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Can anybody recommend me a bike headlight to ask for as a present? I'd like something a lot more powerful than an LED light... I'd like to ride 15-20 mph comfortably on a completely dark, paved trail (my commute :-). Looking for something in the $50-100 range.
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On my old bike I had a cateye daylite rig that had two lights. I am sad in retrospect that I left it on the bike when I got rid of it. OTOH, mostly I ride in town these days, so lights are more for being seen than seeing. But that cateye was hella bright and right around 100 bones.
Can you say "check" or "gift certificate"? The problem is your needs don't match what's out there. You need a HID light set. Those are in the neighborhood of $400. All other lights you are going to be overriding or you will have to drop your speed to be safe.It's your call which is better an arm cast or $300.
Best bets would be:
-- performance, viewsonic [?} evo dual. It's a 20w and 10w with NiMh battery on sale for around $100. The problem is you need a pliers to disconnect without breaking the wires
-- Light & motion, commuter light.
Good luck
Doesn't exist in that price range for that speed.
I've got a Nighthawk SLA light with the somewhat heavy but reliable bottle cage battery. It came with a 10W and a 20W light that can be used alone or in combination.
Normally I just use the 10W since most of my ride is under streetlights. However I hooked up the 20W and rode with that a few days ago; I'm spoiled now. It put out enough light that at some some spots I thought a car was behind me. ;) Got it from Nashbar on sale for $50. (Which may have been an error on their part, I checked out the price the day after I ordered and it was around $70.)
Thanks for the advice/info! Sounds like I set my sights too high. How much does a 10W halogen do for you?
After doing some research, I found the Cygolite Night Rover Xtra--$79.99-- to be economical, long lasting and bright enough for my commute:
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=19369&subcategory_ID=4320
http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/Lights/product_22171.shtml
The special feature that I like is the dual 6 watt/10 watt arrangement. If one side burns out, you still can use the other side. Also, the aim of the 6 watt flood is tilted slightly lower than the 10 watt spot, which gives you a wide pattern--no manual adjustment needed. The specs say you can get up to 6 hours off of the 6 watt if used alone.
I ride 15-20 mph on my commute, and can't outrun the light if the 10 watt is used.
Doesn't exist in that price range for that speed.
BS! We ride singletrack here in the dark with a 10 watt light. We are doing 10-15 mph. Doing 15-20 on the road is not a problem. I think a rear light and side light is more important. You need to be seen as much as you need to see.
Bicycle Lights / Laser Edge (http://www.bicyclelights.com). I've been using it since last spring and with the coming of fall have been using it daily. No complaints. Good, solid construction. Long run time. Nice mounting system.
A $6 Wally-World timer helps with the charging regime.
BS! We ride singletrack here in the dark with a 10 watt light. We are doing 10-15 mph. Doing 15-20 on the road is not a problem. I think a rear light and side light is more important. You need to be seen as much as you need to see.
Please link the light and price.
Some people just like to say they spent a lot of money on something. There are a lot of good usable lights in your price range. Price Point has a decent Sigma Sport for around $50. The light is not always what drives the price up it is the battery. A 10 to 20 watt light would be fine, but in that price you are probably going to have a lead acid battery. I think some of us rode in the dark before HID came out. How was this even possible? (sarcasm)
Other issues to consider :
- How good is your trail (i.e. paved former railline vs singletrack) ?
- How about slowing down a bit ? You need much less light for riding at 10 mph than at 15.
- For how long do you need it? Battery duration is a real problem with most systems, especially at the highest setup.
- Do you need the high output all the time or just for a short time of your commute ?
I am a "generator" guy, and good generators are great for on-road cycling but not for off-roading. A system based on the Dymotec bottle generator would cost about $100 U.S. and would be good for the road, but definitely not for off-road. Other on-road solutions would be a LED-based headlight such as the Cateye EL-500 (powerful but very narrow spot) or the Planet Bike 1 W LED SuperSpot (very wide scattered beam, but good for being seen). I know these wouldn't work off-road, but if you have a mixed commute, then it's relatively easy to find an extra system that would power a 15 W halogen for 30 - 50 minutes.
Especially with batteries, having two independent systems might be cheaper, and it is definitely safer. If one battery dies, you have a fall-back system.
Thanks for the help, Michel. The trail I use is a windy paved trail that snakes through parks and around a golf course. Slowing down and using a less beefy light is probably my best bet. I will look up the Dymotec too!
I also have the cygolite nightrover extra. My speeds are usually in the 15 mph average range. This light is suitable for such speeds. I use mine on gravel county roads in complete darkness, where there is no artificial light for miles to light the roadway.
Many of these roads are full of potholes and many obastcles which i am able to avoid while running both lamps on this light. THe key is to get it aimed right. At a higher speed you need to have the road lit up quite a distance in front of you. I accomplish this by aiming the unit up as high as possible.
THe low beam on this unit illuminates the near distances, while the 10 W beam lights up the stop signs and things from afar. Sure a $400 HID would be better, but i would never spend that kind of money on a light. There are many, many, many cycling related toys i would rather spend the money on. Check out their reviews.http://www.cygolite.com/light/main/2magazine.htm
I have slightly different requirements: I'm looking for an on-road commuting light:
- 10W halogen or better
- *not* a waterbottle battery (small battery pack that attaches to top tube okay)
- 1.5 - 2 hours burn time
- quick release handlebar mount - easy to put on/take off
- reasonable "smart" charger
- price not a major consideration, but thinking 75-125 range
I've been looking at the niterider trail rat; anyone had experience with that?
TIA,
Jim
Here you go $140
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=17410&subcategory_ID=4320
10w flood, 20w spot so you can run with 10w, or 20w, or 30w
NiMh not acid battery so runs longer and handles cold better
long run time: 1, 2, or 4 hours
recharges quickly
hangs from top tube
Disadvantage: need a pliers to disconnect from battery pack without wrecking wiring.
Other than disconnect, it's a great light for the money. I couldn't afford an HID yet, and this was the best buy I could find. I think performance went overboard on the connector as previous models had problems with connector coming loose. I've commuted all week, burning about 20 minutes each night, and have not had to recharge yet.
I had a Cateye EL500 last year, which I found OK for use with street lighting or totally dark paths, but was inadequate for intermittent street lighting as my eyes dont adjust fast enough for the changes in illumination. I have just added a Planet Bike 1W LED light which I have mounted near the bottom of my forks, I will be trying it out for the first time on the ride home tonight. I dont expect to ride at more than 15 mph.
Disadvantage: need a pliers to disconnect from battery pack without wrecking wiring.
Thanks, kemosabe - That looks like some serious light!
Is there a reason why you would want to disconnect the light from the battery pack? You can just put them on/take them at the same time, yes?
Can anybody recommend me a bike headlight to ask for as a present? I'd like something a lot more powerful than an LED light... I'd like to ride 15-20 mph comfortably on a completely dark, paved trail (my commute :-). Looking for something in the $50-100 range.
All you want to know about lights and more........
http://nordicgroup.us/s78/
Thanks for the advice/info! Sounds like I set my sights too high. How much does a 10W halogen do for you?
On the road, my 10 watt halogen allows me to descend confidently at up to 30 mph. I don't think you'll be happy with less than 10 watts. There are several in your price range. Try to get a NiMH battery instead of a NiCad or lead-acid. The NiMH will be smaller and lighter.
Tom
I have slightly different requirements: I'm looking for an on-road commuting light:
- 10W halogen or better
- *not* a waterbottle battery (small battery pack that attaches to top tube okay)
- 1.5 - 2 hours burn time
- quick release handlebar mount - easy to put on/take off
- reasonable "smart" charger
- price not a major consideration, but thinking 75-125 range
I've been looking at the niterider trail rat; anyone had experience with that?
TIA,
Jim
I've used a Trail Rat for commuting the last 3 winters and it is great. The small NiMH battery straps under my stem. The charger is not smart, however. When the battery feels slightly warm, it is fully charged.
Tom
I was very pleased with the addition of the Planet bike LED at the bottom of my forks, to the EL500 on my bars. It was very effective at lighting the road for the 30 ft immediatley in front of me. Being close to the ground any irregularities in the road showed up clearly. The EL500 was aimed further ahead. At $26 Cdn you could have a couple on each forkn with your budget of $50-100. With separate lights the batteries in each can be expected to run down at different times so you wont be subject to sudden loss of light. I havent done any measurement of the life of the batteries with these lights, but if I get half the claimed 30 hrs full brightness and gradual dimming over the next 70 hrs, I will be very pleased. I also like the lack of wires strung around the bike.
Thanks, kemosabe - That looks like some serious light!
Is there a reason why you would want to disconnect the light from the battery pack? You can just put them on/take them at the same time, yes?
To recharge the batteries. I thought I would have about 40minutes of run time, but actual run time has only been 20 minutes. Four times last week and the battery is still charged. I know I should recharge it, but tomorrow. It snowed over the weekend and I want to wait one more day.
saw these head/tail combos over at performancebike. anyone have either of these lights?
Performance® ViewPoint™ GEN 3 Commuter Combo (http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile_combo.cfm?SKU=19626&estore_ID=&subcategory_ID=4320&CFID=15999967&CFTOKEN=27756818)
Performance® ViewPoint™ Take 5 LED Light w/ ViewPoint™ Flashpoint Taillight (http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile_combo.cfm?SKU=19627&estore_ID=&subcategory_ID=4320&CFID=15999967&CFTOKEN=27756818)
just wondering about them, as I'm on a super-tight budget and want to get lights soon as to avoid flak from the po-lice
Wow, some of the hoopla about not being able to find a adequate light for those speeds and that money sure was funny!
Seriously though; I use the cheapest ($48) Cygolite called the Metro; this unit has 2 beams, one 6 watt flood and a 6.5 watt spot or a combined total of 12.5 watts. I ride a lot at night and have no fear running at even over 25mph with it. Some will not like it's 6 D battery setup but I did and still do because I'm not reliant on a wall outlet, plus if by chance the light was go dead on a ride you can get bats at any store. But the 6 D's will last 5 hours on one beam. I've used the light now for 2 years and haven't had any issues with it's durability. You can buy a Rover charger unit for the Metro, or get rechargeable D's, then you would have a dual battery type of unit.
Cygo also makes a unit called the Rover NiMH Xtra that has dual beams with 6watt flood and a 10w spot with 16 watts total and can run up to 6 hours on low and 2 hours on high on the battery; I think this unit cost only $68-78.
They also have the Explorer NiCad that has dual beams with 10w flood and a 15w spot for 25 watts total but the battery run time is 3 hours on low, 1.5 hours on high. I think this unit cost about $100.
As you can tell depending on your light needs Cygo has something that will fit it for under $100.
Can anybody recommend me a bike headlight to ask for as a present? I'd like something a lot more powerful than an LED light... I'd like to ride 15-20 mph comfortably on a completely dark, paved trail (my commute :-). Looking for something in the $50-100 range.
The Supergo HL-10 and HL-20 are on sale until Dec5. My sale catalog shows $100 for the 10W and $150 for the 20W. I wonder if a spare battery for the 10W could be used for the 10W, doubling it's run time. They are both six volts.
saw these head/tail combos over at performancebike. anyone have either of these lights?
Performance® ViewPoint™ GEN 3 Commuter Combo (http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile_combo.cfm?SKU=19626&estore_ID=&subcategory_ID=4320&CFID=15999967&CFTOKEN=27756818)
Performance® ViewPoint™ Take 5 LED Light w/ ViewPoint™ Flashpoint Taillight (http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile_combo.cfm?SKU=19627&estore_ID=&subcategory_ID=4320&CFID=15999967&CFTOKEN=27756818)
just wondering about them, as I'm on a super-tight budget and want to get lights soon as to avoid flak from the po-lice
The five LED light is like my Cateye EL-300, which is good for riding in the city where extraneous lighting is present. I've now got the Gen3, and it's about twice as good as the EL-300.
To ride at 20 mph 10 watts is just barely good enough/not quite good enough. 15 watts halogen is better. If you want to see little pieces of glass that will flat road bike tires 30 watts is more like it. The run time you want really will change the price of the light. The Night Rider line has many good lights. I have owned three over the last 10 years. I sold one because I wanted more run time. I sold it to a good friend and he uses it every 2 or 3 days. I still have two. If you could swing about $239 for the NiteRider digital Evolution 15 watt light you would be happier than with 10 watts. If you want long run time then yes you need $400 for HID. I really love mine, you really can see well ahead for fast riding. The Nightrider service is fantastic too. There are many good brands of lights out there, but I have first hand experience with these.
A couple of people I know have had Performance house brand lights and have lots of problems. ?? Most performance stuff I have is excellent.
None of the LED lights now on the market will be good enough for 20 mph. Try measuring your stopping distance during the day and then measure it against your light at night.
To ride at 20 mph 10 watts is just barely good enough/not quite good enough. 15 watts halogen is better. If you want to see little pieces of glass that will flat road bike tires 30 watts is more like it. The run time you want really will change the price of the light. The Night Rider line has many good lights. I have owned three over the last 10 years. I sold one because I wanted more run time. I sold it to a good friend and he uses it every 2 or 3 days. I still have two. If you could swing about $239 for the NiteRider digital Evolution 15 watt light you would be happier than with 10 watts. If you want long run time then yes you need $400 for HID. I really love mine, you really can see well ahead for fast riding. The Nightrider service is fantastic too. There are many good brands of lights out there, but I have first hand experience with these.
A couple of people I know have had Performance house brand lights and have lots of problems. ?? Most performance stuff I have is excellent.
None of the LED lights now on the market will be good enough for 20 mph. Try measuring your stopping distance during the day and then measure it against your light at night.
You can't go 20 mph on the road with 10 watts? I can go 20 on trails with 10 watts. I think it has a little to do with rider skill. Some don't have as much so they need more.
I am shocked :eek: ; nay, dismayed :( that my fellow geeks haven't suggested the obvious: ask for a gift certificate to Lowe's/Home Depot and go *build* yourself a light! Rainman built one around a MR16 bulb that seems to do quite nicely. Look in the Commuting folder/forum for a thread called "Total Geekiness..." for details.
I personally bought a NiteHawk Raptor(?) that is a 6v, 10W system. Bright enough for me to run 15-20 mph if I want, and the battery will last 4-6 hours. I incorporated it into my electrical system, so my dyno (aka generator) will charge it and run the lights if I need.
You can't go 20 mph on the road with 10 watts? I can go 20 on trails with 10 watts. I think it has a little to do with rider skill. Some don't have as much so they need more.
You can go as fast as you want with 10 watts Halogen. A lot of the time you will be OK. Your reaction time can't be better than a certain point if you are human. I don't mean that talent is not an issue,it can be, What I mean is during the day try a 20 mph panic stop and acuratly measure the distance,then at night while stopped see if you can see that far ahead. It can be pretty close. Then try it on a trail.
Another big problem is 10 watt halogen headlights wary wildly by how much light they actually put out. Is it 12 volts or is it 6 volts etc. etc. Some 12 watt lights are dimmer than some 10 watt halogen llights.
I keep putting (halogen) in there because I can go very fast with my 10 watt HID. Egual to about 38-40 halogen watts.
You can go as fast as you want with 10 watts Halogen. A lot of the time you will be OK. Your reaction time can't be better than a certain point if you are human. I don't mean that talent is not an issue,it can be, What I mean is during the day try a 20 mph panic stop and acuratly measure the distance,then at night while stopped see if you can see that far ahead. It can be pretty close. Then try it on a trail.
Another big problem is 10 watt halogen headlights wary wildly by how much light they actually put out. Is it 12 volts or is it 6 volts etc. etc. Some 12 watt lights are dimmer than some 10 watt halogen llights.
I keep putting (halogen) in there because I can go very fast with my 10 watt HID. Egual to about 38-40 halogen watts.
You can go as fast as you want without any lights if got the gonads! But let's get real here; I ride a pitch dark bike path (not trail) with just my 6.5 watt spot on most of the time at 15 to 20mph's and NEVER over rode the light (sometimes I run the flood and spot together on curvey sections). In fact about a month ago a saw a groundhog on the path while doing 18mph and had plenty of warning to slow down; and 2 weeks ago I saw a deer on the path and again had plenty of warning (more warning then my friend had in his car who didn't see a deer till about 50 feet before he hit it-he ended up hitting hit due to not enough time to slow down).
Now granted I do have very good night vision whereas my wife can't see at night well at all, so maybe some people need a bright light; but an HID is way overkill unless your riding very difficult terrain offroad. For me a 38-40 watt headlight would be blindly bright for my eyes; the most I could ever dream of using would be 12watt spot.
I agree not all halogen lights are created equal, but they are closer then you realize; I've found the brighter the halogen's get the less accurate they are between similar wattage halogens, but found very little difference's at 12 watts and less. Biggest difference's is how long the battery will run, and those variables are due to type, size, condition and riding temperture.
For the price, the Sigma, though a good light, has a short run time due to an inferior battery, whereas the Cygo uses a far better battery.
WIth the Sigma Sport's 6W, I was able to go 15 mph about in pitch-black conditions. I did go 20 sometimes, but it was dicey. The main problem was that I couldn't make out fine distinctions between things that were on the ground. So it was difficult to see if something was a hazard or a discoloration. Also, it did not illuminate the area above the path, so low-hanging branches were a hazard. It has a 20w flood, but that drains the battery so fast as to be virtually useless (about a 30 minute run time).
I switched to an HID system, and I love it. Whatever system you get, don't overrun your lights. Also, look at the run and recharge times. You didn't say how long you were going to be riding at a stretch. A powerful light is no good if the battery dies half-way home.
Also, unless your light has a built in back up sufficient to get you home (or a sufficient low-battery warning), be sure to carry a second light. At a minimum, you should have an LED that will let you go 5-10 mph.
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