head lights and tail lights

Hi there. I ride at night - a lot. I use some old Cats eye halogen head lights and a nice red led strip for the rear. I also wear a bright orange construction vest. DO I look like a geek- yes, can the cars see me? I hope so.

Do you guys/gals have any suggestion for better night riding? Thanks in advance for your links and suggestions.

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Permalink Reply by Martin Hazard on November 3, 2008 at 4:23pm
I cannot over emphasize the benefit of a bright helmet mounted light. A bar mounted light is facing stright ahead, and that is not always the direction of aproaching danger. Being directional is one benefit, but I think most people overlook the horizontal positioning of the light. Since a helmet light is 1 too 1.5 feet above the bars it is above the level of most other lights on the street, and above the roofs of most vehicles. It is therefore much more noticable to drivers. The difference is redily apparent. The better commuter helmet lights such as the Cat Eye HL-EL 410, HL-EL 450 or the Princton Tek Eos also make marginal trail lights. If trail use is a primary concern however I agree with the recomendation of one of the Night Rider "Sol" or "Minewt" lights. They are helmet mountable, bright, and reasonably priced.
I do also recomend the Planet Bike Super Flash tail light, but not for group rides. If you have ever been stuck behind a person running one you know what I mean.
Martin
Permalink Reply by wig [ isaac ] on November 5, 2008 at 4:29pm
I have found that led flashlights from home depot to work the best so far on the front of the bike. they force the drivers to notice you.


and a planetbike light for the back set to flash .


as for color of the vest.. orange is good but limegreen is a better color.. good luck and be safe
Permalink Reply by Mark Kenseth on August 6, 2010 at 5:57am
I'd like to continue on this thread, becaue I've been looking at getting another front light. I want a recharchable light or rechargable batteries. I worry about the switch, because when I place the light(s) in my bag sometimes the switch gets pushed on, and then the battery is dead by the time I discover it. I don't like the little LED lights that use watch batteries because I believe they're not recyclable.

I'm leaning toward Cat Eye, namely the Elite models. Any recommendations:
http://www.cateye.com/sites/cateye/upload/manuals/en/CATEYE%20Head%...


Notes: I had a Nite Rider with the external battery pack and it lost it's charging ability after 6 months; and it was too bulky/heavy to carry around at times. I'm not ready to put in the effort or cost of a dynamo hub setup.

Thanks.
Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on August 6, 2010 at 6:10am
Another vote for the Princeton Tec EOS. Handlebar and/or helmet mount capable. Bright enough for commuting or for completing the occasional brevet in the dark.

Mark Kenseth said:
I'd like to continue on this thread, becaue I've been looking at getting another front light. I want a recharchable light or rechargable batteries. I worry about the switch, because when I place the light(s) in my bag sometimes the switch gets pushed on, and then the battery is dead by the time I discover it. I don't like the little LED lights that use watch batteries because I believe they're not recyclable.

I'm leaning toward Cat Eye, namely the Elite models. Any recommendations:
http://www.cateye.com/sites/cateye/upload/manuals/en/CATEYE%20Head%...


Notes: I had a Nite Rider with the external battery pack and it lost it's charging ability after 6 months; and it was too bulky/heavy to carry around at times. I'm not ready to put in the effort or cost of a dynamo hub setup.

Thanks.
Permalink Reply by Ace Mann on August 6, 2010 at 7:34am
I saw a guy who had a blinking red light that was strapped to his outside ankle the made a big impression.Also look for a candy called Laser Pop I got mine at CVS.They are a cheap LED flashlight with candy in the bottom.They were only 99cent.I threw several in my bag in case of emergency like my light going out or someone steals my light,always take lights off at night and you might want to take them off during the day.I have had 2 that were taken off my bike during day(stupid me).I also believe in using the flashing mode at night.I think it just gets noticed more.I would also take DORKY and alive over cool and dead any day
Permalink Reply by JeffB on August 6, 2010 at 8:07am
For side visibility, these are great (http://www.niteize.com/collections/led/products/spokelit):


I get more (positive) comments about these from drivers and pedestrians than any other lights. I've got two on each wheel. Two separate groups of kids have declared my bike to be the "coolest ever" due to these lights :)

And this is a great place to get replacement batteries cheap: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000RAWGEG/ref=oss_product
Permalink Reply by Kevin Mulcky on August 6, 2010 at 10:42am
My solution is similar is Wig's

Flashflights from home depot; they're cheap, take rechargeable batteries, and can be secured to the bike (so no need to put in your bag).

http://www.flickr.com/photos/39056489@N08/4617470098/"%20title...;"/>Juenet Franche Compte' />

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on August 6, 2010 at 11:12am
Another option that's especially practical if you often ride in places where broken glass is a problem - Schwalbe Marathon tires with reflective sidewalls. I have them on 3 bikes. They're a little heavier and not as fast as some tires, but they're very visible and VERY puncture resistant.

Leah said:
alex said:
and for the best side protection get some of these.
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2006/03/light_up_animated_pacman_b...

Ok, dumb question maybe, but let's say I wanted to do just one LED on each wheel, so that at night it makes a circle as the wheel turns, where would I get just one (or two, really) LEDs? Is that a hardware store thing?

I'm thinking something like LED throwies, but for your bike wheel, and that you could turn on or off.
Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on October 20, 2010 at 6:38am
Just bumping this since the days are starting to get shorter. There is also this similar thread here.
Permalink Reply by Alan Lloyd on October 20, 2010 at 8:46am
The Cateye Orbit Spoke Light http://www.cateye.com/en/product_detail/576 seems like a good idea to me for visibility from the side?
Permalink Reply by Kevin Mulcky on October 21, 2010 at 3:53am
I ordered a Magicshine light earlier this week. it was $77 with free shipping from deals extreme. Can't get a better deal than that!
Here's a photo of the light in action:

Permalink Reply by Joe Willis on October 21, 2010 at 3:57am
I use a planet bike 1.5 Watt front light and a super flash rear. I also use wheel lights by Anviling that get a ton of attention by just about all that see them.

Anvii site - http://www.anvii.com/

my wheels with said lights - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjEv1gGCsJc

I used these on my GF's bike and they did better than I expected - http://cgi.ebay.com/2-LED-SPOKE-LIGHTS-RED-LED-BIKE-WHEEL-LIGHTS-NI...

I have not done a VID of the ones above yet but I can If you are looking at buying them.

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