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Recommend me a light set and helmet for commuting

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Old 09-18-12, 01:07 AM
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SinX7
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Recommend me a light set and helmet for commuting

Looking for a new light set and helmet for my daily commute. Sometimes I commute as late as 12pm. So prefer a bright light that won't break the bank. Same as the helmet. But prefer something very durable.

Thank you!
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Old 09-18-12, 01:36 AM
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no1mad 
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Just about any CREE XML T6 emitter up front will work and a Cygolight Hotshot in the rear. As far as the helmet, look for ventilation and a clip on visor.
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Old 09-18-12, 02:10 AM
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acidfast7
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helmet, fit is king ... even moreso than a bike frame ... i ended up getting it professionally fitted (100€) but it's cheap insurance for your noggin.

i ended up going with an ABUS S-Force Peak MTB helmet because it fit my oblong head the best

https://www.wheelies.co.uk/p22321/Abu...TB-Helmet.aspx
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Old 09-18-12, 07:48 AM
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Ridefreemc
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Not sure if this is part of your question, but I much prefer a light on my helmet. Much more control of where I want to see - I can "flash" a car approaching from the side to get their attention, and I can lower my head/light when approaching other cyclists on the MUP so as not to blind them. Also, works great when you have to work on the bike in the dark. Mine has a flasher/red in the rear as well.
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Old 09-20-12, 06:33 PM
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Originally Posted by Ridefreemc
Not sure if this is part of your question, but I much prefer a light on my helmet. Much more control of where I want to see - I can "flash" a car approaching from the side to get their attention, and I can lower my head/light when approaching other cyclists on the MUP so as not to blind them. Also, works great when you have to work on the bike in the dark. Mine has a flasher/red in the rear as well.
Same here, I also run one facing forward on the handlebars that is usually flashing. This gives me a back-up should one of them have its batteries go dead en route. I also like that when I turn my head I still have a light for visibility facing forward.

In addition to the helmet lights (Planet Blaze .5W helmet mount light & Planet Bike rear helmet flasher) and the handlebar one (1.7w flash-light in a bicycle flashlight holder), I run a rearward facing Mars 4.0

That's what I recommend.

In addition, I run a 1 watt Fenderbot on my rear fender and am experimenting with a fairly powerful (3w) flashlight in a mid-fork mount to better illuminate pot holes. At times I commute regularly both ways in full dark.

Last edited by Medic Zero; 09-20-12 at 06:52 PM.
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Old 09-20-12, 09:07 PM
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You can get the Cree XM-L U2 headlight from Keygos.com. It comes with both the handlebar mount and a head mount that can be attached to a helmet with the supplied gear. I know because I tried it yesterday on the helmet. I found it way too bright for a helmet light as you'll blind anybody you face. Maybe I'll try it someday outside, but it really isn't necessary in NYC. I feel conspicuous enough with it mounted on the bars.

For the taillight I just use a PB SuperFlash.
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Old 09-20-12, 09:37 PM
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Originally Posted by no1mad
Just about any CREE XML T6 emitter up front will work and a Cygolight Hotshot in the rear. As far as the helmet, look for ventilation and a clip on visor.
Truth. My Cygolight is simply in another dimension from anything I've ever seen or used before. Remember the first time you ever saw HID headlights? Like that.
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Old 09-20-12, 09:39 PM
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I have a nice CCM hard shell helmet. It is heavy but it looks like it will stop the first couple of bullets that hit it. The type with the thin plastic shell always annoyed me. It would crack at the first bump into anything. This one is about 4 years old ans still looks good.
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