I need some BRIGHT lights

Well, I finally did it!!! I rode to work :D ........left at 5:45 am in total darkness...it was kind of weird....but very cool at the same time. I had bought a Flare 5 headlight, and I could see about 3 -4 feet in front of the bike. I kept trying to re-position it so I could see farther, but it just did not have the output I am looking for. I was traveling at 12-13 mph so I would like to get some major type headlights. I was riding on Braes Bayou bike trail and I don't want to take a plunge into the bayou! :eek: Cost is not an issue. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

It is 10 miles from my front door to the Medical Center, so I am really excited about commuting to work. IT WAS GREAT!!!!! I just need to see better.

They have all levels of lighting - including really great lights for 24 hour racing. Take a look at their selection. As far as I'm concerned they have the best lights of all the makers.

In general, you get what you pay for. Light prices range from under $10 to over $500. A few years ago, mtbr did a comparison. It was very intereting. There were some good values, but really, really bright lights will be expensive.

http://www.mtbr.com/spotlight/lightshootout/

I agree, the nite rider lights are great. Toni, I looked at a virtual tour of Braes Bayou that looks like a great commute.

I just ordered the Nite Rider Classic Plus, the pic on their website looks like I will be lighting up the whole path....:D excellent.....I will update when I get them on, and I will add a picture...

Thanks for the help!

Toni

http://www.niterider.com/prod_classic.shtml

I prefer the Bike Planet stuff ('cause my LBS prefers to deal with them and they send chunks of change to cycling advocacy) - http://www.planetbike.com/highpower.html

I really loved mine ... it was like driving. I could see everything. It was like riding in the day, almost better because cars could really really see me too.

(Alas, I lost my big bright byootiful one... hmmm.... maybe it's with my wallet...)

Halogen + NiMH = good thing.
You should be all set.
Let us know how you like 'em when you use them!

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Originally Posted by Adventure Girl

In general, you get what you pay for. Light prices range from under $10 to over $500. A few years ago, mtbr did a comparison. It was very intereting. There were some good values, but really, really bright lights will be expensive.

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Agree wholeheartedly. How much is your life/safety worth?

I have two excellent lights: Niterider Flight--got a good deal w/a coupon at Performance, so I bought it as a back up. Very very bright, has three settings (very high beam, medium high beam, low beam) and a very compact, light battery. I've been using it regularly and the battery charges up pretty fast. Has a long run time, too.

My other bright light is a Lights & Motion ARC Li-on. Bought it last year. Very bright with two settings (high beam and not-so-high beam). The battery is also fairly compact and charges up within a couple hours.

Although both lights' batteries can be mounted on the frame w/a velcro strap, I strap them into my bottle cage. The mounts are easy to install on your handlebars and both lights included helmet mounts. :-)

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Originally Posted by Toni

I just ordered the Nite Rider Classic Plus, the pic on their website looks like I will be lighting up the whole path....:D excellent.....I will update when I get them on, and I will add a picture...

Thanks for the help!

Toni

http://www.niterider.com/prod_classic.shtml

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My husband has this light and you could land a jet plane with it at full setting. I think you'll be very happy.

I use a Light & Motion HID. Also, very bright. I think it will be more versatile because I can mount on a helmet, but for a bar-mount only light the NiteRider Classic is fabulous.

I recently bought the same light. It rocks! It lights up the whole path even on the "low" setting.

Very, very useful thread! :cool:

I'm in the market for some high-quality lights too, in advance of the dreaded time change - gasp - :(

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Originally Posted by Adventure Girl

In general, you get what you pay for. Light prices range from under $10 to over $500. A few years ago, mtbr did a comparison. It was very intereting. There were some good values, but really, really bright lights will be expensive.

http://www.mtbr.com/spotlight/lightshootout/

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Now that was a helpful link! It is so interesting to see the immense variety in lighting patterns. Like they said, wattage alone does not a good like make.

My husband and I both have the Light & Motion Vega (the previously link from mtbr.com that someone posted reviews it). It's bright enough to illuminate everything in front of you, it's small and light so when you need to take it off the bike, it's easy to throw in your bag, and there's no battery that you have to bring with you - you plug it in like you do your cell phone. The battery lasts awhile too, so there's no worries about long rides with the light. I bought mine on sale from bike nashbar, and he bought his on sale from performance. It's a great light and for a decent price for how bright it is (regular $175). Just another suggestion for those searching for a new light. Oh, and Light & Motion's customer service is great too - my husband crashed and slightly damaged his light - he called customer service and they had no problem replacing the damaged part for him.

I'm thinking generator lights now. Wheel or hub? (I'm thinking hub might be less stealable?) Gotta talk to that LBS guy...

For all that we were upset about our Fridays and their issues, we ordered them with schmidt hubs and lights. They ROCK! Beam pattern is great (though not as bright as some of the HID lights), but no worries about recharging or batteries wearing out. Highly recommended.

It's my understanding that the schmidts (in their current iteration) are very weather resistant. See http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/lightingsystems.htm for more info:)

I am happy to report that I rode to work 3 times so far (I work 1 and 1/2 jobs, so 3 times is great for me!!) and my halogen lights are fabulous! I bought the Nite Rider classic plus, and I can see EVERYTHING in front of me. It lights up the entire path and I am using the low beam only. Thanks for the info.....:D