Best bike headlight-taillight combinations according to redditors

Bite my shiny metal ass.

Dont forget a lock. I use this one $80 this one is more affordable $35

drunkriding requires lighting. People seem to like cygolite.

[Nice singlespeed tool $20 ] (https://www.amazon.com/Pedros-142724-Trixie-Fixie-Tool/dp/B001Q221GM)

That bike has rack mounts. Racks mean you can bring more than one case of beer home at a time.

I dont carry much else on the singlespeed. A small $2 patch kit, tire levers and an inflator.

Edit: The Modified Sheldon, credit: 802bikeguy

I've been biking to work for over a decade now. I figure I save somewhere between $3000 and $4000 a year (just parking where I work costs almost $1000 every year!). The other month, I realized I had a bad wheel that needed replacement (factory defect I didn't notice for a long time). Rebuilding a brand new wheel and some other little maintenance things hit me at $180. There was a split second of outrage until I realized that's the only money I've spent on this bike, aside from a new tube or two, in 5 years.

If you do go the bike route, make sure you spend your money on a good helmet and great lights. There are some really great panniers out there that will allow you to grocery shop and carry tons of stuff. You'll never look back.

I highly, highly recommend getting a bike from Bikes Direct. They have some amazing bikes at amazing prices. The deal is that the bikes have some paint blemishes and aren't "perfect" so they can't be sold by the manufacturer. I had a hard time finding the paint blemishes on mine and they were on the rack the bike came with!

Get the minimum you need as you need it, rather than trying to get it all at once. But, you'll likely want a helmet and some sort of lock (depending on where you can park, and taking into account relative theft risk). Beyond that, you can get extremely cheap lights off Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/Malker-Bicycle-Light-Front-Silicone/dp/B01L773R9A). Weather gear will be a tougher question though. You'll probably want fenders, and some kind of rain gear. I tend to go for something cheaper and replace it every year to two (https://www.amazon.com/Frogg-Toggs-Ultra-Lite2-Waterproof-Breathable/dp/B00R6NYJ10)

If he doesn't have a good light set...

Metro/Hotshot Combo.

I use and really like the cygolite hotshot 50, it's bright enough for daytime use. I see they have a 150 version now and it's cheaper than the bontrager.

Belt number 1...

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F273340065168

Vest....

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F333248047928

Belt number 2.... (uses non rechargeable battery)...

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F352739938913

These are pretty expensive and might not fit all scooters...

Blinker Grips...

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com.au%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F161763113452

Nocturne (turn signal and headlights)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HXSB8Q9/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_vSPIDbDEEZMPW

There are lots of LED rechargeable bracelets and belts available on eBay and Amazon.

$25 set here: https://www.amazon.com/Cycle-Torch-Rechargeable-Light-Commuter/dp/B00XJXP6V8/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_468_tr_t_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=X9RX9ESYAV112Q2V38NS

Haven't used this one personally but it has great reviews, USB charging, and $25 is pretty cheap for a starter front/rear light.

Hello! This is my second year bike commuting and I love it! The coldest days of the year in Baltimore look around -15C so it shouldn't be too bad! Things I use/suggest are the following

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For you:

Bike helmet cover, something like this to keep in the warmth, but doesnt get too hot

Pair of ski goggles

Gloves

Buff

A pair of cycling only outdoor pants to wear as 'ski pants' over your regular pants like these

Wool socks (Costco has great merino wool ones)

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For the bike:

Fenders

A nice set of lights like these

Bar mitts like these

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And just make sure you keep up with cleaning the salt and grime off your bike!

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Good luck!

I do think lights are seriously important this time of year, from one Chicago cyclist to another. I started using them for the first time this year and I have noticed a serious difference in the amount of space I am given by cars- I recommend these lights as they are quick to remove and inexpensive, and they can be steady or set to pulse.

I use these:
https://www.amazon.com/Ascher-Rechargeable-Headlight-Resistant-Included/dp/B01EUQ7ZQG

They are really bright without being so bright that they kill the eyes of other cyclists, they pop on and off in seconds with a simple silicone band so you can put them in your pocket when you lock up your bike. And the charge lasts for a solid 10-15 hours so if you don't ride that much you can charge them once every two weeks.

Well, before doing that I think getting some decent lights and reflectors would be a good plan. It's not even expensive these days.

Outrageous the colliding driver didn't see the cyclist, on a straight road, but that is independent from the fact it's pretty easy these days to be much more eye-catching on a bicycle.

Drives me crazy how many people have actually removed the reflectors from their bikes, and think their little coin-cell blinky is doing anything significant. Even this pair of rechargeable lights for $13 are way more eye-catching than what you have in this video. I have a few of them, find them excellent be-seen lights, though for me they're a backup for a better pair of primary of lights.

When it comes to reflectors - focus on the moving parts. Reflective tape on pedal cranks is a good one, and of course pedal reflectors and reflective ankle wraps do well too.

This is the one I use and it's pretty good (though I have to charge it more often than I'd like)
https://www.amazon.com/Cycle-Torch-Shark-Rechargeable-Light/dp/B0756LPR7H

I'm a little skeptical of the "1200 lumen" Watsuo. That's a LOT of light for that little package to be putting out, and at only $20? But again, it's only $20... Even if it's really only 400 lumens, you could get two for the same price as the Cycle Torch. My only real concern would be longevity - I'm guessing they skimped on battery protection circuitry so the batteries may not survive a bunch of charges. Some of the negative reviews kind of confirm this.

I personally wouldn't cheap out on lights. There are several great options in the $40 range on Amazon and I wouldn't want to be stuck half way thru a ride with no light at night.

When it's warmer, I regularly ride my bike around at all times of day; it becomes my primary form of transportation. Honestly, I have encountered two super aggressive drivers (a UPS guy and someone who made it a point to run me off the road and laughed/yelled out the window at me), but I think the area overall is getting better about sharing the road and, generally speaking, assholes exist everywhere.

If you don't have bike lights, absolutely do not ride at night. Here's what I use. I've had them 2-3 years now and haven't had the batteries die yet.

I have had one bike 'stolen' (fair game, I didn't lock it up and wasn't too concerned about it, even though it technically was in a secure building). I also had someone try to steal my cruiser, but I'm guessing they got caught in the middle of it because some stuff was missing off the bike and my cable lock was only snipped about half way through; several other people's bikes were completely stolen or stripped that same night.

Just buy a damn good U-lock (something they're going to have to saw through and make lots of noise) and don't leave it somewhere outside for extended periods of time. If you have any accessories you care about to the point you wouldn't want to pay to replace them, then consider keeping them in a bag or keeping your bike inside indefinitely. Personally, I love my bike, so I keep it in my apartment when I'm not using it.

Also check out/join Social Cycling and Bike Norfolk on Facebook. The communities are very supportive and can probably provide experience-based answers to your questions.

They are these BrightEyes 1800 lumens units . They've been pretty good so far. I like that they include a gopro-compatible mounting bracket. They're held on to the the front rack by a gopro fishing rod mount and two 90 degree adapters.

First scooter purchase. Worth the wait so far. Was able to go up a few modest hills at full speed. Although no suspension, handled the rough roads well. 185 lbs, was able to reach 18mph on dash during flats. One of the electric speed signs along the road had 20.

Gloves

Helmet

Lights: Even though it comes with front and back light, never hurts to have extra

Front

Back

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The only thing I would change are the grips. Sort of wish they used regular bicycle grips so I could easily add https://www.amazon.com/Hafny-Mirror-Stainless-Rearview-Diameter/dp/B01AVHQB22/

Cygolite Metro 700 since it’s waterproof and usb rechargeable. I can charge it at home or at work if I need to.

I don’t ride at night rather, at dawn or dusk towards the end of my ride so it’s bright enough for me. It has a low, medium and high settings.

Cygolite Hotshot Pro 150 for all the same reasons above. I can clip it to the bike or onto a backpack.

The main reason I bough these two was because they had great reviews online, on Amazon & weren’t as crazy expensive as other ones.

don't cheap out on lights, get something name brand

http://www.amazon.com/Cygolite-Metro-Shot-Combo-Light/dp/B00LXTOXPA/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1458001879&sr=1-1&keywords=cygolite

These are what I have, lots of people I know have them and love them as much as I do.

Definitely get a light! If you’re riding at night, they’re arguably a more critical piece of safety equipment than a helmet. That means rear lights too! It’s hard to realize how invisible you can be without one.

Cygolite Metro 400 Hot Shot USB Combo Light https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LXTOXPA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_m3KUAb39S0332

This is a great deal. It might seem kind of pricey, but Cygolite makes high quality stuff so you won’t have to think about it again after you buy it.

Hopping on this to recommend Cygolite Metro headlight & hotshot tail-light

If you want to be a hipster and spend $230 on mediocre lights you lock outside get those. Ootherwise just get some normal LED bike lights:. Having a 4" strip of road illuminated in front of me is not what I call 'useful'

The Cygo Lite Metro is fantastic. I've had them for a few years.

One of the reviews says that if you get hit by a car, they did it on purpose. And I would say that's accurate.

The headlight not only let's people see you, but it actually lights up the road ahead of you.

man, I screwed that up.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07HXSB8Q9/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Just one, I had bought a bunch of light up junk totally unrelated for a silly race, and it happened to fit perfectly around the board. Well, perfectly around my board, with those particular bash guards on.

I folded the light strip in half, marked it, taped it center front (just to hold it in place), and put the bash guard over it to lock it into place.

With the hot glue gun, I did one small section at a time. One squeeze of the trigger worth, and then pushed the light strip into it all the way, so it made good contact with the board. Don't try to smooth it like caulk, it'll get weird.

The light strip ends just as it reaches the rear bash guard with about 1 cm space left on each side. So whether or not it looks even depends on how well you centered the whole thing.

With the head and tail light on, it looks pretty good, I think. I Prime Now'd the same Blitzu bike tail light from another post on here that I can't find at the moment. And then ordered the headlight that I figured might fit on the front truck. It does. Barely. Sort of. If you turn hard, you might into some issues. I have yet to really test that before I get a second one. The neat thing is that the headlight(s) now point into the direction I'm turning.

A few more photos of various angles.

This is worth it: http://www.amazon.com/Metro-360-Hotshot-2W-Light/dp/B00E1NQ696

I bought this set as good decent lights, not the brightest, but enough to see in city/town conditions in the dead of night, probably okay if you are very rural;

http://www.amazon.com/Metro-360-Hotshot-2W-Light/dp/B00E1NQ696

As for helmets, more cost generally means lighter/more ventilation, depending on how much either of these means to you.

On locks, I'd suggest a set like this;

http://www.amazon.com/Kryptonite-Kryptolok-Standard-Bicycle-FlexFrame/dp/B005YPK8G2/ref=sr_1_4?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1396539131&sr=1-4&keywords=kryptonite+lock+combo

it will allow you to lock the frame/rear wheel with the U, and the front wheel with the cable. It terms of safeguarding your bike, it's more like defensive driving; how, where, time of day, amount of people around, prevalence of bike theft, are bigger factors than the size of the lock.

I clip these to my knee pads and wear a headlamp www.amazon.com/dp/B01EUQ7ZQG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_PR3GDbMW50HRN

What’re you thinking of the spoon? I love it so far. Great price and color options and super comfy. The light is an older version of the hotshot 150 I believe.

A decent amount as it gives you a 360 “glow” but when I don’t use my headlamp I clip this white light onto my shorts https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IIPBYB2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_u.mUBbCEV5CVC and it’s perfect.

The little gummy ones are great and weigh pretty much nothing.

I have two light kits on my two bikes, and I really like both of them.

https://www.amazon.com/Cygolite-Metro-Hotshot-Light-Combo/dp/B01IO12Q4O/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1536965325&sr=8-7&keywords=cygolite+metro

You can also find that with just the headlight, but I like that both of them are easily rechargeable via micro USB. Both lights are super bright, and I’ve ran them for close to two hours with no issues with the batteries.


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MG7677G/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This second setup, I like best. The headlight and the battery pack are separate, and the taillight uses two watch batteries. The watch batteries seem to last about 30 hours of use.

Both of the kits I use are super easy to install, and both of them allow you to very easily unmount when you don’t need them. Both kits also provide powerful light facing forward in a long broad arc.

Provided you'll have access to AC Power every few days, you can use this. It's VERY bright and lasts for many hours on a single charge. It uses a Mini-USB port which is the older style and is a little bigger then the port used on an Android Phone {micro-USB} but still pretty common. There is a hook to mount it anywhere you've a small cloth loop and the included mount fits most round tube frames.
https://www.amazon.com/Cygolite-Hotshot-Rechargeable-Bike-Light/dp/B01IO12LCQ/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1522090328&sr=8-3&keywords=cygolite+hotshot

I have had a set of cygolite's for years

Very bright and most importantly USB rechargeable, Also relatively affordable. I have had my set going on 6 years now and I use them almost daily, they dont make the model I have anymore but the link I included is the closest available set.

Bike wise ive gone with a Genesis Criox De fer. The position is a bit more sporty and aerodynamic than a hybrid. And as its a cross bike its a bit more comfortable than a road bike.

Light wise ive gone with :https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00OOENVYA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

These are bright and reliable

Helmet doesnt really matter but id advise buying an okay quality one. The clips are a bit more secure on any helmet 20+


What id advise aswell isinvest in a pair of MTB shoes, it might seem unescesary but they make a world of difference when commuting

I bought these for a bike and they are only 11 bucks, they do the job though. They might not fit great. I attach it to the truck, they are about 1/8th the price of the shred ones

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https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01EUQ7ZQG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have the same exact rack and attached Cygolite HotShot series with this. It only cost $5 and fits perfectly.

These bike lights look mediocre, and possibly weaker than my S7's flashlight app lel.

Love this $20 one though

I've got one of these for the helmet, and this set for bar/seatpost. I rarely need the brightest setting on the headlamp, and can usually get about 6-8 hrs per charge. Granted, I'm not 'doing the gnar' at night, but this setup is enough for Mt. Wilson area trails/fire roads.

Here you go. HIGHLY recommend. I bought this same pair two years ago, been using it almost daily and it's still going strong. It's bright, rechargeable, and has endured heavy rain with no problems. Detaches easily (but not accidentally) and doubles as a solid flashlight.

Oh snap we're on to something. Reelight makes a magnet powered safety strobe

Yes, I think a used hybrid sounds good (ideally find a bike co-op, or friendly LBS with used bikes) - preferably with fenders. Smoother tires (not nobby) will do the most to make riding more efficient, but don't go with skinny tires (ideally 35mm or fatter).

The great thing is you can choose how much energy to put in, especially if it's not extremely hilly and you have gears. Just choose a lower gear and let your legs spin at a fairly high rate (faster than 1 rev per second), low effort, and you'll get there. I don't think you should have any problem doing the whole journey by bike, it should be way less effort than walking. Just ride at whatever pace works for you.

Rain is annoying. Fenders on the bike make it much better, by keeping mud off you. Waterproof gear needs lots of vents to avoid getting very sweaty, unless it's cold. Cheap ponchos work quite well if you have fenders. Lights are especially important for being seen in the rain.

Riding downhill is trivial. If you're going too fast, use the brakes.

Locking up to a pole or bike rack is ok, but your bike will thank you if you can minimize leaving it for hours in the rain.

For no-nonsense, straightforward tips on every aspect of looking after your bike, and some riding tips, check out http://www.sheldonbrown.com/. for instance:

• Braking and Turning Your Bicycle
  
• Locking strategy
  
• What Every Cyclist Should Know About Flat Tires
  
• Chain Maintenance
  
  Bicycles are really quite simple machines, and the knowledge to maintain and overhaul them can be obtained fairly easily one step at a time, to the point where your transportation will be very frugal, very self-sufficient, and will make you fitter and happier.

> Cygolite Metro
is this the one you have?
I just added this to my amazon cart. Thanks!

lights can be fixed but imo it's more work than it's worth.


The front light doesn't hit far enough to be realistically useful when riding in dark-ish area, let alone pitch dark. Grab a cheap $15 flashlight and it'll be 10x more effective than the build in light. You also get to "choose" where you want the light to hit by simply pointing. Also my favorite thing about using a flashlight is you can shine the light at drivers to warn your existence. Super handy when they're making turns.
If you are worried about letting other people see you. (other than the flashlight pointing method I mentioned above) you can simply get those small bike lights like this and wrap it around the rails or use velcro/adhesive to stick it on the rails or fender.


Sorry that this happened. I see that you are still under warranty so I would say it's worth sending the board in if you really care about the lights. Otherwise it's really not worth it.

For a relatively budget friendly light that actually works, the Shark 500 on amazon is awesome. It's bright enough to ride at night on roads or paths. (Wouldn't take it mtb). It comes with a tail light and is usb rechargeable.

https://www.amazon.com/SUPERBRIGHT-Bike-Light-USB-Rechargeable/dp/B00OOENVYA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1524072167&sr=8-2&keywords=shark+500

40 bucks but this bad boy is blinding bright and the battery has held up. I commute every night 5 days a week for work no problems. Cycle Torch SUPERBRIGHT Bike Light USB Rechargeable LED - FREE Taillight INCLUDED Shark 500 Set - 500 Lumens - Fits ALL Bikes, Hybrid, Road, MTB, Easy Install & Quick Release https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OOENVYA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fgEIBb5VR6YHP

What kind of cycling? Mountain biking, road cycling, just commuting? I ride at night all the time, I usually ride to a bar a few times a month. My 10 yo son and I rode to the movies the other night.

Make sure you have a decent light setup. I use an urban 500

https://www.amazon.com/Light-Motion-Urban-500-Headlight/dp/B01F0FCAKW?th=1 for a head light and this rear blinker

https://www.amazon.com/Rechargeable-Intensity-Accessories-Helmets-Flashlight/dp/B015IEJ0GC/ref=sr_1_25_sspa?keywords=amazon+rear+bike+light&qid=1556798034&s=gateway&sr=8-25-spons&psc=1

along with a neon green jacket and two led wheel lights. I find that people actually see me more at night than during the day.

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I have this setup for my kids https://www.amazon.com/Ascher-Rechargeable-Headlight-Resistant-Included/dp/B01EUQ7ZQG/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_468_bs_lp_t_1/147-0384363-3958821?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=58XK20AREYT4CNVC9WYV

and it's actually really decent.

I've been good with a 450 lumen Cygolite on the front, and a Bontrager Flare R on the back.

But the Cygolite Hotshot Pro is a really good taillight too (guys in my group run them), so I'd recommend picking up a combo pack, like this one:

https://www.amazon.com/CYGOLITE-LIGHT-COMBO-METRO-HOTSHOT/dp/B07545T4Y9/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=cygolite+combo&qid=1550174357&s=gateway&sr=8-5

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Also, I always run two taillights for redundancy, I've had my tail light stop working before, and I didn't know, so consider picking up a lower cost hotshot as well, like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Cygolite-Hotshot-2-Watt-Rechargeable-Taillight/dp/B005DVA57Y/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=cygolite+hotshot&qid=1550174600&s=gateway&sr=8-2

These aren't the same brand as the ones I got but same shape and clips. They works great.

https://www.amazon.com/Ascher-Rechargeable-Headlight-Resistant-Included/dp/B01EUQ7ZQG/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1538265741&sr=8-3&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=flashing+bike+lights+front+and+back&dpPl=1&dpID=41EswLoHm-L&ref=plSrch

I’m thinking I might pick up a set of these handlebars with integrated turn signals and headlights, but I’m debating whether I’d rather get a separate bike headlight and turn signal setup.

I'm late to the party. I think it's really cool that you're making this work. If you'll be commuting at night please get rear and front lights as soon as possible. This is what I use and it's great. Ten miles is totally doable as a daily commute.

Some things that have helped me:

Doing meal prep on the weekends so that I can carry my whole week's lunches to work on Monday. That way I don't have to worry about making and taking a lunch every morning. It also means I don't have to wear a backpack every day.

Taking all my work clothes for the week on Monday for the same reason.

Leaving protein powder at work. When I was first getting started, the difference it made in my soreness and ability to make it to lunchtime without being starving was huge. Just mix a shake as soon as you get in.

Get fenders whenever as soon as you can. I don't know what sort of climate you live in, but once the temp starts dropping if you don't have fenders even just a little water on the road can make for a really miserable ride.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XJU7L9Q/ref=cm_sw_r_other_awd_dWGAwbYYRJ553

Yeah, the price is the big downside, but it's been a really great purchase for me. I've also just wrapped a cheap bike light like this around her collar and haven't had any problems with it.

I have these on my bike but I really like them for running too. The rubber strap will go over one or two fingers and they're pretty light. They also clip on to a running belt (though I've noticed that people find light emanating from crotch level to be kind of odd) , or sweat band. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01EUQ7ZQG/ref=zg_bs_2367799011_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=ZX6BVTH7AQE9WEHS3BZG

My set up is one on the handlebars (White light), one on the seat post (blinking red), one clipped to the back of my helmet (blinking red). I prefer the on-bike ones for MY vision because they're more stable and at a lower angle, so they tend to show the road a bit better. The red blinkers don't matter as much to me, I've found even the cheap ones help you be seen.

Considerations:

- Brightness (1,000 lumens is preferred for front lights if you have NO lighting on your route, otherwise you can get away with as little as 200)

- Battery set up (most are rechargable these days, but batter life can be an issue)

- Modes (some front lights offer different brightness levels and blinking options, useful to help extend battery life if you're in a well lit area or using them in daytime)

- Ease on and off (You'll want to take them off pretty much any time you leave your bike locked up... or at least take off the more expensive front light)

Models I've used:

- Trek/Bontrager makes good ones, I have older version of the ones seen here

- This guy (which was the first one I bought, not as expensive, not as bright, but gets the job done in lit areas)

As I said, rear blinkers come in such varieties that all seem to get the job done... but I like the ones that I've gotten for free from events and that came with other lights from amazon. Its also worth noting that I actually have my rear light on at all times when riding.... kind of like a daytime light for a car. While it makes you more visible it means you need to charge it much more frequently than otherwise.

These are great, I have them on my wife's bike and mine.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01IIPBYB2?psc=1&ref=yo_pop_mb_yo_pop_mb_pd_t2


I bought us crazy bright headlights for actual mountain biking. The ones I recommend above I got on a lightning deal for like 8.99 a set. We night ride on the beach in FL and that set isn't good enough for a new moon night but great for bc safety in the city.

cheap amazon lights can be plenty bright enough to ride with, there are 3 caveats

1. The batteries are cheaper/reused/poorly constructed, there is a potential fire hazard with all batteries, it's probably higher with cheaper ones and especially if they get wet at some point. Recommend charging when you're close by and have a fire extinguisher on hand (you should anyway).
   
   
2. The lights are cheap, how much do you trust them? You're going out in the woods, have a backup plan for getting home if your light dies. keep an extra light that you don't use in your bag, if your light fails/gets damaged it can be a long dark walk back to the car. It's probably a good idea to have a backup light even with expensive lights.
   
   
3. Cheap lights don't have great optics, you will have a very bright spotlight and outside of that it will be fairly dark, this is easier to handle with a helmet mounted light than a handlebar mounted light. You will still probably lose the trail occasionally, I'd stick to trail systems that you know well when night riding and make sure you have GPS maps in case you get off the trail and can't find it again (cell phone with mtbproject/trailforks is fine).
   
   I have this as my main light and helmet mounted, I chose it because it claims water proof and the batteries are in a hard plastic case, lots of the cheap lights put the batteries in cloth cases which worries me. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MG7677G/
   I keep this flashlight and a couple extra 18650 cells in my pack as a backup https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XD6VF4G

I purchased this combo for head/tail lights. I found out about it from The Sweethome and have no complaints.

For my cellphone, I picked up one of these. I never use the bottle opener, but I can say it holds just about any smartphone in a steady grip over just about any kind of terrain. My only complaint would be that it sometimes allows the phone to tap on the stem when riding over rough spots. If you mount it horizontally on the handlebars, you aren't going to have the same problem, I suppose. I would still buy it again.

I picked up one of these bells. Very cool, tiny, tough and loud.

If you ride with drop handlebars, I fond a set of cross levers to be quite a lifesaver when I am hanging out on the middle of the bar.

A portable pump (I want one of these). I guess CO2 works, but what if you have a slow leak, no spare and you forgot to cap the patch kit glue?

A small saddle bag with spare tube, patch kit, multi-tool and tire levers.

A rear rack (but never one attached to the seatpost, please) for different bags, baskets or objects I want to haul around with me. I usually leave it off because I ride more for pleasure than commuting these days.

A decent U-Lock and cable to lock it all up. If you can afford it, one of these seems to be popular, though I live in a smaller town that doesn't need quite the same level of security.

I've got this light set: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XJU7L9Q/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The headlight has a bright center with a decent yet dimmer "spread" so the focus point is on the ground and the spread will still light up a stop sign from about half a block away.

Nope, these are my lights: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00E1NQ696/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

So I got a Wastou light from Amazon.ca to use as a helmet light for some night riding. Great little light, no where close to 1200 lumens though. It only comes with a bar mount and I needed a GoPro mount so I could mount it to my helmet. I designed and 3d printed this. Works like a charm. Love being able to link 2 of my interests. If anyone else has this light, here's a link to the 3d file. https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3964620

I think you will be totally fine, most of the route has dedicated bike path, I would recommend a great tail light at all times day or night, this one in particular, (on the 2nd setting) it will make you very easy to spot in the day time as well as from a great distance. Cygolite Hotshot Pro 150 USB Rechargeable Bike Tail Light People see me from far away and give me a lot of room. I actually run 2 rear facing at all times, they are rechargeable and last for hours and hours. I always err on the side of safety. I've ridden much longer distances in a lot more traffic and felt safe. And actually in rush hour it's sometimes safer when all the cars are moving at a snails pace while you fly right by.

I run one of these on the helmet and one on the bars. The beam pattern is great, very little shadowing
Superbright Bike Light USB Rechargeable LED - Free Taillight Included- Cycle Torch Shark 500 Set - 500 Lumens - Fits All Bikes, Hybrid, Road, MTB, Easy Install & Quick Release (Black) https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00OOENVYA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_unqlDbHV0B9WT

No problem!

Bike cellphone holder - Aduro® U-GRIP PLUS https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00R6RSCV4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_BUTKxbB1T1BBC

Bike light - Super Bright USB Rechargeable Bike Light - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014QEWX2I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_YVTKxb3ZPCT1E

Anker PowerCore+ 20100 USB-C/Type-C Ultra-High-Capacity Premium External Battery/Portable Charger/Power Bank (6A Output, PowerIQ & VoltageBoost) for Apple MacBook, iPhone, iPad, Samsung & more https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014ZO46LK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_4WTKxb81MMH6M

Bluetooth Headphones Wireless Sports 4.1 Bluetooth Headset Earbuds Ansion Lightweight HD Stereo Earphones Noise Cancelling Headphones W/Mic In-Ear Sweatproof Earpiece HandsFree for Smartphones-Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ERWERAK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_QXTKxb89ZQSRN

I bought one of these recently and like it. I like how it has red and white modes. $25 came with the light, mount and a cable.

I recently mounted it pointing backwards from the front truck and it makes the bottom of the board glow.


I-WONDER Skateboard Headlights https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SK9G83X?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

https://www.amazon.com/BLITZU-Rechargeable-Powerful-Headlight-Flashlight/dp/B014QEWX2I/ref=sxin_2_osp20-8f6e5b09_cov?ascsubtag=8f6e5b09-2d83-4346-b8bf-efeb805968fd&creativeASIN=B014QEWX2I&cv_ct_id=amzn1.osp.8f6e5b09-2d83-4346-b8bf-efeb805968fd&cv_ct_pg=search&cv_ct_wn=osp-search&keywords=bicycle+light&linkCode=oas&pd_rd_i=B014QEWX2I&pd_rd_r=4bfc65dc-7b6f-4f4e-99f1-3f3d9e806a08&pd_rd_w=y4s8h&pd_rd_wg=sya1h&pf_rd_p=caff9d8f-b168-49ec-abab-fc9b7b84cd0f&pf_rd_r=99SZ1YV5A13HM7HNK509&qid=1565989669&s=gateway&sprefix=bicycle&tag=bestcont06-20

I love this set up

Get one of those latex Blinky sets - one red one white, to be seen, and then get a cheapo mount and flashlight off Amazon.

Blinkies, that can attach easily to any bike frame tubes, clothing item with a loop like belt, backpack, or helmet for an higher-up light: two white two red, $9
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01L773R9A/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_mRYvDbDW4QGTA

Parallel / Perpendicular adjustable light mount: $10
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0761RX64G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_9SYvDbQ8MKCGG

2 pack 500+ lumen lights, metal bodies, AAA Batts: $17
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072WHQFJ7/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_dUYvDbCB8E8VA

There you go - lights to be seen for everywhere, your bike, your backpack, your helmet, and lights to see the road in front of you, that can be quickly removed and taken with you.

It's always suggested to get a new helmet. You don't know if it's been involved in a slight crash or had anything happen to it that would compromise its safety.

What kind of lights did you get??

I'd like to think I have some properly good lights and I've only spent ~$70 on them

Here's what I have: 2Watt Cygolite hotshot tail light ~$30 and another Cygolite headlight that can do short 600lm flashes, but has a few modes around 500lm or so, $50, but this is what I ordered last month for a friend who recently got into cycling, same 2W tail light & another headlight that's just a bump below the 550 I linked above for $60

Unless you've got some whopping mountain trail lights, I feel like $130 is a bit high, I'm all for supporting LBSs, but sometimes they get silly.

Anyways, stay safe & nice fucking deal on the bike.

https://www.amazon.com/Cycle-Torch-Shark-Rechargeable-Light/dp/B0756LPR7H

Been rocking this combo for commuting and trail riding for a while now with decent results! The flood isn't $200 lamp impressive, but it's good enough for me. Combined with a head lamp, it could be winning combo.
Also, can't beat USB rechargeability and non-intrusive mounting!

It is not. Here is the section of road I am referring to

North of there it is wide enough. I do wear visible clothing, here is a picture of the jacket I was wearing. I have lights on my bike. It is not "practicable" to encourage unsafe lane splitting and passing.

I'm also looking for other things to try to come up with a design for. Browsing this forum, it seems like the rear wheel mud guard is no good? I'm going to try to come up with a 3D printable design for the mud guard, but also probably make it so you can attach an additional bike light. Maybe a mud guard with a simple "loop" for attaching something like this? https://www.amazon.com/Cycle-Torch-Rechargeable-Bicycle-Headlight/dp/B01N2HZV9U

Was looking at either https://www.amazon.com/Blitzu-Rechargeable-POWERFUL-Headlight-Flashlight/dp/B014QEWX2I/

or

https://www.amazon.com/Bike-Lights-Front-Back-Rechargeable/dp/B071VD7JJN/

maybe I'll order both and see which ones I like better! Our 1st and 3rd shift cops don't give a flying falaffle what's on my bike.

If you're worried about being seen, then mount something like this:

https://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-marine--deck-mount-portable-led-bi-color-navigation-light--15830516

If you want to be able to see at night, try a waterproof rechargeable bike light:

https://www.amazon.com/Rechargeable-Te-Rich-Waterproof-Headlight-Taillight/dp/B01MG7677G/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1523306122

I'd suggest mounting the light on a helmet - that way it points where you look, and it's not quite so close to the boat & water (the bright illumination on up close objects can blind your ability to see any distance).

Also, on anything you're worried you might drop in the water - tape a glow stick to it. You'll be glad you did if the thing you drop is your paddle.

Good luck.

Steve Z

Seriously though, just be careful and pay attention to your riding. Don't text/play with your phone while moving. Get some good lights (I like Cygolite) that are visible during the day time. Anything to make yourself more visible. (People will still ignore you).

I don't have much advice for your specific route, I apologize. Overall safety first.

Don't try to fight anyone because they are in the wrong,you won't change their mind on the side of the road.

Getting hit by a car is no fun. Getting killed is worse.

Otherwise, enjoy it.

(I believe I have the older version of this - super bright -. https://www.amazon.com/CYGOLITE-LIGHT-COMBO-METRO-HOTSHOT/dp/B07545T4Y9/ )

Super Bright Bike Light USB... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MG7677G?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
This is the one I use along with a headlight on my helmet. It is so bright I run it on low power.

Cycle Torch makes a great system. They have what’s called Bolt lights, there are only $12 each and come in headlight and taillight varieties. They are very low profile and will fit on the bottom of your handlebars next to your stem.

The headlight version makes very little light however, but CT does make a dual beam headlight if you actually need night time visibility, and that one is very good too. See links.

Cycle Torch Tailbolt - USB Rechargeable Bike Tail Light, RED Rear Bicycle Light LED (Red) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GERQOSE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Y8-FDb6FRA9TD


Cycle Torch Night Owl USB Rechargeable Bike Light Set, Perfect Commuter Safety Front and Back Bicycle Light LED Combo - Free Bright Tail Light - Compatible with Mountain, Road, Kids & City Bicycles https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XJXP6V8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_v9-FDbK64TBKA

I am pretty happy with this Bright Eyes Stamina. It cost $90, is 1800 lumens, has a battery pack that will run for 12 hours (on low, 4 hours on hi), and has tons of ways to mount. It claims to be waterproof.

This has been perfect for night rides on my FS. Trying to beat the heat in the desert has been a real challenge. I had the Bontrager light that cost way more, is dimmer and kept fading on my longer rides until this upgrade.

The only down-side is, if you don't want to lug around the battery pack, you can't really use this light. It was recommended by a guy who was touring. If I can find the post again, I'll update this comment...

Edit: Here is the post I mentioned. It was actually from r/XBiking He's got two rigged up on his bike! https://www.reddit.com/r/xbiking/comments/csi67c/my_ultimate_doanything_bike_trek_920/

I have no idea how many lumens my lights are, which probably means they aren't bright enough. It didn't even occur to me to check. What would you recommend?

My current lights are these, which do have a flashing setting, but I can't find anything definite about how strong they are.

thanks! not sure if a taillight counts, but its still a flashlight of sorts :)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IO12LCQ?tag=thewire06-20&linkCode=xm2&ascsubtag=AgEAAAAAAAAAAQlz

Right on: I run a double set of the CycleTorch , and I love it for front and rear.

I have cheaper plastic pedals, so you’re right. It’d make all the difference to upgrade those. Any leads on a good, stout metal platform pedal?

Hang these on a back pack front and rear will be plenty
Cycle Torch Bolt Combo - USB... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N2HZV9U?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

>It’s easy to buy a bike, but it’s often a lot harder to actually ride it. Bikes have a lot of advantages over cars, but ease of use is not one of them. If you don’t have a strong biking habit, a lot of excuses can and will creep in. “I don’t want to wear different clothes.” “What if it rains?” “I need to stop by the grocery store and don’t want to carry my groceries on my handlebars.” Let these excuses win often enough and your bike will end up in the dusty corner of the garage or basement until you sell it on craigslist for $50.00.
>
>I worked at a bike shop, and I built up a commuter bike to remove as many inconveniences as possible, so all I had to do different to take my bike instead of my car was throw on a helmet on and maybe a jacket. While my coworkers were bragging about how they reduced the weight of their bike by 20 grams, I was adding kilograms to mine to make it more suited for running errands in all kinds of weather. I’m sharing my process on how to remove as many excuses as possible and make your bike as convenient as a car, so you will be prepared to take your bike out in more situations without a whole lot of extra planning for every single trip.
>
>Couple things to point out: Most of what I’m going to recommend here is adding accessories to your bike to make it more convenient. So some of these suggestions will get a bit expensive. I am also linking to a few websites, including amazon, to better show you what I am talking about. These are not necessarily specific endorsements. If I don’t mention a particular brand, then it is probably just the first search result I found that looks like it meets my criteria. I do not have an affiliate program with any of these websites and I am not receiving any sort of compensation from them. And of course, all the information here does not replace actual research on your part or advice from a bike shop. I will point out any tricky situations I am aware of, and all of these accessories are designed so the handy home-user can install them easily. A lot of these accessories don’t come with instructions, so look up a tutorial online before installing. And if you don’t feel confident in your DIY skills, take it in to a bike shop for installation.
>
>First some essentials: I’ll get into specific issues with bike commuting and how to fix them in a minute. But before you start adding optional accessories, here’s a couple things every serious cyclist should have on hand:
>
> Helmet: Duh. Always ride safe. If you haven’t been happy with helmets previously, consider going to a bike shop and getting a nicer one that will fit better.
>
> Pump(s): Check your tires at least once a week. Biking on low tires takes a LOT more effort. I’d recommend a nice floor pump with a gauge, and a frame pump in case you run into trouble on the road.
>
> Patch kit/spare tube/tire levers: If you’re going to be biking for reasons other than leisure and need to be somewhere on time, make sure that a nail or shard of glass won’t bring your day to a screeching halt. Keep either a patch kit or spare tube with you, and learn how to take the tire off BEFORE you have to do it in a real-life scenario. Also make sure you know how to use your frame pump beforehand too.
>
> Tools (optional): Buying accessories for your bike can be expensive. Paying your local bike shop to install them will be more expensive. Most accessories I talk about here will go on with normal hand tools. EVERYTHING ON THE BIKE WILL BE METRIC! The most common tools you will need for these accessories are 3,4, and 5 mm Allen keys, various wrenches from 8mm to 15mm, and some screwdrivers. If you are planning to do bike maintenance yourself, a great place to start would be getting a good set of metric Allen keys, sizes 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 10, and metric wrenches, sizes 6-17. There are more specific tools out there, but these will get you started.
>
> Chain lube: The most missed maintenance issue is chain lube. You should be lubing your chain once a week. This will keep the chain from squeaking but also extend the lifespan of the chain and your gears. Make sure you use a bike specific lubricant like this one. Spray lubricants like WD-40 can actually blast contaminants INTO your chain’s bushings, and if you’re not careful, they can get elsewhere and cause trouble. If you have disc brakes, be especially careful of getting anything on the rotors or brake pads. I once had to replace $60 worth of brake parts on a brand new bicycle because the customer got careless with WD-40. Apply the lube by hand and wipe the excess off with a non-linty rag.
>
>The weather When I vowed to ride my bike more, I had a long and wet June while I waited until I could afford a new bike. That meant a lot of days pedaling in the rain and daydreaming about all the accessories I would get to make riding in rain easier. Here’s what I got, in order from highest to lowest importance:
>
> Wet lube: In the essentials, I recommended dry lube. It works great, but it does wash off easily, so if you are going to be biking in wet weather, it’s good to use wet lube. It’s thicker, more viscous, and keeps the water out of the chain bushings. Since it stays on your chain more, it does attract dirt more. So I recommend wiping your chain down after your ride and relubing it with dry lube before too long.
>
> An impermeable saddle: If you’re thinking of biking in wet weather, think about that when you choose a saddle. Most regular saddles have no problems with rain. It’s only leather and perhaps the fuzzy gel ones that can be trouble. Consider that before throwing down for a leather Brooks saddle. In a pinch, you can throw a plastic bag over your saddle, but that takes away the aesthetic appeal a bit.
>
> Rain coat: Pretty obvious, but while you can get away with just a regular coat in the rain if you’re just running from the car to the store, you will get absolutely soaked if you do the same on the bike. If you’re buying a new rain coat, consider getting a hi-visibility one. With a little bit of digging you can find some reflective options that won’t make you look like you should be directing traffic. Also look for one with vents, since you’ll be exercising while out there and a rain coat can’t keep you dry if you’re sweating under it.
>
> Fenders: Keeps the rain off your back and knees. You can get a clip-on rear fender for pretty cheap that works well, but if your bike is there to get you around no matter the weather, it’s worth considering shelling out for a permanent set. Short of grabbing a rain coat, there’s no extra step before hopping on the bike. If your bike has disc brakes, make sure the fenders you get are disc brake specific. Your fenders should come with specific installation instructions.
>
> Waterproof pannier: Make sure any panniers you get are waterproof. Again, it just eliminates one step and one excuse to keep you from hopping your bike if there’s a light rain. See the Running Errands section for more details.
>
> Lights: I researched several different lights when building up my bike. My goal was to have lights that would always be on my bike, with no risk of theft. In the end, after weighing all the pros and cons, I stuck with a conventional set of headlights and taillights. If you are going to be biking at night, I’d recommend something with at least 450 Lumens for the headlight. Anything less and you’ll be relying on streetlights to see your path. Most places in the U.S. require the lights to blink to be street legal.
>
>You can buy theft-proof bike lights but the brightest light they have is 300 lumens, which in my opinion not bright enough for biking at night or in really bad weather. I’ve tried solar powered lights that need a special tool to be removed. The manufacturer’s website claims you can charge them up during the summer and ride all through the winter, but I barely managed to get them fully charged to survive a single round trip biking to work in the day time and biking back at night. And the light isn’t strong enough to light your path. I’m curious about lights that use your bike wheel as a generator, but they don’t work with disc brakes. Probably the best bet would be to get a dynamo hub and build up a wheel around that to your permanently mounted lights. Then you can have light anytime you’re moving without ever having to think about it and with no chance of someone swiping your light because you forgot to pop it off. It would require building a wheel from scratch, which in parts alone would have cost as much as the rest of my bike. That was more than I was willing to do/spend, so I just went with a 700 lumen headlight and have to remember to bring it with me.
>
> Cycling cap: A small brimmed cap that has a low profile to go under your helmet. Helps keep the rain out of your eyes, and doesn’t add much hassle. Just put it on before donning your helmet.
>

>It’s easy to buy a bike, but it’s often a lot harder to actually ride it. Bikes have a lot of advantages over cars, but ease of use is not one of them. If you don’t have a strong biking habit, a lot of excuses can and will creep in. “I don’t want to wear different clothes.” “What if it rains?” “I need to stop by the grocery store and don’t want to carry my groceries on my handlebars.” Let these excuses win often enough and your bike will end up in the dusty corner of the garage or basement until you sell it on craigslist for $50.00.
>
>I worked at a bike shop, and I built up a commuter bike to remove as many inconveniences as possible, so all I had to do different to take my bike instead of my car was throw on a helmet on and maybe a jacket. While my coworkers were bragging about how they reduced the weight of their bike by 20 grams, I was adding kilograms to mine to make it more suited for running errands in all kinds of weather. I’m sharing my process on how to remove as many excuses as possible and make your bike as convenient as a car, so you will be prepared to take your bike out in more situations without a whole lot of extra planning for every single trip.
>
>Couple things to point out: Most of what I’m going to recommend here is adding accessories to your bike to make it more convenient. So some of these suggestions will get a bit expensive. I am also linking to a few websites, including amazon, to better show you what I am talking about. These are not necessarily specific endorsements. If I don’t mention a particular brand, then it is probably just the first search result I found that looks like it meets my criteria. I do not have an affiliate program with any of these websites and I am not receiving any sort of compensation from them. And of course, all the information here does not replace actual research on your part or advice from a bike shop. I will point out any tricky situations I am aware of, and all of these accessories are designed so the handy home-user can install them easily. A lot of these accessories don’t come with instructions, so look up a tutorial online before installing. And if you don’t feel confident in your DIY skills, take it in to a bike shop for installation.
>
>First some essentials: I’ll get into specific issues with bike commuting and how to fix them in a minute. But before you start adding optional accessories, here’s a couple things every serious cyclist should have on hand:
>
> Helmet: Duh. Always ride safe. If you haven’t been happy with helmets previously, consider going to a bike shop and getting a nicer one that will fit better.
>
> Pump(s): Check your tires at least once a week. Biking on low tires takes a LOT more effort. I’d recommend a nice floor pump with a gauge, and a frame pump in case you run into trouble on the road.
>
> Patch kit/spare tube/tire levers: If you’re going to be biking for reasons other than leisure and need to be somewhere on time, make sure that a nail or shard of glass won’t bring your day to a screeching halt. Keep either a patch kit or spare tube with you, and learn how to take the tire off BEFORE you have to do it in a real-life scenario. Also make sure you know how to use your frame pump beforehand too.
>
> Tools (optional): Buying accessories for your bike can be expensive. Paying your local bike shop to install them will be more expensive. Most accessories I talk about here will go on with normal hand tools. EVERYTHING ON THE BIKE WILL BE METRIC! The most common tools you will need for these accessories are 3,4, and 5 mm Allen keys, various wrenches from 8mm to 15mm, and some screwdrivers. If you are planning to do bike maintenance yourself, a great place to start would be getting a good set of metric Allen keys, sizes 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 10, and metric wrenches, sizes 6-17. There are more specific tools out there, but these will get you started.
>
> Chain lube: The most missed maintenance issue is chain lube. You should be lubing your chain once a week. This will keep the chain from squeaking but also extend the lifespan of the chain and your gears. Make sure you use a bike specific lubricant like this one. Spray lubricants like WD-40 can actually blast contaminants INTO your chain’s bushings, and if you’re not careful, they can get elsewhere and cause trouble. If you have disc brakes, be especially careful of getting anything on the rotors or brake pads. I once had to replace $60 worth of brake parts on a brand new bicycle because the customer got careless with WD-40. Apply the lube by hand and wipe the excess off with a non-linty rag.
>
>The weather When I vowed to ride my bike more, I had a long and wet June while I waited until I could afford a new bike. That meant a lot of days pedaling in the rain and daydreaming about all the accessories I would get to make riding in rain easier. Here’s what I got, in order from highest to lowest importance:
>
> Wet lube: In the essentials, I recommended dry lube. It works great, but it does wash off easily, so if you are going to be biking in wet weather, it’s good to use wet lube. It’s thicker, more viscous, and keeps the water out of the chain bushings. Since it stays on your chain more, it does attract dirt more. So I recommend wiping your chain down after your ride and relubing it with dry lube before too long.
>
> An impermeable saddle: If you’re thinking of biking in wet weather, think about that when you choose a saddle. Most regular saddles have no problems with rain. It’s only leather and perhaps the fuzzy gel ones that can be trouble. Consider that before throwing down for a leather Brooks saddle. In a pinch, you can throw a plastic bag over your saddle, but that takes away the aesthetic appeal a bit.
>
> Rain coat: Pretty obvious, but while you can get away with just a regular coat in the rain if you’re just running from the car to the store, you will get absolutely soaked if you do the same on the bike. If you’re buying a new rain coat, consider getting a hi-visibility one. With a little bit of digging you can find some reflective options that won’t make you look like you should be directing traffic. Also look for one with vents, since you’ll be exercising while out there and a rain coat can’t keep you dry if you’re sweating under it.
>
> Fenders: Keeps the rain off your back and knees. You can get a clip-on rear fender for pretty cheap that works well, but if your bike is there to get you around no matter the weather, it’s worth considering shelling out for a permanent set. Short of grabbing a rain coat, there’s no extra step before hopping on the bike. If your bike has disc brakes, make sure the fenders you get are disc brake specific. Your fenders should come with specific installation instructions.
>
> Waterproof pannier: Make sure any panniers you get are waterproof. Again, it just eliminates one step and one excuse to keep you from hopping your bike if there’s a light rain. See the Running Errands section for more details.
>
> Lights: I researched several different lights when building up my bike. My goal was to have lights that would always be on my bike, with no risk of theft. In the end, after weighing all the pros and cons, I stuck with a conventional set of headlights and taillights. If you are going to be biking at night, I’d recommend something with at least 450 Lumens for the headlight. Anything less and you’ll be relying on streetlights to see your path. Most places in the U.S. require the lights to blink to be street legal.
>
>You can buy theft-proof bike lights but the brightest light they have is 300 lumens, which in my opinion not bright enough for biking at night or in really bad weather. I’ve tried solar powered lights that need a special tool to be removed. The manufacturer’s website claims you can charge them up during the summer and ride all through the winter, but I barely managed to get them fully charged to survive a single round trip biking to work in the day time and biking back at night. And the light isn’t strong enough to light your path. I’m curious about lights that use your bike wheel as a generator, but they don’t work with disc brakes. Probably the best bet would be to get a dynamo hub and build up a wheel around that to your permanently mounted lights. Then you can have light anytime you’re moving without ever having to think about it and with no chance of someone swiping your light because you forgot to pop it off. It would require building a wheel from scratch, which in parts alone would have cost as much as the rest of my bike. That was more than I was willing to do/spend, so I just went with a 700 lumen headlight and have to remember to bring it with me.
>
> Cycling cap: A small brimmed cap that has a low profile to go under your helmet. Helps keep the rain out of your eyes, and doesn’t add much hassle. Just put it on before donning your helmet.
>

>It’s easy to buy a bike, but it’s often a lot harder to actually ride it. Bikes have a lot of advantages over cars, but ease of use is not one of them. If you don’t have a strong biking habit, a lot of excuses can and will creep in. “I don’t want to wear different clothes.” “What if it rains?” “I need to stop by the grocery store and don’t want to carry my groceries on my handlebars.” Let these excuses win often enough and your bike will end up in the dusty corner of the garage or basement until you sell it on craigslist for $50.00.
>
>I worked at a bike shop, and I built up a commuter bike to remove as many inconveniences as possible, so all I had to do different to take my bike instead of my car was throw on a helmet on and maybe a jacket. While my coworkers were bragging about how they reduced the weight of their bike by 20 grams, I was adding kilograms to mine to make it more suited for running errands in all kinds of weather. I’m sharing my process on how to remove as many excuses as possible and make your bike as convenient as a car, so you will be prepared to take your bike out in more situations without a whole lot of extra planning for every single trip.
>
>Couple things to point out: Most of what I’m going to recommend here is adding accessories to your bike to make it more convenient. So some of these suggestions will get a bit expensive. I am also linking to a few websites, including amazon, to better show you what I am talking about. These are not necessarily specific endorsements. If I don’t mention a particular brand, then it is probably just the first search result I found that looks like it meets my criteria. I do not have an affiliate program with any of these websites and I am not receiving any sort of compensation from them. And of course, all the information here does not replace actual research on your part or advice from a bike shop. I will point out any tricky situations I am aware of, and all of these accessories are designed so the handy home-user can install them easily. A lot of these accessories don’t come with instructions, so look up a tutorial online before installing. And if you don’t feel confident in your DIY skills, take it in to a bike shop for installation.
>
>First some essentials: I’ll get into specific issues with bike commuting and how to fix them in a minute. But before you start adding optional accessories, here’s a couple things every serious cyclist should have on hand:
>
> Helmet: Duh. Always ride safe. If you haven’t been happy with helmets previously, consider going to a bike shop and getting a nicer one that will fit better.
>
> Pump(s): Check your tires at least once a week. Biking on low tires takes a LOT more effort. I’d recommend a nice floor pump with a gauge, and a frame pump in case you run into trouble on the road.
>
> Patch kit/spare tube/tire levers: If you’re going to be biking for reasons other than leisure and need to be somewhere on time, make sure that a nail or shard of glass won’t bring your day to a screeching halt. Keep either a patch kit or spare tube with you, and learn how to take the tire off BEFORE you have to do it in a real-life scenario. Also make sure you know how to use your frame pump beforehand too.
>
> Tools (optional): Buying accessories for your bike can be expensive. Paying your local bike shop to install them will be more expensive. Most accessories I talk about here will go on with normal hand tools. EVERYTHING ON THE BIKE WILL BE METRIC! The most common tools you will need for these accessories are 3,4, and 5 mm Allen keys, various wrenches from 8mm to 15mm, and some screwdrivers. If you are planning to do bike maintenance yourself, a great place to start would be getting a good set of metric Allen keys, sizes 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 10, and metric wrenches, sizes 6-17. There are more specific tools out there, but these will get you started.
>
> Chain lube: The most missed maintenance issue is chain lube. You should be lubing your chain once a week. This will keep the chain from squeaking but also extend the lifespan of the chain and your gears. Make sure you use a bike specific lubricant like this one. Spray lubricants like WD-40 can actually blast contaminants INTO your chain’s bushings, and if you’re not careful, they can get elsewhere and cause trouble. If you have disc brakes, be especially careful of getting anything on the rotors or brake pads. I once had to replace $60 worth of brake parts on a brand new bicycle because the customer got careless with WD-40. Apply the lube by hand and wipe the excess off with a non-linty rag.
>
>The weather When I vowed to ride my bike more, I had a long and wet June while I waited until I could afford a new bike. That meant a lot of days pedaling in the rain and daydreaming about all the accessories I would get to make riding in rain easier. Here’s what I got, in order from highest to lowest importance:
>
> Wet lube: In the essentials, I recommended dry lube. It works great, but it does wash off easily, so if you are going to be biking in wet weather, it’s good to use wet lube. It’s thicker, more viscous, and keeps the water out of the chain bushings. Since it stays on your chain more, it does attract dirt more. So I recommend wiping your chain down after your ride and relubing it with dry lube before too long.
>
> An impermeable saddle: If you’re thinking of biking in wet weather, think about that when you choose a saddle. Most regular saddles have no problems with rain. It’s only leather and perhaps the fuzzy gel ones that can be trouble. Consider that before throwing down for a leather Brooks saddle. In a pinch, you can throw a plastic bag over your saddle, but that takes away the aesthetic appeal a bit.
>
> Rain coat: Pretty obvious, but while you can get away with just a regular coat in the rain if you’re just running from the car to the store, you will get absolutely soaked if you do the same on the bike. If you’re buying a new rain coat, consider getting a hi-visibility one. With a little bit of digging you can find some reflective options that won’t make you look like you should be directing traffic. Also look for one with vents, since you’ll be exercising while out there and a rain coat can’t keep you dry if you’re sweating under it.
>
> Fenders: Keeps the rain off your back and knees. You can get a clip-on rear fender for pretty cheap that works well, but if your bike is there to get you around no matter the weather, it’s worth considering shelling out for a permanent set. Short of grabbing a rain coat, there’s no extra step before hopping on the bike. If your bike has disc brakes, make sure the fenders you get are disc brake specific. Your fenders should come with specific installation instructions.
>
> Waterproof pannier: Make sure any panniers you get are waterproof. Again, it just eliminates one step and one excuse to keep you from hopping your bike if there’s a light rain. See the Running Errands section for more details.
>
> Lights: I researched several different lights when building up my bike. My goal was to have lights that would always be on my bike, with no risk of theft. In the end, after weighing all the pros and cons, I stuck with a conventional set of headlights and taillights. If you are going to be biking at night, I’d recommend something with at least 450 Lumens for the headlight. Anything less and you’ll be relying on streetlights to see your path. Most places in the U.S. require the lights to blink to be street legal.
>
>You can buy theft-proof bike lights but the brightest light they have is 300 lumens, which in my opinion not bright enough for biking at night or in really bad weather. I’ve tried solar powered lights that need a special tool to be removed. The manufacturer’s website claims you can charge them up during the summer and ride all through the winter, but I barely managed to get them fully charged to survive a single round trip biking to work in the day time and biking back at night. And the light isn’t strong enough to light your path. I’m curious about lights that use your bike wheel as a generator, but they don’t work with disc brakes. Probably the best bet would be to get a dynamo hub and build up a wheel around that to your permanently mounted lights. Then you can have light anytime you’re moving without ever having to think about it and with no chance of someone swiping your light because you forgot to pop it off. It would require building a wheel from scratch, which in parts alone would have cost as much as the rest of my bike. That was more than I was willing to do/spend, so I just went with a 700 lumen headlight and have to remember to bring it with me.
>
> Cycling cap: A small brimmed cap that has a low profile to go under your helmet. Helps keep the rain out of your eyes, and doesn’t add much hassle. Just put it on before donning your helmet.
>

Thanks!

I ended up going with this one: Acebeam It's a lot more expensive, but is really small, and because I commute with it, I wanted something that I could just drop in my pocket and wouldn't be a pain to carry around. It throws a really good beam for the size.

I know a lot of people use headlamps, I didn't go for that because I didn't want to be dicking around attaching it or risk having it knocked off on the (crowded af) train. For a back light, I went with this one. I made a bracket for my helmet and so just clip the light into it when I want to use it, and then take it out when I'm done . Because I'll be commuting right through winter in the dark, I'm also thinking about picking up this backpack. With all of that gear I'll look like a total gimp, but given how dark it will be and how crazy the drivers are around me, I figure it's worth it.

I have this one.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07545T4Y9/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_-e-6Cb6PTKRYH

It does everything you want and is a cool hundred cheaper. The tail light is so bright my kids instant in riding in front. 800 lumens, the highest setting, it's roughly equivalent to a car headlight. You'll generally only use the low or medium brightness at night, blinky during the day.

My son has an equivalent setup from NiteRider. All good stuff, highly recommended.

Sure thing.

1. I have mid-range USB rechargeable lights: Headlight. Tail light. I will say that the headlight doesn't fit perfectly on the L Train's bars due to the bend in them. But it's plenty bright and lasts a long time. I had it on my old bike and just kept it. I also added Priority full fenders and front basket to make it more useful to me as a commuter. Both were tedious to install (like most fenders and some baskets) but are very solid and haven't given me any issues so far. Here's a link to a picture I posted the first day I rode it to work.
   
   ​
   
   
2. I don't need any more gears. The seven are plenty for my rides in Chicago. If I lived in San Fran or Seattle, I'd probably want more lol. In my mind, a parking garage ramp is pretty steep, I wouldn't want to regularly climb hills like that with this bike. I know some people do though, more power to them. I can easily maintain speed while going up overpasses around here though.
   
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3. What I meant by 'spinning out' is that I could pedal faster than the bike was going. Basically, I couldn't speed up anymore, even in 7th. Again, that's only done the one grade on my commute and at that point, I'd guess that I'm probably going about 25-27 mph. No need to go any faster in my mind. On flat ground, I'm not strong enough to maintain top speed in 7th gear for long at all. I usually max out in 5th while commuting through the city.

That's pretty much how I started my 2 mile commute in 2015. I went reading and bought the Wirecutter's reccommendation at the time, a Trek 7.2 (though I did go for the 2014 7.4 Disc, since my shop had it on a good sale). I added fenders and a kickstand immediately, grabbed a cheap (but safe) Wal-Mart helmet and lights, and started riding when the weather was decent. As I needed them, I added elastic, reflective ankle bands to keep my jeans out of the chain, got a set of decent gloves for cooler weather, a rear rack and expandable trunk bag, upgraded my lights, and bought a cheap bike computer from Aldi.
 
After a few years, I had a better idea of what I really wanted, so last fall I sold the hybrid and picked up a gravel bike to get off the 50mph highway and onto the gravel shoulder and replaced my helmet with a more comfortable and better ventilated one. I moved over the rear rack, bought new, larger fenders and a kickstand, but didn't bother with the computer and just got a handlebar phone mount since I track everything on Strava anyways.
 
Of course I don't NEED all of this to bike commute, but it makes it easier/more comforable/etc. to do so. The only thing I've regretted is the fancy gloves: they work just fine, but I could have spent half the money and gotten something just as well suited to my needs. Thankfully I'm in an area with basically no bike theft, so I just use a cheap cable lock on the rare times I even bother to lock it up.

https://www.amazon.com/Cygolite-Metro-Hotshot-Light-Combo/dp/B01IO12Q4O

​

Need lights for my bike. Thanks for a great search engine and this giveaway!

I've been using this one for about a year and I absolutely love it:

https://www.amazon.com/Rechargeable-Te-Rich-Waterproof-Headlight-Taillight/dp/B01MG7677G/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1540904487&sr=1-1&keywords=terich&dpID=51iS055rs8L&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

I’ve had the cycle torch 500 for a few years now ( hadn’t used it in a two or three years, but did the other day and they it still holds all its charge and is still super bright) and it’s amazing. I used the light nightly on my commute to and from work from 2013- mid 2015. The light is rechargeable and affordable. Also bright as hell!

cycle torch 500

I've had a good experience with the Blitzu rechargable from Amazon so far. 320 lumen is plenty for seeing in front of you and the rechargable aspect is so much better than battery powered.

I clip this light to the reflector mounting bracket and use the supplied band to keep it from accidentally popping up.

New road cyclist here. Have previously only mountain biked, but have used my MB on several roads. I've owned my road bike for about 3 weeks. Loving riding on roads, but am really thinking that I need a tail light. Looking between the Cygolite Hotshot 100 and Cygolite Hotshot 150 Pro. My concern is that when I ride with someone else, or with a group that I will inadvertently blind other cyclists. Does anyone have any experience? Would I just simply not use the light when riding with others? I'm thinking that I'll either attach this to my saddle bag or use the seat stay mount.

Hopefully SL will come through with a secure new clip design.

Failing that, I had to do it over again, I might have gone with something like this for board visibility: https://www.amazon.com/I-WONDER-Skateboard-Headlights-Taillights-Rechargeable/dp/B07SK9G83X/ref=sr_1_9?dchild=1&keywords=skateboard+light&qid=1569699658&s=sporting-goods&sr=1-9

Plus a red blinker on the back of the helmet and then a high powered headlamp for illuminating the road.

Let me know how the hot glue works. I might do the same if the new S clip upgrade doesn't work.

Here's the light I bought and love it for my Z1:
Bright Eyes 1800 Lumen Bicycle Light Set - The Stamina - Super Bright Headlight w/Quad Cree Technology and Light Weight Military Grade Nylon Shell-Free USB Rechargeable Taillight for a Limited Time https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071QXH72Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_y.tKDbX1D5HSG

Anybody have any experience with Bright Eyes? It's atleast half the price of a similar Niterider or Sigma, but way more than other cheap Amazon lights. Reviews and user images seem good.

Bright Eyes 1800 Lumen Bicycle Light Set - The Stamina - Super Bright Headlight w/Quad Cree Technology and Light Weight Military Grade Nylon Shell-Free USB Rechargeable Taillight for a Limited Time https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071QXH72Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_NF1RDbMDMHTMF

This has a large rubber holder and has a blink mode. Very bright. Cycle Torch Superbright Bike... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OOENVYA?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

I love my Shredlights, but I also found a decent budget light on Amazon that has a mount specific to skateboards as well:

I-WONDER Skateboard Headlights and Taillights, USB Rechargeable Safe Lights, Waterproof LED Flashing Safety Rear Light, Easy to Install for Longboard, Helmets, Bikes and Backpacks https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SK9G83X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_NQIPDbMPZB1BB

It has both a red and white light function with flashing modes, so it can be utilized for either the front or tail.

I also ride with a headlamp on my helmet that pivots so I can control my field of vision in front of me.

I don't have any suggestions other than to avoid these I-Wonder lights sold on Amazon. I tried them and at first they seemed like a great, cheaper solution, but not long after using them the light came apart merely from vibrations in the road. It is just not up to par with riding on anything but perfectly smooth roads.

https://smile.amazon.com/I-WONDER-Skateboard-Headlights-Taillights-Rechargeable/dp/B07SK9G83X/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=skateboard+lights&qid=1571244114&sr=8-6

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XJXP6V8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_9m2ODbVMWZ050

I’ve been using it for awhile, pretty good imo :)

I've been very pleased with this combo: https://smile.amazon.com/Cygolite-Metro-Hotshot-Light-Combo/dp/B01IO12Q4O?sa-no-redirect=1

Headlight setting is more than sufficient to bike at speed in the pitch black and outperforms every single other commuter light set at my office that I've seen.

Also please look into a light (both front and back) as others commented. When I was a cyclist I got mine on amazon. It’s best to have a siren or something too.


Wastou Bike Lights Super Bright Bike Front Light 1200 Lumen IPX6 Waterproof 6 Modes Cycling Light Flashlight Torch USB Rechargeable Tail Light(USB Cables Included) https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07JFB4NJZ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_AgXWDbGPNZRA7


https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.ca%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F174027589396

Three of these: https://www.amazon.ca/Wastou-Waterproof-Flashlight-Rechargeable-Included/dp/B07JFB4NJZ/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?adgrpid=62224623318&dchild=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw8svsBRDqARIsAHKVyqGvdgCPeD3IAaScrvkE5gRgWVg7ZlTYBlrZMoptVKYw13ddFcfs0rQaAlFFEALw_wcB&hvadid=310034165036&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=9001574&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=e&hvrand=4953633542312846617&hvtargid=kwd-99307722&hydadcr=11711_9466637&keywords=bike+lights&qid=1569987946&s=gateway&sr=8-4

https://www.amazon.com/Ascher-Rechargeable-Headlight-Resistant-Included/dp/B01EUQ7ZQG/ref=zg_bs_2367799011_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=H7160PBFX2MSM9R5HSX1

I was very pleased with [these guys!] (https://www.amazon.com/Dash-350-Micro-30-Combo/dp/B013FIYP8G/ref=sr_1_7?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1481479796&sr=1-7&keywords=cygolight)

if you want something cheaper I could suggest front and [rear] (https://www.amazon.com/Blitzu-Rechargeable-Intensity-Accessories-Flashlight/dp/B015IEJ0GC/ref=sr_1_18?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1481479840&sr=1-18&keywords=bike+light)

I use two front lights and one rear light. I'm in an urban area so everything is relatively well lit and the lights are more so that people see me and not for me to light up the ground. The lights are lezyne zecto for the front and back pair, and then a cygolite metro. They are both easy to take on and off if I'm going to park the bike outside for lunch. They have a mode where some of the lights blink and some of them stay on all the time. The cygolite uses the old style usb charger and it will wobble around when mounted so I'm looking for a replacement. I think the new ones work differently. Also happy with these as spares https://www.amazon.com/Bicycle-Ascher-Rechargeable-Lithium-Included/dp/B01EUQ7ZQG but it is annoying that the power button on the back light doesn't face up.

http://www.amazon.com/Bike-Light-Rechargeable--SUPERBRIGHT-Lumens/dp/B00XJU7L9Q/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1451926060&sr=8-3&keywords=shark+500+bike+light

Shark 500 would be even better.

Are you looking to wire into the scooter or attach a separate circuit? I have been looking at adding lights to my GXL and I think that you have a few options:

• (Easy) Grab a rechargeable light like this one I personally use and mount it on the stem or handlebar using the shipped mount or some zip ties
  
• (Medium) Grab a 5V/1A portable battery back with some 2000 mAh - mount that on the stem of the scooter and connect a USB-powered light, such as this LED strip which you could further display on the deck, stem, and handlebars!
  
• (Hard) Design an Arduino-based system to power and regulate 12V lights designed for automotive use... have fun with that!

Non-mobile: this combo

^That's ^why ^I'm ^here, ^I ^don't ^judge ^you. ^PM ^/u/xl0 ^if ^I'm ^causing ^any ^trouble. ^WUT?

Almost looks like this.

I have this light. A bit more than you wanted to spend (£30), but it's by far the best light I've owned.

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00XJXP6V8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I just ordered second set. $30 head and tail combo. super bright. headlight has 4 different modes and charges via micro usb. I got it for my wife's bike but have been using it on my board and it fits very well.

I ride with two whites in the front, and one red in the back. One front is always on, the other is on blink mode. Tail light is on blink mode. I use amazon lights listed below. Works great for me. I also carry a battery pack daily for my cellphone and other stuff anyway, so I just make sure to carry the usb cables with me so I can charge these lights in my backpack whenever I'm off the bike if I forget.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014QEWX2I/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N7S3UMP/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

They're super cheap clip on lights I bought on Amazon, I'm planning on using them when I e board...just to clip to my bag to be seen... This is the link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01IIPBYB2?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

I have a Cygolite Metro 400 that I got as a bundle with a Cygolite Hotshot taillight on Amazon. They’re excellent. Used them regularly for three years and still going strong.

The bundle is about $50 here.

They have even brighter versions available too. the newest bundle is the Metro 700 + Hotshot and goes for about $100. The 400 is bright enough for me and I mostly use the medium setting. The taillight might be the brightest one I’ve ever seen.

I also use lights during the daytime as well. The Cygolite Hotshot, mentioned in this thread already, got it in this combo

I use this as a flashlight when im walking the bike trail at night.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XJXP6V8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/Cycle-Torch-Rechargeable-HeadLight-Flashlight/dp/B00XJU7L9Q/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=shark+light+bicycle&qid=1557270984&s=gateway&sr=8-4

I got a cheap Headlight from Amazon that comes with a rechargeable battery and comes with straps to use as a head lamp.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MG7677G/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_i_RRVUDb8E14KYR

Use this: https://www.amazon.com/Blitzu-Rechargeable-POWERFUL-Headlight-Flashlight/dp/B014QEWX2I/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?s=outdoor-recreation&ie=UTF8&qid=1510254190&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=bike+light&psc=1

Easy to attach, turn on while riding and is rechargable.