Let's hear about your light set-up!!
#1
Warehouse Monkey
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Let's hear about your light set-up!!
I have one blinking taillight. I've always had a Niterider headlight and I ordered another Cateye headlight for night commuting. One to blink, the other for vison. I want to add at least on more rear blinker for my ride to work. I wear a daypack with hydration bladder. Its relective, but still need something beyond that for rear warning.
Like to hear about other commuters' lighting... post pics if you have 'em!
Like to hear about other commuters' lighting... post pics if you have 'em!
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Dinotte, 200L front, 140L back. The AA versions bought without battery or charger for $100 on sale (each). Planet Bike SuperFlash on the helmet.
Before that I had a TrailTech 13W HID up front, All Electronics amber strobe in the back, Cateye TL-LD1000 in back on steady (later a SuperFlash) and a 14.4v bottle battery to power the HID and strobe. Those were fine but I had some trouble with it. I might pull it back out again for winter if I get enough ambition to fix it.
Before that I had a TrailTech 13W HID up front, All Electronics amber strobe in the back, Cateye TL-LD1000 in back on steady (later a SuperFlash) and a 14.4v bottle battery to power the HID and strobe. Those were fine but I had some trouble with it. I might pull it back out again for winter if I get enough ambition to fix it.
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Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
#3
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Well steve-in-kville here is my breakdown
99 Jamis Exile (quick commuter)
2 fenix O-lights (max 200 lumens each)
1 PB Superflash Stealth
08 Surly LHT
2 MTE P7's (max 900 lumens each)
1 NR Cherry Bomb (flash)
1 Blackburn Mars 3.0 (steady)
Not connected yet Ultrafire WF 501B (red)
Just ordered PB 5 led tail light rack blinky
(Caveat ~ I work at night)
99 Jamis Exile (quick commuter)
2 fenix O-lights (max 200 lumens each)
1 PB Superflash Stealth
08 Surly LHT
2 MTE P7's (max 900 lumens each)
1 NR Cherry Bomb (flash)
1 Blackburn Mars 3.0 (steady)
Not connected yet Ultrafire WF 501B (red)
Just ordered PB 5 led tail light rack blinky
(Caveat ~ I work at night)
#4
Call me The Breeze
Night/winter bike: Supernova E3 front and rear, fork crown mounted on the front. Powered by a SRAM dynohub.
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I have two BLT Fantom X's on my handlebars, they use 3AAA batteries and last for a long time. On the rear I have one BLT Super Doppler, and one PlanetBike Superflash.
#6
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I have one blinking taillight. I've always had a Niterider headlight and I ordered another Cateye headlight for night commuting. One to blink, the other for vison. I want to add at least on more rear blinker for my ride to work. I wear a daypack with hydration bladder. Its relective, but still need something beyond that for rear warning.
Like to hear about other commuters' lighting... post pics if you have 'em!
Like to hear about other commuters' lighting... post pics if you have 'em!
Deal Extreme MTE P7 flashlight x2. No pictures in use but here the set up.
Pretty bright but...
For the dead of winter
Three of these
The results speak for themselves
Multiple rear red lights on flash and steady mode for either system.
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Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
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Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
#8
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I picked up 2 cateyes, one to hang on the outer corner of each panier. Bike has rear light powered by hub. I have 2 front lights, one hub-powered, one battery powered. Nothing really special, so brand doesn't matter to me. Being visible to drivers is what I'm most concerned about. No saying, "...but I didn't see him.", is my primary goal.
#9
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A PB Superflash on the back of the helmet.
Another Superflash, either mounted low on the rear fender on utility bike (which also has a large reflector on the rear rack) or on the seatstay on my road bike (which I also use for commuting).
Road bike has a small reflector glued to the seat clamp.
Up front, two Fenix flashlights on helmet, set on blink, with an Aurora P-7 beamer, also on helmet. I can see the road, and you can see me coming!
White reflector on the front of my helmet.
Also ... reflective sidewall tires. These really get a lot of notice — I'm surprised more winter commuters don't use reflective tires.
Another Superflash, either mounted low on the rear fender on utility bike (which also has a large reflector on the rear rack) or on the seatstay on my road bike (which I also use for commuting).
Road bike has a small reflector glued to the seat clamp.
Up front, two Fenix flashlights on helmet, set on blink, with an Aurora P-7 beamer, also on helmet. I can see the road, and you can see me coming!
White reflector on the front of my helmet.
Also ... reflective sidewall tires. These really get a lot of notice — I'm surprised more winter commuters don't use reflective tires.
#10
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NiteRider Tri newt up front, Dinotte 400r int the back. I see that 500 lumens up front is no longer that much, with 600, 800, and 1200 lumen systems out there. But its only a year old, so no upgrades for me. But I am damn curious what that 1200 lumen light would be like.
#11
Squeaky Wheel
Summertime:
Dinotte 140L taillight in the back
Dinotte 140L daytime amber daytime running light in the front (one of the best investments I ever made)
Wintertime:
Dinotte 140L taillight in the back
Planetbike Superflash on the back of my helmet
Dinotte 600L on top of my helmet
Dinotte 140L taillight in the back
Dinotte 140L daytime amber daytime running light in the front (one of the best investments I ever made)
Wintertime:
Dinotte 140L taillight in the back
Planetbike Superflash on the back of my helmet
Dinotte 600L on top of my helmet
#12
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#14
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Dinotte 800L up front, PlanetBike Superflash in the back (typically in "blaze" or steady mode because I think it's easier to judge distances with a steady light). I don't want to overdo it on the lights. I want it bright enough to see and be seen, but not so flashy that I confuse drivers behind me. I also wear reflective ankle bands and a reflective vest. I believe this helps drivers instantly recognize me as a cyclist as opposed to a faster vehicle like a scooter which they may approach more slowly.
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What's your impression of the Dinotte 800? Especially the mounting system? Easy to switch between bikes?
#17
Senior Member
I love the light, it's very bright. I generally ride at the 200L setting when it's not yet dark, 400L when it is dark but the road is lit, and 800L on unlit back country roads. It's very simple to put on/take off, and I switch it between my main commuter and my touring bikes all the time. I also take it off every time I park the bike (the whole mounting bracket since it has a quick-release latch and I find that easier than sliding the light out of the bracket). Just takes a few seconds. Another nice thing is it had a snap-on adapter to fit 26mm or 31mm bars which came in handy last winter when I alternated between the two sizes.
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Dinotte 140r taillight mounted to the rear rack. Dinotte 140a amber daytime running light mounted to the front rack. When riding at night a Dinotte 800L on the bars and the 140r on the rear rack.
#19
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I have a regular red blinkie on the back of my rack and another on the back of my trunk bag. I only use them at night or in rain. I have a couple of LED flashlights in my trunk bag in case it gets dark if I stop for suppper on the way home. I attach them to the bars with elastic bands. If I am planning to ride after dark (autumn) I also have a CatEye EL300 on the bars and a Planet Bike Spot on the bottom of the left fork. This is only enough to be comfortable at slightly reduced speed. I used to have a white blinkie at the fork crown, but it fell off - thanks for the reminder to get another.
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P7 headlight, dinotte taillight,pbsf, primary stuff I use all the time for night/am rides, might get another P7 to mount on the bars for the winter or that magic shine light.
Plus I have if needed and I have used in the past
20w MR16 w/12v 2500ah battery back
2/ 150 lumen led lights take AAA batteries, maybe 1 hour runtime.
1/ 225 lumen led light, solder broke, need to resolder.
2/ 200 lumen strap headlamps
about 6 other taillights for any company I might get.
Plus I have if needed and I have used in the past
20w MR16 w/12v 2500ah battery back
2/ 150 lumen led lights take AAA batteries, maybe 1 hour runtime.
1/ 225 lumen led light, solder broke, need to resolder.
2/ 200 lumen strap headlamps
about 6 other taillights for any company I might get.
#21
Senior Member
I ride in the city. Lights are not necessary. Saves lots of money.
#22
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Light and Motion Solo Logic on the front. Planet bike blinkies on the seat stays, Planet bike superflash on the seat post and another superflash on my backpack.
#23
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I hope you are kidding but if not why not just go ahead a paint a white bike now?
'Cause if you ride at night without lights sooner or later, someone will have to put one out for you.
Many cyclist who die, do so at night. Around 47% of the total die in the hours from 6 pm to 6 am. Considering that the percentage of cyclists who ride at night is much lower compared to daylight riders, this is a staggering number of deaths. And most of those occurred in urban environments.
Just because you might be able to see in the city doesn't mean that motorist can see you. Do yourself a favor and get a light. Or go paint a bike white to save your friends the hassle of doing it later.
'Cause if you ride at night without lights sooner or later, someone will have to put one out for you.
Many cyclist who die, do so at night. Around 47% of the total die in the hours from 6 pm to 6 am. Considering that the percentage of cyclists who ride at night is much lower compared to daylight riders, this is a staggering number of deaths. And most of those occurred in urban environments.
Just because you might be able to see in the city doesn't mean that motorist can see you. Do yourself a favor and get a light. Or go paint a bike white to save your friends the hassle of doing it later.
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Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
#24
Senior Member
^^^ Wow, that's what I call tough-love. Seriously, capejohn, lights (or at the very least, good reflectors) are important if you're riding after dark.
#25
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DiNotte 600L on the bars, DiNotte 400L on the helmet, DiNotte 400R taillight, and PB Superflash for backup.