The way it's going, I will NEVER buy a light!
10-20-13 | 07:47 PM
#101
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 473
Likes: 2
From: Singapore
Bikes: Cruzbike Flamingo folding conversion, Oyama East Village
I can sympathize with the OP. I spent more than a day just sifting through helmets yesterday on ebay and a Chinese website. I eventually settled on something just before turning in for the day.
What a time killer. Boy was I exhausted. There are far too many choices for any conceivable price range. And even though they probably are all good for the purpose, you just don't want to compromise by spending too little, and you don't want to get a bad deal by spending too much.
What a time killer. Boy was I exhausted. There are far too many choices for any conceivable price range. And even though they probably are all good for the purpose, you just don't want to compromise by spending too little, and you don't want to get a bad deal by spending too much.
10-20-13 | 08:04 PM
#102
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,828
Likes: 2
From: West Georgia
Bikes: K2 Mod 5.0 Roadie, Fuji Commuter
I think my brain is worth more than $45. But, how much better is a $250 helmet????
Especially when the standards, as I understand them to be, are based on a straight dead drop scenario that will probably never happen in the event of a bike wreck.
10-20-13 | 08:19 PM
#103
Senior Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 229
Likes: 0
From: San Marcos, TX
Bikes: '89 Miele Azsora, '09 Motobecane 700HT
I can sympathize with the OP. I spent more than a day just sifting through helmets yesterday on ebay and a Chinese website. I eventually settled on something just before turning in for the day.
What a time killer. Boy was I exhausted. There are far too many choices for any conceivable price range. And even though they probably are all good for the purpose, you just don't want to compromise by spending too little, and you don't want to get a bad deal by spending too much.
What a time killer. Boy was I exhausted. There are far too many choices for any conceivable price range. And even though they probably are all good for the purpose, you just don't want to compromise by spending too little, and you don't want to get a bad deal by spending too much.
I've been looking at various gear (waterproof jacket, sleeping bag, c02 systems, etc) for the last few days. So tired of it! Although the abundance of options certainly is nice, it can be mighty painful for those who are particular, picky, or on a budget.
10-20-13 | 10:56 PM
#104
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,299
Likes: 16
Tom, perhaps the solution is to ask for bike lights for your birthday or Christmas and let someone else make the decision for you.
Yes, there is a ton of information out there, and we could compare specs all day, but in the end, most people's base their buying decisions on how something looks.
Yes, there is a ton of information out there, and we could compare specs all day, but in the end, most people's base their buying decisions on how something looks.
10-21-13 | 05:42 AM
#105
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 925
Likes: 11
From: Rochester MN
Bikes: Raleigh Port Townsend, Raleigh Tourist
Thing is, most lights are just fine for normal riding so it is not going to really matter which one you buy. Just buy one. Which one doesn't really matter as long as you have one.
10-21-13 | 09:02 AM
#106
High Plains Luddite
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 682
Likes: 103
From: Colorado
Bikes: 3x8 & 3x9
I took the advice of "just buy one" yesterday. I knew it was time to own bike lights as I haven't ridden in the last couple weeks due to it being too dark in the morning.
Went into a LBS yesterday and bought Blackburn Super Flea USB rechargeable headlight and taillight. I left this morning at 6:30 AM. The sky was getting light in the east but the sun was not up and it was still full dark on neighborhood streets. The Super Flea headlight was enough to see by. I could see adding a second one but one was sufficient for neighborhood streets and gravel and paved MUPs. After the sun came up, I switched it to dim mode and it was still quite bright enough to be seen.
I'm very pleased and echo the comments above: just do it.
Went into a LBS yesterday and bought Blackburn Super Flea USB rechargeable headlight and taillight. I left this morning at 6:30 AM. The sky was getting light in the east but the sun was not up and it was still full dark on neighborhood streets. The Super Flea headlight was enough to see by. I could see adding a second one but one was sufficient for neighborhood streets and gravel and paved MUPs. After the sun came up, I switched it to dim mode and it was still quite bright enough to be seen.
I'm very pleased and echo the comments above: just do it.
10-21-13 | 02:23 PM
#107
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,441
Likes: 235
(From the OP): Just a reminder that I DO already own a light. It's a 10w Niterider from around 1997 that cost about $169 back then. At this point, it's a great "see" light for about seven minutes. After that, it's a sufficient "be seen" light. I was hoping to find something at least as bright as this was 15 years ago, and preferably something that runs on AA or AAA batteries, as I don't like having to worry about keeping the charge up during the deep winter months when I'm not using it.
Still...PLEASE...no more recommendations!
I'm convinced that, as soon as my current light drops completely dead, the thing to do is walk into the LBS and buy whatever I can afford with the change in my pocket. Then, after six months or a year, I'll throw it away and become part of the problem with the world.
Still...PLEASE...no more recommendations!
I'm convinced that, as soon as my current light drops completely dead, the thing to do is walk into the LBS and buy whatever I can afford with the change in my pocket. Then, after six months or a year, I'll throw it away and become part of the problem with the world.
10-21-13 | 03:47 PM
#108
Mad bike riding scientist
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 29,184
Likes: 6,261
From: Denver, CO
Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones
(From the OP): Just a reminder that I DO already own a light. It's a 10w Niterider from around 1997 that cost about $169 back then. At this point, it's a great "see" light for about seven minutes. After that, it's a sufficient "be seen" light. I was hoping to find something at least as bright as this was 15 years ago, and preferably something that runs on AA or AAA batteries, as I don't like having to worry about keeping the charge up during the deep winter months when I'm not using it.
Still...PLEASE...no more recommendations! I'm convinced that, as soon as my current light drops completely dead, the thing to do is walk into the LBS and buy whatever I can afford with the change in my pocket. Then, after six months or a year, I'll throw it away and become part of the problem with the world.
Still...PLEASE...no more recommendations!
I'm convinced that, as soon as my current light drops completely dead, the thing to do is walk into the LBS and buy whatever I can afford with the change in my pocket. Then, after six months or a year, I'll throw it away and become part of the problem with the world.
Buy a replacement battery. You could purchase a cheap 5 ahr Li-ion battery and charger from Amazon for less than $20. You will probably have to do a little soldering to change the plug but that's simple. You may even get lucky and the plugs will fit. Then you'll be off to the races
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Dreamin' of Bemidji Down the Mississippi (in part)
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Stuart Black
Dreamin' of Bemidji Down the Mississippi (in part)
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
10-21-13 | 05:56 PM
#109
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
10-21-13 | 06:27 PM
#110
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,441
Likes: 235
Muttontown ain't Syosset! Plus, after 2008, I walked out of a job that paid good money and into a job with the local township that pays so little, I'm embarrassed to take just one check to the bank at a time! That's only ONE of the reasons I've shopped so hard for lights, panniers, mirrors, etc. I'd like to think that the days of buying disposable products for me are over, but it appears EVERYTHING is disposable these days, regardless of how much you spend.
10-21-13 | 06:36 PM
#111
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,119
Likes: 159
From: Kalamazoo, Mi.
Bikes: Sam, The Hunq and that Old Guy, Soma Buena Vista, Giant Talon 2, Brompton
I've had $500 for a new headlight burning a hole in my bike shorts for almost a full year now. Too many choices. Too many differences of opinion. Every time I think I've gathered all the knowledge I need to make a decision, one of you wisenheimers comes along and spurts out a paragraph or two of very thoughtful, highly informed technical jabber that makes me feel like an idiot again.
I wish there were only two or three choices! I want to make impulsive purchases again, like the good old days!!!! I want somebody to make the decision for me, 'cause until somebody does, NONE of these light manufacturers are going to get a cent of my birthday money!!!!!!
Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!
(PS: Don't bother asking me what I need the light for, what type of light I prefer, or how much I want to spend. And, although I respect every single one of you out there, PLEASE don't waste your time describing your lights. I've read hundreds of hours of posts on this topic, and I've even started one or two myself. It just seems the more information I get, the less informed on this subject I feel.)
I wish there were only two or three choices! I want to make impulsive purchases again, like the good old days!!!! I want somebody to make the decision for me, 'cause until somebody does, NONE of these light manufacturers are going to get a cent of my birthday money!!!!!!
Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!
(PS: Don't bother asking me what I need the light for, what type of light I prefer, or how much I want to spend. And, although I respect every single one of you out there, PLEASE don't waste your time describing your lights. I've read hundreds of hours of posts on this topic, and I've even started one or two myself. It just seems the more information I get, the less informed on this subject I feel.)
Call Peter White.
Marc
10-21-13 | 07:05 PM
#113
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 know that. Just my way of saying I have a passing familiarity with the area.
Job with the town? If it's anything like mine with the city (well not THE city, but my city), I can understand the embarassment. But I'm sticking it out for the pension. Only 11 years to go!
Job with the town? If it's anything like mine with the city (well not THE city, but my city), I can understand the embarassment. But I'm sticking it out for the pension. Only 11 years to go!
10-22-13 | 03:41 AM
#114
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,119
Likes: 159
From: Kalamazoo, Mi.
Bikes: Sam, The Hunq and that Old Guy, Soma Buena Vista, Giant Talon 2, Brompton
10-22-13 | 04:26 AM
#115
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,441
Likes: 235
>>>You want to be told what is best.<<<<
No! NO! Go back and read my original post! I don't want to know any more than I already know! The more people chime in with suggestions - and the more hundreds and hundreds of lights people recommend - the further I am from making a decision!!!!!!
Seriously, though, thank you all for your good intentions. This thread was meant to be a statement about the down side of having way too many choices and way too many available opinions. I really didn't want to trigger yet another "what's the best?" chain. There are, in my opinion, way too many threads like that out there.
No! NO! Go back and read my original post! I don't want to know any more than I already know! The more people chime in with suggestions - and the more hundreds and hundreds of lights people recommend - the further I am from making a decision!!!!!!
Seriously, though, thank you all for your good intentions. This thread was meant to be a statement about the down side of having way too many choices and way too many available opinions. I really didn't want to trigger yet another "what's the best?" chain. There are, in my opinion, way too many threads like that out there.
10-22-13 | 04:35 AM
#116
Banned
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 8,543
Likes: 42
From: England / CPH
Bikes: 2010 Cube Acid / 2013 Mango FGSS
10-22-13 | 06:49 AM
#117
aka Tom Reingold
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,302
Likes: 6,557
From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Papa Tom, if you want, I'll do the shopping for you. I'll do for you what your bike salesperson did in 1996. I'm not the world's greatest expert, but I'll come up with something good. Email me if you're interested.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
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“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
10-22-13 | 06:57 AM
#118
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,079
Likes: 1
From: Potashville
Bikes: Reynolds 531P road bike, Rocky Mountain Metropolis, Rocky Mountain Sherpa 10, Look 566
One way to limit your choices is to get off the internet and buy from a brick and mortar bike shop. They will only have 3 or 4 choices for each level of brightness, at most. The smaller the shop, the easier it will be.
10-22-13 | 07:04 AM
#119
bill nyecycles
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3,333
Likes: 360
From: Houston TX
PM me your address and I'll just have amazon ship something to you, and then you'll have no choice but to use it because it was a well thought out gift and you'd be a terrible person to refuse it!
10-22-13 | 09:05 AM
#120
my nice bike is at home
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 970
Likes: 37
From: Brooklyn, NY USA
Bikes: 2011 BMC Race Machine / 2012 BMC Road Machine / Trek 2300 / '90's Merlin/ '70's Raleigh 20/ Ti-'swift' folder / Erickson w/S&S couplers
$500? what is that light attached to? A motorcycle?
10-22-13 | 10:42 AM
#121
Unlisted member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,192
Likes: 435
From: Chicagoland
Bikes: Specialized Hardrock
I was glad I'd updated my lights and had more than 1 riding home last night. It was cold enough to reduce the run times on the batteries, and I was glad to know I wouldn't run out of light on the way home.
10-22-13 | 05:44 PM
#122
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,441
Likes: 235
OK, it's done. Badabing, badaboom. I now have a new light, and wait 'til you see what it is! Check this thread https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...9#post16182909 for details!
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