GeorgerinNH
02-12-06, 06:49 PM
looking for a headlight for an upcoming 2 month tour .. recommedations thanks
Touring - lights?
Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.View Full Version : lights?
GeorgerinNH
02-12-06, 07:24 PM
please any help...
spinnaker
02-12-06, 07:50 PM
34 minutes? Be patient.
stormchaser
02-12-06, 08:20 PM
Did you have in mind something lightweigt just in case you get caught out after dark or are you planning long days? Is it safe to assume you don't have a generator hub? Are you camping or using hotels, or otherwise have access to electricity for 1/2 hr or so every day? That info will help.
GeorgerinNH
02-12-06, 08:27 PM
no hotels, tent camping, and no hub generator, possible a solar panel depending on the $, no i plan on riding during the light
supcom
02-12-06, 08:37 PM
Generally, assuming you are not planning some sort of extreme ride, you would plan to stop each day before dark. If so, then I assume your need for a headlight is for occaisional use when you get stuck out late or decide to leave extra early. For such case, there's little reason to pay the expense of a generator hub and light. Better to go with an LED light. You might consider one, or both, of the following:
1. A Cateye EL500. This headlight gives acceptable light level to see the road as well as be seen. It runs for many hours on four AA batteries and can be detatched for use around camp or to provide light for a nighttime flat tire repair, etc.
2. A head-mounted LED light such as a Petzel brand light. These are hiking oriented and are not very good for seeing the road, bit will do for being seen. This would be primarily for emergency use where you did not plan to be riding after dark. The light is very useful around camp, so you may want one even if you get a dedicated bike headlamp.
I would definately stay away from halogen lights, or any high powered light with short runtime and unique rechargeable batteries. The runtimes are usually only about three hours. You have to carry a recharger, and find a place and time to use it.
1. A Cateye EL500. This headlight gives acceptable light level to see the road as well as be seen. It runs for many hours on four AA batteries and can be detatched for use around camp or to provide light for a nighttime flat tire repair, etc.
2. A head-mounted LED light such as a Petzel brand light. These are hiking oriented and are not very good for seeing the road, bit will do for being seen. This would be primarily for emergency use where you did not plan to be riding after dark. The light is very useful around camp, so you may want one even if you get a dedicated bike headlamp.
I would definately stay away from halogen lights, or any high powered light with short runtime and unique rechargeable batteries. The runtimes are usually only about three hours. You have to carry a recharger, and find a place and time to use it.
gordons9
02-12-06, 10:46 PM
Planet Bike Sport Spot does the job of a head lamp/flashlight, helmet light and bar mountable as well. It's not great for finding your way, but it'll do. It's a great be seen light, great for camping duties, tent reading/writing and runs forever on the 3 AAAs it comes with.
Plus, 25% of their profits go to bike charities.
http://www.planetbike.com/frontlights.html
Plus, 25% of their profits go to bike charities.
http://www.planetbike.com/frontlights.html
MichaelW
02-13-06, 02:30 AM
In another thread there is a discussion of wind-up lights. These are barely adaquate for riding but allow you to been seen at night and are useful around camp. The big advanatge is independance from batteries.
becnal
02-13-06, 04:53 AM
I have a really bright, LED headlight. 9 led's with little magnifying lenses in front of them, they light up the road and street signs very well.
They take 3 AAA batteries, which is great on tour. You never have to look for an outlet to recharge anything. I got mine off ebay for about $20.
I use a Cateye for a rear light, the super one with 10 LED's
They take 3 AAA batteries, which is great on tour. You never have to look for an outlet to recharge anything. I got mine off ebay for about $20.
I use a Cateye for a rear light, the super one with 10 LED's
cyccommute
02-13-06, 08:00 AM
no hotels, tent camping, and no hub generator, possible a solar panel depending on the $, no i plan on riding during the light
It's best to keep things simple so stick with alkaline batteries. With an LED light they should last the whole tour but if they don't you can always buy batteries along the way. Carrying a charger is just one more gizmo that you have to keep track of.
It's best to keep things simple so stick with alkaline batteries. With an LED light they should last the whole tour but if they don't you can always buy batteries along the way. Carrying a charger is just one more gizmo that you have to keep track of.
challengea2z
02-13-06, 12:50 PM
Check out these guys Steve's awsome and the lights are just as good, www.lumicycle.com
acantor
02-13-06, 03:24 PM
I use tiny, battery-powered flashing LED lights. One for the front and one for the back cost about $15:
http://images.mec.ca/media/Images/Products/Cycling/4008341s_v1_m56577569830473676.jpg
http://images.mec.ca/media/Images/Products/Cycling/4014356s_v1_m56577569830473703.jpg
They are so light, compact, and inexpensive that you might want to consider taking spares in case something happens to the first set. The ones I buy need to be replaced every couple of years.
http://images.mec.ca/media/Images/Products/Cycling/4008341s_v1_m56577569830473676.jpg
http://images.mec.ca/media/Images/Products/Cycling/4014356s_v1_m56577569830473703.jpg
They are so light, compact, and inexpensive that you might want to consider taking spares in case something happens to the first set. The ones I buy need to be replaced every couple of years.