Staypuft1652

As the title suggests, front of course. Want to start doing some minor night off road trail riding. Have a few lights thus far, but nothing impressive. Mainly focused right now on bar mounted options but open to helmet soon. Looking at thorfire, fenix, and some of the mid to lower end magicshines. Would be open to other posibilities as there is a niterider dealer down the street. TIA

noglider 

Take a look at the Cygolite Mitycross. I haven't seen this one in person yet, but all Cygolite products I've seen have impressed me. I have a few of their products, and they hold up very well. They also gave me a full replacement without charge when my battery stopped accepting a charge. Very nice company, and their stuff is made the USA.

I've seen some NiteRider gear, and it also looks very well made.

gauvins

You may also want to consider using two lights - one mounted on your helmet and one on your frame (handlebar, headtube, fork)

Two lights from different angles improve 3D view.

Lezyne macro is among the lightest at under 100g, yet provides a generous 400 lumens. You can get two of those within your stated budget.

Staypuft1652

Thanks for the input. I will check into cygolite and lezyne. They both do have nice looking products.

Staypuft1652

Thanks, do you have any experience with the metro, or expilion lines of cygolite?

noglider 

I've handled the metro a lot but not ridden by it. I think it's excellent. I have ridden with friends using it.

I have a Streak which is a miniature Metro, and it's very good but battery life is not as good. It suits me because I don't use it frequently.

Be careful to aim these lights down, as they don't have shaped beams. If they go into people's faces, it's painful, so don't do it.

I've also been using the Cygolite Hotshot tail light and think highly of it. It's been tough. I hang it by a cloth loop on the back of my toolbag, and it hasn't shown any risk of falling off.

Staypuft1652

Yes, I try to be very mindful in town with my lights. I have a little niterider swift 350 I use in town on low or medium, aimed down. Its a flood beam so I just use it to locate potholes etc. Thanks again.

Staypuft1652

Ended up buying a Niterider lumina 750 boost. Will try it tonight. Thanks all.

Staypuft1652

Also a Bontrager Ion 800 r.

Staypuft1652

Ion 800 r refuses to charge now.

datlas 

Honestly I think the $30 magicshine clones are ideal. Buy 5 of them. Even if one dies every 6 months, it's more cost effective than one fancy light.

Staypuft1652

I already have 2 of those in which you speak, and after this gets returned, will have more.

Kaze6

If your objective is to be able to see while you're riding, pretty much any $40 light will do that. I'm partial to Cygolight -- the first of those that I saw was on a bike coming toward me, the flash BRIGHT and obvious better than half a mile away, during the middle of a summer day in Nevada. I paid about $50 for the one I use, it's clamped underneath the end of the handlebar.

Rollfast

A Maglite on a flashlight holder.


6V lanterns were cool as well.


Not saying that's durable, but I've done it on the street.

Staypuft1652

I cant tell if your being sarcastic, but Yes I bought an Energizer 900 lumen flashlight originally, and its insanely bright, but takes 6 AA's, and is a tad bulky. Kinda worth it though for how bright it is.

Staypuft1652

I am interested in them to see by. Originally I purchased the serfas usl-305. Then I kinda got obsessed with lights as I hadnt realised led lights had gotten so powerful. Add to that niterider swift 350, which is a great cheap flood light, then a couple chinese amazon lights, niterider 750 boost. Way more light than I need, but not going to run into anything at night.

Rollfast

Nope, there have been flashlight holders since God bought a folder.

Dnald30

Yes, do have nice products. Already got one.

tigris99

I can tell you this light, which is what I use for a lot of stuff, pretty much blows any of the lights mentioned above away. Things great. USB chargeable, 1400 lumens (actual) and all of that. Worth a look. Theres a big thread about it over on mtbr as well.

https://www.ituolights.com/collectio...8650-batteries

Staypuft1652

Thanks! Yes I had recently been over at the mtbr forums and seen that brand of lights. That will be my next planned purchase.

Nachoman

But after 2 1\2 years, he would very likely still be using his fancy light, whereas if one magicshine clone died every 6 months, he'd be out $150.00 and have no light at all.

southpier

anyone have a rack mounted headlight that looks a little more traditional? i don't want a sleek, jagged, bar mounted light in front. rear seatpost or rackmount needed too. thanks.

Staypuft1652

Cygolite turbo?

Theres an 800 lumen model ($99) and a mini 400, but I only see one place that sells it and its $89. I doubt it would be too difficult to figure out a rack mount, but wouldnt be the best to power on or change modes as it has no remote.

southpier

yes; that's the shape i was thinking. i tried to go through several searches/ threads, but the cross referencing and links made it a bit overwhelming. thanks. amazon has a whole package with charger/ battery/ waggy bits/ shipping free - for 103$.

Robert C

Whenever recommending the MS clones I also recommend the defuser lens. The one I have on my bike has been there, and working, for over three years.