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Member
Picture of fpuhan
posted February 22, 2020 03:55 PM
I've decided that on the days my legs are too tired or sore to run, I'd get some exercise in by riding my bike. It's a hybrid that I've had for a number of years. I haven't ridden it that often because it's usually in my garage being blocked by my car, and it's tough on a whim to have to move the car, get the bike out, ride, and then repeat the process. So now I've brought the bike indoors, where it's easier to get to (and stays cleaner, too!). I live 1/4 mile from a bike/running trail, so I can go miles in either direction and not have to worry about vehicular traffic.

But I'm an early riser, and sometimes late exerciser, so riding in the dark hasn't been an attractive prospect. To address the low light situation, I bought a headlight and taillight combo. The manufacturer is Light and Motion and the Urban 500 Combo is what I bought. The Urban 500 is the headlight and the Vis Micro II is the taillight.

There are no mounting instructions.

A two-sided instruction sheet was included that talks about how to turn on and off the lights, how to charge them (USB) and how to tell if they're low on power, but no mounting instructions. I guess they figure people who buy these things know how. There are a couple of images, but nothing to indicate what goes where. I'm not stupid, so I can figure this out, but I'm curious if those of you who ride can give me any advice on the placement, use and tips on riding in the dark?




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Posts: 2857 | Location: Peoples Republic of North Virginia | Registered: December 04, 2015Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Recondite Raider
Picture of lizardman_u
posted February 22, 2020 04:11 PMHide Post
I like Cateye brand lights in the 800 or more lumens for a front light, and Planet Bike "Super Flash" for a rear light.

Both of these are USB rechargeable.


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Posts: 3579 | Location: Boardman, Oregon | Registered: September 19, 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Savor the limelight
posted February 22, 2020 04:44 PMHide Post
What kind of mounting hardware did it come with?

Headlight on the handle bars and taillight on the seat post seems logical to me.
 
Posts: 12376 | Location: SWFL | Registered: October 10, 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Member
posted February 22, 2020 04:44 PMHide Post
It looks like they mount with rubber straps. Straps should have a few holes, and the light should have a post to match up with the holes. Front light on the bars, rear lite on the seat post. Place lights where you want them, pull on the strap around the bars to stretch it a bit, then place the strap on post that is on the light.

For front light beam adjust so it hits maybe 15 feet or so out in front of you. You want some decent splash to see down the trail, but enough light right in front of you to see any small obstacles that might be in your way. If you end up riding a lot in the dark, a helmet light is handy. It will light where you look rather than where the bike points
 
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Picture of mark60
posted February 22, 2020 04:45 PMHide Post
I don't usually ride in the dark but I often get back on the fringes. My tail light (blinking) is on my seatpost and my front light (also set to blink) is on my handlebars.
 
Posts: 3644 | Location: God Awful New York | Registered: July 01, 2006Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Waiting for Hachiko
Picture of Sunset_Va
posted February 22, 2020 06:21 PMHide Post
I can't remember the brand, but I bought a rechargeable headlight and tail light when I purchased my Trek 7.2 FX.

The front light mounted with a quick release mount on the handlebar , the tail ilght mounts on a quick release mounted on the seatpost.

It has a high beam, low beam and strobe. The rear red light has several blinking options.
The cost back in 2015 was $95 for the set. Money well spent, the light is the brightest I've ever seen ! When I go on trips and take my bike, I use the headlight for my flashlight.

Riding, it will toss a beam a good 150' in front of me. I bought it not so much for riding at night, but in case I get caught riding in the dark on a trail.


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Posts: 6673 | Location: Near the Metropolis of Tightsqueeze, Va | Registered: February 18, 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Member
Picture of fpuhan
posted February 22, 2020 06:30 PMHide Post
quote:
Originally posted by yo_eddy:
It looks like they mount with rubber straps. Straps should have a few holes, and the light should have a post to match up with the holes. Front light on the bars, rear lite on the seat post. Place lights where you want them, pull on the strap around the bars to stretch it a bit, then place the strap on post that is on the light.

For front light beam adjust so it hits maybe 15 feet or so out in front of you. You want some decent splash to see down the trail, but enough light right in front of you to see any small obstacles that might be in your way. If you end up riding a lot in the dark, a helmet light is handy. It will light where you look rather than where the bike points


Yes, thanks. I was worried that the rubber straps wouldn't hold the lights securely in place. But it seems that if they are tight enough, vibration or movement on the bike shouldn't be a problem. We'll see... Smile




You can't truly call yourself "peaceful" unless you are capable of great violence. If you're not capable of great violence, you're not peaceful, you're harmless.

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Posts: 2857 | Location: Peoples Republic of North Virginia | Registered: December 04, 2015Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Irksome Whirling Dervish
Picture of Flashlightboy
posted February 22, 2020 06:44 PMHide Post
quote:
Originally posted by fpuhan:
quote:
Originally posted by yo_eddy:
It looks like they mount with rubber straps. Straps should have a few holes, and the light should have a post to match up with the holes. Front light on the bars, rear lite on the seat post. Place lights where you want them, pull on the strap around the bars to stretch it a bit, then place the strap on post that is on the light.

For front light beam adjust so it hits maybe 15 feet or so out in front of you. You want some decent splash to see down the trail, but enough light right in front of you to see any small obstacles that might be in your way. If you end up riding a lot in the dark, a helmet light is handy. It will light where you look rather than where the bike points


Yes, thanks. I was worried that the rubber straps wouldn't hold the lights securely in place. But it seems that if they are tight enough, vibration or movement on the bike shouldn't be a problem. We'll see... Smile


3M friction tape from Home Depot works wonder to keep a light from bouncing. It's not visible when the strap is on the bars.
 
Posts: 4369 | Location: "You can't just go to Walmart with a gift card and get a new brother." Janice Serrano | Registered: May 03, 2005Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Member
Picture of steve495
posted February 22, 2020 08:10 PMHide Post
quote:
Originally posted by fpuhan:
... I was worried that the rubber straps wouldn't hold the lights securely in place. But it seems that if they are tight enough, vibration or movement on the bike shouldn't be a problem. We'll see... Smile


I've got Light & Motion stuff, both for my underwater video and headlight for my road bike. I've got the Urban 650. Twist the light perpendicular to the mount, pull the strap tight and the nub goes into the slot of the rubber strap. Twist the light into place.

You'll be good.


Steve


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Member
Picture of fpuhan
posted February 22, 2020 08:50 PMHide Post
quote:
Originally posted by steve495:
quote:
Originally posted by fpuhan:
... I was worried that the rubber straps wouldn't hold the lights securely in place. But it seems that if they are tight enough, vibration or movement on the bike shouldn't be a problem. We'll see... Smile


I've got Light & Motion stuff, both for my underwater video and headlight for my road bike. I've got the Urban 650. Twist the light perpendicular to the mount, pull the strap tight and the nub goes into the slot of the rubber strap. Twist the light into place.

You'll be good.


Got it. Thanks!




You can't truly call yourself "peaceful" unless you are capable of great violence. If you're not capable of great violence, you're not peaceful, you're harmless.

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Posts: 2857 | Location: Peoples Republic of North Virginia | Registered: December 04, 2015Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Freethinker
Picture of sigfreund
posted February 22, 2020 09:04 PMHide Post
As someone who hasn’t ridden a bike in years, and even longer ago in the dark, but who drives where they are common, a bit of advice: Seeing and being seen are two different things in bicycle lights. Just today I was reminded of how important the latter is. A couple of cyclists were coming my way on a high traffic two-lane road and I noticed their flashing white lights at a significant distance and when the riders themselves were almost indistinguishable against the background.

They weren’t wearing high visibility garments, but they should have been because they make a big difference as well. And although it probably wouldn’t be an issue for you, another observation is that when there is snow on the ground in the background, the popular lime green hi-viz color is not very effective; fluorescent orange is much better.

Added: And I should make it clear that my experience today was in the daytime.




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Posts: 48122 | Location: 10,150 Feet Above Sea Level in Colorado | Registered: April 04, 2002Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Member
Picture of lkdr1989
posted February 22, 2020 09:21 PMHide Post
Tip: at the very least, attach a red blinker light to the back of your helmet & one to your seatpost or wedge pack or frame, I used to ride with three red blinkers: helmet, seat pack and back of jacket.

Wearing high-viz is fine but as you know, in low light, not everyone has their lights on and your rear blinker lights will help.




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Muzzle flash
aficionado
Picture of flashguy
posted February 22, 2020 10:05 PMHide Post
I don't care what they are, but HAVE SOME! I can't tell you how many times I've come up on a bicyclist at night with no lights or reflectors and wearing all black. I think they must have a death wish. It's frightening to me how close I've come to running one down.

flashguy




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Posts: 27911 | Location: Dallas, TX | Registered: May 08, 2006Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Member
Picture of kg5388
posted February 22, 2020 10:35 PMHide Post
Fenix bike lights

Check out the Fenix headlights and taillight


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Objectively Reasonable
Picture of DennisM
posted February 23, 2020 07:43 AMHide Post
quote:
Originally posted by sigfreund:

They weren’t wearing high visibility garments, but they should have been because they make a big difference as well. And although it probably wouldn’t be an issue for you, another observation is that when there is snow on the ground in the background, the popular lime green hi-viz color is not very effective; fluorescent orange is much better.

Added: And I should make it clear that my experience today was in the daytime.


This, in spades. It's the easiest, cheapest, and arguably most effective aid to NOT getting hit.

My "distance" bike has reflective tape on the seat stays and two red lights to the rear (steady and flashing) and my helmet has reflective tape. Evening/night or early morning, reflective ankle bands, and either a reflective vest or a jersey heavy on reflective material. Most of my jerseys, rain gear, or jackets are fluorescent green or fluorescent orange. Forward, dynamo-driven Busch & Mueller light.

If a motorist doesn't see me, it won't be for lack of effort on my part.
 
Posts: 2582 | Registered: January 01, 2004Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Member
posted February 23, 2020 08:39 AMHide Post
I never ride after dark. I don't want to be a hood ornament.
 
Posts: 17376 | Location: Lexington, KY | Registered: October 15, 2006Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Member
Picture of Keystoner
posted February 23, 2020 08:59 AMHide Post
Go with a Water Rower instead.

(Kidding. Cool)



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Fourth line skater
Picture of goose5
posted February 23, 2020 10:35 AMHide Post
I have lights and I never ride in the dark. Most festival rides here require both a front and rear light to participate.


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