Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Commuting
Reload this Page >

Rear light recommendations please!

Search
Notices
Commuting Bicycle commuting is easier than you think, before you know it, you'll be hooked. Learn the tips, hints, equipment, safety requirements for safely riding your bike to work.

Rear light recommendations please!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 07-29-07, 05:46 AM
  #101  
Banned
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 497
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by ginsoakedboy
Pistols at dawn it is then! There's clearly no other way to settle this debate. Three groups arranged in a triangular pattern. The Dinotte zealots will try to take out the PB Superflash fanatics, who will be shooting at the Cateye LD1000 nuts, who will, in turn, be trying to gun down the Dinotte group. Last man standing = the best rear blinkie !
Sorry, but I won't do a gun battle till high noon.
freako is offline  
Old 08-06-07, 10:48 AM
  #102  
Full Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: minneapolis, mn
Posts: 307

Bikes: Too many to list comfortably

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Liked 9 Times in 2 Posts
Cateye 25000 mcd blinky - Here's how it is mounted:


Down the side of the house..


Aimed at the neighbors house..


I want to get the 50000 mcd version (the 1000) to combine with this.
(I've got a gift cert. for the bike shop that will cover it!)

I'd love a Dinotte but I already spent a fortune on my HID headlight,
maybe when I save up a little more. It would be cool to have HID in
front and Dinotte + 2 cateyes in the rear!
aliensporebomb is offline  
Old 08-06-07, 11:33 AM
  #103  
Senior Member
 
pluc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Montréal, QC, Canada
Posts: 389

Bikes: Surly 1x1 with Nexux 8 "Red line"

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by freako
Why not just wrap the clamshell seam with a slim 1/4" wide piece of industrial strength electrical or duct tape? I do that with all my lights and never had a leak.
Or better yet, place either plastic wrap or teflon tape (used for plumbing) over the seams. Does the same but would look way less dorky.
pluc is offline  
Old 08-06-07, 06:28 PM
  #104  
Banned
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 497
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by aliensporebomb
Cateye 25000 mcd blinky
!
Is that not the Cateye LD600? It looks just like the ones that I use.
freako is offline  
Old 08-06-07, 06:32 PM
  #105  
Banned
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 497
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by pluc
Or better yet, place either plastic wrap or teflon tape (used for plumbing) over the seams. Does the same but would look way less dorky.
Teflon tape does not have a sticky side. Plastic wrap? Like food wrap? is so that would be far more tacky then Industrial duct tape. I've found that industrial duct tape holds up way better then anything else I've tried even when a downpour hits them.
freako is offline  
Old 08-06-07, 07:48 PM
  #106  
cyclepath
 
daredevil's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: "The Last Best Place"
Posts: 3,550

Bikes: 2005 Trek Pilot 5.0, 2001 Specialized Sirrus Pro, Kona Lava Dome, Raleigh hardtail converted to commuter, 87 Takara steel road bike, 2008 Trek Soho

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
I quit reading after about 4 pages so excuse me if this has been mentioned.

Whatever you pick, use lithium batteries. I've heard alkaline powered lights dim as the battery weakens. And the aim of the light is really important.

BTW, Superflash and LD-1000 for me. The Superflash is clipped to the strap on the back of my helmet, the Cateye on the seat post. It's hard to miss me.
__________________
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Without music, life would be a mistake."
-- Friedrich Nietzsche
daredevil is offline  
Old 08-06-07, 10:33 PM
  #107  
Banned
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 616
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by freako
Sorry, but I won't do a gun battle till high noon.
I'm kind of a night-owl myself, but "Pistols at noon" just doesn't have the same ring to it.
ginsoakedboy is offline  
Old 08-07-07, 03:35 AM
  #108  
50/50 Road/eBike Commuter
 
kmcrawford111's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Valparaiso, IN
Posts: 791

Bikes: Specialized Roubaix, Specialized Fatboy, Specialized Sirrus, Nashbar Campus, Taga 2.0 Trike

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by daredevil
I quit reading after about 4 pages so excuse me if this has been mentioned.

Whatever you pick, use lithium batteries. I've heard alkaline powered lights dim as the battery weakens. And the aim of the light is really important.
I'm going to have to politely disagree. I prefer Ni-MHs. From my measurements they hold voltage more steadily than alkalines (but not as well as Lithium-Ion). Also lithium batteries run at a higher voltage which may be damaging to some devices. Some lights have their own regulation which will provide more constant brightness regardless of the battery type. Lithium batteries do provide more energy than the other types, but IMO using primary cells is generally a waste of resources.

2 c
kmcrawford111 is offline  
Old 08-07-07, 07:14 AM
  #109  
cyclepath
 
daredevil's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: "The Last Best Place"
Posts: 3,550

Bikes: 2005 Trek Pilot 5.0, 2001 Specialized Sirrus Pro, Kona Lava Dome, Raleigh hardtail converted to commuter, 87 Takara steel road bike, 2008 Trek Soho

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by kmcrawford111
I'm going to have to politely disagree. I prefer Ni-MHs. From my measurements they hold voltage more steadily than alkalines (but not as well as Lithium-Ion). Also lithium batteries run at a higher voltage which may be damaging to some devices. Some lights have their own regulation which will provide more constant brightness regardless of the battery type. Lithium batteries do provide more energy than the other types, but IMO using primary cells is generally a waste of resources.

2 c
I guess I needed to say for those lights that use AA or AAA. Anybody else disagree? This info came from a pretty knowledgable rider.
__________________
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Without music, life would be a mistake."
-- Friedrich Nietzsche
daredevil is offline  
Old 08-07-07, 07:44 AM
  #110  
Senior Member
 
littlewaywelt's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 1,508
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by daredevil
I guess I needed to say for those lights that use AA or AAA. Anybody else disagree? This info came from a pretty knowledgable rider.
I do. One upside to alkaline is that you know the batteries are getting weak. With lithium, they will run until they are dead and then die all of a sudden. I like knowing that I need to replace the batteries before they are completely dead while I'm on a ride.

Lithium do have much better resistance to cold though and weigh half as much (.5oz AA lithium vs 1oz AA alkaline) and they last longer than alkaline. Lithiums are about twice the price and harder to find.
littlewaywelt is offline  
Old 08-07-07, 07:48 AM
  #111  
cyclepath
 
daredevil's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: "The Last Best Place"
Posts: 3,550

Bikes: 2005 Trek Pilot 5.0, 2001 Specialized Sirrus Pro, Kona Lava Dome, Raleigh hardtail converted to commuter, 87 Takara steel road bike, 2008 Trek Soho

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by littlewaywelt
I do. One upside to alkaline is that you know the batteries are getting weak. With lithium, they will run until they are dead and then die all of a sudden. I like knowing that I need to replace the batteries before they are completely dead while I'm on a ride.

Lithium do have much better resistance to cold though and weigh half as much (.5oz AA lithium vs 1oz AA alkaline) and they last longer than alkaline. Lithiums are about twice the price and harder to find.
Good points. For me, riding with two lights, I can afford to have one go out and I do ride in pretty extreme cold so for me, its lithium.
__________________
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Without music, life would be a mistake."
-- Friedrich Nietzsche
daredevil is offline  
Old 08-07-07, 12:20 PM
  #112  
Plays in Traffic
 
1ply's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Kitchener, Ontario
Posts: 484
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Zero_Enigma
I'm just curious if anyone here works EMT/EMS or in the medical trade? I'd like to know how much the ambulance ride costs? Not including the medical serivices. I had a friend get ping-pong balled on the California freeway in her VW Beatle and thankfully she's alive with minor side effects. I think she said the hospital bill came to something like $3000 and mentioned something about the ambulance ride being rather costly. Anyways, it's jsut a curiousity question. Not sure if the ambulance prices are fixed or by km or something.
The ride itself is $40 which I had to pay then submit to the insurance company. The services in the ER were $0

Thread related - I have only one PB Superflash myself. I'm still amazed at how much brighter it is then even the 5led blinkies I used to use.

Welcome to Canada Eh?
1ply is offline  
Old 08-08-07, 01:37 AM
  #113  
50/50 Road/eBike Commuter
 
kmcrawford111's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Valparaiso, IN
Posts: 791

Bikes: Specialized Roubaix, Specialized Fatboy, Specialized Sirrus, Nashbar Campus, Taga 2.0 Trike

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by littlewaywelt
I do. One upside to alkaline is that you know the batteries are getting weak. With lithium, they will run until they are dead and then die all of a sudden. I like knowing that I need to replace the batteries before they are completely dead while I'm on a ride.
I was going to add that too, but didn't because I imagine most carry spare batteries / battery. I consider my keychain light, an ARC-P, to be adequate backup, but I don't do serious night riding, mainly a 1.7 or so mile partial commute with very light traffic.
kmcrawford111 is offline  
Old 08-08-07, 01:35 PM
  #114  
Senior Member
 
pluc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Montréal, QC, Canada
Posts: 389

Bikes: Surly 1x1 with Nexux 8 "Red line"

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by freako
Teflon tape does not have a sticky side. Plastic wrap? Like food wrap? is so that would be far more tacky then Industrial duct tape. I've found that industrial duct tape holds up way better then anything else I've tried even when a downpour hits them.
Nah I don't mean outside the light but inside the light. Where there is -- or should be -- a rubber seam.
pluc is offline  
Old 08-08-07, 08:53 PM
  #115  
Banned
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 497
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Inside? Your going to try to snap apart a plastic housing so you can apply teflon tape? Most rear lights I've seen do not have any screws for taking the unit apart, that means you will have to snap the plastic clam shell open which will more then likely damage the light. Try tefloning that after you've broke it. The only place you could use teflon is the battery compartment, but since your not going to be screwing the lid on but rather snapping it on, how are you going to keep the tape in place? Teflon tape is designed for threaded applications to keep liquids from seeping past the threads and requires a male and female thread. That's why I use tape...get it?
freako is offline  
Old 08-08-07, 11:55 PM
  #116  
Senior Member
 
pluc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Montréal, QC, Canada
Posts: 389

Bikes: Surly 1x1 with Nexux 8 "Red line"

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by freako
That's why I use tape...get it?
T'was more of a suggestion than anything else since I've never tried it. I've never had any problem with leaking or humidity with any of my lights, I might have just been really lucky.
pluc is offline  
Old 08-09-07, 01:43 PM
  #117  
59'er
 
Mariner Fan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Alexandria, IN
Posts: 3,307

Bikes: LeMond Maillot Jaune, Vintage Trek 520 (1985), 1976 Schwinn Voyageur 2, Miyata 1000 (1985)

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times in 3 Posts
I have the LD1000 on my road bike and just purchased a Superflash for my commuter. I plan to hang the Superflash on my trunk bag and keep the Busch & Muller 4D Toplight mounted to my rack.

Those Dinotte's are the bomb. Wish they weren't so expensive.
__________________
Mariner Fan is offline  
Old 08-09-07, 08:07 PM
  #118  
Senior Member
 
genel's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Antioch, IL
Posts: 328

Bikes: Giant Defy Advanced 0, Rivendell- Sam Hillborne, Montague folding bike.

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I'm using a 12V Whelen flasher. Works quite well with a little 9v battery in a pinch. Built my own mount for the rack. Planning on getting a second one with the left one flashing and the right one steady. They're about 50$ each.

(They're sold for use on emergency vehicles, and are extemely bright with a somewhat wider pattern then the other lights I've tried.)
genel is offline  
Old 01-18-08, 02:30 PM
  #119  
Junior Member
 
golazo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Northeast
Posts: 11
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Don't know if I missed it while reading through most of the posts. But which of these lights are easy on easy off? I a worried about my prospective tail-light getting stolen the first time I park it in the urban area I use it in.

Which do not come off--are fixed??
golazo is offline  
Old 01-18-08, 02:37 PM
  #120  
Body By Nintendo
 
Psydotek's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Videogames ruined my life. Good thing i have 2 extra lives.
Posts: 3,187

Bikes: Giant TCR2, Giant TCX, IRO BFSSFG SE, Salsa Casseroll, IRO Rob Roy.

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Most lights are easily removable. They'll usually come with a clamp on mount which the light then clips into (at least for the Cateye and Planet Bike ones i've got).
__________________

Originally Posted by jsharr
A girl once asked me to give her twelve inches and make it hurt. I had to make love to her 3 times and then punch her in the nose.
Psydotek is offline  
Old 01-18-08, 03:27 PM
  #121  
Junior Member
 
golazo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Northeast
Posts: 11
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Choosing a BLT Super Doppler and a PB Superflash combo.

But on more knock against the BLT: it seems to be they are not readily available online. Have yet to find an online dealer that sells them stateside (there are some UK dealers--but with the current conversion rate this makes less sense as it increases the price considerably due to shipping costs).
golazo is offline  
Old 01-18-08, 03:49 PM
  #122  
Senior Member
 
iqaro's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Yopal (Colombia)
Posts: 63

Bikes: Commuter: Stolen Red Kinesis frame - 26*1.9" Slicks "La Zorra" Touring: Steel frame Shimano600 gruppo 700*38 slicks

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I have a Cateye LD130, only 3 LED's but works fine....
iqaro is offline  
Old 01-18-08, 05:04 PM
  #123  
Junior Member
 
golazo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Northeast
Posts: 11
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by wyeast
Actually, this advice can apply even
On a related note - the rear clip on the Metro is pretty tight. Depending on the light you may have some difficulty reaching the switch without fumbling and/or removing the helmet to do it.


Wow, I love this setup. Is this "metro" you speak of the helmet? (srry newbie, here) and I am assuming it comes with this clip that will work with any rear light?

Thanks.
golazo is offline  
Old 01-18-08, 05:41 PM
  #124  
Senior Member
 
acroy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Dallas Suburbpopolis
Posts: 1,502
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 9 Times in 5 Posts
Originally Posted by golazo
Wow, I love this setup. Is this "metro" you speak of the helmet? (srry newbie, here) and I am assuming it comes with this clip that will work with any rear light?

Thanks.
yep
https://www.bellbikehelmets.com/produ...asp?prodID=10#
I might get one myself. Popular headbuckets!
acroy is offline  
Old 01-18-08, 10:13 PM
  #125  
another cat...FAB!
 
stevesurf's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: 1st star to the right...
Posts: 1,381

Bikes: Merlin Ti Build, Trek Y-50, Bianchi Titanium Build, Custom Cuevas Road bike

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Zero_Enigma
Dinotte 3W taillight. End of thread!
+1000
It's just flexible, long 8 hr run time (pulse; for me) and oh so bright. Here's ViperZ's cool pics...



__________________
9
stevesurf is offline  


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.