Who has lights on their bike?
03-23-09, 09:09 PM
#26
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I carry 2 LED 3XAAA powered flashlights jn case I get caught out after dark. These can be attached to the bars with elastic bands. If I plan on riding after dark I also use 2 LED 4XAA powered lights. These are adequate for riding at a slightly reduced speed. I also have a LED blinkie on the back of the rack.
03-23-09, 09:30 PM
#27
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Thanks all, these are the sorts of things I was looking for.
Yeah, I not only lack the skills, but also the time and inclination. I barely have the time to shop on the internet and post on forums these days...
I saw interesting posts on there, but figured it was something of a self-selecting group in many ways. Kind of like asking a bunch of IT guys the best kind of computer is. Great if you want to build it, but less so if you want to buy it at Best Buy.
If you have some electronics skills you can build yourself a very bright, efficient and inexpensive lighting solution. I'm going to give this a try soon, but here's the site and the designers claim (once again - this is strictly a build it yourself thing):
Originally Posted by dcbikeguy
03-23-09, 09:45 PM
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Originally Posted by DataJunkie
Dinotte 800L and 600L up front. Dinotte 140L tail light.
I also carry a backup cat eye tail light just in case my 140L goes out.
I also carry a backup cat eye tail light just in case my 140L goes out.
03-23-09, 09:58 PM
#29
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dinotte 140L and 200L on the front, planetbike superflash on the back. IMHO sunset is probably more dangerous to ride than after dark, as the lights compete with glare if people are looking into the sun.
Of course, after dark you can't ride much faster than 18-20 mph unless you've got more lumens than I'm running, which takes descents a non-option.
Of course, after dark you can't ride much faster than 18-20 mph unless you've got more lumens than I'm running, which takes descents a non-option.
03-23-09, 10:31 PM
#30
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Originally Posted by knucklesandwich
Minewt X2 Dual up front, and PB Superflash in the rear.
When commuting I have another Superflash on my bag.
When commuting I have another Superflash on my bag.
03-23-09, 10:46 PM
#31
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If I ride to work and will be riding home in the dark, I have a red blinkie for my mini backpack, and a light on my helmet that I can shine into drivers faces to make sure they notice me.
03-24-09, 06:35 AM
#32
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Originally Posted by Tapeworm21
How do you like the X.2 dual? I'm thinking about it for commuting and actual night road riding when necessary. Is the beam fairly wide? I might just beef it up to the Trinewt which I KNOW is completely badass.
It throws a nice light, and the two lights can be aimed in a number of different ways to cover what you want covered. People tend to complain about it coming the other way on a MUP, even on low and with the lights aimed down and to the right. And blink definitely gets the attention of cars.
The rubber o-rings mounts are solid and easy to swap between bikes on the fly.
03-24-09, 07:46 AM
#33
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I too have a Niterider Minewt X2 Dual. The individual lamp beams are relatively narrow but since you have two you can adjust them for a nice spread. I also have a Planet Bike Alias with a 15w bulb for the nice spread halogen bulbs provide.
On the back i had two Planet Bike Superflashes on the seat stays and a Cateye TL-LD1000 on the seat post. I only turn 2 on and have the 3rd as a backup.
On the back i had two Planet Bike Superflashes on the seat stays and a Cateye TL-LD1000 on the seat post. I only turn 2 on and have the 3rd as a backup.
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03-24-09, 07:52 AM
#34
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Originally Posted by BusBiker
I assume you're a "belt and suspenders" kind of guy. I've got a 600L with a SuperFlash rear light - Plenty bright for dark suburban streets. That plus an 800L would be serious overkill. Then again, for safety I can justify about anything.
I took my settlement from being hit by a car and spent a small portion on lighting. Dinotte had a sale on a combo 400L\800L for $450. So I went from 140 lumens to 1200. I was originally planning on just picking up a 400L.
Riding with that much light is a blast.
03-24-09, 10:20 AM
#35
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I like the Cateye Single Shot for the front - rechargable and bright, and a Planet Blinky for the rear.
03-24-09, 10:30 AM
#36
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wow.. i feel so under lighted..
Cateye EL220 in the front and a Bell blinkie in the rear, trying to go to a better rear light though. I don't really need them right now, but once it warms up and I start riding in the morning I will...
Cateye EL220 in the front and a Bell blinkie in the rear, trying to go to a better rear light though. I don't really need them right now, but once it warms up and I start riding in the morning I will...
03-24-09, 10:43 AM
#37
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
If I am riding my lights are on as even in the daytime the 1 watt front led is bright enough to be seen for good distances and at night I run a Superflash in the rear.
The odds of being hit increase greatly at night with stats showing that 60% of serious accidents happen in the evening and most of those happen to cyclists who are riding without adequate lighting.
It is all about being seen and when it comes to seeing I use a 10 watt Nighthawk up front in addition to the 1 watt led which is actually fine on it's own if there is no ambient light.
The odds of being hit increase greatly at night with stats showing that 60% of serious accidents happen in the evening and most of those happen to cyclists who are riding without adequate lighting.
It is all about being seen and when it comes to seeing I use a 10 watt Nighthawk up front in addition to the 1 watt led which is actually fine on it's own if there is no ambient light.
03-24-09, 10:44 AM
#38
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I always run a blinky taillight on my seatpost, day or night. I figure if it keeps me from getting hit once it is worth it. Performance has the "viewpoint". I don't ride much at night but I have a small Cateye that staps on the handlebars in an emergency.
03-24-09, 10:50 AM
#39
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Originally Posted by K&K_Dad
wow.. i feel so under lighted..
Cateye EL220 in the front and a Bell blinkie in the rear, trying to go to a better rear light though. I don't really need them right now, but once it warms up and I start riding in the morning I will...
Cateye EL220 in the front and a Bell blinkie in the rear, trying to go to a better rear light though. I don't really need them right now, but once it warms up and I start riding in the morning I will...
My LBS has the Blaze 1W (PB front light) and it is actually brighter than my DiNotte 200L although I don't know how long the Blaze lasts on only 2AA. The DiNotte 200L lasts 2 hours on high using 4xAA NiMH so I would assume the Blaze gets 1 hour or less.
03-24-09, 10:59 AM
#40
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All my bikes have a dedicated, bright rear blinky. They all also sport a small mount for my L&M HID headlight. If I know I'll be out after dark I add the DiNotte to the rear with the HID. IMO. it's pretty foolish to be out without the one. I just pop it off (along with a few other bits) for races as the mounts make zero difference whatsoever.
Aesthetics are another matter, but as PCaddy sez: "Better Fred than dead".
Aesthetics are another matter, but as PCaddy sez: "Better Fred than dead".
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Why am I in your signature.
03-24-09, 11:51 AM
#41
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very big light:
and a moderate sized light:
and another one:
one more:
and a moderate sized light:
and another one:
one more:
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Last edited by steppinthefunk; 03-24-09 at 11:58 AM.
03-24-09, 02:09 PM
#42
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I've got a L&M HID up front with a Frog backup, and a Blackburn Mars on the back. The HID is way way overkill, but I use it for MTB as well, and I didn't want to buy a separate light for commuting.
03-24-09, 03:43 PM
#44
You Know!? For Kids!
green lasers?
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03-24-09, 03:45 PM
#45
Bike ≠ Car ≠ Ped.
On my road bike, I have a Dinotte 200 for the front, and either a PBSF or a Dinotte 140 for the rear. Sometimes I switch to an amber Dinotte headlight if I know I'm only going to be out during the day.
I want to put a dynohub on every bike I own, though.
I want to put a dynohub on every bike I own, though.
03-24-09, 03:56 PM
#46
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Originally Posted by jsharr
green lasers?
