Originally Posted by
BarracksSi
You don't have to wonder if the lights you strap to the hood of your car have enough charge in their batteries to stay lit for the duration of your drive, do you? Oh yeah, they're always working, getting current from the car's engine.
I'd say to really look into a dynohub setup. If you ride often at twilight or in the dark, and as long as you're going faster than maybe 5 mph (slower than that and they'll strobe), they're worth every penny (and sometimes cheaper than the expensive rechargeable setups, even after including a new wheel). They also help add some visibility during the day.
If I added together all the lights and batteries I've bought over the years, the total would've been about the same as outfitting two bikes with dynohubs and lights. Considering that I have three bikes and one already has a dynohub, I wouldn't need any battery-powered lights at all.
Depends on what you want to do and how you want to use the lights. For Wolverine Rebel's application, dyno is probably not the best. First the lights aren't as intense as what is needed for off-road especially for downhill. Helmet lights are difficult to rig from a dyno as well. A helmet light is far more useful off-road because of their directionality.
There's also the problem of having to keep the wheel turning for consistent light. Climbing on a mountain bike off-road may or may not be fast enough to keep the wheel turning at the proper rate. And if you have to stop to walk over an obstacle, you might be walking sections of the trail in the dark. It's not the best fit which is why battery systems are so prevalent