Bicycle Mechanics - Niterider Halogen Bulb Replacement

I have a Niterider Classic Plus 2006. It has two halogen bulbs, 12 watt spot and 20 watt flood. The 12 watt suddenly stopped working, I assume the bulb is burnt out, but I'm not sure. NR offers replacement bulbs on their web site for about $20. Does anyone know if this is something that I can replace myself or does the entire unit need to be sent to NR? If it can be done at home, what is the procedure. Thanks in advance for any input.

MR-11 bulbs are commonly available in Home Supply stores at much lower cost but almost all are 12-volt and most bike lights are 6-volt. The 6-volt bulbs are typically specials made just for OEM applications so you are pretty much limited to getting them from the light maker.

If your light is 12-volt, look in Home Depot for MR-11 bulbs of approprirate wattage and beam spread and be sure it has a glass bulb cover built in. Changing the bulbs is pretty straight forward.

My nite rider is 6v, also 12W low and 20W high. I've had mucho trouble finding the right replacements. It seems the MR11s I've found are a teeny bit smaller diameter-wise, which leads to rattling in the housing. TNoodles: did you see replacements listed on the nite rider site? I need to go straight to the source. After hours of interwebs searching and two different orders placed I've yet to find a working bulb that fits, is bright enough, etc.

Radio Shack also has them

Look on the bulb for a manufacturer and part number, then search on that. Here's (http://www.bulbman.com/) a place to look. There are others.

Look on the bulb for a manufacturer and part number, then search on that. Here's (http://www.bulbman.com/) a place to look. There are others.

You will probably have better luck at Battery Space (http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=743) You want a bulb with a cover bonded to the reflector. TNoodles, your bulb is a MR-11 12V 12 W spot. I'd suggest against going to a home store since most of the bulbs I've found there are a poorer quality and don't have the cover.

Replacing them is a simple matter of removing the front cover with an allen wrench, pulling the bulb (depending on how old the system is you may have to unscrew a set screw on the pins), replacing the bulb and o-rings and screwing it all back together.

www.bulbs.com and www.servicelighting.com are 2 good sites for all of you bulb needs.

You mean one'a these (http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=2204)?

Only $85 each! :D

Thanks for all of the input. I found out that NiteRider sells the replacement bulb on their web site and as some of you have mentioned the install is fairly straight forward. I ordered the bulb, so it should be here in a few days. In the meantime, the 20 watt flood still works and lights the road quite well. It also motivated me to get back-up supplemental light. I went with a Cateye LED model that has a steady beam or a flashing mode.

Oh c'mon! Don't leave us in suspense!

How much does NiteRider want for the replacement?

Oh c'mon! Don't leave us in suspense!

How much does NiteRider want for the replacement?$20. http://www.niterider.com/store_bulbs.shtml

$20. http://www.niterider.com/store_bulbs.shtml

NiteRider price is indeed $20, plus tax and about $8.00 for shipping, brings the total to about $30.00. My issue was never really the money, rather I was concerned that I might have to ship the whole unit back to them for "three to five " weeks and either be without a light for that period of time or have to buy a replacement to use in the interim. Having said that, thirty bucks for a light bulb does seem a bit pricey, but what else is new? :)

As the light is rather new did you try contacting NiteRider first to ask if it was under warenty? They have excellent customer service.

thirty bucks for a light bulb does seem a bit pricey, but what else is new? :)
Better than the $120 for an HID bulb!

I think I'll stick with my halogen lights, not having money to burn. :(

Better than the $120 for an HID bulb!

I think I'll stick with my halogen lights, not having money to burn. :(

The cost of the bulb is one of the reasons I've never made the switch either. Another reason is that most manufacturers require that you return the light to them for bulb replacement (balast in the bulb has residual charge).

As the light is rather new did you try contacting NiteRider first to ask if it was under warenty? They have excellent customer service.


NR customer service was very helpful, but the bulb is only warranted for 60 days. I've had the light for almost a year.

NR customer service was very helpful, but the bulb is only warranted for 60 days. I've had the light for almost a year.

I'm amazed that they would even warrantee it for 60 days. Lots of stuff can happen to a bulb that isn't anything to do with the quality.