Next month there's a ride in San Diego I think might be fun: Midnight Madness (http://www.sandiegomidnightmadness.org/). Problem is, I don't have lights on the bike -- BUT -- I don't want to go whole hog because I don't see myself riding at night very much. In this instance, there will be a couple of hundred riders, so all I have to do is meet the minimum requirement of having a light in front and back, but it can be El Cheapo as far as I'm concerned.

Any suggestions? I might even do this on the Cypress, rather than on Ruby Roubaix... :)

Spend $20-$30 on a Cateye LED headlight and put a Planet Bike Super Flash on the back (similar price).

??tape a flashlight on top of you helmet and get a cheapo blinker for the back??

Gee,
How about a backpacker's headlamp on your helmet? If you don't have one, it should be <$30 at REI and will have many other future uses.

Get an even cheaper bell Blinkie for the back at Wally World and use two small hose clamps to mount a 3 watt LED mini mag flash for a headlight, also available at Wally World. Works amazingly well for something amazingly cheapo.

Get an even cheaper bell Blinkie for the back at Wally World and use two small hose clamps to mount a 3 watt LED mini mag flash for a headlight, also available at Wally World. Works amazingly well for something amazingly cheapo.
+1
I removed a 20-watt Halogen lighting system and replaced it with a Mini-Mag 3-watt LED flashlight. It's simple, low in weight, and no battery pack taking up space in one of my much needed bottle cages. The Mag-Lite flashlight provides enough light for my needs. I used an old blinkie handlebar clamp and a 1/2" EMT conduit clamp so the flashlight can be easily removed and installed. It's very handy while working on the bike at night and around the house as well. Presently the 2AA battery version is on clearance sale for $19 at Wal-mart. I also use the $8 Bell blinkie as well. It's been on the rear of my bike for over a year and serving well with no problems encountered over 1,000 miles of hard use.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r154/n4zou/swingpipe.jpg

If you have an "AA" Mini Maglite, your local hardware should carry a head band mount for it.

Just found out they're expecting 1500 - 1800 riders. My first group ride in twenty five years, and it begins at midnight! :D

Just found out they're expecting 1500 - 1800 riders. My first group ride in twenty five years, and it begins at midnight! :D


With all them riders you wont need a light, just kidding, I picked up a cheap Serfas, have fun.:D

With all them riders you wont need a light, just kidding, I picked up a cheap Serfas, have fun.:D
I agree, actually, but they won't let you participate without lights and a helmet. Sanity is optional, so there's no problem there.

I just put the Planet Bike Beamer 5 on my bike. Got it for $20 on sale from a LBS. It worked well in the tunnel tonight. It was easy to mount and clips on and off very easily too.

http://ecom1.planetbike.com/3033.html

Can't say how well it works vis a vis the Mini-Mag, probably not as bright, but it had high ease of use and I like buying Planet Bike products.

How about a lava lamp? http://www.simply70s.com/lavalampimages/5225.jpg

I have a hub generator, but I like the flashlight idea a lot. That bar is really cool.

Problem with hub generators is that they don't work when you're stopped.

I have the UltraFazer 5.0 (http://www.blueskycycling.com/product3109_9_-NiteRider-Ultrafazer-5.0-Headlight.htm) on my bike, I like it a lot.

REI also has it.

Have you looked at lights in the 99 cent stores and their cousins lately?

Three LED rear blinkies for a buck...headlight with 7 LEDS for $3.50...another headlight for $1.25...

I put them on my "extra" bikes just in case I get caught after dark. Don't know how long they'll last but at that price?

So, what did you get? We picked up a flyer for the Midnight Madness at the local running store today, and I thought I remember you saying you were thinking of participating. It sounds like fun.

So, what did you get? We picked up a flyer for the Midnight Madness at the local running store today, and I thought I remember you saying you were thinking of participating. It sounds like fun.

I haven't gotten anything yet, but I haven't been out and about shopping yet. I did glance at some stuff at Target, of all places, and they had a couple of different cheap light sets. I figure I can get away with something pretty cheap because, after all, I'll be surrounded by 1,500 riders, so it's not likely that I'll be invisible. If I do the ride, I'll post back about what I used and how it went, and whether everything I know about pie changes with night rides. :D

Big advantage of getting a respectable light is that you can use it off the bike as a torch.

Obviously you will not need a powerfull lamp for the front but a Halogen will give a better light than an LED for home use.

And you will be able to check over the roubaix for thorns in the tyres-They stand out a mile. Another bit that stands out a mile when the light comes from adfiffernt angle are those bits of dirt you missed when polishing the frame.

Hey I just did a night ride with about thirty people that went from art gallery to art gallery and I had this blinkie set...

http://ecom1.planetbike.com/3035.html

It was perfectly adequate. Planet Bike makes really good quality lights. Not sure of the technology but they are very compact, sturdy and very bright.

+1
I removed a 20-watt Halogen lighting system and replaced it with a Mini-Mag 3-watt LED flashlight. It's simple, low in weight, and no battery pack taking up space in one of my much needed bottle cages. The Mag-Lite flashlight provides enough light for my needs. I used an old blinkie handlebar clamp and a 1/2" EMT conduit clamp so the flashlight can be easily removed and installed. It's very handy while working on the bike at night and around the house as well. Presently the 2AA battery version is on clearance sale for $19 at Wal-mart. I also use the $8 Bell blinkie as well. It's been on the rear of my bike for over a year and serving well with no problems encountered over 1,000 miles of hard use.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r154/n4zou/swingpipe.jpg


Thats nice.....................as far as the Bell Blinky goes, got 2, love em.($8)

Get an even cheaper bell Blinkie for the back at Wally World...

T-Mans blinkie for the back works well. It can be seen from at least a block away even in daylight.