Lights? Front & Rear

[surgtech1956]

Do you have a light, either front or rear? I don't plan to ride in the dark, it might be just getting dark when I finish, or just getting light when I start. For the rear tail light, I was thinking about a Blackburn Flea - Rechargeable. Would a rechargeable be better then say, a Planet Bike or Cateye, or are all rear lights pretty comparable? For a front light, I was thinking something like a Niterider 150-200(Mininewt) or Cygolite 150-200. Something in the 150-200 lumen range. Do you think something in this range would be adequate. BTW, there'll be some street lights(its not in the city, but its not out in the booneys). Thanks.

[KnottedYet]

I've got 6 lights on my bike, but my main taillight is a Planet Bike Superflash and my main headlight is a 4-lamp Blackburn.

Both are quite visible, and I've gotten compliments on both from people I've passed.

(I think the Superflash was something like $25 and the headlight was about $20)

[OakLeaf]

+1 on the Superflash. That thing is crazy bright.

Whatever taillight you get, it's safest to put a zip-tie around it once it's installed. They tend to pop apart whenever you hit a bump, and send your lens and batteries flying everywhere.

[Eden]

I have a SuperFlash taillight and an array of headlights.... I use a front white Flea Light during the day as extra see me insurance - after having been hit during broad daylight... I have a L&M Stella for actual darkness. I've had several NiteRiders, but haven't had a lot of luck keeping one running for long... The new ones that don't have a battery pack are nice looking though.

[radacrider]

Some would say I have overkill and I certainly have had people comment on the brightness of my taillight and the hugeness of my headlight. I ride all year, including the dark and wet winters of Portland, OR.

Rear : Dinotte 120R, red LED, I use in flash-pause mode. Runs on 4 AA rechargeables. The down side for some is it uses a separate battery pouch.

Front : B&M IXON-IQ LED, very bright, two brightness modes. I bought this for seeing on those dark, wet neighborhood streets, and to be seen.

[surgtech1956]

Thanks, I think I'll try a SuperFlash for a tail light. Eden, which Stella do you have? Radacrider, what is a B&M ? I've never heard of this. Thank you again...:)

[redrhodie]

Do you have a light, either front or rear? I don't plan to ride in the dark, it might be just getting dark when I finish, or just getting light when I start. For the rear tail light, I was thinking about a Blackburn Flea - Rechargeable. Would a rechargeable be better then say, a Planet Bike or Cateye, or are all rear lights pretty comparable? For a front light, I was thinking something like a Niterider 150-200(Mininewt) or Cygolite 150-200. Something in the 150-200 lumen range. Do you think something in this range would be adequate. BTW, there'll be some street lights(its not in the city, but its not out in the booneys). Thanks.

I have the blackburn fleas, the minewt, a planet bike blinky, and a cateye (and several frogs). I use them all. However, I love the fleas the most because they attach to my helmet. Actually, they sell the helmet and lights here. http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodBL_2024007.html

If I had gotten those first, I may not have gotten any of the others. I don't usually ride in full darkness, so they're enough light for my commutes, and add no weight and take no effort to attach.

[Eden]

I have the single Stella (the 300). I use it in some pretty dark places and it light up everything pretty well. It's not a HID light - I wouldn't use it for night mt biking, but for commuting and even training at night in city/suburban areas its fine.

[radacrider]

Thanks, I think I'll try a SuperFlash for a tail light. Eden, which Stella do you have? Radacrider, what is a B&M ? I've never heard of this. Thank you again...:)

Busch and Muller, I got it from Harris Cyclery http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/lighting/nonrechargeable.html#lt1672. The description is, illuminates five hours long with up to 40 lux. That is 300% brighter than German road traffic regulations require.

My goal was to be able to clearly see in the winter and it is awesome. Probably overkill if you just need a light to be seen around dusk.:D

[Crankin]

I have a Planet Bike blinkie that is so bright that when I ride behind DH, his almost blinds me.
I have a Minewt that is also awesome. It's "to see" light. I have terrible night vision and I am perfectly comfortable using it in unlit, country road areas.

[surgtech1956]

Crankin which MiNewt do you have? thank you

[Crankin]

I have the Night Rider 200. Has high and low beams, easy to put on and off the bike. Pricey, but worth every penny. Going to use it tomorrow morning.

[surgtech1956]

Crankin, thank you. You must be riding very early. I've found a Niterider 250 Cordless and Niterider 350 Cordless for a good price, just have to decide which one. The 250 comes with both the handlebar and helmet mount and the 350 with just the handlebar mount.

Thank you again for the feedback.

[wackyjacky1]

+1 on the Superflash. That thing is crazy bright.

Whatever taillight you get, it's safest to put a zip-tie around it once it's installed. They tend to pop apart whenever you hit a bump, and send your lens and batteries flying everywhere.
Another vote for the Superflash.

And thanks for the zip-tie tip; I've replaced mine twice because they came apart sometime during my ride and I didn't notice 'til I got where I was going. (Shame on me for not thinking of zip-tying it myself. :o )

I use a Planet Bike 1-watt Blaze headlight. It's adequate for urban nighttime riding. When I'm on a well-lighted street, I set it to flash.