Light advice please!!

[bubblegum]

Hi, i am looking at getting front and rear lights for riding at night with a road bike, i was just wondering if anyone could give me some quick advice re what specs/styles would be best? and what to avoid.

Thanks!

 

[daveinzambia]

I have one of these

http://www.cellbikes.com.au/Cygolite-ExpiliOn-250?sc=34&category=12782

re-chargeable, bright enough to ride through parks at night with no street lighting, do not seem to have issues being noticed in traffic at night, not too expensive

for rear just a standard LED flashing light. started out with a standard cheap front light and bought this one after my first evening ride.

 

[GRAVELBIKE]

What's your budget?

 

[bubblegum]

Got my birthday coming up so i could spend a bit but I wouldn't want to spend any more than 150, but having said that if I needed to spend more to get a quality useable light that is going to last forever I would be fine to spend more

 

[GRAVELBIKE]

I would recommend using two headlights. Why two? In case one fails, or the battery dies, you'll have a backup. You can also aim one to fill in the other's dead spots, etc.

The Planet Bike Blaze 2W and Princeton Tec EOS have both served me well. Pair them with Sanyo Eneloop rechargeable batteries, and you'll get good run-times from both lights.

For tail lights, grab a couple of the super-bright blinkies (but run them on solid, not flashing).

 

[alberto.legstrong]

magic shine. I think about $150-160 will cover you front and rear and helmet mount. Someone may come back blasting me about my faulty math. Apologies before hand if I am wrong in either direction. Use the contact link on their website and they will do the math to the penny, I have little doubt.

http://www.geomangear.com/index.php...turers_id=22&zenid=4q5572682vi3hb8lamhq6a81i4

 

[rgmerk]

Key questions

Do you need to see or be seen?

How long do you intend to ride in darkness?

The Exposure joystick meets my needs for road lights - it's bright enough to ride in darkness, the batteries last a couple of hours on full power, and it's a one-piece device (no separate battery pack) with an excellent mount.

 

[bubblegum]

both see and be seen, as i mentioned potentially riding in pitch black (on farming roads with no lights) i wouldnt be riding all night but most likely using it to prolong morning/evening rides as well as getting out after tea rather than being stuck on the trainer, i presume you ask in reference to battery life which i think ill need no more than 3h

Thanks for the great suggestions so far!

 

[GRAVELBIKE]

Although not cheap, a dynohub and B&M LED headlight will work really well, and never need batteries. I have one on my commuter, and it's performed beautifully in rain, sub-freezing temps, and even on mild dirt roads.