Lights ON in the Summer?
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,978
Likes: 4
From: Atlanta
Bikes: Cannondale T700s and a few others
Yep!
If I am on the road my lights are on. I figure anything I can do to make myself more noticeable the better. I aim my head light wind shield level when on flash during the day.
If I am on the road my lights are on. I figure anything I can do to make myself more noticeable the better. I aim my head light wind shield level when on flash during the day.
#3
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 11,373
Likes: 8
From: Columbus, OH
Bikes: '08 Surly Cross-Check, 2011 Redline Conquest Pro, 2012 Spesh FSR Comp EVO, 2015 Trek Domane 6.2 disc
I have a generator hub and wired LED headlight/taillight. The drag is minimal with the lights on, so I leave them on all the time.
__________________
"I feel like my world was classier before I found cyclocross."
- Mandi M.
"I feel like my world was classier before I found cyclocross."
- Mandi M.
#5
The good looking one
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
From: Centerville, Ohio
Bikes: gary fisher, Schwinn Woodland
Have a Sigma, Triled that uses three AA batteries, I run it when ever I'm on the road
Figure it can't hurt. People look a you funny, but at least they see me.
Figure it can't hurt. People look a you funny, but at least they see me.
#6
Señior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 13,748
Likes: 10
From: Michigan
Bikes: Windsor Fens, Giant Seek 0 (2014, Alfine 8 + discs)
Rear lights on day/night 4 seasons. Front lights on in the dark (to see by) or in town or in adverse conditions (rain/fog/snow) in the daytime. I don't run front lights in the daytime on most of my ride because it's long, 50 MPH 2 lane rural road with little traffic and only a few intersections, so the front light really does nothing there.
__________________
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
#7
rebmeM roineS

Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,230
Likes: 363
From: Metro Indy, IN
Bikes: Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
I'll turn them on if it's dark, no matter what the season. Likewise, if it is overcast I sometimes run flashing lights during the day, no matter what the season.
__________________
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
#9
Bike ≠ Car ≠ Ped.

Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 13,863
Likes: 6
From: Washington, DC
Bikes: Some bikes. Hell, they're all the same, ain't they?
I leave my dynohub bike's lights switched on all the time. Free visibility. The other bikes -- eh, usually I turn them on during the day if the traffic's heavy.
#10
I run the rear all the time and the front all the time too (solid on when dark and blinking during the day) since anything that helps drivers and pedestrians see me makes a crash a little less likely.
#11
xtrajack
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,058
Likes: 0
From: Maine
Bikes: Kona fire mountain/xtracycle,Univega landrover fs,Nishiki custom sport Ross professional super gran tour Schwinn Mesa (future Xtracycle donor bike)
I run my lights in the dark mostly, sometimes I will put the lights on flashing mode if daylight visibility is low
#12
Not safe for work


Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,123
Likes: 8
From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Bikes: KHS Town and Country 100 & Jamis Durango Femme 1.0
Always at night but I only use them during the day if it's rainy, fogy, or darkly overcast. If I use them for the rainy, foggy, dark overcast days then the lights are set to flash, primarily to be noticed on the roads.
#15
Plays in traffic
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,971
Likes: 15
From: Rochester, NY
Bikes: 1996 Litespeed Classic, 2006 Trek Portland, 2013 Ribble Winter/Audax, 2016 Giant Talon 4
I run them day and night. Flashing during the day. When I forget to run the headlight during the day I'm immediately reminded when cars start turning in front of me and pulling out in front of me. Turn the light back on, and they stop and wait for me to pass. It's truly amazing.
#18
I wanna go fast!!!!!!!!!
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
Bikes: Soma Stanyan, RRB frame running fixed (RIP), Fuji Royale frame running 1x6(RIP), Nishiki fixed
Lights on ALL the time no matter what on the street, even for short rides to a buddy's house. On the bike path I turn on the front at night, and during the day at crowded sections of the path. For me the rear light seems like a waste of battery on the path as I usually only get passed by kited up racers/commuters and closing speeds are nowhere near what you get on the street with cars. (Always on flash unless otherwise needed for my own visibility, but with the streets I ride being seen is the higher priority as they are well lit enough for me to see where I am going most of the time)
Last edited by ebrake; 05-09-10 at 07:53 PM.
#19
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 811
Likes: 0
From: Madison, WI
Bikes: '08 Trek 7.3FX
#21
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,894
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
Bikes: Bianchi Via Nirone 7, Jamis Sputnik
I always run my lights. I asked my friend once if he could see them during the day and he said yes, so that was enough for me. If turning on my lights makes me more visible, I've got rechargeable batteries, so why not?
#22
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,053
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria, VA
Bikes: Trek 830 Mountain Track Drop bar conversion
I almost always turn on my rear blinkie, day or night, even if my ride is almost entirely on the MUP. I usually switch on the front light (flashing mode) when I'm on street. My LED-flashlight-headlight sees a LOT less action this time of year, though. I still use it when riding home late at night, though, like if I've been pedicabbing or volunteering at the co-op.
#23
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,720
Likes: 111
From: North of Boston
Bikes: Kona Dawg, Surly 1x1, Karate Monkey, Rockhopper, Crosscheck , Burley Runabout,
Yes all the time. 2 rear blinkies, one white light on the handlebar. In addition to rain, fog, gray days, you need to be visible under bridges and and overpasses. I pass under 5 or 6.
#24
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,840
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, CA
Bikes: Bianchi San Remo - set up as a utility bike, Peter Mooney Road bike, Peter Mooney commute bike,Dahon Folder,Schwinn Paramount Tandem




