What are people's unique lighting set-ups for night riding?

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trikergirl	What are people's unique lighting set-ups for night riding?	Lead	[-]
Posts: 9 (11/07/09 14:05:59) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Tags : None In about 7 months the only time I will be able to ride my trike will be at night, which will continue for 3 - 4 months (summers in AZ are kinda hot). Planning ahead, and since this forum boasts such a cool community, I thought it wouldn't hurt to ask if anyone had some unique or especially effective night riding solutions regarding lighting. I saw this and really want something similarly genius (minus the bulk and wiring of course!): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pO6une8J1VU Thanks for the input!
rzexpedition		#1	[-]
Posts: 1423 (11/07/09 16:01:10) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	What the guy has in the video is nice...but I don't one really needs to do it up like that (nothing wrong it doing that, though).... I have one 400L Dinotte front light with a 4-cell battery....this runs 4 hours on a full charge...and I carry a 2 cell battery for another 2.5 hours of runtime.... Then I have two 140 L Dinotte taillights on the rear....mine run on 4 AA..but they have a version that runs on Li-Ion batteries. I carry two sets of 4 AAs for each battery, with one on each side of my trike... Then I have some krog frogs on my steer bars ...these are just blinkies...they just blink on an off so people can see me from the side... I keep a Fenix L2D on my helmet...I use this to see off to the side or to read street signs...and it has a strobe mode that I can use at intersections...I can also use it off the bike if I have a flat or something...runs of 2 AAs. The Li-Ion batteries are easier to charge as you don't have to handle individual cells...however, AAs are easier to get for emergencies. You hve to decide there. My riding is recreational...the guy in the video my be a commuter or may be car free...one might need more. I ride in the dark but mostly in the early AM (I ride into the light, so to speak). Good luck! Last Edited By: rzexpedition 11/07/09 19:15:01. Edited 2 times.
Action Lad	The Very Outer Limits of Luminosity	#2	[-]
Posts: 704 (11/07/09 16:31:49) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Hello, t'girl I allow no excuses from motorists when it comes to visibility at night, and now more so that I own a low-slung trike. Where headlights are concerned, I have two Big Bangs: http://tinyurl.com/cvna25 They are among the very brightest lights for HPVs, but the trick is that the beam has a cut off line, so there is no shining into the eyes of oncoming traffic. See here: http://tinyurl.com/y9vb4k8 I have two of them, but sane individuals need only one. : ) I made a high mount light tower to carry blinkies and MiNewt Duals up high. At night, while the Big Bangs are on, the MiNewts are pointed to the right front and left front for those at intersections who might turn into me. They're generally flashing at intersections, and steady while cruising in town. In the boonies, they're off. No need for them. The wing of the tower is set so that the rear blinkies are centered with the eyes of sedan drivers to the rear. Where "be seen" lighting is concerned, you might consider a lighted whip in place of a flag. You own the night when you're lit right. Hope this helps! Key
texpug		#3	[-]
Posts: 1041 (11/07/09 19:00:00) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I went the cheaper route, but I look like a Christmas tree rolling at night. I am in Texas, and trust me I feel your heat in the summer. Night riding is the only sensible time to ride when the temperaiures climb around 100. Don't know what your riding conditions are, so I will tell you I ride on GREAT streets in a really low traffic neighborhood. However, the traffic I do come across is all Big a** pick ups that sit about a million miles high. So visibility is MAJOR for me in order to be seen way up there. I have a really good Planet Bike headlight that will run solid or strobe. I set it on strobe becasue you cannot miss it. It is BRIGHT. The trouble with those high dollar lights is they are VERY bright. On group rides you hear a lot of fussing when they are behind you because they are so bright. However, in a high traffic area I think they would be a godsend. On the back I am running a Planet Bike tail light and a Cateye tail light -- once again set on blinking. They can be seem much better when they are blinking. And the good thing is those tail light do NOT blink in the same pattern, so it draws even more attention. From the side, I am a rolling ferris wheel. I have Hokey Spokes on my back tire. You have to have at least a 26" back tire though. Go to YouTub and type in Catrike Hokey Spokes and you can see me rolling with them. That is the inner child in me. I don't stop at lights though. I wear reflective clothing: I bought auto reflective tape at Wal mart for about $2 a roll. Put some on my sandals. Also put some on my flag and helmet. I got the reflective shirt at Academy sporting goods, but I also purchased some clothing reflective tape and put it on a lot of shirts to have to wear at night. Goodness. Reading this I sound like an exhibitionist! But hey -- NOBODY can claim they didn't see me!
trikergirl	NICE!	#4	[-]
Posts: 10 (11/07/09 21:27:35) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	These are all great ideas! I love texpug's Hokey Spokes, although I may wait a bit on them until my ego can handle the Christmas tree look-alike contest. I'm totally going with the lighted whip like Action said! Anything to draw attention to me at night since traffic is fairly constant around here and our communities aren't as bike-friendly as some other states', like Colorado and Washington (exclusing Tempe, of course, which is VERY bike-friendly). I like rz's idea of strobing at intersections too. Makes sense. What else is out there? I'm a total gear head and lights are fun! Besides, what else is so fun AND keeps you this safe, right? Helmets aren't this fun. Neither are flags (although I probably will do some custom work there too). But you see my point. I think I'm definately a two headlight kinda girl. I like the symetry and I'll probably look for one wide beam and one long beam. Any ideas? --Megan
terracycle	being seen at night	#5	[-]
Posts: 19 (11/07/09 22:55:18) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	The OHPV (Oregon Human Powered Vehicles) club did a nighttime visibility test a few years ago. The idea was that everyone in the club had different lighting/visibility setups on their bikes, but what really worked? We had a van set up at an intersection with it's lights on, and a panel of judges around the front of the van. We tested front going away, front coming towards, and side coming towards. Setups were rated for visibility, identification as bike, and ease of figuring out location/travel path. Two big things stood out: multiple lights front and back, especially if blinking, and reflective things that moved. It was quite an eye opening experience for everyone, particularly when we traded bikes and jackets and saw what we really looked like. I lot of people, including myself, changed their visibility setups after that. I would encourage everyone to get a group together to test each other's setups and exchange ideas. It was one of the best meetings we've had. --Pat Franz
rzexpedition		#6	[-]
Posts: 1424 (11/08/09 00:34:23) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Trikergirl, Check out this light: http://www.geomangear.com...4_41&products_id=138 I just ordered one...they are supposed to be really good. 900 lumens (on high) for 3 hours for < than $100 and 5 modes (500 lumens for longer runtime). You can get two of these. I can't vouch for these, but lots of folks in the candlepower forum are using them. Consider also reflective tape on your trike and your helmet. Last Edited By: rzexpedition 11/08/09 00:38:38. Edited 2 times.
rzexpedition	...and your hands	#7	[-]
Posts: 1425 (11/08/09 00:49:46) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Make sure your hands can be seen when giving turn signals.
Action Lad	The MagicShine	#8	[-]
Posts: 705 (11/08/09 11:28:49) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	RZ, I like this light. When you get it, give us a report in its own thread. I am not wild about the plug design of my MiNewts, but have been more or less stuck since the initial investment. Thanks for the post.
rzexpedition		#9	[-]
Posts: 1426 (11/08/09 12:00:20) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Action, Will do. I was told that it has shipped, but I'll be out of town next weekend so it might be a week or two before I can get to it...but I will. At that price, a LOT of people will be interested...if it is good.
trikergirl		#10	[-]
Posts: 13 (11/08/09 19:09:53) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Nice. I like the gloves. My fiance needs those. He commutes in traffic every morning through Phoenix, although he's on an upright so he;s probably seen a little better. I like the way all these trikes look with this reflective tape everywhere. I'm pretty sure my trike will end up being white so I feel like my first upgrade will be to basically line the entire thing with white reflecting tape. Seems like the least expensive and most effective thing to do to begin with...and of course at least one set of lights. But lots of super bright lights and glowing whips and things will have to wait just a little while until I recoup the cost of the trike. Oy, deese trikes and all their money! --Megan
rzexpedition		#11	[-]
Posts: 1427 (11/09/09 06:50:45) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Megan, You're right...the price tag goes up quickly when you start getting lights. The passive reflectors are good for being seen at night. And the white tape against your white trike works. If you can, look to see if you can get tires with the white reflective sidewalls. Those really sing when light hits them. I'm waiting to replace the rear tire on my trike with one that has the reflective side walls. Reflection stuff is inexpensive, compared to lights. I personally think the Dinotte 140L is the best rear light you can get. Size and cost factored in. The front light is more debatable, IMO. I like my 400L, but I'm going to try the Magicshine because they seem relatively inexpensive for what you get. You can get two for under 200$. That's a lot of light (if the claims are true). On the gloves, the Manzella's are very lightweight and won't work when it is really cold. They don't hold up to washing very well, either. Take them off before touching your chain, for example. Those others are good for colder weather, but each person is different in terms of what keeps their hands warm, IME. Both are great for hand signals and both day and night.
wingbatwu		#12	[-]
Posts: 26 (11/09/09 08:06:59) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	The PlanetBike Blaze 2 watt has an excellent quality / price ratio. It only uses two AA batteries (I use rechargeable NiMH Duracell 2650 mA) I installed two at the end of my boom, but most of the time I only use one and keep the other as a contingency light, or if I'm on a really dark path, I'll use both.
ElSobrante	Consider the social aspect of your lighting scheme	#13	[-]
Posts: 5529 (11/09/09 08:18:01) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I find that I can't enjoy riding in the vicinity of fellow cyclists who sport mega-watt lighting equipment, and that definitely includes the Planet Bike SuperBlinky taillight and high-output headlamps, especially the helmet-mounted variety. I lose the pleasure of riding at night if a SuperBlinky is closer than 100 yards ahead of me. And a friend who rides with a helmet-mounted high-intensity headlamp was complaining that he was blinding himself whenever he looked towards his own mirrors. Of course, he was also blinding me when ever his headlamp beam fell on my mirrors. If you're riding alone, mega-watt lightage will only annoy the occasional motorist, but if you're riding with a companion make sure you know what each one can tolerate in absorbed and reflected light before spending big bucks on lights you eventually can't abide. My personal favorite taillight is a discontinued Zefal taillight that is not daylight bright by any means, but has a light-sensor switch that changes the pattern from frantic-blinky to steady-state when a headlight beam hits it. It's a european thing. My super-bright Vetta 20 LED taillights are dimmable (even usable as turn-signals), and in the company of other riders I aim them at the ground. My favorite headlamp is a hiker's headlamp, either a Princeton Tec Eos 1-watter or their newer and slightly cheaper and more tightly focused high-intensity 1-watt headlamp (not weather resistant). I can look into turns better than with a fixed-mount headlamp, and I can look directly at a driver vectoring my way to make sure he sees me, since I can paint his face with my headlamp for a split second without blinding him. I can also try to avoid painting my companions mirrors with my beam. The downside is you want to wear dark socks and shoes/sandals, because untanned human flesh and bright shoes reflect an annoying amount of light back at you. The 1-watt LED headlamps are great for speeds up to 20 mph, but some people, or faster people will likely want more or additional light if the route is unfamiliar to them. I like the ease of turning off my headlamp to ride by moonlight or starlight after curfew on a certain bike trail. It calms the woodland creatures down.
rzexpedition		#14	[-]
Posts: 1428 (11/09/09 08:30:37) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Some other solutions to the problem Elso points on for social night rides is (1) use the lower power modes that some lights have, and (2) angle lights down toward the road. For the rear, when you point the light at the road it actually creates a spot of light that is easily seen. It won't be nearly as bad for those on trikes behind since they won't be looking head on into your "laser-like demon eye". In a group, if you are close together, then perhaps the leader can play to role of casting the most light and just signal those behind of road imperfections. I do all of my night riding alone so I get zero complaints, including from car drivers. Also, I only use my helmet flashlight on an "as needed" basis. It's off most of the time...unless I hear something creepy coming at me from some dark place off to the size or behind...and that does happen. Or, when in really dark places where you can't read road signs and your front lights are putting light in the wrong place.
groundspd		#15	[-]
Posts: 228 (11/09/09 18:05:59) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	ElSobrante wrote: I find that I can't enjoy riding in the vicinity of fellow cyclists who sport mega-watt lighting equipment, and that definitely includes the Planet Bike SuperBlinky taillight and high-output headlamps, especially the helmet-mounted variety. I lose the pleasure of riding at night if a SuperBlinky is closer than 100 yards ahead of me. And a friend who rides with a helmet-mounted high-intensity headlamp was complaining that he was blinding himself whenever he looked towards his own mirrors. Of course, he was also blinding me when ever his headlamp beam fell on my mirrors. If you're riding alone, mega-watt lightage will only annoy the occasional motorist, but if you're riding with a companion make sure you know what each one can tolerate in absorbed and reflected light before spending big bucks on lights you eventually can't abide. My personal favorite taillight is a discontinued Zefal taillight that is not daylight bright by any means, but has a light-sensor switch that changes the pattern from frantic-blinky to steady-state when a headlight beam hits it. It's a european thing. My super-bright Vetta 20 LED taillights are dimmable (even usable as turn-signals), and in the company of other riders I aim them at the ground. My favorite headlamp is a hiker's headlamp, either a Princeton Tec Eos 1-watter or their newer and slightly cheaper and more tightly focused high-intensity 1-watt headlamp (not weather resistant). I can look into turns better than with a fixed-mount headlamp, and I can look directly at a driver vectoring my way to make sure he sees me, since I can paint his face with my headlamp for a split second without blinding him. I can also try to avoid painting my companions mirrors with my beam. The downside is you want to wear dark socks and shoes/sandals, because untanned human flesh and bright shoes reflect an annoying amount of light back at you. The 1-watt LED headlamps are great for speeds up to 20 mph, but some people, or faster people will likely want more or additional light if the route is unfamiliar to them. I like the ease of turning off my headlamp to ride by moonlight or starlight after curfew on a certain bike trail. It calms the woodland creatures down. When riding with groups at night on streets we share with cars, I will often opt to be the "sweep", the guy in the rear who makes sure no one gets left behind. Then I take my Dinotte front light (blinking amber in daytime and steady white at night) and point it downwards toward the road, as long as there are riders just ahead of me. The Dinotte attaches to the little crossbar on the front with a rubber O-ring, so you can easily point it up or down as circumstances dictate. The rear Dinotte is blinking red, and is probably to a nuisance to all, that's why I stay in the rear! If you are riding in cities at night with DF's, it's also good to be in the rear, away from them a bit, because they are so slow, awkward and wobbly starting and stopping at intersections. And the loud red light at the rear of the group protects the entire group from motorists!
LilBentTadpole	Thinking of purchasing..	#16	[-]
Posts: 1 (11/10/09 21:13:11) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I'm looking into the following set-up: Two Blackburn Mars 3.0 tail lights mounted on the left and right side rear bars of my Villager just above the seat back. Also will add two Blackburn Quadrant headlights on main bar under seat (perpendicular to boom) to light up road just in front of me and create the ground halo effect we all like. Finally I want to add one Blackburn Voyager 3.3 headlight with the bright directed beam and possible side lighting to the very front of my trike, to be used when I need some distance lighting or am in high traffic. Everything will be pointed downwards so as not to shine right in drivers' eyes and set-up can be paired down to just tail lights or any other configuration for the benefit of others riding with me. All lights come with a lifetime guarantee from Blackburn and all run on AAA batteries (which I like because I can replace easily from any gas station in an emergency). Final kicker is that I'll get all 5 lights for around $60. What do you all think? --Megan
bikeboy999	A Jerry flag will help.	#17	[-]
Posts: 67 (11/11/09 09:30:56) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I believe in threes for night time protection. I would suggest getting a little light at the top of the flag pole. On the flag pole you should have a Jerry flag, http://home.comcast.net/~...rike/catflag.html. You can get one to match your desires (pink) or the colour of your new Villager. So two on sides of seat like you mention and a third at top of pole. For the sides the Schwalbe tires have a great ring of reflective display. As for the front it depends on how fast you ride and how dark it is where you are riding. I myself have got caught out with a 1/2 watt Planet Bike light on a mup. I thought I had sunglasses on it was so dark. This past week I mounted my 200 lumens light on a swing grip underneath my fairing. It was almost good enough for through the forest, I just slowed down to make it more doable. So for a start it will be a great purchase, but you should build upon it. B
LilBentTadpole	My flag	#18	[-]
Posts: 6 (11/11/09 09:50:31) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	That link didn't work, bikeboy, but I found what you're talking about anyway at http://home.comcast.net/~catroad40/catrike/catflag.html I got a neon green flag when I bought my Trike and then I lined it with that 1/4" black tape that gets super reflective when light shines on it...don't remember what it's called...stealth tape, maybe? I also lined some of my black components with it. I like it.
rzexpedition		#19	[-]
Posts: 1436 (11/11/09 10:14:19) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Megan, You don't need to point your lights down to avoid shining lights in drivers' eyes, you need them angled to as to illuminate the road (which is a bit more down compared to horizontal than up). Doing this will certainly ensure that you aren't blinding drivers. But please be aware that they are going to possibly be blinding you, as you are much lower and will tend to see their low-beams at eye level. If you stay on your side and they on theirs, it isn't too bad, but on narrow roads it is more problematic. I seriously doubt you will blind anything with lights that run off of AAA batteries, too. I know what you want to commute...but I'm unsure as to what your routes will be like. Are they well light? How are the roads? Are there lots of potholes that you'll need to avoid? It is fall now, so night comes early...and it can be dark, cold, and wet. I'm a little bit concerned about you being out there with underpowered lights, especially if you need to see by them. Most of these lights -- such as those on Amazon -- are jokes, IMO. Of course, a $20 PB Superflash is a winner for an inexpensive taillight. I don't think much of cheap lights if it means life is in danger.
Constance	lighting on the cheap.	#20	[-]
Posts: 10 (11/11/09 15:18:41) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I I don't have much money. I added lots of reflective tape on the frame, flag pole and helmet, "Bike Glow" rope safety lights on the frame and rack, Fenix flashlights, planet Bike blinkies on the helmets, (red in back and white in front), and a Nightrider CherryBomb taillight in my rack. I use ponytail bungee cord to keep the taillight in place. I also brought a much larger flag. If I was a commuter in heavy traffic, I would add a tower of some type with more blinkies and taillights.

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What are people's unique lighting set-ups for night riding?

What are people's unique lighting set-ups for night riding?

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