndesign.com/lights.html).
http://i11.tinypic.com/2isumur.jpg
- It's incredibly bright
- It has the best side visibility of any tail light I've seen
- The clip on the back has a spur that makes it really 'stick' to bag loops
- The clip has a hole in the middle that allows you to zip-tie the light permanently to a bag loop


I too have owned one of these..well make that 3 of those. the clips on them are garbage as far as i'm concerned. the first one bounced off my bike while hitting a mild pothole the second day i had it. it turned out the clip just snapped. Blackburn has a lifetime warranty on stuff, so it was no problem at first. fast forward 3 weeks, the second clip breaks off. and then the third. The material they use for the clip is just far too brittle, especially if you are clipping it to a bag and actually use it. My bike shop just told me at that point to pick whatever light i wanted out of the qbp catalog to replace the balckburn. I'm running this one now:http://www.serfas.com/lights/lights_images/TL-2000.jpg

and for the record it is waaaaay brighter than the blackburn and you dont have to have a tiny little philips head screwdriver to change the batteries in it...that always got me about the Mars 3 (which btw retails for $18.99.

Sure it is bright as hell, but there are plenty of others that are better made...just got this one in at the shop, though no experience with it in use. SUPER BRIGHT though, and it also has a replaceable clip, so if you break it, they should be able to send you just a new clip.http://www.planetbike.com/images2/3034.jpg


-Robb

I like the Turtle lights from MEC. Cheap, bright and easy to put on and off.
http://images.mec.ca/media/Images/Products/Cycling/5006705_v1_m56577569830584003.jpg

The guys over in the commuting forum do circle jerks on the Planet Bike Superflash. They have entire threads comparing photos of different tail lights. The Superflash is definitely on of the brightest. If you want the ultimate in brightness from a production tail light you need the Dinotte though.

I'm considering one of these (http://www.dinottelighting.com/DiNotte_Lighting_Ultra_Tail_Light.htm). Check out the insane light signature on the left.

Nice. I like the fact they give you the lumens numbers. That is the unit of brightness. Wattage is dependent upon what sort of light bulb you have.

the knog frog is a nice light, just pretty small. They also make the bullfrog which is 5 leds instead of one. still pretty unobtrusive, but a bit more light. Cheers

http://www.knogusa.com/images/TOAD_white-big.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v629/mxlogik/trek_87136_05_s.jpg
I have one similar to this, a bit more slim, electrical taped under my stem.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v629/mxlogik/trek.jpg
This one is nice because I can clip on my belt or on the back of my bag
I have the for my front and it clips easily on the strap of my bag. I'd recommend that one. I couldn't find a picture for it but it looks exactly the same except its clear plastic.

http://www.serfas.com/lights/lights_images/TL-2000.jpg

had one of those, broke on me.

running one of these now:

http://www.cateye.com/sites/cateye/upload/products/267-og.jpg

keep one of these in both white and red in my bag as back-ups for myself or for a friend:

http://www.performancebike.com/product_images/400/40_2007.jpg

$12.99 for a pair from performance (http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=18826&subcategory_ID=4320#%23)

although, the first time i ordered them, the taillight didn't work so i had to send them back. kind of a hassle but they're nice to have around.

I like this one.

http://www.blt-lights.com/flaredx.htm

Anyone have experience w/ them?

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i172/High_Ram/flaredx.jpg

Multi Function LED design for Hiking, Skiing, and Cycling
7 x 16,000 MCD Super White LED’s
4 x IC Controlled functions
4000 meter (13,200 foot) visibility
Includes Clothing Clip, Handlebar Bracket, Helmet mounting strap, and Head strap for off-bike use

Anyone have experience w/ them?

Have it mounted to the old lady's basket on her cruiser. Not as bright as it could be, but certainly a nice addition to semi-lit streets. Make sure you tighten the mounting bracket though as it has a tendency to flop down when riding over bumps and point into the tire just from stock configuration.

I have a single white opticube on the front with about 200 candle power and one of those new 9 led serfas tail lights on the back

there are two types of being seen being seen when its too late and being seen well ahead or time

I hate reflectors so I only use those lights

cateye low end models will do you just fine. they're bright as hell and simple. i use these:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y44/jacob_thm/lachlel120-m.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y44/jacob_thm/cateyetlld170r.jpg

and my ex-girlfriend bought me this one last christmas, it was a BEAST but it weighed a lot and wasn't really convenient for belt/bag strapping, which is my preferred method of tail light wearing. it has two switches that each control a line of lights, side lights, 3 or 4 blinking styles, and is probably the most god-awfullly blinding tail light i've ever seen. at least i knew it worked.

i dropped it out of my bag while flying, twice in one week and it was broken beyond use. :(

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y44/jacob_thm/cateye1000.jpg

anyway so i'm on my second cat eye standard tail light and it's currently missing. sketches me out; i need to be as visible as possible riding home drunk (which i do often :\ )