Fifty Plus (50+) - Do you ride at night? What lights? Front & rear?

Do you ride at night? What lights? Front & rear?

I commute to work and leave my house at 0500. In the winter it’s dark when I return home. I use Niterider Minewt 400 Dual and a CherryBomb in the rear. Also a cheaper flashing LED on the back of my helmet.
I like a lot of lights, makes it easy for the drunk drivers to track me.

http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs125.snc1/5371_118354714206_752644206_2166388_3615899_n.jpg

For commuting, I use two Dinotte 200L headlights in front. Dinotte tail-light in the back. In the winter I'm commuting in the dark, both ways, 20 miles round trip. Most of my trip has no streetlights so it's in total darkness, part of it on a windy road with poor visibility. The super-bright Dinotte tail light makes me feel very safe.

There is plenty of info on the Dinottes at Bikeforums - one of the things I like about them is the rubber-o-ring mounting system makes them very easy to move around from bike to bike. I also can change the aim of them quite easily during my commute...part of my commute is on a bike path, when I want to keep them from blinding other riders, and part of my commute is on the road, when I need a lot more visibility.

Most of the rest of the year I have a Planet Bike Superflash that I can put on my bike or bike bag if it gets rainy ,foggy or gloomy. On some rides during the day I may also take my Dinotte tail light if I think visiblity is going to be poor.

I don't ride road bikes after dusk but I do have rear blinker lights in my road bikes that I turn on as dusk approaches. I have one MTB with headlights to see the trail so I don't run into Bambi when I ride a trail after dusk.

I only ride off road after dark, mostly on fire roads with a few connector trails. When I do, I use two Dinotte 200L lights on the bar and one 400L on my helmet. I have a flashing or solid red blinky for the rear but nothing too bright because I don't expect to see cars.

Yes, I ride at night (sometimes because it's the coolest part of the day, sometimes to commute, sometimes just because it switches things up a bit). I ride with a Cygolite DualCross Pro and a couple of Princeton Tech Swerve rear lights.

Cygolite MityCross 350. One terrific light. Planetbike Superflash

I like to start mountain rides early in the morning. I have a Light and Motion Seca 700 for the front, and a DiNotte 400R taillight. Both work well. The DiNotte is an especially elegant unit: small, light and very effective.

I use those 60X brighter LED flashlights(great distance and really bright) at Lowes with some bike store blinkies in back.

Don

For commuting, I use two Dinotte 200L headlights in front. Dinotte tail-light in the back.

This is my setup as well, with the addition of secondary taillight.

If I didn't ride at night, I'd never get home from work for half the year.

I do group rides through the winter and some days the entire ride is in the dark. I'll also start some daytime rides early before the sun comes up. For a front light I use a Niterider Minute 2 and have a blinker attached to the seat bag and wear a small blinker on the back of my helmet. Late last year one of the riding buddies got lights for his wheels. They really looked cool and probably provided some safety from the side.

Used to go offroad and one thing we learnt very quickly is that you can only ride to the capabilities of your lights. Offroad downhills with our lights were limited to about 25mph till we got a more powerfull lamp. On the flat and not too bad and as I found out- you can even turn the lights off on the uphill sections to save batteries.

Doesn't matter what light you have- how expensive- how powerfull or how good a reputation it has. Lamps can run out of battery or even fail. I still fit a "Spare" front lamp to the bike when night riding and it can come in usefull towards the end of a long ride. Rear lamps and always fit two. You can't see them and if one falls off or fails- and you only have one- you have no rear lamp.

But by far the best lamp you will ever get is a helmet lamp. May not be legal for road use but invluable for seeing round corners- looking at direction signs or notes and for repairing the bike if necessary.

My main lamp is good- probably too good for the road but it does have a low- medium and high setting. It is a twin 5w luxion LED lamp and LED's are the way to go for on road- providing you get the right type. If you just want to be seen- then one with a flashing mode will work. If you want to see- then get at Least 3w. If talking about the "Old" Halogen- then 10w and you can see well enough but more will be better.

I like to get out on the road at 4:30 or 5 am, so most of the year I'm out in the dark. I use two Fenix LD2 (http://www.fenixlight.com/viewproduct.asp?id=44) flashlights. These are Q5 LED's and put out a fair amount of light. I like the fact that they run on AA batteries, and I have a set on the charger virtually all the time. I don't like the short run time which makes it necessary to have a set on the charger virtually all the time.

This was taken about nine months ago and shows how I have them:

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c282/panhead74/bikespeak%20pix/cockpit.jpg

On the back - PB Superflash blinkie.

Front: L&M arc
Rear: cateye TL1000
Front forks: blinking safety lights

In pack, flashing and bungee for front light if emergency. Never had to use thought, just paranoid.

Occasionally, I will have a driver blink headlights at me, but generally they don't as I have it aimed about
150' down the road.

My schedule has changed and I miss the fun night riding.

Yes, I ride at night. Sometimes I ride ALL night. As a randonneur, I'm not fast enuf not to. I use a B&M IQ Fly headlight powered by a Shimano DH-3N71 dynamo front hub, two Planet Ultra Superflash blinkies, and reflective tape galore: front back and sides. Everything works just fine. If money were no object, I'd replace the Shimano dynohub with a Schmide SON20R, and the headlight w/ a Schmidt Edeluxe. But money IS an object (else why would I be at work right now?), so I'll keep what I've got until it poops out or my ship comes in (in which case, I'll probably be at the airport).

SP
Bend, OR

I have a DiNotte 200L on the front and another on my helmet. I've got 2 Planet Bike SuperFlashes on the back and a regular blinker on the back of my helmet. I've also got a purple dual-tube Down Low Glow for side visibility. When I remember to put batteries in them, I've also got firefly lights on my valve stems.

My commute is 18 miles each way, partially on path but mostly on roads. Visibility is very important to me.

One cool thing is that the Down Low Glow really spreads light out to the sides. I've got my own little pool of light moving with me as I ride. Very cool on the path when I'm all alone.

Dinotte 600L on the bars, 200L on the helmet, 140L rear light. Reflective Zinglet and reflective bands on wrists and ankles. I feel safer at night than in the daylight.

I ride at night mostly on double centuries. On the recent Mt. Tam double we were in the dark for about an hour and a half in both the morning and the night segments.

I started with a Planet Bike Beemer on the front and Planet Bike flashing light on the back. I had my Princeton Tech Switchback sent to the light drop; so put that on in Petaluma, about 35 miles from the finish. Put the Beemer in my pocket, just in case.

The Beemer is adequate, but no more, whilst the Princeton Tech is quite bright, safe on fast descents and while not quite as bright as my Nite-Rider Blow-Torch, the battery and light on the Princeton Tech are significantly lighter than the Nite-Rider.

Also at the light drop I added another small flashing light (Cat-Eye) to my Camelback (in addiiton to the still-fitted Planet Bike flasher). If there is a light-transfer (usually taking your lights from the first checkpoint to the last), then I'll use the Princeton Tech for both early morning (we started Mt. Tam at 4:00 AM) and night portions (we finished at 9:45 PM).

Back when I used to be a Ranndoneur I used a Sanyo (rear tire drive) generator to power head (Union Halogen) and tail-lights, but that was the late 80's and early 90's. Lights have improved so much since then!

Rick / OCRR

I ride in the evening all winter and use a Cygolite Trion. Self contained SUPER bright 600 lumens light. Battery it integratred into light so no dangling battery pack. Planet bike super flasher for the rr.

I have one or two Planet Bike Superflash on the back. I'm still working on an ideal light for the front; the one I now have is bright enough to be seen and illuminate some areas, but not bright enough for very dark areas.

I'd also like to get a helmet light.

So whats more important to you, To see or be seen?

So whats more important to you, To see or be seen?

If you can use the lights to see, you will be seen.

I only ride at night if I get caught away from home when it gets dark. I use a small LED light front and a blinky in the back. Both will easily fit in my jersey so if I am going to be out in the afternoon and I might get back towards dusk I can pop the light on and get home. I have only tried night riding one time on purpose and I simply didn’t enjoy the experience so I don’t plan night rides.

I love to ride at night. I am not a commuter, so I can pick my evenings and time. That said....

I have a Trustfire P7 on the front that is always turned on whenever the bike moves, day or night. I have a Vetta on the back use a Vetta helmet light with some spoke lights front and rear. At night I will wear a vest as well.

I believe I am very safe at night in my small community of 15K. I use alternative routes whenever possible.

This was taken about nine months ago and shows how I have them:


Hey Zoste,
I understand redundant lights, but what's with the redundant computers?
Enquiring minds want to know...

So whats more important to you, To see or be seen?

I've always felt it was more important to be seen. You can adapt your riding speed and technique to ambient conditions, but you have no control over the guy who is just like you, except he's behind a wheel. EVERYBODY in a cage is in their own little world - even cyclists. ("Cage" is biker for 4-wheeled motorized conveyance.) Therefore, whatever it takes to get their attention is worth doing. Back in the day I rode with a day-glo yellow vest and an orange flag. If they were laughing at me - it meant they had noticed me!

In some ways we may be more safe riding at night, as long as the batteries hold out, since even if the bicycle and rider aren't immediately recognized, the moving and blinking lights stand out against the dark.

So, bright enough to light your path AND be visible over the ambient glow serves both purposes. :thumb:

Now I'm going to run a search on the Dinotte lights that so many of you tout. I've never seen them, but with the days growing shorter our early morning rides could use a little more illumination.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c282/panhead74/bikespeak%20pix/cockpit.jpg

geez I knew those flashlights were bright but that's ridiculous. bright as the day! :D

Dinotte 400L front handlebars
Dinotte 200L front helmet
PB Superflash rear Helmet
2 blinkies on rear rack/pannier

as someone said earlier... helps the drunks track me.. :twitchy:

:)

Well...I did say that they threw a fair amount of light...

;)

No too dark out.

For years, I did predawn training rides. Lights have 2 purposes. One is to illuminate the road. If you need this in your area, you need a pretty strong and expensive light. The other reason is to make yourself visible to motorists. Blinkies work well in this regard. I always rode with 2 rear blinkies. Having a front blinkie and your head light is a good idea. Human eyes just notice blinking lights better than steady lights. I had a real beast of a head light on one morning (an 80 watt HID) when I was run over head on by an SUV. The guy decided to drive on the wrong side of the road prior to turning left. I think a cheap little blinkie just might have caught his eye. But considering the driver, maybe not. I could have been on a steam calliope with flares and sprinklers and he might not have seen me. And yes, he was sober.

I use a Soubitez BB mount generator system with front and rear halogen lights. Also an LED blinky tailight for when I'm stopped.

Pricey, but you could consider one of the newer LED dive lights. A sample of what is available can be seen here: http://www.diverite.com/

Believe me when you turn on an LED500 or 700 you Can See and Be Seen!

I bought one of those flashlights for my daughter for camp, and she blinded everyone else when she turned it on. Those things are bright, too bright for some uses, like finding the bathroom and waking up the whole cabin.

If you can use the lights to see, you will be seen.

Don't you believe it. Not only from my own personal experience but if it is Dark- no street lamps and You want to be seen- then "Good" lights will suffice. However under street lighting- We have got lost in the Cars- Shop lights and general lighting conditions. What you need is something to attract others attention.(By others I also mean pedestrians) Best one I have seen is a Helmet lamp that is probably only about a 1/2watt in power. It has a green tinge to it and the riders head movement draws my eye to it. Flashing lamps that are not too powerful have the same effect.

It seems that Dinotte's are very popular. I start my rides in the very early morning hours, so am thinking that one of these lights might be a good investment.
The handlebar installation seems very simple. Where does the battery pack go? If attached to the top tube, is it immobile, so it won't slide, etc.?
Thanks for the info.

I bought one of those flashlights for my daughter for camp, and she blinded everyone else when she turned it on. Those things are bright, too bright for some uses, like finding the bathroom and waking up the whole cabin.

They are bright for sure. As you discovered they are not toys for kid games, or adult games for that matter.

Unlike their HID cousins they can be safely used above water.

To me unless it is brighter than the sun no light is too much when it comes to navigating the night.

It seems that Dinotte's are very popular. I start my rides in the very early morning hours, so am thinking that one of these lights might be a good investment.
The handlebar installation seems very simple. Where does the battery pack go? If attached to the top tube, is it immobile, so it won't slide, etc.?
Thanks for the info.


See my review thread (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=357328) from 2 years ago, with pictures.

I like the AA version of the Dinotte, since I can carry extra battery sets, and I buy a new set (for $11.00) about once a year, so they keep a full 3 hour runtime on high. Older batteries slowly lose capacity.

The blinking patterns are very good during the daytime, too

It seems that Dinotte's are very popular. I start my rides in the very early morning hours, so am thinking that one of these lights might be a good investment.
The handlebar installation seems very simple. Where does the battery pack go? If attached to the top tube, is it immobile, so it won't slide, etc.?
Thanks for the info.

curdog I purchased a Dinotte light based on many good reviews. However I am not convinced that it is all that everyone says. Battery life is short so I am always charging batteries, run time on high is less than 2 hours. carry an extra set of batteries with you.The connector wire from the light to the batter seems fragile and is wired into the light as opposed to plugged in. the battery carrying case leaves a lot to be desired seems very cheaply made. I find the helmet mount worthless. I am sure I will get a lot of flack from those who praise Dinotte but for the money I don't think it is worth it.
Just my 2 cents worth.

I just went back and read the rm-rf post and he does make some good points. The blinky sequence is very good and the notch on the base of the light helps to secure the light to the bar but the rubber pad on mine was lost after about the first week. Not a big deal but still for the price I expect a little more. I do like the fenix lights and would recommend them.
:cheers:

Cygolite Trion 600. I too ride all winter with plenty of lumination.

I perch a small Screech Owl on my handlebars. He can see everything no matter how dark. Problem solved. ;)

http://manitougardenmarket.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/eastern_screech_owl1.jpg

^
That gave me an idea!

I knew my cat was good for something other than stalking the dog...

I am blown away by the MagicShine I just got. Under $100, bright as all get out, purchased through GeoMan, who posts lot in BF and gets good reviews for service.

This light is brighter than my wife's Light and Motion Stella 200L, which is very bright but costs more than twice as much. Last night a neighbor called to me from up the road to ask about my light. "I thought you were a car" he said.

Check the threads in Electronics.

Night rides are mystical. I ride the dark hours because of the peace and quiet, in the summer for comfort. The dangers are drunk drivers. So stay lit and reflective. Keep your ears open, no ear phones while riding. Hear what's behind you.

Night rides are mystical.

like the avatar. Godzilla carries it's own light...

opps forget light setup.

Dinotte 400L on handlebars, Dinotte 200L on helmet, PB Superflash back of helmet, a wider PB blinky on rear rack, fluorescent vest with a NiteEyz? sp? blinky attached. did I forget any? these old eyes need lots of light so the more the merrier. am going to add one more blinky to the pannier pack. am also considering more powerful rear light just not there yet.

I only do short rides at night, mostly in town, so I use a Vega usually on high and aimed a bit low, and a PB Superflash in the back. Mrs. Road Fan also has a Vega, and uses a Cateye LD1000 flashing in back. I have a second LD1000 which I would use on my bike, but it won't mount on a seatstay.

First off, the only tail light to absolutely have to have day and night when sharing the road with cars is the Dinotte, the rest are pretenders, including the Superflash. It's pricey, but worth it big time. As good as the Cateye LD1000 is, the Dinotte even puts it to shame.

That being said, I use a Superflash on the helmet with the Dinotte. For the front, my commute is only 30-40 minutes so run time isn't an issue so a P7 does the trick. Also a Fenix Q5 on the helmet.

I use both a Lights & Motion Solo Logic and a Cyrolite Night Rover up front. Either can provide ample light for 20 mph and can be seen for 200 yards. Two systems allow me to switch to back-up as the batteries begin to deplete.

I use two Planet Bike Superflash in the back.

The problem with lights and drunks is that drunks stare at bright things and hit them. Keep the REAR RED on flashing. Flashing lights are a sobering thing when your holding or drunk. Er-they used to be, aa, back, way back. Motrin is now my recreational drug.

I am surprised that no one uses the DX $10 red led flashlight. It runs off one 18650 and it's insanely bright.
On the front I have a P7 and a Dinotte 200L.
PBSF on the rear for backup.

Hey Zoste,
I understand redundant lights, but what's with the redundant computers?
Enquiring minds want to know...

Just noticed this post (I'm not too observant sometimes). That photo was taken just after I got the Garmin and hadn't gotten around to taking the old computer off :)



I am blown away by the MagicShine I just got. Under $100, bright as all get out, purchased through GeoMan, who posts lot in BF and gets good reviews for service.

This light is brighter than my wife's Light and Motion Stella 200L, which is very bright but costs more than twice as much. Last night a neighbor called to me from up the road to ask about my light. "I thought you were a car" he said.

Check the threads in Electronics.

I also recently got the Magicshine, and it just blows away those Q5 Fenix flashlights. A great light at a great price.

I think I recounted this in an earlier thread on this subject, but I was pulled over by a policeman while riding with Dinotte's front and rear. He just wanted to know what the lights were and commented that he wished everybody used them. There are cheaper solutions out there. It's your life...