Comments on: The Perfect Commuter Bike : Bike Lights http://www.commutebybike.com/2009/12/07/the-perfect-commuter-bike-bike-lights/ Tips, Hints, Reviews and Safety for Bike Commuters Sat, 11 Feb 2012 19:00:59 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Jeff Frederick http://www.commutebybike.com/2009/12/07/the-perfect-commuter-bike-bike-lights/comment-page-1/#comment-193119 Jeff Frederick Sat, 29 May 2010 12:38:58 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/?p=3893#comment-193119 Dinotte 400R tail light is a must. I purchased one of these in February and it has made a huge difference in the respect I get from the traffic here in Charlotte. I've tried all the others and this is by far the best. It is the most expensive too, but you can't place a price on safety. This is my first post and I've enjoyed the website. Great articles! I have a 35 mile round trip commute to uptown and need a sturdy bike to haul me (6'5'' and 210 pds) and all my equipment. I current commuter is a hardtail mtb and will be in the market soon for a new bike and this build will greatly influence my buying decision. Ride safe! Dinotte 400R tail light is a must. I purchased one of these in February and it has made a huge difference in the respect I get from the traffic here in Charlotte. I’ve tried all the others and this is by far the best. It is the most expensive too, but you can’t place a price on safety. This is my first post and I’ve enjoyed the website. Great articles! I have a 35 mile round trip commute to uptown and need a sturdy bike to haul me (6’5” and 210 pds) and all my equipment. I current commuter is a hardtail mtb and will be in the market soon for a new bike and this build will greatly influence my buying decision. Ride safe!

]]> By: KnotWright http://www.commutebybike.com/2009/12/07/the-perfect-commuter-bike-bike-lights/comment-page-1/#comment-151797 KnotWright Fri, 22 Jan 2010 22:09:32 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/?p=3893#comment-151797 I use two Li-ion CREE-LED flashlights with velcro and rubber handlebar mounts. Super bright, tons cheaper than anything made specifically for the bicycle market and they're easy on and off so they come inside with me when I'm done with them. I use two Li-ion CREE-LED flashlights with velcro and rubber handlebar mounts. Super bright, tons cheaper than anything made specifically for the bicycle market and they’re easy on and off so they come inside with me when I’m done with them.

]]> By: jdc http://www.commutebybike.com/2009/12/07/the-perfect-commuter-bike-bike-lights/comment-page-1/#comment-150911 jdc Sun, 17 Jan 2010 13:26:04 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/?p=3893#comment-150911 I use a BLT LED headlight and a single LED microlight on the front.....and one or two BLT LED tailights on the seatpost and a single red microlight on the seatstay. A cateye rear reflector and cateye wheel reflectors as well. I'll be using the Blackburn Fleas soon, since they take up no room on a drop bar and are ridiculously powerful for their size. My lighting needs are more as a placemarker since my route is well lit by streetlights. I use a BLT LED headlight and a single LED microlight on the front…..and one or two BLT LED tailights on the seatpost and a single red microlight on the seatstay. A cateye rear reflector and cateye wheel reflectors as well. I’ll be using the Blackburn Fleas soon, since they take up no room on a drop bar and are ridiculously powerful for their size. My lighting needs are more as a placemarker since my route is well lit by streetlights.

]]> By: Bob Birmingham (MontclairBobbyB) http://www.commutebybike.com/2009/12/07/the-perfect-commuter-bike-bike-lights/comment-page-1/#comment-148753 Bob Birmingham (MontclairBobbyB) Tue, 05 Jan 2010 13:50:41 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/?p=3893#comment-148753 I love night riding, and use many different types of lights, with a helmet-mounted LED/Li-Ion being my preference for mountain biking. For commuting, lately I've become a huge fan of Dynamo hubs. They are getting cheaper, they produce less drag, and they're not ridiculously heavy. Unless you're a weight-weenie, I'd say consider using BOTH. I have several dynamo hubs in use on bikes I've built: (Schmidt, Shimano, SRAM and Sturmey Archer...like them all), and for lights I use a home-built CREE-LED light setup that is super bright and interchangeable with each hub. I also recently picked up a Planet Bike Blaze dynamo light... so far I like it. It produces enough light for commuting (and off-road snow riding at slower speed), it's inexpensive ($50-$60) and has a built-in stand light. For about $200 bucks (not necessarily chump change, but certainly better than 4 years ago), you can build up a nice wheel with a dynamo hub and a decent light... and you can ride ALL NIGHT without worry of battery life!!! I also use a Cateye battery-powered LED as a backup and/or stand light. I often run my dynamo light on full (for vision), while using the strobe of the Cateye as a "be seen" light. Many great options out there. Bring on the night!!! I love night riding, and use many different types of lights, with a helmet-mounted LED/Li-Ion being my preference for mountain biking. For commuting, lately I’ve become a huge fan of Dynamo hubs. They are getting cheaper, they produce less drag, and they’re not ridiculously heavy. Unless you’re a weight-weenie, I’d say consider using BOTH. I have several dynamo hubs in use on bikes I’ve built: (Schmidt, Shimano, SRAM and Sturmey Archer…like them all), and for lights I use a home-built CREE-LED light setup that is super bright and interchangeable with each hub. I also recently picked up a Planet Bike Blaze dynamo light… so far I like it. It produces enough light for commuting (and off-road snow riding at slower speed), it’s inexpensive ($50-$60) and has a built-in stand light. For about $200 bucks (not necessarily chump change, but certainly better than 4 years ago), you can build up a nice wheel with a dynamo hub and a decent light… and you can ride ALL NIGHT without worry of battery life!!!

I also use a Cateye battery-powered LED as a backup and/or stand light. I often run my dynamo light on full (for vision), while using the strobe of the Cateye as a “be seen” light.

Many great options out there. Bring on the night!!!

]]> By: BluesCat http://www.commutebybike.com/2009/12/07/the-perfect-commuter-bike-bike-lights/comment-page-1/#comment-148621 BluesCat Mon, 04 Jan 2010 15:44:31 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/?p=3893#comment-148621 ac: Not to mention that any helmet light is going to be battery operated, which makes it heavy. Just my .¢. ac: Not to mention that any helmet light is going to be battery operated, which makes it heavy. Just my .¢.

]]> By: ac http://www.commutebybike.com/2009/12/07/the-perfect-commuter-bike-bike-lights/comment-page-1/#comment-148613 ac Mon, 04 Jan 2010 14:50:37 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/?p=3893#comment-148613 What about the question of handlebar-mount vs. helmet-mount? I'm a little paranoid about safety - for example, I always wear a brightly-colored, reflective vest or jacket, and I always wear my helmet. I'm concerned about the effect of strapping a hard lump to my helmet, as it relates to helmet effectiveness. It seems like my helmeted head would be much better off striking a nice, flat surface than it would striking a sharpened spike. That means that if I'm lucky, my head will hit the flat pavement, rather than the edge of a curb, which is somewhere between perfectly flat and spike-shaped. Here's my concern: When I strap a headlight to my helmet, it seems like I'm always carrying my own portable curb-edge to hit my head on. Any thoughts? What about the question of handlebar-mount vs. helmet-mount?

I’m a little paranoid about safety – for example, I always wear a brightly-colored, reflective vest or jacket, and I always wear my helmet. I’m concerned about the effect of strapping a hard lump to my helmet, as it relates to helmet effectiveness.

It seems like my helmeted head would be much better off striking a nice, flat surface than it would striking a sharpened spike. That means that if I’m lucky, my head will hit the flat pavement, rather than the edge of a curb, which is somewhere between perfectly flat and spike-shaped.

Here’s my concern: When I strap a headlight to my helmet, it seems like I’m always carrying my own portable curb-edge to hit my head on.

Any thoughts?

]]> By: Charles http://www.commutebybike.com/2009/12/07/the-perfect-commuter-bike-bike-lights/comment-page-1/#comment-147318 Charles Sun, 27 Dec 2009 04:16:38 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/?p=3893#comment-147318 A Magic Shine and a NiteRider MiNewt Mini-USB on the front, a Planet Bike SuperFlash and a FlashBak on the rear (the latter attached to my backpack rather than the bike). On my other (electric assist) bike, the built-in dual 20W halogens (to be replaced with LEDs at the end of their service life) replace the MiNewt. The MagicShine is helmet-mounted in either configuration. A Magic Shine and a NiteRider MiNewt Mini-USB on the front, a Planet Bike SuperFlash and a FlashBak on the rear (the latter attached to my backpack rather than the bike).

On my other (electric assist) bike, the built-in dual 20W halogens (to be replaced with LEDs at the end of their service life) replace the MiNewt.

The MagicShine is helmet-mounted in either configuration.

]]> By: Erich http://www.commutebybike.com/2009/12/07/the-perfect-commuter-bike-bike-lights/comment-page-1/#comment-146700 Erich Wed, 23 Dec 2009 14:34:15 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/?p=3893#comment-146700 The Light On! Dynolight and Taillight package. Worth every cent--durable (none of this plastic crap), compact, just the right amount of light throw. Placed on axle and run with SRAM i-Light hub, no issues reaching full brightness at slower speeds. Looking forward to many, many years of "always-on" use. The Light On! Dynolight and Taillight package. Worth every cent–durable (none of this plastic crap), compact, just the right amount of light throw. Placed on axle and run with SRAM i-Light hub, no issues reaching full brightness at slower speeds. Looking forward to many, many years of “always-on” use.

]]> By: LeeH http://www.commutebybike.com/2009/12/07/the-perfect-commuter-bike-bike-lights/comment-page-1/#comment-146543 LeeH Tue, 22 Dec 2009 19:45:01 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/?p=3893#comment-146543 I run 2 minewt minis. One on the helmet and one on the handlebars. LED lithium ions. They work great for road or trail. Can't outrun them at 25+ mph. Light and about $100 each. Got the second one after using the first with no problems for over a year. Planet Bike Super flash on the rear, they work great too. I run 2 minewt minis. One on the helmet and one on the handlebars. LED lithium ions. They work great for road or trail. Can’t outrun them at 25+ mph. Light and about $100 each. Got the second one after using the first with no problems for over a year. Planet Bike Super flash on the rear, they work great too.

]]> By: ac http://www.commutebybike.com/2009/12/07/the-perfect-commuter-bike-bike-lights/comment-page-1/#comment-145455 ac Thu, 17 Dec 2009 01:14:27 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/?p=3893#comment-145455 Here's a vote for the Down Low Glow (http://rockthebike.com/lights/downlowglow). It's not a complete lighting solution, but I don't believe any single light is. What it does give you is an oval of colored light, about 3 feet across, on the pavement underneath your bike. It's got a great "what-the-heck-is-that" factor that I think really wakes drivers up. Also, it looks cool! Here’s a vote for the Down Low Glow (http://rockthebike.com/lights/downlowglow). It’s not a complete lighting solution, but I don’t believe any single light is. What it does give you is an oval of colored light, about 3 feet across, on the pavement underneath your bike. It’s got a great “what-the-heck-is-that” factor that I think really wakes drivers up. Also, it looks cool!

]]>