Commuting - Light recommendation

Can someone recommend me a decent setup for night riding?

I've been going through amazon and looking at a bunch of lights, but some seem crazy expensive and I can't really tell what makes one better than the other.

I need a flashlight in the front becuase part of my ride is on a trail with no lights at night. And I need some indicators on my back because I do ride on a part of a road with very little shoulder at night.

I really don't want to spend so much money on lights, as I don't know how often I will actually be able to commute so I don't need anything crazy fancy.

Rechargable does sound good to me tho.

Amazon I found this: http://www.amazon.com/LIGHT-FRONT-NITERIDER-MINEWT-INDICATOR/dp/B001DUBT1U/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=cycling&qid=1269890504&sr=1-3 which seems relaly good but also 100 dollars! Anyone recommend some sort of package that would get me some savings?

For the back I found this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000XHGE00/ref=pd_luc_mri?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER


While I am at it. Good fender for a road bike?

$100 is a very bargain price point for good front/rear lights. You want a light which gets you noticed (front and back) and one which you can see with (front).

For the rear, the Planet Bike Superflash is my personal favourite 'bang for the buck' light. You can get one for $20 - $25 and they're worth every cent.

For the front, many people are touting the benefits of the MagicShine flashlight. I've never used one, but plenty of people seem to like them.

That MiNewt/Superflash combo for $130 on Amazon (from your link) is a pretty good deal, IMO.

Lights are probably one of the foremost examples on bikes of "you get what you pay for" when it comes to bike stuffs.

Since you're on a budget I'll recommend these:

Get a Magicshine 900 for your front. You can find them on eBay or from geomangear.com (he's highly reputed as far as I've ever heard, I've never dealt with him though). Rechargeable, and quite bright. The only complaint I've heard is that the light isn't 100% waterproof, and it's best to dry it off as soon as you get done riding so that water doesn't seep in. This will cost ~$100 after shipping, and is probably brighter than the low-end Niterider you just linked.

For your rear, I'd recommend a Planet Bike Super Flash (commonly abbreviated to PBSF). These cost ~$25 and are adequately bright. They're not rechargeable but have a good battery life. Don't mess around with one of those tiny single LED blinkies. They're cute and minimal, but no where near bright/obnoxious enough to get you noticed. Definitely bright enough for people to see you. If you want to increase your visibility, I can personally recommend DiNotte's rear lights (they are rechargeable). They're absolutely blinding, and it forces people to notice you. There are Youtube videos comparing the PBSF to the DiNotte and the DiNotte blows it out of the water. However, even the cheapest model of the DiNotte tail light costs five times more than the PBSF, and the next step up is almost ten times as expensive.

As far as fenders, I own a pair of Planet Bike Cascadias and I love them. They're cheap (about $45ish), they're sturdy, they're quiet, and they come with a really nice mudflap to stop water from spraying your feet.

Pffft! Clifton beat me to the punch. Truth is, both lights are highly regarded across bikeforums.net and have been tested extensively. You can't go wrong with either of them.

Search "geoman magicshine". It seems to be the best bargain for front light from Geoman Gear. The downside is it appears not to be water proof, or perhaps just the battery isn't water proof.

The planet bike superflash is highly rated for the rear.

Sorry to repeat information. Others beat me to it.

"magicshine" from geomangear.com
http://www.geomangear.com/index.php?main_page=product_reviews_info&products_id=138&reviews_id=8

for the rear: "planet bike super flash" at most bike shops
http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Bike-Blinky-eXtreme-Bicycle/dp/B000KBEH1W/ref=sr_1_1/192-1606178-7429914?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1269892675&sr=1-1

'nuff said

Really, I think the more you spend the happier you'll be with the light. I used to use a Cateye EL-510 that I got for about $35 on eBay. That was a pretty good light to be seen and it was marginally OK in areas with no other light, but on unlighted streets with cars coming in the opposite direction, I couldn't see a thing. This year I got a Dinotte 200L-AA and I've been very happy with it. It's much brighter than the Cateye and has been bright enough for my purposes. On an unlit MUP, I've spotted a gray cat and the black pavement from ~100 yards. Another thing that's great about the Dinotte is that the light it produces is very even. The Cateye had a single bright spot in the center of a broader field of dimmer light. With the Dinotte no such spot is discernable.

For a visual of what kind of difference various levels of lighting makes, check out this link:

http://planetbike.com/page/learn/lightfinder

Thanks for the all the help. I will deff go for that Planet Bike light, as I have one of their computers and I liked their product a lot.

The magicshine looks good, but how un waterproof is it? I mean you never know when You will be caught in a rainstorm that you thought wasn't supposed to happen later in the day. LIke is it ok to ride in the rain, but then just dry it off?

That Nite Rider MiNewt USB light is great - you really can't go wrong with it. It is fairly water proof; I've not had any troubles with it in a heavy rain.

I second the PBSF.

[QUOTE=Andy_K]Really, I think the more you spend the happier you'll be with the light.[QUOTE]

I strongly disagree with that. Go to the Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets forum and check out the The best headlights under $50 thread (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?435347-The-best-headlights-under-50-thread). You say your on a budget and don't want to spend a crazy amount on a light. You can get a excellent Cree flashlight for 1/4 of what some of the bicycle-specific lights cost. And they'll be brighter. You'll be seen. And they light up the road in front of you. And some of them don't get washed out in streetlights. I've had my Romissen RC-N3 for 2 years now. It's handled -14 to 80 degrees. And still going strong. It's 110 lumens. The newer ones are 220 lumens for the same price. I had a Cateye HL-EL 500 Opticube which was junk compared to the Romissen. You'll be amazed at what $25 can get you. You can get a handlebar mount for about $15 or make one out of a used innertube. That's what I use and it works great. Don't believe all you hear. You don't have to spend $200 or $100 on a light. For what your looking for. A Cree Flashlight will surpass your expectations.

If you want to go budget, Costco has a pair of Cree LED flashlights for $15 (run one on high to see and one on flash to be seen). Add a couple of Two Fishes style holders (V2 brand are under $4 each with shipping on eBay), a PBSF and some rechargeable batteries and you're set. Here is a shot of the flashlight and holder:

143960

[QUOTE=Andy_K]Really, I think the more you spend the happier you'll be with the light.[QUOTE]

I strongly disagree with that. Go to the Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets forum and check out the The best headlights under $50 thread (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?435347-The-best-headlights-under-50-thread). You say your on a budget and don't want to spend a crazy amount on a light. You can get a excellent Cree flashlight for 1/4 of what some of the bicycle-specific lights cost. And they'll be brighter. You'll be seen. And they light up the road in front of you. And some of them don't get washed out in streetlights. I've had my Romissen RC-N3 for 2 years now. It's handled -14 to 80 degrees. And still going strong. It's 110 lumens. The newer ones are 220 lumens for the same price. I had a Cateye HL-EL 500 Opticube which was junk compared to the Romissen. You'll be amazed at what $25 can get you. You can get a handlebar mount for about $15 or make one out of a used innertube. That's what I use and it works great. Don't believe all you hear. You don't have to spend $200 or $100 on a light. For what your looking for. A Cree Flashlight will surpass your expectations.


The Cree lights do seem like a really good way to go, tho you wold waste money in the long run with buying batteries all the time. What handle bar mount?

You get a good battery charger for $40. http://www.amazon.com/Crosse-Technology-BC-9009-AlphaPower-Battery/dp/B00077AA5Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1269896000&sr=1-1 Buy some rechargeable batteries for $10 for a 4-pack, that will last you 4 or 5 years before you have to replace them. I save about $250 a year on batteries. Do the math. To make a mount using a used inner tube go here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrfZhEzjWwg

If you're going to be out riding after dark, state law requires that you have a white light in front and usually a red tail light (sometimes a red reflector is acceptable), both of which must be visible from 500 feet away.

For the money and convenience, I like the Dinotte 200L-AA for the front and the 140L-AA tail light. The Dinotte 140L tail light just flat cannot be beaten for visibility -- day or night -- and the headlight gives you a good 200 lumens and a clear beam for very small size and weight. THe big advantage is that they work off AA batteries... the rechargeable kind work best, but in a pinch you can stop at any convenience store and get a replacement set of batteries to avoid being left out in the dark.

On my commuter/tourer, I run the 140 L tail light with a PB Superflash clipped to the back of my helmet, and a Light & Motion Stella 200N on the front, backed up by the Dinotte headlight. The MagicShine is a wonderful light too, and about the same price as you can get a Dinotte light on sale... It does have some problems, though... If you go with a MagicShine (800-900 lumens, so yeah, I take that one when I'm back in the woods or want to be specially noticeable. I've had a few fellow riders shy away when I rolled up behind them, thinking I was a car ;-)

Here's my 2 cents. I had a Nite Rider MiNewt USB. It was good enough for seeing in dry weather, but not quite bright enough when things were wet. At the time I thought it was plenty bright enough for "being seen".

But I got a P7 flashlight (even cheaper than a Magicshine which uses the same LED) and I could instantly see a HUGE difference. People who used to pull right out in front of me as if I wasn't there now gave me plenty of time to get thru the intersection. And it's bright enough to see in wet weather. I'm very happy with my lighting set up.

The Cree lights do seem like a really good way to go, tho you wold waste money in the long run with buying batteries all the time. What handle bar mount?

Topeak Bar (http://www.amazon.com/Topeak-TBX01-The-Bar-Extender/dp/B000FIAVN8) Extender. The light is a 210 lumen Romisen RC-N3 Q5.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4044/4440737471_d8fbf86aaf_b.jpg

That's the one ! That set-up will cost you less than $50. And is just as good as the other brands listed so far.
EXCELLENT PICTURE. Personally I think Dinotte is bullhooey compared to a set-up like that.

Or you can go fork mounted (http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/ProductDisplay?storeId=10053&langId=-1&catalogId=10052&productId=164164&cm_mmc=$%28referrer%29$-_-Training-_-Minoura-_-MN-BSO&CSE=GooglePS&mr:trackingCode=2A181C95-1282-DE11-B7F3-0019B9C043EB&mr:referralID=NA).

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4051/4427540491_339c997db3_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4038/4428306792_89de8caeb4_b.jpg

That's the one ! That set-up will cost you less than $50. And is just as good as the other brands listed so far.
EXCELLENT PICTURE.

Thanks. Still gotta order another one.

Most of us agree on the PBSF for the rear. Uses AAA's with a long battery life. ~$25

For the front you can go with the Terralux 220 or Romisen RC-N3 Q5 - both lights have a solid reputation here and cost around $30. You'll want rechargeable batteries (~$20) plus a smart charger(~$40) which combined will cost what the Magicshine will. The Magicshine puts out much more light than the flashlights, and comes with a dedicated battery pack and charger, the flashlights allow you to get started without buying the rechargeable batteries and the charger, and are easier to remove when you get to where you're going.

That's my 2 cents worth, YMMV.

PBSF is as good as anything on the rear until you start spending in the $100 range for just the rear light.

I have a Magicshine and a P7 flashlight up front. They both put out the same light, the difference is that the flashlight is 100% waterproof, but has 1/4 the runtime at the same light level.

I have found that a P7 (either flashlight or magicshine) is more light than I really need, except in very bad adverse conditions (heavy fog or rain), so the flashlight at medium power works great and gives me about 2 hours of runtime. I'll keep both now that I have them, but if I had to start over I'd just buy the flashlight (two actually - having had a light die on me on a pitch black road in the middle of a winter night, I believe you have to have backup)

FWIW, GeoMan says that they will have a taillight (made by Magicshine) that will contend with the Dinotte 140L for a bargain price within a few weeks, so right now I'd buy a SuperFlash (it's always nice to have two taillights - you never know when one fails until you get to where you're going and find it's out) and wait to see what they come out with.

If you want tops in safety, get the Dinotte taillight and you'll never want another light again. Do it right the first time. You can get one for $100 on sale occasionally. By far, the best safety investment I have made. I'd try to get the Li-Ion version though, because the battery holders for the AA seem to be somewhat fragile. I haven't used the Li-Ion version, but if I were buying a new light I'd get that one. I also recommend Dinotte for the headlight - I have the 200 lumen model, which works well, though sometimes I wish I had a little more light and if the time comes to replace it I'll be buying their 400 lumen model.

I realize that the headlight may seem expensive, but the taillight is definitely worth every penny for the safety it provides.

I agree. Once I thought about it, I realized that I couldn't justify NOT getting a Dinotte light.

However, I really can't sit here and claim that it's not overpriced. There's no reason in the world that someone couldn't make the exact equivalent to the Dinotte 140L for $50 or so, and thus my suggestion to wait to see what Geoman comes up with.

Their headlights (really all name brand headlights, these days) are certainly overpriced given current parts costs in the world, and they have already adjusted a little and I expect them to continue to. I'd like to see something like the MagicShine but in a more durable version (like, a REAL, waterproof, heavy duty wire, clone of the Tesla 4) for < $150 - it could EASILY be done - all they really need is heavier duty wire, connectors and a sealed plastic box for the battery. Heck, they should be able to do it for only another $20 or so; a plastic box, 3 connectors and decent wire shouldn't cost that much.

First off, I agree on the Dinotte tail light recommendation. The Superflash is cheap but the Dinotte is amazing and if you're going to be in any significant traffic especially in the daytime, you can't afford not to get it.

As far as front lights, this would be pretty darn cheap. One on the helmet, one on the bar. They're great little lights. My new favorites and I have Fenix, 2XAA Romisen, Terralux and others.

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.3609

Has anyone suggesting the Dinotte taillight (especially the 400R version!) ever ridden in a group with someone else who has one of these things?
There's safety, and then there's insane overkill.

Sounds like it depends on the length of your commute. For a short commute of maybe an hour or so two flashlights like the P7's should be fine (though I would also check out the terralux's people keep talking about). If you want longer runtimes the Magicshine's seem to be a lot of peoples favorites.

For the rear I have multiple taillights. The PBSF is attention getting and has a very long runtime on AAA's. I also like the Mars 3.0 (even though the 4.0 is brighter).

Their headlights (really all name brand headlights, these days) are certainly overpriced given current parts costs in the world, and they have already adjusted a little and I expect them to continue to.

Dinotte is made in the US and so doesn't enjoy the same "advantage" of cheap labor and manufacturing. I'll support American manufacturing before selling out the little of it we have left. I'm not hyper-nationalistic, but it's clear to me that our appetite for low prices at all costs has not bode well for our economy as a whole. I think about how Americans are struggling to find work, then I think about how many of us will go snatch the absolute cheapest goods from the Wal*Mart shelf without a second thought. I chose not to go along with that.

Now, with all that being said, might Dinotte still be overpriced? Maybe, but I also can't claim to know what their costs are.

Or you can go fork mounted (http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/ProductDisplay?storeId=10053&langId=-1&catalogId=10052&productId=164164&cm_mmc=$%28referrer%29$-_-Training-_-Minoura-_-MN-BSO&CSE=GooglePS&mr:trackingCode=2A181C95-1282-DE11-B7F3-0019B9C043EB&mr:referralID=NA).

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4051/4427540491_339c997db3_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4038/4428306792_89de8caeb4_b.jpg

The mounts pictured appear to not be the same as the mount you linked. Where did the mounts in your photos come from?

The mounts pictured appear to not be the same as the mount you linked. Where did the mounts in your photos come from?It looks like the fork mount would work with any normal flashlight mount.

The mounts pictured appear to not be the same as the mount you linked. Where did the mounts in your photos come from?

This is (http://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/the-131/Adjustable-Universal-Flashlight-Bicycle/Detail) the one you're talking about. I had to wrap a rubber shim around the light to keep snug in the bracket. Once everything is mounted, it isn't moving.

This is (http://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/the-131/Adjustable-Universal-Flashlight-Bicycle/Detail) the one you're talking about. I had to wrap a rubber shim around the light to keep snug in the bracket. Once everything is mounted, it isn't moving.

Thanks. How quick is that to get the light in and out? Looks like it'd be fiddly with the shim there; do you take it out regularly? I have a lockblock but it's a bit wobbly and the light works loose at times; I'm looking for the holy grail of secure and quick.

Thanks. How quick is that to get the light in and out? Looks like it'd be fiddly with the shim there; do you take it out regularly? I have a lockblock but it's a bit wobbly and the light works loose at times; I'm looking for the holy grail of secure and quick.

Actually, I take the light off with the bracket. I just loosen the bracket and slide it off the fork mount. I would use rubber shims (not the thin ones) to help the lock block/light be more sturdy.

Has anyone suggesting the Dinotte taillight (especially the 400R version!) ever ridden in a group with someone else who has one of these things?
There's safety, and then there's insane overkill.

haha, yeah, seriously. I have a 140 and I have to turn it off for group rides. Frankly I leave it on low even when I'm riding by myself - I really don't see much advantage to more light than it puts out on "low".

haha, yeah, seriously. I have a 140 and I have to turn it off for group rides. Frankly I leave it on low even when I'm riding by myself - I really don't see much advantage to more light than it puts out on "low".

Then you are of the camp that says a rider can be too visible. I personally don't think that's possible riding alone.

I got a Planet Bike Blaze 2W from Mountain Equip Coop for $35 http://ecom1.planetbike.com/3045.html I suggest buying several to mount on the bars and forks. The batteries last for ages and all the lights wont go dim at the same time.

haha, yeah, seriously. I have a 140 and I have to turn it off for group rides. Frankly I leave it on low even when I'm riding by myself - I really don't see much advantage to more light than it puts out on "low".

What do you mean, "low"? In taillight mode, there are only different flashing modes, and solid on - unless you switch to headlight mode. Solid on for a taillight seems to me to be an invite to getting rear-ended.

I've never given this much thought, but really, how many folks ride in groups at night? I don't see that at all here, so I'm not too concerned about it.

One more vote for Magicshine. That thing is absolutely fierce. Less than $100 for more light than you get from most lights 3x as expensive.

I've never given this much thought, but really, how many folks ride in groups at night? I don't see that at all here, so I'm not too concerned about it.

Around here it's very common, especially since during the winter we get less than 8 hours between sunrise and sunset. Even rides starting after sunrise in the winter need lights because of the overcast skies (similar to Indiana). The Seattle Randos start their short (200k) rides at 7am, mid (300/400k) rides at 6am, and long rides (600k+) at 5am, and for many we're finishing in the dark or riding clean through to the following morning. Riders tend to group up at night for safety.
The best taillight design I've seen is on a Corey Thompson custom randonneur: He built a Supernova E3 tail light head into a boss underneath the nds chainstay. From directly behind in a paceline, it's hidden under the stay so it isn't blinding the following rider. From a driver's perspective; 4 - 6 feet to his left and sitting considerably lower than a trailing rider, it's perfectly visible.

What do you mean, "low"? In taillight mode, there are only different flashing modes, and solid on - unless you switch to headlight mode. Solid on for a taillight seems to me to be an invite to getting rear-ended.

Whatever light you have, it sounds like you have something other than the Dinotte 140L. It has 3 different brightness settings (Low, Medium, High) and I've never heard of anything called "headlight mode". The only modes you can switch between are solid (low, medium, high) and flashing (different flashing patterns).

Then you are of the camp that says a rider can be too visible. I personally don't think that's possible riding alone.

Of course it's possible. Take an airplane headlight, mount it on your bike facing backwards, and you're definitely "to visible". :-P

On another note, while daytime riding might be an exception, if they haven't seen you with a 140L, doubling the amount of light output from nearly a single point with a 400L isn't going to make the slightest bit of difference. They're either blind or not looking anywhere near your direction. Wearing a reflective jacket, outlining your bike with lights, etc might help because it makes you bigger and easier to see out of someone's peripheral vision, and a more identifiable shape. But no, I see no point in doubling the amount of light from a small light source without making the light notably wider/bigger.

Whatever light you have, it sounds like you have something other than the Dinotte 140L. It has 3 different brightness settings (Low, Medium, High) and I've never heard of anything called "headlight mode". The only modes you can switch between are solid (low, medium, high) and flashing (different flashing patterns).

I think you're thinking of their headlight. Clifton was talking about their 140L taillight, as was I.

Lights are probably one of the foremost examples on bikes of "you get what you pay for" when it comes to bike stuffs

And what you are paying for is your safety on which there should be no limit.

When you are a confirmed bicycle commuter, there is no better choice, IMO, than a generator-powered lighting system ... never caught out by failed or flat batteries and extremely reliable.

There's info on both battery and generator systems for serious commuting/long-distance riding here. (http://www.veloweb.ca/randopages/randolights.html)

I think you're thinking of their headlight. Clifton was talking about their 140L taillight, as was I.

No, I'm thinking of their 140L tail light. I own one. It has different brightness settings. Should I post a video?

No, I'm thinking if their 140L tail light. I own one. It has different brightness settings. Should I post a video?

I know it has different brightness settings - I said the same myself, and I have both the taillight and the headlight. The default mode for the taillight is the mode where different flashing patterns are selected. I suppose I'm surprised you would use the taillight in solid on mode - just seems dangerous to me. I thought solid on was one of the settings in the default mode of the taillight, but it isn't - at least not according to the Dinotte website.

I know it has different brightness settings - I said the same myself, and I have both the taillight and the headlight. The default mode for the taillight is the mode where different flashing patterns are selected. I suppose I'm surprised you would use the taillight in solid on mode - just seems dangerous to me. I thought solid on was one of the settings in the default mode of the taillight, but it isn't - at least not according to the Dinotte website.

I'm to tired to come up with a witty response. Saying that running the tail light in steady mode is "dangerous" is ridiculous. To my recollection, my 140L came set to steady mode by default. I would never run it in flashing mode at night - it's bright enough as it is, flashing mode would just be seizure-inducing overwhelming. The only thing I've read is that flashing mode was included for daylight use.

I'm to tired to come up with a witty response. Saying that running the tail light in steady mode is "dangerous" is ridiculous. To my recollection, my 140L came set to steady mode by default. I would never run it in flashing mode at night - it's bright enough as it is, flashing mode would just be seizure-inducing overwhelming. The only thing I've read is that flashing mode was included for daylight use.

I disagree. I run it in the 5 flash mode and bright as I can all the time. The flashing mode lets everybody know you are not a car. I provide redundancy with a Supeflash running solid on the helmet. I learned this method by listening to others on this forum.

btw, why would one worry about bothering cagers with a tail light? Isn't that why Dinotte makes them overwhelming as you call it, to bother motorists and get their attention?

I agree.... the flashing signals that you are different than a (generally) slower motorbike or car. This might be less important in a dense city. I don't exactly want the thing giving people seizures, either, which is why I point it downwards.

btw, why would one worry about bothering cagers with a tail light? Isn't that why Dinotte makes them overwhelming as you call it, to bother motorists and get their attention?

Ah, I see. So when they pass within a foot of you going down the road that's a problem, but when you shine a bright, blinking, obnoxious light in their faces making it nearly impossible for them to see where they're going, that's cool right?

Let's say an oncoming car pulls out a spotlight and shines it in your face as you're going down the road to "make sure you see them". That's cool, right?