Night Riding 101

[steve_b]

I want to try night riding, but not sure if I can justify spending $400 before I know if I like it.

Is there anything on the market for around $100 to get started in night riding? Maybe a light setup that I could combine with another in the future if I like night riding. Anyone have a working used unit laying around they want to sell? ???

When riding at night, how durable are the lights in regards to bouncing over rocks and roots? Do you need to keep a supply of bulbs in the camelback? ???

[AA]

I want to try night riding, but not sure if I can justify spending $400 before I know if I like it.

Is there anything on the market for around $100 to get started in night riding? Maybe a light setup that I could combine with another in the future if I like night riding. Anyone have a working used unit laying around they want to sell? ???

When riding at night, how durable are the lights in regards to bouncing over rocks and roots? Do you need to keep a supply of bulbs in the camelback? ???


For less than $100 you can get the Nite rider trail rat. Very durable. If you like night riding you can get another light and use the trail rat as a helmet light. I have never broken a bulb out on the trail. See the last issue of Singletracks for a review of various light systems (the trail rat is included).

[C.P.]

Odds are if you love bikin' during the day, you'll love the same at night - especially when you know that you can ride whenever - and most especially when the weather is as warm as this fall has been...

I never thought I would be caught saying this, but the recent purchase of a Niterider Storm has made me love night riding so much more than I ever have before. I never worry about battery running out, the light is so bright that I hit drops at night I would have never considered last year with my old NR Classic, and it charges in 3 Hours, compared to the old classic taking like 14 hours. what a marked difference.

I say spend the bucks on an HID.

C.P.

[Jisch]

In my experience, most everyone who rides, loves night riding. Its definitely kinda eerie, and way fun. It sort of feels like you are doing something you're not supposed to be doing. There's a 2 ft drop at Case Mt that is way fun in the day. Last time I did a night ride, I did the drop. It was cool to drop off and not know exactly when the wheels were going to hit. Like I was dropping into an abyss or something.

Probably the best bet is to find someone with a spare light (I've got a spare if you want to try it in Connecticut some time) to try it out. That way you can spend what you should on a light instead of "making do" for $100 then having to spend more.

If you are really cost concious and a little bit handy, you can make your own light for less than $70. There's a few discussions over at MTBR Passion right now on how to do that.

John

[knucklebuste]

H.I.D - Werd

I got the Storm, helmet mount. Charges fast, and it's like riding at lunch. Got my wife the trail rat, which is fine for doing fire roads, but wouldn't want to do the NAM with that. Spend the stinks on a good lighting system. It will make the riding so much better. Don't expect to be going as fast as you do during the day. The first time out I was like "damn I'm slow" but the reality is it's night and no matter how much light you have, or what type of light you have, things are different and shadows are different.
Knuck

[SteveC]

Anyone experienced with marwi--durability, runtime, etc?? ??? I was eying the 'Elite' which runs right about $100, and I think its a coupla more watts than NR TrailRat?
SC

[If_Rider]

A friend of mine has been running the Marwi all summer with no problems. Seems bright enough and run time is at least 2 hours.

Mike

[Jisch]

More watts = less run time unless the battery is larger.

Ex: 12 V 20 Watt bulb, 12v 4AH battery

20W/12V = 1.6 Amp draw.
4 Amp Hour battery/1.6 Amp draw = 2.5 hours of burn time.

In my experience, these calculations are pretty accurate.

John

[steve_b]

Here is what I decided on, based onthe excellent mtbr reviews:
Mawri NightPro Elite
12w
2 hour run time

http://www.bikeman.com/miva/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=LT7513&Catego ry_Code=ACLIGHTHEDMAR

[nhiker]

Here is what I decided on, based onthe excellent mtbr reviews:
Mawri NightPro Elite
12w
2 hour run time

http://www.bikeman.com/miva/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=LT7513&Catego ry_Code=ACLIGHTHEDMAR
Hey Steve OB and I both have last years performance viewpoint which is this exact light set up with the performance lable slapped on it. They have changed suppliers this year but similar light still. Anyway it is an acceptable light. Very durable light wieght good entry level. I think like us you will want to add a bar light in fairly short order not quite enough ligh to feel comfortable doing night time technical riding.
Harry

[T Grimble]

You young kids!
Back when I started riding at night there were no HID, blowtorch, fancy shmancy lighting systems. You duct taped a mag light to your handlebars or helmet and hit the trail. None of this "slow down because the shadows look scarry BS" You want to learn to ride fast at night, ride with pk and Couch. If you don't keep up they will leave you out there with the wolves and the fisher cat until morning and even then you have to find your own way out!

Everybody has to get the HID. The light is whiter. The burn time is longer. It matches the paint job on everybody's bike and fork and looks good as your bike collects dust in the basement. Let's face it you are nobody unless you shell out top dollar and burn everybody's retna with your ultra brite blue laser of a light.

I have been using simple halogen light for years now and it works just fine. Don't feel preasured to shell out huge cabbage. If you don't get an HID, your friends will still think your cool. And if they don't, drop them in the woods at night and let them figure out how to get out.

-Tom (feeling defensive becuase I just bought another set of halogen lights)

[steve_b]

I think like us you will want to add a bar light in fairly short order not quite enough ligh to feel comfortable doing night time technical riding.

Your probably right. However, this riding one day a week isn't cutting it, I need to get back on the 3 rides a week schedule, and this is a way. Hopeully the winter will hold off until mid-Dec. so I can use the light!


Back when I started riding at night there were no HID, blowtorch, fancy shmancy lighting systems. You duct taped a mag light to your handlebars or helmet and hit the trail. None of this "slow down because the shadows look scarry BS" You want to learn to ride fast at night, ride with pk and Couch. If you don't keep up they will leave you out there with the wolves and the fisher cat until morning and even then you have to find your own way out!

Everybody has to get the HID. The light is whiter. The burn time is longer. It matches the paint job on everybody's bike and fork and looks good as your bike collects dust in the basement. Let's face it you are nobody unless you shell out top dollar and burn everybody's retna with your ultra brite blue laser of a light.

I have been using simple halogen light for years now and it works just fine. Don't feel preasured to shell out huge cabbage. If you don't get an HID, your friends will still think your cool. And if they don't, drop them in the woods at night and let them figure out how to get out.

Funny stuff, Mr Grimble. No worry about what my friends think, though. the three people I ride with on a regular basis are all on the "physically unable to perform list", and have been most the year. So. if I endo in the woods, the fischer cats and the wolves will eat well the night I'm out. :o :o :o

[T Grimble]

Yeah! My friends don't ride with me any more either.
I wonder why.

-Tom

[Dino Sore]

You young kids!
Back when I started riding at night there were no HID, blowtorch, fancy shmancy lighting systems. You duct taped a mag light to your handlebars or helmet and hit the trail.

You babies with your fancy schmancy battery operated mag lights! Hell, back when I started night riding, we just rode one-handed and held an oil lamp in the other hand. Sissies!

[MissJean]

An oil lamp! Ahhhh, luxury! What I would have done for an oil lamp!
When I started night riding, we had to hold a burning torch in our teeth.

[Dino Sore]

When I started night riding, we had to hold a burning torch in our teeth.


What?? You had teeth??? Musta been one of them pampered upper-class cavemen (er, cavepersons).

[splat]

Well I still use my Home made systems . BAck whenI first made them there wern't the fancy ystems and since now I have tons off parts why should I go buy a big $$$ sysem. So what they may smoke a little !

[nhiker]

Well I still use my Home made systems . BAck whenI first made them there wern't the fancy ystems and since now I have tons off parts why should I go buy a big $$$ sysem. So what they may smoke a little !


Smoke!? :o
And if your head catches Fire? more light right! ::)

[splat]

Smoke!? :o
And if your head catches Fire? more light right! ::)


One of my Handle bar mount lights did catch fire on one of my commutes once , riding too slow on a warm night , not enough cooling , and poof I had a Small problem :)

[steve_b]

Finally got to test out the Mawri Night Pro Elite tonite! ;D I did a little over an hour and a half. I didn't realize how much fun night riding would be. Hopping over trees and crossing 2 x 6 plank bridges over streams is a completely different experience in the dark.

The 12w helmet mount provided a pretty good amount of light. Does a second bar-mounted light make a huge difference? ???

[MMcG]

Finally got to test out the Mawri Night Pro Elite tonite! ;D I did a little over an hour and a half. I didn't realize how much fun night riding would be. Hopping over trees and crossing 2 x 6 plank bridges over streams is a completely different experience in the dark.

The 12w helmet mount provided a pretty good amount of light. Does a second bar-mounted light make a huge difference? ???




Steve,

Where did you night ride in the Albany area???

Hope all is well.

Mark

[nhiker]

Finally got to test out the Mawri Night Pro Elite tonite! ;D I did a little over an hour and a half. I didn't realize how much fun night riding would be. Hopping over trees and crossing 2 x 6 plank bridges over streams is a completely different experience in the dark.

The 12w helmet mount provided a pretty good amount of light. Does a second bar-mounted light make a huge difference? ???


Steve Glad to hear you enjoyed night riding it is a blast! Old trails become a new experiance in the dark!
Yah I thought the 12w was plenty until I got my Night sun 30watt bar......Damn it makes a huge difference but I nead a new battery and now I really mis it. :-\

[Tim]

The 12w helmet mount provided a pretty good amount of light. Does a second bar-mounted light make a huge difference? ???




I rode for a year with just a helmet lamp. Didn't think it was too bad, although I did go OTB once (a rock / hole I didn't see) and break a finger. This year I switched to lights on both the bars and the helmet, and it really does make quite a difference. You need the helmet lamp to see around corners and if you have to fix something, and the bar lamp gives nice shadows that help you spot rocks and holes more easily. Plus two lights are nice in case one goes belly up. I do turn one off if I'm riding a familiar and easy trail.

If you're going to be riding routinely at night I would highly recommend the dual setup. It's not critical, but it will add to your enjoyment and safety.

Tim

[steve_b]

Where did you night ride in the Albany area???

Pine Bush. It's the only place locally that is dry enough to ride at. There's a nice singletrack loop way out back. ;)

The next ride will be on the good stuff at Colonie if it drys up, or to Pittsfield SF / October Mtn / Yukon Ridge.

Yah I thought the 12w was plenty until I got my Night sun 30watt bar

30w ? :o :o How long is the burn time?

[nhiker]

Yah I thought the 12w was plenty until I got my Night sun 30watt bar

30w ? :o :o How long is the burn time?


Night Sun Team= 10watt low and 20 watt high..total 30w..like 3.5 hrs on low and 1.45 on high. This was a gift from a friend this summer. But retails for about $180.00. And yeah with that on and the helmet I can see pretty well!

[MMcG]

Where did you night ride in the Albany area???

Pine Bush. It's the only place locally that is dry enough to ride at. There's a nice singletrack loop way out back. ;)





I didn't know you could ride the Pine Bush after dark....hmmmm.

Enjoy the dark Steve!

[steve_b]

Pine Bush has no closed time. It's probably the most popular night riding place in Albany due to it's location. There were at least 5 others there last night. ;)