Bicycle Lighting

[1972FJ55]

I have a two year old Topeak Moonshine-2 levels, bright and brighter. It's a great light and you can find them on sale or on Ebay usually a little less than a NR or L&M.

Topeak® Cycling Accessories ? Products - MoonShine? HID

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

There is a killer new Blackburn LED that is rechargable, tiny and light and really brite. Two of these would kill it on the trail (and weigh less than most comparables). I think it's still pretty cheap too...

 

[mot]

I got my bike back yesterday after it was in a shop for a few weeks because my rear derailer bent outward and snapped while I was riding.

Shimano replaced it for free and Scott took care of the spokes that got eaten up when the derailer got shoved into the rim/spokes.

I took it out for a spin this morning and it rode better than ever!

It was still dark when I went riding and I felt more than ever that I needed more lighting!

I have not spent too much time researching beyond what I've read here, but feel that I would like to get something perhaps for Christmas.

 

[Owyhee Jackass]

I ride to work year round, and use a Blackburn X3, it's an LED light and works great. I think I paid about $125 for it a couple years ago. I put it on flash mode when in town as there's enough light coming from street lights that I don't need it to see necessarily as much as to be seen Cars can't miss me. I think some think they're being pulled over by a bike cop.

It has both a handle bar mount and a helmet mount. I use the helmet mount almost exclusively. I can look at an oncoming car and get it's attention better, usually a car getting ready to pull out in front of me.

It has a smart charger that will keep it charged up indefinitely, only takes 4 hours to charge fully, I don't have to worry about taking it off the charger, it won't over charge. it'll last 3 hours at full capacity and I think 5 hours total. It has three power levels and flash mode, on flash mode it'll last like 15 hours.

My only complaint is the battery pack is a little bulky. I keep the battery in my coat pocket when commuting and in my rear jersey pocket when riding trails. Yes, it has enough lumens to light up a trail.

I also have the X6, it has two lights, one direct beam and one wide beam. I've been mounting it to my handlebars, with the battery strapped to my top tube. And I use my X3 on my helmet. I only use this set-up for night-trail-riding. It works great. the trail ahead of the bike is always lit up by the handlebar-mounted lights, and I can wherever I turn my head is also lit up from the helmet light.

Pricepoint had the x6 on clearance this last spring for $100, a smoking deal. I think it's been discontinued and the X8 has replaced it.

A friend of mine just got the Blackburn X4 and as I predicted, the batterypack is smaller and the light output seems to be the same as myX3.

Hope this helps.

BTW, I've been away from Mud most of the year and I too was suprised to find this section, as well as several others.

Dan

 

[Big Green]

I have a NiteRider and LOVE IT! Best $150 ive ever spent, it even helps fix the crap I break on my Cruiser & Gary Fisher MTB. Nice wide beam and plenty of light, Why is this even a section MTBers don't need no light, Grab ur Balls and GO!

 

[scottm]

I've been commuting and training with a Princeton Tec Apex for several years, love it. Four AA batteries on the back of my helmet and the lights on the front. It straps on with no helmet mods, comes off easily for daylight rides. One large LED puts out all I need at low setting, high setting is great for spotting deer in fields as I pass. The smaller LEDs are great for close-up tasks, or getting home when low power is indicated by the light blinking every so often. I run lithium batteries, the weight of it all is not noticeable. I run it about an hour every night, and replace the batteries every few months.

For traffic, you'll still want a white flasher on the handlebars. A single light doesn't get driver's attention like two well separated lights. Even with that, I got hit a couple months ago, despite shining my helmet light directly at the driver when he stopped at his stop sign.

The Apex is under $50, and you can justify it as a camping/barbeque/car repair/mining/fashion accessory light. I had thought about getting one for the handlebar and one for the helmet, still a possibility. I've heard the newer ones have an upgraded main beam, tempting.

 

[mot]

Thanks for all the input, guys!

I have not upgraded my lights yet, but Scott's recommendation (and its new model) does sound tempting to me as well. I'll have to check it out!

I've been riding at night, but a lot less.

Although I have not purchased any additional lights yet I have purchased a sash that people put around their shoulder to waiste (diagonally:sp) and put that on my backpack when I ride to/from work. It's about 2 feet in length and 1.5" in width.

I've also purchased small rectangular reflective tape with adhesive on and put them around my helmet. It looks ghey, but both of these mods which I have done in hopes to be seen better by cars have made me feel a lot better about my chances of not getting hit accidentally.

I think I can still get unlucky and hit, but that should reduce of my chances from getting hit, at least unintentionally.


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Thanks again guys for your feedback!

Here's a pic that I've just snapped to illustrate how visible you can become with a large piece of reflector behind you. (Never mind the trash next to the backpack! )

RIDE SAFE(LY)!!!

 

[mot]

Wow, maybe I'm just too picky (NOT), but that picture did not come out as good as I had intended...

Hope this one shows better.

OK, it's bigger, but it still sucks!!!

Hope you still get the gist of it!

 

[scottm]

I've had co-workers tell me I'm lit up light Christmas from behind, from an LED blinker and a few reflectors. Cars behind me can see me quite well if their headlights are on. I get a little more nervous around dusk and dawn when lights and reflectors don't show well, my orange backpack is helpful then.

I've been hit nine times, most of them when cars didn't see me coming. Even if they see my light in the dark, it almost looks stationary. I'll only get a quick glance before they go, gotta make it count, so I have multiple lights on the front. I used to run red strobes, actually had cars pull over, but that was a bit much. The biggest risk I've found is riding on sidewalks or bike paths, cars don't even think about you there.

 

[jdlcruiser]

Sorry this may be too late. I work at a bike shop part time and the MiNewt is a great little light. Very small of course they now have the 2 and 3 according to number of bulbs. There is the option of helmet or bar mounting and you can also get a USB charging option for recharging at work or off of your laptop. Abit expensive probably starting around $150. Very bright also. I usually mount both a headlight (MiNewt) and small led type tail light on my helmet and then also put a flashing head ant tail on my bike. That way when you yard sale and are laying in the street the lights on your helmet will then signify your head to the oncoming traffic (RLE).

Good Luck
JLa

 

[wardfoto]

agreed on the minewt. if not trail riding, this thing is plenty visibility, and also good for seeing what's coming. 110 bucks at the shop i work in. great price for what you get.

 

[mot]

Sorry this may be too late. I work at a bike shop part time and the MiNewt is a great little light. Very small of course they now have the 2 and 3 according to number of bulbs. There is the option of helmet or bar mounting and you can also get a USB charging option for recharging at work or off of your laptop. Abit expensive probably starting around $150. Very bright also. I usually mount both a headlight (MiNewt) and small led type tail light on my helmet and then also put a flashing head ant tail on my bike. That way when you yard sale and are laying in the street the lights on your helmet will then signify your head to the oncoming traffic (RLE).

Good Luck
JLa

agreed on the minewt. if not trail riding, this thing is plenty visibility, and also good for seeing what's coming. 110 bucks at the shop i work in. great price for what you get.

Thanks guys!

I haven't been riding as much at night so for the time.

I'll have to see if I can get one online, just like the "slime" tubes!

Thanks again!!

Mot

 

[mcewan13]

Another vote for HID & Niterider. I've got a '00 or '01 HID Niterider HID set-up that I run up top that's still going strong. ...and often drowns out head / bar combos from behind on the trail.

It's been a long while since I've had to deal w/ their customer service, so I can't comment on Cary's statements above. ...although, his argument on the progress on LEDs is interesting. I won't care too know much more on that though until my HID dies. Niterider used to be really good to work with. They would show up at all the endurance cycling events and take good care of us. I used to be the sponsorship liason for my team and was in charge of placing orders and requesting replacement parts. They were always cheerful and responsive.

On any expensive bike purchase, I'd suggest spending some time on the MTBR fourms. ...just be sure to ignore both the haters and the plants and concentrate on the honest, forthright reviews.

Oh, and get out offroad at night. It's absolutely amazing how it changes the a familiar trail into a brand new experience. ...and makes a cute little bunny/squirrell/chipmunk sound like death knockin at your door.

.matthew

 

[bugsnbikes]

This may be waaay late- but the Landcruiser of Lights is from :

BR Lights. 1400+ lumens- dual light system-(one for bar-one for helmet)

Reason i like em so much is----NO WIRES--fully enclosed units-waterproof-run em over with your truck- recharge in 30minutes---very long run time.

Theres plenty of DIY lights that are well in excess of 1400lumens---but this is the one for the non-diyers-less tech savvy individuals.......or just not interested in making your own lights.

Oh did i mention--no wires and 1400lumens. pretty sick and very well built-the landcruisers of lights.(nightriders are jeeps)

http://www.brlights.com/

youtube of CAR on top of light--- http://www.brlights.com/video.html

 

[JohnnyC]

Holy Cow ....when did MOT find the bicycle forum?

anyway ...I am kinda old school...as if you didnt know already

I got a 1969 AMF Hercules 3 speed and put a dyno-light/taillight on it...drawback is it only works when pedling

a pic and some poser shots

 

[mot]

Matthew/Bugs,

Thanks for your input!

No, it's never too late with me.
The cheap bastid that I am, I have not upgraded my lighting, but have adapted a more defensive riding approach.

Since I posted the last time here I have had a couple of close encounters (again), but for the most part I have been riding more defensively. I pretty much assume that vehicles and the drivers do not see me and try not to beat my record(s) all the time!

Johnny,

That IS old school!
I used to have bikes that had lights like yours and my kids', as well as hundreds of thousands of bikes here still do have that kind!

 

[buggyboy7]

Bike lights

Hi Mot!

I've been MTB night riding for years now as well as some evening commuting. I know alot of riders and for the most part the Light and Motion line is most popular. I have one that is about 5 yrs old and has been excellent. Mine was only $175 Can. Many of the people that ride here have gone to the high end LED and HID's that cost over $500 but I don't think for what you are doing you need to spend that kind of bucks.

Good luck - keep the greasy side down!

K.

 

[buggyboy7]

Yer AMF

Hey JohnnyC

That's a sweet ride! (and a nice shop)

 

[mot]

Mine was only $175 Can.

-K-,

What is that, like $25 US?

Yeah, you're right, I think when riding (or driving, for that matter) being defensive is the key (Unless you're racing/comteting). So I'm sure you're right about my needs not really requiring $500- lighting system on my bike.

Heck, I don't think I've ever paid that much for a single part for my cruiser... yet!

Take it easy and hope you're night-time riding (and driving) is nice and bright!

Mot

 

[Dan_J-spec_fj62]

Hey Mot,

I just went through getting a lighting system for my bike... I went cheap/bright as hell route and so far its been working good for me.

I AM IN NO WAY AFFILIATED WITH THIS COMPANY I JUST BOUGHT STUFF FROM THEM THAT WORKED (end disclaimer)

I got them from a website in Hong Kong... they are Chinese made... not knockoffs of other company's stuff but their own designs or discontinued lines of other manufactures. Anyway they are a little slow on shipping but they have a great reputation for customer satisfaction... slow but satisfied.
The flash light
DealExtreme: $18.21 Ultrafire C1 Q5-WC 230-Lumen LED Flashlight with Clip (2*CR123A/1*18650)

The batteries
DealExtreme: $10.00 TrustFire Protected 18650 Lithium Battery (2500mAh 2-Pack Blue)

The battery charger
DealExtreme: $12.46 UltraFire 3.6/3.7V Battery Charger

Cases for the spare batteries (prevents shorting them out)
DealExtreme: $1.88 UltraFire 2*18650/4*CR123A Battery Protective Case (2-Pack)

That particular charger is for 3.7 ~ 4.2 volt lithium cells only but got very good reviews on CandlePowerForums - Powered by vBulletin

Anyway on that web site DealExtreme: Cool Gadgets at the Right Price - Site-Wide Free Shipping (Page 1) there is a whole lot of crazy stuff and the flashlight section is huge and confusing ... there are bigger and brighter lights on there and higher quality ones but the $$ goes up with it... the one I got were a good balance of $ and quality

DealExtreme: $47.75 Aurora AK-P7-3 SSC P7-C 900-Lumen 2-Mode LED Flashlight (2*18650/4*CR123A) light
[

This last light will clearly light the road in front of my bike for 150~200 yards and about 40 feet wide. Talk about seeing and being seen!! run time of the light is about 2.5 hours on high. I have ordered some mounts for my bike but they haven't come in yet so i went old school... I used some olive drab duct tape and just taped the light to the frame of my bike. The beam is so wide I didn't need to put it on my handle bars to point it, I can see my turns in the side spill!

Any questions don't hesitate to ask...
good luck

Dan