Lights for Night Riding
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Stony Plain, Alberta
Posts: 50
Bikes: Beatup '92 Specialized StumpJumper, 07 Lemond Reno
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Lights for Night Riding
Before the snow starts in earnest, I want to get in a few night or early morning rides.
I would be riding on pitch-dark prairie roads, with no lighting to speak of.
I'll need a decent front lamp for sure, plus some good tail lights. Maybe a helmet light.
Any suggestions ? Looks like there are some good 20 / 15 Watt headlamps on the market. I'll need something with a rechargeable battery with about 1-1/2 hour runtime.
Friday / Saturday night will be out of the question, there are too many drunk p_sstanks screaming down the backroads in their hopped up megacab V-8 gasguzzlers, trying to drive in a straight line at the highest possible speed.
I would be riding on pitch-dark prairie roads, with no lighting to speak of.
I'll need a decent front lamp for sure, plus some good tail lights. Maybe a helmet light.
Any suggestions ? Looks like there are some good 20 / 15 Watt headlamps on the market. I'll need something with a rechargeable battery with about 1-1/2 hour runtime.
Friday / Saturday night will be out of the question, there are too many drunk p_sstanks screaming down the backroads in their hopped up megacab V-8 gasguzzlers, trying to drive in a straight line at the highest possible speed.
#3
A Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 855
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Price range? If you have the money, buy a Light and Motion HID or something equivalent.
Also, there is a ton of threads already on the subject, you might want to just dig around.
Also, there is a ton of threads already on the subject, you might want to just dig around.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: San Antonio, Tx
Posts: 302
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I just picked up a $15 led head lamp from wally world. 2-3 hours batt life, 1 watt led, and it's brighter than any headlight i've had so far. I took the elastic strap, and strung it through the helmet. All and All, not bad for $15. Made it's first commute this morning, and I wasn't nearly as scared as I usually get. I also managed to stop a few cars with it.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Lake Stevens, WA
Posts: 1,162
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Lake Stevens, WA
Posts: 1,162
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 661
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
For the taillight, check out the model by Dinotte.
#8
as I used to be
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Tulsa, OK
Posts: 653
Bikes: 2006 Lemond Tourmalet triple
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
One of the cheapest rigs around is use an appropriate sized conduit hanger to mount an outdoor 12v halogen lamp fixture, replace the stock bulb with a 12-degree, 20w spot bulb (ANSI code ESX), and wire it to a 4.5-5.5 amp-hr battery pack of your choice. A little loctite and silicone sealant to vibration-proof it, and you've got all the light you need for about half the cost of a "store-bought" rig.
For details, check the "Total Geekiness" sticky in the Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets forum.
For details, check the "Total Geekiness" sticky in the Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets forum.
#9
I eat carbide.
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Elgin, IL
Posts: 21,627
Bikes: Lots. Van Dessel and Squid Dealer
Mentioned: 25 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1325 Post(s)
Liked 1,306 Times
in
560 Posts
I think there might be 1 or 2 threads about lights on here.
Princeton Switchback 2 rocks, but I need a little more light for twisty sections of the trail. i might be willing to part with mine for the right price. make me an offer in PM....
Princeton Switchback 2 rocks, but I need a little more light for twisty sections of the trail. i might be willing to part with mine for the right price. make me an offer in PM....
__________________
PSIMET Wheels, PSIMET Racing, PSIMET Neutral Race Support, and 11 Jackson Coffee
Podcast - YouTube Channel
Video about PSIMET Wheels
Podcast - YouTube Channel
Video about PSIMET Wheels
#10
Just havin' fun
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 70
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I have a 10W halogen Planet Bike Alias that was a good starter light. $100 on sale at Performance.
My L&M Li Arc Ion (HID) is significantly brighter, but it cost me $300 or so on eBay. I think it was worth the money, since I ride a lot in the mornings. I view it as a safety item. LED's are improving, but the cheaper ones are more about being seen than lighting up the road. The expensive ones reportedly are starting to rival the HID lights but I haven't seen this myself yet. As for a rear light, make sure you change the batteries frequently. It's amazing how much dimmer they get as the batteries wear out. (I like my Viewpoint for $15 at Performance, but there are a lot of good ones out there.)
My L&M Li Arc Ion (HID) is significantly brighter, but it cost me $300 or so on eBay. I think it was worth the money, since I ride a lot in the mornings. I view it as a safety item. LED's are improving, but the cheaper ones are more about being seen than lighting up the road. The expensive ones reportedly are starting to rival the HID lights but I haven't seen this myself yet. As for a rear light, make sure you change the batteries frequently. It's amazing how much dimmer they get as the batteries wear out. (I like my Viewpoint for $15 at Performance, but there are a lot of good ones out there.)
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 732
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I wouldn't recommend the PT Switchbacks at this point. Between the Dinotte 200L, the trinewt and Minewt x2 dual, and the cygolite tridentx, you can get a lot more light for less money. The one thing the sb2 and sb3 are great for is battery life. An SB3 can literally be run all night at medium power.
Another option is the multiple fenix flashlight option. Two fenix l2ds, plus 8 nimh AAs, plus a charger will set you back about $150, and give you 2+hrs of light on high with four AAs.
Another option is the multiple fenix flashlight option. Two fenix l2ds, plus 8 nimh AAs, plus a charger will set you back about $150, and give you 2+hrs of light on high with four AAs.
#12
Burnin' and Lootin'
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: SoCA
Posts: 2,713
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Look no further. This is all the light you'll ever need with MORE than twice the battery life you're looking for. It's 20W halogen equivalent and works beautifully for me on my night rides. It's also noticeably lighter than it's NiteRider counterparts.
The 300 can be had for the price of the 200 given the 10% sale...
The 300 can also be modified later (after warranty runs) for 20 bucks, with these.
#13
I eat carbide.
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Elgin, IL
Posts: 21,627
Bikes: Lots. Van Dessel and Squid Dealer
Mentioned: 25 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1325 Post(s)
Liked 1,306 Times
in
560 Posts
I wouldn't recommend the PT Switchbacks at this point. Between the Dinotte 200L, the trinewt and Minewt x2 dual, and the cygolite tridentx, you can get a lot more light for less money. The one thing the sb2 and sb3 are great for is battery life. An SB3 can literally be run all night at medium power.
Another option is the multiple fenix flashlight option. Two fenix l2ds, plus 8 nimh AAs, plus a charger will set you back about $150, and give you 2+hrs of light on high with four AAs.
Another option is the multiple fenix flashlight option. Two fenix l2ds, plus 8 nimh AAs, plus a charger will set you back about $150, and give you 2+hrs of light on high with four AAs.
...and still a great buy when you buy it used from another BF member
__________________
PSIMET Wheels, PSIMET Racing, PSIMET Neutral Race Support, and 11 Jackson Coffee
Podcast - YouTube Channel
Video about PSIMET Wheels
Podcast - YouTube Channel
Video about PSIMET Wheels
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 362
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Beyondbikes has terrible customer feedback https://www.resellerratings.com/store/BeyondBikes
I ordered a small item from them - it took MONTHS to arrive.
I ordered a small item from them - it took MONTHS to arrive.
#15
Burnin' and Lootin'
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: SoCA
Posts: 2,713
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Beyondbikes has terrible customer feedback https://www.resellerratings.com/store/BeyondBikes
I ordered a small item from them - it took MONTHS to arrive.
I ordered a small item from them - it took MONTHS to arrive.
#16
Craig A. Lebowitz
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 372
Bikes: 1984 Trek 520 | 2002 Specialized Hardrock
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Light and Motion Solo Logic, great light and service. I have used mine through several bulbs and years and also replaced the break-away plastic in a couple of crashes. They are personable and helpful on the phone in diagnosing the problem. It's worth the bit extra!
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,418
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets forum - consult here.
I looked at lights forever and got a PrincetonTec SwitchBack 3 at 45% off on close-out at Colorado Cyclist.
I looked at lights forever and got a PrincetonTec SwitchBack 3 at 45% off on close-out at Colorado Cyclist.
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Lake Stevens, WA
Posts: 1,162
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Look a bit further at https://www.beyondbikes.com/bb/index.asp?t=2
The 300 can be had for the price of the 200 given the 10% sale...
The 300 can also be modified later (after warranty runs) for 20 bucks, with these.
The 300 can be had for the price of the 200 given the 10% sale...
The 300 can also be modified later (after warranty runs) for 20 bucks, with these.
The head unit of the 200 and 300 are identical as far as I can tell (the battery and/or quick charger - can't remember which - is different). What candella do those replacement LED's bump it up to? It's already 20W halogen equivalent. Does it get the boost to the equivalent of 25W or even 30W? I'm very interested to say the least.
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Beautiful Tucson AZ
Posts: 64
Bikes: Pinarello Rokh
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Dinotte!
I am amazed no one has yet mentioned Dinotte lighting for any bike lighting needs. I've been very happily running their 200 lumen headlight for almost a year--I use it 3 days a week from Sep to April, twice each day, and it works very well. I literally just finished mounting a new Dinotte taillight on my Trek Pilot 5.2, and that's a huge improvement over any taillight I have ever seen. Check out:
https://www.dinottelighting.com/index.html
There just aren't better lights anywhere near the $$$'s spent, from what I've seen.
https://www.dinottelighting.com/index.html
There just aren't better lights anywhere near the $$$'s spent, from what I've seen.
#24
Baby it's cold outside...
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: SK, Canada
Posts: 7,310
Bikes: Trek 5000, Rocky Mountain Wedge, GT Karakoram K2, Litespeed Tuscany
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I am amazed no one has yet mentioned Dinotte lighting for any bike lighting needs. I've been very happily running their 200 lumen headlight for almost a year--I use it 3 days a week from Sep to April, twice each day, and it works very well. I literally just finished mounting a new Dinotte taillight on my Trek Pilot 5.2, and that's a huge improvement over any taillight I have ever seen. Check out:
https://www.dinottelighting.com/index.html
There just aren't better lights anywhere near the $$$'s spent, from what I've seen.
https://www.dinottelighting.com/index.html
There just aren't better lights anywhere near the $$$'s spent, from what I've seen.
Give it Time
140L-Li & 600L-Li