guys - sorry for the basic questions here but I just bought a bike, maybe after 20 years! The last I remember of lighting was dynamo was sort of entering the market but it never gained too much popularity

I just bought the Trek FX2 - the store was trying to sell me the Ion 800. Question - are they worth the cost or can I do just fine with the sub-$50 lights in the sticky thread? Also, is the Ion an instant mount - no tools needed or there is not much difference and mounting other lights is simple enough? I plan to have both a front and rear light for safety

As a side, the store also had the instamount for the phones - they said it just clips on - again, do I need to buy that or are there equivalent secondary options that are just as good but cheaper

Thanks

I use a Cygolite Dash 450 front light and a Cygolite Hotshot for a rear light for day rides. They're both reasonably good lights. I've gotten good service from Cygolite products. The Dash 450 is a no-tools mount as well.

Several people in our group run the Dash 450. Our little peloton gets stretched out quite a bit at times. I can see the Dash 450s in my rear view mirror for quite a distance, at least a half mile or so.

Are catseye lights still a viable and relatively inexpensive option.

[MENTION=365354]nob[/MENTION], dynamo lights are still not popular in the US (or Canada, I believe), but they are worth a look. I have a few bikes, and the few I ride regularly have dynamo lights. The reason is that while I can keep track of all the things I need to charge, the prospect of my headlight running out before my need runs out is a little scary. I like the absolute guarantee that my headlight will work no matter what.

The way dynamo lights bolt on is also convenient. You might think they would be theft targets, but that has proven not to be the case. Thieves carry cable cutters but not wrenches.

Here is my blog post on my dynamo lights. I should write a revised one, because I've switched to a different bike on most of my rides. The whole setup cost me $160 with tail light, which sounds like a lot, but it has paid off.

I battery powered lights on some of my bikes, and I ended up spending a lot on them, too, because I was dissatisfied with the low-priced lights.

i have nothing to input with reference to dynamo bike lights however, my part time job that i commute to starts at night and i'm riding home near or after midnight.

i live in a larger city with very little bike infrastructure. my main concern is to be able to see far enough while still being seen. i've never had any concern with being seen - i run cygolite rear blinkies, i started with the hot shot in the back which has never failed me. i recently upgrade to a cygolite hot shot pro that charges with a micro usb connector which is how everything else on my bike charges - i keep a charged small power pack in my pannier and a cable in case any of my lights, bike computer or cell phone dies.

in the front i run a Cygolite Metro Pro 1100 lumen. i really like how bright it is. i used to run a cygolite metro 360 and it was pretty good but then i found myself outrunning the light sometimes.i hit a rock one time and i dumped my bike so i got the 1100.

Cygolite has been awesome with their customer service and their steady pulse lighting set up is pretty cool. i ride in all the weather and i've never had a problem with their lights.

it's what i like, feel free to check their stuff out.