Front Light Recommendations
 

Experienced cyclist here, but never rode in the dark before. And I do not know beans about riding lights, though I have quite a few rear blinking lights. I am thinking I'll like to start doing two/three hour rides after dark. Could you recommend a reliable $30-$50 front light that is reliable and quite bright to cover me tooling at 25MPH and can last the duration of my rides? A good solid mount is also cool. And if the price is right, I am not opposed to getting two and mounting one on the helmet too.

Thanks.

Cygolite Metro 360 USB
 

At $50 the Cygolite Metro 360 USB Bicycle Headlight is an attractive option. 4.6-star rated.
The Metro 400 appears to be the current model at this performance point. It's available at $55 at the same site. It's 5-star rated but with just 3 reviews so far.

+1 for the Metro -- love mine. -10 billion for anything made by Knog -- I've had no luck with them.

I have a sackful of these things: Amazon.com : CREE XML XM-L T6 LED Bike Bicycle Light HeadLight HeadLamp 1200LM Red : Cycling Electronics Accessories : Sports & Outdoors (NB: not that precise seller but as far as I can tell they're all probably coming from the same place anyway)

They're basically magicshine clones. I have the actual magic shine as well, which was more like $80 and it's slightly nicer. The battery pack mounts on the head tube under the stem, or under the top tube right up against the head tube.

They're very bright but I'm pretty sure the lumen rating is some sort of theoretical fairy-dust maximum. I go on 2.5 hour rides during the week and have yet to run out of power (I usually run it on high on streets, and medium if I'm on a path like SART)

Am I reading that price right? $21.80 with Amazon Prime. Sounds too good to be true, especially with the few reviews I read, which were positively effusive.

Crazy right? Typically (if you aggregate the reviews) the differences are build quality and maybe battery quality. The build quality on the 4 that I own is very similar to the magic shine original, and while I have read some stories of spotty battery life, I haven't experienced it yet. The original magic shine button lights up different colors depending on the battery status (green, then blue, yellow and red) whereas the faux models I own do not - so buy two and carry the spare, they're not heavy. The battery connection is also more water proof on the original but we live in So Cal, so who cares.

The cygolite models listed above look like they might be more secure on the handlebars, and you can just whip 'em off for recharging, so that might be more convenient. The magic shine version (and clone) attach with a big rubber band thing, so they can wander around on your bars a bit in terms of where they're pointing.

$20 though... hard to go wrong.

When you order, be sure to pick up a defuser lens. They give the wider beam with a top cutoff.

The cheap magicshine-like lights are certainly worth considering. They certainly produce more light. The downsides are that they have a separate battery pack so there are two pieces to mount, and some buyers report quality issues. To get the most lumens per dollar, you have to look at those lights.

I've got an earlier MagicShine 808 and was pleased with the value. Since then, the self-contained lights have improved the lumens per dollar ratio. I now have a bias for one-piece lights.

If you can't get enough lumens for your price from a self-contained bike-specific option, the magicshine-like lights would be one of my top two options. The other would be an 18650-battery flashlight and handlebar mount. The runtime of a one-cell flashlight is shorter than the magicshine clones with multi-cell battery packs, but you do have the option of carrying more batteries. And the flashlight would be one-piece on the bike, with no cable running to a separate battery pack.

It's a matter of preference and needs for your situation.

What kinds of local stores sell lights like those? I don't want to order from a website and wait a month for it to cross the Pacific. Radio Shack? Hardware stores? Bike stores sell lights but they aren't the "cree" ones I keep reading about here, and they cost big bucks. Has anyone found similar lights in brick and mortar stores in the USA?

I have two of the lights TrojanHorse posted. They're the real deal. One I've had for two years now and I use them mostly for mountain biking at night.

The only reason I have two is because I lost the charger from the first one and just ordered a complete set for $19 a few months back. I broke the second charger and ordered another for $8.

Amazon Prime gets them to you in 2 days.

You will need 2 to 4 18650 batteries and a charger. This is a good light. Fenix BT20 750 Lumen Bike light - Uses 4 x CR123 or 2 x 18650 batteries

I'm really sold on the Light & Motion Urban series but it might be more than you want to spend. They are incredibly light weight, powerful and have good run times. Easy to install and remove as well as recharge. If do some searches, you can find them at substantial discounts.

I think the internet may be the only place, but, search bike lights on amazon. There will be various shipping methods
that are not too long...There are hundreds of Amazon lights.


http://www.amazon.com/b/ref=amb_link...f_rd_i=3403201

I have this light and it's very good. You can currently get additional $10 coupon on Fenix's website. I bought one of those cheap lights off ebay and it's currently collecting dust somewhere in my closet, the battery life sucks and the light pattern is poor.

I echo TrojanHorse's words. I just started night time MTB riding with some friends. They gave me this light to ride (l#1 link below) along with the replacement (longer run time I'm assuming) battery (link #2 ). These guys swear by these things. I have a Light & Motion, and figured I'd save for back up when the battery pack burned down. Well, 2 1/2 hours later I still had TONS of light and it was still shining bright. I just placed and order for each a few days ago.
1. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F372RGK/...332200_TE_item
2. Robot Check

I used to ride 15-18 mph with a 200 lumen Dinotte. It was enough light to get a one or two second warning of potholes or rocks. That's just barely enough time to react.

For 25 mph downhills, you'll need at least 500 lumens, preferably 800 or more. And those are real lumens from bike light reviews. The cheap lights often exaggerate their lumens, and might be half or less than advertised.

The really cheap lights can have battery problems, with early failures. If I was on a budget and needed bright lights, I'd probably try riding with two of the "$20" lights, or at least one of them and also a smaller self-contained rechargeable light.

You'll have problems finding any light that has a big enough battery to go full blast for 2 or 3 hours, especially when it gets below 50F. I have to manage my 1100 lumen Dinotte by switching to half or quarter power, and only running at full power when it's really needed.

My lights are out of your price range, but the insight might be helpful. I have a 500 lumen Cygolite on one bike, and an 800 lumen Cygolite on the other. I honestly can't tell the difference between the lights. The 500 lumen was $65 and the 800 lumen was $109. Buy the 500 lumen and you'll be fine.

The two-piece light+battery bag set-up seems to be what a lot of riders want/prefer. There are one-piece alternatives. I've been using this little guy

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=418179

for the last year with a 3400mah Panasonic 18650 (just like the cells used in the Tesla S), which gives over three and a quarter hours of full brightness. It takes maybe 30 seconds to swap the battery, you know, if you're doing a 300km brevet or something. I've seen 'em for under ten bucks on ebay (sans battery, but the mount is included). You'll need an 18650 charger, too.

I bought one of these for $13.50, and free shipping. It's a beast, and the battery lasts a very long time. I also bought one of those beam shaping lenses for $5, and it throws a really bright, well shaped beam...... Hard to beat for a total less than $20 ... I might buy another just for the battery.

2000LM CREE XM L2 T6 LED USB Headlamp Headlight Bicycle Bike Front Light Torch | eBay

I thought I bought mine on Amazon, but can't find it..... aha, here it is http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...A3CHKVEURCLOPX

but a few months ago it was $13 and free shipping - might pay to wait.

Aha, because I bought the old style, 2 mode plus strobe. and it came out of China (shipped)

+1 for a Magicshine clone. My wife and I have been using them for a couple months (although our night riding is over for the season) and they work great. Only have gone about 1.5 hours on high so far though.

Bush ‡ Muller IQ 2 reflector design is good, and used in multiple products of theirs, and the Schmidt eDelux headlight as well , now in version 2.

sorry may not be as cheap as you wish.. then compromises happen.. :innocent:

On my smaller frame bike, I don't want cables and battery packs and prefer a single 18650 flashlght. XinTD C8 V5 XM-L2 U2 1A 18650 Flashlight on the bars, Panasonic NCR18650B Protected 3400mAh a pair of protected Panasonic 18650B batteries (high drain) and Universal Motorcycle Cigarette Lighter Flashlight Holder - Black - Free Shipping - DealExtreme holder and you are all set. Add a Shiningbeam S-mini to the helmet and you are all set with about 1300 lumens of brightness. Total cost about $100. I've been really happy with this setup for commuting in the dark at 20 mph. The recently purchased the XinTD and it is noticeably better than the previous C8 flashlight I had.

I am curious. Also, I just bought a Knog 300 twin light headlight, USB rechargeable. What was bad about your Knog experience?

I've got one of their blinder tail lights. Battery life is horrible, especially as it gets colder. My commute to town is about 45 min, and the thing would be dead by the time I got there (in the winter). Could be I just got a bum unit, but I don't see others using them either up here.

I have the cree xml as well. Unfortunately, the mount is atrocious. I rigged a quick fix this way:

http://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycli...l#post17363299

I have yet to take the bike out for a test ride with the shimmed up mount, but it's definitely more secure than before.

I know this light is sold with a more secure mount on ebay, but the light is apparently selling so well with the goofy o-ring mount, the manuf. and resellers have little incentive to offer a better option.

I would suggest you follow the link to the Marwi conversion that gregjones gave in that thread. (Here it is again) The cost of the parts for the conversion per light is very reasonable...about $12 per unit. The light is easier to take off and put on if you need to and switching between bikes is simple. I have 2 slide mounts on each bike I ride at night and can switch lights from one bike to another in a matter of seconds.

There's no sense in buying a MagicShine because it too was clone from China! But after years of marketing people think it's a brand. So if you want a Magicshine simply get the clone of a clone and save a bunch of money. Of course beware that these lights have rather short life expectancies on the average but you could luck out and get one to last a while, but at those prices even if one fails after 2 years it's cheaper to buy another than it is to buy a battery for a better made light!

There was some reports of these clones having hot battery issues when recharging and on rare occasion burst into flames or melt down of the battery, not sure if that issue has been answered, but one person to be safe placed his battery in a fireproof steel box opened on the top for ventilation. The problem with clones like those $25 ones is getting any warranty problems resolved.

I don't agree with his wording, but I do with the message. Quality pays in the long run. Dynamo-powered lights are reliabler than battery-powered lights, because you don't charge them, and they don't run down during a long ride. They are a big commitment and a big expense, and they are most definitely not for everyone or every situation, but you should learn about them and consider them.

I've posted this many times. The setup cost me $160, and it has been running reliably for over a year now. I leave the lights on in the day. I just jump on the bike and go.

25 mph is extremely fast for night time riding. Are you sure you really go that fast in the dark? I don't think my lights are bright enough for that, but that's OK with me.

The problem with going cheap at first is that you may do it a few times before you find what you like, and you've spent as much as you would have if you had started out expensive. I make this mistake far too often.

It all depends on the end user. The inexpensive Chinese lights suggested above are all quality lights in my experience. The switches, wiring and batteries all perform very well. I've owned around a dozen of them now and only every had a problem with one light.

Generator lights are more "reliable" than battery powered lights, they just have a different power source. As long as you understand the differences...and running out of batteries will teach you the differences in a hurry...battery lights work just as well as generator powered lights. They might just work a little better in some respects...see below.

Herein is the biggest problem I have with you generator guys. Jed19 asked about lights so that he could dabble with the idea of riding at night. He's never ridden at night, doesn't know anything about lights and, perhaps, doesn't know if he will like it. Your suggestion is that he dumps at least $160 (and maybe more) into something that he wants to try. $16 to $30 isn't going to break most people to try something nor, if they like it, is that much money wasted if they decide to go your route. $160, on the other hand, is a goodly chunk of change for an experiment.

The "see below". Really? I hit 25 mph before I'm a mile from my workplace...as evidenced by the sign just past our gate that flashes when you go over 25mph. Part of the fun of tearing out of my workplace is to see how far over 25mph I can make the sign flash at. I've had tailwinds...we get really strong ones here in Denver...that have flashed 40 mph. Once I get off my worksite, I ride a 2 lane parkway that has a 30 mph speed limit and I regularly do that speed in the dark. That's a large part of the reason that run 3 lamps and not one.

That's also one of the greater advantages of a battery light over a dynamo. You can't get more output because you are limited to a single lamp. I'm limited only by how many lamps I can put on my handlebars or on the adapter that I use for my lights. Given the current lightbar I use, I could cram 2 or possible 3 more lamps on there if I wanted to. I have a couple of 28650 battery packs that have a higher amp-hour charge with would let me run 4 lights for around 3 hours on high. That's a lot of fire power and would let me go up to around 60mph if I were stupid enough to want to go that fast

The problem with going expensive right out of the gate is that you don't have to wait to find out if you've made an expensive mistake.

All very fair points, [MENTION=21724]cyccommute[/MENTION]. It's good we present our various arguments. I know I didn't answer the OP's question, but I feel it's important to try to pry open someone's mind because his scope might be broadened after he asks his original question.

And yes, the fact that you want to go as fast as you do means you absolutely need battery lights. I'm fine with making a tradeoff. I don't want to worry about batteries with my main light, so I'm willing to go more slowly.

Most of my area is flat, and most of it has heavy traffic, so exceeding 25 mph is rarely wise. That's the difference between where you are and where I am. I used a GPS yesterday and took three rides. My max speeds were 22, 17, and 17 mph.

Ride one
Ride two
Ride three

Though you sometimes appear to think of me as closed minded, I'll point out that I said that dynamo lights are not for everyone. I am always aware that different people need different things. That you infer that I feel differently irritates me. I do not pose my solutions as universally suitable. I pose them as things to consider. For all I know, it reinforces people's decisions to use batteries. If so, I'm glad. Do you get what I'm saying?