for the minnesota bike commuters

Forum guidelines BT super discount
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » for the minnesota bike commuters Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2008-07-31 11:39 AM

Member
28
25
Subject: for the minnesota bike commuters

I posted this in the gear board but didn't get much of a response.

Are any of you bike commuters?  I am looking for a light to help me see in the morning.  I don't intend to commute all winter but would like to maybe go through October.

Have you had good luck with certain lights?  I am thinking I need to upgrade to more of the spotlight/headlight kind?  I have a small tube light that probably helps cars see me but I am more concerned with a light that will help me see the road hazards as I commute on city streets.

2008-07-31 11:56 AM
in reply to: #1572879

Subject: ...
This user's post has been ignored.
2008-07-31 1:57 PM
in reply to: #1572879

Extreme Veteran
552
5002525
Minnetonka, MN
Subject: RE: for the minnesota bike commuters
I bike to work year-round, and I have two systems: the "be seen lights," and the "see" lights.

My be-seen lights are battery-free lights in front and back mounted on the hub-nut that use induction and magnets to flash two times a second whenever I am riding, and for 2-minutes after I stop. They are always on, and are a nice backup for when it is dark, cloudy, etc....

http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/16898-225_REES27-2-Accessories-35-...

My see lights are to light up the trail. I bike on the LRT to the Greenway from Minnetonka to Abbott, and there are no street-lights etc..., so it is DARK in the winter/fall/spring. I have a Cateye headlight that I got at Edina Bike and Fitness:

http://edinabike.com/page.cfm?PageID=62&action=details&sku=LT4140

and a Superflash blinky rear light (another "be-seen" light mounted on my trunk rack) that I got there as well:

http://edinabike.com/page.cfm?PageID=62&action=list&Category=54&bra...

I am quite happy with the setup, and the Cateye headlamp is just fine for letting me see stuff on the trails while not breaking the bank.

I also carry and use a headlamp as well.

Edited by goalie 2008-07-31 1:58 PM
2008-07-31 7:52 PM
in reply to: #1573621

Subject: ...
This user's post has been ignored.
2008-07-31 11:38 PM
in reply to: #1572879

Veteran
385
100100100252525
Chaska, MN
Subject: RE: for the minnesota bike commuters

Aces...What route are you taking?  That seems dicey by bike....Old 212 to 101?  That's not very safe for traffic...High speed and NO shoulders....41 to 169 is no treat either...I don't think there is any other route over the river. 

I don't think there is a trail that runs there either.....

I'd be more concerened with the route than the equipment.  Are you doing this for exercise or to save gas?

If you do decide to do this be VERY careful....

2008-08-01 12:15 AM
in reply to: #1575065

Subject: ...
This user's post has been ignored.

2008-08-01 8:57 AM
in reply to: #1572879

Veteran
385
100100100252525
Chaska, MN
Subject: RE: for the minnesota bike commuters

Aces we should ride sometime lol....I live right off Bavaria....(MTB, so no real fast rides)

The only thing I'd worry about is the traffic on 41 after downtown.  Yes there are wide shoulders but also LOTS of heavy truck traffic.  After that your route is pretty safe.  The shoulders on 78 (130th St) are not great.  I'd look at it this way as well.  Early AM the sun will be in the eyes of the cars behind you and on the way home the same.

I'm not trying to talk you out of getting exercise and "going green."  I would simply say use EXTREME caution on those roads.  All are high speed and very heavily traveled.

2008-08-01 10:25 AM
in reply to: #1572879

Member
28
25
Subject: RE: for the minnesota bike commuters

I will check out the cateye...significatnly cheaper than most of the other big lamps.  I think I already have a good backlight.

Also, does anyone put reflective tape on their bag?  My clothes are not the most reflective (especially when I get into the cooler months).  But I wear a backpack so I thought maybe some reflective tape on there might be best?  I may also add a bug light to my backpack that blinks.

 

 

2008-08-01 10:38 AM
in reply to: #1575840

Extreme Veteran
552
5002525
Minnetonka, MN
Subject: RE: for the minnesota bike commuters
msphawkeye - 2008-08-01 10:25 AM

I will check out the cateye...significatnly cheaper than most of the other big lamps.  I think I already have a good backlight.

Also, does anyone put reflective tape on their bag?  My clothes are not the most reflective (especially when I get into the cooler months).  But I wear a backpack so I thought maybe some reflective tape on there might be best?  I may also add a bug light to my backpack that blinks.

 

 



I have some 3M identi-tape (the stuff that trucks have on them in back) that works great. You can actually put it on your bike, fenders, pedals, mirror etc... to REALLY increase your visibility.

I also wear Illuminite pants/jacket during my cold-weather commuting that is quite reflective.

2008-08-07 9:13 AM
in reply to: #1575893

Member
28
25
Subject: RE: for the minnesota bike commuters
goalie - do most bike shops carry that tape?  REI?
2008-08-07 10:12 AM
in reply to: #1587388

Extreme Veteran
552
5002525
Minnetonka, MN
Subject: RE: for the minnesota bike commuters
msphawkeye - 2008-08-07 9:13 AM

goalie - do most bike shops carry that tape?  REI?


Don't buy it, it's expensive, and I had to buy enough for about 20 bikes from a place on-line to get it, so you can have some for free if you want it.



Edited by goalie 2008-08-07 10:13 AM

New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » for the minnesota bike commuters Rss Feed