Commuting - Planet Bike Alias 10W light?

Anyone have it? It's $100 at Perfomrance and am considering it.

I have heard they are decent lights, but the design doesn't look like it would be as good in the rain as some others, because the bulb seems to be somewhat exposed to the elements. For the price you are looking at, I would really recommend this little guy. (Cygo-Lite) I have had mine now for a year of constant commuting, and a full winter of bad rainy weather here in the Seattle area, and it has been doing great. When I first got my light, I had a bulb burn out. I went to the cygo-lite website, and he sent me a new one, free of charge. Bulbs are easy to change with a screwdriver. Anyway, no problems at all since.
The nice thing about a dual light design is just that. If one bulb burns out by chance, you have a backup. Another nice thing, is that the 10w will go for 3 hours on one charge, and the 6w will go almost 6 hours. It's better than most for this price range. Here's a link.

The first, is for the 12w (2x 6w bulbs) version and is only $60.

http://www.beyondbikes.com/BB/ItemDesc.asp?IC=QLT7809

The second is the Xtra 16w (10w + 6w), and is only $80 at Beyond Bikes. (No pic, but it looks the same as the 12w version)

http://www.beyondbikes.com/BB/ItemDesc.asp?IC=QLT7811

I think it is much nicer, with the longer battery life I mentioned above. It has a nice little bottle type battery, which I really like. I just don't like strapping stuff to the top tube like other light batteries. That's just me. I use one bottle cage for the battery and one for my Gatorade bottle. Also, the Nimh battery is more compact and lightweight than the older Nicad batteries they used to have. Those old ones were twice as big, and much heavier.

Here's my bike with the 16w installed. The cable is a perfect length. It goes up the seat tube across the top tube, and plugs into the light with almost no extra cord dangling around to get in the way. (60cm old steel frame) I really like it.

The only feature I wish it had was a smart charger, instead of a standard charger. Then, I could plug it in and forget about it. However, I use a lamp timer, which works great for 12 hour charges when the battery is low. I just plug it in at night when I get home, and it's charged up in the morning.
$80 is the best price I could find, which is pretty good. I haven't seen them on sale for much less anywhere else.

I have the Alias and at that price, it's a good deal. Battery has good runtime. 10w is a bit low, but I'm upgrading to 15w this winter. You may or may not like the mount, but it's easily adjustable. And the intellicharger rocks...

^^^ Intellicharger. My lamp timer works ok, but I wish I had one of those.

I use alias.
I like that I can mount it under my handlebars instead of on top. Lets me flip bike over to work on, also less noticable to thieves if im in a store/service station.

The bulb is semi exposed, but i rode all winter with our record rainfall (29 days outta 31 in Jan) and never had a problem. The bulb is only exposed underneath, which actually is nice since it floods the area just below with some light.

For 100 bucks alias is pretty good deal.

Hmmm...thanks all. So the Cygolite is a bit cheaper and 16W while the Alias has a smart charger and has not as bulky of battery. Decisions, decisions.

Is it wrong in automatically assuming that 16W us fairly substantially brighter than a 10W? If so, that may be the clincher. On my commuter I have a bottle braze-on below the downtube so it would fit well there and I can deal with the charging thing.

The Alias lists at $150. Why so pricey do you suppose compared to the Cygolite?

Alias has 3 settings, 8-12-15 watt. Not just 10w, unless the one your looking at is different from mine.

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442420135&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302692895&bmUID=1149384212780

Alias has 3 settings, 8-12-15 watt. Not just 10w, unless the one your looking at is different from mine.

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442420135&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302692895&bmUID=1149384212780

The one I'm looking at is the Alias Sport. I think it's just a 10W. If it did have 3 settings that would solve it. The one you mention is pricier. Thanks

I second the Cygo lights, I think their the best light you can buy for the money...note, I did not say the best light, but rather the best for the money. I would look in the 16 watt Cygo for $80 or so. You could also look into the little Cateye Micro Halogen (HL500II) if you want something cheaper and lighter weight with a self contained battery system, but buy two and mount one on each fork and use rechargeable AA's.

What is nice about the 16w Cygo-Lite is that as I said, the 10w will go for about 3 hours between charges. However, with the both lights on for 16w, it only goes about 2 hours.

I normally can get away with just the 6w on clear nights.

I use the 10w when it gets a little foggy or rainy.

I use 16w when all hades breaks loose.

What is nice about the 16w Cygo-Lite is that as I said, the 10w will go for about 3 hours between charges. However, with the both lights on for 16w, it only goes about 2 hours.

I normally can get away with just the 6w on clear nights.

I use the 10w when it gets a little foggy or rainy.

I use 16w when all hades breaks loose.

Looks like the Cygo is it. For future reference, what's the proper way to charge and when? Are you supposed to let the battery drain almost completely before the charge or does that matter? Do you charge the same amount every time? What happens to battery life if you just charge overnight and forget it regardless of if it has any charge left or not? In other words, how important is a smart charger? Thanks

Looks like the Cygo is it. For future reference, what's the proper way to charge and when? Are you supposed to let the battery drain almost completely before the charge or does that matter? Do you charge the same amount every time? What happens to battery life if you just charge overnight and forget it regardless of if it has any charge left or not? In other words, how important is a smart charger? Thanks

I have 3 Cygolite 16 watts head lights.
Don't charge it for more then 24 hours. You will fry it. I follow the Cygolite General battery/charging guide lines found here. http://www.cygolite.com/4-Support/FAQs.htm#5%20NiMH%20Bat

I have 3 Cygolite 16 watts head lights.
Don't charge it for more then 24 hours. You will fry it. I follow the Cygolite General battery/charging guide lines found here. http://www.cygolite.com/4-Support/FAQs.htm#5%20NiMH%20Bat

Perfect! Thanks

I have 3 Cygolite 16 watts head lights.
Don't charge it for more then 24 hours. You will fry it. I follow the Cygolite General battery/charging guide lines found here. http://www.cygolite.com/4-Support/FAQs.htm#5%20NiMH%20Bat

I have done that a couple times by accident, but it is stil ok (Though a very bad idea). I tend to be a bit absent minded, so I have been thinking of finding a smart charger to replace the one I have. Either that or get a better timer. I set my timer to go off after 12hrs, but if I forget about it, the timer comes back on 12hrs later and starts charging again. :(

That said, I haven't had any problems otherwise. It's a good little light. I have been considering investing in the new Cygo-Lite DualCross 300. It is an LED light that has a much smaller and lighter battery, and will put out 20w equivalent for 4 hours. Not sure if it is worth it though (~$160).

I have done that a couple times by accident, but it is stil ok (Though a very bad idea). I tend to be a bit absent minded, so I have been thinking of finding a smart charger to replace the one I have. Either that or get a better timer. I set my timer to go off after 12hrs, but if I forget about it, the timer comes back on 12hrs later and starts charging again. :(

That said, I haven't had any problems otherwise. It's a good little light. I have been considering investing in the new Cygo-Lite DualCross 300. It is an LED light that has a much smaller and lighter battery, and will put out 20w equivalent for 4 hours. Not sure if it is worth it though (~$160).


Yes it's a good light for the price. I'm going on 4 years with my first cygolite 16 watt. I had problems with the switches, but with some work they operate just fine now. The newer ones seem to be fine. Did Cygolite fix it?

I'm also looking at the DualCross 300. The runtime seems to be great long distance commutes.

I have the Alias and like it. You can upgrade it to 15w and with a separate upgrade get the 3 or 4 light setting option. At 10 watts it seems to be enough for my needs and I like how compact the light head is. I bought one at Performace for a similar price and I think it was a good deal.

I have the Alias and like it. You can upgrade it to 15w and with a separate upgrade get the 3 or 4 light setting option. At 10 watts it seems to be enough for my needs and I like how compact the light head is. I bought one at Performace for a similar price and I think it was a good deal.

Upgrade at what kind of cost with parts available where? Performance? Planet Bike? Or are you talking about the step up Alias light for $150.

Here are some Planet Bike upgrade items: http://aebike.com/page.cfm?PageID=30&action=list&Category=57&Brand=301&type=T

I have the 10w alias and have been pleased with it....to upgrade to 15w is simply a bulb replacement. The upgrade to multiple power settings is a new switch/harness available from Planet Bike.... I have had no problems with rains...switch/ brackets and plugs have withstood moderate offroading.