Living Car Free - What kind of Lights do you use for what?

Hi all, I have been commuting by bike for about a year now and have been using the bike planet half watt Blaze front light with a super flash in the back, also by bike planet. I do most of my riding in the city with street lights.... most of the time. I hear a lot of people like hub generated lights while others think they are not bright enouhg, cost too much, turn off when at a stop, ect... Other people use expensive battery packs that go in your water bottle cage or by the bars. What are each lights best uses? I am planning on doing a 1-2 month tour and was thinking of upgrading my lights to use for commuting and touring but not sure what to get.

What kind of lights do you all use and what kind of riding are you doing? Has anyone used the new Planet Bike 1 Watt Blaze? Its the brightest light you can buy that run on standard AA batteries! Thanks!

Do you want lights that will work on a totally dark highway or trail? Or lights for street-lit areas only? How much do you want to spend?

Don't forget there's a Lighting subforum (http://www.bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=-1&f=259) here at BF.

Here is what I have..

Trek 3700 mountain bike (as seen in avatar)

Lighting wise I have a cateye 4 LED for the front that is primarily used as my headlight. I can set the strobe effect on the stretches where I need to be seen a little better. On my backpack I have a flashing blinky light and on my lower frame I have another blinky pointed at the ground flashing. I have a cateye 3.0 for beneth my seat, which is also flashing.

I have a total of 7 rear reflectors on top of all this (some are attacked to my backpack.)

If you are biking at night (and especially if you are on 4 lane highways like I am) you need to cover your ass as far as brightness.

Lights are good, but you need good relfectors to.

The Superflash is good enough for a rear light; I'm looking into an LED flashlight (not bike light) for a headlights. One of these (http://www.amazon.com/Inova-5-8-Watt-Police-Flashlight-X03-WB/dp/B0006HKO7Q/ref=pd_ts_hi_25?ie=UTF8&s=hi) would do nicely, but it's hard to find cheap rechargeable 123s.

The Superflash is good enough for a rear light; I'm looking into an LED flashlight (not bike light) for a headlights. One of these (http://www.amazon.com/Inova-5-8-Watt-Police-Flashlight-X03-WB/dp/B0006HKO7Q/ref=pd_ts_hi_25?ie=UTF8&s=hi) would do nicely, but it's hard to find cheap rechargeable 123s.

Try Two of these:

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.10727

I have another blinky pointed at the ground flashing.

Why do you have it pointed at the ground?

Probably to light up the pavement around the bike. This actually works pretty well, especially for SUV drivers who are about 30 feet up in the air!

Try Two of these:

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.10727

Thanks, I'm looking into either a few of those or one of the P7 flashlights. My bigger qualm is that DX only seems to take Paypal, which I'd rather not use. If only they took credit cards...

I know the Planet Bike 1 watt is alot brighter than the half watt. Plus when you are in the city riding, the blinking mode is the same flash pattern as the Superflash!

I use generators only. Batteries had a high failure rate especially in very low temperatures. Also a friend claims batteries have a toxic waste problem.

Modern generator lights have a capacitor that keeps an LED going when you stop. The cheapo bottle generators from Target seem to work well, but I like to use them to power the more expensive halogen lights. When the snow comes up from the streets onto the tires the bottle generators tend to slip against the wheel. I have a hub generator from Schmidt that doesn't have this problem.

Simple battery powered lights is all I need.

I've got a set of sigma x-pro endurance lights. Ebay special at $70. Bright as car lights, front and back. It might be "weird" to spend a lot of money on lights, but peace of mind is priceless.

http://www.cateye.com/en/product_detail/341
I use this it is just bright enough for me to ride on back roads.
Your results may vary.
works good as a flashlight to.

i use a shimano dynohub, the 3n71 model: http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/Shimano3N70.asp

it's relatively heavy (new 3n80 model is much lighter), but the drag is minimal, and it costs about $90, compared to $200(?) for the lighter schmidt dyno. i run it 24/7, and even for extended rides like brevets (200-600k). it probably slows me down a tiny bit, but my commute/known rides are about the same times they used to be.

i run an E6 halogen lamp in front, and a rear LED wired to the dynohub as well. the rear light (http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product-Busch-and-Muller-Busch-and-Muller-Seculite-Plus-Rear-Mudguard-Dynamo-Light-with-Standlight-(inc-cable)-552.htm) has a standlight, and stays lit for about 5 minutes after stopping. i don't mind the front light going out when stopping.

the E6 casts an amazing beam of light in complete darkness, just about as far up the road as you can see! it directs the light in a rectangle of sorts on the ground, about 4-6 feet wide. some might not like that, but i think it keeps the light where you really need it. for urban riding it doesn't really show up on the ground under street lights, but definitely is enough to catch someone's eye.

hub dynos are definitely worth checking out!

I commute in heavy traffic at night. Ergo a xenon strobe tail-light, 50 to 100 watts up front, and a Class III reflective jacket. "Anything worth doing is worth overdoing." I feel so good freezing cars in their driveways with my aircraft landing light. No complaints from the cops either.

I use B&M dyno powered lights and shimano hubs.

I have two front light main light is a Cygolite Dual Cross Pro Li-ion Version and a cateye Opti-cube for blinkie front. On High the dual cross is pretty amazing though you only get about 4-4.5 hrs in the brightest setting. On the back I have a Mars 3.0 which is nice but the three I have two of them the clips have broken and the third one side has broken but still holds with a superglue fix. Though I called Blackburn about the mars 3.0 today and they are sending me three new clips no questions asked for no charge, though they are on backorder makes me think I am not the only one breaking clips, great customer service.

I recently bought a Topeak Whitelite HP 3W (http://www.topeak.com/products/Lights/WhiteLiteHP3W) and I am very pleased with its' performance. I bought it for commuting and night rides around the city. I am yet to try it on some dirt trails. In the city, I run it on 1 watt pointed down, ten feet in front of me. When I take it out on some trails [on my new 'cross bike] I'll run the 3 watts.

My rear light is a cheap $5 blinkie. It runs on AAA batteries which last a long time. In front, I've got a Nitehawk Emitter. It puts out one watt on the low setting and 10 watts on the high setting. On high, it's got enough light to make a huge difference on dark rural roads. The low setting is great in town.

Okay, I ordered a Superflash for the tail, and a P7 (this one (http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.13060)) for the headlight. Hopefully they both come soon. Rode home without lights tonight, and much of it was too dark for comfort. Looking forward to having motorcycle-class lighting for my front!

Okay, I ordered a Superflash for the tail, and a P7 (this one (http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.13060)) for the headlight. Hopefully they both come soon. Rode home without lights tonight, and much of it was too dark for comfort. Looking forward to having motorcycle-class lighting for my front!
One of my pet peeves about cyclists is that they use lights that are too bright and shine them in their fellow cyclists eyes. I notice this not in DC but in the rich suburbs. If I'm riding at night out on the suburban trails just as my eyes adjust to the low light levels some jerk coming the other way stabs me in the eyes and I have to slow down while my eyes recover. You don't need motorcycle-class lighting to travel 15 miles per hour, but you can use it to bother fellow cyclists and make their journey less safe.

I use B&M dyno powered lights and shimano hubs.

3 out of my 5 are set up this way. The new LED generator powered lights from B&M are sweet. I also use several different battery light from Planet Bike with the Superflash being the most common, I think I have 4 of those. I also have one bike with a bottom bracket mount generator, it does well in all but the most inclement weather. I prefer the generator lights because they are attached to the bike and are one less thing to worry about. Another reason I like the Dutch style wheel locks with the optional chain...

Aaron:)

I recently switched to a SON28 hub and Supernova E3 light, and I couldn't be happier with moving away from batteries. I don't have to remember to plug in my lights every night, and I don't worry about riding longer than 2.5 hours since I don't have battery life as a constraint on my riding any more.
In back, I use a couple of PBSF blinkies. On my helmet I zip tied a Petzl Tikka hiker's light (3 LED, low power) for reading my computer and/or checking route sheets.

You don't need motorcycle-class lighting to travel 15 miles per hour, but you can use it to bother fellow cyclists and make their journey less safe.

In as much as you wouldn't assume cars capable of traveling at 100mph are incapable of traveling at less than 100mph, or that motorcycles with high beams are incapable of using anything but high beams, perhaps you shouldn't assume cyclists with bright lights are incapable of adapting them to their surroundings (that means modes other than high), or directing them beyond the sightlines of oncoming cyclists (that means pointing them down, left, up, or right). It's kind of a pet peeve of mine when people make generalizations about things they're uncomfortable with.

I recently bought a Topeak Whitelite HP 3W (http://www.topeak.com/products/Lights/WhiteLiteHP3W) and I am very pleased with its' performance. I bought it for commuting and night rides around the city. I am yet to try it on some dirt trails. In the city, I run it on 1 watt pointed down, ten feet in front of me. When I take it out on some trails [on my new 'cross bike] I'll run the 3 watts.

I'm curious what kind of run time you get with the 3W Topeak. I'm assuming you use the battery pack with it. I purchased a Dual Cross Pro, but I've sent it to CygoLite because it has a charging problem. If it comes back and provides good service I'll probably keep it because it gives out awesome light, even with the optional diffusers added onto it. I considered the Topeak for it's cool looks, but the Cygolite won me over for the output it provides. Although it may be overkill, the Topeak would be a nice backup light since I do most of my riding at night.

So far, I just run it on 1 watt. The manual says 2.5 hours on 3 watts, 6 hours on 1 watt and 10 hours on blink mode. Of course the burn times will vary due to usage patterns, temperature and battery condition. The on/off/mode button will flash red, letting me know when to replace the batteries. I think I have about 2 hours usage on 1 watt.

When I received the light from bikesomewhere.com, I found that the supplied Sanyo batteries were duds. So I bought a 2-pack of Energizers for $10. The next day I called customer service at bikesomewhere, and told them about the batteries. They refunded me the $10 I had spent on the Energizers! Talk about serving the customers. :D

I forgot to add that I purchased some batteries from dealextreme. For less than $10, I can get 5 times as much. Of course, battery voltage will vary.

I have the PB Superflash on the back, which works pretty well, and a battery-powered LED Cateye HL/EL 220 headlight in the front. It's bright enough for me to ride in total darkness at about 15 mph or less; it's good enough close in, but the beam doesn't carry too far. However, it's very visible from far away, which is more important for city riding. I wouldn't recommend using it out in the country, although I've used it on totally unlit MUPs lots of times without any trouble. The battery life with both of my lights is really good. I ride in the dark quite a lot, being car-free and all, and fond of going out, and after almost a year, I have yet to change the battery in the Superflash. The Cateye headlight is supposed to be good for 100-200 hours of use, but, since I use rechargeable batteries, it's more like 50-60, which is still not bad. I use a trickle charger, and have a few extra sets of batteries lying around at all times, so I don't need to buy new ones all the time, and more importantly, no longer have to deal with disposing of spent ones.

I thought about getting generator lights, but decided against them, because the simple little battery LEDs work adequately, and I'm carrying enough stuff with me already.

So far, I just run it on 1 watt. The manual says 2.5 hours on 3 watts, 6 hours on 1 watt and 10 hours on blink mode. Of course the burn times will vary due to usage patterns, temperature and battery condition. The on/off/mode button will flash red, letting me know when to replace the batteries. I think I have about 2 hours usage on 1 watt.

When I received the light from bikesomewhere.com, I found that the supplied Sanyo batteries were duds. So I bought a 2-pack of Energizers for $10. The next day I called customer service at bikesomewhere, and told them about the batteries. They refunded me the $10 I had spent on the Energizers! Talk about serving the customers. :D

I forgot to add that I purchased some batteries from dealextreme. For less than $10, I can get 5 times as much. Of course, battery voltage will vary.

Thanks for the information on the Topeak 3W run time. I'd think you'd do better with rechargable batteries if you're not using one of the Topeak li-ion battery pack. It would also cut down on what goes into landfill, too, but that's just me. Yes, BikeSomeWhere.com is GREAT! I order stuff from them all the time, and I always get fast shipping, and great customer service for any product issues. Plus, their prices are the same as what they charge if you order from them on Amazon.com. Another great dealer is Niagara Cycle Works. They usually have the best prices on Amazon.com, and charge the same price either through their website, or Amazon.com.

Ride Happy :thumb:

How are people attaching these high power LED flashlights to their bikes? Does it work well?

Twofish Lock Blocks (http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/LK407F00-Twofish+Lock+Blocks.aspx)

Does it work well? Never tried it. To be honest, I wouldn't trust velcro straps to secure a LED flashlight. Especially the kind of riding I do and where.

How are people attaching these high power LED flashlights to their bikes? Does it work well?

perhaps O rings

Twofish Lock Blocks (http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/LK407F00-Twofish+Lock+Blocks.aspx)

Does it work well? Never tried it. To be honest, I wouldn't trust velcro straps to secure a LED flashlight. Especially the kind of riding I do and where.

I've been waiting over two months for Jenson USA to get those Twofish Lock blocks in stock. I'm wondering if they stopped making them. Of course, I want them to mount my pump, not a flashlight.

I've been waiting over two months for Jenson USA to get those Twofish Lock blocks in stock. I'm wondering if they stopped making them. Of course, I want them to mount my pump, not a flashlight.

I used on of these (http://www.jandd.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=FPT) when I had a Blackburn frame pump. The strap held the pump nice and tight, with no play during rough rides and/or sudden jolts.

Superflash in back, MEC Shark 1watt LED in front. Both are for city - I have a weaker halogen that I like on unlit trails (relatively low speed) - I find that the blue light from LED's washes out my night vision.

How are people attaching these high power LED flashlights to their bikes? Does it work well?

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.8274 is what I'm using.

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.13004 is also an option,
but much more expensive, so it makes sense to try the cheaper one first.