Anyone regularly using lights yet?

jimmypippa

I have them on flashing now - I can easily see... Being seen os what I'm concerned about.

Later in the year, I'll have the front light on steady.

Paul E

At night 7:45-8:00 to well after 9 so yes

noisepolluter

This, and having seen several folks with their lights on today, is making me think it's time I did the same. I think I should probably also look into one of those hi-viz vests in advance of splashing out on some winter cycling gear.

jimmypippa

noisepolluter wrote:

This, and having seen several folks with their lights on today, is making me think it's time I did the same. I think I should probably also look into one of those hi-viz vests in advance of splashing out on some winter cycling gear.

I am using a montane featherlite velo (windproof pertex not waterproof)

It's good in the chilly mornings, and quite bright.

Twisterboy

Just started using my lights in the last week, still the idiots don't see you.

David

noisepolluter

jimmypippa wrote:

noisepolluter wrote:

This, and having seen several folks with their lights on today, is making me think it's time I did the same. I think I should probably also look into one of those hi-viz vests in advance of splashing out on some winter cycling gear.

I am using a montane featherlite velo (windproof pertex not waterproof)

It's good in the chilly mornings, and quite bright.

Hmmm. I like that.

I've actually got me eye on a red altura jersey for the same price. I already have a wind/rain jacket but it's grey, albeit with reflective bits.

I was thinking I might start with the jersey, add a base layer when it gets colder and then eventually consider whether the grey jacket or something brighter would be best once winter really sets in.

iPete

bails87 wrote:

Kieran_Burns wrote:

If you have the Vision 2 /4 you can share the battery

I know, but I don't.

Maybe I should buy a Vision 4 so the Distric becomes better value.....

For sure, make sure its the new R4

Ooooo check out that mount...

http://www.hopetech.com/page.aspx?itemID=SPG320

itboffin

My two normal autumn country lights did naff all this evening, couldn't cut through the rain and dark.

Time to step it up a notch

mouth

dhope wrote:

If on earlies then yes in the morning, 6am departure. If on lates then yes in the evening, 7pm departure

This,

I regularly start at 5am and finish after 11pm (not on the same day any more) depending on shifts and find I need the lights at least once a day. In gloom and ran I tend to use them as well. The one plus side is that at these times the roads are reasonably quite. Especially in the morning its quite possible that I don't see a moving car.

Blue Meanie

It gets dark early in the South?

tbh, lights are fitted to bike, but use has been sporadic.

rebs

I pulled mine out for the first time today. I'm depressed already by the thought of a dark morning commute...

Paul E

Blue Meanie wrote:

It gets dark early in the South?

tbh, lights are fitted to bike, but use has been sporadic.

Yes it starts to get dark earlier the further south you go.

shouldbeinbed

mudcow007 wrote:

question

do you have your rear lights flashing or fixed?

front i guess it depends on where you are an if you need to see ahead of you?

Answer: both.

optimisticbiker

Always run lights when commuting, but got the big ones on for the last week EL600 front, LD610 rear, plus LD150 on the rucsac...

its getting dark when I leave at 6:30am and dark now by the time I am home at 7:30pm

roger_merriman

I leave by 6.30am and arrive home 10.30pm and most times between those. so been using lights for late returns for a while now.

essex-commuter

jimmypippa wrote:

I am using a montane featherlite velo (windproof pertex not waterproof)

It's good in the chilly mornings, and quite bright.

+1 It's a great bit of kit isn't it. Quite often I wear it for 20 minutes or so until I warm up and then whip it off at a red light and stuff it in the back of my jersey.

Koncordski

Kieran_Burns wrote:

mudcow007 wrote:

question

do you have your rear lights flashing or fixed?

front i guess it depends on where you are an if you need to see ahead of you?

Both

get two lights (safer) or a LD1100, one bank flash, one bank constant


My only concern with the Hope District / Vision set up is running the cables along the frame but frankly this is minor to knowing I'll be seen when I'm on the unlit stretches between the villages.

The cable runs quite neatly with the included straps.

Anonymous

Rear light flashes in the rain, front light flashes as it gets darker (7-8pm i think).

I have a p7 lensor from when I did the wiggle night ride a couple of weeks ago, but I think i'll only really use that for pitch black descents in RP.

Now I realise why people get so annoyed with bright lights on other users in RP. I was seriously blinded by some of them....Fortunately I have a visor on my helmet so just stare at the front wheel until they pass.

ads2k

Always have lights on of some sort no matter what the weather. I've got the brackets to fit both lights to either bike so the Exposure's are used all year round.

Better to be seen then NOT in my eyes.

vorsprung

When it's been a bit gloomy or misty lately I've had the front light on. And in rain I've had the rear flasher on

The front is a B&M IQ Fly which is mistaken for a motorbike at night
The rear flasher is a Smart Superflash, which is daylight visible

Pufftmw

Any worthwhile cheapies on eBay? It was wet & grey enough to have my lights on this morning...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Knog-Gator-10 ... 3a652bc598

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ONE23-RECHARG ... 588ec4ce2c

Maybe?? ^^

iPete

/\ get a Hope Vision 1 or go down the China/Deal Extreme route.

Peejay56

Back on "Winter" set up from this week. Lumicycle LED front and Hope District 3 rear.

To answer Kieran regarding Hope District 3....I bought one as soon as they were released and used it for the back end of last winter and now - my commute is 49 miles round trip on A roads and unlit country roads.
I agree with the comment of setting it up pointing slightly down - mine is. My opinion, yes it is expensive, but what a light! Well made, fits the bike great and the battery life is good.
I have had no near misses with cars, trucks or anything since using it - seem to get more respect and everybody gives you plenty of room.

Pete.

lastant

Koncordski wrote:

The cable runs quite neatly with the included straps.

Pretty sure I was behind Koncordski this morning along Embankment and up to Parliament Square - certainly looked like this bike! If so, it does look nice and neat.

That's his and iPete's set up I've seen now from the rear (ooo-er) and I've been impressed both times at the visibility the District offers.

Having been considering the Exposure Flash/Flare Rechargeable set (none in stock in Evans anymore, by they way!) I'm now coming round to the idea of simply investing big this year and having lights that should last a very long time - Hope's customer service is pretty good, right?

cjcp

Every day now. It's worth having them on even if it's a bit grey.

iPete

Hope customer service is apparently excellent but I've never had to use it, solid products!

Kieran_Burns

Early start today (on the road at 6:10) so full dark when setting off and watching the dawn rise... most excellent.

I've decided to buy the District 3 when I'm paid for 2 reasons:

I really like the convenience of the single battery charge
My mate has a bloody awful light on his bike, so he's going to get my LD610 for his stem

In other news: feck it's cold in the morning now :shock: (when the Sun's not up) I was actually cold for the first time since Spring when I got to work.

iPete

Its going to be easy to spot BR members this winter!

Koncordski

We should get a commission payment when we recommend Merlin and the District! I must have been asked by 3-4 people where I got it and what make is it.

And hello Lastant, I was running an OK time this morning. Did you see me trying to haul in that nutter riding a bog standard MTB but doing an aero position? Always beat me away from the lights because he was running flat pedals.

fossyant

Damn,

Had one of my magicshine MJ-818 3w rears die today - suddenly let water in - it's been fine for 12 months. Oh well £22 for another !

Oh and spot the cyclist who hasn't checked he has fresh batteries. Loads of them about. Lights on, but barely visible. Change your batteries !