Jessicawhite

I love riding bike at night, and now, I am looking for a flashlight to mount to my bike, but I am advised to get a headlamp, so, which one is better for cycling?

ShortLegCyclist

I'd get both.

The bike-mounted headlight is good because oncoming cars can see the steady light source (whether flashing or solid) from a good distance away, while a helmet light may be intermittently visible as you swivel your head to check your surroundings. The bike mounted headlight is more obviously a vehicle headed towards them.

A helmet light can be very useful too though, to aim it at drivers coming up at you from the sides who cannot necessarily see your bike mounted light.

I'd actually advise you to consider even more lights, ideally constantly visible from both sides, like spoke lights or a side projecting taillight.

You can never be TOO visible to drivers at night. Just don't shine a powerful headlight or helmet light right into their eyes and blind them.

Homebrew01

Check out the Lighting subforum if you want to discuss specific lights and night riding.

Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets

I used a good headlight, with a good flashlight mount as backup in case the primary died. A good blinkie on the back, and a reflective vest over my jersey.

spdracr39

It is best to ride with both. A quality helmet mounted light and a bar mounted light. A flashlight will not do ( although it is better than nothing). Invest in a couple of quality 150 lumen minimum rechargeable lights and a good rechargeable tail light. A single light creates shadows and can obscure debris and the depth of holes on the road. Having two lights fills in those shadows and also draws more attention from traffic.

obed7

you can not get too much of having things visible or being visible yourself.

fietsbob

I got a Bike Headlight which is so much better at putting the light on the road, not in the trees,

because the optics of the Reflector are so much better than the typical cone shaped reflector

with the bulb at the bottom of the cone, which is your typical flashlight.

Now I have an older Bike light with a flashlight like reflector , that I Use as A flashlight ..

and got a B&M Ixon IQ2 headlight for the battery light to put on the bike ..

REVIEW: Busch & Muller Ixon IQ Premium - Warning Photo Heavy

berner

Welcome Jessica. I'm very safety conscious so that if shopping for a light I'd go for a good one and prepare to spend enough for a durable one with enough light. Search results for lights | Jenson USA Check out the electronics section of the forum but the link will give you some idea about what is available and cost.

10 Wheels

I was happy with two T-6 18650 flashlights on my road bike.

The adjustable focus is nice.



https://www.fasttech.com/products/1601/10000911/1591001

Wilfred Laurier

I have a nice bike-specific headlight now, but I used to buy the $0.99 five-LED lights from the discount store and attach it to my bars using an inner tube cut into elastic bands.

Funny thing is, the bike light wirks better as a flashlight than the cheap flashlight works as a bike light... OR as a flashlight.

1nterceptor

I've used both flashlights and bike specific lights. For a long time, the bike specific light makers had lower output than flashlights.
But bike specific lights have easier to handle mounts. Sometimes giving you the option of mounting in various areas; bars, helmet,
frame, etc. Currently, there are cycling specific lights that are comparable to the most powerful flashlights. Really depends on your
preference. What's your budget?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFxC...IoDLA&index=20

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGpB...IoDLA&index=78

no motor?

A good flashlight will out perform the cheap bike lights, put the good flashlight on your helmet and a bike light on your handlebars and you'll know you did things right when you wonder how you got along without lights. Don't forget one for the rear either.

Freedom2015

When I buy a bike, first thing I do is remove all reflectors and lights. That way, they cant see you. They cant see you, they cant find you. Government is always passing needless laws to keep track of us. Not me, no freakin way.

mtk

Seems like the headlamp might be a bit more forgiving in the weather and easier to mount. I'm not sure if the price difference makes mounting a flashlight a better deal, because I would assume it's a bigger hassle.

Elvo

Yep make sure you run a powerful magnet along your entire bike to demagnetize the frame so the government can't track you. Also use an inspection scope inside your frame and wheels to see if the government placed any non magnetic tracking devices.

Freedom2015

Yeah, they pulled that trick on me too. I had no access to a scope, and I couldnt shake em, so I went under a bridge where the homeless hang out. I gave a man the bike and my sweatshirt, then waited and walked away.LOL, I shook them for three weeks.

Jessicawhite

I have found such flashlights in Sure Fire, Fenix, and Tank007 flashlight sites, will choose one after consideration. You reply values to me.

Wilfred Laurier

I have submitted a patent application for a helmet with an expanded polystyrene core and a co-molded tinfoil cover. Safety plus THE MAN can't control your thoughts. I will send you one of the first prototypes.

Up North

You can run and ride but you can't hide. The drones are watching you. Best buy a one way ticket to Syria they don't look there.

jman0war

It's neat, but that flashing would annoy the heck of me.

no motor?

I have a couple of older versions of these lights, and this is much much better. Get some Panasonic or Sanyo batteries (skip the ultrafires) a decent charger and you're good to go if you have a mount.

vatdim

Get one or two of these and you'll be asking yourself the reason why you hadn't done so earlier. These lights are not only very bright, but have a very wide area of illumination compared to many of the more professional brands. And as for your original question, I think nothing substitutes a good reliable light source mounted on the bike itself. Having more lights on the bike or on your person can only help, of course.

andy8228011

They are both OK,but headlamp will make you feel uncomfortable...it will wear on your head you know...and it will be dangerous because the light may not in front of your bike..
So fix a flashlight on your bike is more wise...
I recommend 2 brand.,.Sure fire and Tank007..they are different price range.