Comments on: Lighting It Up

By: Darryl is Loving the Bike

Darryl is Loving the Bike — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 16:48:00 +0000

Thanks for adding to the discussion on this one.

By: devogon

devogon — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 16:29:00 +0000

constant dark riding. front Philips LED Bike Light, rear Busch und Müller IX-Red (no flash mode). both keep me visible and able to see pretty much whatever I need. (I ride in the Netherlands.)

By: Darryl is Loving the Bike

Darryl is Loving the Bike — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 01:08:00 +0000

Great set up, Paul and thanks for sharing it. My needs here in Grenada are much different then what is necessary with bigger traffic volume like Austin has. Over here, it’s more about being able to see the big holes in the road. Even with lights, I try to stay off the main roads at night because they are pretty scary for a cyclists even in the daylight….hahahahaha.

By: Paul Kirby

Paul Kirby — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 00:59:00 +0000

Even though I live in Austin, I ride mostly at night during the week due to schedule issues. So that I can see and be seen, I run two lights up front and two in back. In front, I use a big Cygolite LED (my “Q-beam”) and a Blackburn Super Flea. Both are rechargable. I was using the Flea in flash mode, but it’s terribly distracting at night so I’ve started using it on low beam for extra light. The Cygolite provides good vision up the road like a projector beam and the Flea provides a wide swath of light in front so I can see well off to the sides. In back, I use a Blackburn Mars 3.0 on my seat post and an Avenir Panorama on my seat stay. I figure if I have two rear lights mounted in different areas and both are flashing, I should be pretty visible.

By: Noni Boloni

Noni Boloni — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 00:29:00 +0000

Check out the Thunderbolt by Serfas. USB chargeable and lifetime warranty.. Super bright and easily removed when leaving or switching between bikes!!

By: Darryl is Loving the Bike

Darryl is Loving the Bike — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 23:16:00 +0000

Thanks for your input on this one and for providing the link to your article on blinking lights. Good stuff.

By: Darryl is Loving the Bike

Darryl is Loving the Bike — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 23:16:00 +0000

Good advice and thanks for your input on this one.

By: ladyfleur

ladyfleur — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 22:46:00 +0000

My current current setup for “see” vs “be-seen” lights are a NiteRider MiNewt USB, Cateye Orbit spoke lights and a wide Cateye rear light. If I have a bag on my rack I usually throw another rear light there for good measure. The wheel lights are critical for that often overlooked side view where the front and rear lights don’t show much. More details including video are here: http://ladyfleur.wordpress.com/2011/09/29/gear-talk-bike-bling-for-after-dark

I’m also a big fan of not blinking lights once it’s fully dark. Thoughts on that here: http://ladyfleur.wordpress.com/2011/12/07/twinkle-twinkle-little-bike-lights/

P.S. If you get fog much, the helmet light won’t work well. I’d consider a light that you can mount lower, like the handlebars or fork.

By: cptjohnc

cptjohnc — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 16:07:00 +0000

I ride in darkness pretty regularly, at least from Autumn through spring. I’m currently testing a Fenix BT20, which has some nice features, and I have another light similar to a Magic shine (claimed 1000 lumens, real brightness uncertain, but seems close to the 750 lumen claim of the BT20.) I also ride with three rear blinkies – a steady red on the back of my rack, a blinking red on my helmet and a blinking red on my pannier or tailbag. Before the Fenix arrived, I used some 100-200 lumen flashlights. All lights have steady and blinking modes.

For city riding, where there are plenty of streetlights, I rarely need the serious ‘to see’ lights, but rather more ‘to be seen’. When I’m out on the MUP or unlighted suburban streets, however, lights are for seeing!

By: Darryl is Loving the Bike

Darryl is Loving the Bike — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 15:28:00 +0000

I hear you…..the Gemini light definitely helps light things up. The Topeak I have is good for just helping to be seen. Here’s to longer days.