headlight recommendation

[bikinchris]

NiteRider headlights. Lumina 500 headlight for helmet with mount and Pro 2200 headlight for the bars. Buy once, buy right and be done with it.

[biker72]

Originally Posted by joosttx

Both these serfas lights are very good lights. Well made, good beam and affordable.


https://www.serfas.com/shop/products...mtb-headlight/

https://www.serfas.com/shop/products...mtb-headlight/

I have the 850 lumen version of this headlight. The daylight strobe mode is so bright I've had motorists blink their lights at me.

[adrien]

One more thought -- don't just buy lumens. You want different light patterns depending on the riding. For me, on the road, 900 lumens is plenty for 20mph. But the light I have is road-specific and has a focused beam. Some of the trail stuff is more dispersed.

And, for extended night riding I supplement with a helmet-mounted light.

[ChainNoise]

I have an Outbound Lighting Road edition and love it. Pretty sure this is one of the only cycling lights that use reflectors and glass patterns to effectively throw light where it needs to be instead of a big giant hotspot that doesn't do too much. The road edition also has a cutoff like a regular car headlight so you don't blind oncoming traffic (if set up properly). The mountain edition doesn't have a cutoff.


http://www.outboundlighting.com

[markie]

In my MTB group a lot of guys are using one of the cheap Cree lights: https://www.amazon.com/RioRand-Bicyc...1118698&sr=8-3

They are super bright and $25. It’s a cheap in to night riding. And if you like night riding you can always get another fancier light later: Two lights, one for the bars and one on the helmet is the best setup.

( I like just running a handlebar light and the challenge it adds going round corners that you cannot fully see. For me if the lights are as bright as the sun I wish I had ridden during the day )

[Smitty2k1]

Just to add another option - I've been pleased with my many Cygolite front and rear lights.

Sent from my SM-G960U1 using Tapatalk

[marciero]

If you are considering generator powered, Supernova-especially the E3 Triple-and Sine Wave are two with dispersed beams that are better suited to off road. The focused beams of other lights can have sharp cutoff like car headlights to avoid blinding oncoming traffic, which, in addition to limiting the view of the terrain, decreases visibility on turns.

[jpw]

On a fixed handlebar light glass visible from the side would be good. Too many are entirely recessed in the housing. Here is a good example of 'bulging' glass, and this light doesn't dazzle;

https://www.lupine.de/produkte/fahrr...-(stvzo)/sl-af

[Saguaro]

Just to throw another option into the mix: Gemini Duo 1500:

https://gemini-lights.com/products/duo-1500-lumens

I have one of these and have been impressed with the build quality and quality of light. While 1500 lumens on High is typically overkill, it’s nice to have on occasions. I usually set it to Medium to extend battery life.

[sparky33]

Originally Posted by msl819

When I am night riding I like a helmet and bar mounted light so I have light both where my bars are pointed and where I am looking. Most of the lights suggested either come with a helmet mount or you can find one easily.

This^ is the most important thing for riding trails in the dark....more important that lumens.

Unlike the riding road, you often are looking into a turn before steering that way.

[trener1]

Check out the Cygolites, they make some really nice lights.
For commuting they have excellent daytime Flash pattern that cars really see.
https://cygolite.com/product/

I'd say start with one for commuting, maybe the 800 lumen and if you go off road, put another one on the helmet.
2 800's will really set you up for the trails.
Though these guys have the 1200 for a good price
https://www.thebikesmiths.com/produc...02394346&_ss=r

[d_douglas]

I dunno, my LBS has the Serfas USB1200 lumen ones there and they are about them, so I am gonna make it easy and just buy that. They said the warranty is amazing and theyre recommended over the Nite Riders, mostly due to being just over half the cost.

Thanks Joosttx!

[572cv]

The cygolite 1200, the Niterider 1200... same general style and great visibility for both, in my experience. Charge lasts decently long. For an easy mount commuter or late day ride lite, these are bomber. Get whatever is at a good price, preferably at your LBS...

[joosttx]

Originally Posted by d_douglas

I dunno, my LBS has the Serfas USB1200 lumen ones there and they are about them, so I am gonna make it easy and just buy that. They said the warranty is amazing and theyre recommended over the Nite Riders, mostly due to being just over half the cost.

Thanks Joosttx!

[cuda]

thanks for this timely thread boys. The end of the day rides are shutting down too fast.