Lights!

[annie]

Many night riders here? Commuters riding in the dark? Have you found a light that you think is really great?
I recently purchased the Cateye HL 500, hoping that the hype was true. I had the HL 300 and it was okay, but not quite bright enough to really light up the road. This new one is awesome!! I finished a ride Saturday night, the last 10 miles in the dark of night (beautiful!!) and the light lit my way. I never felt like I couldn't see enough of the road or far enough in front of me. I don't know what it would be like off-road---I think I would want a more focused beam and would use my heavy, rechargable battery light for that-- but for road riding, this HL500 wowed me. It's not cheap but worth every penny. Four AA batteries for 30 hours runtime. No more hauling that 2-ton battery for me! Happy dancing! Just thought I'd share in case anyone is looking for a very nice light. And, no, I don't work for cateye! Hmmm, might be a good place to work, but I don't even know where they're located. I bet nowhere near here!

annie

[CorsairMac]

Good to know. I'm a commuter so yes I need lights in the fall/winter. I bought the Trek halogen light (read: cheap) and it's OK. But exactly what you said, the beam isn't focused enough for me and it doesn't seem to light the trail up far enough ahead to make me feel comfortable. I was looking at the rechargable and/or battery ones but they just seem too big and bulky. Thanks for the tip - I'll have to look into the Cateye one for this next winter commute season.

[Karen London]

I'm sure I saw Irulan and a couple of gals recommend Jet Lights a whiles back. Irulan?

[roughingit]

I have a nice light from Giant that has 5 LEDs and can be switched to halogen. I love the LEDs, they last forever, don't suck my batteries dry and light up the road nicely!

[JanT]

I have a Niterider non-digital evolution light, which came with both a handlebar mount as well as a helmet mount. Since I have 3 bikes, I just mounted it on an extra helmet, so no need to fuss with moving the mount. I read somewhere that using the helmet mount allows you to "flash" drivers, if needed to get their attention, and I found that to be helpful at times. Drivers are not really looking for bikes at night, so being able to flash my light in their direction helps to get them to notice me. Also, it's a fairly bright light, so it does light up the road. Having it on the helmet lets me shine the light at what I want to see.

Also, do you have a rear light? I like the flashing LED kind. I have a mount for the seat post, but usually just hook it on my Camelbak or on the panniers if I'm commuting and not using the Camelbak.

I'd like to get those little lights that go in the handlebars--those look cool. But I'm not sure how much they really add to your visibility. Anybody have them and know how bright they are?

Everybody stay visible and stay safe out there!

[CorsairMac]

Yes I have the flashing rear light that I hook on my pack. I'm thinking about getting the Hooky Spokes that V has, you can really see those at night plus they're fun! I will probably upgrade my rear flasher tho to something a little bigger just to be sure I"m seen as the sun is setting here in the west!

[skibum]

I'd like to get those little lights that go in the handlebars--those look cool. But I'm not sure how much they really add to your visibility. Anybody have them and know how bright they are?

I have the bar end lights. They are flashing LEDs so they are similar in brightness to the rear flashing LED type lights. A little less bright because there is only one LED per bar end rather than 4 or 5 in the rear light. I would never use them instead of a rear light. I just figured anything I can do to be more visible to motorists is a good thing. I have other cyclists comment on them all the time so I'm assuming they add to my visibility.