I have been using a Cycle Torch 550R that so far has been VERY good for my ride. I ride mostly through suburban and bike trail with little light on the streets and none on the trail. The Cycle Torch does really well at night, very bright.

I always run four lights, one a planet bike I use for daytime running light (pretty much always have it on the blinking setting) and a planet bike rear light (also blinking) and the tail light that came with the Cycle Torch, also very good.

The Cycle Torches are usb chargers and the 550R has a removable battery so you can get extras if you need.

In front I used a Light & Motion Urban 900 3-4 nights a week all spring and summer until its mount broke irreparably right at the base of the light's body. The LBS was good enough to accept the return, and I replaced it with a Light & Motion Taz 1200. Its design seems sturdier, and I like its beam pattern even better. I would recommend it.

In back I have a CygloLite Hotshot Pro 150, and a 100 (150 on seatpost, 100 on rack). For many rides I don't bother with the 100, but like having it as a backup, or for if I start getting that paranoid feeling.

I've had complements from motorists on my lights. I was once even approached by a cop who wanted to know the brand and models so he could start recommending them in safety classes.

I just got a Trelock LS 560 which I used on a path in the dark last night for the first time. I was amazed at the pattern and output compared to other lights I have used and the cutoff that didn't seem to bother joggers (they didn't turn away or cover their eyes). I think I paid $50 or so for it to be shipped from Germany. I have a B&M light coming as well and whichever I like less will be swapped onto my son's bike. He currently has a Cateye that is ineffective.

I just read a couple of reviews of that Trelock. Google Translate did a great job translating them from German. The light looks very good and reasonably priced.

best website for bike lights bar none is here:

those other ones that have been posted are tosh/****.

Analysis of bicycle lighting systems: https://swhs.home.xs4all.nl/fiets/te.../index_en.html

Actual reviews of bike lighting: https://swhs.home.xs4all.nl/fiets/te.../index_en.html

I was really surprised at how much light it throws and how effective the pattern is. I also ordered one of the $10 Chinese lights you mentioned from Banggood as a backup. Haven't gotten it yet, but I am pretty interested to see how well it works.

I ordered a second one. I'll probably regret it, as I am ultimately dissatisfied with cheap stuff, especially when it ships directly from Asia. But I can't find much fault in the banggood light, at least not yet. It's amazingly small and light, too.

Now one of my favorite headlights is the B&M Eyc (pronounced Ike). I wrote a little review of it here. It requires a dynamo to power it. I love dynamo lights, and I generally prefer them, but not everyone can use them, and I can't put them on all of my bikes.

I am not ready to make the jump to dynamo lights yet. The Busch & Muller light I ordered is Ixon IQ Premium 80 Lux. I also ordered a mount for the forks so I can move it off my handlebars. The bars I have are sloped for about 2.5" at the bracket towards the grips and make mounting any light problematic. Mounting the light closer to the grip means I need to aim it back towards the center of the road which means the light is aimed sideways. I am hoping a fork mounted light will help with all this. Glad to hear you like the banggood light. It will make a good spare, I'm sure.

I own an Ixon IQ headlight, had it for a year +.
the latch is a weak point, as a back up, apply some tape after you close it.
I had the upper portion of the latch break when the bike fell over,
the light itself did not hit anything, it stayed in the bars ,
But burst open, spilling the batteries out.

Now I use a zip tie to keep it shut.

If you have the plug in battery charger, you can leave the tape on it.





....

Will do! Thanks!

Why didn't you order the version with the bigger battery? It's supposed to run for 3.5 to 5 hours yet still has the beam that meets the German specification.

'Cuz I didn't know about it. Want to share the link with us?

https://www.banggood.com/XANES-SFL03...ts__2&I&ID=224

It looks like it's got the same 600 lumen output, a 2,000 mah battery but without the red light option.

Whats your budget?
I recommend:
Cateye Rapid X3 (ultra wide beam, several mounting options)
Orfos FlarePro (USB powered, ultra wide and bright beam)

Another vote for Cygolite here. I've had the same USB-rechargeable headlight and tail light for about 2 years. They still hold a good charge and appear to be as bright as day 1.

I sometimes ride at night. The headlight is fine for me at night - just need to make sure that it's not pointed too high or oncoming drivers will give me their high beams.

I use a helmet mounted Exposure Diablo. I ride every night on roads with no street lights. It's friggen dark. The diablo is like a spot light for your head.

IPX4. So fog may not get in, but a light drizzle will.

Although I have and like my nightrider 750, and cygolight 210 mounted low on a Paul Gino light mount on my front rack, have to say that I really love the output of the cree light that [MENTION=21724]cyccommute[/MENTION] recommended above. Threw the battery pack in my front rack bag, and used it for the better part of a 2+ hour group gravel ride at night recently. It had a large beam of light that was sufficient for myself, and some under lighted other riders to see by. Really tickled with the light output, not to mention the low cost. I'd bought a second one to use head mounted for dog walking.

I'm tempted to order one, just to see if it arrives with as much entertaining Engrish as appears on the website: "Intelligent mode can sense the surrounding light, when the light is on, the lights on the off, when the light is dark, the lights on the light..."
"Features:
1. Intelligent light control to save electricity, high efficiency, not waste electricity.
2. Highlight to meet long distance lighting.
3. Rainproof design, rainy day riding worry."

I love this stuff!

No love for Lezyne? I just got one of these recently, only mine says "Power Drive" instead of "Macro Drive" on it. Anyone had any experience with these? It is about to explode or melt or fall of the bike or something? I've only had it out on one commute and there's still enough ambient light around here that I didn't need to use the whole 1100 (or however many it really is) lumens, but it doesn't weigh much and seems to do the trick so far.

I've been using a fenix pd35 double hoseclamped to the handlebars for about two years now (though I've only been commuting by bike since september 22). The mounting for my helmet is equally hillarious, but they've been awesome. I usually run them on the middle setting. I like self contained lights with easily replacable batteries but I'm kinda odd like that.

I was riding back from my girlfiends house last night for what may be the last time before we move in together thinking about how I didn't use a light at first and then was impressed with the old Road Toad I started using because it would light up the area just in front of my wheel. And how that lead to a series of more and better lights over the years.