cstanmiller

I am new to this forum. I had given up on finding a bicycle that was upright and comfortable many years ago. I am now 65 years old. Then I found the Trek 7100 and loved the color so much I didn't look any farther. I loved riding it, usually about 10-12 miles at a time. There are no bike lanes in Mustang, OK, so I stick to the residential streets. The summer night temperatures run around 75 to 90 degrees, so I would ride after dark. I've had an ideal for my bike lights for many years. I went to Wal-Mart and bought a set of small driving lights and fabricated the mounting for them and then bought a 26 AH battery to power them. The lights are two 50W halogens and light up the road and all the potholes. I see stop signs light up at well over 100 yards. The battery has powered them for over two hours without a charge while staying full bright. I get full respect from cars. They wait for me to pass at stop signs. Most are amassed at the brightness of this bicycle's lights. Since I ride just for fun and exercise I don't mind the 20 extra pounds I am carrying around.
cstanmiller

Wanderer

That's pretty cool! Can you run them one at a time???

I would think a 35W bulb, even only one, would still lite up the night, and allow triple the run time.

cstanmiller

I read about using lower wattage bulbs but after running these I didn't see the need unless I was riding much further. I was also thinking about adding a high beam for those cars that like to run their high beams in your face.

Wanderer

Switch them separately, and aim the left beam high and left, just like a hi beammmmmmmms ------ LOL

Ron B

What an ingeneous idea - good for you!!! I have a Trek 7200 for much the same reasons as you. I try not to ride at night but when I do I bought a fairly inexpensive set (head and tail lights) from Performance Bike. REI is also a good source - at least near me. God bless and ride, ride, ride! Best to you!

travelmama

Excellent set up!

Panthers007

I nominate that for "Funky Upgrade Of The Week!" Nice job! Now get a green laser-pointer for that 'Star Wars' effect.

ddez

I'll second that nomination. I enjoy seeing how folks devise ways to set their bikes up for there riding style and only theres. Really neat setup.

sh00k

l0l @ the first pic. looks like johnny number 5 the robot from that movie...... l0l

cstanmiller

Thanks for the positive replies. In answer to a few questions, the lights a wired together and one is aimed close and the other and is aimed ahead of the first and they provide a uniform pattern of light with no shadows. In retrospect I could have used a smaller battery, but being of the belief that too much is just enough, I went big to start with. When it comes time to replace the battery I will probably drop back to an 18AH with no problem. So far the present battery is a gel sealed has run for about two years with no problems. Thanks again, cstanmiller