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rain, lights, night

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Old 06-19-11 | 04:20 AM
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From: St. Petersburg, FLA. USA

Bikes: 1998 trek 6000, 2001 cannondale terra, 2005 gary fisher tiburon, 2006 giant transport, 2011 surly long haul trucker

rain, lights, night

I have a Cateye brand light mounted on my handlebars, an energizer headlamp strapped to my pumpkin-head, and a rear blinkie.

With the inevitable summer Florida rains, [sometimes heavy] can anybody offer any tips on whether these lights will hold up in the rain? Or should I cover them with plastic baggies? Or should I pocket them during the heavy rains and just ride with reckless and free abandon into the darkness?

Most of my [night-time] ten mile commute is on a bike trail that sometimes is quite dark and in some places is covered by over-hanging tree limbs; but generally it is in good paved condition.

Will rain ruin the lights? Thanks.
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Old 06-19-11 | 04:46 AM
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If a light can't withstand rain, it is a poor light. I know that doesn't answer your question but it is something to consider when purchasing lights.

I will pass along one hard earned tip about riding in the rain when it's dark, you can't judge the depth of water, it could be 1/4" deep or it could be hiding a 2' pot hole.
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Old 06-19-11 | 04:48 AM
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I've never had problems with rain on any of my lights. For peace of mind, you could check the instructions.
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Old 06-19-11 | 06:42 AM
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I'd have confidence in the cateye, but the energizer hmmm not sure. I run with a dinotte front and back with no problems so far in lots of rain. I also have used a planet bike super flash in back as a back up to the dinotte, I have had a couple of the super flash lights fail due to I believe rain. However the super flash is supper affordable so I continue to use them. On my helmet I use a Princeton Tec EOS, which I like very much, and again no problems with it.
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Old 06-19-11 | 12:57 PM
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While I can't comment on your particular lights in your particular climate, I would suggest at least a 2nd rear light for just-in-case scenarios.

If you've been using them fine so far, I wouldn't worry about them. I think my concern would be humidity, but I don't live in Florida.
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Old 06-19-11 | 01:38 PM
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I run a Front Hub Dynamo, for reliable lighting , year around.
no dead battery issues..

decent lights , should have the edges join to keep the wet out,
perhaps make a Gasket to go in-between, part of the product.
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Old 06-19-11 | 02:43 PM
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Depending on how powerful they are, using them in the rain may be useless. But as another said, the Cateye should be good. Don't know about the others.
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