biker5555

Hey all

its getting darker (pitch dark) as i am riding to work in the morning

still light when i ride home but the seasons will make sure that both commutes will be in the dark

wont that suck?

any comments?

randya

Get a light... and quit whining!!!

scroz

I'm a bit more sympathetic, its not as much fun

biker5555

And its going to be cold. I'll have to be motivated.

Ive only got some flashing strobe LEDs. Might need more of a headlight....

DanFromDetroit

I bought one of these NiteHawk Raptor. It is much better than what it replaced. 10W is bright enough for my city commute. The big heavy battery fits in a water bottle cage. This is a bit inconvienient, but the price was right. I bought mine on sale and paid about $35.00.

I am thinking of getting one of these: Nashbar Brilliant to throw in the pack for summer riding. This will be used if I happen to get caught in the dark or the rain. It is alot lighter than the Raptor.

Dan

Patrick A

I just picked up a real nice little Planet Bike light for $25. It has an LED that has flash and solid modes and a halogen that has a high and a low beam. It also has a quick-disconnect bracket, so it comes with me when I park it at work. It actually throws some good light (with the halogen high beam) and is a real good, inexpensive alternative for a city bike. Most of the time I have the LED on for visability - 180 degrees visable up to 3000 ft, 200 hour runtime on the flash LED mode. Probably about 30 - 60 using all the settings when warranted. I'm quite happy with it.

froze

You should think about getting a decent headlight but without breaking the bank...unless you want to! But for about $45-48 dollars you can get a Cygo Metro that puts out a total of 13 watts with both beams or 6.3 flood or 6.2 spot; with burn times of 5 hours on 1 beam and 2.5 hours on both. With this light you have a choice of brightness levels and can later upgrade to a second power source if you want, the primary power source on this unit is 6 D batteries, which cost me $8 for 12 at Walmart and the 12 lasted me a year.

Or you can step up to Cygo Rover NiCad for $65-68 dollars that will provide you with 10watt spot and 6 watt flood or both at 16watts, the run time on the rechargeable bat is 6 hours on low.

https://www.cygolite.com/light/main/1products.htm

The other lights like the LED's are just lights that are useful for only to be seen but not to actually see with.

Chris L

Yeah -- I'm jealous. Personally I prefer riding in the dark.

randya

Buy a dynamo light with a good focused beam and you'll have plenty of light and never need to worry about batteries again.

Urbanmonk

Pitch dark is the best: only the brave come out in the dark. Ever notice that there are not many cars on the street, leaving you to enjoy the ride with relatively little annoyances: cars? But, lights make it much better for you. Think of your safety, first.

Urbanmonk

Urbanmonk

Got this light last in the fall, and love it. I call it the fogcutter, since my friends say they can see me coming, even in light fog, rain, etc.

roadfix

biker5555,
Move up to the Northern Hemisphere. It's getting lighter up here.... and warmer.... and stop whining!

Ronocerous

Hey Man,

With a good light, biking in the dark is great. Peaceful. Just make sure you're seen front and back. You'll get used to it. Cold? Just dress for it. Many of my commutes this winter were -25 to -30 C. No problem once you're spinning.

Have fun!

R

pyze-guy

Man I love biking at night, the air is clearer, it's quieter, it's peaceful and personally, I find it safer. I can see and hear cars ar intersections much better at night, there are less cars on the road so a quick swerve to avoid the door prize is not as life threatening. With less cars on the road I become a more prominant object in a drivers field of vision, and both drivers and myself have more time to react to a potentially dangerous situation. Night time rules!

Zin

You need to go over to the WINTER CYCLING FORUM here and read up on the subject. You will learn lots.

froze

Their great lights, price is right, their reliable and their bright; what more could you ask for?

jeff williams

commute every Sun 3 am, love it, again home safe.
WAY nicer than cager rager noon.
Only woof was the local constables had to figure I was just having fun jumping curbs and speed carving.
they don't com\loudspeak me anymore. just worried I wasn't looking out for traffic.
(just me and the man on the street, gee wizz)
nice though- I explained that I know how to ride /corner etc because I radically play with the physics involved and 3 is a good time AND I was aware that they were 4 blocks behind.
reckless no, feeling the edge, totally.
I like riding at night, like a kid with new sneakers, seems faster and more ....... can't find the word.... FUN!.