Old Newbie!!!

[Cyclist33]

to CC.
I tried your link and it came up with a blank page with "Bad Request" written at the top.
I would have a look at Decathlon before heading to Halfords.

What sort of bike are you after? Drop bar bike or a flat bar. I have a drop bar bike that would easily cope with towpaths etc, which is why I ask.

If you are in your 30s and consider yourself old, I'll just go out the back and shoot myself then as I must be positively ancient and decrepit. You are a youngster around here.

At least you're being positive about being ancient and decrepit!

 

[baxtgk]

Thanks for all your replies. I did have a look at some second hand bikes but being a novice I was worried about ending up with something stolen, dangerous or knackered so decided buying new was the way to to go. I ended up buying the Carrera Axle and have and taken it in a few short rides to get used to riding again.

I want to use it for my commute as originally intended but I am bewildered by the sheer volume of lighting options. I have looked through many threads to avoid posting another lighting question but to be honest I'm now just confusing myself!! Having looked at my route around 40% will be on unlit canal paths so I am unclear if I can use the same lights to 'see' on this part or if I need another seperate light for this part of my journey? I was looking at the below but not sure if they will be bright enough?

http://www.sigmasport.co.uk/item/Ca...ightset/2NLP?gclid=CMG_9d_jlcICFWTHtAodUHoAlA

Thanks again for any assistance!

 

[Ganymede]

Thanks for all your replies. I did have a look at some second hand bikes but being a novice I was worried about ending up with something stolen, dangerous or knackered so decided buying new was the way to to go. I ended up buying the Carrera Axle and have and taken it in a few short rides to get used to riding again.

I want to use it for my commute as originally intended but I am bewildered by the sheer volume of lighting options. I have looked through many threads to avoid posting another lighting question but to be honest I'm now just confusing myself!! Having looked at my route around 40% will be on unlit canal paths so I am unclear if I can use the same lights to 'see' on this part or if I need another seperate light for this part of my journey? I was looking at the below but not sure if they will be bright enough?

http://www.sigmasport.co.uk/item/Ca...ightset/2NLP?gclid=CMG_9d_jlcICFWTHtAodUHoAlA

Thanks again for any assistance!

Hi again! Glad you've got your bike and started riding, that's brilliant.

I ride in the pitch dark a lot, along country lanes. I find I don't need a madly strong light but that's because I am not a fast rider. If you zoom along you need to see further. I go at 10 - 12 mph on roads I know extremely well and just use an old Cateye (that's the brand) with 3 LEDs (admittedly modified with a collar made from a plastic milkbottle and some foil, as I found it shone up into my eyes). Front lights are better now and you can get one with a good beam. I don't like the ones that are too strong - you really can blind fellow cyclists as well as motorists! - and most people on here seem to agree that a flashing front light isn't a great idea, and is no good for seeing with.

Rear red lights: I use two fairly ordinary flashing clip-on lights - I think it's good to have two as they flash at offset times and one might fail. A flashing rear red light says "BIKE!" much more than a non-flashing one. I have two a bit like this: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/...gclid=CN-bv4ar-8ICFfTJtAodFVAAJg&gclsrc=aw.ds - there are much fancier and more expensive ones of course. I use rechargeable batteries.

You can get lights that recharge during the day plugged in to your computer (good if you have a desk job).

I am sure that there are good threads specifically about riding in the dark on country lanes.... try searching for them rather than just "lights" and you should get posher recommendations!

 

[Maverick Goose]

Happy CCing!