[MtnBikerChk]

What kinds of things should I look for?

wattage?
meter/yardage?
charge time?
burn time?
helmet/handlebar mount or both?

what are good ranges to be in?

and finally, bang for the buck - what do you guys run and do you recommend them (not for racing, just occasional night riding)

 

[BikeGeek]

I've used both handlebar and helmet mounts and would recommend, if you're only getting one light, get a helmet mount. There's something about having the light pointed where you are looking that boosts confidence.

I currently have a bar mount 12 watt flood. I usually ride with a group and have no complaints. Other riders' lights compensate for the shortcomings in mine. On solo rides, it's not so good. I can't see down the trail when cornering, I can't see the other side of obstacles when riding them, and it's just not bright enough to go at a decent speed with confidence.

I haven't stepped up to the HID lights yet, but have heard both good and bad.

 

[ghostrider]

Check out www.jetlites.com - they have some solid, simple, reliable lights that aren't as bright as HID, but brighter than most halogen. Very cool comany based in Santa Cruz.

As far as setup goes, go for both helmet and handlebar if you can swing it.

 

[Toshi]

i bought a cateye stadium 3 a while back, and have been very pleased with it. it's quite bright, especially important as noted above when you can't rely on other riders' lights to fill in the gaps in your coverage.

 

[spincrazy]

Yo MBC, check out www.vistionmtb.com. It's a long island site I visit and they're crazy for the night riding. I think that "Lights" have their own forum there. Loads of good info from peeps who ride a lot with lights.

 

[MtnBikerChk]

Originally posted by spincrazy
Yo MBC, check out www.vistionmtb.com. It's a long island site I visit and they're crazy for the night riding. I think that "Lights" have their own forum there. Loads of good info from peeps who ride a lot with lights.

thanks!

(but you suck at spelling )

 

[spincrazy]

Originally posted by MtnBikerChk
thanks!

(but you suck at spelling )

Well vistion could be a site....

I think that was more of a typing mistake, but my spelling has gotten worse, not better. I think it's from reading all the poor spelling and whatnot on this board.

 

[johnbryanpeters]

I have both helmet and bar mount lights. If I was buying just one, I'd go for helmet, because it puts the light where you're looking.

HIDs make the most light for the longest time given the same sized battery, but they're hella expensive (all lights are hella expensive, but HIDs are faddish now, so...).

NiMH (nickel metal hydride) batteries store more power per unit weight than NiCads (nickel-Cadmium).

Get a 15W helmet mounted light for starters - I would hope you could find one in the $100- range. After you have used it for a season, either you'll find it OK, or you'll have a much better idea what you want.

Plan on batteries lasting two or three years. Oh yeah, they're expensive.

Have a spare light bulb on hand and figure out how you would replace it in the dark when it fails. That'll keep you away from systems that have four SAE Allen bolts and require a microscopic screwdriver to do the job...

Where to keep the battery can become a pain in the ass. The battery cord on my Digital Night Owl I is coiled up so tightly that it tries to pull the helmet off my head, even with the battery tie wrapped to the loop on top of my Camelbak. I have no idea what the designers thought they were doing.

Always carry a second light - a flashlight fixed to the bars with a piece of inner tube is way better than darkness deep in on a narrow trail.

J

 

[Serial Midget]

I burn 45 watts between my helmet and handle bar mount - I do like having both and like the dual beams each has as well. Never had a light burn out on me but if I did... I'd still have 3 more.

Even though they are unpopular - you might consider a bottle cage battery. Very handy.

 

[gorgechris]

Another consideration: what do all your riding buddies own? Our crew mostly sports NiteRider, so it makes it real easy to swap chargers, batteries, lights, bulbs, spare parts, etc. When someone's batt goes dead on the trail, someone else typically has an extra.

I have a 10w helmet-mount. This year I'm adding a dual-beam bar mount for those solo rides and for commuting. Supergo has a rippin' deal on the NiteRider Classic Plus right now.

How's my spelling?

 

[EBasil]

Originally posted by MtnBikerChk
What kinds of things should I look for?

wattage?
meter/yardage?
charge time?
burn time?
helmet/handlebar mount or both?

and finally, bang for the buck - what do you guys run and do you recommend them (not for racing, just occasional night riding)

Let me offer an alternative suggestion and some aimed at your criteria: occasional night riding.

1. Look for BAR MOUNT lights. Bar mounts put the light in front of your bike, give a better beam pattern on the ground and don't wash out detail, like a helmet light does. Bar mounts give much better "Bang for the Buck" also.

2. In terms of wattage, you'll want 25-40 watts, and should look for either a single-head HID light ($$) or a dual-head halogen. HID lights punch out a lot of light, but are going to run upwards of $250/each. Single-head halogens don't have enough punch to give you the light you need, and are the reason many started mounting them on their helmet--the narrow beam reduces peripheral vision. Dual head units give you all the wide-beam effectiveness that single head units cannot give, either from the bar or helmet, and better perspective on the trail. Performance is currently clearing out their 2003 dual head halogen set for $130, and this is the best deal in night lights out there. Go fast, because it's a close-out to introduce a new design (looks only) for 2004.

3. Charge time is going to be nearly overnight for most lights. NiMh batteries are the best money deal these days, but some of the newer lights are switching up to LiOn cells for 2004. NiCads aren't as good as NiMh, and are somewhat outdated (hey, I use 'em on my old lights without trouble). The Performance rig is with NiMh cells and a "smart charger" that turns itself off after the cells "peak" as fully charged.

4. When you set your lights on the bike, adjust them so your "hot spot" in the center of the beam is "up and away" from the trail in front of you. This is much harder with the narrow beam or super bright HID's (and especially so on helmet mounts), but the idea is to use the out edges of the beam for the area closest to your wheel and to avoid "Dazzling" your eyes on the hot spot if it's too close to you. With a two beam set, your low beam will give you a nice pattern "close in" and then if you get ready to descend or ride twisty singletrack, the high beam is a "flood" pattern and gives you excellent peripheral vision.

5. Look for lights that give a minimum of 2 hour burn time, which is pretty standard these days.

Get out there and have fun!

 

[Eng-Rider]

One other thing to consider when you're deciding whether to go with a helmet or bar light: A helmet light places the light source very close to your eyes. This reduces the amount of shadow that your eye detects and messes with your depth perception quite a bit. Consider the geometry; if the light came from your eyes you wouldn't see any shadow at all and because the light is only 3-5 inches above your eye, you'll only see a little. A bar light puts the light ~2ft (vertically) from your eye which gives you more shadow and better depth perception. I have tried both and definately prefer a single bar mount to a helmet mount. You could always get one that does both and try it either way and see which you prefer.

 

[Motionboy2]

My first riding-with-lights experience was with a borrowed handlebar mount. That was one of the scarriest things in the world when i got into some tech rock sections. the light was always pointed away from the next obstical.
I would say Helmet mount. I would also say HID. If you get an HID you will have more light for longer. There just isn't really any negatives to that!

 

[gonzostrike]

get a Light and Motion light, the Solo Cabeza Logic model. Battery is powerful but small, fits in your Camelbak or jersey pocket. Light assembly is stout and attaches nicely to your brain bucket. L&M are selling their last ones now, as they have an HID model that will be their only top-line light next year. You should be able to find one at a number of different e-retailers, and also directly from L&M themselves at this website: Light & Motion Industries

 

[jollytime]

I am running a 10w on teh helmet and an el-cheapo on teh bar for when the helmet dies. IMHO the 10w works just fine. Some of the systems out there are huge and I wonder if they are overkill.

I have ridden with folks with the big HID systems and in all honesty, I just don't see the needs to light up 1/2 mile of the woods. I mean, maybe I am not your typical evening rider, but riding in the dark is, to me, a pretty cool thing. And huge lights seem to deminish the "coolness" of the experience for me. I mean cripes, those lights are brighter then most cars highbeams and I don't know any mtbers going 70 mph down the trails!!!! Not to mention that when you take a pit stop and someone looks at you with 50w and blinds you with all that power! Nothing like negotiating trails with a big green spot in front of you!

Go with a simple system and don't believe the high power hype. Stick with what JBP says.

 

[fldunit]

In my opinion, there are a few factors to consider. First, how fast do you ride? The faster you want to ride at night, the more important the amount and placement. I like the Nightsun classic because it is easy to adjust, put on and remove, has plenty of light and beam options (pencil beam, flood or both) and is a dependable unit (tough switch and light housing). I can also easily move it from bike to bike.
Second, how technical are your night rides? If you ride tough, technical trails at night, then get a helmet light too. The helmet light fills in on the hills and corners.
If money is a factor, a quality single beam bar mount and a helmet light would be optimal (nightsun again).
How long are your rides? Give yourself a cushion of battey life but most of the systems available will give you more than enough time on the trail-except for 24hr races of course. My old Nightsun is a ni-cad unit and I get plenty of battery life out of it (2-3 hours).