Now the dark evenings are setting in (and certainly will do once clocks go back), I think its about time I got better at the whole be-safe-be-seen thing considering I cycle to work daily!

Ive already got reflectors on the bike and one of those sexy hi-vis yellow/reflective vests, but I need to get myself a new helmet (I dont wear my old one because a, its ugly as sin and b, its a bit melted from when I left it in front of a gas fire - and yes I know the arguments for and against the things but I think it might be a good idea) and some better lights (got a couple of tiny LED ones but theyre only little backup things really).

So, recommendations for lights and helmets? Cant really afford more than £50 for the lot.

I run Smart 2.4w + 10w lights on the front and a Cateye TL-1100D for the rear.

Damn nice. should come just under the £50. Helmet + decent lights under 50... somewhat hoping.

Smart lights are OK, but the higher powered ones wobble a lot.  Plus the batteries are a nightmare to get hold of.

http://www.stif.co.uk/gear/select_options.asp?productid=4573
Cateye Lightset @ £19.99

You can also get spare brackets easy enough, the lights just clip off and go into your bag.  Whereas the bigger offroad lights have seperate batteries, add a lot of weight and arent much fun to cart around when not on your bike.

http://www.stif.co.uk/gear/select_options.asp?productid=4780
Giro Skyla Womens Specific Helmet - One size fits all. @ £29.99

Guys are pretty good there too, I used to work for them.

Quote from: soopahflySmart lights are OK, but the higher powered ones wobble a lot.  Plus the batteries are a nightmare to get hold of.

http://www.stif.co.uk/gear/select_options.asp?productid=4573
Cateye Lightset @ £19.99

You can also get spare brackets easy enough, the lights just clip off and go into your bag.  Whereas the bigger offroad lights have seperate batteries, add a lot of weight and arent much fun to cart around when not on your bike.

http://www.stif.co.uk/gear/select_options.asp?productid=4780
Giro Skyla Womens Specific Helmet - One size fits all. @ £29.99

Guys are pretty good there too, I used to work for them.

Never had mine wobble. Its a pretty secure bracket secured by four bolts.

Battery... 6v SLA Rechargable. Comes with the lights.

Clicky

i would reccomend two rear lights, one on your bike, one clipped to your back flashing. oh and dont ride home drunk

Well Ive got a wee red flashy thing I can attach to myself, not to mention the hi-vis (very effective, always applaud the cyclists wearing them when Im driving in the dark), so my body should be fine.

Also I cycle on or near roads, so its all pretty well lit, the lights will be mostly for my visibility to drivers, rather than for my own vision. I doubt Ill be needing any massive offroad jobbies, but cheers anyway Rich

Thanks!

Having light and reflective clothing is worth at least as much as good lights, you need other road users to see you rather than the other way around. Go to a pound shop and see if they stock some wheel reflectors, if you dont have one get a helmet, but again a light coloured one.

Best to use a pair of lights on the back, just in case one runs out of power. Have one flashing and the other constant. If you are going to be only on town roads then the front lights dont matter too much, but you should still have one.

Dont know about you but I find amber lights at night are crap for contrast. If a cyclist doesnt have a decent front light (decent = anything better than a 3 led flashy jobby at the front) then I as a pedestrian has trouble seeing them... they kinda just blend in.

That is just me though lol. for £30 youd be hard pushed to find any more visible lights than the ones I recommended to be honest Rear light... definately stick with a cateye TL-1100D or a TL-1000D (the earlier model) they are worth it.... really are. I used to have a sh*tty 5 LED rear light, and used to be really aware of just how crap it was. Upgraded to a TL-1100D... and god what a difference. 10 LEDs and can have each row controlled independently

As a driver, Ive found it doesnt need anything powerful enough to cast a beam - and flashy lights are better than constant ones. I think what youre suggesting sounds rather like overkill to me, Rich!

Agreed Serious - which is why I bought the vest - unsexy but definitely very effective, the stripes are visible miles off!

Quote from: SaraAs a driver, Ive found it doesnt need anything powerful enough to cast a beam - and flashy lights are better than constant ones. I think what youre suggesting sounds rather like overkill to me, Rich!

Agreed Serious - which is why I bought the vest - unsexy but definitely very effective, the stripes are visible miles off!

thats fair cop, you do have headlights as a driver so youd have more contrast than I would plus the reflective stuff would shine

The rear light... nah... that is the dogs nads and Id recommend it to anyone.

The front ones, yeah probably somewhat overkill I guess, but I like being mistaken for a scooter plus if someone cuts me up, WHAM.. (in my case) 12.5w of light angled into their rear view mirror for being a twat. Some call it road rage... I call it getting even. but thats only when im being twatish too (definately not the right thing to do).

As for a vest, I have an awesome one. Bought it from the cycling plus forum. Has "POLITE" written on the back on a blue background with some police styled hatch marks either side

i would be tempted to ditch the dayglow crap and just put some reflective tape on the frame.

Ive still got my 80s Dayglow London "Underground" jacket that I cycle in. (Since I stopped taking pills and boucing around for 16 hours every weekend)

Ive always found that more lights, i.e. One on bike and one on person. Are a better bet than 1 big one.

Quote from: M3ta7h3adDont know about you but I find amber lights at night are crap for contrast. If a cyclist doesnt have a decent front light (decent = anything better than a 3 led flashy jobby at the front) then I as a pedestrian has trouble seeing them... they kinda just blend in.

That is just me though lol. for £30 youd be hard pushed to find any more visible lights than the ones I recommended to be honest Rear light... definately stick with a cateye TL-1100D or a TL-1000D (the earlier model) they are worth it.... really are. I used to have a sh*tty 5 LED rear light, and used to be really aware of just how crap it was. Upgraded to a TL-1100D... and god what a difference. 10 LEDs and can have each row controlled independently

My back one is an upturned warning triangle tied in under the seat, far bigger and gives much more light than a standard three led. Also reflects drivers headlamps back to them, increasing visibility nicely

When I was commuting on my bike, I have a Hope H.I.D Front light (Equivalent to 50w Halogen) and a Dinotte rear (one of the brightest lights available) but we are talking costs greater than most folks bikes on here, excluding Badabing of course and his tasty On-one.

is that really needed? i mean, you would be killing people as you ride past.