Lights for commuting

[Vikeonabike]

I'm of the opinion that you should have as many lights as you think you need +a few more.
My current set up is, Solid red LED rear + Flashing red Led rear. LEDWear Jacket (+ LEDWear rucksack cover when required) 2 Helmet mounted rear LEDs. Same on helmet for the front and two Cateye EL 520s (don't forget the row of front facing LEDs on the jacket).
I look something from outer space but it's effective!

 

[ACS]

Its not the cheapest way to go from scratch, I happened to get my triple shots for a third of the price 2yrs ago and then preceded to upgrade the 3 LEDs to more than double the lumen output. Anyway as mentioned elsewhere if i was back to square one with no light id go the LED torch route there are some seriously bright lights for under £50!

if ur still interested in seeing what some blinding nutters do with lights check this out http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/

Decision made then, Tesco's here I come.
Thanks again

 

[fossyant]

To J4cko - don't worry about lights one on top - it's obvious you are a bike. If looking for something that will highlight the width of a pannier...the Fibre Flare's are good - they can clip on, can be strapped on a frame e.g. lengthways down a seat stay or any tube, or they even clip over safety pins.......

To semislickstick - it was reported, driver not prosecuted, but they have not contested liability.....all the legal crap is still going on, I've only just finished physio...

TBH..I got "Sorry I didn't see you"......... then pointed the driver over to the bike, on the road, with all the lights still blazing............ the woman was in more shock than me....

Better safe than sorry....

 

[fossyant]

As a cheap option the torches are a great option. I took my 3w Tesco's with me when camping over the last two weekends.... they are super for the money. I think they are something like 100-120 lumens (Hope Vision 1's are 240 max - their low setting is like the Tesco, but at nearly 10x the price...., the better Fenix torches are over 200 lumens) but, no joke, you could pick rabbits out, up a wooded hill side over 100m away.... more than enough for a dark lane. Given the price, chuck at least two on the bike....

 

[HJ]

MrG
Do you have any more information on this? I have been following this thread with great interest being in the market for a new set of lights for my 10 mile commute, 20% street lit the rest on rural country roads / lanes, known locally as the 'Rat Run'

Like many I am working off a very limited budget so a home brew solution may be the way to go.

If you are looking for a home brew solution then see this thread...

 

[summerdays]

If looking for something that will highlight the width of a pannier...the Fibre Flare's are good - they can clip on, can be strapped on a frame e.g. lengthways down a seat stay or any tube, or they even clip over safety pins.......

Those look interesting... do you have one or a pair? If so does a pair just mean two times 1 or are they linked in some way. I like the idea of mounting it on a pannier, plus potentially somewhere on the body too.

 

[fossyant]

Those look interesting... do you have one or a pair? If so does a pair just mean two times 1 or are they linked in some way. I like the idea of mounting it on a pannier, plus potentially somewhere on the body too.

Single units.... I have two. They clip just about anywhere, and also come with silicone straps for the frame. I use my rucksack strap for one end, and a safety pin for the other - see below.....