Lights

[Veronica]

When Thom started commuting last year we did some night testing of our various lights and reflective gear. We felt the Cat Eyes weren't up to the task for either seeing adequately or being seen.

But if you need something economical, they're better than nothing.

V.

[surgtech1956]

Thanks for the info. I'm not sure how much night riding I'll be doing - probably like Torrilin using a light in fog, etc... I was pricing the Cateyes and I've been looking on Ebay - anyone heard of a Cygo Lite Rover???

[Delta7]

I have the Dinotte 5, a great light for night commuting.

I think this is a great deal @$149, though it may be over your budget.

http://www.biketiresdirect.com/produ...?p=DLU5A&st=bw

Cheers.

[Geonz]

Right now Planet Bike's 15W Insight Light is on sale at Nashbar
http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...Front%20Lights
It is no lightweight but it is BRIGHT (I have one that I paid more for )

[lizbids]

Hi there. I'm not sure how uncomfortable it might be for you, but I just bought a headlamp for my tour. I bought it for mainly off-the-bike stuff but can see that it may just come in handy should I have to ride at night.
http://www.shopping.com/xPO-Princeto..._Quad_Headlamp

Also, if you want a noticeable tail light, I just bought this:
http://ecom1.planetbike.com/3034.html I practically blinded myself when testing it out in the dark.

[Fredwina]

Thanks for the info. I'm not sure how much night riding I'll be doing - probably like Torrilin using a light in fog, etc... I was pricing the Cateyes and I've been looking on Ebay - anyone heard of a Cygo Lite Rover???

Actually, I have one. A good light for the price. the battery will only last for an hour and half
For "insane" rides i use two Cateye el-500's - That setup does give off a goodly amount of light. Plus, I can get about 4 hours. I also a Black Diamond headlight that I put on my helmets(like what lizbids posted) to read maps and streetsigns.
Tailights - various Cateye models

[KnottedYet]

Surg - Did you buy a bike?

[Kano]

Surgtech, thanks for this thread!

I've been thinking about lights, and said to DH one day when we'd been to a commuting seminar at REI, which made HIM think maybe I should have some lights, even though I don't commute (yet), "I want a blinky light belt I can wear around my butt, with left and right turn signals."

He said, "They make that?"

Like, yeah, right! But I can dream, right?

How much blinky light does a girl need on the back?

Karen in Boise

[surgtech1956]

Knotted - No I haven't bought a road bike, still riding my Trek 7100. I'm still looking. One LBS tried to sell me a Trek FX 7.2 but I said something about flat bar road bikes being uncomfortable(for hand positions) and they said 'yes, that's true'. It was raining so I couldn't test ride any.

[Torrilin]

How much blinky light does a girl need on the back?

Karen in Boise

If I could have blinky lights the rear, positioned so it was clear I'm a vehicle, with controls up front so they work like turn signals, I'd want two. Then I'd have turn signals that worked at night! That would be awesome. (My dream light setup would be a pair of brake lights, a pair of turn signals and a trio of running lights including one on my helmet. I'd need a helluva generator hub to make that realistic tho)

All the blinky lights I've seen so far have a button control attached to the light. It's hard to reach the button while you're on the bike, and the continuous blinking is confusing when I'm walking or in a car. A blinky light just doesn't register as "bike" to me. So even tho my taillight has blinkymode, I never use it. A steady light is more likely to register to me as bike or motorcycle.

[Torrilin]

When Thom started commuting last year we did some night testing of our various lights and reflective gear. We felt the Cat Eyes weren't up to the task for either seeing adequately or being seen.

But if you need something economical, they're better than nothing.

V.

*nod* I can believe that. I've thought about adding a second one if I start riding more at night. It's sorta moot for the next few months tho .

And yes, the taillight is a good idea. Most states don't require them, but it makes it a lot easier for both drivers and pedestrians to see your bike.