jjmolyet

I have a small light powered by AA batteries which is FAR from ideal, is there a good light anyone can endorse that maybe runs on C or D cells, I am really not to enthusiastic about lights that have big battery packs(even though I am very imprssed with their output) And I am looking to spend $40, not $140 Thanks, I know I might be asking the impossible but it is worth a try.

operator

The lights that use C or D cells won't be much better than your AA battery ones. Not with anything close to acceptable run times anyways. There is no "in between" from the to-see lights and the to-be-seen lights.

What exactly is your goal with your lighting system? For $40, that won't really get you much of anything your AA system won't be able to do. You're going to be looking at close to $100 for the next level up.

dolomite592

If I can remember correctly, Nashbar (and a lot of other bike stores for that matter) have recently brought the price of the Cygolite Night Rover NiMH down from $100 to $40-60. If you can find this light for that price, it's a great deal. I've had that light for a few years and it's powerful and long-lasting. good luck.

n4zou

Mag-Lite has a new 2-AA 3-watt light for $24 at Wal-Mart that is just perfect for your road bike. Mounting is easy. Drop by any building supply store and look in the electrical supply area and purchase a 1/2" EMT clamp. Using a strip of rubber between the clamp and the flashlight from an old blinkie this flashlight is easily and securely mounted to another clamp around your handlebar. I used an old plastic clamp from a dead blinkie. You may want to drill out the hole so you can use a 1/4" screw with the EMT clamp. Also get a star washer and put between the EMT clamp and the plastic clamp so it won't move around. This LED flashlight is exceedingly bright and runs for 3.5 hours on 2 AA batteries and it's very easy to change them out. The beam pattern is also adjustable, wide for maneuvering around obstacles and tight long range for road or MUP use. This light is more than just a "be seen" LED light! You can actually see where you're going. Below is a picture with one mounted on my road bike. Wal-mart has a 90 day with receipt policy so if you don’t like it just take it back.

deanp

I recently picked up a Cateye EL-500 for $49, it works great. Uses 4 AA batteries. On a totally dar street or road it will illuminate curb to curb and forward at least 50 feet.

spiderbike

I use a old kerosene lantern...It works great just hang it off your drops

dekindy

October 2006 Bicycling recommends the Cateye EL-410, $40. There you go!

eandmwilson

If you are riding anywhere near oncoming traffic, then forget about an solution under $100. Oncoming traffic will blind you more thanany cheap headlight system can compensate for.

If you are riding in a mostly dark environment and not going fast (say above 15 mph), mst decent LED systems might work. The problem is when there is any light, but not enough to steer by, most cheapo LED system are washed out and you can't see anything.

You can also build your own Death STar bright light for about that money--search the commuter forum.

wonderflee

+1 on the cygolite, it really lights up the road. It has wide and narrow beams you can turn both on at the same time. The battery pack is not to bad, it goes in your water bottle cage. My friend who rode with me once in a while at night says that it feels like car headlights coming up behind him when I ride behind him so he prefers I ride ahead

socalrider

Princeton Tec EOS.. 1 watt luxeon star, very lightweight, runs on aaa batteries and give a pretty good throw.. Also has a flashing mode which works great for riding at night.

They come with both handlebar and helmet mounts and are under 50.00.. The EOS is a 1 watt Luxeon star which is 4x brighter than the stock 3 led headlamp..

https://www.princetontec.com/products/index.php?use=4

sfrider 

I don't use my lights that often, mostly just something real cheap and simple to have on hand in case. Having used the tiny little Planet Bike ones I wanted something just slightly more substantial and visible. Got a couple of Performance (Viewpoint or whatever their brand is) taillights for $5.97 ea in a sale bin, and a couple of QR bar lights (5 LED) for $12 or so. Works for me!