Headlights

[Dogmama]

There is another older thread where the Magicshine headlight was given rave reviews. Anybody have any other faves? I need to get to the gym at 5AM & would like to ride my mtb, now that gas has gone sky high!

[Velocivixen]

I have a MiNewt 250 with a rechargeable battery (comes with a USB cable to plug into either your computer or the wall to recharge). It has 250 lumens either solid (high-medium-low) AND strobe. Runs around $130

[Crankin]

I love my MiNewt 250. I often ride at 5 AM before work and I live in an area that has almost no street lights; dark and narrow country/suburban roads. I also don't have such great night vision and having this light gave me a feeling of security in getting used to riding in the dark. I have another light that is more of a "be seen" light to use in a more well lit area and it just doesn't compare to the MiNewt. In fact, I have had drivers flash their lights at me, indicating that my light was a bit too bright for them!

[oz rider]

Au Ups (http://www.ayup-lights.com/reviews/magazine-reviews/) every time. Bomb proof, bright, good battery life, fantastic service.

[luv2climb]

I have two MiNewts on my recumbent tadpole trike and a Dinotte 200L on my Trek hybrid. All three lights have different levels of brightness on steady mode, plus a flashing mode. The Dinotte has several flashing modes. I like the Dinotte because you can use 4 AA batteries. I use Sanyo Eneloop NiMH rechargeables. They are about the best rechargeable AA available.

[radacrider]

I use a Busch & Muller IXON-IQ led which has a low and high setting (10lux and 40lux). (I bought from Harris Cyclery, http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/lighting/nonrechargeable.html). There is no flashing, but this light is mega bright for dark, wet streets. It was awesome during my winter commuting.

[mauisher]

Dinotte makes great front and tail lights. They have many models and are a pleasure to work with. I highly recommend them. Also, they are made in the USA.

[redrhodie]

I like my minewt, but mine is really finicky turning on. I also use one of these helmets, that has an integrated lighting system. It also has a mirror available. I got it toward the end of winter, when it was still twilight, and it was enough light by itself. http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodBL_2024007.html

Not sure how dark it is at 5 am, but this might be enough if it's getting light during your ride.

[Catrin]

I like my minewt, but mine is really finicky turning on. I also use one of these helmets, that has an integrated lighting system. It also has a mirror available. I got it toward the end of winter, when it was still twilight, and it was enough light by itself. http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodBL_2024007.html

Not sure how dark it is at 5 am, but this might be enough if it's getting light during your ride.

I have this helmet, the purple one that matches my Gunner, but have found it doesn't quite fit my head... it does not have a dial setting and the three available fit settings are either too small or too large :( So make certain you can try it on first instead of just ordering it. I've been able to wear other Giro/Bell helmets without a problem, but not this one.

[Dogmama]

It's still pretty dark at 5AM around here. Buying a headlight is hard because you don't really know how well it works until you test drive it in the dark. I'm going to go down to the LBS & check out some headlights today. I really appreciate all of the advice!

[Geonz]

I am rather fond of getting bright small flashlights and rubber banding them to my handlebars. (I also have a generator dynamo hub on the Xtracycle.)

http://www.batteryjunction.com/ is one of my favorite sources for satisfying my flashlight fetish. They also have SpokeLits ( http://www.batteryjunction.com/skl-03.html ) -- adn in the past three years, the five or six times somebody has either not seen me or just decided to butt in front of me in a 4-way stop situation anyway have *all* been when I didn't have my SpokeLit rolling. They can be a little finicky so that after a while,when I push on 'em they don't stay on -- so I take the batteries out and bend the metal back to where it should be and they're fine... and the price is purty cheap.

I also have a headlamp on my helmet (like camping ones) that's really nice for a directed beam ... and for making a moving light that attracts more attention.

[redrhodie]

I have this helmet, the purple one that matches my Gunner, but have found it doesn't quite fit my head... it does not have a dial setting and the three available fit settings are either too small or too large :( So make certain you can try it on first instead of just ordering it. I've been able to wear other Giro/Bell helmets without a problem, but not this one.

Oh, that's too bad. I wonder if the visor will fit other helmets, since that's what the lights clip to? I felt like mine was too tight at first, even on the largest setting, but it got more comfortable over time. I wore a cap under it, which probably stretched out the back elastic a little.

[Catrin]

Oh, that's too bad. I wonder if the visor will fit other helmets, since that's what the lights clip to? I felt like mine was too tight at first, even on the largest setting, but it got more comfortable over time. I wore a cap under it, which probably stretched out the back elastic a little.

I purchased it because of the lights on the back of the helmet that were integrated into the design. This helmet actually gave me a headache :eek: and the next setting was too loose... My Urvex was pricier, but fits me a lot better :)

I think it is due to the integrated flea lights on the back that led to no adjustment dial. Shame, I do like the helmet otherwise...