Mountain Biking - Night time riding is freakin' tough!

I got tired of not riding, so after dinner I filled up the tires and went for a quick ride on this little trail that runs between my place and my parents house. I'll admit, my lighting system sucks. It's just a cheapy from cannondale, not real bright and the beam isn't real wide. Anyway, I learned how important depth perception is, mine sucks at night. I came up on a small tree laying across the trail, tried to hop over it and timed horribly. I landed right on it, then landed on my right side in the icy mud. Oh well, I guess I need a better lighting system and then more practice.

And no, there really isn't much point to this. Just wanted to share.

Good lights make it fun. There are man choices for around $100. Some us ea Fenix flash light. But the faster you go the more you need to spend. :D

A good light makes a big difference. Cannondale doesn't even sell one.

Good lights make it fun. There are man choices for around $100. Some us ea Fenix flash light. But the faster you go the more you need to spend. :D

lolwut

OP: You can get a Nite Hawk Raptor for $35. It's a bright 10w flood that is kinda heavy b/c I think it's NiCAD.

No matter what, it's a good light and will light up the trail just fine. Get the helmet mount version so the light is actually pointing to what you're looking at. It's prob. the best light on the cheap.
http://www.mtbr.com/channels/mtbreview/Images/Products/product_360452.jpg

Thanks guys, especially Chelboed. I'm going to look into that system. Helmet light is definitely the way I'd like to go.

lolwut

Thats an odd place.

OP: You can get a Nite Hawk Raptor for $35. It's a bright 10w flood that is kinda heavy b/c I think it's NiCAD.

No matter what, it's a good light and will light up the trail just fine. Get the helmet mount version so the light is actually pointing to what you're looking at. It's prob. the best light on the cheap.
http://www.mtbr.com/channels/mtbreview/Images/Products/product_360452.jpg

I just did a search and I couldnt find that anywhere for sale. Looks like Nite Hawk is out of business. . .

If you're really looking for a new inexpensive light probably one of the newer high power LED flashlights with a helmet mount would be good bang for your buck. Dedicated systems cost more, but have payoff in better light, longer ride times, better quality and easier battery management. Check out the elec/gadget/lighting forum or candlepowerforums.com (here's a link right to the bike section there http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=86). Watch out, though, this can be as addicting as biking itself!

http://www.bestwebbuys.com/bikes/search/q/nite+hawk/isrc/Inktomi-i-browse-mfg

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?sku=9719&PID=484346&cm_ven=CJ&cm_pla=484346&cm_ite=New+-+Bike+Nashbar&cm_cat=1069410

Ooops...sorry. Probably outta bus. b/c they're selling such a nice light for $35:lol:

Actually probably wasn't the price as much as the quality...but you can still get a pretty inexpensive but effective system at batteryspace.com...

Actually probably wasn't the price as much as the quality...but you can still get a pretty inexpensive but effective system at batteryspace.com...

Gonna have to call you out on that one. In my experience...the quality is just fine.

Since I'm a carpenter, what I'd REALLY like to find is a bike lighting system that uses the same batteries and chargers that I use for my work. Bosch, Dewalt, Makita................

Gonna have to call you out on that one. In my experience...the quality is just fine.

I've read complaints, glad it works for you. I have no idea why they're actually gone though, nothing personal to get "called out" on, just a little speculation.

Since I'm a carpenter, what I'd REALLY like to find is a bike lighting system that uses the same batteries and chargers that I use for my work. Bosch, Dewalt, Makita................

Sounds like a diy project is waiting for you, pretty sure I've read of a few in any case...but I've never seen a commercial system offering those options.

I've read complaints, glad it works for you. I have no idea why they're actually gone though, nothing personal to get "called out" on, just a little speculation.

Never took it personally...I didn't build the thing. ;)

I got tired of not riding, so after dinner I filled up the tires and went for a quick ride on this little trail that runs between my place and my parents house. I'll admit, my lighting system sucks. It's just a cheapy from cannondale, not real bright and the beam isn't real wide. Anyway, I learned how important depth perception is, mine sucks at night. I came up on a small tree laying across the trail, tried to hop over it and timed horribly. I landed right on it, then landed on my right side in the icy mud. Oh well, I guess I need a better lighting system and then more practice.

And no, there really isn't much point to this. Just wanted to share.
Oh pfff.. no need to blame your night riding inabilities on lighting. :notamused:

OP: You can get a Nite Hawk Raptor for $35. It's a bright 10w flood that is kinda heavy b/c I think it's NiCAD.

No matter what, it's a good light and will light up the trail just fine. Get the helmet mount version so the light is actually pointing to what you're looking at. It's prob. the best light on the cheap.
http://www.mtbr.com/channels/mtbreview/Images/Products/product_360452.jpg
I concur with that. I used one of those on a regular basis for a couple of years and even though the battery is quite heavy, it works great. I still have mine and not a thing wrong with it, it still works like a "charm". For the price, you cannot get any better. Btw, it is not equipped with a flood bulb and it is a SLA battery.

The Lighting sub-forum on mtbr.com (http://forums.mtbr.com/forumdisplay.php?f=124) is full of bike-light nerds. It's a little friendlier than CPF.

You [yes, you] can build a rechargeable DIY light for around $50 that will make many commercial light systems seem feeble in comparison. That said, I enjoy trying to ride trail with a feeble light. It cranks up the challenge significantly...

Oh pfff.. no need to blame your night riding inabilities on lighting. :notamused:

haha, it took 19 posts for someone to say that? Well, you're not entirely wrong.

give me the links or names for the 50 dollar rechargeable supplies and I will build one.

give me the links or names for the 50 dollar rechargeable supplies and I will build one.

Google is your friend.

give me the links or names for the 50 dollar rechargeable supplies and I will build one.

Cyccommute has made more than a couple responses to threads like this. For some reason I can't find them right now. :o

Gonna have to call you out on that one. In my experience...the quality is just fine.

I had three of their lights, and went 0 for 3.

Their customer service was great, but in the end it didn't help.