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 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/light...hargeable.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 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...