Light recommendation

[noonievut]

I just started riding to the train station where I catch a commuter train to work. I'm not sure if I should get a light for my bike (riding in daylight now, will get darker in the coming months). I would appreciate feedback from the experience commuters out there. Note - I have reflectors and a blinking light on the back of the bike. Here is some info about my commute:

- only a 10 minute ride
- I can ride on the road (very little traffic), or a sidewalk, or a path through a park (my current route uses a combination of these)
- there are streetlights on most of my existing route, and I can ride under even more streetlights if I stick to the sidewalks

As I have not ridden at night yet, I'm not sure if this route is lit well enough by the streetlights, or how I feel about it. My concerns are being seen (I can accomplish that with the reflectors and blinking lights) and seeing obstacles in front of me. I know (from mountain biking) that high-end lights are expensive...and for my short commute I just don't think it's worth getting a $200-$400 lighting system. So any thoughts?

 

[one_beatnik]

There's another issue you haven't mentioned, legality. It may be that you are required to have a headlight after dark, but back to topic.
There are many good headlights for the type of use you need. Even in the $25 to $30 range, the technology of today will give you a good bright light with a fairly wide illumination field. Please get something up front. You'll realize after it's there how much you missed it.

 

[slowfoot]

same prob here any specific recommendations? any ones you'r stay away from? i'd prefer not to fork out 200-300 usd dave t

 

[CFX Marauder]

same prob here any specific recommendations? any ones you'r stay away from? i'd prefer not to fork out 200-300 usd dave t

Lots of good has been said about the lights ..

DealExtreme: Fenix Flashlights (Page 1)#

 

[lostinsk]

Cateye. They usually produce good stuff. The Cateye micro halogen, and Cateye power opticube(model HL-EL510/520) are super little lights and can be had all over the place for under $30. They run on "AA" batteries and the later will make it 20+ hours on lowish setting. It's my current backup/standlight.

 

[one_beatnik]

NiteRider MiNewt is a great light for less that $100. It recharges with either an outlet charger on the USB port on your computer and can't be overcharged. Lights up the road with a very intense light.

 

[Scotty_Dog]

Best bang for your buck is the Magicshine 900. I purchased one through GeoManGear.com, and I couldn't be more happy with it. GeoMan performs a QC check on every light and also includes well written instructions in English. Link: Magicshine 900 lumen Lightset $84.99

 

[dougyaak]

Terralux makes a $30 220 lumen flashlight that will serve your needs well. Either put it on the helmet or on the bar with a two fish lockblcok. It runs on AA's. A rechargeable system would be very helpful.

For a cheap tail light get a Planet Bike Superflash.

 

[snowman40]

Topeak® Cycling Accessories ? Products - WhiteLite? HP 3W

I just got my 2nd one of those and am very happy with it. YMMV, but two work for me and where I ride in Southern California.


$70 at amazon.com...

 

[OldGoat]

You might want to check this thread from a few days ago:
http://www.cyclingforums.com/cycling-equipment/469921-night-riding-lights.html

 

[Hawaii 808]

I ride early morinings in the dark and the set up I have works for me. I use a high quality inexpensive Fenix flashlight Model: TK 11. Its a state of the art LED that is very bright (225 lumens) and has a wide spill beam with an excellent spot. I have it mounted on my handle bar with a Fenix Bike mount. The flashlight runs around $75.00 and the mount $15.00. Its a quick detachable system which means you have a flashlight handy to carry with you if you wish. This is a rugged waterproof tactical flashlight. I like to have my control deck lighted so I also have a Fenix MC 10 angle light mounted on my seatpost just below my seat. Its clipped on to my saddle bag attachment strap. It does a great job and illuminating my control deck and again is waterproof, quick detachable and a rugged flashlight in itself. I use a PAL Safelite in beacon mode attached to my saddle bag for my tail light. Again rugged, waterproof QD and is certified visible for 2 miles.

 

[OldGoat]

Yes, you'll want and need good lights front & rear, both to see and to be seen.

Lots of good higher-end front lights, both new & used, on sale at all times on ebay. Suggest you get one that can be mounted on your helmet; you'll be amazed how much better vision you'll get in comparison with a bar-mounted light.

For a rear light, for $25-$30 you can't go wrong with the new Radbot 1000 from Portland Design Works. Twice as bright as the Planet Bike Superflash, and has a built-in reflector (similar in design to, but much brighter than, the Cateye TL-AU100, which seems to be sold only in the UK).

Portland Design Works Radbot 1000 Tail Light, 1-watt LED - AEBike.com

You might consider one of the front/rear light sets from PDW:
lights | Portland Design Works

I'd skip the Radbot 500; why get half the light when for a few $ more, you can get the Radbot 1000 with twice the power.

 

[Bclc4life]

I ran into a similar problem 2 years ago. I wanted to get a nice light system but could not afford it then. I had an old 4D Mag light laying around, so I replaced the light with an led and cut it down to about 5 inches (right behind the button). Went to a radio shack and bought a 4AA battery holder, ran the wires and then there was light. By swithing to an led I can run the light on AA instead of D's, which saves in weight and bulk. And battery life is very good, I swapped out batteries after a year, not because they were dying but just to be safe.

I know my set up is not as good looking as a $200+ system but it does work and now I can spend my money on other things.

 

[eric.weisz]

Terralux makes a $30 220 lumen flashlight that will serve your needs well. Either put it on the helmet or on the bar with a two fish lockblcok. It runs on AA's. A rechargeable system would be very helpful.

For a cheap tail light get a Planet Bike Superflash.

+1 on the Terralux. That's what I'm running up front for my "see where I'm going in the dark" light. I just cycle through AA rechargable batteries. Each set of two AA rechargables gets me a good hour-plus of light on high. That's two evening commutes for me...