Bicycle lights

Headlight: Nite Rider Trail Rat. Great light, not cheap (but not as high as they come!)

Taillight: Cateye T-1000. Very bright and flashy.

Also reflective ankle thingies, extra blinkies on my panniers, and reflective/hi viz jacket and shirts. I commute through the winter, but avoid night riding as much as possible because of my vision problems. My evening winter commutes are 1 mile to the Metro near my office on a lit street, and two miles from the Metro to my house on well-lit residential streets, but it's still important to be as visible as possible. But the morning commute remains 14 miles because it's light, at least most of the way.

I too, have the Blackburn Quadrant for the rear end, and a smaller Cateye clipped onto my backpack. I have a small Cateye (forgot the make and model) on the front, but will be upgrading that this weekend, as it is DARK here at six in the morning. :eek: I am also one of those who likes to be lit up like a Yule tree and be seen.

Currently I use the Nite Rider Trail Rat. It's mounted on the helmet (can be on handlebars also) and is a really bright light, nothing compared to the HIDs though. I use it for night trail riding and also night road riding. The battery is smaller and is stored in my hydration pack, I could fit in a jersey pocket though. It has I think 2-2.5 hours of life. Overall, I'm really satisfied with the light, but it is around $150 I think (I've had it awhile, can't remember exact cost).

I have been on road rides where I've passed people with commuter lights. Honestly, I could hardly see the people. I'm sure it gave the rider enough light, but definitely not enough for other people to see them. If you are just looking for a light to get you through the last little bit of the ride when the sun is setting, and not full blown night riding, it's probably OK. If you're looking to do serious night riding though, i.e. a good hour or two, on the road or trail, in the dark, I would go for a higher performance light. Also, reflector are much easier for cars to see than lights. Get some reflective tape and put it on various places if you plan on doing night road riding, in the road.

I've been on rides where people have HIDs and they make me jealous. HIDs are soooo bright! If I could afford one, I would totally get a HID.

While it doesn't help me be seen, Yellow lenses in my sunglasses help me see better at dusk. My DH and I ride a loop (fondly called the Booty Loop) after work and use yellow glasses. It's incredible how they improve our vision. Almost too well. Sometimes it's darker than we realize when we stop our rides.

Hi Everyone!

Thank you all for telling me about all the different choices out there!!

I still have a little bit of time (just a teeny bit ;) ) to research, but the days are getting shorter.......

I'd like to outfit our bikes for < $100 - $150 (each), if at all possible. I'll keep my eye out for the sales.

Again, thank you all for your help!

Have a peaceful day.

Denise