Daytime blinky lights

[stephenmarklay]

My early morning rides are starting to get a little darker as the sun rises a little later and I am thinking I want to add some small blinky lights front and rear.

I would really like something small. I won’t be using the front to see but rather be seen.

Do you guys have any really compact quality lights? Maybe something with style?

[bigbill]

I use a Knog white LED on the handlebars and a red LED on the seatpost. I use the white light on areas with a lot of cross traffic including a highway overpass. I use the red light quite a bit in the evening rides because my route home is on a four lane road with overhanging trees that create dark areas.

Some riders use their white lights all the time on every ride. I guess it's safer that way but I feel like it's teaching drivers to look for lights instead of a rider. No light, no rider, right?

[merckx]

I use Knogs front and back all the time.

[Louis]

I have an older Cygolite Hotshot on the rear and it does a great job.

Tiny too.

http://www.cygolite.com/product/

http://cygolite.com/twentyfifteen/wp-content/uploads/3.jpg

[Llewellyn]

Knogs are bright but all the ones I've had don't last anywhere near as long as they claim between charges. Even in flashing modes I've been lucky to get a couple of hours before having to charge them (the Knog blurb claims hours and hours of life - it's bollocks).

Nice bright lights but crap lifespan between charges.

[dustyrider]

Dinotte quads and call it a night!

I actually use lezyne strip drive LEDs. In my eyes, they offer the best range and form for the price point.

[pjm]

I like the Lezyne KTV for the front. Small, light, cheap.

[regularguy412]

I have an older Cygolite Hotshot on the rear and it does a great job.

Tiny too.

http://www.cygolite.com/product/

http://cygolite.com/twentyfifteen/wp-content/uploads/3.jpg

I have one of these on each of my bikes. Works GREAT!

Mike in AR:beer:

[ctcyclistbob]

I've had good luck with these Lezyne Zecto Drive lights; small, bright, portable, easy charge:

[djg21]

My early morning rides are starting to get a little darker as the sun rises a little later and I am thinking I want to add some small blinky lights front and rear.

I would really like something small. I won’t be using the front to see but rather be seen.

Do you guys have any really compact quality lights? Maybe something with style?

I traded in my front blinky for a Niterider OLED 800 (https://www.niterider.com/product/lumina-oled-800/). I bought the Niterider for night-time use but find it far better than a blinky during rush hour or when the sun is lower. It has a very good pulse mode that can be seen from a good distance and the battery lasts a very long time. It is not big at all.

For the rear, I use a Cycliq Fly6. https://cycliq.com/products/fly6

[SteveV0983]

Dinotte quads and call it a night!

This. These things are amazing. It comes at a price, but if you want to be seen, get a Quad Red for the back. And it has the added benefit of no one will ever want to draft off you.

[biker72]

Try this (http://goo.gl/jSKEUX). Most light for the dollar.
http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CCPTIo0UIAEipM1.png:thumb

[stephenmarklay]

I've had good luck with these Lezyne Zecto Drive lights; small, bright, portable, easy charge:

These might do the trick. I like the little Femto but not with 4 batteries to replace.

This remands me I need to install some wall outlets with integrated USB chargers.

[trener1]

Maybe not as small as you would like, but I recently picked one up and I really like it, it has a special daytime blink mode to really help catch motorists eyes.
The Cygolite Streak 350
http://www.cygolite.com/product/streak-350-usb/

[makoti]

To just be seen, I use a Serfas Thunderbolt in the back & a cheap Axiom Performance-brand front light Even on the low settings, they are nice & bright and last a long time. To actually see, I'd need a lot more though.

[stephenmarklay]

Maybe not as small as you would like, but I recently picked one up and I really like it, it has a special daytime blink mode to really help catch motorists eyes.
The Cygolite Streak 350
http://www.cygolite.com/product/streak-350-usb/

Thanks, I hace a cygolite 800 already. I really like it but not what I am looking for.

[MaraudingWalrus]

Fabric has some really great lights coming out. Our rep just stopped by yesterday with them. Didn't get a chance to grab pictures though.

[rwsaunders]

I've been using a Light & Motion Vis 180 on the rear and a Blackburn Flea on the front. The Vis 180 has a paceline mode if you're worrying about blinding your buds when not riding solo. 5-7 hours on a charge depending on the temperature outside. They run about $70-80.

It seems like the next level beyond this particular light takes you in the $150-200 range and there are some other lights that I would consider if night riding were my key criteria.

http://www.lightandmotion.com/choose-your-light/vis-180/vis-180-black-raven

[Spinner]

--- a traffic changer. Car and truck drivers will go out of their way to avoid you. I have yet to be buzzed when my Dinotte is lit.

The only drawback is my main ridding buddies hate to ride behind me when my Quad is on (in the low flash mode). If I go to the front for a pull, I'm never there long.

I use my Dinotte whenever I ride. I'm heading out shortly solo in full sunshine, therefore I'll set the Quad in the medium flash mode.

[drewellison]

Orfos Flares are great! I love mine.
If you ride steel, they attach magnetically to the headtube. Or you can mount a magnet strip with zip ties, which I do on my helmet for the rear. On/off just by pulling off/putting on.

They are bright, many modes, and waterproof.
www.orfos.bike

Here's mine, attached to the headtube with the magnetic strip.

[donevwil]

I recently received a Dinotte Quad for my birthday, OMG ! Incredible daytime light, I can't imagine why anyone would feel the need to use the brightest setting. Light also comes with mounts for multiple bikes.

[jfowler]

I also use the Cygolite Hotshot on the rear and I am super pleased with it. Small and bright.

[juanj]

These will be out soon and look like a good value:

http://www.bikerumor.com/2016/08/03/niterider-boosts-bar-mounted-headlights-shines-4-levels-tail-lights/

[jwess1234]

Serfas Shield is pretty good for rear red intense blinker.

[Spinner]

... the Pareto Principle (80/20 rule) at play. I rode for seven miles down a four-lane boulevard marked with bike lanes and witnessed a vast majority of vehicles either passing me fully in the furthest lane possible or passing with left wheels tracking on the far side of the nearest lane. I rode another 10 miles on two-lane roads and experienced the overwhelming majority of passing cars moving entirely into the oncoming lane.

Without question the Dinotte changes the behavior of drivers. I will not ride on the streets and roads without the Dinotte ablaze.

[54ny77]

Yep.

I keep mine on the brightest flash during daytime and dark (pre-dawn).

It's pointed down slightly, per directions. In the dark, drivers will appreciate that as it illumnates a monster amount of the road and is not blinding them head on.

... the Pareto Principle (80/20 rule) at play. I rode for seven miles down a four-lane boulevard marked with bike lanes and witnessed a vast majority of vehicles either passing me fully in the furthest lane possible or passing with left wheels tracking on the far side of the nearest lane. I rode another 10 miles on two-lane roads and experienced the overwhelming majority of passing cars moving entirely into the oncoming lane.

Without question the Dinotte changes the behavior of drivers. I will not ride on the streets and roads without the Dinotte ablaze.

[Bflath]

Try this (http://goo.gl/jSKEUX). Most light for the dollar.

http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CCPTIo0UIAEipM1.png:thumb



I'll second that. I've tried a number of lights but this one is the best beyond doubt. It's insanely bright on the brightest setting, and the battery lasts all day.

[moose8]

I love my dinette quad but I've never noticed it changing drivers' behaviors. I still have cars pass way too close, but that may be a function of commuting through Boston. It is a great light though.

[oldfatslow]

Orfos Flares are great! I love mine.
If you ride steel, they attach magnetically to the headtube. Or you can mount a magnet strip with zip ties, which I do on my helmet for the rear. On/off just by pulling off/putting on.

They are bright, many modes, and waterproof.
www.orfos.bike

Here's mine, attached to the headtube with the magnetic strip.

I was disappointed with these. Great idea but needs some work IMHO.

While it was generally easy to mount the rear, the front was more difficult. If your bike is not steel, you need zip ties and getting it on the head tube is not always easy (wouldn't mount easily on my carbon or aluminum bikes). I also had issues with it not charging properly (I would recharge after each use but some mornings I'd go to use it and it would be dead). I sent mail to the company but got a sort of nonchalant response. They went in the drawer.

[stephenmarklay]

Orfos Flares are great! I love mine.
If you ride steel, they attach magnetically to the headtube. Or you can mount a magnet strip with zip ties, which I do on my helmet for the rear. On/off just by pulling off/putting on.

They are bright, many modes, and waterproof.
www.orfos.bike

Here's mine, attached to the headtube with the magnetic strip.

These look pretty cool. The magnetic mount is pretty cool too.

[oldfatslow]

... the Pareto Principle (80/20 rule) at play. I rode for seven miles down a four-lane boulevard marked with bike lanes and witnessed a vast majority of vehicles either passing me fully in the furthest lane possible or passing with left wheels tracking on the far side of the nearest lane. I rode another 10 miles on two-lane roads and experienced the overwhelming majority of passing cars moving entirely into the oncoming lane.

Without question the Dinotte changes the behavior of drivers. I will not ride on the streets and roads without the Dinotte ablaze.

I believe Dinotte makes the best tail lights. I got the 300r when my wife started commuting. What price do you put on your wife's safety? I then tried to cheap out and find an less expensive alternative and probably ended up spending the equivalent on a bunch of other tail lights that weren't as bright, didn't hold a charge as well, or that had other design issues (and ended up in drawers). I finally broke down recently and bought the quad rear so I have one. Expensive but IMHO worth every penny. Again, when you'd spend $400 on a stem why don't you value your safety at an equivalent rate?

I also got a new headlight which is awesome. It's the Bright Eyes 1200 lumen CREE LED purchased on Amazon. It comes with a small battery you can hang from a 110mm stem. Battery life is good, light is super bright, it comes with charger and a cheap tail light, and it's $34.87! I like it so much I bought a 2nd one (and at $34.87 why not get a 2nd). Check it out: https://www.amazon.com/Bright-Eyes-GUARANTEED-Rechargeable-Headlight/dp/B00GJZ015Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1470913713&sr=8-1&keywords=bright+eyes

[stephenmarklay]

I'll second that. I've tried a number of lights but this one is the best beyond doubt. It's insanely bright on the brightest setting, and the battery lasts all day.

It look pretty understated which I like too.

[stephenmarklay]

I believe Dinotte makes the best tail lights. I got the 300r when my wife started commuting. What price do you put on your wife's safety? I then tried to cheap out and find an less expensive alternative and probably ended up spending the equivalent on a bunch of other tail lights that weren't as bright, didn't hold a charge as well, or that had other design issues (and ended up in drawers). I finally broke down recently and bought the quad rear so I have one. Expensive but IMHO worth every penny. Again, when you'd spend $400 on a stem why don't you value your safety at an equivalent rate?

I also got a new headlight which is awesome. It's the Bright Eyes 1200 lumen CREE LED purchased on Amazon. It comes with a small battery you can hang from a 110mm stem. Battery life is good, light is super bright, it comes with charger and a cheap tail light, and it's $34.87! I like it so much I bought a 2nd one (and at $34.87 why not get a 2nd). Check it out: https://www.amazon.com/Bright-Eyes-GUARANTEED-Rechargeable-Headlight/dp/B00GJZ015Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1470913713&sr=8-1&keywords=bright+eyes

Wow that IS a lot of light for 35 bucks.

[superbowlpats]

I've had a few Knogs, each one had the rubber band thingy break after a year :mad: and they never really held a charge well.

I like the look of the Lezyne Zecto Drive lights, may try one of those.

[reconstyle]

This. These things are amazing. It comes at a price, but if you want to be seen, get a Quad Red for the back. And it has the added benefit of no one will ever want to draft off you.

$190?!? for a light?!? ho-lee-sheit :eek:

[54ny77]

Yep, heckuva nut. However, it's the best investment I ever made for any bike gear, hands down. You could probably get something as bright for less $, but it'll require a battery, cords, and be a hassle if you need to switch it around. The quad is so convenient, and insanely bright. Where I ride most often, cars literally do give me more room because they see me. I see it when they pass, because they come back in closer to the right afterwards. That reaction is invaluable.

$190?!? for a light?!? ho-lee-sheit :eek:

[oldfatslow]

Yep, heckuva nut. However, it's the best investment I ever made for any bike gear, hands down. You could probably get something as bright for less $, but it'll require a battery, cords, and be a hassle if you need to switch it around. The quad is so convenient and insanely bright. Where I ride most often, cars literally do give me more room because they see me. I see it when they pass because they come back in closer to the right afterwards. That reaction is invaluable.

I definitely feel safer while riding with it. At the end of the day, the brighter the light the more time the driver has to react to you. The Dinotte is simply the brightest tail light out there. Its form factor, battery life, and easy mount are all gravy.

Ask yourself at what price safety?

[54ny77]

I've said this before on the forum but will mention again that I know too many people who've been hit and even killed in the past few years while on their bike. Before getting the Quad, I figured if this thing worked as advertised and claimed, the price was more than worth it if it helps people (in cars) see me and give me a little more wiggle room on the road. If I'm out pre-dawn, I also strap a tail light on my helmet. I forget what brand/model it is (Planet Bike or a similar copycat brand maybe?), but it has a stretchy rubber strap that I tried on a whim on my Lazer helmet, and it worked just right. I set that light on constant mid or high (not on blinker) and the Quad on highest blinker. Had a guy ride up behind me one time and said he could see me from hundreds of yards away, asked me what my setup was because he wanted to get the same thing.

Here's the helmet setup:

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z113/jpmz06/Bike/IMG_20160811_123647278_zpsxc0816c3.jpg (http://s191.photobucket.com/user/jpmz06/media/Bike/IMG_20160811_123647278_zpsxc0816c3.jpg.html)

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z113/jpmz06/Bike/IMG_20160811_123713395_zps8x9azbnb.jpg (http://s191.photobucket.com/user/jpmz06/media/Bike/IMG_20160811_123713395_zps8x9azbnb.jpg.html)

And here's the Quad mounted on a couple of rigs. Easily interchangeable, a few turns of a screw on the mounting clip and presto, done. Most of my bike posts are 27.2 so I use a little rubber insert on the plastic mounting band. I NEVER ride without it on highest blinker setting, even in daytime.

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z113/jpmz06/Bike/5-29-16%20Turkey%20Hill%20Rd_zpsqqmvtrko.jpg (http://s191.photobucket.com/user/jpmz06/media/Bike/5-29-16%20Turkey%20Hill%20Rd_zpsqqmvtrko.jpg.html)

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z113/jpmz06/Bike/IMG_20160501_110426917_zpsv0f5hv95.jpg (http://s191.photobucket.com/user/jpmz06/media/Bike/IMG_20160501_110426917_zpsv0f5hv95.jpg.html)

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z113/jpmz06/Bike/IMG_20160717_123954883_zpsauqflfzh.jpg (http://s191.photobucket.com/user/jpmz06/media/Bike/IMG_20160717_123954883_zpsauqflfzh.jpg.html)

I definitely feel safer while riding with it. At the end of the day, the brighter the light the more time the driver has to react to you. The Dinotte is simply the brightest tail light out there. Its form factor, battery life, and easy mount are all gravy.

Ask yourself at what price safety?

[11.4]

It's all about the light output. There are lots of inflated numbers out there, but a conservative 200 lumens for a tail light will alert people that you're there. The only issues you have at that point are riders who simply think it's ok to buzz you anyway, and people whose heads are below the dash as they reach for their iPhones.

I've tried a number of the $35 lights and frankly, they don't deliver the output (or at least not for more than an hour). Often the ratings are at power-on and in thirty minutes the output has gone down by a third. You may notice the light at that point but drivers won't.

Flashing patterns are important to high visibility as well and so are obvious things like proper alignment. Clipping lights on a messenger bag, the back of a helmet, whatever, are incremental improvements if you already have a good fixed rear light, but they don't do that much, especially in terms of getting someone's attention during the day at a distance. I used to drive home through a string of a hundred or more cycling commuters and while most had rear red blinking lights, only one in ten or fewer was noticeable. Some had power but bad placement but most didn't realize how fast the power fell off with most models.

I tried a Dinotte Quad 400 and so far it's been the best of several I'm using. There are a couple recent Kickstarters with powerful taillights but they drop output rapidly, within 30-45 minutes. The Dinotte Quad stays up for at least a couple hours before dipping. That means that what may be the darkest part of your ride is still amply protected. And it has some of the most effective blinking patterns on the market. Crazy expensive but built like a brick with the best mounts, and worth it.

In poor light or heavy traffic, a strobing white light on the front helps. Don't underestimate strobe patterns, once again. If you've watched police cars and ambulances, you've noticed that they have much more effective flashing patterns as they've adopted LEDs. Bike lights are doing the same. I'm alert on the bike and also ride where I'm less likely to get T-boned by a Toyota, so I'm mostly concerned about getting rear-ended. I'd spend the money on the Dinotte and then add a white light if you feel the need and as budget allows. But going cheap is a throwaway -- even if it blinks like crazy in the store, on the street, after an hour, it's a pale shade of what you think it is.