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least common denominator
 
scottmandue's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: San Pedro,CA
Posts: 22,506
Bicycle folks, Head/Taillight recommendations?

I know we have a bunch of bicycle experts here, I live a block from a bike/jogging path and thinking maybe a bike ride after work would be a good thing.

I don't need ten thousand candle power but would like to not get run over and be able to see/avoid the occasional raccoon or possum crossing the road.

Prefer something that takes common batteries (I have a recharger for AA and AAA)

And won't break the bank, a quick look at Amazon I see lights from $10-$30 but I don't want a piece of junk that falls off the handlebars or works intermittent either.

This being PPOT I fully expect someone to recommend a titanium/carbon fiber $5000 unit.

game on!

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Old 04-17-2013, 06:46 AM
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I see you
 
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Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: NJ
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I'm happy with my Cateye. $30 at REI when I boughht it.
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Old 04-17-2013, 07:05 AM
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in the dead of winter i walked into a bike shop to look at the very same thing. lights.

i walked out, confused. my tiny shop had 30 units..it all got very confusing, very fast.

i retreated to research...then winter ended. ahhhh..
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Old 04-17-2013, 07:06 AM
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least common denominator
 
scottmandue's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: San Pedro,CA
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The cateye head/taillight is the $30 option on Amazon... always been happy with their product.

Then there is a 'planet bike' for $15 and a 'BV' of $10.
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Gary Fisher 29er
2019 Kia Stinger 2.0t gone
1995 Miata Sold
1984 944 Sold
I am not lost for I know where I am, however where I am is lost. - Winnie the poo.
Old 04-17-2013, 09:49 AM
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Location: Bay Area, CA.
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depending on your budget

niterider lights are really nice, I have been using these lights for many years

our distributor carries
niterider
cygolite
nite ize
planet bike
lezyne
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Old 04-17-2013, 09:59 AM
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Model Citizen
 
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Join Date: May 2007
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This might seem like total overkill but I commute year round:
•Light and motion headlight, (Suuuuper bright!)
•2 white froglights on the handlebars that flash
•4 red flashing lights on the rear
•1 red flashing froglight on the helmet
•reflective sidewalls
All my gear is neon yellow with reflective accents

I'm sure the hipsters who ride around black think I'm a dork, but I'm visible on dark rainy nights and mornings.

(And lots of ebay vendors sell the coin batteries cheap, so I replace them often)
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Last edited by herr_oberst; 04-17-2013 at 10:45 AM..
Old 04-17-2013, 10:43 AM
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jyl jyl is online now
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Amazon.com: ATC CREE XML T6 LED 1000 Lumen Bike Light / Bike Bicycle Light HeadLight headLamp with improved battery and charger: Sports & Outdoors

I've tried 3X to write a psot explaining why this is so great, the site keeps eating it, so here is short version

reliable, waterproof, use it daily in Portland winter
600 honest lumens
spot beam - can buy diffuser to spread
comes w/ handlebar mount, battery in pouch, charger
I mount on helmet - the spot shines where I look
$28-35, various sellers
knockoff of a Magicshine light that costs a lot more
1 hour on high, more on low or strobe
leave light unplugged from battery when not in use, otherwise the illuminated button can drain battery in several days
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Old 04-17-2013, 10:53 AM
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I ride w/ white/red CR2032 blinkies on front/rear of bike, 2 red CR2032 blinkies (main + spare) on rear of helmet, the above-linked light on front of helmet, a similar (old NiteRider MiniNewt) headlight on handlebars, Knog "Blinder 4V" 4-LED taillight on bike seat post, and TACX "Lumos" bar-end lights on the drop bars. Like herr-o, I'm a Christmas tree. I commute year-round, often on dark rainy pre-dawn mornings/nights, on city streets. So far, no driver has behaved in a way that suggested they didn't see me.

tacx.com - Bicycle lighting
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1989 3.2 Carrera coupe; 1988 Westy Vanagon, Zetec; 1986 E28 M30; 1994 W124; 2004 S211
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Old 04-17-2013, 11:01 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jtkkz View Post
depending on your budget

niterider lights are really nice, I have been using these lights for many years

our distributor carries
niterider
cygolite
nite ize
planet bike
lezyne
So, Who do you work for?


Questions to ask do you want to SEE? or just be seen? If you want to see is this road or off road? Off road you should need more since there's a lack of streetlights !

The Planet Bike Super Flash is hard to beat on rear lights.
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Old 04-17-2013, 11:02 AM
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The $15-30 PlanetBike AA powered lights are good for being seen by others, in fairly uncluttered environments. They don't throw enough light on the road to let you see anything yourself. They can also get lost against a crowd of car headlights, city lights, reflections, etc - e.g. rush hour, busy street, night, raining . . . just not bright enough. Depending on where you ride, could be fine. Portland Design Works makes a good, not-too-expensive, set.
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Old 04-17-2013, 11:05 AM
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There are alot of options out there for light use/commuter use. Some good suggestions have been mentioned already. I'm a big fan of NiteRider. Their products are outstanding. I've been running the same light set with the same two batteries in 24 hour races since 2001 or 2002. Never a failure - I'm even on the original bulb (yes, I have a spare). Bought another NiteRider this winter. These are the high end lights that put out enough candlepower to take xrays. When I ride at night on the road, I am often mistaken for a motorcycle. A really quiet one.

But I also picked up a little USB rechargeable NiteRider light for my handle bars. I intended to use it just as a backup light in case my primary failed in a race. That said, it's become my favorite light for general uses. The claming system is robust enough for off-road racing, get about 5 hours of light from it depending on the setting, and even the low setting is surprisingly bright. They are the Lumina series. I've seen them new from about $80 and up (brighter/longer batter = more $$$).

This light is just fine for most commuting, even some night trail riding if you aren't going fast. With the USB recharge, you can charge it anywhere and it's also small. Great little light. PLus, when you buy NiteRider, you are supporting those who support the sport (24 hour bike racing).

angela (throwing downing shameless plug for her favorite lights)

angela
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Old 04-17-2013, 11:32 AM
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+2 on a USB rechargeable NiteRider.

Besides selling a product that is as good as it gets, their customer care is awesome.
Old 04-17-2013, 11:50 AM
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Location: Bay Area, CA.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Bremner View Post
So, Who do you work for?


Questions to ask do you want to SEE? or just be seen? If you want to see is this road or off road? Off road you should need more since there's a lack of streetlights !

The Planet Bike Super Flash is hard to beat on rear lights.

my brother is custom frame builder, been building custom frames since 1992
SyCip Bikes - Handcrafted in Sonoma County, California

the brighter the better when riding at night, be safe out there
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Old 04-17-2013, 01:15 PM
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least common denominator
 
scottmandue's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: San Pedro,CA
Posts: 22,506
So far the NiteRider 150/cherrybomb combo at $40 off Amazon seem like my best bet.

Some of the reviews say the tail light is a little flimsy but this is just for street riding.

Not for off road, just a bike path along a park on a quite residential street... and sissy SoCal conditions, no riding in the rain (though water proof is always a plus).

Thanks for the replies!
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Gary Fisher 29er
2019 Kia Stinger 2.0t gone
1995 Miata Sold
1984 944 Sold
I am not lost for I know where I am, however where I am is lost. - Winnie the poo.
Old 04-17-2013, 02:48 PM
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least common denominator
 
scottmandue's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: San Pedro,CA
Posts: 22,506
Though... this one is high on the list too... this and a $10 binking taillight would do the job for about the same price as the NiteRider combo.
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Gary Fisher 29er
2019 Kia Stinger 2.0t gone
1995 Miata Sold
1984 944 Sold
I am not lost for I know where I am, however where I am is lost. - Winnie the poo.
Old 04-17-2013, 03:19 PM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #15 (permalink)
least common denominator
 
scottmandue's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: San Pedro,CA
Posts: 22,506
How does this one compare?

Amazon.com: 4 Mode 1200 Lumen CREE XML T6 Bulb LED Bicycle bike HeadLight Lamp Flashlight Light Headlamp: Sports & Outdoors
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Gary Fisher 29er
2019 Kia Stinger 2.0t gone
1995 Miata Sold
1984 944 Sold
I am not lost for I know where I am, however where I am is lost. - Winnie the poo.
Old 04-17-2013, 03:26 PM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #16 (permalink)
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Nightrider Lumina 650 (lumens) is what I run on my bike. For years I never ride at night. I jsut started riding again and talk with a friend at his bike shop and went home with the Nightrider. Very happy with their product through this winter season. The cheap just isn't bright enough when there are other light source around to drown out your light making very difficult to see.
Old 04-17-2013, 04:05 PM
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jyl jyl is online now
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Same light, different vendor.
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1989 3.2 Carrera coupe; 1988 Westy Vanagon, Zetec; 1986 E28 M30; 1994 W124; 2004 S211
What? Uh . . . “he” and “him”?
Old 04-17-2013, 04:35 PM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #18 (permalink)
 
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cygolite metro 300 usb rechargeable, great light. Should be able to find for about 50 bucks. Both my lights are USB rechargable and it is very convient.

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Old 04-17-2013, 06:20 PM
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