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Lights for A Road Bike

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Lights for A Road Bike

Old 09-17-09, 05:33 AM
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Lights for A Road Bike

I have a Carbon Road Bike with carbon handle bars.

I ride in NYC and am looking for head light and tail light for safety.

Ideally they would be self contained and use AA or AAA batteries. I don't plan to use the lights that much and really don't want/need rechargeable.

The lights should also be light and easily removable/mountable.

Your suggestions would be appreciated.
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Old 09-17-09, 07:19 AM
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So you just want "be seen" lights rather than a light to illuminate the road? What's the budget look like? My cheapo Planet Bike SuperFlash does a good job on the rear of the bike and I have another Planet Bike flashy that mounts on the back of my helmet. Both were around $20 and I commute from Flushing to Water Street through most of the year and haven't been hit yet. In the really dark parts of the winter I often use cold cathode (neon) tubes mounted on the seat stay for added visibility. Plus it makes me look like a dork.

For the front, just for "be seen" I have some old four AAA battery Nashbar light. Works fine in strobe mode. I just got the Magicshine 900 for really lighting up the road (around $90). It's really only needed for going through Flushing Meadows Corona Park since nothing else in NYC is dark enough to need a serious light.

I use rechargeables for the flashies and the cold cathodes - I'd go through too many standard batteries otherwise.
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Old 09-17-09, 07:33 AM
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Yes I am really looking for safety lights, low cost $50 to $100, light weight.

If the head light provides some light for my vision it would be nice.
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Old 09-17-09, 08:05 AM
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I ride a Road bike and commute 48 miles round trip.

Forget what you look like to yourself, but rather what cars SEE you looking like.

Get 1-2 planet bike Super flash , saddle bag, back pack or helmet mount for the back.

Front: get a Planet bike Blaze 1W, about $35.00, Has Flash and steady light, also can be easily removed as a flashlight for cue sheet, fix tires.

Got $110 or so, check out dinnotte or the Magic Shine light every one seems to like on the forums.

Also a $60.00 Fenix light, works well.

In anycase, the better the front light the more it will illuminate the road especially in city riding. So for the front its a SEE vs BE SEEN light.
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Old 09-17-09, 03:11 PM
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If you want a "to see by" light, the Dinotte 200L would certainly fit your requirements.
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Old 09-17-09, 08:35 PM
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$149 seems like a lot of money for the Dinotte 200L
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Old 09-17-09, 08:42 PM
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The $149 includes the charger and 4 rechargable Double AA's. Its $119 without them. There are better chargers and batteries if you check the forums.
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Old 09-17-09, 08:44 PM
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Way too much for a basic light on the dinotte.. Look at getting a Romisen using AA batteries and use a lockblock to secure on your bike.. Lots of models to choose from in the AA range, the Romisen RC-N3 II Cree Q5 would give you a lot of nice options, about 40 to 45.00 total with shipping for the light and mount..

https://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/t...-AA/Categories
https://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/t.../24/Categories

https://www.boomerdirect.shoppingcart...53/1226134.htm

Last edited by socalrider; 09-17-09 at 08:50 PM.
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Old 09-18-09, 04:26 AM
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What about this one for $40

https://ecom1.planetbike.com/3033.html
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Old 09-18-09, 05:45 AM
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Originally Posted by v70cat
What about this one for $40

https://ecom1.planetbike.com/3033.html
total waste of money for what you get.. Compare at the same price.. A q5 flashlight will give you around 200 lumens of output using AA batteries.. The 5 led light you linked uses nichia leds which are more for being seen than seeing the road and put out around 30 lumens at the most..
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Old 09-18-09, 06:42 AM
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https://www.vetta.com/product_show.asp?ptype=whole&id=60
$28 delivered.
The only tail light brighter than this one, at least that I am aware of and I have looked at all of them, is the $119 Dinotte.

https://www.geomangear.com/index.php?...dd2vnkm6cktoq6
$90 delivered.

For $118 you would have the most cost effective lighting system and one that you could actually be seen and see with. If I was starting from scratch today this is the combination I would start with and would save literally hundreds of dollars. Of course technology has changed the last few years and the prices have come down. You will not regret spending a little more than your budget. Buy the Magicshine from GeoManGear as they are a reputable dealer.

The Fenix flashlight is also a very high quality solution if you want to spend less money. I have one and it also doubles for use around the house.
https://www.4sevens.com/product_info....roducts_id=362

Get the twofish lockblock mount.
https://www.fenix-store.com/index.php?cPath=92

Last edited by dekindy; 09-18-09 at 06:56 AM.
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Old 09-18-09, 08:28 AM
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I want a bike light not a flash light & adapter.

In the $20 to $50 range which is the best one?
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Old 09-18-09, 08:37 AM
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How about this one?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...&creative=9325
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Old 09-18-09, 06:31 PM
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Well I ordered the Vetta light should come on Tuesday.

I am sure its not the biggest or brightest but it looks pretty good. I will post my findings next week.
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Old 09-18-09, 07:03 PM
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Vetta compared to Planet Bike Super Flash



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Old 09-18-09, 08:36 PM
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You don't need anything more than the 2x LED turtle lights from MEC on flashing. Nobody can miss you. To be seen lights are not hard.

Anything flashing up front is enough almost.
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Old 09-18-09, 08:46 PM
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That light you linked to does have some good reviews, but I would go in another direction.
I have seen and heard good things about the cateye EL 320. Seems to fit your requirements and costs about the same money. To get any better you would have to make a quantum leap in price and go to external battery packs.

As for tail lights... The planet bike super-flash seems very popular and bright. I've ridden behind a couple. Another good model is the cateye LD 600 or 610. Also very bright. You can find these cheap enough online. I would buy two and mount one on each seat stay.
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Old 09-19-09, 05:04 AM
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I went with the Bike Planet tail light https://www.amazon.com/Planet-Bike-Bl...ef=pd_sim_sg_3

So my all in cost is under $50, considering my bike does not even have reflectors, this should be a big improvement on twilight rides.
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Old 09-19-09, 05:20 AM
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The steady Bright light in this video is a Bike Planet tail light.

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Old 09-19-09, 07:29 AM
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Yes the Bike Planet tail light seems to be a clear winner, not sure which head light is the best in the $20 to $50 category.
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Old 09-19-09, 06:16 PM
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Originally Posted by v70cat
I want a bike light not a flash light & adapter.

In the $20 to $50 range which is the best one?
Then get this one.
https://www.geomangear.com/index.php?...dd2vnkm6cktoq6

Anything less is just a be seen light.
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Old 09-19-09, 07:24 PM
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Originally Posted by v70cat
considering my bike does not even have reflectors, this should be a big improvement on twilight rides.
Lights are definitely better than reflectors, but don't rule out all reflectivity. Consider adding some reflective tape. I can understand if you don't wish to apply any to that nice carbon frame, but there are other ways. For example, do you have a frame pump? If so apply some reflective tape there. You can also apply some to the water bottles. Just about any accessory. Also consider some reflective clothing. Your cycling shoes probably already have some reflectivity. One item I can recommend wearing is a good quality reflective vest.

You cant make yourself too visible.
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Old 09-21-09, 10:16 AM
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Originally Posted by dekindy
Then get this one.
https://www.geomangear.com/index.php?...dd2vnkm6cktoq6

Anything less is just a be seen light.
I was not looking for a bright head light just a good " be seen light" that might provide some vision.
The light you posted looks good but is not self contained and costs bit more than $20 to $50 dollars.
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Old 09-21-09, 04:07 PM
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Lowes task force ced -led 60 x can not be beat for price and just out right works i was looking at the magicshine BUT I did my home work and spent most pf the night looking at reviews
Magicshine light has a problem with over heating and burns out also there is marjor problem
with its changing unit I was told more and times agian that the charger gets realy hot and was not safe to plug it in at night and go to bed also if the battery pack dies you have to go back to who sold you it for a replacement I have a Nitto bar and have four task force flashlights with a total of 600 Lumens
have had good luck with run time after four months I am still on the set of batterys
plus if a flashlight goes bad Lowes has a lifetime warranty pick it up localy
I have tied every rechargble battery down the pike abd they just do not hold up
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Old 09-21-09, 04:11 PM
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and ho by the way I was there today and these flashlights were at 24.00 bucks
Just do not look at the light with your eyes It is so bright it Will do some damage to your eyes
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