Originally Posted by
mhifoe
For 2 hours nighttime commuting per day, I would seriously consider a dynamo.
4 hours, maybe. But for 2 to 3 hours, battery systems work just fine. The batteries are light enough that you can carry a second one (18650 cells). Or you can purchase a battery pack with 28650 cells which have twice the capacity of the 18650 cells for 4 hours of light. 28650 battery packs can be had for $15 to $20 while 18650 battery packs can be had for about $10. A light, battery, charger and a larger capacity battery pack will cost around $50...cheap enough to have 3 (two for the bars and one for the helmet) for the price of the least expensive generator system with a single light. The battery system also has the advantage of being useable on multiple bikes if you have the need or desire.
The Cree lights on Amazon or Fleabay are also cheaper and just as good a quality than the lights dognamedbanjo is looking at.
Originally Posted by
dognamedbanjo
I have considered a dynamo, but don't know all that much about it. My commuter doubles as a cyclocross bike. Would this be a pain to deal with?
A generator light is a more permanent installation. You can take them off but not as easily as you can take off a battery system.