What kind of bike light do you use?

Forum guidelines BT super discount
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » What kind of bike light do you use? Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2005-10-20 9:34 AM

User image

Extreme Veteran
328
10010010025
Texas
Subject: What kind of bike light do you use?
Since it's starting to get darker earlier I need to get a light for my bike so I can continue riding. Any suggestions for a good light? Any to stay away from (maybe short battery life so too small of a light)?

TIA


2005-10-20 11:21 AM
in reply to: #268898

User image

Elite
2863
20005001001001002525
Subject: RE: What kind of bike light do you use?

I use the Niterider Classic Plus.  http://www.niterider.com/products.php?sku=6351

Very happy with it.  Consistent battery life of about 4 hours with brites on.

2005-10-20 1:24 PM
in reply to: #268898

User image

Expert
798
500100100252525
Potomac, Maryland
Subject: RE: What kind of bike light do you use?

I'm looking at lights as well.  How much was the nite rider?  From what I've learned, it seems that the halogen lights tend to be stronger than the LED versions.  LEDs are bright, but their light dissipates quickly whereas the halogen lamps throw the light further. This is important in order to see more of the upcoming road.  

I would be interested in hearing what minimum wattage should be purchased.  I've seen some with 5 watts, but I think 10 watts is preferable.  Higher than that I think tends to get pretty pricey.  Rechargeable would be a nice feature, as well as more than 2 hours of operation between charges.  

2005-10-20 2:42 PM
in reply to: #269119

Member
27
25
Seattle, WA
Subject: RE: What kind of bike light do you use?
Ken - 2005-10-20 10:24 AM

I'm looking at lights as well. How much was the nite rider? From what I've learned, it seems that the halogen lights tend to be stronger than the LED versions. LEDs are bright, but their light dissipates quickly whereas the halogen lamps throw the light further. This is important in order to see more of the upcoming road.

I would be interested in hearing what minimum wattage should be purchased. I've seen some with 5 watts, but I think 10 watts is preferable. Higher than that I think tends to get pretty pricey. Rechargeable would be a nice feature, as well as more than 2 hours of operation between charges.



I'm using this 5W halogen light, found for about $50 on clearance at my LBS:
http://bicyclesource.us/site/itemdetails.cfm?ID=2702

I'd say it's the minimum for riding in truly dark surroundings. I tried a couple of LEDs before that and neither provided nearly enough light to ride by. I've been generally happy with the Vistalite unit. It's rechargeable and the battery is a 'stick' that is shaped like a bike pump and mounts under the water bottle cage. I'd consider the 10W version if I had it to do again but I manage okay with the 5W. I haven't done any rides long enough to test the battery life but it does fine on my 1 hour commute.
2005-10-21 7:01 AM
in reply to: #268898

User image

Expert
798
500100100252525
Potomac, Maryland
Subject: RE: What kind of bike light do you use?
Thanks for the input.  I'll go out to my lbs and see what I can find.  I think they're having a fall sale right now.
2005-10-21 11:00 AM
in reply to: #269119

User image

Elite
2863
20005001001001002525
Subject: RE: What kind of bike light do you use?
Ken - 2005-10-20 1:24 PM

I'm looking at lights as well.  How much was the nite rider?  From what I've learned, it seems that the halogen lights tend to be stronger than the LED versions.  LEDs are bright, but their light dissipates quickly whereas the halogen lamps throw the light further. This is important in order to see more of the upcoming road.  

I would be interested in hearing what minimum wattage should be purchased.  I've seen some with 5 watts, but I think 10 watts is preferable.  Higher than that I think tends to get pretty pricey.  Rechargeable would be a nice feature, as well as more than 2 hours of operation between charges.  

I paid around $200 for it. 

I would say 10 watts would be the minimum. 



2005-10-21 11:23 AM
in reply to: #268898

User image

Pro
3705
20001000500100100
Vestavia Hills
Subject: RE: What kind of bike light do you use?
If you do not have one already, you ought to be sure to have a lighted rear red light as well. I bought a package from Cateye that contained both - Cateye Luminux for less than $50.00. The rear light has the option of steady light or two blinking light options.

Outside of the obvious danger of getting run over, the danger of riding in the dark is that it is difficult to pick out potential obstacles in your path.

The Cateye 'Luminix Micro Halogen' light is pretty dang bright ... but not bright enough to light the road far enough to go above 13-15 mph



2005-10-21 11:39 AM
in reply to: #268898

User image

Master
1210
1000100100
Saskatchewan
Subject: RE: What kind of bike light do you use?
I just got a Cat Eye Sport OptiCube LED - it's small and attaches to handlebars using a strap so it's easy to take on & off.
New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » What kind of bike light do you use? Rss Feed