Mountain Biking - Light systems

I am about to buy a light system for night riding both on road and some off road. What is people's preference, handlebar mounted lights or helmet mounted lights? I am sure that each has its benifits but when forced to choose one or the other, which one wins?

Helmet mounted is the way to go. The light goes where you're looking, not where your handlebars are pointing. I ride with a Niterider Trailrat which is good, but mounts to the handlebars.

Of course the best is to have both but given the choice, I too would go with a helmet mount. I currently have a dual-beam handlebar mount and am kicking myself for not having gotten the accompanying helmet mount. After many nightrides for the past few years without a helmet light I shall be rectifying the situation.

I have a Niterider H.I.D. Storm (I think) it's their helmet mount model. This thing lights up the entire area. No worries in overriding your light. It wasn't cheap, but worth it.

I've got my older Lead-Acid light system 4 watt, that I put on the handlebar, but with the H.I.D., it did nothing.

If you're going to use both(and not H.I.D.), try to make one a flood and the the other a spot. Spot would be the helmet mounted one!

I have a Niterider H.I.D. Storm (I think) it's their helmet mount model. This thing lights up the entire area. No worries in overriding your light. It wasn't cheap, but worth it.

I've got my older Lead-Acid light system 4 watt, that I put on the handlebar, but with the H.I.D., it did nothing.

If you're going to use both(and not H.I.D.), try to make one a flood and the the other a spot. Spot would be the helmet mounted one!

Is there a clean way to use the Storm helmet mount model on the bars for road riding? No doubt helmet mount is the way to go for trails.

My "cleanest" way was to use a rubber ring that came with my heart rate monitor. It allows for a watch to be mounted on the bar. However, the light is 90 degrees to this, so I mounted it on the stem. I then wedged the battery into a water bottle cage and zip tied it tight.

L8R

I use a nightsun tri-light. It is bar mounted but I am able to turn the outer two lights far enough that I can see around most turns and I use the high to light up everything in front. even if I were to keep all three light pointed forwards I can still see just about everything because they very bright.

:beer:

Lupine Edison over here i use it either helmet or bar mount, depends on conditions. raining or very dusty and it goes on the bars. all other times it's helmet mounted