What lights are you using? Also want a strobe.
#1
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Joined: Jul 2010
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What lights are you using? Also want a strobe.
I want to set my bicycle up for night time trail and street use. I want the strobes to be bright and long lasting. Figure I can mount a rear strobe on the front. I want a red strobe to mount on the back and front.
I want a super bright long lasting head light.
Finally I want a lower power but long lasting front red light for low signature trail biking. The red light cant be seen as far away, it wont scare animals, or hurt my night adapted vision as much.
I want a super bright long lasting head light.
Finally I want a lower power but long lasting front red light for low signature trail biking. The red light cant be seen as far away, it wont scare animals, or hurt my night adapted vision as much.
#2
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Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Beaufort, South Carolina, USA and surrounding islands.
Bikes: Cannondale R500, Motobecane Messenger
Don't put a red light on the front. You could get hit head on by someone thinking they are approaching you from behind. Red light on the front is against the law in South Carolina.
#3
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Joined: Mar 2005
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I just bought 5 of these little guys for the department bikes:
https://www.niterider.com/prod_minewt350.shtml
The Niterider MiNewt 350. I tested one while I was on midnights this Summer, and I was impressed. The little light puts out a lot of light, weighs next to nothing, has a quick and easy mount (basically, a rubber O-ring that goes around the handlebar) and a nice little lightweight rechargable battery pack that you can either plug into a wall socket or into the USB port of your computer.
Supposed to last 1.5 hours on a charge.
These are compact and light enough that you could put one on your helmet as well. (If you have enough money to afford two!)
These are head and shoulders above the old Niterider units we had years ago, with the bulky water-bottle sized battery and rather short life-span.
I also bought the little rechargable "flea" rear lights. These also plug into your USB port with a little charger that attaches magnetically, or you can recharge them directly from nearly any battery.
Very compact, bright... Can't ask for more.
https://www.niterider.com/prod_minewt350.shtml
The Niterider MiNewt 350. I tested one while I was on midnights this Summer, and I was impressed. The little light puts out a lot of light, weighs next to nothing, has a quick and easy mount (basically, a rubber O-ring that goes around the handlebar) and a nice little lightweight rechargable battery pack that you can either plug into a wall socket or into the USB port of your computer.
Supposed to last 1.5 hours on a charge.
These are compact and light enough that you could put one on your helmet as well. (If you have enough money to afford two!)
These are head and shoulders above the old Niterider units we had years ago, with the bulky water-bottle sized battery and rather short life-span.
I also bought the little rechargable "flea" rear lights. These also plug into your USB port with a little charger that attaches magnetically, or you can recharge them directly from nearly any battery.
Very compact, bright... Can't ask for more.
#4
Life is good


Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Not far from the Withlacoochee Trail. 🚴🏻
Bikes: 2018 Lynskey Helix Pro
Ask the folks in the Commuting forum. They know all about lighting.
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The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
#5
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Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Michigan
Bikes: Windsor Fens, Giant Seek 0 (2014, Alfine 8 + discs)
Do you really mean strobes, or do you mean blinking lights? Strobes are cool, I used to run one, but flashing lights are what most people run.
I'd get a smallish white flasher for the front. I run a pretty hefty front light (P7 magicshine) but I wouldn't use it in flashing mode except in extreme circumstances. I'd go for something of more like 50 lumens max as my flasher, and in reality probably just my old Cateye 400.
On the back I have Dinotte, though if your riding is only in town with decent weather and lower speed cars (cars are passing me at 60 MPH in the fog), a Planet Bike Superflash or a Radbot 1000 should be more than adequate.
I'd get a smallish white flasher for the front. I run a pretty hefty front light (P7 magicshine) but I wouldn't use it in flashing mode except in extreme circumstances. I'd go for something of more like 50 lumens max as my flasher, and in reality probably just my old Cateye 400.
On the back I have Dinotte, though if your riding is only in town with decent weather and lower speed cars (cars are passing me at 60 MPH in the fog), a Planet Bike Superflash or a Radbot 1000 should be more than adequate.
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#6
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#7
Señior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 13,748
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From: Michigan
Bikes: Windsor Fens, Giant Seek 0 (2014, Alfine 8 + discs)
For the cost of the Blaze 2W you're really, really close to getting a P7 flashlight which is at least twice as bright.
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#8
There's also a bicycle lighting section on Candle Power Forums https://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/...splay.php?f=86 and a lighting section on mtbr.com.
#9
Also, red will cause problems with contrast on a lot of trails. If you want something less problematic for the front than white, go with a yellow light.
#10
Zircon Encrusted Tweezer

Joined: May 2004
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From: Marshfield, MA
Bikes: Pivot Switchblade, SantaCruz Tallboy, SantaCruz Solo, Specialized Fatboy, Trek ProjectOne Madone, Fuji Altamira CX 1.1, Lemond Zurich
The Magic Shine kicks @ss.
#11
Dead Men Assume...
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Singapore
Bikes: Bike Friday NWT
I think that we're pretty knowledgeable in this forum.
For the OP, what's your budget?
I run in front a Supernova E3 off of a SON dynohub along with a Dinotte 400 on my handlebar and another 400 on my helmet. The 400s are battery powered so expect run times to vary. In the back, I have a Supernova tail light along with a Planet Bike Superflash. Think it's under a grand in lights.
For the OP, what's your budget?
I run in front a Supernova E3 off of a SON dynohub along with a Dinotte 400 on my handlebar and another 400 on my helmet. The 400s are battery powered so expect run times to vary. In the back, I have a Supernova tail light along with a Planet Bike Superflash. Think it's under a grand in lights.
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