lights for night riding

[skippy]

I was just looking for recommendations for lights. Do most people go with a helmet mounted light? Do you generally have one on your bike as well?

What are some brands/websites people use. (I'm looking for really cheap...)

Thanks!

[splat]

I prefer Helmet mount, I like to see where I'm looking not were the bike is pointed.

The cheapest way it to make your own , I guess need a little more of what your criteria is .

[Quo Fan]

With a helmet mount, you can put the light where you are looking.

[If_Rider]

Helmet vs. bar mount is all about personal preference. Try both if you can or look for a light that has both mounting options. Some people feel bar mount gives better depth perception and is more natural. As others have said, helmet mount puts the light right where you need it. IMO 15 Watts is the minimum for technical riding and 20 Watts is ideal. Pay attention to min. run time too (at least 2 hrs. or so). Go with both bar and helmet lights for super technical stuff if you can afford it.

I've used Vista lights (crappy head design that eventually fails), Nite Rider (older NR classic, works well) and homemades with mixed results. I currently run the NR classic with my own battery pack from Battery Space and keep my homemade as a backup.
http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=499

Also, do a search here. There have been tons of threads on lights.

[CsharpDev]

I ordered te4h NiteRider Cyclone which is a helmet mount HID light, it also has 3 LED's on it for additional/backup lighting. Bike Smart has a good deal on them, but they take FOREVER to ship...Ordered it last monday it shipped yesterday... way too long if you ask me, but I guess can't beat $369 for that light. NiteRider Flame Thrower is the exact same light but mounts to handle bars and comes with a bottle cage battery. I should have the light tomorrow I'll let you know how it works...

Cyclone can be found here:
http://www.bikesmart.com/index.cfm?menu=browse&ssid=PAOHIDDCHKFLMLAF

[PutAwayWet]

I have a Niterider Digital Evolution that has worked pretty well. Until last time, that is, when my battery wouldn't charge. It came with a helmet and bar mount, so I could choose where I wanted it. I run it on my helmet, and I'm thinking about getting a crappy little LED for the bars just to add some depth perception. Thanks for that link If_Rider. If my battery is truly toast, I'll need a new one soon.

[splat]

I have a Niterider Digital Evolution that has worked pretty well. Until last time, that is, when my battery wouldn't charge. It came with a helmet and bar mount, so I could choose where I wanted it. I run it on my helmet, and I'm thinking about getting a crappy little LED for the bars just to add some depth perception. Thanks for that link If_Rider. If my battery is truly toast, I'll need a new one soon.


I have the Niterider HID and a wire in the cable just after it went into the battery pack broke. i I had to cut it open and solder the wire back together.

I also tried adding a light to my handlebars ( Nite rider trail rat ) but the HID is so over powering you could even tell it was on.

[fvh420]

I have never understood the Mt bike mag's fixation with handle bar lights. Almost every article I have read says that handle bar lights are the way to go. I have had both, and helmet mounted is the better option(in my opinion). I actually don't even think the compare. Handle bar light stink in high speed tight twisty single track. I use a 15W older style non digital NR with a wide angle bulb. I ride the same nasty technical terrain in the day as at night usually just about as fast with a helmet light. Doing DH runs is a blast at night as well. Night riding brings a whole new dimension to mt biking. There are many nights that I head out from my house at 9:00 or 10:00 pm after my wife and little boy have gone to bed. Lights make riding after work a viable option all year long!

[ArmOnFire]

Agree with the last sentence from above, but not necc. the rest of it. I have a NiteRider Classic plus(?) handlebar mount, and works good for me.
12/20/32 watt settings.

Works good for me, done 3 24 hour races with it, and lotsa night riding, old trails become new again.

For some reason I think I ride better at night, maybe because I'm concentrating on one spot (the light) and not to what I am riding over as I can't see it.

-dan

[Superb Man]

Best bang for buck, best customer service, best no-nonsense product in night lights are Turbo Cat Lights (check the numerous reviews on mtbr)! I'm on my fifth year (same battery and bulb) for my helmet light. It just plain works and works well. As for mounting it...I recommend peeling off the rubber base from the bottom of the light, getting some sticky velcro....put some on your helmet-the matching stuff on the light and voila'-the best, easiest, no-mess no adjustment strap mountying system available!

I also use Turbocat's dual beam handllebar lights...but they're overkill---helmet is the only light you need.

Liam

[Quo Fan]

I have the Niterider Cyclone HID with the 3 leds. I had some crappy lights before, but I really like the Niterider. I ride with the Thursday night Nam folk, and you can tell the HID guys. Mush brighter, and cleaner light.

[TA]

I have the nightpro extreme HID, works great and comes with both mounts so you can decide which you like better. I prefer the head mount. Before I got the HID I had to use two lights. So if you can come up with about $300 go with HID

[Ben-O]

Helmet or bar? My avatar will answer that question. ;D ;D ;D

HIDs are worth it, if your planned usage and wallet can accommodate. And they have a high resale value too.

I've had good luck with Niterider, good customer service too.

[bike187]

i have a niterider cyclone and it's great!
i went riding with my sis once in the winter, on xmas morn actually, around the local resevoir (pretty tame double track) and i ahd my light on and it was plenty for both of us. and she was riding a decent amount of distance in front of me too. great runtime on them too!

[skippy]

Thanks for all the input. $300 is waaaaay out of my price range right now. I do have a Maglight I could strap to my head... ;)

I was thinking I would prefer to go the helmet mounted route. I'll look around some more and see what I can find...

[slapheadmofo]

Keep an eye on the for sale boards - someone was selling a niterider trail rat for $40 on bustedspoke a couple weeks back. Nothing fancy, but plenty of light to get out on the trails.

[skippy]

Thanks for the tip.

[comtom1]

Heres a little fyi for you. I did the flashlight on the helmet thing last week when i did a ride with quo and another friend.
Plan on a short ride because the light DOESNOT last. The best way out is to build your own lights for around 180. you can get hids that you put togather quofan showed me the site.

[skippy]

Which site is that?

[If_Rider]

I believe Tom is talking about this:

http://www.nemba.org/yabbse/index.php?board=10;action=display;threadid=5413;st art=15

[comtom1]

Mike is correct that is the site for you. Goodluck with the lightspost what you end up with i would like to see because i bit the bullit and spent some good coin on nitrider storm lights.

[skippy]

Hey, that's great! I will have to see if I can scrape the cash together... kind of non-essential at the moment, but maybe my wife doesn't have to know... ;)