What Front Light Should I Get?
07-26-12 | 05:50 PM
#26
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07-26-12 | 06:06 PM
#27
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I was actually just playing around with the idea of building a new wheel with a generator hub for my commuter bike. Between the new wheel and a decently bright light, it was looking like it would be around $400.
I think I'll just keep plugging in my MiNewt 600 every night.
I think I'll just keep plugging in my MiNewt 600 every night.
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07-26-12 | 06:30 PM
#28
In the right lane
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07-26-12 | 06:35 PM
#29
just ride
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From: Philadelphia
Saw this the other day. Seems to be what you are looking for.
https://www.amazon.com/NiteRider-Lumi...iterider+lmina
https://www.amazon.com/NiteRider-Lumi...iterider+lmina
07-26-12 | 10:07 PM
#30
Mad bike riding scientist
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From: Denver, CO
Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones
Additionally, even one SON hub, E-delux headlight and B&M Toplight is way over mysta02's $100 budget. Any hub based system is way over his budget and a bottle generator system is, well, just wrong.
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Dreamin' of Bemidji Down the Mississippi (in part)
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Dreamin' of Bemidji Down the Mississippi (in part)
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Last edited by cyccommute; 07-26-12 at 11:15 PM.
07-27-12 | 07:16 AM
#31
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Bragi,
How has this light worked for you? The 500 was on my short list of lights this past spring, but they had some significant quality control issues & in the end, I decided to wait. with the fall coming up soon, i'm back on the market for a brighter light & this one would be nice, if they've worked through their issues.
Also, does it get really hot? That was an issue/offshoot from the design of the 500. Not a huge issue, as the other ligth I'm looking at (the MiNewt 600/650) also gets pretty hot.
Thanks for any info you can provide.
How has this light worked for you? The 500 was on my short list of lights this past spring, but they had some significant quality control issues & in the end, I decided to wait. with the fall coming up soon, i'm back on the market for a brighter light & this one would be nice, if they've worked through their issues.
Also, does it get really hot? That was an issue/offshoot from the design of the 500. Not a huge issue, as the other ligth I'm looking at (the MiNewt 600/650) also gets pretty hot.
Thanks for any info you can provide.
I use this light from Light and Motion. It plugs into a cell phone charger. I like it, but it's kind of expensive:
https://www.lightandmotion.com/bike/urban550.html
https://www.lightandmotion.com/bike/urban550.html
07-27-12 | 08:55 AM
#32
unaangalia nini?
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Arlington MA
Bikes: Jamis Quest (Ultegra components,Mavic Ksyrium Elite wheels and Reynods Ouzo Pro Fork), Gary Fisher Tassajara
A NiteRider Minewt 600 cordless is now on sale for $100 at my school's LBS (PDX.edu's Bike Hub). If I didn't have one already, I'd snap that up in a New York minute.
My belief is that you always go with the brightest (rechargeable) light you can afford as a primary light, and then have a battery powered backup as a fall back (oops, forgot to recharge or other problem) and you won't be the guy riding a bike with a firefly in a fireworks display kind of rider.
My belief is that you always go with the brightest (rechargeable) light you can afford as a primary light, and then have a battery powered backup as a fall back (oops, forgot to recharge or other problem) and you won't be the guy riding a bike with a firefly in a fireworks display kind of rider.
07-27-12 | 10:14 AM
#33
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Saw this the other day. Seems to be what you are looking for.
https://www.amazon.com/NiteRider-Lumi...iterider+lmina
https://www.amazon.com/NiteRider-Lumi...iterider+lmina
Thanks!
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07-27-12 | 11:41 AM
#35
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Bikes: Specialized Hardrock
07-27-12 | 12:04 PM
#36
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From: Eugene, Oregon
Bikes: 2014 Specialized Dolce Triple, 1987 Schwinn Tempo, 2012 Windsor Kensington 8
07-27-12 | 10:00 PM
#37
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From: Owosso, MI
Bikes: Carbon Topstone 105(factory) Size XL, 2012 Specialized Secteur
https://www.amazon.com/Lezyne-Super-D.../dp/B0081BJJ1Q Lezyne Super Drive for the front
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0042S56LE Exposure Flare for the back.
Exposure makes really nice lights for the front too but they can get pricey.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0042S56LE Exposure Flare for the back.
Exposure makes really nice lights for the front too but they can get pricey.
07-28-12 | 01:49 AM
#38
nashcommguy
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From: nashville, tn
Bikes: Commuters: Fuji Delray road, Fuji Discovery mtb...Touring: Softride Traveler...Road: C-dale SR300
A NiteRider Minewt 600 cordless is now on sale for $100 at my school's LBS (PDX.edu's Bike Hub). If I didn't have one already, I'd snap that up in a New York minute.
My belief is that you always go with the brightest (rechargeable) light you can afford as a primary light, and then have a battery powered backup as a fall back (oops, forgot to recharge or other problem) and you won't be the guy riding a bike with a firefly in a fireworks display kind of rider.
My belief is that you always go with the brightest (rechargeable) light you can afford as a primary light, and then have a battery powered backup as a fall back (oops, forgot to recharge or other problem) and you won't be the guy riding a bike with a firefly in a fireworks display kind of rider.
07-28-12 | 09:06 AM
#39
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07-28-12 | 09:53 AM
#40
Banned
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From: NW,Oregon Coast
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That is until you find out how much it'll cost to outfit 5 bikes like that....
I commute on Just one..
in NYC whole different game .. team 'knicks' , sounds like brits say 'nick', for steal..
Last edited by fietsbob; 07-28-12 at 09:58 AM.
07-28-12 | 06:10 PM
#41
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From: New York City
You only have one, but try moving the dynamo around when you swap bikes. It'll be a load of fun.
07-28-12 | 08:53 PM
#42
Tractorlegs
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From: El Paso, TX
Bikes: Schwinn Meridian Single-Speed Tricycle
07-28-12 | 09:18 PM
#43
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From: Denver, CO
Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones
But there are 5 workdays in a week and variety is the spice of life.
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Stuart Black
Dreamin' of Bemidji Down the Mississippi (in part)
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Dreamin' of Bemidji Down the Mississippi (in part)
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
07-29-12 | 12:36 AM
#44
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From: Seattle
Bikes: Cannondale Bad Boy Hybrid, Novara Ponderosa 29er
A NiteRider Minewt 600 cordless is now on sale for $100 at my school's LBS (PDX.edu's Bike Hub). If I didn't have one already, I'd snap that up in a New York minute.
My belief is that you always go with the brightest (rechargeable) light you can afford as a primary light, and then have a battery powered backup as a fall back (oops, forgot to recharge or other problem) and you won't be the guy riding a bike with a firefly in a fireworks display kind of rider.
My belief is that you always go with the brightest (rechargeable) light you can afford as a primary light, and then have a battery powered backup as a fall back (oops, forgot to recharge or other problem) and you won't be the guy riding a bike with a firefly in a fireworks display kind of rider.
07-30-12 | 01:01 PM
#45
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I'm sure they are. I have a NiteRider Classic. A considerable upgrade from the Ascent Commuter Pack I was using. I thought. I got it for $129.00 when LED's were starting to give halogen's a run for the money. On my first night trip with it our tandem struck a rock or something in the road and we went down taking out the quick release mount for the NiteRider. $30 bucks for a new mount. Got a MagicShine and it will be starting its 3rd season this Fall. I haven't looked back. NiteRiders are slick. No doubt. The on/off switch of a NiteRider is probably worth more than an entire MagicShine... but does an on/off switch light up the road? I'll put my trust in a cheaper light that puts lumens on the road from now on v.s. fancy name brand lights that offer slick design but mediocre output. The 2nd generation MagicShines are even cheaper and IMO there is just no justification now for not having ~500 real lumens minimum out of a bike light at high power. You can always use a lower power setting if you don't need it all.
H
H
07-30-12 | 01:36 PM
#46
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From: CID
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
I've got the Serfas "True 250" and it's plenty bright (and long-lasting at submax levels). Over the $100 mark, but I feel it was a great purchase.
07-30-12 | 02:04 PM
#47
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head light only solution: Sanyo dynamo hub $50 +shipping. B&M Lyt plus $46 +shipping. +spokes +labor if reusing a rim. This is about as cheap as it gets for dynamo hub lighting. +spokes +labor if reusing a rim. The Sanyos were going for around $36 but it appears the price has gone up. There are cheaper lights like a Spanninga Micro, and also cheaper lights that do not have a standlight.
You don't have to put the most expensive solution on all your bikes. I have Sanyo, SON, and Sturmey Archer dynamo hubs. I have an Edelux and Spanninga lights. One can also upgrade incrementally if you have more than one bike. My nicer headlights and dynamo hubs gravitate to the nicer bikes as I upgrade. The lesser lights go on lesser bikes.
I like dynamo hubs for many reasons, mostly because they almost always work.
You don't have to put the most expensive solution on all your bikes. I have Sanyo, SON, and Sturmey Archer dynamo hubs. I have an Edelux and Spanninga lights. One can also upgrade incrementally if you have more than one bike. My nicer headlights and dynamo hubs gravitate to the nicer bikes as I upgrade. The lesser lights go on lesser bikes.
I like dynamo hubs for many reasons, mostly because they almost always work.
07-30-12 | 03:43 PM
#48
Tractorlegs
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,185
Likes: 60
From: El Paso, TX
Bikes: Schwinn Meridian Single-Speed Tricycle
I'm sure they are. I have a NiteRider Classic. A considerable upgrade from the Ascent Commuter Pack I was using. I thought. I got it for $129.00 when LED's were starting to give halogen's a run for the money. On my first night trip with it our tandem struck a rock or something in the road and we went down taking out the quick release mount for the NiteRider. $30 bucks for a new mount. Got a MagicShine and it will be starting its 3rd season this Fall. I haven't looked back. NiteRiders are slick. No doubt. The on/off switch of a NiteRider is probably worth more than an entire MagicShine... but does an on/off switch light up the road? I'll put my trust in a cheaper light that puts lumens on the road from now on v.s. fancy name brand lights that offer slick design but mediocre output. The 2nd generation MagicShines are even cheaper and IMO there is just no justification now for not having ~500 real lumens minimum out of a bike light at high power. You can always use a lower power setting if you don't need it all.
H
H
Both are great brands, although my current flamethrower is a NiteRider. I recommend both brands, they both have excellent lights and areas they can improve. 
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07-31-12 | 05:10 AM
#49
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2012
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Hi
Why not build your own.
I use two of these for Headlights. One will do. I just wanted more light. One light is 300 Lumens so with two I have 600 Lumens. The flood lights really catch the drivers eye.
https://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...6540%2d%5f%2dx
I just use a 7 AMP hour sealed battery.
For a tail light I use a LED trailer light it is bright enough to light up street signs over 2 blocks away.
Nathan
Why not build your own.
I use two of these for Headlights. One will do. I just wanted more light. One light is 300 Lumens so with two I have 600 Lumens. The flood lights really catch the drivers eye.
https://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...6540%2d%5f%2dx
I just use a 7 AMP hour sealed battery.
For a tail light I use a LED trailer light it is bright enough to light up street signs over 2 blocks away.
Nathan
Hi all,
I'm fairly new here and to cycling in general. I currently use one of those cheap 9-LED flashlights mounted to my handlebars via and elastic band to light my way home from work.... I'm looking to upgrade and I'm not sure what to get. I bought a couple of MEC 1-Watt lights that I'm going to mount to the forks or to the handlebars, but I want BRIGHT. I considered a Petzl Tikka XP 2 Core headlamp mounted to the bike, but never seen one in action. Nite Ize also sells a front lamp for about $45 and it's quite bright.
What are people using these days? I want bright and I want it decently priced - maybe about $100. Less is ok, but not much over $100. I'm not made of money, but where my safety is concerned, I don't mind shelling out SOME cash.
Thanks for any info you can throw my way
Mysta02
I'm fairly new here and to cycling in general. I currently use one of those cheap 9-LED flashlights mounted to my handlebars via and elastic band to light my way home from work.... I'm looking to upgrade and I'm not sure what to get. I bought a couple of MEC 1-Watt lights that I'm going to mount to the forks or to the handlebars, but I want BRIGHT. I considered a Petzl Tikka XP 2 Core headlamp mounted to the bike, but never seen one in action. Nite Ize also sells a front lamp for about $45 and it's quite bright.
What are people using these days? I want bright and I want it decently priced - maybe about $100. Less is ok, but not much over $100. I'm not made of money, but where my safety is concerned, I don't mind shelling out SOME cash.
Thanks for any info you can throw my way
Mysta02
Last edited by wattsne1999; 07-31-12 at 06:26 AM. Reason: Typo
07-31-12 | 06:31 AM
#50
Senior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 229
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From: North Attleboro, MA
Bikes: 2011 Steamroller; 1998 Cannondale F-400; 1981 Motobecane Jubilee Sport
I'm waiting for a manufacturer to make a light that has a built in, one shot, 20 MW (or so...) laser. 
Just enough to burn a hole in a think piece of sheet metal (like a trunk), or leave a nice word in the paint of that brand new Audi that almost ran you off the road.....
Just enough to burn a hole in a think piece of sheet metal (like a trunk), or leave a nice word in the paint of that brand new Audi that almost ran you off the road.....