Night time riding is freakin' tough!
12-27-08, 05:41 PM
#1
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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.
And no, there really isn't much point to this. Just wanted to share.
12-27-08, 06:44 PM
#2
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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. 
12-28-08, 12:13 AM
#4
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12-28-08, 09:22 AM
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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.
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.
12-28-08, 09:39 AM
#6
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Thanks guys, especially Chelboed. I'm going to look into that system. Helmet light is definitely the way I'd like to go.
12-28-08, 12:34 PM
#8
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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.
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.
12-28-08, 12:42 PM
#9
I have senior moments...
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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 https://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/...splay.php?f=86). Watch out, though, this can be as addicting as biking itself!
12-28-08, 12:45 PM
#10
aka Phil Jungels
12-28-08, 12:47 PM
#11
aka Phil Jungels
12-28-08, 01:13 PM
#13
I have senior moments...
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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...
12-28-08, 08:24 PM
#15
use your best eye
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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................
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12-29-08, 04:20 AM
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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.
12-29-08, 07:31 AM
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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.
And no, there really isn't much point to this. Just wanted to share.
12-29-08, 07:39 AM
#20
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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.
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.
Last edited by varminter; 12-29-08 at 07:49 AM.
12-30-08, 12:51 PM
#21
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The Lighting sub-forum on mtbr.com 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...
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...
12-30-08, 06:12 PM
#22
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12-31-08, 05:39 PM
#25
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