Lighting?

[hoffsquared]

Given the pending time change, I'm wondering how TE's have equipped their bikes for commuting during dusk or in the dark. Especially interested in front light setups.

[lph]

I have a spanking new Light and Motion Stella 180 on my mtb currently commuterbike, that's one helluva bright baby on full but if I'm careful to tilt it down I may not blind all oncoming drivers. I may move it to my helmet, but again, I'm worried about accidentally swiping someone and blinding them. I ride mostly on bike paths and city roads with some lighting, some stretches that are just partially lit. Mostly paved so I don't really need to see the ground that well.

I have a Sigma Karma on my winter bike. I like it, or did last I used it, last winter. A Superflash in back, love that one. And a couple of small blinkies in reserve in case my batteries run out unexpectedly or I break something.

[blackhillsbiker]

I have a Light & Motion Stella 120 on my commuter bike (I love it!), and a Knog Toad as a front blinkie. I have a Trek blinkie taillight on the back. I'm pretty happy with this setup.

[Tri Girl]

I have ree lights on my front and rear tires (magnetic lights that blink with the rotating tires and don't need batteries) and on my head I have a really bright Petzl light. Most of the roads I ride have streetlights, so I don't really need bright for seeing, just for being seen.

Now on the back I'm lit up like a Christmas tree. A seatpost knog blinking, a super bright blinking light on the rear rack, a light on the back of my helmet, and a safety triangle that has a built in LED strip that blinks (along with reflective tape on the frame and fenders) and the ree light on the rear tire. You can't miss me from the back.

For side illumination I have a green "glow stick" thing that blinks that sits under my downtube. It illuminates from the side and down onto the street.

[Becky]

During the winter, I use a NiteRider TriNewt headlight, and Cateye LD1100 and Planet Bike Superflash taillights. I also recently added a FibreFlare side light that I obtained from Australia with a friend's help. They'll be available in the U.S. in another month or two.

It sounds like a lot of lighting, but my commute is poorly lit and has heavy vehicle traffic along most of the route. I'd rather err on the side of caution.

[blackhillsbiker]

I forgot to mention all the reflective tape (DOT certified for trailers/boats/etc.) I have on my fenders, helmet and rack, as well as large front and rear regular reflectors. I decided to err on the side of being seen.

Deb

[Grog]

Recently bought a Mity Cross light by Cygolite. I'm very satisfied. It has all the modes I need (high, med, low solid beam, flashing, SOS), and it lights my way very well. (I ride through a totally dark road with no lights at all, and high-speed traffic.)

When I was just riding across town on semi-lit roads, I was fine with a small solid beam and a Planet Bike front light, just to be visible.

I have at least two or three rear lights for some reason.