Carrying spare light batteries on the bike

[DaveReading]

Having spent my formative years in the dynamo/pea bulb era, I think LED lights are the best thing since sliced bread.

But I've been caught out a couple of times as you don't get much warning when the AAs are about to give out.

If I remember to, I take a couple of spares on night rides (same size fits both front and rear) but I sometimes forget, so I've been thinking about sticking them somewhere on the bike so that they will always be available should I need them.

Does anyone else do this, and if so, where do you put them ?

 

[Drago]

Put them inside the seat post wrapped in cloth. Run two lights each end, then you've got redundancy of both batteries and the light itself.

 

[Flying Dodo]

I always run 2 front & 2 rear lights, using different settings. That way, one front light expires before the other, and the same for the rear.

Although in reality, it's generally clear when a set is getting low, and so can put new batteries in.

 

[furball]

I have two rear lights. One on steady beam and one flashing. The steady beam uses more juice so when I either see it starting to dim or if I think it's time to put new batteries in I then put the used batteries into the flashing light to use up the remaining power. This way I don't get caught short and end with no light at all.

 

[mjr]

I keep spare batteries in a bag in the tool bag, along with a AA-to-USB adapter in case whoever's running low only accepts USB power and I've already used my power pack (the AA-to-USB is horrendously inefficient, so the power pack is first choice). My most-used bike has a dynamo driving LED lights

Edited to add: actually, the AA-to-USB can double as a puny front light and I carry a Topeak RedLite II lithium-button rear light... so even if someone has gone out without lights and it gets dark, I may be able to fix it!

 

[NorthernDave]

Topeak saddle bags have a little pocket thing inside the bit that zips down - ideal size. Or you could try a tri-bag.
Both would have room for other stuff too.

 

[Blue Hills]

Do I take it you are from the minimalist brigade Dave?

I just shove them in a pannier.

I won't forget lights/batteries - take them on pretty much all rides in case the wandering bug hits me/I get waylaid.

 

[NorthernDave]

Do I take it you are from the minimalist brigade Dave?

I just shove them in a pannier.

I won't forget lights/batteries - take them on pretty much all rides in case the wandering bug hits me/I get waylaid.

I don't actually carry spare batteries but I've got a set of these in the saddle bag, just in case. Definitely "be seen" only lights, but better than nothing:
http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/LIBKLI/bookman-light-set

Worth under two quid of anyone's money.

 

[mjr]

Worth under two quid of anyone's money.

Delivery charges may apply... and cost more than the lights

 

[NorthernDave]

Delivery charges may apply... and cost more than the lights

Very true - and I doubt anyone has ever paid the £14.99 RRP.
Although they're a handy way of topping an order up to get to the free P&P amount.

 

[Markymark]

Yep.

 

[Blue Hills]

Am afraid I'm not a fan of those sorts of things Dave.

Much prefer this as a compact be-seen light.

http://www.cateye.com/intl/products/detail/TL-LD630-R/

Front and rear available.

Compact enough. Single AA battery.

Front sits nicely in front of the bars.

Like much bike stuff these days I fear its manufacturers will think "bugger, it's too good and simple", shoot the designer (shades of The Man in the White Suit) and discontinue it - for a quick google found it not shown at some major retailers - but did show an "improved" light that looks rather similar but with a built in battery. Clearly they think me too stupid to put my own industry standard rechargeable batteries in.

 

[Banjo]

If you only use one water bottle you can fit a second one and use it for tools batteries etc.

 

[Blue Hills]

Delivery charges may apply... and cost more than the lights

and if Planet X ever sold them for that "original" price call me a yorkshireman.
And you'll spend way way more than the purchase price on replacement batteries
Or just chuck them into landfill.

Sorry Dave - seem to remember I've liked your posts but you've innocently strayed onto one of my pet peeves on contemporary cycling

 

[jefmcg]

Does anyone else do this, and if so, where do you put them ?

With my multitool and tyre levers.

It's not rocket science