Reddit mentions: The best bike taillights

Don't worry about the helmet. None are really safer than others, just lighter and stylish.

You don't mention maintenance. You'll want to start cleaning your chain really regularly. Keep it clean and lubricated and it'll last FAR longer for you. You'll probably need a new chain each year too.

You might already know all about bike maintenance, but if not, get a good thick guide like Zinn's guide to bike maintenance, and start reading. Also watch YouTube videos before you try something the first time -- it'll save you tons of pain and money!

The backpack is fine, it'll just make your back really sweaty. Panniers will fix that, not just a rack (that can work though, just get some bungee cords). Panniers and a well designed bag can be great. I have this, and it's very functional, although I hesitate to recommend it as I haven't tried any others for comparison. It clips into a rack by the same manufacturer making it trivial to hold it down.

Topeak Velcro Strap Version Dxp Trunk Bag with Rigid Molded Panels https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004WSLT2O/ref=cm_sw_r_other_awd_yxC9wb6QSPKM2

Pack a multi tool and probably two spare tubes. Patches are great, but they can't fix everything. I'd also suggest having a plan for a taxi or uber ride. You won't need it, but if you have a flat just before an important meeting, it's good to have a plan in advance.

I'd plan to ride heavy, so light weight upgrades won't help much (losing weight will help way more than any upgrade). The best upgrade you can do is probably puncture resistant tires. $100 will get you a great set that will save you dozens of flats. I love continental gatorskins or continental 4 season tires, but you'll have to do your own research.

You can get great gravel tires that run fine on asphalt in case some light off roading can save you some time.

Finally get lights for night riding. Get a rear red light that has a mode that's on all the time and still flashes brighter. Then people won't lose your position with the strobing, but it'll still grab their attention so you don't get hit by a texting driver. I really like this one, but there are dozens of decent choices.

Cygolite Hotshot 2-Watt USB Rechargeable Taillight with USB Cable https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005DVA57Y/ref=cm_sw_r_other_awd_GQC9wbAKFWJVD

The front light is critical so you can see at night. I love the light and motion lights. The more expensive versions are really bright for off road riding, but they also give you far more than an hour with the same brightness as cheaper versions. I suggest this one, but as always, it's a pretty personal choice.

Light and Motion Urban 650 Headlight (Silver Moon) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KAPC2FG/ref=cm_sw_r_other_awd_IIC9wb7D5E8M1


In order of what I'd purchase first:

Brushes, degreaser and lubricant for the chain if you don't have it.

Rear light for safety.

Front light if you will ever ride at night.

Better tires.

Tools to cover more regular maintenance.

Panniers

Truth is, the best preparation you can do is to acclimate by riding in the cold weather - you'll get used to it.
Having said that, I use certain pieces of gear that really help me out. Here are a few key pieces...

Pogies - insulated bar mitt covers. The go over your handle bars and cut the wind, but are also insulated. You still wear a glove, but this is far better than just a glove or mitt.
Check this site out...
https://bikepacking.com/gear/pogies/

Next, you need to have good head covering.
I use OR Windstopper Balaclava
https://www.outdoorresearch.com/us/en/sonic-balaclava/p/2435420001006

Ski goggles are a must.

Wool tube scarf for your neck.

For your torso and chest, you need to layer:
Base layer - I choose merino wool. There are basically 3 thicknesses to choose from.
Wool keeps you warm even if you sweat, dries well, doesn't stink.

Next, insulating layer or layers.
Something warm like a shirt + Polartec jacket - again, 3 different thicknesses depending on you and how cold you get.
Long johns / fleece pants.

Last layer is a shell with at least a wind panel on the front. Gore Windstopper is my #1 choice, but I have many different jackets. I prefer jackets that have pit zips (zippers in the arm pits) so I can ventilate excess heat.

My cycling pants have a wind panel on the front to stop the wind.

Wool socks.
Darn Tough, a Vermont company, guarantees their socks for life - if they ever wear out, they will replace them for free.

Good boots, nothing too big. If you use a cycling shoe, there are insulated covers available for winter use or even winter cycling boots.

Whatever you do - don't let yourself sweat.
You need to find the balance point of being warm without sweating. If you sweat, you will become cold.

It all becomes an attempt at equilibrium - finding that comfortable warm spot without overheating & sweating, or allowing yourself to get cold.

Protect exposed skin especially your face, nose, ears, & cheeks.
Goggles keep your eyes warm, your lashes free from frost, and prevent your eyes from tearing. The polarised lenses help you see better.

As for your bike.
Studded tires - check out Schwalbe tires - actually may help, otherwise a winter tire with a winter rubber compound should do the trick.
Do you necessarily count on your knobby MTN bike tires doing a good job, the rubber may become too hard to properly grip the road or ice.

Lights...go with something detachable that uses a standard battery. Bring your light in to keep it warm.

I'm currently using:

Rear light: Portland Design Works Danger Zone Tail Light https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00435IPFK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_-uj5CbV3JHJA6

And a Planet Bike Blaze Front light X 2.

Www.PlanetBike.com

Keep your bike clean - wash the salt off regularly.
CLEAN AND LUBE YOUR CHAIN AND DRIVETRAIN.

At the end of winter, give your bike a deep cleaning.
Change your cables.
Undo your headset, crank, wheel hubs, clean the bearings and repack with new clean grease.
Tune your derailleurs.
Check your chain for stretch and replace if needed.
Check you rear derailleur hangar.
Spray done tube saver in your down tube and you're ready for summer.

Check out these sites for gear.

Www.MEC.ca

Www.Rei.com

Www.Bikepacking.com

on YouTube: GCN & GMBN

Hope the info helps.
Cheers,

There's a lot of good info here, but I disagree with some of it.

• Don't get slicks if you're commuting in a city. You will get flats and it will be a giant pain in the ass. The improvement in handling and efficiency isn't worth it for commuting. Get something a bit thicker and with some decent tread, and make sure they have kevlar linings. Studs are for snow, not rain. Glass, rocks, metal bits, etc. all penetrate slicks very easily (I'm not sold on gatorskins - I've seen them get many a flat). I commuted on slicks for awhile before I got fed up with flats every week. Don't bother getting separate tire liners. Go to your local bike shop (LBS) and talk about this with them.
  
  
• Not sure what "half clips" are, but if you're referring to clipless pedals, I completely agree. You don't have to spend a lot of money though. These Shimanos took me across the country and I use them every day on my commuter. I've put 4,000+ miles on them with 0 maintenance and no issues whatsoever. The tension is super easy to adjust with a hex wrench, meaning you control how hard it is to unclip. The downside is that they're too small to use comfortably if you're not wearing your bike shoes, but I don't find it to be much of an issue. Also, mtn bike shoes have a recessed cleat, which makes them a hell of a lot easier to walk around in when you're just going to the grocery store or running errands.
  
  
• I also commute in normal clothes, but when I go for serious rides I definitely wear lycra. Once you ride a few hours in any sort of heat, you'll understand. Trust me, I don't think it looks good either, but not being drenched in sweat and full of saddle sores at the end of a long ride is absolutely worth it. This is sort of an aside though - don't worry about it for commutes less than 10-15 miles or so.
  
  
• You don't necessarily need a bike-specific rain jacket, but they sure are nice, and not necessarily more expensive. Look for at least 2 layers if you want water proof, and ventilation is really nice. 1 layer will seep water onto any cloth that touches it. I've come in to work a couple times with soaked sleeves (my jacket has 2 layers, but only 1 layer sleeves - getting a new one soon).
  
  
• Leather saddles are 100% worth the money. Just get a Brooks B17 (Imperial if you're a dude) and a jar of proofide, and call it a day. It will literally last your entire life. Don't ride it in the rain though - cover it with something.
  
  
• WRT a strobe light, pick up a Planet Bike Superflash. There's a turbo too, but I've never actually seen it in person. The Superflash is extraordinarily bright, dead simple to use, and tough as a rock. This is another piece of gear that survived my cross country trip. In fact, just the other week my saddle bag broke and the light went crashing to the pavement as I was doing ~20mph, bounced around a bunch, and kept on blinking with only superficial scrapes. Highly recommended. My headlight is a POS that I inherited from my road bike's previous owner but seems to get the job done (keeps me visible), so I can't really make any strong recommendations here.
  
  
• As to helmets, go to your LBS and get whatever's comfortable, inexpensive, and looks decent (I'm convinced no helmets look good). I spent $60 I think on mine, and it's just fine. More expensive helmets don't necessarily protect you better, but they will offer more ventilation. Not a huge deal for a commuter. The most important thing with helmets is to make sure it's properly positioned and adjusted. That is, it should be forward on your head covering your forehead, and the strap should be quite tight around your chin. You should be able to shake your head around without the helmet moving much.
  
  Good bike gear will last a very, very long time, especially if you're only commuting, and can make a huge difference not only to your enjoyment but also your safety. If you're using it nearly every day, spend the money once and get high quality stuff. And head over to r/bicycling to talk to people who know a lot more than I do. Also talk to the guys at your LBS. Enjoy and good luck!

I'll highly recommend getting a good bar light, and a helmet light. Good lights are expensive but oh so worth it - they're bright, rugged, long-lasting, etc. Lighting up the trail like you have car headlights is so much fun, especially if you've only used crappy lights before!

Here's my picks. They might not be the best, but I like them. All have USB charging too.

Bar light: Fenix BC30R. Sturdy, accurate battery meter, long lasting, bright. Not crazy expensive but it's wayyy nicer than most cheap lights. Doesn't dim over time too; it's good at keeping the same brightness until it dies.

Helmet mount light: Niterider Micro 750. It's reasonably priced on sale, but doesn't last that long on high mode - and gets dimmer over time. Not an amazing light but it works - I just wish the helmet mount was better.

Red light no.1: Cygolight Hotshot 100. Cheap, bright, reliable, many blinky options. I like that it has a clip, so I usually attach to my pack.

Red light no.2: cheap oval LED light like this; mount it on my helmet so cars can see me better. A light "to be seen" doesn't have to be bright or amazing, and it seems the more lights the better in traffic. Having two lights far apart (like helmet and bottom of pack) helps depth+speed perception for cars/riders seeing you.

Hey there! I ride that leg very frequently - it is R38 / South Dakota Ave. Yes, it is dedicated shoulder riding, but the shoulder is widened more than a usual highway's would be. I would recommend it over gravel for one major reason: drivers expect bikers to be there. During a good summer day you'll encounter 5-10 bikers in the 10-mile stretch; all regular drivers in the area will be aware that bikes are on the shoulder.

Must-have #1: get a good helmet-mounted mirror (I use this one) and continuously assess the situation area you. Be especially vigilant about people passing other cars. IMO having you, a car, and another car all in a line together is a great way to die. If I see a car swing out to pass another car near me, I usually give a very clear "stop" hand signal to indicate I want them to wait until they are clear of me. Some oblige, some don't.

Must have #2: set up a safety rule and follow it. Mine is that I watch for an approaching car and if at any point their tire touches the solid white line into the shoulder, I hard brake and remove myself from the road. Thankfully, that's only happened once, and in that particular case the driver did start moving towards the center line as he approached, though I had already begun stopping.

Must have #3: get a very bright flashing rear light and use it during the day while on the highway. I have to admit to you that mine isn't bright enough, but reading this made me realize I need to get one purchased before the season starts back up, so I think I'm going to give this guy a try.

If you do the things above I think you'll find the ride up very enjoyable. Good luck and stay safe!

Thanks for playing along.

> Busch and Muller Ixon IQ Premium

Good This might be one of the most amazing light out there. Unlike many other lights they recognize that "good" isn't just pumping out tons of lumens. They put the light where it needs to go, on the road and not where it shouldn't be - in drivers eyes and in the trees. Them and Light and Motion have the best optics I've seen. There's a few tunnel beam test out there which show beam patterns well.

This review sold me on the light

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwM7vDvvGhU

They cover the beams at the end.

Now the thing is in this vid he's shooting pitch black, which all lights look bright in. Either way the flood is great.

Bad The high run time is listed at 3hrs (standard pretty much..) which is just long enough or a little too short depending on you. I wish more lights ran 4hrs on high as I take long rides with breaks in the middle. Itd be nice to not worry.

It doesn't have any side cut outs for visibility which do seem to help, even on very low powered lights.

Ugly

The main downfall for this light is its price, which I think is over $100. For some people $100 for one light isn't great. Some people might prefer to spend $100 on a different lighting setup (albeit likely with worse optics).


>Cygolite Hotshot



good

Crazy popular and a pretty neat light. I like the strong strobes and customizable flash settings for traffic

bright, unique flash patterns, affordable, good company.

bad

My big beef is it lacks a gentle pulse like this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UthVrhsbRr4

for group/night trail rides i dont want to blind people. also id love to run a pulse/flasher combo.

PDW (I think) makes a light that combines a crazy flash pattern with a gentle strobe, that might be king...

ugly

lots of complaints about the mount, going back to at lease 2012. last thing i want is to lose a light on a ride w/o knowing.

"This light is great for visibility and can be seen from far away. MAJOR DRAWBACK - the light is mounted to the bike with a very flimsy mount. every time i go over a bump the light is jostled and ends up pointing straight down at the ground which of course defeats the purpose."

http://www.amazon.com/Cygolite-Hotshot-2-Watt-Rechargeable-Taillight/product-reviews/B005DVA57Y/ref=cm_cr_pr_top_recent?ie=UTF8&filterBy=addThreeStar&showViewpoints=0&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending

This is my do everything bike, a 2015 Trek Crossrip Comp.

Performance-wise, it is stock, with the exception of the tires. I swapped out the Bontrager Hardcases that came with the bike and put on a pair of [Clement PDX cross tires] (http://clementcycling.com/pdx-clincher). There are lots of gravel trails around my area, and I wanted some grippier tires to handle them. They roll a little bit slower on pavement, but the difference off-road is incredible. This thing absolutely flies on gravel and dirt.

Some other additions include:

-[Ivation Bluetooth Speaker] (http://www.amazon.com/Ivation-Super-Portable-Rechargeable-Bluetooth-Speaker/dp/B00HVMIL1U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409072570&sr=8-1&keywords=bicycle+speaker)- I like listening to music while riding, but earbuds make it difficult to hear what's going on around me. This speaker is a great alternative. It attaches to the handlebars with a stretchy strap, and is very secure. It has an aux input and a micro SD card slot, but the Bluetooth feature is really nice since I don't have to worry about wires getting tangled or where to put my phone.

-[Portland Design Works Danger Zone Taillight] (http://www.amazon.com/Portland-Design-Works-Danger-Light/dp/B00435IPFK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1409072793&sr=8-2&keywords=portland+design+works+radbot+1000)- So cars don't run me over at night. Mounting it is super easy, and the light is extremely bright. It also quickly unhooks so I can take it with me and not worry about it getting stolen.

-[Diamondback LED Headlight] (http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=41624036&kw=diamondback+headlight&origkw=diamondback+headlight)- So I can see where I'm going at night, and so cars can see me. I haven't had a chance to use it yet, but it seems pretty bright, and the price was good.

-[Blackburn Frame Pump] (http://www.blackburndesign.com/pumps/mountain-air-anyvalve-mini-pump.html#.U_y_7twWxO4)- So I can inflate my tires when needed, and because I like the look of a frame pump.

This is my first bike that isn't from a box box store, and I absolutely love it so far. It's my commuter, my cruiser, my off-roader, and whatever else I need it to be. I highly recommend the Crossrip line to anyone that is interested in it.

Waterproof gloves.

I know you said you have shoes, but these covers are reasonable. I'm not a huge fan of the color, but winter above the 45 parallel is a dark time of the year and a little extra "I'M HERE" never hurts.

This jacket might seem a little expensive, however I own a few Shower Pass items and cannot say enough good stuff about the quality, durability and comfort of their gear. In my book, they are one of the best wet weather bike clothing outfits around.

There are a TON of options for lighting. Basically you want something on the front that is 400 Lumen or better. For the rear, I've been buying Cygolite's Hot Shot for years. They've always delivered and I've actually had several riders comment on how visible they make me to traffic.

Not sure if that model Schwinn has braze ons for a rear rack? Would strongly recommend adding one and getting a bag if you do. It's really nice not having the weight on one's back in the wet. Good luck, and welcome to the non-fair weather cycling gang. :D

Second this -- a hybrid is probably the OP's best bet.

He can probably save some money by getting a single speed bike, but he should resist that temptation -- Austin is hilly, and gears are nice.

If he has a friend who knows bikes and can go with him (to tell him what's good and what's not and help him determine if it fits), Frankenbike is often a good place to find a used bike, if he wants to save even more.

If he ever rides at night (and every commuter eventually ends up riding at night), he'll want lights. One can spend a lot on them, but there's no need -- lights like these and these are very good (not 5000 lumens good like the headlight claims, but even the 1000 it really does is very good) and reasonably priced. Lights are way cheaper to order online than buy locally, and while the Chinese knockoffs do tend to be inferior to the name brand stuff, they're generally good enough and 80% cheaper.

I'm riding this: http://i.imgur.com/Q1SewUi.jpg (Giant Defy 3)

I was lucky enough to get it on clearance, but it was in your price range and has all the mounts for a rack. Taking the rack and U-lock off makes it a pretty nice weekend warrior for longer rides, too.

I'm not using them, but I've heard nothing but good things about Ortliebs. If I ever have to buy new panniers, that's what I'll go with.

I use a Night Rider Lumina Micro 250 for my front light. It works fine, I just have to make sure I charge it. This is the tail light that I use. I can't confirm that either is the "best" but both work fine for my 7 mile morning commutes.

Other things that you might want to look into:

• A good U-lock, depending on what the situation is at work and whether or not you'll use the bike for anything else. Don't depend on a cheap cable lock, trust me.
  
• A cycle computer. I use a pretty cheap wired one, mostly so I can keep track of the time, but I like to try to keep my speed up, too.
  
• A seat bag for your spare tube, CO2, patches, tire levers, spoke wrench, and multi-tool. If you need extra storage space you can add one of these.
  
• Mini Pump (Yes, I keep CO2 and a pump on my bike)
  
• Water bottle cage and water bottle. (Depending on the length of your commute. I live in Phoenix, so this is pretty vital.)
  
• You might also want something waterproof for your phone. Where I live this isn't vital, but in some places it would be.
  
  
  I think that's all I use.

Start by taking advantage of the fact that you're going to a university. You may have a student run bike shop where you can go ask all these questions, a local cooperative where you can learn to do basic repairs for very cheap, and often times they'll have really good pricing on items you may be interested in like a good quality U-lock or a rear rack (which I highly recommend).

What /u/reddanit said is good advice, you want a ulock and a cable for the front wheel. Look up the Sheldon Brown method of locking, that's what you'll want to do. Check out this picture here. See the rear rack in the back where the lock is? I attach it to my rear rack with a bungie cord and it stays in place really well. Don't use the included on bike mounting hardware that comes with the ulock, it's trash.

For music, either do what your friends do and listen to it out loud with a bluetooth speaker, or don't listen at all. It's just not safe to use headphones.

I've never used a mirror, don't consider it necessary at all. They just end up breaking or flopping around.

Tell us more about your commute and we can recommend what to carry with. If you're never more than half a mile from a bike shop while on your commute or if it's only 1-2 miles, it may not be worth bringing a tube with you. I never do.

For lights, again, do some research about your university. Some offer free little blinky lights. Otherwise, this is an area I would not recommend skimping on. I really like the Cygolite lights. Check these ones out:

• Hotrod
  
• Hotshot
  
• Used Hotrod on Ebay for a little cheaper
  
  Best of luck!

The bike started life as a 2012 Motobecane Fantom Cross Pro, which came with some good components already. SRAM Rival partial group,
FSA crankset, and Mavic Aksium Race wheels. I've had good luck with this bike and it's got almost 2k miles on it, so I kept most of it, but not all.

Once I decided to make it my commuter bike, I started adding things.

For lights I picked up the Cygolite Hot shot rear light and use one of my MTB lights if needed for the front, a
Chinese knock-off CREE XM-L2 front light

For tires I went with the Panaracer RiBMo 700x32c based on feedback from users on here.

You can't go wrong with a Tubus Logo Evo Rear Rack and Ortlieb Back Roller Classics.


I wanted some extra gearing for those climbs along the way, so I went with the SRAM FORCE Rear Derailleur so I could run a SRAM PG-1050 11-32 Cassette.

Of course, I needed a new KMC X10SL chain for the new gear combo.

I picked up a new road bike and pulled the Ritchey Pro Streem Saddle and Ritchey Pro Biomax bars off of that bike and used them on my commuter, along with some new Lizard Skins DSP 3.2mm bar tape and some Soma Road Flares for added visibility.

For a little less weight and possible shock absorbtion, I threw in a Chinese knock off carbon seat post.

I also wanted something besides my regular riding shoes, so I opted for the Shimano Click'R PD-T700 pedals and
Shimano SH-CT40 Cycling Shoes
, which I love and highly recommend.

I also needed to adjust the fit so I picked up a Kalloy Uno 6 90mm stem because I've had great luck with them on other bikes.

And for added safety, I picked up two rolls of 3M Scotchcal Reflective Striping Tape in white and black, and added white stripes to the white frame and black stripes to the rims and the back of my helmet.

I usually find the Google maps estimate a bit generous - on a 25-minute estimate I might get 20 minutes, and ride 14-18mph on an upright hybrid. I know some people here on their road bikes ride faster.

Safety-wise, I actually would say your vest is even more important than lights. I personally prefer these straps. I've been using them for over 2 years. They light up like day, and don't overheat you in the summer like a full vest would while allowing you to layer multiple coats in the winter.

A nice 1000+lumen front light is another must - you want to not only be seen but in dark conditions to be able to see hazardous objects on the road, particularly a country road. This is the light I've been using for over 2 years (plus backup batteries to easily swap out), but anything bright will do. I prefer steady beam on my front light rather than having it blink - again for visibility.

For rear lights you (again) want something very bright and visible from far away, but that blinks. This is the one that I use, but again anything bright is good.

Good luck out there!

Disc racks can work on non-disc brake wheels. I use a Blackburn EX-1 Disc Rack on my bike. My bike does not have the eyelets by the wheel hub for pannier racks, but strangely it does have the eyelets on the seat stay for them. I found this rack works very well on my bike.

For USB rechargeable lights, I use a Cygolite Metro 500 and a Cygolite Hotshot. Both lights are easily removable so you can take them with you when you leave your bike locked up. There are cheaper versions of the Cygolite Metro which are also quite good (300, 360, 400), but not quite as bright. The Metro 300 is probably enough light for most people, and is what I used first. The only reason I switched is because my girlfriend's bike needed a better headlight, so I used that as an excuse to upgrade mine and give her my old one. Currently the 360 is cheaper than the 300 on Amazon, and is brighter. So there's no reason to get the 300 right now.

For multi tool, I like the Topeak Hexus II. Someone else on Reddit recommended it to me months ago and I'm quite satisfied.

For a full time commuter, I recommend some puncture resistant tires. I use Continental Gatorskins with Mr Tuffy liners inside them. Haven't had a single flat in several months now. Having a flat on your way to work would really suck, especially in crappy winter weather.

I use Ortlieb Front Rollers on my rear rack, as I was worried the Back Rollers would be large enough to cause heel strike. The Front Rollers are very nice. I love how easy they are to put on and take off, plus they're quite rugged and keep everything dry. The Front Rollers are just barely large enough for a 15" laptop, though I can't roll the top down well with it in there.

if you are going full rain-gear, it would include either making your only bike all-weather compatible (full fenders, etc) with the understanding that it will be clunkier to ride and will deteriorate more quickly (rust, sand, drive train, brakes). if you can swing it, get a beater bike that is specifically set up for rain and keep your nice bike (if your bike is nice) in fair weather condition.

 

carry a basic toolkit (spanner, hex wrench multi tool, spoke wrench, tire levers) and a spare tube or two. unless you want to carry a small handpump, you could invest in some CO2 cartridges and a small inflator. include some elastics, bungees, and a small roll of rubberized gaffer tape (just tear a strip of a few feet and roll it on itself so you have a little finger of black magic) -- the tape can be used for many things, from lashing something to your frame to layering up and booting a tire puncture. last but not least, buy a box of rubber gloves, and keep a few pairs rolled up in your kit. all of this can fit in a small saddlebag, handlebar bag, or hip pouch.

 

along with your standard toolkit and flat repair/replacement kit, carry an emergency rain poncho and a pair of rubber boot covers. boot covers are especially nice if you end up getting a pair of shoes that you don't want sprayed with water and sand should you get caught in a downpour or have to ride on sticky/tacky surfaces after a rain.

 

if there is a chance you are going to be riding at night, get a rear flasher and a good headlight (a powerful LED array with multiple modes & brightnesses). good lights usually have a rechargeable external battery pack -- carry a spare battery pack or at least get a few cheap LED flashers (frog knog or similar) to keep in your toolkit as a backup.

 

one last thing that i find helpful is keeping a few drawstring backpacks rolled up in my kits, as they can really come in handy if you need to pick up or carry something (or remove some clothing) unexpectedly. when not in use they fold up smaller than a deck of cards. if you have to lock your bike up outside and have a nice saddle, you can tie one of these over it so it's not so obviously nice.

 

i didn't really answer any if your big questions with specific recommendations, or cover any basic cycling equipment (like riding gloves or bike locks), but these are little tricks or lightbulb discoveries that i've picked up over biking in the city for the past 12 or 13 years. most of the small things are non-essential, but come in very handy and can save a lot of unneeded cleanup and frustration. now i never ride without them.

Pick up one of these brackets: Taillight Bracket

Then get any compatible light, such as: PDW Danger Zone or Nightrider Solas

The PDW Danger Zone is a better light, and cheaper, but the Nightrider is USB rechargeable. The PDW is better, because you can easily pair it with rechargeable AAA batteries. This allows you to replace the batteries as they wear out, toss a non-rechargeable battery in in a pinch. When used a couple hours a day, decent rechargeable batteries last over a full week. IMO rechargeable AAA > USB rechargeable.

Or, if you find a light you like with the standard CatEye-style rear light mount, there's this bracket that fits those: CatEye Rack Bracket CatEye mounts are square with small indents on the back, like this: CatEye Light (best picture I could find).

That said, depending on where you live, I'd really recommend looking into a dyno hub and dyno lighting. Lithium batteries really work poorly in the cold, and NiMH work only marginally better. With long, cold days coming, not relying on batteries is really nice. At the least, I'd recommend against lithium batteries if you live somewhere cold. Rechargeable NiMH aren't really that much bother, especially if you buy extras and have them in a charge-rotation...always fresh batteries.

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.

WTS: 2019 Boosted Board Stealth V3 with 320 miles,

ALL YOURS FOR AN EASY $1,000.00 USD or trade..let me know what you got...I am in Central Florida

included is 2 Extended Range Battery Pack,

I have upgraded the pulleys to "Speed Pulleys for Abec11 Refly Longboard Wheels - 97mm 74a,

3 sets (total of 6) belts LithiumCore Boosted Board V2 Belts ( Fits Mini S, Mini X, Plus & Stealth),

Kutrick Boosted Board Kevlar Belts for Boosted Board V2, Mini S, Mini X, Plus, and Stealth,

Bones® BIG BALLS™ REDS® Skateboard Bearings 8 pack,

(2) sets total of 4 Shredlights: Two Skateboard Headlights - Three Brightness Levels - Water Resistant - Easily Removable and Rechargeable,

EXTENDED RISER – FOR BOOSTED,

BASH GUARD M (SINGLE) – FOR BOOSTED BOARDS rear and front boosted board,

FL3D PRO BUSHINGS ( I have both the Hard Blue - 92A and a Soft Grey - 84A .),

WEDGE RISER (SET OF 2) – FOR BOOSTED BOARDS ,

RETRACTABLE REMOTE LANYARD,

Hubro Designs Slimfit Backpack XX (G5.1) - Boosted Board Travel Bag ,

way to many Skateboard Longboard Speed Washers and Spacers Set for Truck Axle Mounting Equipment Accessories, 104pcs, Hardware, Bearing Performance ,

Sector 9 Bolt Pack Set, Black, 2-Inch,

Ampulla Oricycle Rechargeable Bike Tail Light LED - Remote Control, Turning Lights, Ground Lane Alert, Waterproof, Easy Installation for Cycling Safety Warning Light,

DIYE Skateboard Longboard Nose Guard Tail (2 pcs) for Boosted Board V2 V1,

DECK HOOK: Professional Skateboard, Longboard & Electric Skateboard Holder Carrier | Compatible with Most Dual Shoulder Strap Backpack | Adjustable Straps& Hands Free Use,

Merkapa Ratchet Skateboard T Tools,

Sk8ology Carabiner Skate Tool 2.0 Black Red,

Pro Bike Tool Mini Ratchet Tool Set - Reliable and Stylish Multitool Repair Kit for Road and Mountain Bikes - Versatile EDC Multi Tool for Your Bicycle, Home or Work - Hard Case Pouch,

Im sure I am forgetting some things but there it is..

ALL YOURS FOR AN EASY $1,000.00 USD

or trade..let me kln ow what you got...

I am in Central Florida

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.

At 3 miles, you could walk that in 45 minutes, so 15-30 minutes to ride each way depending on the hill. Good that you are planning it now, instead of waiting till later. I think the first thing you need is a feasible route. Perhaps you already do, but it is more pleasant to ride without a car behind one. So perhaps you can ride much of it on roads that are less busy and likely have a lower speed limit. Google Maps has a bicycle option so you could see what that suggests. When you get your bike (or if you can borrow one), ride the route early on a weekend morning. Check that there is someplace to lock the bike at/near the school, because you need to securely lock it. The lock deters a thief by making it more difficult, not impossible to take. The more expensive the bike looks, the more formidable the lock should look. If the front wheel has a quick-release skewer, you should secure it so something like or this

I strongly recommend a helmet. They all meet the same standards, so I buy less expensive.

There are lights that help make you visible and those that help you see the road as examples, but not recommendations.

You've thought about rain for your backpack, but you may want to consider for you too, because being soaking wet at school is no fun, rain jacket, rain pants and fenders. I have a pair of these which might be a good choice if you can carry other shoes to wear in school. Even without rain, it will seem colder when you are going downhill in the morning, so I use running gloves (full finger) some winter mornings. You can bundle up toasty warm for the mornings because you don't have to pedal that much, and then carry some of your clothes instead of wearing when you ride home, so I recommend a rack and a couple of bungee cords to help with that.

Since it is a walk-able distance, you should probably leave the water bottle, multi-tool, patch kit and pump at home on school days just to keep it simple and keep from losing those things. It probably makes sense to keep it minimal and cheap while starting out like this. If you get a floor pump with a gauge, you can use it to check the pressure once or twice a week and then learn how to feel the tires to see if they are firm enough. I've not found a mini-pump with a gauge that is universally regarded as reliable, so the pump I take with me has no gauge.

For your commute to school you shouldn't need to fuss with padded biking shorts or spandex shirts or even fingerless gloves. I rode quite a bit when I was your age without any of those. If you are looking at longer rides, then you might want to try some of those (no underwear under the biking shorts) to reduce chafing against the seat and wind resistance from floppy clothing.

#1 Get real lights--both headlight and taillight.

#2. Mounting a headlight low helps define potholes and other road issues. If your light is aligned with your eyes, say mounted on your head or high on the handlebars, you don't get any shadows. But a low mounted headlight--say fork-mounted--really casts some shadows and allows you to see those potholes.

Personally I like a low and a high headlight, not a low light only. There are too many situations when the low light is hidden from an oncoming vehicles. But low + high is a good combo.

LED lights are so good anymore there is not reason to not ride with something sufficiently bright. Like 1000 lumens or more up front and at least nearly that many in the back. I ride with relatively cheap CREE style led lights (something like this, though that's not a recommendation for that particular brand/style as I haven't tried it) that are like $20.

I've been running these taillights for a while, 3 watt CREE. That particular one isn't available any more but it gives you an idea of the wattage needed to be truly visible. Just for example, one of the 3 watt CREEs will very clearly outblast 3 of these. Also it has a battery that will actually last a while vs lights powered by AAAs to save a few grams--but last only a couple of rides at best.

Anyway, when you have enough lights on, front-, rear-, and side-visible, you'll be surprised how much room you get from motorists. I generally enjoy riding at night more than the day.

The criteria is suitability for use and purpose. You're looking to commute to work, not race for trophies. Reliability, not high performance, is critical. At 14 miles a day, 5 days per week and 50 weeks per year you'll be logging 3,500 miles annually. If you commute both ways it's 7,000 per year. Diamondback and Trek both make bikes that are made for commuting. They're built to be reliable. Bikes that are made for speed will often use lighter weight material for improved speed. Lighter weight often means thinner or more easily damaged. Having a breakdown 9 miles out sucks.

I have a 2009 Diamondback Sport Response. Listed at about $600 at Dick's Sporting Goods. It was on sale for $325. I ride because I enjoy riding. Fortunately, it's also a source of daily exercise. My typical ride is 8 to 16 miles a day. At 14 - 16 mph I'm not racing. I have about 12,000 miles on my bike. As with all bikes, parts wear out and have to be replaced. I replace the rear cassette at about 4,000 miles. It's $25 and I replace it in about 15 minutes. I've replaced the chain once. I've had it in the shop twice. Last tune up was about $75. Money well spent.

As for brakes, I will never own a bike that doesn't have disc brakes. They have a lot of stopping power. You'll be riding where people are driving. You're going to need stopping power. Disc brakes are nearly indestructible, virtually zero maintenance and will stop you even when they're wet. Caliper brakes are a bit more temperamental and require adjustment from time to time. My experience is that they do not have the same stopping power as disc brakes. This is exacerbated when the tire is wet. And a spot of mud really adds to reduced stopping power.

Lights are not expensive. I use a Nite Rider CHerry Bomb on the rear. You can see it from a long way off - and that's kind of what you're going for. Cost $20 to $25. I currently have a Schwinn front light. It really doesn't put out the kind of light I want, but it has a one-click and it goes to flashing mode which gets the drivers attention.

If I were going to race, I wouldn't go with a Diamondback. If I were going to ride cross country (as in across the US over a couple of months) I'd be OK with my Diamondback based on it's known history. Although I wouldn't mind stepping up a notch or two if that came with a higher level or reliability. For a cruise ride to work, I'd go with the Diamondback and put the money I saved into a good helmet.

Again, it comes down to fit for use.

Good luck!

• Try a dry run on the weekend
  
• Go in early in the morning, leave early in the afternoon, if your schedule allows
  
• What is your route like? Is there a shoulder? If it is wide enough, you could ride in it so long as it is clear of debris, but traffic may pass closer. Is the road 4 lanes? If so, this allows drivers to pass without changing lanes into oncoming traffic.
  
• Are the lanes really wide? If the lanes are wide enough that you feel comfortable with traffic passing you without changing lanes, then you can ride to the right. If not, then position yourself in the middle or left of the lane to encourage drivers to change lanes to pass. See this for more explanation: http://www.bikewalknc.org/2016/01/using-the-left-half-of-the-lane/ (note the chart near the bottom that shows the further right you ride, the less room cars give).
  
• Light up! Get both front and rear lights and use them even during the day. I really like this rear light and have been complimented on it.

I recommend checking out /r/bikecommuting. Although it sounds like you have already been commuting by bike, so I apologize if you already know what I'm saying. I'm assuming because you are asking about what you wear for winter cycling that you do not regularly commute in winter/have a short commute.

You will need to get lights for commuting, especially as winter approaches (assuming that you are in the Northern hemisphere). I have the Cygolite Expillion 350 and the PDW Danger Zone. I once read that a blinking rear light is good for being noticed but a solid light is good for driver depth perception, so my helmet has a red light in back that I keep solid in the evening/night. I will eventually get a second real rear light.

As for clothing - what is your climate going to look like this winter? I was commuting in upstate New York and wore generic winter running tights, wool socks, UA coldgear shirt, a down vest, gloves, and a thin scarf that went around my neck and over my head under my helmet. When I wore thick wool mittens over my gloves, I was toasty in that down to 14 F. I never got goggles/glasses, but they would have been nice when it sleeted.

I don't have any cycling specific wear. I re-purpose what I already have or buy things that will work for multiple activities.

I wash my bike (or at least rinse it off) after any ride where salt from the road was kicked up. Last winter I had a toothbrush and would gently scrub my derailleurs to get off the ice and would use a damp rag to wipe it down. Again, I was biking in upstate New York. I have since moved south and don't yet know what this winter will mean for biking. I'm assuming a lot less ice and a lot less salt.

I made my first taillight out of a 12 volt trailer light I purchased from a autoparts store. It worked very well. It went well with a 12 volt LED flood light that I purchased from a electronics store and made a custom housing out of. Both ran off the same battery.

I also have the older version of this:

https://www.amazon.com/CygoLite-Hotshot-50-Rechargeable-Bicycle/dp/B013FIWBCS/sr=1-9&keywords=tail+light

Which is nice.

Tail lights are less important then headlights because typically you are going with traffic and thus are lit up by the headlights of the car behind you. The really dangerous cars are the cars coming towards you (they may turn left into a side road or drive way and hit you) and cars at a angle to you at intersections (driver may not see you and pull out in front of you).

As long as they are reasonably bright and can be seen for a ways away then you are gold. Bonus points if they can be seen from the side.

May also consider getting a helmet light.

A bright headlight on the handle bars and then a reasonably bright light on the helmet is a nice combo. This way you can turn to see things without turning your handle bars. Also by quickly looking at cars and pedestrians, how you tend to do naturally, you will also flash them making yourself more likely to be noticed. (which is also why you don't want a super bright light, don't want to blind them or ruin their night vision).

Adding a tail light to the helmet is really good idea as well which is good in case your main tail light is obscured by a rear rack, a long jacket, or something else.

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.
   
   ​
   
   
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.

I do all my riding at night but mostly paved trails. I did a ton of research before buying my lights.

Front:

MagicShine 872 - This is what I use. For Price per lumens you can't beat this thing. It's crazy bright. I have it on 50% most of the time sometimes lower. For distance it's about the same at 50% or 100%. 100% is just much brighter immediately in front of you.


I would actually recommend the MagicShine 808 though. It's a little cheaper and all my research showed the side by side comparisons the 808 actually throws light out a little father. It's just not as bright in the first 25 feet. Since I leave my 872 on 50% it wouldn't matter and I would get a little more distance.

http://www.amazon.com/MagicShine-MJ-808U-Bicycle-Improved-1100-Lumen/dp/B009GSLUR4/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1409954087&sr=8-3&keywords=magicshine+872

Both have an external battery pack and don't use a USB charger though. Which for some people is a problem. I don't mind strapping the battery to my top tube.

Edit to add: Neither of these has a flashing or pulse feature. They do have an adjustable brightness level though. 872 has last for roughly 2 hours for me at 100%. The power buttons illuminate to give you a rough estimate of battery level. After a 2 hour ride with it on 50% the entire time it will show that it has more then 50% left. They say it will last 3 hours at 100% but reviews I read said it last 2 1/2 at 100% then dropped its self down the 75% then 50 > so on until it completely died at 6 hours. I've not actually done that myself though.

Rear:

I use Light & Motion Vis 180 - This thing is ridiculously bright and I love it. Full 180 degrees of visibility from the amber lights. It's very expensive though for a taillight.

http://www.amazon.com/Light-Motion-Tail-Silver-Moon/dp/B00LH1W9AU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=undefined&sr=8-1&keywords=light+and+motion+180

My research pointed to Cygolite Hotshot 2W USB being the best bang for your buck. I would have bought this but my LBS didn't carry it and I needed something that night for riding so i got the Light and Motion.

http://www.amazon.com/Cygolite-Hotshot-2-Watt-Rechargeable-Taillight/dp/B005DVA57Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409954733&sr=8-1&keywords=Cygolite+Hotshot+2W+USB


Hope this helps.

It might have been, but I have a 2 or 3watt rear blinkie light. When I ride at night, I'm a damn Christmas tree. I like seeing and knowing I'm seen :)

Good on the cops for keeping everyone safe, I try to give benefit of the doubt as well. I just don't give them a chance either. Most cops are good, but there is always that 10% rule in effect.

I have one of these, and other models. Always keep a spare charged

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00E1NQ6T6

Check my newer replies for details, but here are the links to the stuff
light
Mounting Clamp
Pretty robust solution imo, easy to install and stable af

To everyone who rides: Please use lights at night. Even if you think it's lame, I can't stress enough how important they are. Motorists are accustomed to looking for lights when it's dark out. That's just normal. If you're riding without any, you're essentially making yourself invisible to them until they're practically on top of you.

I run the Radbot 1000 as my taillight and it's pretty fucking awesome. It runs a 1watt LED that is soooo bright. You can't even look at it because it will blind you. It's impossible for cars not to see me and they steer clear of me by a huge margin whenever it's running.

As for my headlight, I'm running the Blaze 1watt. It's pretty damn bright as well. I highly recommend both of these lights.

And something you might not be aware of, if you're a victim of a hit-n-run or similar accident with a vehicle and it's found that you weren't running lights, you make it extremely difficult to win a settlement that you might desperately need to pay for your hospital bills. Food for thought.

I agree with all this, and in addition I would recommend just getting some cheap sports clothing from your local department store. No need to spend all that money on specialty bike clothes if your commute is only 7 miles. A general sports tee (in the US, my local Target has some sports tees in high-vis orange and yellow for $8) and some sports shorts. Make sure they're made from wicking material or you'll be miserable in the warmer months. For such a short commute though, padded cycle shorts are not necessary. My cycle commute is about 8.5 miles and I've never needed or wanted specialty padded cycle shorts. Most of the year I wear some cheap cargo shorts, in summer it's wicking workout shorts, in the winter I wear lined tights under my work slacks.

Use the money you save to buy some good panniers and fenders.

Get some good lights-- you'll want them just in case you find yourself cycling in low light or if it's cloudy and dark or foggy. At the least, get a good taillight.

If you're worried about sweat and don't have a shower facility available, baby wipes are very helpful. Carry some extra deodorant in your pack too. Bike your route in advance a few times to make sure you've got enough time to get to school and get yourself dressed/prepared.

As for a headlight, I have one like this. It's extremely bright and has three settings: high, low, blinking. I feel extremely comfortable with this on my bike and it lasts forever. I also opted for the wide angle lens that I think works great for riding on roads as it doesn't shine directly into the eyes of vehicle drivers.

For a taillight, I have this one. Again, it's got a few options for blinking/solid lights/etc, and the blinking option is super bright. I rode at night once and turned around to see if I could tell how far it was casting and I could see it reflecting off a stop sign about 1-2 blocks away.

One suggestion for a helmet (I don't know your budget), but I backed the Lumos Helmet on Kickstarter and received mine last month. It's awesome, and I feel way more visible with it than with a normal helmet. Plus the turn signals are a major plus!

What kind of lights are you using?

For the front, you may want to check out the Design Shine Lights ( http://www.DesignShineLighting.com ) which are quite bright, and should be available soon. Or check out the Planet Bike 2w headlight which blinks:

http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Bike-Blaze-2Watt-Headlight/dp/B0015R1NE4/ref=pd_bxgy_sg_img_b

I am actually using the Nu Flare LED flashlight and a handlebar flashlight mount because it's a lot brighter than the Planet Bike headlight, but it doesn't blink so that may not work for you ...

http://www.amazon.com/Nu-Flare-77R92L-Ultrabright-Aluminum-Flashlight/dp/B001LYYO10/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1318951039&sr=8-3

http://www.amazon.com/Flashlight-Mount-for-Bike-Handlebar/dp/B004OADU22/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1319730599&sr=1-1-catcorr

NOTE: This mount is okay for my use, you may not like it it you have to remove your lights.

For the rear, I love my Planet Bike Turbo Superflash:

http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Bike-Superflash-Turbo-Light/dp/B004U5PV5A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1318366148&sr=8-1

I emailed Planet Bike and asked them to make a White and Yellow Turbo flash, which I think would take care of front-mount for me.

Finally, you may want to get a little air horn for your bike. Someone did a write here on Reddit a few weeks ago. This is the horn:

http://www.amazon.com/SeaSense-1-4oz-50074011-Image-Reference/dp/B000XQ5B1Y/ref=wl_it_dp_o_npd?ie=UTF8&coliid=I1VY5NBV2BPVP6&colid=2ANXR60WOJLC

This is the write-up and image.

http://www.reddit.com/r/bicycling/comments/lf42p/i_installed_a_compressed_air_horn_this_weekend/

http://i.imgur.com/X6vLI.jpg

Wiring one into the bikes battery was too complicated for me to want to figure out, but I bought this rechargeable brake light for $25 and have been thoroughly impressed by it; https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DF8RTM4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_yIoWDb7M84P2Q

Since I have a trunk bag on my rack I scrapped the mounting hardware they gave me and ziptied it on top of the mounting spot for the stock light. It's got a good battery life and charges quick but if you're still interested in wiring a tail light in I suggest checking asking around the Juiced Bikes enthusiasts or Modded Juiced Bikes group on Facebook if you're on there.

-My favorite is my Cygolite Hot Rod

https://www.amazon.com/CygoLite-Hotrod-50-Rechargeable-Bicycle/dp/B013FIWQ5U

It's a fantastic light. Extremely bright with a very long-lasting battery. Fits around my aero seat post without problems. The downside is that it costs $30.



-I also have this Monilon taillight:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01IF1UBRC/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It's a little less bright than my Hot Rod, and it's made out of a noticeably cheaper plastic. It also doesn't have rubber bumpers to protect the finish of the bike. the upside is that it costs $7.58, so it's a great deal if you don't want to spend much money.

i use macon bern helmet and attach my blitzu cyborg 120 lumens using cable ties at the back of the helmet

BLITZU Cyborg 120T USB Rechargeable LED Bike Tail Light. Bright Bicycle Rear Cycling Safety Flashlight, Fits Road, Mountain Bikes, Helmets. Get The Front Headlight and Back Set for Kids Men and Women

​

the light is super bright, i think put the light on the helmet has better visibility if compared put it on the boardside

My $30 tail light Cygolite Hotshot 2-Watt USB Rechargeable Taillight with USB Cable by Cygolite that was recommended to me on Reddit. Its like Ron Jeremy the Hedgehog. IT just goes and goes its small but mighty but smells better than Ron. . I charged it once and it lasted approximately 42 hrs of use in warm weather.

Link: https://amzn.com/B005DVA57Y

also my REI Flash 22 pack for $33.93 is awesome you have to love the dividends.

If only the Urban lights and motion 200 was as good its a total piece of crap in cold weather it lasts one ride before needing charging in hot weather it needs charging every 5 hours. Their claim of 12 hours on low pulse is bull crap

All lights you purchase will have mounts included with them, look for USB rechargeable lights as opposed to battery operated lights.

On the frame in the rear

Ultra Bright Bike Light Blitzu Cyborg 168T USB Rechargeable Bicycle Tail Light. Red High Intensity Rear LED Accessories Fits On Any Road Bikes, Helmet https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015IEJ0GC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_TOF7radLPpoOj

Under the saddle.


LE Super Bright Bike Light, USB Rechargeable Rear Tail Light, Cycling Light, 4 LEDs, 5 Light Modes, Red, Cable Included, Fits on any Bicycles, Helmets https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0197X16BC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_kdJj4Z6x6Tr61


There are much better lights available, I'm upgrading my front currently. So I don't have a link.
And apologies if the links don't work. Not that tech savvy.

Why lights? Safety. Night or day. Be seen, drivers will pay attention.

hotshots are good, built in battery, and really bright if you want them to be ( adjustable settings )

https://www.amazon.com/Cygolite-Hotshot-2-Watt-Rechargeable-Taillight/dp/B005DVA57Y

Not good for aero seatpost though

Cygolite has really good customer service too, i've contacted them on two separate times about replacement rubber buttons ( lost one in a crash, the other during my ride ) And they mailed me some at no cost.

My headlight from them is kinda poopy, but these taillights are great, mine is going on 2+ years with tons of use and never had any issues and battery still holds fine. Really easy to turn on/off while riding the bike too.

By far, the best cheap light I’ve found is this one by inbike I got it in a lot of amazon return stuff and I didn’t get the mount with it, so I can’t speak for whatever comes with it. The light runs on 18650 cells which are the way to go imo. Pick up a couple more and wall charger and you’re good to go.

I have a version of this one on a couple bikes as well. Same light just non branded. Bright and rechargeable. One has been coated in mud several times and still works fine.

• [Crank Brothers multi tool] (http://www.amazon.com/Crank-Brothers-Bicycle-19-Function-Silver/dp/B0012Q41HY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418363910&sr=8-1&keywords=crank+brothers+multi+tool)
  
  
• [Topeak saddlebag] (http://www.amazon.com/Topeak-Aero-Wedge-Buckle-Medium/dp/B000FIAU8O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418364745&sr=8-1&keywords=topeak+saddle+bag)
  
  
• [Cygolite Metro 400 Headlight] (http://www.amazon.com/Cygolite-Metro-400-Rechargeable-Headlight/dp/B00LXTOT6I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418364255&sr=8-1&keywords=cygolite+metro+400)
  
  
• [Cygolite Hotshot Taillight] (http://www.amazon.com/Cygolite-Hotshot-2-Watt-Rechargeable-Taillight/dp/B005DVA57Y/ref=pd_bxgy_sg_text_y)
  
  
• [CatEye Wireless Bike Computer] (http://www.amazon.com/CatEye-Wireless-Bicycle-Computer-CC-VT220W/dp/B004RE783W/ref=sr_1_16?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1418364327&sr=1-16&keywords=cateye)
  
  
• [Finish Line Chain Lube] (http://www.amazon.com/Finish-Line-Bicycle-4-Ounce-Squeeze/dp/B002IDZXRM/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting)
  
  
• [Genuine Innovations CO2 Inflator] (http://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Innovations-G2628-Ultraflate-Inflator/dp/B002AGI1QW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420015344&sr=8-1&keywords=innovations+co2+inflator)
  
  If you're looking to up your riding game, everything listed above will save you from any trouble you have on the road. Cycling computer is always neat to have too!
  
  Cygolite Metro 400 and the Hotshot are brilliant. The lights definitely pack a strong punch. I'll tell you right now, unless the lighting in your town sucks ass or you go off road riding, the metro 400 is a great light and you don't really need to go much higher than that.
  

Here's what I have-

Backpack: https://www.dakine.com/en-us/bags/backpacks/street-backpacks/mission-25l-backpack-17w/

Helmet: https://triple8.com/product/the-certified-sweatsaver/?category_name=skate

Shoes: https://www.vans.com/shop/suede-canvas-old-skool#hero=0

Pads: https://triple8.com/product/saver-series-3-pack-box/?category_name=skate

I only used all of the pads for about the first week or so, but I still wear the wrist guards-they've prevented serious injuries!

​

Board light (tail of the board): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015IEJ0GC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Board light #2 (front of the board): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015IFA03I/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Front Backpack light (goes on my backpack strap, or hooked to my jacket on my forward facing shoulder): https://www.olightstore.com/h1r-cool-white.html

Back Backpack light (goes around my backpack): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00N1SM2NQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The board lights aren't super bright, they're mostly so people can see what I'm riding. The O light makes riding at night very safe, and my back light has great visibility.

As for tools, I carry my skate tool and a couple of hexes, and some spare belts. I have a charger I leave in my office and one in my backpack all the time.

​

Hope this helps!

Ride your board as is for a while, after a couple of miles you will convince yourself (as I did) that you need the following mods:

Flatland3g Shock Pads

Caguamas (I went orange 85mm)

Lights I'm going this route: https://www.nubx3d.com/victagen-lights-riser-minisx

https://www.amazon.com/Victagen-Flashlight-Rechargeable-Water-Resistant-Commuting/dp/B07D4BJ3C7/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1549286245&sr=8-2-spons&keywords=victagen+bike+light&psc=1

Taillight: https://www.reddit.com/r/boostedboards/comments/9djlnt/mini_x_tail_lights_installed_thanks_to_frogger97/

https://www.amazon.com/Nkomax-Rechargeable-Waterproof-Intensity-Accessories/dp/B07DF8RTM4/ref=sr_1_6?crid=1L3UVZN6DV5IW&dchild=1&keywords=bicycle+tail+light&qid=1569614595&s=gateway&sprefix=bicycle+tail+%2Caps%2C150&sr=8-6

Bearings don't make any difference so skip that.

Enjoy your board and know that it is a bumpier ride, get good shoes with some gel insoles or something, that helps. I love my Mini

Sorry, I am just seeing this. The horn is:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01A7Y5EEK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It's pretty loud.

Now, the blinker broke pretty quickly. It worked great and then when the battery ran down it just wouldn't charge back up. So, I returned it:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XXHDQLN/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I got this one and it's worked great, so far:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MKMTR8Q/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have a Cygolite Metro 1100 and Light & Motion Urban 650. Both are enough to see with and ride around 20mph on paved surfaces. They are supposed to last ~1.5hrs at peak output. After dark, I ride with both.

I find that the typical advertised runtime on 500+ lumen lights doesn't go past 2hrs without an additional battery pack (not all have swappable batteries). Only the cheap lights aren't weather resistant.

Other brands such as Nite Rider, Lezyne, and Cateye make some really bright lights. I wouldn't go below 500 lumens if you ride with any pace.

As for taillights, a Cygolite Hotshot and Light & Motion Vis 180. I think I go a good week before recharging. I ride with both after dark and one all the time.

As far as flashing and constant, I do one of each in back when in traffic, constant on trails. Headlights are always constant and I turn off the super bright one on trails.

Personally? I prefer lights with standard li-ion batteries, like 18650's. You're going to get a more consistent brightness through each charge cycle and the life of the battery, you can invest in batteries and continue to use them with other devices, etc.

That said, I haven't found a taillight that took standard li-ion batteries that I liked. I went with a Cygolite Hotshot SL, which uses an internal li-ion battery, usb rechargeable.

For the headlight though, I use a flashlight and mount with my 18650s - I have about a dozen of them I use for all sorts of projects, along with a few 18350s, 18500's, 14600's, etc. So for me it made sense to get one of these. Bonus, it came with two more batteries for me to use.

Both the cygolite and a flashlight with a mount are easily removed, and last a long while. I take mine off and toss them in my bag to bring with me to work every day.

If you want to skip strapping something to the post, check this light out: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DF8RTM4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

​

It straps onto the rails of the saddle so it's tucked out of the way and won't shift around. May not be the best option if you're running hydration behind the saddle for tri, but I love it for my road bike (Felt AR with a fat aero post). It also has a bunch of cool features like auto on/off when you start moving and going white when you're braking. Battery lasts forever too.

I've used a Cygolite Hotshot for years now all-weather year-'round riding. The standard bracket is just the plastic clip one, there are some others available as additional purchases like a rack bracket (a must for any light I buy, personally). It's been through more storms than I can count, so, the water-sealing is fine. It's visible even in bright summer daylight, and at night I have to angle it down if riding with friends or they can't see very well when behind me. Recharges with micro USB. Great product, haven't been tempted by anything else since. http://www.amazon.com/Cygolite-Hotshot-2-Watt-Rechargeable-Taillight/dp/B005DVA57Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1449153336&sr=8-1&keywords=cygolite+hotshot

I've found buying from places like dx.com (basically a chinese distributor) to be really good for buying inexpensive lights. I currently use these:

http://www.dx.com/p/bicycle-bike-2-mode-3-led-red-light-tail-warning-safety-light-red-white-2-x-aaa-120031

which is a direct knock off of http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Bike-Blinky-eXtreme-Bicycle/dp/B000KBEH1W/

and

http://www.dx.com/p/singfire-sf-607-2-x-cree-xm-l-t6-2000lm-cool-white-4-mode-bicycle-flashlight-black-4-x-18650-230382

which while not anywhere close to the brightest headlight that they sell, is brighter than any bike light I've seen on the road at full power. (I typically ride around the city at the low or 1/4 power setting and ride on dark trails at medium or 1/2 power setting) At full power, I measured it at 15 Watts which is huge for an LED light (equivalent to a 60W lightbulb and almost as much as a car headlight).

Do you want them to see in the dark, or to be seen?

These are the best:
http://www.dinottelighting.com/

They are not cheap.

Here is a much more affordable tail light:
http://www.amazon.com/Cygolite-Hotshot-2-Watt-Rechargeable-Taillight/dp/B005DVA57Y/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1372712157&sr=8-4&keywords=cygolite+bike+lights

In my opinion, any of the super cheap blinky lights (e.g. Knog, ~$10) are a waste of money. They won't make you more noticeable. I don't know how much you care, but there are plenty of youtube videos demonstrating how bright some of these lights are. Without knowing your budget, it's hard to recommend something.

I just bought this Cygolite Metro 360 head light and this Cygolite Hotshot tail light a few days ago. They are well reviewed and seem blindingly bright when I look at them inside. Several different flash modes and are both USB rechargeable.

As for other products which can save your life, a cell phone and a credit/debit card will be useful if you're stranded somewhere. Wearing a Road ID will be helpful to emergency personnel if you're unable to communicate.

This one I have - cheapish and pretty bright - Planet Bike Superflash bike tail light https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000KBEH1W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_J2p7BbMVMEARK

This one is a little more and twice as bright - NiteRider Solas 250 Tail Light Black, One Size https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DGGJGXJ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_53p7BbTK9EEPW

This one is semi expensive but heavy duty. It's a bit on the big side too. I think it would work good on molle webbing. I have a tactical backpack myself and was thinking about picking it up. Blackburn Dayblazer 125 Tail Light Black, One Size https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DFRQNZL/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_f5p7BbDTNVG7G

Edit : These all work well for me with my tactical backpack but depends one what your rocking

FWIW, I'm in the Pacific Northwest and commute all year.

I've been using this gear with great success and good relative comfort:

http://amzn.com/B00DQZ0S3K

https://www.showerspass.com/products/club-shoe-covers

http://www.columbia.com/mens-evapouration-jacket-RM2023.html

http://amzn.com/B00435IPFK

http://amzn.com/B008KUXRAW

Wear your helmet over your hood, and a pair of regular safety glasses. When it is really cold I add a balaclava and a fleece jacket. Fenders are a must to keep the dirt down, and I use this lube in the winter:

http://amzn.com/B000WYCD5O

I have an old pair of windproof campmor gloves that are no longer made. If you get cold just pedal harder. It almost never happens, I'm usually too hot.

Your bike depends on your distance, speed and budget. Make sure you get disc brakes, mandatory in my opinion for the higher speeds. This is my ride: http://i.imgur.com/bXXJkjS.jpg, just passed 1400 miles. It is BBS02 on a Kona Dew, I've since switched to Schwalbe Marathon tires. Cost about $1100 and has already paid for itself in gas and parking. 35mph for ~10 miles, 25 mph for 30-40 miles.

Oh, and fuck the snow and ice. Those are the days I drive or work from home.

For rear lights, I recently scientifically determined that the Cygolite Hotshot 2W is the best rear light under $200 you can find (it's $27, and nothing else in that price range compares). You can read my full comparison of 15 different popular rear lights here, as well as the related reddit discussion.

Not to mention they're not even that expensive. Nice rear rechargeables can be bought for $15, mine even came with a multi-tool for that price.

Front lights can be found rechargeable for like $50 which, to be honest, I haven't seen anything cheaper than that rechargeable or otherwise that produced a safe amount of light for winter riding here.

Yep and they are pretty bright. I use to use two blitzu 120T lights and they were considerably bright and only $15 each. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00W7Y27CQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_RlG2xbP69Q54V

Here are some links for the product in the above comment for different countries:

Amazon Smile Link: Nite Rider CHerry Bomb


|Country|Link|Charity Links|
|:-----------|:------------|:------------|
|USA|smile.amazon.com|EFF|
|UK|www.amazon.co.uk|Macmillan|
|Spain|www.amazon.es||
|France|www.amazon.fr||
|Germany|www.amazon.de||
|Canada|www.amazon.ca||
|Italy|www.amazon.it||




To help donate money to charity, please have a look at this thread.

This bot is currently in testing so let me know what you think by voting (or commenting). The thread for feature requests can be found here.

True, it is quite interesting. One thing about it is that generally speaking I ride as if nobody even sees me (in other words extremely defensively) and if I am riding around on that premise, then why would I need to signal - assuming no one even sees me to begin with..?

Now I don't want to make it seem as if I'm *trying* to not be seen, nothing could be further from the truth. In fact I use the built-in headlights/tailights on my scooter as daytime running lights, as well as an extremely super-bright aftermarket headlight https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071ZJYF78 as well as *two* rear aftermarket tail lights with turn signals https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XXHDQLN and https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NJ7B693 yes I actually have all of those installed just so I can be seen!

But.... I still drive with the assumption that most drivers are not looking for me, because that is in fact the unfortunate truth.

A headlamp is the best option for seeing exactly what you're looking at. This headlamp is a beast and can easily be used as a regular flashlight too. The battery is rechargable with just a cable, no hub. Additionally, it has 3 regular modes, turbo mode and SOS mode just in case:

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B075ZN5LJY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I see you (foolishly) don't wear a helmet, but for others that are interested; the headlamp fits under my helmet no problem

​

I put this red light on the back of the board just so I look more like an actual vehicle. It also has a white mode so I'm thinking about getting a second one as a "headlight" I use the quotes because I'm not certain if it's actually bright enough to light my path:

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07253G165/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

​

I also grabbed these rechargable lights with a blink or solid color mode. They have a clip built in, but they also come with 2 different length canvas straps so you can attach them to an arm or backpack or just about anything:

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B071X6V4S3/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

​

​

Based on the usage you described, I think the best bang for buck is the following:

Front light: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HU11ZG

Back light: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000RYAKHC

If you want to go even cheaper, I picked these up for my girlfriend last week and was shocked at how awesome, small, and bright these were: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001RC9NHG

I'm using a Radbot 1000 by Portland Design Works, it is super bright and its pretty cheap.

Maybe just the metro 850 for $40?

Or the fenders: a good SKS Longboard set is in the $40-50 range.

For a tail light, I like the hotrod better than the hotshot. Hmm, there's now an even brighter model to consider.

I can confirm that the Tech EOS kicks ass. Battery life is impressive considering how small it is (I've ridden every day for around an hour for the past month and a half and it's still going fine). Bright enough that I can avoid potholes.

Also, the PDW Danger Zone is an awesome tail light. I've used it with the Tech EOS and it's still kicking as well. It's a really bright fucking tail light, and it looks sweet.

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

​

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

I use a Cygolite Metro 550 up front, and a Blitzu Blitzu Cyborg 168T on the rear.

I don't use turn/brake lights. I don't think they offer an added benefit, and are kinda fiddly to get them to work 100% reliably. If you're using a signaling device ... it should be 100% reliable. I think having a rear flasher is plenty as it simply says "See me! I'm a bicycle and slower than you!".

The cygolite is plenty bright for riding on unlit roads, and has multiple modes/brightness levels. I mostly use the "strobe" during daylight hours, and "steady pulse" mode after sunset.

The blizu offers a few brightness levels on "steady", as well as 3 flashing modes (strobe, bright pulse, less-bright pulse). The strobe mode is very fast ... like a strobe light in a disco. The pulse mode is sort of "normal" flashing like a car's turn signal. I use the "strobe" mode during the day for its attention-grabbing ability, and the less-frantic "pulse" mode at night to ensure it gets people's attention without inducing seizures.

Both are USB rechargeable, which was a big deciding factor for me. I hate having to buy/replace batteries all the time. A "desired" feature would be a design that allows USB charging with replaceable batteries (using industry-standard sizes) for longer outings, but these generally last long enough for most of my excursions.

CONTINUED


The Bike

It is commonly accepted to use a basic mountain bike with winter tires. [/u/rebeldefector] prefer[s] a bike with no suspension. It may also be best to use a bike you don't love; the winter is very hard on the frame, and many places sand and salt the roads.

I use my Cross bike in the winter, with my standard tires. When it will get a little snowy, I'll let some air out.

_

Some people swear by winter bikes such as these:

http://www.surlybikes.com/bikes/pugsley_complete/

http://salsacycles.com/bikes/mukluk/

Some people just swear by the tires...

I've only ridden one in the summer, I don't own one, but I don't think it's fast enough for me.~[/u/rebeldefector]
___
_

Bike Gear


Headlights

Cygolite site

Since the headlight you need will vary heavily depending on how well your route is lit, the quality of your trails, whether or not you are riding at night, whether or not you are riding alone, traffic conditions, weather conditions, and so on... I've opted to give you an Amazon search

I recommend heading to your local bike shop to discuss it with them, or visiting.... one... of... these... threads... or checking this search.

Bear in mind that if you ride will be long, maybe 2 hours or longer, you may need to forgo USB lights for regular batteries so you can bring along spares.



Tail Lights
_

Surprisingly bright, but arguably not the best. I'd like to know if any of you have good opinions on any specific lights designed for an underside rack mount

Check out the 2012 tail light review

Or this reddit search

___
_
Bar End Lights
_
Honestly, these suck, and I have had to repair them more than once. If you have better ones let me know.~[/u/rebeldefector]

Given that I have no experience with these, I give you an Amazon search for bar end lights

If anyone has a preference I can update.

___
_
Fenders

Plenty of options available, all of them likely appropriate. Spoil yourself.~[/u/rebeldefector]

Check with your local bike store!

Make sure they are wide enough to fit your tires, narrow enough to fit in your forks!


Panniers/Racks

Save yourself from a sore sweaty back if you have gear to carry, you will thank me later. It's advisable to get waterproof luggage, or rain covers. Sometimes snow melts while it's falling out of the sky. ~[/u/rebeldefector]

Check with your local bike store!




Pedals

Anything works, but one guy suggested:

Most people I know use clip in pedals of some variation.~[/u/rebeldefector]

(Most people I know too!)



Brakes

I use some cheapo side-pull brakes. Some prefer disc brakes for winter riding. With either of those you have to watch for ice and snow build up. I intend on giving drum brakes a try sometime soon, since the mechanism is internal and sealed from the elements. ~[/u/rebeldefector]

I prefer cantilevered brakes as it leaves room for mud and gunk without clogging. Other have advised for disc brakes because they aren't getting as dirty/wet. Ymmv.



Drivetrain



It has been suggested to carry a small blowtorch, to thaw frozen chains... logical. This hookah torch looks cool.


Internal gear hubs will save you deraileur headaches.

I've heard of chain cases to keep your chain away from the snow as well; but you might have to craft your own.


Another approach would be be to go belt-driven.



Tires


I don't have much for personal suggestions here. I've little experience with real winter tires.~[/u/rebeldefector]

Neither do I. I use my CX tires with low air.


If you are seriously considering them, which I am, you may want to read this article about studded tires:






Storage


Storage Thread TL;DR: Use a garage. If not, bring in tires, oil parts that shouldn't rust or wherever moisture might accumulate.

Note: If you are removing tires to bring inside, note your pressures. If you pump up to max pressure in the cold, bringing them in will cause over-pressure. And vice-versa, having them at pressure inside will be lower pressure in the cold. Take care.




Maintenance

Check Sheldon Brown's online guides and/or download this e-book: Bicycle Maintenance Made Ridiculously Easy

Never use WD-40 on your bike as a lubricant. It is NOT a lube.

If anyone links you here, they are dicking with you. Do not do this.



Maintain the Chain

Read this. (Also consider reading everything else he has to say about bike maintenance, because he is awesome.)

Clean and oil your chain. I like every 200-300 miles. Your chain will inevitably end up caked with salt, dirt, and grime while riding in the rainy and snowy months. Water and grime will make every contact point a wear surface, you want to minimize this, so keep it clean.

Consider a chain cleaner - $9.96...
and chain oil - $17.25

Wipe off excess oil so filth doesn't accumulate on it.

Some have said you can use chain saw "chain and bar" oil, but others counter that it's too thick/sticky and will accumulate too much dirt. Still others say you can use it mixed with mineral oil to thin it out. This is considerably cheaper option, but I can't personally attest to its viability.

Check that your chain hasn't stretched. The stretching can be exacerbated by the winter grime, especially if you don't clean frequently enough. Check out how near the bottom of this link I already posted..


Brakes

Make sure the braking surface of your tire (or discs) are clear of dirt and debris. Allowing it to remain there will accelerate the wearing of your pads.

Check your brake pads regularly that they are not below the limit line. You don't want to not have brakes when it gets wet and slippery.



Tire Care

Keep your tires true. See this. Or this.

Consider replacing your inner tubes. After a while, they can wear out and go flat even without puncture.

Check for cracking rubber, bad seals, or old worn tread. You want good tread for winter in the snow.

Regularly check your pressure. Consider riding lower pressure if you have muddy or snowy conditions.



Derailleur Care

Make sure your derailleur isn't bent or damaged, they stick out and can take abuse without you realizing it.

Everything you ever wanted to know about adjusting your derailleur, adjusting/replacing cables, etc.



Fork Abuse

Your fork oil should be fine into the coldest of temperatures.

Check your forks for cracks and damage carefully, as the mud and salt layers can obscure them easily.



Overall

Do not bring your cold, wet bike into a warm place. It will get massive amounts of condensation on it and rust. If you must, hang it to allow it to drain. There are "frame saver" products on the market to treat this, but I have never used them and don't know what to recommend.

Keep shifting surfaces and gaps as dry as possible. Pay attention to your shifters, headset, and saddle tubes for moisture and rust. When snow and ice melts, the water seeps into the nooks and crannies, so be mindful.




Relevant (recent) threads not already linked

___

What is your gear setup?

Lazy links in no particular order. I may sort them into categories and neat links later, but I have a meeting to run!
http://www.reddit.com/r/bicycling/comments/1nfnl9/can_anyone_recommend_a_good_face_maskneck_warmer/
http://www.reddit.com/r/bicycling/comments/1ngwuo/need_recommendations_for_new_pedals/
http://www.reddit.com/r/bicycling/comments/1m1aow/preparing_for_winter_riding_rapha_gabba_gore_or/
http://www.reddit.com/r/bicycling/comments/1msdec/questions_about_bike_gear_winter_riding_and_using/

http://www.amazon.com/Cygolite-Hotshot-2-Watt-Rechargeable-Taillight/dp/B005DVA57Y

This is hands down the best rear light out there. There are three or four modes of flashing types and you're able to increase or decrease the tempo of each.

The light is so bright that the red light is visible on the ground behind you.

It's also rechargeable.

They have a mini version too, and it's just as powerful.

This is probably the best tail light you can get. its a full watt and the brightest you can get for 30 bucks. Almost everyone I know rides with these.

http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Bike-Blinky-Superflash-Turbo/dp/B004U5PV5A/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1374801374&sr=1-1&keywords=superflash+turbo

I was eyeing this, which are supposedly pretty good if you can find a way to mount them, as seen here on this Zero 8: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=uJovGdgYkEA (it looks like they use this to mount it)

I think it's time to modernize to a 400 lumen plus light. The strobe mode greatly increases your visibility to others. Where I am, I see some cyclists using two or three of these headlights during the day strobing.

Just upgraded my 600 lumens to 2000 lumens version that can be plugged into my Bionx battery.

A head mounted camera is a great visual deterrent. Research the battery life however. Some may be limited to 20 to 30 minutes before needing a recharge.

I think Cycliq's products are the only dashcam solution at this time. Check reviews.

• https://www.amazon.com/Fly12-1080p-Camera-Lumen-light/dp/B01FRTK1XE
  
  
• https://www.amazon.com/Fly6-Rear-Camera-Lumen-light/dp/B01JIEL94Y
  
  Another thought.... with the summer heat and earlier sunsets... I'm now adding affordable spoke lights to my wheels for the cool sunset twilight rides. Running on rechargeable AAA's, these lights increase my visiblility at night...
  
  
• https://www.amazon.com/Waterproof-Bicycle-Different-Patterns-Warning/dp/B01N40PGWT
  
  
• https://www.amazon.com/AIKELIDA-Bike-Wheel-Lights-Decorations/dp/B01N1I3ULT/
  
  
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bebLN-Z6Smk

I commute to work at night as well. I use a Cygolite Expillion 350 headlight on the front and two Planet Bike Superflash taillights on the back. I also wear a yellow traffic safety vest with retro-reflective stripes.

I have been riding at night for more than a year now without incident. I have been told by a coworker who passed me riding to work at night that he could see me a half mile away, lit up and glowing like a Christmas tree. All of this stuff will cost about $100, but it could save your life.

This one is my favorite of the lights I use, and it's rechargeable:

https://www.amazon.com/Blitzu-Rechargeable-Intensity-Accessories-Flashlight/dp/B015IEJ0GC/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1511376731&sr=8-6&keywords=

This one also works great, and runs on 2x AAA batteries:

https://www.amazon.com/CatEye-Omni-Bike-Light-Rear/dp/B008QVXQ1K/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1511376770&sr=8-8&keywords=

For the front, I use this thingy with any number of rechargeable (18650 powered) flashlights that I have:

https://www.amazon.com/Two-Fish-Lockblocks-Flashlight-Holder/dp/B001CJXB5E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1511376885&sr=8-1&keywords=

I generally have to ride kitted out because I can't be in the sun for very long. I find my entire kit very comfortable though more so for being outside. If its a quick trip it isn't worth the time to change. Any more then that and I'll be physically cooler, and more comfortable on longer rides. I can't be outside for too long because of vitiligo without covering up anyways.

I use cameras for multiple purposes. To document interactions, to document idiotic actions -- even mine. Their main purpose though is to have a record in case of an accident and for that purpose I want to be able to clearly identify the driver and license plate. This requires good resolution front and back. I'm tempted to just use two generic go pro style cameras but then I'll have to remember to turn them on, charge them, etc. I'd like one battery pack at most and maybe one switch.

I have a very bright front headlight similar to this that runs off of a battery pack. We have a total of 4 battery packs that we use over 2 different bicycles. The backlights I have are AAA powered and I keep a backup (lights and batteries). I currently switched lights and I have about 6 of the new ones and maybe 3 of the old ones. I also typically care 2 or 3 cheap "to be seen" emergency lights.

Best experience is having a really crappy day at work and taking all the frustration out on the way home crushing my record. I'm just too physically exhausted to be upset. Then, after I've relaxed I perk up and realize that I just crushed my previous best travel time.

My worst experiences excluding being hit or nearly hit would be engaging with idiots that yell at me. Normally I let it go but sometimes I won't because I'm tired of it and I'll catch up to yell at them. For me to have the desire and ability to do this I've got to be pretty pissed which means I'm potentially running into a really shitty situation blind. I never worry about it in the moment, but after the fact in reflection I feel pretty stupid even if I haven't had anybody go physically psychotic on me.

I don't worry about getting injured while flying in an air plane, riding a buss, driving a car, or letting a co-worker who thinks she is the female version of Andretti drive me around. To me cycling isn't any more dangerous then any of these activities. Some of them its actually less dangerous. I try not to let fear paralyze me. I read what I can to learn how to ride the safest I can. I'll position myself in such a way that I'm the safest I can be based on experts and their research.

I'm not sure what would make me more comfortable on a bike. Maybe a bluetooth speaker that gives me several mounting options and has a quick release retention system so I can take it with me. Currently I'm using this I've modified it to work with a velco strap on its rubber mounting. I mount it on the stem just before the drop bars. I'd prefer other mounting options, and better battery life. Currently it only works for about 4-5 hours.

What's your price range? That affects the options quite a bit.

How dark is your area - are you looking for something to ensure cars can see you (i.e. do you have streetlights on your whole route) or are you going to need the light to actually see? That affects how much power you need.

For taillights, I love the PDW Danger Zone. Not that expensive, quite bright, and its variable flash setting is very attention getting. I have one on each of my bikes and never leave home without it.

For headlights, there are a lot of options out there. I commute down some dark bike trails at night, so I have a Niterider Minewt 600, which was the predecessor to their current Lumina 650. It's stunning - waterproof, durable, extremely bright (on high, I can go 20-25mph in pitch black with great confidence, and most of the time I just leave it on low or medium for fear of blinding people), very good battery life (I recharge it a couple times a month), and USB rechargable so I just bring it in at work occasionally and charge it there. It's not the cheapest, but if you're planning on bike commuting long term it's a solid investment (I've had mine for over a year and it shows no signs of dying any time soon).

I'm primarily a cyclist actually and I first saw the material on a runner. I'm convinced it's saved me on the road when I'm riding in low-light conditions. Still, I also have been taking initiative to upgrade my bike lights and now ride with:

• Front light #1 - WindFire 3800Lm
  
• Front light #2 - Cygolite 850Lm
  
• Tail light - Cygolite Hotshot
  
  My tail light is a little weak and I need to double-up or get a brighter one, I think.
  
  Stay safe!

I changed the bearings to reds following: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0B43P1zPmZQ and the front wheels roll much much longer and i get a bit more mileage now (awesome job to the original poster)

I added the nose guard from http://www.motionboardshop.com/products/oberand-noseguard-loaded-vanguard-longboard

I added blitzu lights that fit perfectly around the trucks. Back: http://www.amazon.com/Blitzu-Cyclops-120T-Rechargeable-Light/dp/B00W7Y27CQ

front: http://www.amazon.com/Generation-Blitzu-Cyclops-Rechargeable-Headlight/dp/B00W7XFCH4

to prevent scratches i added 3M car door guard strips i had lying around to the bottom. They are hard plastic similar to what are on sliding gloves long boarders use. I got them from auto zone, after a few hits just peel them off and stick new ones on. They are designed to stick onto car doors on cars going 60 mph or faster so it stays put


These are what the lights look like at "night", basically in the bathroom in total darkness: http://postimg.org/image/bpdwkbh57/ my camera can't pick up the brightness level properly but these basically light up the whole floor in front of you and for a good 4-5 feet out which is why i prefer they naturally point down so i dont blind anyone

I use these, more than bright enough for road/ path use, easy to use settings, keeps me safe. I don't really feel like I need any more than what these have to offer, if I did come to that point, I'd got for a light with an external battery pack.

Front light is a Serfas elume 600: https://www.amazon.com/Serfas-Lume-Aluminum-Body-Headlight/dp/B01M24OTZ5

Rear light: https://www.amazon.com/Planet-Bike-Superflash-bike-light/dp/B000KBEH1W/ref=pd_bxgy_468_img_3?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B000KBEH1W&pd_rd_r=9445d122-5f86-11e8-8c7c-4dd2a68dec07&pd_rd_w=chLdr&pd_rd_wg=YID3e&pf_rd_i=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=3914568618330124508&pf_rd_r=MHEJ7YYDSXNR3W7CW256&pf_rd_s=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_t=40701&psc=1&refRID=MHEJ7YYDSXNR3W7CW256

• Tubes: anything you find will work
  
• Patch kit: I like Einstein's patch kit because the patches are small, thin, and have feathered edges. Rema patches work too, but they're larger. I prefer small patches because the vast majority of tube failures are small punctures and the patch is already a zillion times larger than the hole. I dislike sticker patches and I don't trust them.
  
• Bike pump: The Lezyne pressure drive is small and dependable. Get the carbon fiber one if you want to save grams. I don't use a CO2 inflater because I think they are wasteful and of limited utility.
  
• Seat post bag: Really, anything will work
  
• Water bottle: Whatever you have lying around.
  
• Multitool: I like the Topeak Hexus II. It is compact, and has most of the tools you'll need for on-the-road fixes, including a chain tool.
  
• Pliers: There is NOTHING on your bike that you should use pliers on. Use the proper tools for the job.
  
• Tire levers: Any will work, but my favorites are the Soma steel core.
  
• Rear light: Anything will do. I like the Planet Bike Superflash.
  
• Front light: This totally depends on how often you commute in the dark, and what your environment is like. If you're riding on well-lit city streets, your needs will differ a lot from someone riding on rural roads or unlit trails. I use a SON generator hub with the Lumotec IQ Cyo and the combination is awesome. But not everyone needs that kind of setup.

Does that light work with the Cateye rack mount?

If not, I use a Cygolite Hotshot with the Cygolite rack mount which works really well. The Cygolite is great bang for your buck.

cygolite 350 worth every penny. You will BE SEEN and SEE everything. Don't skimp on lights, they could save your life one day.

this is a good rear light if you don't already have one.

I just wanted to emphasize that you should get a U-lock and lights. The majority of bikes that get stolen had cables locking them.

This headlight and tail light are extraordinarily bright and well priced. It's worth your safety to spend thirty dollars for these, they're durable and easily attached and removed.

>bike lights for nighttime

And don't skimp on these. I use these:

Front: MiNewt 300 (300 lumens) - lights up the road like this


Back: Radbot 1000 - lighting looks like this

[Edit] The front light is probably overkill when you have streetlamps. However at night, the beam projects pretty far in front of your bike, giving drivers at cross streets a good warning that you're coming. This is especially useful when you don't have stop sign but cross traffic does - they're more likely to wait for you to pass since they can actually see you.

Ideally you should have a small saddle bag mounted under the saddle with a spare tube and other essentials. This has a reflector strip that illuminates pretty well. Then on the seat stay you can mount the actual rear light.

It's a 2013 Motobecane Gran Premio. Steel frame with Shimano 105 parts on it. There will be some slight white scratches on the left side of the top tube.

Everything you see in the first photo was on the bike except for the camelbak bottles. This includes [a Satechi Bikemate Slim Case] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006N0T674/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1), a [Cosmos bike speaker] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005WO7ECG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1), an Avenir Big Mouth bag, a Mirrycle bell, a Planet Bike Super Flash, and two Topeak black plastic adjustable bottle cages.

The bike was stolen near Johnson and Wales university. I previously registered the bike and serial with the police in my hometown and I will be able to recover the serial number tomorrow.

Thanks in advance for keeping an eye out!

This is the one I use.

I don’t have a headlight as of now but I’m in the market. The taillight is great because it is rechargeable, has a remote so that you can use the turn signal feature, it’s bright, and at night you can have it point lasers down next to your wheel. I’ve ridden with it on rough trails, through mud, through rain storms and haven’t had a problem yet.

I use the Cygolite Dash 350 & HS Micro 30 Combo with the Micro on the back of my helmet. I've been using this for about a year, and I'm very happy with the battery duration and brightness.

I recently added a Fly6[v] HD Rear Bike Camera on my seatpost.

I like having my rear light act as a "brake" light since I cycle on the road a lot.

I got this because it looks awesome. Rechargeable, auto-on (turns on when it starts moving and turns itself off after a minute not moving), pretty bright.

When I used to use a saddlebag (instead of a tool bag in a bottle cage like I do now), I used one of these mounted on the seatpost. Also has "brake light" function.

My absolutely fav tail light. Bright, with a wicked flasher mode that is great even in the day.

http://www.amazon.com/Portland-Design-Works-Danger-Light/dp/B00435IPFK/ref=lp_2367799011_1_11?s=cycling&ie=UTF8&qid=1413947269&sr=1-11

I like these:
https://www.amazon.com/Blitzu-Rechargeable-Intensity-Accessories-Flashlight/dp/B015IEJ0GC

They are USB rechargeable a decent form factor, moderately water resistant and bright enough to be seen. They make a front and a rear. I have a set on each of my bikes. They are long and narrow and you can change the orientation by 90 degrees so you can put it in line with your handlebars or turn it 90 to be in line with your seat post so they blend well in daylight.

Those lights, while they look cool, do a TERRIBLE job of making you visible. And that's the whole point of a light in the first place. And since the light-portion is so small all it takes is a few flecks of mud and they're all but invisible.

Want a good light, go for something like the PlanetBike SuperFlash.

Some lights and a helmet are top on my list. Any recommendations on lights? I've got Prime so Amazon makes sense to get something quick and likely cheaper than a local shop. This is what I'm leaning towards. Areas I'd ride at night are pretty visible, so definitely just need something to alert surrounding cars.

Rear light

Front light

For my commute, this is what I do:

-I track it using Strava

-I keep a flat tire repair kit with me (mini pump, tire levers, patch kit, and spare tube)

-I have a headlight and a taillight and I use them DAY and night.

Taillight - http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Bike-3034-1-Blinky-Superflash/dp/B0015R40JE/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1333388151&sr=8-3

Headlight - http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Bike-Blaze-2Watt-Headlight/dp/B0015R1NE4/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1333388229&sr=1-1

-If it's hot and/or the rainy season, I keep a change of clothes with me in a pannier, as well as the necessary supplies to clean up before changing into them.

-For long distance commutes like yours, I always have a change of clothes, because the sweat will be inevitable.

-Water!

-Plastic bags to hold my shoes/sandals/wet clothes

I would suggest multiple flashing red lights facing the rear so there is no question of your existence. People tend to drive fast while not paying attention on rural roads, your light display should immediately catch their eye.

Start with something like this

https://www.amazon.com/Cygolite-Hotshot-2-Watt-Rechargeable-Taillight/dp/B005DVA57Y

I have had good success with Cygolite. For the head light I would get at least a 550 lumen one if not more for dark rural roads.

I have the older version of this light.

It has seen over 7,000 miles of use, all sorts of weather conditions , and is two and a half years old now. It' still working although the USB port cover came off and the charging cable needs to put it and wiggled to get it to charge so I'm not expecting to get much longer out of it.

For the $15 I paid, it's been great value for money.

I've not used the niterider, but I sure do like the Cygolite Hotshot. It's also 2w and USB.

Niterider Lumina 750 (or higher) is a great light

Bikes direct has a steal of a deal going right now on the 1100 boost: http://www.bikesdirect.com/incredible_holiday/lumina-1100-boost-lights.htm

Don't go less than 700 lumens, don't settle for a janky flashlight rig.

edit here's a good taillight too: https://www.amazon.com/Cygolite-Hotshot-2-Watt-Rechargeable-Taillight/dp/B005DVA57Y (these things are bright)

For battery tail light I'm a big fan of the Planet Bike's Turbo flasher. It is incredibly bright and the pattern reminds me of a aviation strobes.

https://www.amazon.com/Planet-Bike-Superflash-Turbo-Light/dp/B004U5PV5A?SubscriptionId=AKIAILSHYYTFIVPWUY6Q&tag=duckduckgo-ffab-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B004U5PV5A

Before I switched to dynamo I could make it six months between battery changes.

I'd recommend buying a much better light than that.

http://www.amazon.com/Portland-Design-Works-Radbot-Light/dp/B0030BS30K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1412710721&sr=8-1&keywords=radbot+1000

$18 is not THAT much money, is it?

I currently have 2 rear lights mounted on my Brompton. The saddle light, and this light.

I never turn the Cateye Saddle light on, I just use the Smart Bike Tail Light. I would take the mini saddle light off, but I would just lose it and it's not really in the way.

The Smart Light flashes when it senses movement and when you brake, it turns solid and brightens. I leave it on automatic.

Whats I use:

Headlight, very powerful and better than others I've used

Taillight, multiple flash settings, very visible

Reflective Tape, I cut out some 1 cm wide strips and placed it on my frame and spokes, add visual safety

Most people are going to recommend USB rechargeable lights - however, if you're like me and want to stick to AA/AAA lights, I personally love the Radbot 1000 (it has a reflector built in as a backup), and the Superflash Turbo (different company, but mount compatible with the Radbot).

https://www.amazon.com/Portland-Design-Works-Radbot-Light/dp/B0030BS30K/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1474587656&sr=1-1&keywords=radbot+1000

https://www.amazon.com/Planet-Bike-Blinky-Superflash-Turbo/dp/B004U5PV5A/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1474587685&sr=1-1&keywords=superflash+turbo

Front:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B005WPXNQ6/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

rear:https://smile.amazon.com/Planet-Bike-Blinky-eXtreme-Bicycle/dp/B000KBEH1W/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1473138954&sr=1-1&keywords=planet+bike+superflash+rear+bike+light


And I got this from somebody as a gift, works well so far:
https://smile.amazon.com/Bike-Lane-Laser-Rear-Light/dp/B01BGYF3RI/ref=sr_1_8?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1473138992&sr=1-8&keywords=laser+tail+light

Planet Bike Superflash Turbo rear light - Can be seen over a mile away in the middle of the day in bright sunlight.

For headlights, if it's dark and you need to see, it's hard to beat the inexpensive CREE lights you can find on Amazon for $20-$25. Mine puts out more light than my car's high beams. Just make sure to get the diffuser lens, and aim it downwards a bit as they are kind of a spotlight.

Ampulla Oricycle Rechargeable Bike Tail Light LED - Remote Control, Turning Lights, Ground Lane Alert, Waterproof, Easy Installation for Cycling Safety Warning Light https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XXHDQLN/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_avA3Db4E56GYC

Ive got a rear and head light by the blitzu company and they work great. Rechargeable, 3 different power settings, flashing and non flashing settings, and a decently long battery life. (6 hours)

Edit: headlight
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B015IFA03I/ref=mp_s_a_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1506555869&sr=8-8&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=bicycle+light+blitzu&dpPl=1&dpID=51gyEU3rBNL&ref=plSrch

Taillight
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B015IEJ0GC/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1506555869&sr=8-6&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=bicycle+light+blitzu&dpPl=1&dpID=51D0%2BGi4UaL&ref=plSrch

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)

Here is the non-mobile link from the comment above
***
This bot is supported by the referral link above. If you wish to not use a referral link, you may use this link instead.

If you can afford that you can afford my rear light that is one of the brightest for the cost. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00E1NQ6T6/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1415985141&sr=8-2

I use the Cyborg Blitzu ( https://www.amazon.com/Rechargeable-Intensity-Accessories-Helmets-Flashlight/dp/B015IEJ0GC ) with the mount wrapped around my rear Axiom Streamliner rack's flat bridge in the rear (makes sense when you stare at it), and the light oriented vertically. It's probably a bit floppy but it hasn't fallen off or rotated out of position after ~500 miles. No modification needed.

Cheap too, ~$15? Also has excellent side visibility, which is the primary reason I use it.

Would you mind passing along product info about those heal lights? Also, USB rechargable?

I have been using EverLightFX USB Rechargeable LED... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071X6V4S3?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf clipped onto my riding shoes. Bit of a hack to keep them on, but they work.

The big deal for me is being rechargable for any light element.

Besides Dynamo lights, and helmet lights, and little spoke lights, and lights on my back pack, and some lights on my wrists, I also have a fair amount of reflective tape. If someone hits me they're not going to be able to claim I'm not visible!

just got the cygolite tail light for $23. Bright as fuck and pretty water resistant.

Headlight I went with Serfas 505. Pricey for $70. you could potentially get something as good for cheaper, but the light is solid. Waterproof too, I've left it in the rain a few times.

The light to get is the Planet Bike SuperFlash. It's a fantastic blinky taillight.

Rising at night is my favourite. I actually feel safer when it's dark out. Invest in lights. I use this [front light](light & motion urban 500 bike light (2016), onyx https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01F0FCAKW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_mMRwDbHR7Z8ES) and rear light combo. I feel like its bare minimum though. I bought reflective tape and put it on my helmet too. (Wear a helmet) But the fact is, no matter how much effort you put into making yourself visible, a drunk driver wont see you. I have a cheaper GoPro mounted on my handlebars. That way you have some sort of evidence if anything goes awry.

Side streets are your friend, even if it takes you 5 mins out of the way. I try and avoid Milwaukee and Lincoln mainly because of all the bars on those streets. Just remeber to ride defensively, gont go 35mph just because the roads are clear. It's not a race. Ride safe, buddy!

The Superflash by Planet Bike is one of my favorite rear lights I've used for years. It is crazy bright and has a clip on the back which you can use for bags or if you wear a belt. https://www.amazon.com/Planet-Bike-Superflash-Stealth-light/dp/B0015R40JE

If I'm only traveling to the park in my sneakers (fake ride):

• 1 Water Bottle - Insulated Camelback Podium
  
• Phone
  
• Rear Light - PDW Danger Zone
  
• Front Light - Urban 400
  
  If I'm wearing my kit/shoes (real ride) add:
  
  
• 2nd Bottle
  
• Zip lock bag with patches, spare tube, 2 levers
  
• Multi Tool - crankbrothers m10
  
• Hand Pump - Lezyne Road Drive
  
• Dry Bag for phone/wallet - This one, I think
  
• House Keys
  
• Spare Glasses (so I don't have to use my sunglasses if I'm caught out after dark.)
  
  If I'm going on a 4+ hr ride (long ride,) add:
  
  
• First Aid Kit - Pared-Down version of this
  
• Snack - Recently, I've enjoyed Shot Bloks

For a rear light look at this https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0197X16BC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_e-JWDbS1Y9N5E

I’ve used that for the past year and it’s been flawless

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005DVA57Y?pc_redir=1406372694&robot_redir=1
http://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/ixon-iq-premium-led-139357?currency=5&delivery_country=191

Little bit more expensive. Same tail light. Better front light. You need a $3 adapter for the plug on the German headlight because it has European plugs.

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.

​

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.

http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B005DVA57Y/

I have that one, it's really bright, has a bunch of different blinking patterns, and the battery seems to last quite a while.

I attached an incredibly bright diving light to my helmet with a go pro attachment.

The tail light I used is only for being seen. Shredlights weren't cutting it on my board, but I did have to jerryrig it to the trucks with some t clamps from Ace Hardware.

Fenders: these or these

Rack: Axiom Transit

Lights: Front and tail. If you want a rack-mounted tail light: light and bracket.

Helmet: go to your LBS and try on a few. One-size-fits-all helmets are not as comfortable.

Other: I'd also recommend a puncture kit for when the inevitable happens. Tube, tire levers, CO2 inflator and cartridge.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004CXNY3G/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i02?ie=UTF8&redirect=true

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001CJXB5E/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i00

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001TJ45L6/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i01

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002BZOMYM/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000KBEH1W/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00

ride safe

sure,
used these camps
used these lights
used these screwcaps

I've got two lights I've got off amazon (front, back) and don't really have any frame of reference. Do you have any idea of how 'bright' those are? Or have suggestions? :D

I'd recommend a USB-rechargeable 2w rear light.

I like this one https://www.amazon.com/CygoLite-Hotrod-50-Rechargeable-Bicycle/dp/B013FIWQ5U

It was a this one

It's great, stupid bright and lasts at least two full days but I try to charge it everyday at the office.

>https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B071X6V4S3/ref=ppx\_od\_dt\_b\_asin\_title\_o00\_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I was checking the WOWTAC headlamp you linked, is there a huge noticeable difference between the $20 550 lumens one and the other $30 1050 lumens version? I would prefer not to spend the extra $10 if its not a life changing difference. Not sure which one you own or if you can answer that question

I use the Portland Danger Zone and like it. Really bright and attention getting. While not USB rechargable, the battery life seems reasonable.

Yep: Fly6[v] HD Rear Bike Camera and 30 Lumen Tail light https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JIEL94Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_XEqDAb4SM0KTJ

I'm interested in seeing this list compiled :)

Front: Planet Bike 5 LED: http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Bike-Beamer-Bicycle-Bracket/dp/B000MWRJR8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1325232320&sr=8-1

Rear: Planet Bike 3 Blinky: http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Bike-Blinky-3-Led-Bicycle/dp/B000RYAKHC/ref=pd_sim_sg_1

Backup in case of emergency: It's similar to but not exactly this: http://www.amazon.com/Knog-Beetle-2-LED-Bicycle-Light/dp/B002UD4TQ6/ref=pd_cp_sg_3 Cost about $3

I recommend this: Cygolite Hotshot 2W

They don't come stronger than this one..

I constantly deal with cars at night as I use my board to commute every day along the bike lane. I removed the elastic strap from one of my camping headlights and then used velcro tape to attach that to the front of my helmet. Similarly, I took a bicycle brake light and used velcro tape to attach that to the back of my helmet. The two of them combined ensures that cars see me at night, especially when they're somewhat close by and preparing to take a right turn in front of me. Seeing as how low to the ground shredlights are, I doubt that they're going to be effective in those high traffic situations. However, you said you're going to be riding at 1am, so maybe my level of visibility won't be as necessary.

Headlamp: $9 (I used an old one that was lying around)

Bike Brake Light: $5

Velcro Tape: $7.50 (You only need a small piece, so you can save the rest for other DIY)

Personally, I think this is the best solution as other board-mounted lights will come loose after a while from the vibrations. Plus, you can look straight at a car that's about to do something stupid and set your headlamp to "flashing" so that they pay attention.

I highly recommend the Planet Bike SuperFlash, but it's not exactly cheap @ ~$25 just for the rear light.

http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Bike-3034-1-Blinky-Superflash/dp/B0015R40JE

Had this one 2-3 months. Hasn't died yet, but get the wide-angle lens to go with it - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006QQX3C4/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Decent taillight - http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Bike-3034-1-Blinky-Superflash/dp/B0015R40JE/ref=sr_1_3?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1397599833&sr=1-3&keywords=superflash

I have flashing LED lights which you can't miss in the dark. Red in the back and white in the front.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015IEJ0GC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

<3

You can make them shorter:

http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Bike-3034-1-Blinky-Superflash/dp/B0015R40JE

Or even shorter:

http://amazon.com/dp/B0015R40JE

Just buy this bright-ass 1 watt light with built in reflector.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0030BS30K/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Buy one of these:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0030BS30K/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I use this. https://smile.amazon.com/Portland-Design-Works-Danger-Light/dp/B00435IPFK/ Has been bulletproof for years, and I've only changed the battery once.

Täältä toinen takavalosuositus, käytössä viidettä vuotta (käytännössä pimeänä vuodenaikana, pyöräilen vuoden ympäri) ja hyvin on pelittänyt. Etuvalo on mallia "itse näyn muille", koska ajelen kaupunki/taajama-alueella, missä on aina sen verran valoa, ettei tehokkaammalle ole tarvetta.

Kinda spendy at $75. I've been using the $30 Planet Bike Superflash Turbo for a few years now. Runs on AAA batteries.

I use it for the blinker. People have said it's highly visible.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004U5PV5A/