Hi, I am planning on some bike riding at night on streets, there will be varying levels of streetlight and such. I was wondering what kind of light I should go with, I was thinking that a mount with a normal light would probably be best pricewise, but that's why I'm here to ask for suggestions. If mount/flashlight what kind of mount and what kind of light would be best?
What front light for casual riding in streets?
- Thread starter ExZeRoEx
- Start date
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It depends on your budget, but for riding in the city, I find the PrincetonTec EOS Bike is more than good enough. You can get various Fenix flashlights and mount them using a twofish lockblock (just search CPF for tons of articles--also see the fenix store).
Good luck,
ttoshi
kaichu dento
Flashaholic
have a look here:
otherwise, take the Princeton tec EOS as someone suggested and hack it with a Cree LED, better yet hack two of them, you need to be seen at night otherwise struck by a vehicle,
so go with one for flash mode and the other as steady beam
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=196924
otherwise, take the Princeton tec EOS as someone suggested and hack it with a Cree LED, better yet hack two of them, you need to be seen at night otherwise struck by a vehicle,
so go with one for flash mode and the other as steady beam
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=196924
iced_theater
Enlightened
I use a Light & Motion ARC HID light. I sometimes even wish for more.
greenLED
Flashaholic
I personally think for city riding, using the light to be seen may be more important than seeing with it. I could easily turn off my lights within city limits and ride like that. I don't do it because of safety concerns, but it can be done because of all the surrounding street lights.
That said, I have a main light (Pila GL3 or similar size) on my handlebar. This is my "seeing" light but it's bright enough that it also acts as a "being seen" light. There are many other dedicated bike lights that you could use as well. Nashbar.com is a good source for them. They usually use low-power LED's, but they make up for it with different blinking rates, etc.
On top of that, I use a helmet-mounted light (PT Eos) that I set on blink for an added "be seen" effect. Depending on where I'm at, I'll switch it to constant on for added "seeing" power.
Also, don't forget a rear-facing blinker. The Planet Bike SuperFlash is the current champion, but the upcoming PT Swerve sounds promising.
Finally, it never hurts to add some reflective trim to your bike to enhance your sideways visibility out on the streets.
That said, I have a main light (Pila GL3 or similar size) on my handlebar. This is my "seeing" light but it's bright enough that it also acts as a "being seen" light. There are many other dedicated bike lights that you could use as well. Nashbar.com is a good source for them. They usually use low-power LED's, but they make up for it with different blinking rates, etc.
On top of that, I use a helmet-mounted light (PT Eos) that I set on blink for an added "be seen" effect. Depending on where I'm at, I'll switch it to constant on for added "seeing" power.
Also, don't forget a rear-facing blinker. The Planet Bike SuperFlash is the current champion, but the upcoming PT Swerve sounds promising.
Finally, it never hurts to add some reflective trim to your bike to enhance your sideways visibility out on the streets.
TONY M
Flashlight Enthusiast
Too right gLED. I have used an L2D on strobe with the clear difusser to be seen. I still feel that for being seen that thick reflective material to show up in car headlights is very important aswell. You can never be too safe when city riding.
Twofish block is great for casual riding... I use a home-modded DX Q5, and now my L1Tv2 with it for riding to the bar (don't like toting in my Nite Rider Sol).
I would recommend a light with a flash or strobe type mode for city riding though, as it gets noticed much better.
I would recommend a light with a flash or strobe type mode for city riding though, as it gets noticed much better.
rantanplan
Newly Enlightened
Here in Germany a Busch+Müller Ixon IQ would be No.1 choice, because this one ist one of the brightest which complies with road traffic regulations too. Using a simple flashlight, which is not approved by appropriate authority, isn´t allowed and can cost you some money ... in theory . In practice police is often happy that you have a light with you at all ...
... so I use a Fenix P3D R100 on my city bike. I do have the P3D as EDC with me all the time, so I only have to carry the twofish lockblock ... and a small battery powered rear light.
. In practice police is often happy that you have a light with you at all ...... so I use a Fenix P3D R100 on my city bike. I do have the P3D as EDC with me all the time, so I only have to carry the twofish lockblock ... and a small battery powered rear light.
RGB_LED
Enlightened
+1. I used to ride with one steady light + the mandatory, rear-facing, red blinker - that is, until I was nearly run over by a car while halfway through an intersection. :scowl:
Now, I use two headlights: a Fenix P3D and my Huntlight mounted with twofish blocks... I keep one light on strobe and the other on constant (low, medium, hi depending on time of evening / night). A pedestrian stopped my one day & complimented me on the strobe saying, '... that blinking light is really bright, I could see you coming two blocks away'. :thumbsup:
Incidentally, I always ride with a reflective jacket / vest and I use my red glo-toob lithium with it's various strobe settings as my omni-directional, rear-racing blinkie. Works great although it's probably not as bright as the PT Swerve.
n4zou
Newly Enlightened
We are lucky here in the USA that bicycles are not required to meet DOT (Department Of Transportation) lighting requirements. Lights are actually discouraged here! Bicycles are considered "Toys" and so you should not play after dark. Most state laws require a headlight that can be seen by other vehicles from 500 feet away. Any good flashlight would meet this requirement. What is strange is the requirement that reflectors be mounted on every bicycle sold, but not lights! This is confusing for people and causes them to think it's OK to ride after dark with nothing but reflectors! On the positive side of this is the ability to use any sort of light you like including something you built out in the garage. I built my dynamo powered headlight using SSC P4 Z-power LED's behind a 15X30 lens and a 10 degree narrow lens. People in motor vehicles often flash there high beams at me in an attempt to get me to dim it. Needless the say thats never going to happen!Here in Germany a Busch+Müller Ixon IQ would be No.1 choice, because this one ist one of the brightest which complies with road traffic regulations too. Using a simple flashlight, which is not approved by appropriate authority, isn´t allowed and can cost you some money ... in theory
... so I use a Fenix P3D R100 on my city bike. I do have the P3D as EDC with me all the time, so I only have to carry the twofish lockblock ... and a small battery powered rear light.
2000xlt
Flashlight Enthusiast
- Joined
- Dec 16, 2004
- Messages
- 1,302
I also use Light and Motion HID. took this vid tonoght coming home from work about 9 pm
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3783873189707468520&hl=en
I had someone at the house with a camera waiting for me
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3783873189707468520&hl=en
I had someone at the house with a camera waiting for me
f22shift
Flashlight Enthusiast
rantanplan
Newly Enlightened
I´ve build a similar custom headlight for my MTB ... 3x Seoul P4 U-Bin, two narrow optics, one 15x40° (?), powered by a nFlex (max. 1A) from TaskLED and two camcorder batteries in series. The advantage of this setup is that you have five brightness level ... I use the lowest level for dark areas where you can run across other "non-enlightened" people like runners. It would be a bit cruel to "shoot" them with 500+ lm when they are trying to run with dark-adapted eyes :devil: ... Level 2-3 are useful in the city to gain some attention and level 4-5 are excellent for riding in total darkness.
I like such multi-LEDs setups because with the use of different optics you can "build" the beam profile that´s ideal for you. First I had used two oval optics and only one narrow one, but that was a bit too floody. Now it´s perfect ... moderate range, bright area in front and enough "sidespill" to see what´s beside the road/path/trail ...
I like such multi-LEDs setups because with the use of different optics you can "build" the beam profile that´s ideal for you. First I had used two oval optics and only one narrow one, but that was a bit too floody. Now it´s perfect ... moderate range, bright area in front and enough "sidespill" to see what´s beside the road/path/trail ...
