I will be in the Portland Oregon area next week and plan on stopping by Biketiresdirect to see what I might need that I didn't even now they made. I am looking for some new lights to replace the ones I have had for many years now. My current ones were fairly inexpensive ones but have worked good but they are not holding the charge like they did. Just wondering what you guys are using, especially the rear one ?

I use something similar to this up front, and a radar light in the rear (but radar alerts require a head unit).

I like cygolite brand

1100 lumens up front https://www.amazon.com/Cygolite-Ligh...42&sr=8-6&th=1

350 lumens in the back https://www.amazon.com/Cygolite-Hype...42&sr=8-1&th=1

Check this out:

https://www.bikeforums.net/electroni...hting-gadgets/

i use a Garmin Varia but I've added this: https://www.blackburndesign.com/p/da...400000026.html

The Blackburn is the brightest light I've ever used.

Have you considered replacing the rechargable battery in the device? Is it accessible without destroying it?

Dan

I use Exposure lights front and back - Diablo 2,000 lumens on the front and Blaze Reakt 150 lumens on the rear. The thing I love about these lights is the power is there when I need it, but if I dial them down I can get over 12 hours of run time. Plus, the rear one flares when I brake. Not cheap, but worth every penny in my view.

Lights for daytime riding or lights for nighttime riding? Even for nighttime, it'll make some difference whether the light is for you seeing things or others seeing you.

One thing I like to add to these discussions is that for being seen, helmet lights can be a big help. I've use the Light and Motion version for years.

I am the odd man out when it comes to lights. I went expensive and am very happy I did. I run an old Lupine Piko 3. It is similar to the newer Lupine Pico 4. I have had it since 2011 and it still works fine, including the original battery. I have it mounted to the fork using a Paul Components Gino Light mount and the clamp mount I got with the light. The light is incredibly bright at full power, and reliable. I do not regret purchasing it one bit. THe beam is focused well, and doesn't just throw light everywhere, a big plus when riding with cars coming towards you. You won't have glare hitting the driver of the car.

It did cost a lot, but it also has lasted, and shows no evidence of failing anytime soon. The battery still lasts a very long time. One day I will get around to buying an extra battery. The battery that came with mine is the one that attached to the bike. I would have to look at its specs for all the details though.

You can see it in this picture, on the fork. I don't have the battery mounted in this pictrue though. It attaches using a velcro strap, and I attach it to the lower tube just behind the head tube.

You don't have to go to the store to see what they offer. Their website shows that, including what is in and out of stock. https://www.biketiresdirect.com/lights
You can also find recommendations here at the Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets subforum https://www.bikeforums.net/electroni...hting-gadgets/ There are stickies at the top of the page for reasonably priced headlights and taillights.
I'm not a fan of anything with proprietary batteries if they even let you switch them out. Most don't so when your battery runs low you can't just pop in a fresh rechargeable battery.
Lots of very bright lights with short run times at the site. I live in an area with very bright sunlight and no shade over roads or trails. If what you just need is to be seen, even a cheap 900 lumen (Cree XML-t6) flashlight powered with a 18650 battery is way more then enough. Ditto for a taillight. It doesn't take all that much to be seen.

+1 for Cygolite brand. I've tried many and these seem to be the best I have ever used. Made in the USA also!

I run 1100 lumen front and 350 lumen rear. And, you can order extra brackets (fairly inexpensive), for lights that need brackets, so you can easily switch between bikes.


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But are they 1994 expensive? $300 to $550 according to the inflation calculator I ran them through quickly.

Borrowed from Speedoflite's post in C&V

I know they aren’t cheap, but the Garmin Varia is amazing. You can be seen and also “see” upcoming vehicles long before you’ll hear them.

I've gone through a few lights, and I wholeheartedly recommend the Cygolite 350 for the back.

For the front, you absolutely will not beat this:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B8WZDG6T...ils&th=1&psc=1

This thing is crazy bright, but also has a wide beam and a very well defined cutoff so you are not blinding drivers. It's not light weight but it blows every other head light out of the water for the light output and beam pattern.

I don't agree. There's a guy who regularly rides a route similar to mine who has a bright jersey and a puny taillight. Every time I see the guy I'm struck by how far away I can see his jersey, but that I can't see his light unless he's just in front of me. In bright sunlight, it takes a bright light to be seen.

Yes, currently the Piko 4 is between $340 and $390 depending on options. THey have soome options well over $1000, though I see no need for those.

My priorities are different. I like a decent quality light to the rear, but I need as good or better up front. Unbranded lights off Amazon look bright but they don't hold a candle ... to a Cygolite 1100 or something similar.

still have one set

back in the day they were among the best - if not the best

then NightRider arrived …

now a $30 light performs better

I remember those water bottle battery lights from back in the day. I'd think that with modern battery and LED technology, a battery that size nowadays would literally shine for days 🤔

The light I linked to is 2600 lumen. The beam patttern is much wider than the typical single lens round light like the Cygolite. Also the larger the light, the more visible it is.
And it’s Amazon. You can return it if you don’t like it. But I guarantee you this light will blow your Cygolite into the weeds.

IF that light was 2600L (it isn't) there is no way it could run for more than 10 minutes with the size battery that it has. That's simple physics. In actual fact, my Cygolite is not the only light I am using. It is the one that goes on my helmet, and most of the time it is at 2/3 power. Same thing holds there.2x18650 cells can only run but so long at full power, at any power really. My main lights are on the bars. Two MagicShine 808 lightheads, and two 4x18650 Gemini batterypacks. MagicShines are Lupine (German) knock-off's. Lupines are $500USD. Amazon sells knock-off MagicShines! Knock-off's of knock-off's. That's what your light is, and I've been around the block and I am not tempted. You do get what you pay for. You do not need an ultra-wide beam pattern. That just throws light where you may not want it. All my lights can be considered 'beamy' or 'spotty'. That is good, because the Cygolite at least, can be aimed where I want to see, and there is no stray light going into drivers' eyes.

Niterider (650?) in the front, Garmin Varia in the back. Daytime only.

VIz 450 lumen taillight + Garmin Varia - yep both at the same time. Front Fenix BC25R flash mode.

Heck of a lot cheaper than a hospital stay - don't ask.
https://www.cateye.com/intl/products...ghts/TL-LD820/

Have you been to a Biketiresdirect location? It's not your typical retail experience. It's basically a mail-order shipping facility with a front desk. Two ways to buys stuff onsite. First, use their computer to browse their limited inventory and buy something at their list price. Second is go to the small returned-item space and see what's uber cheap in returned goods. Random stuff deeply discounted.

If you go looking for a specific item, chances are not good. That's not their business model.