Lights

[surgtech1956]

Can anyone recommend a bright headlight less than $100(US)? I've been searching the threads and can't find any on inexpensive lights or aren't they worth it? Should I just save my $$$ and buy something better? Thanks, Nancy

[smilingcat]

if you are travelling fast on your bike you will need a brighter head lights. And the duration of the burn should be longer than your night time riding duration. Common sense.

The cost of the light is dependent on the wattage (brightness) and burn time. Also weight is big to do. Older model used NiCad then are heavy. NiMh (nickel metal hydride) is lighter and smaller but tad more expensive. A high end model will use (Li-ion) batteries very expensive, very light and even smaller. Li-ion is for those "money is no object for weight saving"

The cheap model do not have multiple brightness setting nor do they have the ability to focus the light or disperse the light for better side view.

I don't want to spend $300 for a high end and if I could find one at around $150 I would find that a reasonable compromise. I think you can still find a good usable lights for less than $100.

And mount a fast flashing red LED tail light. Another helpful thing to get noticed is to strap a small flashlight on your left leg and point it upward. The up & down and forward/backward movement of the light makes you far more visible to a car driver.

smilingcat

[Veronica]

I have a Light & Motion Vega. It's more than you wanted to spend - $180 at REI. But lights are safety equipment. The burn time is anywhere between 2 and 8 hours.

The high setting is bright enough that I can descend at good clip on the road.

I use the low setting at dusk, when I'm climbing or there is some other light source, street lights, the moon, another rider...

We never found a cheaper light that we felt was worth the money.

V.

[Torrilin]

I have a Cat Eye 5-LED headlight. It seems to have acceptable scatter for normal evening and fog conditions here. It lights up the road surface well enough at night that I can aim it about 15-20 feet ahead of my bike and feel comfortable that I can see hazards. The light tone seems to shade towards the blue end of the spectrum, which is the main thing I don't like about it. It seems to provide a good visibility boost on grey days, tho I haven't done extensive night-time road testing with it (morning person + summer means not many night rides so far). I use it whenever I'd use a car's headlights, so rain/fog/very overcast as well as early twilight to dark conditions.

It cost about $20 at REI, and uses 4 AA batteries. Advertised battery life is in the 8+ hours range, and it can take both ni-cad and alkaline batteries. I'll definitely start carrying spare batteries as we head into fall and winter.

The blue toned light is a disadvantage since most people are easily blinded by a blue-white light. Yellow-white is a bit less disruptive. I'm typically going about 10 mph under conditions where I have the light on. I don't know that this light would be appropriate for a cyclist who has a higher average speed or is riding primarily at night on the roads. I'm also not sure how durable it is, since I've only had it about a month. I'd be a lot more comfortable saying "yes, it's good" if I could tell you how long it takes for LEDs to start burning out under normal use.

[Veronica]

When Thom started commuting last year we did some night testing of our various lights and reflective gear. We felt the Cat Eyes weren't up to the task for either seeing adequately or being seen.

But if you need something economical, they're better than nothing.

V.

[surgtech1956]

Thanks for the info. I'm not sure how much night riding I'll be doing - probably like Torrilin using a light in fog, etc... I was pricing the Cateyes and I've been looking on Ebay - anyone heard of a Cygo Lite Rover???

[Torrilin]

When Thom started commuting last year we did some night testing of our various lights and reflective gear. We felt the Cat Eyes weren't up to the task for either seeing adequately or being seen.

But if you need something economical, they're better than nothing.

V.

*nod* I can believe that. I've thought about adding a second one if I start riding more at night. It's sorta moot for the next few months tho .

And yes, the taillight is a good idea. Most states don't require them, but it makes it a lot easier for both drivers and pedestrians to see your bike.