Bike Light Suggestions
06-06-18, 09:52 AM
#26
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Massive overkill
I agree with the multiple light philosophy. What I've got is arguably overkill. But I gave up my car 19+ months ago....
So I have mounted a Thule pack n pedal rack in front, and altered it with a light bar. It's got 3 separate lights (cheap chinese stuff). I have a niterider on the handlebar as well as an Orp (which combines a medium loud horn and small "get noticed" light). I have another niterider for my helmet. With all of the lights on at the same time, I can sterilize snails ... the niteriders are USB charged (internal, better weather protection) and the cheap chinese lights have external packs. I carry an extra pack, and I rotate which lights are in use ...
For the back, I typically have two panniers ... so a light on each one, and one on the rack itself. I also have a seatpost mounted light.
For winter commuting, I also toss on an ankle light or two.
As my commute is typical 1hr or less, and I have multiple light options ... I don't really feel a need for dynamos; but that would be a natural next step.
So I have mounted a Thule pack n pedal rack in front, and altered it with a light bar. It's got 3 separate lights (cheap chinese stuff). I have a niterider on the handlebar as well as an Orp (which combines a medium loud horn and small "get noticed" light). I have another niterider for my helmet. With all of the lights on at the same time, I can sterilize snails ... the niteriders are USB charged (internal, better weather protection) and the cheap chinese lights have external packs. I carry an extra pack, and I rotate which lights are in use ...
For the back, I typically have two panniers ... so a light on each one, and one on the rack itself. I also have a seatpost mounted light.
For winter commuting, I also toss on an ankle light or two.
As my commute is typical 1hr or less, and I have multiple light options ... I don't really feel a need for dynamos; but that would be a natural next step.
06-06-18, 10:14 AM
#27
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Lightbar picture
Older configuration of my lightbar. The Orp (far left) is now back on the handlebar. In flashing mode it's a pretty good "pay attention" light. It's not a good "light up the road" light.
06-07-18, 08:27 AM
#28
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One more thing about ANY lights you choose...
It seems like every few weeks, the light you buy becomes obsolete. I thought my Cygolite Metro 850 was the brightest, most powerful light I could ever want or need. Just a few posts above, I see that someone mentioned a Metro 1100. Now I have buyer's remorse and I want to kill myself.
Don't get caught in the same frustrating cycle. Buy enough light for your purpose and then ignore whatever the lighting manufacturer does to try to convince you it's not enough.
It seems like every few weeks, the light you buy becomes obsolete. I thought my Cygolite Metro 850 was the brightest, most powerful light I could ever want or need. Just a few posts above, I see that someone mentioned a Metro 1100. Now I have buyer's remorse and I want to kill myself.
Don't get caught in the same frustrating cycle. Buy enough light for your purpose and then ignore whatever the lighting manufacturer does to try to convince you it's not enough.
I can go on longer rides, by using two lights in series (one after the other)
I can have better coverage by useing two lights in tandem
I have a backup
I can mount on helmet and handlebars
I have a spare for a friend.
I'm not worried about my light becoming obsolete. I just use the old light as my second light - either on the handle bar or the helmet. Two lights rule (although 3 isn't bad either). Its hard to go back to one light in the dark once you get used to the coverage of multiple lights.
06-09-18, 11:00 AM
#29
Senior Member
I also agree with chas58, having one light on the helmet in addition to a bike mounted light is very handy indeed. (I use a Cateye Volt 800 on helmet and a Volt 1,700 mounted just above my fork)
06-18-18, 10:45 AM
#30
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My local Goodwill (Seattle Area) had a stash of brand new LED flashers. 2 lights for $2.99, a white and a red. 3 bright LED's per light. Several flashing and constant modes and they run on AA's. I bought several for myself and my kids. They are surprisingly good quality. They seemed to be a stocked item, not a surplus or a donation.
07-05-18, 02:57 PM
#31
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I like ReeLights (the big set of front and backs) as "be seen" lights. You'll never worry about batteries again, and they're cheaper than a dynamo hub. Being bolted on and hard-wired, they're not an attraction for theft either.
Like RubeRad, I like a regular Cree flashlight for lighting up the road ahead. I mount mine using a super short handlebar stem (aluminum) with an aluminum flashlight body. It stays bolted on all the time, and is always at the right angle. Never had an issue with theft.
Like RubeRad, I like a regular Cree flashlight for lighting up the road ahead. I mount mine using a super short handlebar stem (aluminum) with an aluminum flashlight body. It stays bolted on all the time, and is always at the right angle. Never had an issue with theft.
07-05-18, 03:13 PM
#32
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2WheelRide, here is a useful tool to search for front and rear bike lights: The Bike Light Database.
Combined with what folks are suggesting, it might help you think about what you're really looking for, what features you absolutely want, and which features you'd tolerate not having.
Combined with what folks are suggesting, it might help you think about what you're really looking for, what features you absolutely want, and which features you'd tolerate not having.
07-05-18, 03:44 PM
#33
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Modern bike has a handy headlight comparison guide, with pictures:
https://www.modernbike.com/bicycle-l...mparison-guide
I like Niterider lights but their mounts are crap.
I have a Bontrager Ion 800 that will light up the sky, but it's brand new because it's a warranty replacement for the Bontrager Ion 700 that broke on me, so the jury is still out.
When I'm really doing a lot of night riding I like 2 lights - one on my helmet and one on the bars. As a bonus, the helmet light lets me annoy bad drivers.
Tail lights -- For visibility, the Serfas USL-TL60 can be seen for over a mile away. I've literally had drivers pull up to tell me how far away they could see it. HOWEVER, I've gone through 3 of them -- there's some design flaw in the charging port and it eventually stops working.
The tried-and-true Cygolite Hotshot has been steady-eddie reliable for me.
I just bought a Bontrager Flare R (to replace the Serfas, which died on me). I bought it after a buddy of mine had his on daytime mode during a 10-hour gravel race and it lasted the entire race. So far so good.
https://www.modernbike.com/bicycle-l...mparison-guide
I like Niterider lights but their mounts are crap.
I have a Bontrager Ion 800 that will light up the sky, but it's brand new because it's a warranty replacement for the Bontrager Ion 700 that broke on me, so the jury is still out.
When I'm really doing a lot of night riding I like 2 lights - one on my helmet and one on the bars. As a bonus, the helmet light lets me annoy bad drivers.
Tail lights -- For visibility, the Serfas USL-TL60 can be seen for over a mile away. I've literally had drivers pull up to tell me how far away they could see it. HOWEVER, I've gone through 3 of them -- there's some design flaw in the charging port and it eventually stops working.
The tried-and-true Cygolite Hotshot has been steady-eddie reliable for me.
I just bought a Bontrager Flare R (to replace the Serfas, which died on me). I bought it after a buddy of mine had his on daytime mode during a 10-hour gravel race and it lasted the entire race. So far so good.
